The National Museum of Rome, with its excellent Classical art collection, grew too vast for its home in the Baths of Diocletian, which closed in 1981. In 1998 the collection was split between various sites, becoming a truly modern, 21st-century museum. The Ludovisi, Mattei and Altemps collections of sculpture moved into the gorgeous 16th-century Palazzo … Read more

Palazzo Altemps Collection Garden of Delights Loggia The loggia frescoes (c.1595) are a catalogue of the exotic fruits, plants and animals then being imported from the New World. Athena Parthenos The 1st-century BC Greek sculptor Antioco carved this statue to match the most famed sculpture in antiquity, the long-lost Athena in Athens’ Parthenon. “Grande Ludovisi” … Read more

This graceful mansion, on the banks of the Potomac River, is the second most visited historic residence in America after the White House. George Washington spent part of his childhood here and returned after his presidency. With many of the buildings and activities brought back to life, no other place better portrays the character of … Read more

Features of Mr. Washington’s Farm 16-Sided Treading Barn With this unique design, George Washington created one of the most aesthetically pleasing and yet efficient working barns. The circular floorplan of the building with its slatted upper floor allowed horses to tread over grain placed on the floor to break the heads from the stalks. The … Read more

Native Americans There were settlements in the Bay as early as the 11th century BC, made up of hunters and gatherers who enjoyed a rich diet of seeds, shellfish, and game. Historians group these peoples into the Coast Miwok, the Wintun, and the Ohlone. Sir Francis Drake In 1579, the English privateer landed near Point … Read more

Mission Dolores The 18th-century Spanish mission, site of the area’s earliest settlement, is worth a visit for its tranquility, as well as for the education it provides about the city’s early history . Jackson Square The area that witnessed the worst misbehavior of the Barbary Coast days contains some of the city’s oldest, loveliest buildings. … Read more

Brandenburger Tor More than a mere symbol, the Brandenburg Gate is synonymous with Berlin . Schloss Charlottenburg This palace boasts Baroque and Rococo splendours and a beautiful park, making it one of the most attractive in Germany . Schloss Bellevue Built according to plans by Philipp Daniel Boumann in 1785–90, this palace was the residence … Read more

Sony Center One of Berlin’s largest new structures is the spectacular Sony Center. Neue Nationalgalerie This impressive low building with its huge windows was built in 1965–8 according to plans by Mies van der Rohe. It was the first building to be designed by the pioneering Bauhaus architect after his emigration to the USA. He … Read more

Buckingham Palace overlooks two of London ‘s most central Royal Parks – St James’s and Green Park – and is just a short walk from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Along with the other London parks, these provide year-round pleasure and an invaluable retreat for all who live, work and visit the city. Many offer … Read more

A glorious example of Medieval architecture on a truly grand scale, this former Benedictine abbey church stands on the south side of Parliament Square. Founded in the 11th century by Edward the Confessor, it survived the Reformation and continued as a place of royal ceremonials. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was held here in 1953 and … Read more

This Gothic masterpiece, built by Louis IX (1214– 70) as a shrine for his holy relics of the passion and completed in 1248, is considered the most beautiful church in Paris, not least for its 15 stained-glass windows soaring 15 m (50 ft) to a star-covered vaulted roof. The church was damaged during the Revolution … Read more

The “invalides” for whom this imposing Hôtel was built were wounded soldiers of the late 17th century. Louis XIV had the building constructed between 1671 and 1678, and veterans are still housed here, although only a dozen or so compared to the original 6,000. They share their home with the greatest French soldier of them … Read more

One of the great architectural achievements of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1959 spiral design alone would make this museum a must. Solomon Guggenheim’s core collection of Abstract art has been widened by donations of several important collections. The museum owns a host of work by Brancusi, Calder, Klee, Chagall, Miró, Leger, Mondrian, Picasso, … Read more

Few city children grow up without visiting the dinosaurs, the life-size dioramas of animal life, and other natural wonders in this popular museum patronized by over 4 million people each year. Since its founding in 1869, the museum has grown to 45 permanent exhibition halls spanning four city blocks, 13 of them opened in the … Read more

Rose Center for Earth and Space Hayden Planetarium The Building Opened in 2000 to explore inner earth and the outer universe, the dramatic exhibit building is a huge glass cube enclosing a three-story, 87-ft-wide sphere containing the new Hayden Planetarium. Hall of the Universe Exhibits, divided into the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets, show the … Read more

Some of the most storied battleships in American naval history began life at Charlestown Navy Yard. Established in 1800 as one of the country’s first naval yards, Charlestown remained vital to US security until its decommissioning in 1974. From the 200-year-old wooden-hulled USS Constitution to the World War II-era steel destroyer USS Cassin Young, the … Read more

The sea pervades nearly every aspect of Boston life, so it’s appropriate that the New England Aquarium is one of the city’s most popular attractions. What sets this aquarium apart from similar institutions is its commitment to presenting not only an exciting environment to learn about marine life, but also to conserving the natural habitats … Read more

One of the world’s most famous natural attractions, the great arcs of hissing, frothing water crashing over cliffs 20 stories high is a dazzling spectacle. Drifting spray adds to the excitement of being near the edge of a stomach-churning drop. The 173-ft- (53-m-) high Canadian Horseshoe Falls is the mightiest of the three cataracts that … Read more

Fun Things to Do Around Niagara Fort George This historic British fort, built in 1796, was a key defense post during the War of 1812 between Britain and the US . It has been restored to the period with replica buildings and costumed staff. Niagara-on-the-Lake Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm daily Adm Fort George Casino Niagara Those … Read more

Barcelona’s sleek contemporary art museum looms in bold contrast to the surrounding area. Together with the nearby Centre de Cultura Contemporània (CCCB), the Museu d’Art Contemporani (MACBA) has provided a focal point for modern Barcelona since its opening in 1995, and, has played an integral part in the rejuvenation of El Raval. MACBA’s permanent collection … Read more