Set inside The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium is one of the largest in the world, with a 10-million-litre tank that houses more than 140 species of marine life, including the planet’s biggest collection of sand tiger sharks. A stroll through the 48-metre walk-through tunnel gives you a front-row seat as sharks and rays glide overhead, while the underwater zoo upstairs introduces visitors to everything from otters to penguins.

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and an easy day trip from Verona. Different towns along the shore offer different things—Sirmione is popular for its castle and thermal baths, while Garda and Bardolino are more laid-back. You’ll find swimming spots, ferries between towns, and plenty of places to eat by the water. In summer, it gets quite busy, but it’s still a good escape from the city.

If you’re ready to swap Paris’s romantic boulevards for a different kind of magic, head to Disneyland Paris. The resort has two parks: Disneyland Park, packed with rides, shows, restaurants, cafés, and endless shops; and Walt Disney Studios Park, which adds movie sets, live performances, and behind-the-scenes fun to the mix. Stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., set sail for Adventureland, or meet your favourite characters in Fantasyland. Whether you’re a kid, a grown-up, or somewhere in between, there’s more than enough here to keep the magic alive all day.

Holmöarna consists of a group of larger and smaller islands. The nature here is unique, with large areas of land and water protected as nature reserves. The birdlife is particularly abundant, especially around Stora Fjäderägg, which is also home to a bird station. The archipelago is also renowned for boat building.