Right next to the famous Red Square sits Moscow's first urban park since half a century. Designed by American architects Diller Scofidio and Renfro and inaugurated in September 2017, this massive piece of land in the heart of the Russian capital is more than just a park, it is a breath of fresh air to the city's landscape and a new meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Take a walk around its 35-acre grounds and visit its multiple attractions including: two amphitheaters, a market, a restaurant, a world-class philharmonic concert hall, an ice cave, and a boomerang-shaped bridge floating over the Moscow River.

Mount Arafat is a small hill outside of Mecca and a major holy site in Islam, as this is the place where Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon. It is also called 'The Mountain of Mercy' because it was here that God forgave Adam and Eve after they fell from heaven.

Catch the spirit of Christmas in Orlando's festively decorated Central Park, and take in the heart-warming celebration songs by the Bach Festival Choir.

Samarra is a small yet historically rich city located approximately 125 kilometres north of Baghdad. Founded in 836 AD by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mu'tasim, it holds deep significance for Sunni Muslims and features some of Iraq's most iconic Islamic architecture. The easiest way to visit Samarra is on a day trip from Baghdad. Head to the Alawi garage to catch a shared taxi or minivan. A one-way journey in a minivan costs around 10,000 Iraqi dinars. Shared taxis are slightly more expensive but offer a faster and more comfortable ride. Samarra’s most famous landmark is the spiral minaret of the Great Mosque, which was once among the largest mosques in the world. The minaret stands at 52 metres and features a distinctive spiral ramp that winds its way to the top. Climbing the minaret is not always allowed and it is unclear when it's possible to climb it and when it's not. There's also another similar minaret nearby called the Abu Dulaf Minaret, located 28 kilometres from the Great Mosque. Samarra is also home to the Askariyya Shrine, an important site that is sacred to Shia Muslims due to the tombs of the tenth and eleventh Imams. Non-Muslim visitors are allowed inside, but modest dress, respectful behaviour, and compliance with local customs are expected. Due to the shrine’s religious importance, security is very tight and includes several checkpoints. As a predominantly Sunni city in a complex religious landscape, Samarra maintains strict security protocols, particularly for foreigners. If you're not part of an organised tour, expect to be the only foreigner on the journey. This may result in added scrutiny at checkpoints, including detailed passport checks and questions about your travel plans.