A top pick for a family day out, Mundenhof near Freiburg offers a winning combination of well-cared-for creatures, ample space for both animals and kids, and free admission. With large enclosures for mostly domestic and farm animals, the site feels more like a wildlife park than a zoo, though meerkats, monkeys, and a large aquarium add excitement to the atmosphere.
Thanks to its distinctive brick-and-cream facade and Gothic bell tower, the Evangelical Church (Biserica Evanghelica Bistrita) is one of the city’s architectural symbols. At 246 feet (75 meters), the church boasts the highest medieval tower in Romania, and its history dates back to 1319.
Only a short drive from the beach resorts of Cesme, Alacati Pazaryeri Camii is a small mosque in the town of Alacati. The historic landmark testifies to the region’s Greek and Turkish-Muslim heritage. Originally built as an Orthodox church in the 19th century, the building was converted into a mosque after the population transfer between Greece and Turkey following World War I.
The Józef Czapski Pavilion (Pawilon Józefa Czapskiego) commemorates the life of the Polish painter, writer, and intellectual who witnessed and recorded many of the most significant moments of 20th-century Polish history. The small pavilion contains examples of the artist’s work and offers an engaging look at his life.
Nestled in Catalonia’s eastern Pyrenees, the Masella ski and snowboard resort forms half of the Alp 2500 ski area with neighboring La Molina. It’s perfect for beginners and intermediates. Masella’s 17 lifts span 65 ski runs covering 46 miles (74 kilometers) and a snowpark. Thirteen runs and the park are open for night skiing.
Considered one of the best examples of Gothic-Catalan architecture in Sardinia, Alghero’s Chiesa di San Francesco ranks among the city’s most important historic attractions. The 15th-century church is part of a larger complex, which includes a Franciscan convent, cloister, and bell tower. Admire the highlights, then climb the 64 steps to the top of the tower for pretty views over the city.
Lining the scenic Bastione di Capo Marchiafava, the Chiesa dell’Itria (officially the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Odigitria e San Giovanni Evangelista) is a modest church laden with history. Visit its unique interior, formed by joining two neighboring 16th-century churches via an internal arch in the mid-20th century, before continuing on to the panoramic overlook just beyond.
Spread out over 63 acres (25 hectares), Handsworth Park is a popular place for Birmingham residents and visitors looking to get out in nature without having to leave town. Along with its grassy expanses, flower beds, and trees, the park has a network of walking paths and two play areas for kids.
Little, low-key, and lovely, the Alatsee is a gem of a Bavarian lake that offers a tranquil respite for locals and castle-weary sightseers from nearby Füssen. You can walk around it on a leisurely half-hour stroll, stop for a summer cool-down dip near the shore, and take a twirl on one of the rope swings.
If slipping, sliding, and splashing your way around a course of gigantic inflatable obstacles sounds like a good time, Amadores Fun Park is the place to be. All ages can visit the water park, which floats offshore at Amadores Beach, and enjoy climbing up slides, jumping from towers, and flying off an inflatable pillow.
In the bustling heart of Aarhus, Store Torv is the city’s largest and most picturesque public square. The triangle-shaped pedestrian plaza is anchored by a soaring 12th-century cathedral—one of the tallest in Denmark—and lined by chocolate-box townhouses, the city pharmacy dating from 1710, and the Neoclassical Hotel Royal. One of the top sights in Aarhus, Store Torv is a hub for dining, shopping, and cultural events.
Llandaff is a centuries-old town that lies within the city limits of Cardiff. It’s famous for its cathedral—one of the UK’s oldest Christian sites—under which early Roman burial sites have been discovered. It is said that ghosts and spirits, such as the White Lady, haunt Llandaff and roam the local woods. Beware!
Housed in the 18th-century Chapel of San Sebastian (Capela de São Sebastião), the Museum of Sacred Art (Museu de Arte Sacra) is one of Albufeira’s cultural highlights. It’s the perfect place to escape the scorching midday sun and admire biblical paintings, extravagant altars, and intricate carvings of Jesus Christ.
Perched on the banks of the River Dee, just outside of Chester city center, Sandy Lane Aqua Park features a playground alongside a variety of fun water features, including jet sprays, sprinklers, geysers, and tipping buckets. This family-friendly destination boasts views of the lush Chester countryside and a grassy picnic area.
With four seasons of horticultural displays and more than 3,100 plant species from all corners of the globe, Augsburg Botanical Garden is a serene spot to escape the crowds of the medieval center. Slip into the fragrant rose garden, stroll around the Yoshikuni Araki-designed Japanese garden, and uncover the secrets of the medicinal garden.
One of the largest markets in Europe, Brussels’ Midi Market still feels pretty local in spirit. Popping with life and color on Sunday mornings, it sells everything from fresh flowers, produce, and meat to clothing, spices, chocolates, and household goods. Along with items to take home, it’s also where you’ll find the city’s best representation of the world’s cuisines.
The nearly 100-year-old Knockpatrick Gardens lies in County Limerick, right on the Wild Atlantic Way, and features blooming displays of chestnut trees, magnolias, azaleas, poppies, ferns, and even bamboo,. A must for gardening enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a scenic spot for a stroll.
Roughly translated as “shapely mountain,” Moel Siabod offers some of the finest views in Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. The mountain is lesser-known than its Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) neighbor—and this is no bad thing—meaning it entices walkers instead with solitude and sweeping views over the surrounding Moelwynion massif peaks.
The Cabeco do Canto hiking trail reveals Faial’s volcanic landscape in all of its lush green glory. While the 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) circular route is considered of medium difficulty, it’s one of the Azorean island’s most popular treks thanks to the rugged beauty of the landscapes it traverses.
Created in honor of General Count de Boigne, who made his fortune in India and bestowed it on the town in the early 19th century, the Fountain of Elephants has become a classic Chambery sight. Its endearing appeal comes from the back-to-back placement of the elephants, which led locals to refer to the rear-less quartet as Les Quatre Sans Culs.
The postcard-perfect Bern Bridge (or Pont de Berne/Bernbrücke) is the last remaining covered bridge in Fribourg and a must-see when exploring the old town. Dating back to the 17th century, it spans the Sarine/Saane River and features views of the nearby Zaehringen and Gottéron bridges, as well as the medieval historic center. Admire its weathered beams and colorful flower boxes as you walk, cycle, or drive across.
Located at the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, St. Paul’s Square is famed for being one of the city’s very last remaining Georgian squares. Taking its name from the small church that sits as its center, visitors come here to relax on its benches, check out the architecture, or visit nearby restaurants and cafés.
An intimate winery on the Santorini beachfront, Gaia Wines majors on the island’s signature assyrtiko white grape. One of Santorini’s most innovative winemakers, founder Yiannis Paraskevopoulos produces aged vinegars, vinsanto, and elegant white wines, while techniques include wild fermentation, clay aging, and undersea maturation.
Antiques and oddities spill out onto the inner city streets of Seville with the coming of the Mercadillo del Jueves each Thursday. This long-standing flea market is one of the oldest in Europe and sprawls along Calle Feria, enticing passersby with its discordant mix of wares that are just as likely to appeal to nostalgia, curiosity, and novelty as they are good taste.
Have your camera ready to capture the rainbow of colorful townhouses lining lively Piazza Baldassare Galuppi, Burano’s main square. Home to landmarks like the Chiesa di San Martino, Lace Museum, and statue of Baldassare Galuppi—the Venetian composer who was born on Burano—this piazza is the heart of the island and one of its most photographed spots.
Set at the far end of Ascoli Piceno’s elegant Piazza Arringo, the Cattedrale di Sant’Emidio is one of the city’s largest and most impressive churches. Architecture buffs will appreciate the mix of architectural styles spanning from the 11th to the 15th century, while art lovers can admire the sumptuous interior frescoes, paintings, mosaics, and masterpieces in marble, silver, and wood.
Once home to the leading Bulgarian figure Neofit Rilski, a monk, writer, and educator, this museum now shows visitors what a typical 18th-century house was like in the town of Bansko. Set behind high walls, the space is well-preserved, though the small exhibition in the barn about Rilski’s work is a modern addition.
The former summer house of Antoine Lumière, whose sons—the Lumière Brothers—were pioneers in early filmmaking technology, the Villa Lumière is among Evian-les-Bains’ finest examples of Belle Epoque architecture. Today, it houses the city’s Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall).
Set slightly back from the Old Venetian Harbor of Heraklion, a cluster of high vaulted tunnels is all that remains of the city’s Venetian Shipyards. Four old tunnels rest side by side towards the south of the harbor; one newer tunnel remains to the east. Their impressive scale shows how big the Venetian ships of yore were.
Ask anyone for their favorite beach in Andros, and Zorkos Beach often tops the list. This beautiful bay has it all: clean water, a seemingly endless stretch of fine sand, nearby tavernas, and it pulls off the rare feat of being reasonably accessible yet somehow off-the-grid. Caves, rocks, and sweeping sea views all add to its appeal.
