You silly egg! You flea! You meatball! Oddly enough, these are terms of endearment in China, France and Italy. A selection of choice pet names from around the world

a belly full of love

The way to the heart is through the stomach. Here’s proof: the French call their lover their “cabbage,” the Spanish, “half an orange,” the Japanese, “egg with eyes.” Oval heads are generally considered a beauty standard in the Far East.

the heart and other organs

“My heart and liver!” is a term of endearment in China. In Ireland, they say mo chuisle, “my pulse,” whereas Tibetans call their beloved “revered poison of my heart.”

animal attraction

The Germans lead, drawing inspiration from animals to call their lover a snail, sparrow, rabbit or mouse, closely followed by the French (“My doe!”) and the Italians (“My chick! My microbe!”).

Rob Woodcoy, an American fine artist and photographer, is also a man on a mission. His montages, centered on the human figure, tell stories and convey how diverse we are as individuals. He runs photography workshops, too – including one in northern California this month.

robwoodcox.com

On Scheelhoek Island in The Netherlands, you can observe sandwich terns, an endangered species of bird, at the egg-shaped TIJ Observatory jointly designed by RAU Architects and Ro&Ad Architects – composed entirely of natural materials.

rau.eu

The Kakku pagodas – of which there are over 2000 – have bells in their dainty towers that tinkle in the wind. The 16th-century temple complex is sacred to the Pa-O people, but visitors are now allowed to enjoy the magic, too.

inlelaketourism.com/kakku-pagodas.asp

If you and your family can’t decide where to take your next vacation, try one of these tips: They combine the sea, the mountains and a city getaway in a single destination.