Dublin's majestic Iveagh Gardens are the city's best-kept secret. Enter a floral world of rustic grottoes, twinkling fountains, and sunken lawns. The gardens were designed by Ninian Niven in 1863 and include a rustic grotto, cascades, fountains, a maze, a rosarium, archery grounds, wilderness, and woodlands.

Tucked into the bohemian Grottes district, Les Schtroumpfs — or the Smurfs buildings — are some of the quirkiest architecture in Geneva. Built in the early ’80s by three architects with a clear nod to Gaudí and comic book weirdness, the buildings look like something out of a fairytale: rounded shapes, bright colours, and almost no straight lines. Locals named them after the Smurfs because they genuinely look like something those little blue guys would live in. The complex houses around 750 families and includes a kindergarten, a dental clinic, and a few cafés, all surrounded by trees and playgrounds. It’s not a tourist hotspot, but definitely worth a quick wander if you’re nearby.

The Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area is a 265-acre maritime forest, one of the few left on North Carolina’s coast. Donated in 1971 by Theodore Roosevelt’s grandchildren, it honors the 26th President’s conservation legacy. Two interpretive trails start near the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, offering an easy way to explore this preserved coastal habitat. The shorter trail loops through salt marshes and leads to a viewing blind at East Pond, while the longer trail winds over dune ridges with views of Bogue Sound. Open year-round with free admission, it’s a peaceful spot for hiking, birdwatching, or a quiet retreat into nature.

CERN is the world’s largest particle physics lab and home to the famous Large Hadron Collider. You can visit the free Science Gateway, which has hands-on exhibits, short films, and live science demos. Guided tours are also available, but spots are limited and usually go fast — best to arrive early and register on-site.