The Royal Palace of the Hague, also serving as the monarch’s workplace, may not be as exuberant as its counterpart in Amsterdam, but it is an impressive city centrepiece nonetheless. Built as a farmhouse in 1533, it was reformed and repurposed several times over the years, accommodating such pivotal historical figures as Voltaire and notable monarchs such as King Willem I until its most recent extensions in 1984, which have turned it into a working palace, where political and state affairs take place daily. The palace gardens are open to the public throughout the day and make a nice spot for a picnic, where anyone can enjoy the ponds, flowerbeds and marble statues with views of the royal stables, archives and the Dome of Fagel. Look out for the hidden corridors leading to the Old Hague District in one of the corners of the gardens.

Tucked into the hillside just outside Cortona, Le Celle is a small Franciscan hermitage dating back to the 13th century. It’s peaceful, simple, and still run by monks today. Saint Francis stayed here briefly, and you can actually see his old cell. The hermitage is a sight in itself, but also benefits from beautiful surroundings.

At the western gate of the Unaizah city, Al Bassam Heritage House is a traditional building, carefully preserved to showcase architectural elements and relics of the past. The mansion has an open area, a dining area, and a majlis ("sitting room"), with a men’s reception section, garden section, family section, and animal pens.

The North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial honours 2,841 WWII soldiers who fell during the often-overlooked North African campaign. Spread across 27 acres, their headstones align in nine precise plots, divided by paths meeting at decorative pools. The chapel and memorial court feature mosaic maps detailing American military operations across Africa to the Persian Gulf. Their design blends seamlessly with local architecture, creating a space of quiet reflection.