Carlstadt is the city’s exquisite quarter of galleries and antique shops. Citadellstraße with its elegant stately residences from the 18th and 19th centuries and the flair of its streets almost unchanged since these days, seems to have escaped the passing of time. A more profound insight into Düsseldorf’s history can be gained at Stadtmuseum at the corner of Bäckerstraße and Berger Allee. Its cosy garden is treated as an insidertip! The Carlsplatz, and its lively food market open from Monday to Saturday. From here, take the attractive Bilker Straße for a visit to the Heinrich-Heine- Institute or proceed past the former residence of Robert and Clara Schumann to Bastionstraße, a must for every lover of antiques.

The collection of streets between the city centre and the Jeker quarter is known as the Stokstraat quarter. It’s that historic corner of the city between two statues, ‘De Mestreechter Geis’ and ‘Slevrouwe’. All of these streets ultimately lead to the ever-charming, intimate and romantic Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. In this part of the city, you can find the warmth and charm of a classic Maastricht pub on virtually every corner. The quarter takes its name from what may be the city’s most famous (or infamous) street. Today, Stokstraat is known as the place for the most exclusive and luxury shops in the Netherlands, but it was not always so. If there’s any street that has seen its fortunes turn over the years, it’s this one. In the Middle Ages, its reputation was dubious thanks to its many bathhouse-brothels; later, the street enjoyed a renaissance with many reputable merchants established in it, until, as the Industrial Revolution took hold and the city centre became overpopulated with wave after wave of migrants from the countryside, the street became synonymous with grinding poverty. Living conditions here became so dire that there was even talk of demolishing the entire street. The Stokstraat quarter of today is the result of a dramatic redevelopment between 1950 and 1973, which succeeded in preserving its historic character but transforming it into a fashionable address for living, shopping, and dining.

One of the most controversial and prestigious buildings in Zagreb, The Mimara Museum was built at the bequest of controversial Croatian art collector and philanthropist, Ante Topić Mimara. The museum houses more than 3,500 artworks including original paintings from Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, and Manet.

For a nice walk or picnic a bit outside the busy streets and squares of central Athens, you can head to the Philopappos Hill. It offers a great view over the city and maybe the best view of the Acropolis, just far enough to embrace it all while avoiding the tourists crowd and close enough to see the beauty of its architecture.