Head out to the twelfth-century Kasteel van Groot-Bijgaarden, a castle set within sprawling 14-hectare grounds complete with a spectacular moat. In springtime, Groot-Bijgaarden is the site of Brussels' famous spring flower exhibition, Floralia Brussels, and in winter, the gardens are illuminated by LED lanterns as part of the Lightopia festival.

The Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule is a beautiful, airy building, with white vaulted ceilings and high windows which fill the nave with light. See if you can book onto one of the tower tours; they're only in French or Dutch, but even if you don't understand, you'll appreciate the view from the 64-metre-high towers.

For the most authentic experience of Belgium's capital, head to the trendy Marolles district. The area is bursting with independent cafés, neighbourhood eateries and a daily market that sprawls across the Place du Jeu de Balle. You'll likely overhear the traditional Brusseleir dialect being spoken here.

There are many museums dotted around Berlin, but some some of the most iconic are clustered on Museumsinsel (Museum Island), including the Pergamonmuseum and Neues Museum.

Berlin boasts over 60 Christmas Markets during the festive period, including Japanese and Scandinavian-style markets, a sustainable Christmas market with vegan food (on the first three Advent weekends), and plenty of traditional offerings across the city. The Weihnachtszauber market at Bebelplatz and the market at Charlottenburg Palace are particularly pretty settings to enjoy some classic Christmas treats.

Escape the city for the day and venture into Brandenburg, the area surrounding Berlin, to visit one of the region's many peaceful lakes. There are more than 3000 lakes to choose from, plus rivers and outdoor pools, some wild and natural, others more manicured and child-friendly.

Hop on the free ferry from behind Central Station with your bike and cycle along the Ijsselmeer coast to Durgerdam. You can also head on out into the countryside to visit the villages of Nieuwendam, Ransdorp and Zunderdorp. Noord is leafy and scenic and home to the Noorderpark.

Pop into the aristocratic house and tranquil gardens of the Van Loon family at Museum Van Loon, an oasis of quiet in the heart of the city. 

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.