Places summermaddux Wants to Go

A pair of rivaling shrines dedicated to Lady Oiwa, the most famous vengeful ghost in Japan.

A taxidermy “mermaid,” vampire-killing kits, and hundreds of other bizarre objects are housed at this quirky museum.

Though they may seem like simple stones, these rocks represent a ghostly legend.

An ancient pagan site swirling with legends in the foothills of Franconian Switzerland.

This fifth-century church is one of the oldest Christian sites in the Balkans.

Three generations of intrepid collectors display their curious artifacts in a homemade museum right next to the caves they discovered.

A major Japanese execution ground site from the Middle Ages.

The twice-stolen hand of an alleged card cheat, with its final set of playing cards.

The vanishing remains of an old water station from the late 19th century.

This high desert botanical garden is a unique display of New Mexico’s ecology and culture.

Thought to be the oldest Norman crypt in the world.

These "anatomical machines" are only one of the many strange items in this Italian crypt.

Tucked away in the forest, these giant wooden trolls delight visitors in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

This often-missed monastery, set in a scenic mountain landscape, features unique frescoes, fortifications and legends.

Step inside this medieval Orthodox gem and travel back to the 16th century.

Once a Catholic mission, this small town tucked between the ocean and the mountains is now a magical spot for art and history lovers.

A 40-foot waterfall hidden in a desert oasis.

Tucked away in a secluded canyon, this hidden hot spring’s thermal waters have been soothing soakers for generations.

All 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are depicted in anthropomorphized deity form.

A monument to the “other Joan” who bravely defended the town of Beauvais with an axe in hand.

This unique museum explores the world of Japanese demons and spirits.

A 300-year-old cottage decorated with tens of thousands of seashells arranged in intricate patterns.

The world's largest permanent architectural projection display entertains audiences nightly with 28-story light shows.

An American mascot that became a lucky god in Japan, enshrined in a city far from the main center of his worship.