Perched on the rocky edge of Mallorca, Castell d'Alaro is one of the island's most rewarding climbs, recommended by lovers of both history and nature. These ruins are a crumbling castle, several arched stone doors, and wall remnants are all that remains of what was once the fortress of 9th-century Christian warriors. If you're less adventurous, you may drive to the ascent to take in the stunning views over almost the entire island. In case you want to stay overnight, Castell d'Alaró also functions as a guesthouse. There's also a small bar and restaurant where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy a meal with fantastic views.

The Sofia Art Gallery holds an excellent collection of Bulgarian art. The collections include both past masters and contemporary artists. Housed in what formerly used to be a palace, the space showcases works of celebrated artists such as Tsanko Lavrenov and Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistor.

Henschotermeer recreational area is located in the heart of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug forests, just 30 minutes by car or an hour's cycling from Utrecht. Come here for serene walks in the fall and winter, or for a swim in the summer. The area also offers food trucks and a restaurant for those who want to grab a bite and chill by the lake. In addition, there's an island connected to the beach by two wooden bridges. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Utrecht for a day, there's no better place to be.

Once a week, Sofia feels just a little more Spanish. The city has a large Spanish-speaking community, made up mainly of people from Spain as well as many from Latin America. Every Thursday or Friday they meet to socialise and practise Spanish together. During the summer months, the gathering usually takes place in Crystal Garden, next to the big head statue of Stefan Stambolov, while in winter the group moves to different indoor locations around the city. If you’d like to practise your Spanish or simply spend time with one of Sofia’s most active and welcoming expat communities, follow their social media page to stay updated on the exact time and venue. Look out for Juan, easy to spot thanks to his trendy beard. He is the organiser and founder of the group and is always happy to introduce newcomers to the community and help with any questions you might have about Sofia.