Places miodek Wants to Go

An otherworldly alpine pasture in Slovenia with historical ties to WWII and architecture that recalls Middle Earth.

This abandoned Slovenian military barracks has become a punky-political art squat.

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

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

This massive subterranean fissure is known as the "underground Grand Canyon."

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

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

An extraordinary museum devoted to the pop art legend created by Slovak artists.

This spaceship sculpture in the middle of the Slovakian capital looks like it just crash-landed.

The world's newest astronomical clock is also its most accurate.

The 700-year-old fortress was the site of Count Orlok's castle in "Nosferatu."

A unique hotel for the artistic soul.

Swiss vineyards in a UNESCO heritage site.

Home of the Large Hadron Collider and the birthplace of the World Wide Web.

Walk through a restaurant's refrigerator door to reach this hidden bar.

This unassuming chapel in Portugal plays host to a ghoulish collection of bones.

Nestled in the mountains of Portugal is a tiny village made almost entirely of schist.

Building owners can take out tiles for free at this repository for historic building materials.

A lush oasis full of vibrant plants and striking geometric displays.

Europe's largest collection of matchbox designs is a fascinating exploration of the cultural history of the world.

This once-forgotten oasis in the middle of Lisbon was first created over a century ago quite by accident.

Rainwater transformed this old quarry into a peaceful pond you won't find in most tourist books.

Portugal's National Pantheon has a history of curses, collapses and financial problems.

The medieval town's star-shaped walls are geometrically dazzling, though not entirely impenetrable.