The smell of candied apples and toasted almonds drives Berliners out of doors during the cold season into their city's Christmas markets. With more than 400 stalls at the weekends, the Christmas markets offer sensual concerts, unique handicrafts, and culinary delights from top chefs — the winter magic is in the air at the Gendarmenmarkt. A romantic Christmas market is held in Charlottenburg. The illumination of the castle and the castle park create an enchanting backdrop. Winter sports enthusiasts head to Winter World in Potsdamer Platz. At the Christmas market, you can go ice skating and sledding on the largest mobile toboggan run in Europe. If you feel a bit intimidated by the abundance of choice and want to have the smoothest introduction to Berlin's Christmas Markets — book a guided tour with several snacks and mulled wine included!

Wied iż-Żurrieq is a small village situated on the southern coast of Malta. Here visitors can have a swim or visit the Blue Grotto and the surrounding coastline on a trip on the "dghajsa", a traditional Maltese fishing boat. The Blue Grotto is famous for the clarity of the water and the brilliant colours around the rocks and in the caves.

One of the largest wooden churches in Sweden, dating back to the 18th century, Pajala Church was originally built in Kengis in the 1790s but moved to Pajala in 1879. The church still bears a striking resemblance to its original self and is a landmark hard to miss when in Pajala.

Fort Rinella is a Victorian fort, built by the British to support Malta in the resistance against Italy. To make it extra safe, a 100-ton gun, designed to be the world's biggest, was placed at its entry (fortunately, never to be used). Do not miss the on-site museum to learn more about the military history of Malta.