The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, stands as the oldest university in the Western world, boasting a rich history of academic excellence and innovation. Some of the famous people who have been teaching here include Nicolaus Copernicus and Francesco Petrarca. Renowned for its distinguished faculty, diverse student body, and commitment to research and teaching across a wide range of disciplines, the University of Bologna continues to be a global leader in higher education.

In the heart of Skövde, Helénsparken is a charming green oasis featuring a playground and quaint shops housed in historic red cottages. The park boasts a stage occasionally used for local events, and within its grounds stands Helénstugan, Skövde's oldest building. Believed to have been constructed in the early 18th century, Helénstugan is a residential gem that survived the significant town fire of 1759, making it a unique testament to Skövde's history. Named after its last inhabitants, Lotta and Petter Helén, the cabin preserves a piece of the town's architectural heritage.

On your voyage of discovery along the banks of the Trave, you will pass the tranquil Museum Harbour on Untertrave. Lovingly restored, traditional sailing ships are lined up here like a row of pearls, and sometimes in pairs when times are busy. With their proud masts, burnished brass and wooden ship planks, they are real gems at the quay and genuine witnesses to another era of shipping. You can enjoy a magnificent view of these wooden witnesses of seafaring from Lübeck’s new favourite spot – the Drehbrückenplatz.