Matsuyama Castle stands on a large, wooded hill right in the middle of town, with an extensive moat and earth ramparts that dominate the city centre. Unlike many Japanese castles that were destroyed and rebuilt of concrete, Matsuyama Castle remains in its original state of wood and plaster. The castle offers spectacular views of the city, mountains and sea, particularly from the top of the keep. Matsuyama Castle houses a fascinating collection of samurai weapons and armour, and information about the history and structure of the castle.

This Memorial Church was built in 1897 from duke Ernst I. in remembrance of his wife Agnes. Very special are the windows which hint at the birthday month of Agnes.

Welcome to Old Linköping - a place for fun and curiosity, laughter and memories, beautiful experiences and relaxation for the soul. Travel back in time and experience Swedish small town life a hundred or more years ago. In the Old Town neighbourhood you will find wooden-built houses, cobbled streets, beautiful gardens, and many interesting museums. There are also shops and crafts, exhibitions, a science center, a restaurant and a café. During the summer there are a number of activities available for families with children; ride with a horse and carriage or the choo-choo train, meet street musicians, vagabonds, the local police constable and other characters from bygone days, try oldfashioned crafts, visit the old school e t c. A short walk through the Valla forest nature reserve takes you to Valla farm, with museums showing agricultural and technical history, farm animals, a large playground, cafés and a miniature golf course.

No trip to D.C. is complete without seeing the iconic White House. You can’t go inside without advance clearance, but the Visitor Center nearby has a virtual tour that gives a good sense of the rooms and history. From the outside, it’s interesting to watch the comings and goings, and the lawn and gardens are worth a stroll if you’re nearby.