Places educatorclaire Wants to Go

The West's first incursion into the Afghan world lies buried beneath a military base.

This magnificent blue mosque in Afghanistan is surrounded by thousands of white doves.

Once an impressive link to Afghanistan’s Buddhist past, now a sad reminder of intolerance towards other cultures.

The second-deepest known cave on Earth, hidden in an extremely remote mountain region.

The crypts are so large they're basically their own underground church.

One of the world's steepest streets seems to have houses sliding down it.

Large miniature theme park with 100-plus models.

Balanced on four stone pillars, this historic tower was the site of a tragic political assassination.

Carvings in Turkey's Marble Road may have directed ancient Romans to a hidden brothel.

The eclectic home of a leading Turkish architect is a gorgeous piece of eye candy.

No one is sure if the world's fourth-largest diamond had been found in a rubbish heap or was pawned by Napoleon's mom.

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.

Seven early Christians were sealed into a cave where legend has it they slept unharmed for centuries.

Unfinished monument to peace between Turkey and Armenia, long divided by a dispute over genocide.

The ancient latrines of the Greeks, in all their public glory.

Step back in time and witness the fall of Constantinople.

The alleged house of the Virgin Mary is tucked away in a park and nature preserve on Mt. Koressos in Turkey and is holy to both Catholics and Muslims alike.

The ancient abodes are a testament to human ingenuity amid harsh climates.

The largest Neolithic ruins in the world hide a notably clean prehistoric metropolis.

An ancient church on a tiny island covered in stone bible stories has controversially been turned into a museum.

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.

The ornate miniature mansions were built for Istanbul's feathered residents.

Roman ruins, natural methane fires and a lovely beach.