Your visit to Utrecht won't be complete without the iconic Dom Tower in your itinerary. Dating back to 1382, this monumental Gothic tower is visible from across the city, hence it stands as Utrecht's symbol and a must-visit attraction. Soaring to a height of 112 metres, it holds the distinction of being both the tallest structure in Utrecht and the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. The tower was originally connected to the Dom Church, however, after collapsing in 1674 due to a summer storm, both tower and church were rebuilt separately. Currently, there are various guided tour options available at the ticket shop.

Aya Sofya is a remarkable mixture of Christianity and Islam, a church with minarets and a mosque with pictures of the Virgin Mary that, unfortunately, are now covered up. The building is one of the wonders of world architecture. Its 32-metre main dome has stood firm since Aya Sofya's completion in 537 CE. That's almost one and a half thousand years ago. Originally constructed as a Christian church, the temple has since been a mosque, then a museum, and now once again acts as a mosque.

Maçka Democracy Park is about 10 minutes away from Taksim square and has paths for jogging, walking and dog walking. The northern part of the park is popular with young people who come there to sit around on the lawn, talk with friends over a couple of drinks and escape the heat of the city blocks. The park's location, close to a university campus, means it's always full of hip students. Don't miss the opportunity to fly high above the park in a cute 2-cabin cable car. You'll need your public transit card for that.

The UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park look like they are taken straight from a postcard. The magnificent tree-lined Upper Lakes, Gornja Jezera, and the awe-inspiring Veliki Slap, Croatia’s biggest waterfall, will leave you speechless. You can go on a cruise around the Lower Lakes, Donja Jezera, to make your trip extra special.