Holger the Dane at Kronborg Castle
HELSINGØR, Denmark — One of the most famous attractions at Kronborg Castle, Holger the Dane sits sleeping in the tunnels below the castle. Legend has it he will awaken when his country needs him.
Kronborg Castle’s Chapel
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The Chapel at Kronborg Castle isn’t especially large, and it’s not ornate by the standards of other European churches, but it has its charms.
Kronborg Castle’s Royal Apartments
HELSINGØR, Denmark — The Royal Apartments at the 16th-century Kronborg Castle are where King Frederick II and his young queen, Sophie, lived and worked.
Kronborg Castle / Hamlet’s Castle
HELSINGØR, Denmark — Known as Hamlet’s Castle because Shakespeare’s play was set there, Kronborg Castle is a 16th-century castle on a strategic peninsula on the Sound, just north of Copenhagen.
Cruising Through Polar Bear Country in the Barents Sea
SVALBARD, Norway — A timelapse I shot while our ship was punching through the polar ice pack in the Barents Sea near Sjuøyane, Svalbard.
Copenhagen’s Surprisingly Little Mermaid Statue
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Perched on a rock about 10 feet from the shore in Copenhagen, the century-old bronze statue of The Little Mermaid has become a national treasure inspired by the famous story by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.
Maritime Museum of Denmark
HELSINGØR, Denmark — The Maritime Museum of Denmark isn’t your typical maritime museum. It takes a modern approach to telling the stories of commercial seafaring.
North Pole Expedition Museum in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
LONYEARBYEN, Svalbard — Formerly known as the Spitsbergen Airship Museum, Longyearbyen’s North Pole Expedition focuses on several attempts around the beginning of the 20th century to reach the North Pole by air.
Nuruosmaniye Mosque
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — Nuruosmaniye Mosque is newer than many of the other mosques in Istanbul, and its ornate Baroque style gives it a distinctive look and feel.
Rustem Pasha Mosque
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — Nestled in a market area near the Spice Market, Rustem Pasha Mosque features exquisite Iznik tiles in its compact yet opulent interior.
Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora
LISBON, Portugal – The Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora is a 17th-century monastery that features impressive polychromatic marble and the tomb of several Portuguese kings.
Lisbon’s Castelo de Sao Jorge
LISBON, Portugal – Sitting high on a hill overlooking the center of Lisbon, the Moorish Saint George Castle looks exactly how a castle should look, with its imposing ramparts offering spectacular views over the city.
The Antikythera Mechanism, The World’s Oldest Computer
ATHENS, Greece – When sponge divers off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera in 1900 stumbled upon shipwreck, they had no idea they’d discovered the world’s oldest computer.
The Luminaries of Portuguese History and Culture
LISBON, Portugal — Under the distinctive white dome, the National Parthenon pays tribute to luminaries in Portuguese history and culture, including navigators, kings, presidents, writers, poets, and even soccer players.
Lisbon’s Royal Town Square
LISBON, Portugal — In a space once occupied by the royal palace, Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio (or Commerce Square) occupies not just prime real estate but also a central place in the city’s life.
Palace of Sintra
SINTRA, Portugal — The Palace of Sintra sits in the heart of the old town section of Sintra. From 1385 through 1880 it was a royal residence and summer escape.
Portugal’s Maritime History Museum
LISBON, Portugal — Lisbon’s national Maritime Museum pays homage to Portugal’s proud maritime history from centuries ago.
Museu de São Roque
LISBON, Portugal — Attached to the Igreja de São Roque, the Museu de São Roque displays artifacts related to the church’s history, collections of the Jesuits, and other items.
Lisbon’s Military Museum
LISBON, Portugal — Lisbon’s Military Museum, housed in a 16th-century cannon foundry next to the Tagus River, showcases Portugal’s important military history.
Igreja de São Roque, Portugal’s Oldest Jesuit Church
LISBON, Portugal — Portugal’s oldest Jesuit church is plain on the outside, but inside it’s beautifully decorated with a series of Baroque chapels.
Lisbon’s Graffiti
LISBON, Portugal — Lisbon has nowhere near the level of rampant graffiti that Athens has, but there is still some creative and impressive street art in the downtown area.
Belem Tower, Guarding the Entrance to Portugal’s Global Empire
LISBON, Portugal — One of Portugal’s iconic landmarks, Belem Tower (Torre de Belém) was built in the early 16th century to guard the entrance to Portugal’s global empire.
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
ATHENS, Greece — The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens is one of the grandest churches in this ancient city. And in typical Greek Orthodox style, it is opulently decorated inside.
The Dimotiki Agora in Athens
ATHENS, Greece — If you want to see where many of the Athen’s restaurants gets their fresh seafood and meat, head to the Dimotiki Agora, or public market.
Athens is Paradise for Graffiti Artists
ATHENS, Greece — The Greek economy might be in the toilet, but at least one group is clearly thriving in Athens: graffiti artists.
Galata Bridge
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — The Galata Bridge has multiple personalities. It spans the Golden Horn from Eminonu to Karakoy and provides both a real and symbolic link connecting two key parts of Istanbul.
The Karakoy Waterfront
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — It’s one of Istanbul’s real treats to sit on the waterfront of Karakoy sipping Turkish tea, Rika, or a cold beer and watching the sun setting over the striking silhouettes of the mosques across the other side of the Golden Horn.
The Imperial Council Hall at Topkapi Palace
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — These three chambers, between the Harem and the rest of Topkapi Palace, are where Ottoman Sultans met with their imperial councils to conduct affairs of state.
The Blue Mosque
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — There are good reasons why the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s prime attractions and one of the world’s iconic religious buildings.
Istanbul’s Grand “New” Mosque
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — In Istanbul, new is relative. The New Mosque might be newer than the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, but having been completed in 1665 it is historic in its own right. And it’s also stunningly beautiful.
Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — You can get a lot more than spices at Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, but spices are the undeniable stars.
The Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — The Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia show that the Ottomans were as serious about their art and decoration in death as they were in life.
National Palaces Painting Museum
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — Reopened in a newly renovated space in the Crown Prince’s apartments of Dolmabahce Palace, the National Palaces Painting Museum showcases the collection of paintings of the national palaces.
Istanbul’s Ancient Basilica Cistern
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — This isn’t just any old water tank. Buried under the streets next to Hagia Sophia might well be the most impressive water tank you’ll ever see.
Istanbul Naval Museum
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — If I was picking a name for this museum, I wouldn’t use the word “naval.” Istanbul Maritime History Museum would be a better fit. Or better yet: Royal Water Taxi Museum. But what impressive water taxis they are!
The British Museum
LONDON, United Kingdom — The British Museum in central London is one of the world’s great museums and is devoted to human history and culture.
Conwy Castle
CONWY, Wales — The medieval castle at Conwy is imposing and impressive–as it was meant to be. But its key virtue was location.
Caernarfon Castle
CAERNARFON, Wales — All of the surviving castles that King Edward I had built in the late-13th century are impressive. But Caernarfon Castle was designed to be something special.
Waterloo Panorama Virtual Tour
WATERLOO, Belgium — This 360° panorama captures the entire painting inside the Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo.
Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo
WATERLOO, Belgium — The Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo, in its own building next to the Lion’s Mound, brings an old-world tourist immersive experience.
The Battlefield of Waterloo
WATERLOO, Belgium — Nearly 33,000 men died on these fields. And it was here, on 18 June 1815, that Napoleon’s march toward nearby Brussels was halted and he lost his empire for a second time.
Napoleon’s Last Headquarters
WATERLOO, Belgium — Ferme du Caillou, next to the battlefield of Waterloo, is where Napoleon spent the night before the Battle of Waterloo. The next day, his empire was in tatters.
Bruges by Night
BRUGES, Belgium — The docks and canals of Bruges once bustled at night. Now it’s still. And beautiful.
The Belfry of Bruges
BRUGES, Belgium — The Belfry of Bruges is the most famous landmarks is this charming medieval city. But it hasn’t all been peeling bells and glorious views in its nearly 800-year history.
The Musical Instruments Museum of Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium — The Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels has a lot to see. But it has even more to hear.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Flemish art has a well-deserved reputation for its beauty. Some of the best is on display at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels.
Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Most churches count their blessings to have one patron saint. This one has two.
Mannekin Pis
BRUSSELS, Belgium — It’s probably the most famous landmark in Brussels, perhaps in all of Belgium. And yes, it really is a statue of a little naked boy peeing.
The Trevi Fountain
ROME, Italy — Rome’s Trevi Fountain draws massive amounts of tourists into its cramped plaza all day every day.
The Churchill War Rooms
LONDON, United Kingdom — This was British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s underground command bunker during some of the most dangerous days (and nights) of World War II.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s Byzantine Jewel
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — Hagia Sophia is old. Very old. The building that currently stands on the first of Istanbul’s famous seven hills dates back almost 1,500 years and has had a remarkable and colorful history. It’s also a beautiful place to visit.
Paris Skyline
PARIS, France — For a big city–12 million people and counting–Paris doesn’t have the kinds of skyscrapers you might expect. Aside from a few carefully segregated clusters, most of Paris’s buildings aren’t more than five or six stories tall. But the things that do stand out are world class landmarks.
Harlech Castle
HARLECH CASTLE, Wales — Harlech Castle has stood for 700 years so far. And there’s every chance it’ll stand guard of this corner of the Welsh coast for at least another 700.
Highclere Castle
HIGHCLERE CASTLE, United Kingdom — You don’t have to be a fan of Downton Abbey to appreciate the beauty of Highclere Castle sitting on a stately hill in the English countryside of Hampshire about two hours west of London.
The London Eye
LONDON, United Kingdom — It’s a bit like London’s version of the Eiffel Tower–a towering landmark that the city’s locals initially greeted with skepticism, relying on some extraordinary engineering, and becoming a iconic fixture of the city’s skyline. And both offer unparalleled views of their cities.
Prague, Bohemia’s Capital
PRAGUE, Czech Republic — Prague (or Praha, if you’re Czech), the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the continent’s most charming historical cities and one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations.
The Marina Grande Waterfront in Capri, Italy
CAPRI, Italy — From the winding walkways through the village and along the tops of stunning cliffs over the Mediterranean (there are virtually no cars in the main village of Capri), the traditional wooden fishing boats in the harbor, the scrumptious seafood, the Roman ruins, and the role it has played in more modern history, Capri is somewhere I can’t wait to get back to.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate
BERLIN, Germany — Berlin’s historic Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is Germany’s most recognizable landmark and a powerful symbol of Germany history and the Cold War.
Yuri Gagarin Monument in Moscow
MOSCOW, Russia – In April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space. The Gagarin Monument in Moscow is a an apt Soviet tribute to a Russian national hero.
Krakow’s Rynek Glowny at Night
KRAKOW, Poland — This black and white panorama of the Rynek Glowny central square in Krakow’s Old Town is one of my oldest panoramas but is still one of my personal favorites.
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — With about 4000 individual stores, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar has endless rows of storefronts and a staggering variety of merchandise that make for an assault on the senses and, potentially, on the wallet.
Istanbul’s Beautiful Mosques
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Türkiye) — Istanbul’s mosques dominate the city’s skyline, and their understated and elegant interiors can be stunningly beautiful. Here are some examples from some of Istanbul’s most famous mosques.
London by Night
LONDON, United Kingdom — Like others of the world’s great cities, London really sparkles at night and dusk, making for some beautiful photo opportunities.
The Iron Lady of Paris (The Eiffel Tower)
PARIS, France — The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Standing tall over the Paris Skyline, it has become an iconic symbol for all travelers.
