Originally built in the fifth century as part of a Roman military complex, this site was later converted into a Benedictine convent. Now part of a UNESCO-listed collection of buildings connected to the early medieval Lombard kingdom, the monastery features rare Byzantinesque frescoes believed to date back to the eighth or ninth century.
Named in honor of the founder of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Széchenyi Square is a must-visit while in Budapest. It’s lined with architectural highlights such as the art nouveau Gresham Palace, which is now a Four Seasons Hotel. Be sure to visit the lobby and to admire artisan stained glass, mosaics, and ironworks.
Since 1964, Somerset’s Fleet Air Arm Museum has immersed guests in the history of British naval aviation. Four main exhibition spaces showcase a range of historic aircraft, while interactive displays provide plenty for visitors of all ages to see and do—including an award-winning aircraft carrier experience and an outdoor play area.
Situated between Sarlat and Les Eyzies, the imposing Château de Puymartin features a blend of architectural styles spanning centuries. The interiors are full of paintings and stately furniture—you’ll even find a room decorated entirely with grayscale scenes from Greco-Roman mythology.
Treak Cliff Cavern is credited with being one of the most beautiful caves in the UK, thanks to its large deposits of Blue John stone. This rare semi-precious mineral has been mined here since the mid-18th century, and travelers can take self-guided cavern tours and visit the museum to learn more about the beautiful rock and the caves.
Düppel Historic Village is an open-air museum in Berlin that recreates life in the Middle Ages. Situated on the site of an 800-year-old village, you can explore reconstructed homes, workshops, and granaries while watching demonstrations of medieval crafts such as blacksmithing. It’s also home to rare and endangered species such as the rare Skudden sheep and the Düppel grazing pig.
A must for aviation enthusiasts of any age, Atlantic Air Adventures features an ultra-realistic B737 flight simulator, in which visitors can test out their flying skills. Located on Wild Atlantic Way near Shannon, the simulator was constructed from the cockpit of a real aircraft—a C-GAPW, ex Canadian Air 737—and its flight deck is composed of many of the airplane’s original parts.
Behind the gray exterior of Vilnius’ National Art Gallery lies a sleek and modern arts and culture center with more than 46,000 exhibits of Lithuanian artwork in its extensive collection. The gallery is a branch of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art focusing on Lithuanian art from the 20th and 21st centuries.
In the heart of Centenary Square, the Hall of Memory is a stately war memorial devoted to the thousands of Birmingham residents who died in World War I. This Portland stone structure is notable for its art deco architecture and features four bronze statues by celebrated artist Albert Toft.
The Bröhan Museum proudly displays a large collection of art nouveau, art deco, and functionalism from the 1890s to 1939. Named after its founder Karl H. Bröhan, who donated his entire collection to Berlin on this 60th birthday, the museum’s exhibition spaces display vases, lamps, carpets, paintings, and a rich porcelain collection.
Located at Tarvaspää in Espoo, the Gallen-Kallela Museum is dedicated to Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The museum is housed within the artist’s former residence and studio, a castle-like building that he designed. Exhibits tell the life story of Gallen-Kallela and showcase his artwork and that of his contemporaries.
Built in 1912, this lavish casino is in the heart of Deauville, overlooking the sandy beaches of the Normandy coastline. Slots and games can be played year-round, but the landmark offers more than gambling, including multiple restaurants, a theater, two bars, and a karaoke club.
One of the premier megalithic sites in northern Sardinia, the Lu Brandali Nuragic Complex (Complesso Nuragico di Lu Brandali) was discovered in the 1960s. Comprising a group of nuraghi—limestone dwellings dating from between the Bronze and Iron ages—the site offers some insight into the mysterious Nuragic culture.
More than 250 birds of prey—representing about 75 different species—can be found at this long-standing bird of prey center, which has been in operation since 1967. Walk through the center’s gardens, peer into aviaries, and observe flying demonstrations during which staff educate visitors on the behaviors and habits of raptors.
The Na Burguesa Viewpoint (Mirador de Na Burguesa) sits at the top of the Serra de Na Burguesa, a mountain range that is easily accessible from Palma de Mallorca. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the city from the 1,443-foot (440-meter) peak, then hike through the surrounding woods on one of the area’s many walking trails.
The imposing, castle-like San Miguel de los Reyes Monastery (Monasterio de San Miguel de los Reyes) is a former Hieronymite monastery and prison built in the 16th century in the Valencian baroque style. A national monument, it houses the Valencian Library (Biblioteca Valenciana) and serves as a public cultural center, hosting exhibitions, concerts, and other events throughout the year.
Permanently moored in Gothenburg Harbor, the four-masted Barken Viking was built in 1906 and is allegedly one of the largest ships ever built in Scandinavia. Despite its name, the boat bears no relation to the Norse warriors—it served as a merchant ship until retiring from service and being transformed into a floating hotel.
The Circus Museum (Cirkusmuseet) is Denmark’s colorful celebration of all things under the big top. This cheery museum is home to a collection of circus-themed memorabilia and interactive exhibits, but the biggest draw is the Circus School, which offers juggling, trapeze, clown, and other hands-on workshops each Sunday.
Take advantage of the dark skies deep in the mountains above Aosta to observe the stars, planets, and more at this astronomical observatory. Set in the Saint-Barthélemy Valley—an ideal location due to low light pollution and clear skies—the educational site has a planetarium and observation areas with telescopes, laser pointers, and even special equipment to take a safe gander at the sun.
Tucked into Salzburg Old Town, the Traklhaus is a tiny museum celebrating the 20th-century Austrian poet Georg Trakl, one of the city’s most celebrated sons. Set in the family house where Trakl was born in 1887, the museum charts his life and work with photos, diaries, and extracts from his poems.
Despite the name, Crete’s White Lake (Aspri Limni) Beach does not have a lake: The name refers to the rocks that almost completely enclose the cove, creating a shallow natural lagoon. Between the pale sands, the blue sea, the sun-warmed waters, the palm-leaf umbrellas, and the cluster of protected Cretan date palms, it has an almost tropical feel.
Sandwiched between some of Birmingham’s most impressive buildings, including the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Birmingham Town Hall, Chamberlain Square is among the city's main public plazas. It's a good place to linger and people-watch, though many people just zip through quickly, stopping only to take a photo of the Gothic-style Chamberlain Memorial.
Housed in a striking neo-baroque building with showstopping modern neon blue lights, Berlin’s interactive Museum for Communication (Museum für Kommunikation) explores the history of all things communication. The museum honors the written, spoken, and visual word via wax seals, postcards, telephones, radios, computers, film, and more.
Fans of modern art are drawn to the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMST), which showcases a permanent collection of Greek and international pieces, as well as temporary exhibitions. It is also a favorite with visiting architecture buffs—the museum is housed in the Fix building, a converted brewery that’s a landmark of industrial design. Many travelers claim that the on-site fine-dining restaurant is reason enough to visit, thanks to its Acropolis views, and it’s best to book ahead.
In a land of cathedrals and alcázars, Seville’s Perdigones Tower (Torre de los Perdigones) stands out as a major industrial landmark—but that doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful. The 19th-century tower is instantly recognizable for its red-and-yellow brick facade. But the 360° panorama from its 148-foot (45-meter) observation deck is even more impressive—as is its interior camera obscura.
Challenge your senses and test your perception as you wander through a series of interactive exhibits in complete darkness. A full contrast to the kaleidoscope of colors in the nearby aquarium, Genoa’s Dialogue in the Dark Exhibition (Dialogo nel Buio) is a fascinating experience for visitors of all ages.
A theatrical form that employs optical illusion and ultraviolet light, modern black-light theater evolved in the Czech Republic, and Prague’s Ta Fantastika Black Light Theatre is a well-known practitioner. Since the 1980s, Ta Fantastka has been putting on family-friendly shows with live actors and puppets, both in amazing costumes.
Take in the rides, along with a dose of Franco-Belgian culture, at Provence’s Parc Spirou theme park inspired by Spirou, a Belgian cartoon character from the popular “Spirou and Fantasio” comic series. The park’s roller coasters, rides, play areas, and other interactive experiences are a special draw for kids and families.
Ernst Friedrich started the Anti-War Museum (Anti-Kriegs-Museum) during the 1920s as a response to the horrific events of World War I. On display today are photos, documents, postcards, medals, soldiers’ letters, and diaries from both World Wars, including a fully-stocked air-raid shelter from the Second World War.
The Howling Waterfall (Cascada Urlatoarea) is one of Romania’s most popular natural landmarks, drawing hikers, nature lovers, and history buffs with its 16.4-yard (15-meter) cascade, wooded setting, and myths. Though it sits high in the Bucegi Mountains, the fall can be reached on a straightforward trek from Bușteni or Poiana Tapului.
