Men in rubber-soled boots serve as your "brakes" on this toboggan ride Hemingway described as "exhilarating."

This fairy-tale, neo-Gothic church in the Azores is a world of magical realism.

Elaborately carved to showcase the glorious wealth that the age of exploration brought to the Portuguese empire.

A king's pet, a pope's gift, an artist's inspiration, and a tragic shipwreck.

One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world hides a neo-Gothic interior behind an art nouveau facade.

Historic fortifications form the boundary of Vatican City, but it’s not entirely surrounded by walls.

Swedish skyscraper with a 90° twist.

It is said that each of the white stones in the red facade of this medieval house represents the head of a murdered Swedish noble.

It houses the remains of a 17th-century version of the Titanic.

Stockholm's decidedly unique public transit system has doubled as the world's longest art gallery for decades.

The "dragon babies" of southeastern Europe.

A miniature train-ride through Slovenia's largest cave system.

A whimsical bridge adorned with decorative dragons.

This one-time health resort was used by aristocrats around the world.

Castle and secret tunnel withstood a siege until its owner was killed by the Holy Roman Empire, while sitting on the toilet.

A monument to the bloody fight against fascism in Slovakia during World War II.

An ode to a soldier who came to town, fell in love, then began making his own sparkling wine.

A massive sculpture of an obscure Celtic coin that has become a symbol in Slovakia.

Launched by Napoleon's soldiers more than 200 years ago, a cannonball remains embedded in the tower wall.

A relic of the Cold War tucked away in the forested hills above Bratislava.

After 11 years of reconstruction work, Slovakia's finest hilltop chapel complex is finally reopen to the public.

The inverted pyramid design of this station stands out amid Bratislava's urban landscape.

Also known as the Blue Church, the building was consecrated to the daughter of Andrew II.

Thousands of slain Soviet soldiers are buried within the shadow of this enormous obelisk.