Proof that Hanover is not all buttoned-down business are the grandiose baroque Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, about 5km north of the city centre, which are considered one of the most important historic garden landscapes in Europe. Inspired by the gardens at Versailles, they're a great place to slow down and smell the roses for a couple of hours, especially on a blue-sky day.
Four gardens make up the ensemble. The oldest, the baroque Grosser Garten and Berggarten, are pay-for-admission; Georgeangarten (George Garden) and Welfengarten (Welf Garden) are free and open to the public day and night. East of the Grosser Garten, beyond a small canal, the lake-dotted Georgengarten counts the Wilhelm-Busch-Museum among its treasures.
