Go early in July, when they have the Open Gardens Day festival and you can get free access to some beautiful hidden gardens belonging to private residences and institutions.

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Have a green and orange break! For Europe's best street (and canal) party get to Amsterdam for the annual Queen's Day birthday bash.

Live bands and street bars on every corner; disco parties on boats; everyone dressed in orange and wanting to be your best friend for the day – the Dutch from Beatrix on down certainly know how to have fun.

You can be in Amsterdam in 6 hours from London via Eurostar and Thalys. And the beer glasses have a €1 deposit on them to make sure they’re recycled. How green is that? Get drunk and no carbon footprint!

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