Elk House in Bjurholm, a mere 45 minutes from Umeå, offers the unique opportunity to get up close with the 'king of the forest'. Ever thought about petting or feeding an elk? Here's your chance. The farm also produces elk cheese, which is, of course, available for purchase. Bookings are required in winter.

Mansion Xanadu is a refined hotel that sits next to a vast, 18-hole golf course. The building itself was once commissioned by a moneyed American entrepreneur, who ordered it be built with the use of top-notch quality materials, such as marble. The mansion was later expropriated by the government, only to become known as the single lavish, Spanish colonial-style hotel in the area.

Located in southern Iraq, the cities of Karbala and Najaf are among the holiest sites for Shia Muslims worldwide. Karbala lies approximately 114 kilometres south of Baghdad, while Najaf is around 177 kilometres away, offering a day trip opportunity to the beating heart of Shia Islam. Karbala's golden-domed shrine marks the resting place of Imam Husayn, Prophet Muhammad's martyred grandson, while Najaf's magnificent mosque entombs Imam Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law. The 80-kilometre pilgrimage route between the cities sees millions of faithful muslims annually retracing Imam Husayn's final journey in a procession. Walking this path represents both spiritual renewal and solidarity with Husayn's stand against oppression.

At Desert Memorial Park Cemetery, you can visit the gravesites of famous Rat Pack crooner Frank Sinatra and 70s singer Sonny Bono, of the duo Sonny and Cher. As this is a cemetery, please be respectful of the dead and behave accordingly.