Perched atop the stark white cliffs of Pamukkale lies Hierapolis — an ancient city that's as rich in history as it is in thermal springs. Once a Phrygian cult centre and later a flourishing Greek city, Hierapolis boasts a well-preserved amphitheatre, an array of atmospheric ruins, and the famed Sacred Pool — a thermally heated delight where you can immerse yourself amidst submerged Roman columns, scattered by an ancient earthquake. Just a stone's throw away, the terraces of Pamukkale steal the show. These gleaming white formations, made of travertine — a sedimentary rock deposited by the mineral-rich hot waters — give the town its name, meaning 'Cotton Castle'. With temperatures ranging from 35°C to a steamy 100°C, these hot springs have been creating an expanding landscape of terraces for centuries, as calcium carbonate from the waters crystallises into the soft gel of travertine. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, Hierapolis and Pamukkale offer a unique fusion of cultural history and natural wonder that should not be missed.

The Drents Museum in Assen is a treasure trove of history and art, showcasing over 90,000 objects. Its archaeology collection, featuring prehistoric artefacts like the mummified Yde Girl and the oldest known canoe, the Pesse canoe, is among the most important in Northwest Europe. The museum also boasts a significant art collection, considered one of the Netherlands' finest, alongside an impressive array of contemporary realism art. A visit offers an immersive journey through Drenthe's rich past and artistic legacy.

Italian cuisine needs no introduction — you've tasted it and loved it countless times. Milan is the perfect place to take one of the many cooking classes with a trained chef or an average (if there is such a thing) nonna. Most classes can teach you how to make your own pasta, pizza and dessert, but you can ask for something that speaks to you personally. Of course, you get to taste your own masterpiece afterwards.

Officially declared a Dark Sky Park in 2016, Lauwersmeer National Park is just a 45-minute drive from Groningen and is mostly renowned for its rich birdlife and the popular night walks, offering a celestial escape in a country with an otherwise heavy light pollution. As one of just above 40 Dark Sky Parks worldwide — and the second in the country after Boschplaat — it promises sightings of the nocturnal wildlife, constellations and, on rare occasions, even the northern lights.