Designed by Sri Lanka’s leading architect Geoffrey Bawa in the late 19th century. The Seema Malaka Buddhist Temple is a peaceful oasis in the middle of hectic Colombo. Come here for some meditation and rest and be amazed by this beautiful piece of architecture and design.

The Botanical Garden or 'Botanique' is steeped in history. From the Middle Ages this green oasis was the garden of the former 'commanderij van Pitzemburg', order of knights. After its abolition, in the nineteenth century the garden was turned into an English landscape garden for members of the elitist Société Royale d'Horticulture. After the First World War it opened to the public as a municipal park. In the middle of the Botanical Garden is a statue of the celebrated scientist Rembert Dodoens. In the sixteenth century he wrote a highly acclaimed herbal called the 'Cruydenboek'. These days the Botanical Garden is a quiet and very pleasant park where you can enjoy the plant life while the children let off steam in the playground.

Opéra de Lyon is a must-see attraction in Lyon. Here you can take a guided tour, which is highly recommended. This is the modernized version built in 1993 of the original 1831 opera house, and is a place where the ultramodern and classical style is presented throughout the whole building, both inside and out.