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.

Relax in the city's Art Nouveau public bath house, Köln Neptunbad. Originally built in 1912, the complex contains luxurious spa facilities and a serene Japanese garden.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Cologne's popular chocolate museum, the Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum. Dive into the history of chocolate, with hands-on demonstrations and tasting throughout.

Visit Stockholm's red-brick Fotografiska. Despite being a relative newcomer (it opened its doors in 2010), Fotografiska has been quick to establish itself as one of the leading museums of photography in the world.

Head to Stockholm's historic centre, Gamla Stan, and discover medieval churches and the baroque Palace.

Relax in the sprawling meadows of Djurgården, a former royal hunting ground that's been transformed into a public recreational park. 

Enjoy a concert at the iconic, wavelike Elbphilharmonie. The programme is diverse, covering covers a wide range of music genres, and the venue is worth a visit for the contemporary architecture and city views alone.

Hop onto the tram to head to Westerpark, one of the city’s largest green spaces. It’s home to many lively brewery pubs and cafés, two floating restaurants and a charming 17th-century windmill.

Vondelpark is Amsterdam's largest city park, complete with sculptures, a nature area for wildlife spotting, free open-air theatre in the summer and plenty of paths to explore among the trees and grassy areas.

While away an afternoon exploring the canals and cobbled streets of Amsterdam’s famous Nine Streets, home to independent coffee shops and quirky boutiques.