Beautifully located at the foot of the mountain Billingen, Lake Hornborga is one of the most important bird lakes in Europe, attracting large quantities of visitors, both birds and humans, every year. In the spring, you can see the famous crane dance, and during the rest of the year, there are a lot of other unique bird species to watch.

In the heart of the shopping district lies the iconic Basilique-Cathédrale, the oldest church in Canada, with architecture inspired by the large French cathedrals. As you walk inside, you're confronted with an impressive altar and its golden trimmings shining brightly in the light. Photos simply cannot capture the true beauty of this church.

Randers Tropical Zoo features the largest artificial rain forest in Europe, with mirroring the three rainforest continents: South America, Asia and Africa. Observe giant lianas, roaring waterfalls, and more than 450 different tropical plants, and 250 species of animals, and more than half of them walk around freely. If you are brave, you can also get very close to the snakes in the Asian snake yard, or to an armadillo or a green anaconda, which is the heaviest boa constrictor species in the world. For having a break from this wildlife experience, you can take it low with traditional Danish farming animals at the playground, or with a drink and a snack at the cafe.

Locals call it “Espa” — a green strip running through central Helsinki, flanked by old trees, statues, and a few cafés. It’s where people stroll, sit with ice cream, or watch the world go by. In summer, the open-air Espa Stage hosts free gigs, from jazz to folk. Bigger events like the Marimekko Fashion Show and midsummer celebrations also take over the park.