April marks the start of moonlit strolls at iconic Changdeokgung Palace and its extensive gardens. Held during the full moon each month through October, the tours ($27) include traditional entertainment, tea and snacks, and should be booked well in advance. http://eng.cdg.go.kr Things are looking up, literally, on the Spanish capital’s Gran Via, where the avenue’s first five-star luxury hotel showcases city views from its rooftop terrace and the sixth-floor àtico (penthouse) lounge in a palatial 1917 building. Shipwrecks and wildlife bones inspire the name of Skeleton Coast Park, lining nearly a third of the country’s windswept shoreline. Gates with skulls mark the entrance to the park’s even more rugged northern half, accessible only via licensed tour operators.