India - Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world and one of the seven holy cities in Hinduism, is embraced by the sacred Ganges River. The Ganges in Varanasi is more than just a waterway—it is a spiritual lifeline. The ghats along the river form a breathtaking ...

Wales - After breakfast, I walk back to Cardiff Castle. The castle was built in 1091 on the remains of an old fort. Over the centuries, it was expanded. One of the most notable transformations occurred in 1868, when the Marquess of Bute commissioned a neo-Gothic ...

Hong Kong - The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is a unique and fascinating Buddhist attraction located in Sha Tin, in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Despite its name, it is not an official functioning monastery, as no monks live there. It’s a temple complex ...

Germany - The impressive Schloss Wilhelmshöhe is located on the outskirts of the German city of Kassel and forms the majestic centrepiece of the famous Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. The palace was built at the end of the eighteenth century in neoclassical style for ...

Armenia - The Sevanavank Monastery, also called Sevan Monastery, is situated on a picturesque peninsula on Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest lake and one of the highest lakes in the world. At over 1,900 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of the ...

Vatican City - The Vatican Museum is one of the world's largest and most impressive art collections and museums, located in Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world and the home of the Pope. The Vatican Museum houses an extensive collection of artworks ...

Uzbekistan - The old town of Khiva is enclosed by a 10-meter-high mudbrick city wall. As I enter through the west gate, souvenir vendors are already lining up to sell me all kinds of items. Unfortunately for them, I’m not buying. I head for the 12th-century palace ...

Egypt - Of course, I knew the pictures from history books — the pyramids of Giza: three stone structures whose construction still remains a mystery. The illustrations showed thousands of workers stacking stone upon stone. Beautiful, of course. But I will never ...

Madagascar - I walk to the main street of Diego Suarez for breakfast. On the terrace of the Grand Hotel—by far the most luxurious hotel in the city—I order a breakfast menu. Back at the hotel, the 4x4 vehicles are already waiting. Bruno welcomes me again. He will ...

China - Langmusi, also known by its Tibetan name Taktsang Lhamo, is a picturesque village at 3,325 meters altitude on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. It lies on the border of the Chinese provinces Gansu and Sichuan, with the river running through the ...

Costa Rica - In the afternoon, we walk into the capital city. Opposite our hotel lies the Teatro Nacional. This national theater is one of the finest old buildings in San José. The building dates from 1891. The theater was originally financed by an extra levy on ...

North Macedonia - When we told the campsite owner yesterday that we wanted to visit the Sveta Jovan Monastery, he became immediately enthusiastic. "The road to Debar is so beautiful, with the lakes alongside it," he told us. He insisted we should definitely stop at the ...

France - Mont Saint-Michel is a small, rocky peninsula in France. The island lies about one kilometer off the coast near the town of Avranches in Normandy. It was originally a tidal island: accessible by land at low tide but surrounded by water at high tide. Today, ...

Indonesia - Gili Air is one of the three Gili Islands located off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia. Together with Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, it forms a tropical paradise in the Indonesian archipelago. Gili Air is the closest to Lombok and is known for ...

Ukraine - The Cathedral of the Holy Transfiguration is a Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral in the Ukrainian city of Odessa. Empress Catherine the Great, the founder of Odessa, commissioned the construction of a church dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord. Construction ...

Armenia - Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Founded in 782 BCE, the city combines a rich history with a modern, vibrant atmosphere. Located at the foot of the mighty Mount Ararat, Yerevan offers a ...

Jamaica - For lunch, I walk a bit along the beach. At a small stand, they sell patties. I order a chicken patty and a cola. After lunch, I walk to Rick’s Café, located on a cliff about five kilometers away. It’s said to be one of the most beautifully located ...

Cambodia - We get out at the most famous temple, Angkor Wat. The temple is most beautiful to visit in the afternoon due to the setting sun. Angkor Wat is remarkable because of its spectacular architectural design. We walk over the stone entrance bridge across the ...

Ireland - In the afternoon, we continue driving toward the coast to the Cliffs of Moher. These 200-meter-high cliffs rise steeply out of the sea. From the top, you have a stunning view over the cliff faces. The Cliffs of Moher, located in County Clare, Ireland, ...

Gibraltar - The Rock of Gibraltar is an impressive limestone rock that rises at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, within the territory of Gibraltar. The rock dominates the surrounding landscape and has for centuries served as a strategic landmark between ...

Spain - The center of Spain’s capital Madrid is compact and atmospheric. When walking through the city, it doesn’t feel like a typical capital. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance. The Palacio Real, the royal palace, is well worth a visit ...

Syria - The Citadel of Aleppo is situated on a hill, rising fifty meters above the city. It is one of the strongest fortresses in the world, built in the middle of the Syrian city and surrounded by a 20-meter-deep and 30-meter-wide moat. One of its distinctive ...

Singapore - The Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. Built in the Dravidian architectural style, the temple is located at 244 South Bridge Road in the heart of the Chinatown district. It primarily serves South Indian Tamil Hindu Singaporeans. ...

Georgia - After about a two-hour drive, we reach Bodbe Monastery, one of Georgia’s most important religious sites. This active convent is particularly known as the burial place of Saint Nino, who played a crucial role in converting Georgia to Christianity in ...

Dominica - The botanical garden of Roseau, located in the capital of Dominica, is a lush oasis of biodiversity and natural beauty. This breathtaking garden, established in 1891, covers an area of approximately 16 hectares and offers visitors the opportunity to explore ...