The odd depiction of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus is rooted in the Catholic Church's eradication of Catharism.

The first North American landing spot for James Cook on his third voyage of discovery in the Pacific.

A rugged lava field dotted with molds of the ancient pines that were growing when the volcano erupted.

Featuring a casually threatening atmosphere along with dessert and coffee to die for.

This Seattle joint serves food inside an old train car once used by FDR.

A huge musical sculpture and other art installations on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grounds.

A museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction.

A 100-year-old purveyor of curiosities, curios, and kitsch featuring mummies, shrunken heads, and a Fiji Mermaid.

A walk through the historic city center, under the streets of Seattle.

A giant Troll lurks under one of Seattle's oldest bridges.

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

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

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Two stone columns flank the grand Venice square, but there were supposed to be three.

Thousand-year-old Viking runes adorn an ancient Greek lion at the entrance to the Venetian Arsenal.

Venice's "Island of the Mad."

These hut foundations are believed to be the residence of Romulus, founder of Rome.

An ancient Roman temple first dedicated to an emperor's wife is now a church.

This one-of-a-kind Roman arch is not actually dedicated to the god Janus.

This is the oldest Roman-made bridge in the city still existing in its original state.

Rome's first modern graffito is all that is left of a peaceful protest from the 1970s.

The only remaining arch of the oldest stone bridge in Rome stands in the middle of the Tiber.

The ruins of the largest gladiatorial school in Rome are largely hidden under modern streets.

This small, ancient Roman temple was once a church dedicated to the patron saint of penitents.