Landestrost Castle in Neustadt, built 1573-1584 by Herzog Erich II. zu Braunschweig-Lüneburg, is one of the biggest and oldest castles of the Hannover Region, housing an archive, of peat museum and an exhibition on the castle's history. While its beautiful renaissance appearance will catch you at once, the banks of the River Leine are put to highly contemporary use by providing the setting for regular events like exhibitions, concerts or cabarets.

Fur, feathers, fine food and family fun — Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is full of little surprises! There are lots of native furry friends and cuddly nursery animals, mini golf, train rides, playgrounds and barbecues. There's rabbit petting, face painting, a treehouse, and a reptile display including the local Brown Snake and Death Adder. All safe behind glass, of course. Visit the crocodile exhibit and cuddle a croc. Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch with some great local coffee and delicious food. Enjoy pancakes, homemade cakes and cookies. Specialties include macadamia baked cheesecake and their famous beef burger infused with macadamia nuts. The shop on the premises offers a wide range of gourmet macadamia products and tastings of hot, roasted nuts. There's a fascinating gift shop and a full display of the macadamia nut industry.

The 3500-acre-wide Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve also makes for good hiking grounds. On its 1.2-mile boardwalk, between dense trees and bayous, you'll meet herons, egrets, alligators, turtles, and other typical Floridian fauna.

The area around Fort Myers offers beautiful, diverse landscapes, which you can admire in the many nature reserves. It's not only about the ocean — inland, you'll find river banks lined by woods and coastal wetlands. Bird watchers should head to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1945 on Sanibel Island, it is home to 245 different bird species, along with mammals and marine creatures. It also offers activities for guests, like kayaking, tram tours and fishing.