The distinct symbol of the Jewish quarter in Budapest, the Great Synagogue is also noted as the largest synagogue in Europe, seating up to 3,000 people. The visit entails a guided tour with a walk in the building and its surrounding garden, where you will also find sculptures of famous Hungarian writers and artists of Jewish origin. There is also a Jewish museum beside the synagogue, not to be confused with the Holocaust Memorial Centre further away on Páva Street.

Stretching behind the imposing Heroes' Square, Városliget is one of the most popular recreational venues in the city. There are plenty of entertainment options in the neighbourhood, including the Széchenyi Baths, Budapest Zoo, Circus, the Vajdahunyad Castle housing the Agricultural Museum and various fairs, as well as a pond that turns into a popular ice rink in the winter season.

Wilanów Palace is a true pearl of Baroque architecture in Warsaw. Learn about King Jan III Sobieski, who successfully fended off the Turks in the battle of Vienna and who lived in Wilanów with his beloved Marysieńka. Take a walk in the park and tour the palace interiors; see the portrait gallery and listen to stories of great romances. The building and the park have both kept their original form, despite the partition, war, and occupation. Wilanów Palace is a must-see when visiting Warsaw. In the wintertime, the venue, illuminated with thousands of lamps, transforms into the Royal Garden of Lights.

Wordfest, the third-largest Canadian literary festival, hosts Imaginarium, a 10-day long celebration of national and international writers, ranging from columnists to essayists. Readings, Q&As, and panels are staple events, but there's also the annual late-night Literary Deathmatch, where authors have seven minutes to show off their wordsmith skills to both the judges and the audience.