With its romantic grounds, Sofiero Palace makes for a popular destination. The grounds are perhaps best known for their unparalleled rhododendrons, with an incredible 5,000 bushes bursting into flower in the spring. The fairytale of Sofiero began in 1864, when Crown Prince Oskar and his wife Sophia had their summer residence built here. In 1905, Oskar — by now King Oskar ll — gave the palace to his grandson Prince Gustav Adolf and his bride Princess Margareta as a wedding present. This is when the gardens literally flourished. Princess Margareta was a keen and creative gardener, and it was she who first laid out the grounds that we can enjoy to this day. She arranged flower beds and gardens, had paving laid and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Every summer, the Crown Prince couple travelled from Stockholm with their four young princes and Princess Ingrid, who eventually became Queen of Denmark. When Margareta died in 1920, Gustaf Adolf carried on the work in the garden, particularly with the rhododendrons. The palace was the summer residence of the Swedish royal family up until 1973, when it was given to the town of Helsingborg. This small palace, which lies like a jewel amid the extensive lawns, is home to a restaurant where the food is prepared by some of Sweden’s finest chefs. There’s also a café with views of the Öresund Sound and Denmark.

Särö became a popular spa resort in the 19th century, when beautiful villas and bathing pavilions were built here. Many still remain today, stylishly renovated, with their traditional balconies for drinking punsch. Take a walk through the unique nature reserve and finish off with lunch or dinner at the inn.

This is the most popular tourist attraction in Sofia. The beautiful orthodox cathedral was built in 1912 and took 30 years to complete. The cathedral was created in honour of the Russians soldiers that died in the Russo-Turkish war and holds up to 10,000 people.

Knez Mihailova Street is the pedestrian area that unifies Belgrade's beautiful architecture. It leads to the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park on one end, and to Terazije and the iconic Terazijska česma drinking fountain near Hotel Moskva on the other, offering a splendid view of the Sava river valley. Inside tip: Take a detour to Kosančićev venac, the oldest part of Belgrade outside the fortress. This charming elbow-shaped street is home to Princess Ljubica's Residence, the Building of the Patriarchate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the Cathedral Church of St Michael the Archangel, all of which are sure to captivate you with their elegance.