Going to a museum isn’t everyone’s idea of the ideal holiday activity, but an hour spent in a great museum can tell you a lot about a country’s history, and allow you to soak up the culture before heading back to the beach or off for a meal in a restaurant.

Louvre – Paris

It’s the world’s most visited museum and a trip to Paris would not be complete without a visit to the Louvre and a chance to see some of the most iconic pieces in world art. It’s hardly surprising that the museum which is home to the Mona Lisa gets very busy at peak times, so check the opening hours online and try to arrive early in the morning, or take advantage of some of the late night sessions. Under 25s are admitted free to the Louvre, all other visitors will pay 15 euros each.

British Museum – London

London’s largest museum, the British Museum is home to thousands of world class artefacts from all over the world including the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone. There’s never a quiet time to visit the British Museum, but avoid weekday mornings when the museum is busy with school parties, and weekends. The museum is free to enter, although there may be a separate charge for some special exhibitions. Make the most of your visit by picking up one of the tour leaflets which will guide you to the museum’s most important exhibits, or take one of the guided tours focusing on a specific subject or area of history.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican City in Rome attracts millions of tourists every year, most of whom come to see St Peter’s Basilica and the art treasures of the Papal Palace buildings including the spectacular ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Check the calendars of opening hours before visiting as museums often close on religious festivals, and it’s a good idea to buy your tickets online to help you skip some of the queues at the ticket booths on the day of your visit. You can also pre-book your place on a guided tour, and if you want to avoid the queues, get there as early in the day as possible.

Natural History Museum – London

Another one of London’s largest museums, the Natural History Museum in South Kensington is one of the best museums in London to visit with children. Again entry is free to the main collections, but extra may be charged for some of the special exhibitions. Just across the road from the Natural History Museum is the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert museums, so make a day of it and see the highlights of all three at the same time.

Rijksmuseum – Amsterdam

The Netherlands National Museum in Amsterdam is home to some of the best examples of Dutch Art, and the museum aims to tell the story of Dutch history from 1200 to the present day. It’s a huge museum which is popular with tour groups, school parties and locals, so plan your visit carefully to avoid the crowds and see as much as you can.