The bust of Romania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Dracula aka "Vlad the Impaler," keeps watch over the ruins of his medieval court.

A giant portrait of an ancient king looms over the river.

This fairy-tale castle would make Dracula (who is said to have been imprisoned there) jealous.

This solitary monastery may hold the remains of Vlad the Impaler (but probably not).

This elaborately decorated, fairytale-like Romanian royal palace is one of the most striking castles in Europe.

The legendary cliffside castle of three-time Voivode of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler.

Elaborate tile work in this railway station tells the story of Portugal.

The stunning interior of this Gothic church is covered in ornate gold details.

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

This Industrial Age architectural and engineering gem helps visitors and residents alike traverse Lisbon, “The City of Seven Hills.”

The medieval castle built as headquarters for the Pope's secretive Knights Templar.

An ancient and majestic fortress that played an integral role in Portugal's road to independence.

A unique seaside cave where Aleister Crowley faked his own death.

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

Legacy of the earthquake that nearly wiped Lisbon off the face of the Earth.

This unreal Portuguese palace looks as though it's made from a pile of different castles.

This eccentrically decorated palace is replete with grottoes, fountains, tunnels, and caves.

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

An impressive monument to Poland's independence.

Gliwice Radio Tower, likely the tallest wooden structure in the world.

A statue honors the children who fought Nazis in Poland.

A tribute to the Polish insurgents who fought in the failed attempt to end their city's Nazi occupation.

The middle finger of modernity.

This sprawling concrete suburb of Kraków was designed by the Soviet Union as the model proletarian city.