From March to the day before Christmas, the Portland Saturday Market unfolds along the Willamette River, offering much more than just shopping. This lively open-air market feels like a low-key party, complete with live jazz music, international food vendors, and local artists and designers showcasing their creations. Attracting nearly a million visitors annually, it’s a vibrant gathering spot for both locals and tourists alike.

In the hometown of Gyllene Tider and Roxette, there is a constant stream of entertainment. At Simstadion Brottet, concerts are set with the sea as a backdrop. Hallandsgården holds sing-alongs, and Norre Katts Park’s musicians and poets perform on Kafé Rotundan's small stage. Live music can be heard from pubs and rock stages. During the International Street Theatre Festival, the whole town becomes one big stage and Nolltrefem is a culture centre for young people, often visited by well-known performers on their way up. At Halmstad Theatre), the auditorium fills with expectant audiences eager to see exciting productions and interesting lectures. The programme is packed with visiting performers, and local talents offer music, theatre, variety shows, dance and musicals. Halmstad Arena is the place to be if you prefer bigger shows, sports events and exhibitions. Let your hair down to the resident orchestra or relax at one of the many outdoor cafes and restaurants. Maybe you prefer a turn on the dance floor to a dance band in Västerhagen or a gospel concert in Gullbranna? Throughout July, the festival spirit begins when the sun is still high in the sky, and après beach at Solgården in Tylösand is a classic, to say the least.

Villages within the city. That’s how you can best describe these residential centres, which originated in medieval times and are still occupied today by senior citizens. The almshouses were first founded centuries ago for charitable purposes. Today, with their picturesque gardens, their white-painted gables and their perfect peace and quiet, they are amongst the most tranquil places in Bruges.

The Basilica of San Clemente is more than a simple church; it is a real museum that houses layers and layers of history. Behind the humble doors of this 12th-century church lie the remnants of the original basilica dating back to the 4th century, the remains of a 1st-century Roman villa, and breathtaking Byzantine mosaics beautifully adorning the ceiling.