Laze away the day at Cataract Gorge Reserve only a few minutes from the centre of Launceston. There are peacocks and wallabies, rock climbing and a swimming pool at this popular urban playground. Follow a pathway along the cliff face looking down onto the South Esk River. On the shady northern side, known as the Cliff Grounds, is a Victorian garden with ferns and exotic plants. Wander across the footbridge and take a chairlift ride across the river.

Step into this vast 9th-century mosque and you’ll find sunlit courtyards, weathered stucco arches, and a spiral minaret that winds up like a ramp. Climb to the top for a surprisingly quiet view over Cairo’s rooftops. The Ibn Tulun Mosque isn’t flashy, but that’s part of what makes it so striking — the space, the stillness, the sense of time just sitting in the air.

Borgholm Castle, a stunning silhouette against the Öland sky, stands as a testament to Sweden's rich tapestry of history. Known as Scandinavia's most captivating ruin, this architectural chameleon has evolved through the centuries, echoing tales of regality and resilience. Though now a poignant shell due to the devastating fire of 1806, it continues to guard the stories of its past, from medieval might to Renaissance elegance.

Himmelsberga is Öland's most authentic village, now preserved as an open air museum with enclosed farms built along both sides of the narrow village road. The heart of the museum consists of several large farms with buildings dating back the 18th and 19th century. The cottage is still has the original furniture, and the old stables are packed with all the tools and equipment that were used on the farms. The coffee shop sells freshly baked bread and hot pies, and you can buy genuine Öland handicrafts in the village shop. Himmelsberga holds exhibitions of arts and crafts in its two galleries. There's also an art museum with a collection of older and modern Öland paintings.