Cologne’s main opera house stages a mix of classic and contemporary productions, from Mozart to modern composers. The resident company is strong, and visiting performers keep the programme varied. The building itself is modern and a bit divisive—some love it, some don’t—but the acoustics are excellent.

St Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest. It was built in Neo-classicist style and has a capacity of up to 8,500 people. Its most noted relic is the mummified right hand of Stephen I, Hungary's first king, who among others converted Hungarians to Christianity. The adjacent square is home to several markets throughout the year and is lined by terraces of trendy bars and cafés.

Sea creatures can be seen in their natural setting at the Bergen Aquarium–Norway's largest aquarium as well as one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. It is home to Europe's largest collection of fish species and primitive marine creatures together with basins for seals, penguins, and sea birds.

Scattered throughout the Old Town, these twelve churches are among the oldest buildings in Cologne—most of them date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. They’ve all got that heavy Romanesque look, but each one’s a bit different. Great St. Martin stands out with its massive tower right by the river, St. Gereon has got an unusual oval dome, and St. Maria im Kapitol is one of the largest. You don’t need to see all twelve, but stopping in at a couple while you’re exploring the Old Town gives you a good feel for the city’s medieval side.