Tivoli park was once the grounds of a castle barely two kilometres from the historic centre of Mechelen. These days you can enjoy a quiet stroll here across the large expanses of grass, past ancient trees, a highly-scented rose garden, a herb garden and other delightful nooks. Now pure white again, in 1990 the famous Belgian artist Jan Fabre wrapped the castle in sheets of paper covered with ballpoint lines for which 150,000 blue pens were required! Since 1991 the mansion has housed a catering establishment specializing in parties, seminars and the like. Drinks, snacks and lunches are served to the general public in the adjoining orangery. Small children will love meeting a whole variety of farm animals on the children's farm. Other attractions include the large bee colony and the educational nature trail where signs draw your attention to aspects of the park's history, fauna and flora.

Housed in a large former power station, Tate Modern is Britain's leading art gallery when it comes to modern and contemporary art. As well as the Tate's much anticipated exhibitions, there's a fantastic permanent collection to explore. It features works by artists as diverse as Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois.

The British Film Institute (BFI) is an absolute must for film aficionados. This film and television charitable organisation shows films every day: from the latest and biggest blockbusters screened in their spectacular IMAX theatre, to old-time classics and indie darlings in their smaller, more intimate halls. The renovated BFI venue is located in Southbank, which is the perfect spot to take in the riverfront views and hang out in the creative company of local film and theatre lovers. The BFI's waterfront restaurant and bar is great for dates or discussing the latest film with friends.

The Bronx keeps evolving while holding tight to its roots. It’s home to some of New York’s best green spaces, from the vast Bronx Zoo and Van Cortlandt Park to the New York Botanical Garden, where seasonal displays draw visitors year-round. The borough’s Little Italy on Arthur Avenue is a must for old-school bakeries and family-run trattorias, and Yankee Stadium remains a top stop whether you’re catching a game or taking a behind-the-scenes tour. Literature fans can visit the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, where the author spent his final years, while the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum offers a look at 19th-century life inside one of the city’s most elegant estates. For something more contemporary, explore the Bronx’s creative side through its growing street art scene and deep ties to hip-hop, which was born here in the 1970s and continues to shape its identity today.