The Palácio de Estói, situated in the town of Estói (just north of Faro) is a Rococo style private palace built in the second half of the 19th-century. This miniature version of the King’s palace in Queluz, on the outskirts of Lisbon, is surrounded by relaxing public gardens. In Milreu, just outside the palace, you will come across the Algarve Roman remains.

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.

Rebuilt throughout the ages, the Faro Cathedral, also known as the Santa Maria Cathedral, is now a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque religious buildings. Its interior is equally rich, featuring a large organ from the 18th-century with Chinoiserie details.

The ultimate island retreat with vineyards, olive groves and beautiful beaches, Waiheke Island is only a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Known as the island of wine, where some of New Zealand’s best red wines come from. Thanks to the easy accessibility, Waiheke is an ideal day trip.