Pierre Richer de Belleval founded France’s oldest botanical garden in 1593. Today, it is a charming array of tropical greenhouses, ancient trees and worn benches. The ancient trees provide plenty of shaded areas to make it a sought-after spot in the heat of summer.

If you like history and discovering beautiful libraries, you're in for a treat. On this fascinating tour, you start with a visit to Dublin's Trinity College Library, home to the famous Book of Kells—the lavishly illustrated manuscript of the Gospels dating back to AD 800 and widely considered among the most important of all of Ireland's ancient treasures. Then, enjoy a guided tour around the grounds of Dublin Castle, and listen to fascinating stories of its years as a prison, military fortress, and the seat of the English Administration in Ireland.

This fantastic museum is situated on the border of the Park de la Tête d’Or, adjacent to the newly built Congress Center by Renzo Piano. It regularly beats Paris by gaining sole rights to any Andy Warhol exhibition. Next to the Museum, Renzo Piano’s 3,000 seat amphitheater is worth a visit by itself. One of the most audacious architectural juxtapositions: business, arts and leisure activities, all succeed in mingling together in the same living area.

Founded in the 1860s by an American missionary, the lush, sprawling campus of the prestigious American University of Beirut is a pleasure to stroll around. It offers something of a journey into the city's pre-war days. There is an excellent archaeological museum on-site, along with several art galleries, and many nonchalant feline residents (cats), who famously inhabit the premises.