Hallgrímskirkja is an iconic part of Reykjavík's skyline and at 74.5 metres tall, it is one of the tallest structures in the country. The gigantic church on the hill was a controversial project, but Icelanders have come to embrace their monumental tower in all its brutalist glory. The concrete mountain which took over 40 years to construct was inspired by the unusual columnar basalt formations along Iceland’s coast. You can admire the building inside and outside, go to the top of the tower to catch the view or attend an organ concert. The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson — a 17th-century minister and poet who wrote the 'The Passion Hymns'. The book remains popular to this day.

The city’s Old Port is a lively waterfront area with plenty to see and do all year long, from pedal boats and bicycles in summer to winter events like Igloofest and New Year’s celebrations. Take a walk along the piers, catch a street performance, or stop at the Clock Tower Beach for a relaxed moment by the water. This is also where La Grande Roue de Montréal, the tallest observation wheel in Canada, is located. From 60 metres up, it offers 360° views over the city and the St. Lawrence River.

Notre-Dame stands on Île de la Cité, often called the birthplace of Paris. The site has been sacred for thousands of years—long before the cathedral, there were Celtic worship spots, then Roman temples, followed by a Romanesque church. The Gothic cathedral we see today was completed in 1345 and became the heart of medieval Paris. Despite the fire in 2019 that damaged much of it, the main structure and most treasures survived. It stretches 128 metres long with two towers rising 69 metres high, still commanding the city’s skyline.

Housed in a former railway station, the Musée d'Orsay holds a mesmerising collection of mainly French paintings, sculptures, and photography, including the world's largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, with works from artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir, and Monet.