This fascinating and poignant museum chronicles every imaginable aspect of Spanish colonialism in the Americas.

This sweet-toothed bear searching for snacks has been a symbol of Madrid for decades.

Quite possibly the oldest love poem known to humankind.

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in the city of Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family.

A surprising and unconventional mosque hidden in the subsoil of Istanbul.

This historic hotel preserves many treasures from its heyday hosting passengers on the Orient Express.

Remnants of successive wars and Muslim colonialism in the 11th century.

This half-forgotten fortress was constructed by the Ottoman conqueror of Constantinople.

A section of the long chain that blocked enemy ships from entering Constantinople.

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

This former Imperial summer home was the venue for a royal slap that once echoed 'round the world.

This ancient city—home to nine civilizations—is soon to be buried under 200 feet of water.

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

Roman ruins, natural methane fires and a lovely beach.

Ottoman-era houses lovingly preserved.

The deepest underground city in Turkey was designed to protect 20,000 people behind massive stone doors.

Legend says if you stick your thumb in the hole and it gets wet, your wish will be granted.

A mysterious ancient cemetery with Roman sarcophagi and Lycian inscriptions.

Over the centuries, this island paradise has done it all, from providing monks with ecclesiastical respite to sheltering an exiled Leon Trotsky.

A charming beach town in Turkey captures all the colors of the rainbow.

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

The best-preserved ancient theater in the world.

Once described as the "Eagle's Nest," this ruined ancient city rests on a remote mountaintop.

An abused and forgotten metropolis, abandoned for centuries.