A combination of rugged landscapes, sparkling coastlines, and rustic villages has made Mallorca one of Europe’s top-visited destinations. Located off the eastern coast of Spain, Mallorca’s reputation has evolved over the years from a quiet, secluded Mediterranean island, to one of the first all-inclusive travel destinations, to a bohemian escape for artists.

The juxtaposition of ‘new meets old’ is thrown around a lot in travel, but Cairo takes it to the extreme. Where else can you see ancient iconic marvels and centuries-old mosques sitting alongside a rapidly modernizing metropolis? This striking contrast is just one of the reasons why few cities in the world offer an experience like Egypt’s capital.

While its heritage is what makes Kyoto unique, it is still very much a modern city with cool concept stores, boutique galleries, and a surge of new contemporary hotels. Take the time to get to know this side of it to escape the tourist overcrowding and give you a better understanding of the city beyond its picturesque image.

Think you know Thailand? Think again. In a country best known for its islands and temples, Thailand’s Northern capital offers an urban destination that has quietly emerged as an art and design hub. In true ECT style, we’ve delved into the current artistic energy of the city to uncover the brands, bars, galleries, and cultural hubs you should know about.

We sat down with award-winning writer and editor, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of Mexican Gothic and The Seventh Veil of Salome to discuss challenging Mexican stereotypes through fiction, religious art in Mexico City, and nature excursions in Baja California. 

“Sometimes people feel frustrated when they visit Saigon because they couldn’t get to know the feel of the city better,” explains Jonathan Morana, ECT Clubhouse Travel Expert for Vietnam. We worked with Jonathan to curate a list of the best recommendations for getting to know the feel of the city at a deeper level.