Sure you can visit Paris’ Lourve, London’s British Museum and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, but what about a museum dedicated to the dog, gelato, surfing in the UK and the music group ABBA? From a Details online article I wrote in summer, after hearing that the Swedish band ABBA got its own museum I noticed there was a spike in offbeat and niche museums popping up the past year and half. Check out the European selections below, and the full collection here.

Gelato Museum Carpigiani (above)
Where: Bologna, Italy
“Italians have been enjoying their fancy ice cream longer than you might think. It was even served at 16th-century Medici parties. You can learn more about the dessert in this new space, located just outside the city of Anzola dell’Emilia, near Bologna. After an hour-long tour spotlighting the history, culture, and production of Italian ice cream, visitors get to sample modern versions of 19th-century recipes. Hard-core gelato lovers can even take cooking lessons at the Carpigiani Gelato University.”

The Museum of British Surfing
Where: Brauton, United Kingdom
“Although Hawaii, California, and Australia are renowned hot spots of surf culture, the sport has been popular on the U.K. coastline of North Devon for over 200 years. Art lovers will appreciate the collection of 50 surfboards, some made as long ago as the early 1900s.”

ABBA the Museum
Where: Stockholm, Sweden
“Skip the display of flamboyant costumes, countless records, and recording-studio replica and head straight for the interactive exhibit that lets you become the fifth dancing queen as you sing along with life-size holograms of the band (you can be recorded to share online if you dare). The museum, located in central Stockholm on the island Djurgåden, is actually a testament to all Swedish pop music with a Hall of Fame exhibit that highlights Robyn, Roxette, and the Cardigans, too.”

Foof (Museum of the Dog)
Where: Mondragone, Italy
“Italians are gushing over their museum devoted to man’s best friend—the first of its kind in Europe. Visit and you’ll see 35 million-year-old fossils, original artworks by Fernando Botero and Jeff Koons, and a collection of modern and ancient canine collars, among other things. There’s also a large park filled with art and whimsically sculpted hedges for Fido (and you) to enjoy.”

See the original article and full collection on Details.com