At Deserta Island, also known as Ilha da Barretta, you have the rare opportunity to spend a day on an uninhabited island. Enjoy peaceful white-sand beaches with crystal blue water. Arrive either by boat or water taxi and do not forget to bring water. As there is only one restaurant on the island, it is also a good idea to bring a snack.

Spread over 248 hectares, Saint-Pierre Woods offer numerous activities for sport-lovers of any age and ability. Hike or cycle down its 8 km long walking trails, discover the animal park, chill at the swimming pool or play a round of mini-golf: Bois de Saint-Pierre is a wonderful day-trip solution.

Mirroring the elegance of British tea gardens and royal, manicured estates, The Hess Collection Winery on Mount Veeder offers a blend of Napa history, fine wine, and contemporary art. Founded by Donald Hess in 1978, the winery offers immersive tours, guided tastings, and access to a remarkable art collection showcased throughout the property. Known for its sustainable vineyard practices, Hess lives by the mantra “nurture the land and return what you take,” ensuring that each visit not only celebrates craftsmanship but also honors the land itself.

With its romantic grounds, Sofiero Palace makes for a popular destination. The grounds are perhaps best known for their unparalleled rhododendrons, with an incredible 5,000 bushes bursting into flower in the spring. The fairytale of Sofiero began in 1864, when Crown Prince Oskar and his wife Sophia had their summer residence built here. In 1905, Oskar — by now King Oskar ll — gave the palace to his grandson Prince Gustav Adolf and his bride Princess Margareta as a wedding present. This is when the gardens literally flourished. Princess Margareta was a keen and creative gardener, and it was she who first laid out the grounds that we can enjoy to this day. She arranged flower beds and gardens, had paving laid and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Every summer, the Crown Prince couple travelled from Stockholm with their four young princes and Princess Ingrid, who eventually became Queen of Denmark. When Margareta died in 1920, Gustaf Adolf carried on the work in the garden, particularly with the rhododendrons. The palace was the summer residence of the Swedish royal family up until 1973, when it was given to the town of Helsingborg. This small palace, which lies like a jewel amid the extensive lawns, is home to a restaurant where the food is prepared by some of Sweden’s finest chefs. There’s also a café with views of the Öresund Sound and Denmark.