Continuing the series of Barcelona day trips, this is another great one. Montserrat literally means "the serrated mountain" and makes reference to it's jagged form against the surrounding landscape which is completely flat. There is a Monastery on top of the mountain, and various walks can be enjoyed to view the fantastic views.

Here's another Barcelona day trip, and perhaps the most popular for those wishing to make a side trip to somewhere interesting - The Salvador Dali Museum in Figueras. The Wacky Spanish painter has some fantastic works on display here, and even the building itself stands out - labelled the "largest surrealistic object in the world".

The Aphrodite festival in Paphos is celebrating its 11th edition, fantastic way to enjoy musical event in a unique venue sucha as the Castle of Paphos.

Time for another money-saver, and another free museum. I know I mentioned that the free things weren't all going to be "boring" things but trust me on this one! This is the Chocolate Museum!

Everyone knows about Jefferson's Monticello. When most people visit, they usually find out, a little too late, about a special tour. Of course, you must book ahead and it costs more money ($45), but it offers views not seen by the masses and it is at night. I remember how disapointed I was on my first visit, that I had not known about it. Children under 6 are not encouraged to participate.

A walk through a spring garden in New York during cherry blossom season at just the right time can be an exquisite experience, but sometimes personal schedules and the weather can throw off a well-timed visit. If you're slightly late, you're still lucky, because walking on the earth covered by millions of pink petals is the special and more surreal experience.

The very first time I visited New York City, I was amazed at how much of the buildings and streets I "recognised". Countless films and sit-coms have brought the Big Apple to the big and small screen, and it was amazing to visit a city and find instantly recognisable places.

People often lose umbrellas, but I've held onto a special one for many years - a large parapluie (literally, for the rain, in French) with a wooden base and curved handle that upon opening reveals the painting Paris Street, Rainy Day by painter Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894).

Manhattan features many famous buildings, many of which can be readily identified by individuals who have never set foot in New York, such as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Radio City Music Hall, the Guggenheim Museum and Rockefeller Center, for example. The list goes on. So many notable, but less iconic buildings, however, bear a closer look.