Situated in the lush setting of the Botanical Gardens, Ulster Museum is all about art, archaeology, local history and natural sciences. Come here and admire their fine permanent collection, as well as rotating exhibitions and events that promote diverse voices and new perspectives. Dinosaur bones, ancient weapons, meteorites, shoe exhibits, ship models, musical instruments, historical documents and jewellery; there's just a little bit of everything. The time period and the range of topics covered are extensive, so you might even want to visit the museum twice.

On the eastern side of the city, Ulsoor Lake represents an idyllic place par excellence, as it is ideal for both taking a stroll and relaxing in the sun. The artificial lake was constructed by Kempe Gowda II, and its area of more than 1.5 square kilometres is dotted with islands, so boating also became very popular.

In 1996, American artist James Turrell designed the Celestial Vault to showcase the sky in all its glory using an innovative astronomical optical illusion. In the centre of this grassy artificial crater, there is a stone bench on which visitors can lie to observe the sky as a curved dome, emphasising the way light affects how we perceive things and inviting those willing to challenge their own perceptions.

For something a bit different, try ambling through the woodlands and grassy areas of The Hague with Dave, who will let you know which plants you can and can’t eat, as well as which of them have medicinal properties. The tour operates fairly infrequently but if you can book a spot well ahead of time it is a nice addition to any itinerary.