The 50-hectare-plus Vrijbroek Park is situated on the outskirts of the city. It is the ideal place to walk, kick a football around or read. A visit to the magnificent rose garden is highly recommended, even if only for the seductive scent of the more than 100 different species of rose! In 2003 the World Federation of Rose Societies granted it the 'Award of Garden Excellence'. A great effort has been made to make visits informative, so for example you will find name-plates all over the garden as well as brochures of walks.

The Aventine Hill is one of the Seven Hills on which ancient Rome was built. The real off-the-beaten-path gem offers magnificent views of the city and leads to fabulous rose gardens and impressive religious structures, including the Basilica of Santa Sabina — the oldest Roman Basilica in Rome. The highlight here is the keyhole of the Knights of Malta, where people line up to enjoy the stunning view over the Dome of Saint Peter's.

The Museo di Roma, housed in the neoclassical 18th century Palazzo Braschi — the former headquarters of the National Fascist Party — receives critical acclaim for its exclusive collection. The museum holds approximately 40,000 pieces of artwork, all depicting Rome's history from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. After the Second World War, 300 families were evacuated to this location, and many of the frescoes were damaged by the fires that were lit in order to keep them warm.

Tivoli park was once the grounds of a castle barely two kilometres from the historic centre of Mechelen. These days you can enjoy a quiet stroll here across the large expanses of grass, past ancient trees, a highly-scented rose garden, a herb garden and other delightful nooks. Now pure white again, in 1990 the famous Belgian artist Jan Fabre wrapped the castle in sheets of paper covered with ballpoint lines for which 150,000 blue pens were required! Since 1991 the mansion has housed a catering establishment specializing in parties, seminars and the like. Drinks, snacks and lunches are served to the general public in the adjoining orangery. Small children will love meeting a whole variety of farm animals on the children's farm. Other attractions include the large bee colony and the educational nature trail where signs draw your attention to aspects of the park's history, fauna and flora.