Stroll through Durham University's Botanic Gardens, which house a unique collection of indigenous and exotic plants and animals. Originally established for teaching and research to promote biodiversity on campus, the gardens are now open to the public. Experience diverse ecosystems from arid deserts to tropical rainforests and native woodlands, all in one place.

Piazza Vecchia represents the core of Città Alta: it has been the heart of political power for centuries and it keeps being one of the most popular places for Bergamo’s citizens to spend some time with friends. Beauty is all around you if you have a seat at one of the square’s restaurants or cafes, having a drink, breakfast or even a romantic dinner. You can admire the building called “Palazzo della Ragione”, the oldest municipal seat in Lombardy, as well as the Torre Civica, a bell tower also called “Campanone”. In the middle of the square is located the Contarini Fountain, which was donated to the city by the chief magistrate Alvise Contarini in 1780, while on the opposite side of Piazza Vecchia you can see the Palazzo Nuovo (“New Palace”), which served as Bergamo’s Town Hall until 1873 and is today the seat of the Angelo Mai Library. The geometrical layout of the buildings around the square is so harmonic that when Le Corbusier visited Bergamo he said “you can’t move a single stone, it would be a crime”

The two scenic trails, that unroll down Mount Portofino and from the bay along the coastline, lead to the ancient San Fruttuoso Abbey, alternatively reachable only by boat. The elegant architecture blends perfectly with the surrounding regional park, a protected gem that houses Mediterranean flora and fauna.

Durham Cathedral, the city's crowning glory, is Britain's finest example of Norman architecture. Standing for over 900 years, this majestic structure has also graced the screen as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.