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.

Patras South Park is a long, linear green space stretching along the city's waterfront. It provides a refreshing escape with paved paths ideal for walking, jogging and cycling right beside the sea. The park features a children's playground, an outdoor gym and open lawns. Its main draw is the combination of seaside air and views across the Gulf of Patras, making it a popular local spot for exercise and relaxation away from the urban centre.

Not only does Costa Maya have excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling, it also boasts a true rarity: Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve is a coral reef located around 18 miles off the coast of Mahahual. As part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest coral reef system in the world, it is home to a diverse array of marine life as well as dozens of sunken ships, some of which date back to the 16th century. You can find a multitude of dive centers along Mahahual's boardwalk, Malecón.