Uetliberg is called Zurich’s very own mountain. The 870 m (2,850 feet) summit gives you views of the city and lake, plus a glimpse of the Alps. You can quickly and easily get to the mountain with the S10 line. There is lots to discover: well-marked hiking and bike routes, the Planet Trail walk that takes you on a tour through a model of our solar system. In the winter, the hiking trail becomes a toboggan run. Uetliberg is especially popular in November, when the Uto Kulm summit is often above the blanket of fog.

A natural science exhibition, aquarium, terrarium and insectarium are what makes up the Löbbecke collection. The museum collaborates with others in various projects concerning the protection of nature and species, animal geography, behavioural biology and reproduction. Cooperation in the preservation of endangered species is one of the tasks of the Aquazoo, as is the scientific documentation of the collection. Guided tours, special workshops, events and holiday programmes for children on request.

Founded in the 1860s by an American missionary, the lush, sprawling campus of the prestigious American University of Beirut is a pleasure to stroll around. It offers something of a journey into the city's pre-war days. There is an excellent archaeological museum on-site, along with several art galleries, and many nonchalant feline residents, cats, who famously inhabit the premises.

The Rhine tower, the North Rhine-Westphalia parliament, the Gehry Buildings, the city gate or Colorium – MedienHafen is a hotspot for creative architecture in Düsseldorf. Several international architects played a creative role in the reconstruction of the old Rhine port area. Frank O. Gehry, David Chipperfield, Joe Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi were among those who made a creative contribution to make it what it is today. Those goods depots which were protected by a preservation order had to be renovated with hi-tech engineering and creative interior design. The ancient storerooms have been recreated with a new style and grace. However, you can still feel the old port atmosphere everywhere despite all the reconstruction. Just a decade ago the warehouses were nothing but immense empty spaces inside. Today, various television channels and radio stations, and advertising and media agencies, design bureaus and suchlike have all set up shop inside. So that’s where the name came from: MedienHafen, which means media harbour. The MedienHafen also plays in the premier league where hospitality is concerned. From the exquisite “Berens am Kai”, with a Michelin star, through the “most golden” curry sausage in Düsseldorf, to a cosy cocktail in the evening – the restaurateurs here have adapted to their heterogeneous clientele, which is composed of business customers during the day and the funky in-crowd in the evening, who all meet up to party at the stylish “Rudas Studios” advertising film venue or at the “Port Seven”.