The Audubon Aquarium is adjacent to the French Quarter, right on the Mississippi River, which adds to the Aquarium's intrinsically inspiring aura. It displays, among other things, a vibrant world of Caribbean coral reef with a walk-through tunnel, sea otters and penguins engaging in play, and a 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit which allows you to visit the gigantic sharks, tarpon, and rays. Guests are even encouraged to feed the parakeets, and get up close and personal with a sting ray.

Perhaps the most important historic archive in Europe, many important historic treaties were once signed in this intimate, fortified complex. A short journey from the city centre, the castle is free to enter, and offers tours to help guests better understand the historical significance of each room.

The legendary Canal Street is often referred to as New Orleans' "Main Street." It serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the Crescent City, with scenic and historic sights just steps away. Many of Canal Street's historic buildings now house upscale hotels, such as the Ritz-Carlton, while the Shops at Canal Place offer a range of well-known brands. Canal Street also comes alive with parades during Mardi Gras and dazzles with stunning holiday lights during Christmas, making it a must-visit destination for travelers.

You’ll feel like you’ve crossed the border, but you’re not quite there yet. Of course, you’re aware that Maastricht’s central location in the Euregio means you can be in Belgium very quickly. But you don’t really feel it until you see how the city, and the countryside around it, is layered with a unique mix of foreign influences. With the Sint Pietersberg hill, the historic caves, the vineyards, Fort Sint Pieter, and Château Neercanne as backdrop, this part of the city has everything you need to capture that holiday feeling. Sint Pieter was its own municipality until 1920. This part of the city was always outside the city walls (and so had it the toughest in times of war). Then, it was mainly farmers who lived here; now, it’s mostly families, epicureans, and a few descendants of the inhabitants of that old Sint Pieter. Today, Sint Pieter is Maastricht’s most popular residential district, not just for its beautiful houses but because of its ideal location between city and green. And it still feels like its own town, with its own social life, and charm, even though it’s just a stone’s throw away from the city park. In fact, it has the best of both worlds: village and city. Nature and culture.