Carmen Atiyah de Baets & Joris ter Meulen Swijtink

Both the beans of the espresso and filter coffee (which are roasted in-house) change on a regular basis, so you’ll always have something fresh and exciting to drink when you’re here. They also serve up a wonderful range of sweet and savoury snacks, so it’s easy to idle away the afternoon. What is more, there's also a 'puppycino' for all the pups in town. 

This family-owned pastry shop is worth a visit for the interior design alone. That being said, their pastries are pretty damn good too. They have a fantastic selection of French & Dutch patisserie, but their (typically Dutch) kroketten are the most popular with local Amsterdammers . You’ve got to do as the locals do, are we right? We thought so.

This four-bedroom boutique guesthouse is located in one of Beirut's liveliest neighbourhoods of Mar Mikhael. It is a little haven for when you need to escape the hustle and bustle of Beirut, and its owner Samer is one of the friendliest people we know.

In a country known far & wide for its blooms, it can start to feel like floral overload. But just because wonderful florists are nearly a dime a dozen here doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few truly unique places to pick up a bouquet or a few plants for the house. With its distinctive style & its diminutive space, Flower Loves Me is a standout. 

CARMEN is a feast for each and every sense. Run by Carmen Atiyah de Baets and her husband Joris, this guesthouse-kitchen-shop is a delightful mishmash of creativity and design. The 17th century former family home is now a bustling, central city hangout, where the kitchen takes centre stage. Open for lunch service seven days a week, the ravioli is our menu go-to. For something lighter, a date scone is served with whipped salted butter, and a slither of the chocolate torte has become the afternoon staple. 

There’s vintage clothing, and then there’s vintage clothing. And if you’re after the serious stuff – think classic Missoni, covetable Celine and old school Prada – Tamago is the place to be. If you’re looking to earn a little before you spend a little, Tamago is ideal, as they consign pristine designer clothes, doing all the work for you. Dream!

With a collection that was started after World War I, the National Museum of Beirut is easily the principal archaeological museum in the country. Pop in for a visit & see some hidden historical treasures.

Amsterdam has no shortage of charming neighbourhood restaurants, but Rondo is one you'll want to add to the rotation. The menu changes with the seasons, but dishes like gnocchi with smoked goat butter, barbecued green asparagus with harissa and rhubarb, and cooked skrei make choosing what to order harder than finding a table. Luckily, that's what sharing is for.