As mountains go, Mount Tamalpais isn't particularly grand in size, but it looms large for those lucky enough to live nearby and access its miles of trails and open space with expansive views of the entire Bay Area. It's an escape, a refuge, a playground that feels so far away in spirit but can be reached in in less than 30 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge. Mt. Tam beckons daily, never more so than during the golden hour before sunrise or sunset, when light and shadow do a slow dance across the landscape. On those days when fog blankets the Bay, that beauty becomes sublime: standing above a sea of clouds, Mt. Tam can feel otherworldly, like a fairy-tale realm that exists only in dreams. Sometimes, for a few moments, it can seem like a glimpse of heaven on earth.

Bilbao's jetson-esque airport is the perfect introduction to the many architectural gems awaiting you in the Basque Country. The main terminal was designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2000. It was immediately nicknamed 'La Paloma' (dove) for its aerodynamic, birdlike appearance. It's a breathtaking structure that really looks like it's about ready to take off. A taxi driver told me that it has also received plenty of criticism for its somewhat 'closed' design, that makes future expansions a bit of a challenge. Keep your eyes open when you arrive/ depart, the building and its details are a treat, although sadly they show their young age already. >>THANK YOU: Basque Country Travel courtesy of Romo Tur (http://www.romotur.com/). Travel Protection courtesy of MedjetAssist (https://medjetassist.com).

After a morning wandering around the Lanes, nothing can beat watching the early autumn sun set over Brighton beach. Lucky Beach is the perfect spot to see the sun off. Having only popped in for a drink, we were informed that it was obligatory to be served chips as well, to comply with the bar/ restaurant's license. No problem! The chips were fresh, hot and delicious and convinced us to stay for dinner. The staff were lovely and there were nice little touches all around both the outside and inside areas. Of course, the icing on the cake here is the quintessential English seaside view, and what a lovely view that is.