This restored eighth-century palace is a shining example of ancient Umayyad architecture.

The best place to encounter plants and animals that can only be found in New Caledonia.

This castle has links to Portugal’s founding and struggles for independence.

Moscow's imposing monument to the Space Age.

One of the world's tallest statues is also one of its most hated.

The avant-garde design was able to bypass strict Soviet regulations on architecture.

World's largest bell sits on the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow.

Former headquarters of the KGB.

A 250-year-old timepiece-automaton adorned with golden mechanical birds, which still sing to this day.

The oldest museum in Russia is home to a fascinating collection of nearly two million anthropological artifacts and anatomical curiosities.

An 18th century wonder of the world, lost in WWII, re-created at the Catherine Palace.

The gorgeous entrances into the city's underbelly look more like grand halls than subway stops.

This open-air heritage museum illuminates centuries of historic English life from a West Sussex village.

This restored Portuguese cafe may well be the most beautiful place in the world to grab a Big Mac.

Monkeys lounge around at this 13th century temple.

Plaques celebrating Lithuanian writers freckle a wall of this picture-perfect path.

Once a favorite playground for the world's most illustrious guests, Hotel Nacional's secret weapons and bunkers reveal a more menacing side to its golden history.

Every equinox this Maya pyramid puts on a spooky ancient light show.

Iceland's largest geothermal mud pool is a little bit haunted and a little bit dangerous.

This verdant, tree-lined Reykjavik graveyard is both enchanting and eerie.

This opulent 16th-century Maharaja’s palace is a unique mix of Hindu and Muslim designs.

The first public library in the Americas has more than 45,000 books dating back to the 15th century.

Sculpture that doubles as a time capsule so that life can survive radiation outside Chernobyl.

The dining hall that nourishes workers in Chornobyl's Exclusion Zone is also open to visitors.