Big Cypress National Preserve, part of the Everglades ecosystem, is a vast, protected area of swampland and wetlands teeming with diverse tropical flora and fauna. It offers a range of outdoor activities, from camping in scenic backcountry areas to guided ranger-led tours through its swamps, prairies, and dense cypress forests. Visitors can explore the preserve on foot, by boat, or via scenic drives, spotting wildlife like alligators, panthers, and rare bird species. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or seeking solitude in the wild, Big Cypress provides a unique glimpse into one of the most ecologically rich regions in the U.S.

This extravagantly decorated clandestine church built centuries ago when Catholicism was considered a crime is hidden in plain sight behind an unassuming front door in the city centre. Those walking down Juffrouw Idastraat would never imagine that within one of the typical terraced houses lies the enormous Parish of Saints James and Augustine where Catholics used to practice their faith in secret. Nobody is quite sure who built the church, but the stunning baroque plastering seems to suggest that it was the famous architect and artist Daniel Marot or one of his students. Book a free tour which takes you through the church and the attic to the more recent Bishop’s Chamber which is full of some of the original features and furniture that were used in the 1700s.

The Haagse Bos, as it is referred to in Dutch, can be found towards the northeast of the centre of The Hague, starting in Malieveld and continuing up to Wassenaar. It is hugely important to the city’s history as some of the oldest trees in the Netherlands remain there after many were cut down for firewood in the 16th and 17th centuries and during the Second World War. Aside from its pertinent roots, The Hague Forest has a lot to offer passers-by such as large open green spaces, a deer park and a pond in the centre, making a great scenario for just about any event or activity.