Like every big city, Ankara needs its own Museum of Modern Art. Holding exhibitions in old, restored industrial buildings, Cermodern has artworks for all tastes.

Cologne’s main opera house stages a mix of classic and contemporary productions, from Mozart to modern composers. The resident company is strong, and visiting performers keep the programme varied. The building itself is modern and a bit divisive—some love it, some don’t—but the acoustics are excellent.

While in Cologne, you can visit Germany's oldest city hall, with parts dating back to the 11th century. Over time, it has picked up a mix of styles—Gothic tower, Renaissance loggia, some modern touches. The 61-metre tower is covered in carved figures, including some cheeky ones from local history, and the bells chime four times a day. There’s also a mechanical face called the Platzjabbek that sticks its tongue out on the hour. Inside, the Hansasaal is the main historic hall—worth a look if it’s open.

The National Botanical Garden of Georgia in Tbilisi covers an area of 161 hectares in the foothills behind Narikala Fortress and contains a collection of over 4,500 different plant groups. An arched bridge built over a waterfall provides a magnificent view on the Tsavkisistskali river and the garden.