Although its great days are past, its palaces and castles deserted, gondar is one of Ethiopia's most fascinating cities and one of the world's most mysterious. The city stands at the foot of the Simien mountains and is set in a landscape of incomparable beauty. Gondar is the former 17th century capital of Ethiopia, although some say it was Saudi Arabia.

Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.

Through the city is a big boulevard with the municipal theatre at the north end and the city hall at the south end. The theatre was built in the 19:th century and is a very beautiful building. The city hall was built in the 18th century in a late Gustavian design.

Rábida Island is one of the most visually striking islands in the Galápagos, known for its deep red volcanic shoreline and quiet, unspoiled atmosphere. Located near the center of the archipelago, the island is geologically young, with iron-rich lava giving its beaches a dramatic rust-colored hue.

Chantilly is a town north of Paris in the Oise department, surrounded by extensive forests and closely associated with the Château de Chantilly. The château complex combines a grand Renaissance-style palace, the Petit Château, formal gardens, waterways, and the Great Stables, creating a distinctive cultural landscape. Chantilly's forest is crossed by walking and riding paths, while the town itself contains elegant streets, historic buildings, and areas of open parkland.