Admire Cologne from above on the Rhein-Seilbahn cablecar, which runs from Kölner Seilbahn right across the River Rhine.

Circle the outside of Kölner Dom, Cologne's famous cathedral, to admire its intricate stonework and flying buttresses. The cathedral's iconic spires dominate the city's magnificent skyline, and if you're feeling brave you can climb 533 steps to the top of the south tower.

Meander through mature trees and open meadows at the stunning Englischer Garten. Stop by the food court for lunch or a refreshing drink, or watch the surfers on the Eisbach river negotiating the wave created by a kink in the floor of the river.

Take a dip in one of Europe's most stunningly restored swimming pools, the Müllersches Volksbad. The building has an Art Nouveau dome and the steam rooms are full of Baroque touches like murals, stucco, bronze statues and ornate iron bars.

You could spend hours at the Pinakothek der Moderne discovering works from the most famous art movements. All the big names of modern art – Kirchner, Kandinsky, Klee, Bacon, Braque, Otto Dix, Picasso, Magritte, Ernst, Miró – are present in the museum's impressive permanent collection.

Experience one of the city's romkocsma, or 'ruin bars', dilapidated old buildings that have been turned into bars featuring upcycled furniture. Szimpla Kert is the oldest and most famous, with live music a few nights a week, and a flea market during Sunday daytime.

Soak up the natural minerals at the historic Széchenyi Baths, where you can enjoy an impressive assortment of thermal pools. There are also saunas and steam rooms.

Looming over Budapest, the 19th-century lookout tower of Fisherman's Bastion gives the best views of the city. If the walk up to the top of the hill on which it sits is too daunting, just hire an electric scooter to get you there – Budapest has plenty of companies renting them out.

Sitting on top of a hill on the opposite bank of the River Vltava to Prague Castle, the Vyšehrad Citadel was also once a royal residence. You can explore the ornate churches of St Peter and St Paul, as well as Slavín Cemetery, which is the last resting place of many famous Czechs, including composer Dvořák.

Comprising several separate sights in the Josefov quarter, the Prague Jewish Museum gives a fascinating insight into this community’s long history in Prague. The opulent Spanish Synagogue is one of the highlights, as is the Jewish Cemetery, with its timeworn gravestones now leaning at sharp angles.

David Černý's sculptures are bold, provocative and you'll see them throughout the city, whether you intend to or not. Look out for K, a giant revolving bust of Franz Kafka in the Quadrio shopping centre and Miminka, a series of babies climbing up the TV tower at Žižkov.

Visit the Stara Synagoga, one of two surviving Gothic synagogues in the world that was restored after World War II.

Make your way underground to explore Rynek Podziemny, a fascinating set of Medieval-era tunnels cleverly accentuated with modern tools like holograms.

Walk through the labyrinthine passageways of The Wieliczka Salt Mine and see the displays of historic salt-mining technology, an underground lake, four chapels and numerous statues carved by miners out of the rock salt, plus more recent sculptures by contemporary artists.

Visit one of the most photogenic churches in Germany, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and enjoy a moment of peace beneath the spectacular blue stained-glass window.

Known as the vegan capital of Germany, Berlin place is an ideal holiday destination if you're following a plant-based diet. Highlights include vegan takes on the iconic local street food currywurst, delicious doughnuts, authentic Georgian cuisine and high-end dining – book at table at zero-waste FREA if you can, which was awarded a green star by Michelin.

Take a walk or cycle through Tiergarten, at 210 hectares Berlin's biggest green space. Stop off at Café am Neuen See to recharge with a drink looking out over the lake.

Take a wander around the picturesque Parc d’Egmont, dotted with prominent historic statues and buildings, including the adjoining Neoclassical Palais d’Egmont (now a conference centre and government offices).

Immerse yourself in the world of Tintin, the Smurfs and other characters at Brussels' Comic Arts Museum, housed in one of the city's most stunning Art Nouveau buildings.

Take a walk around the vast Sonian Forest just south of Brussels. You'll find over 5000 hectares of woodland, including many native beech trees up to 200 years old, which are now UNESCO World Heritage protected.