The most southerly spot on New Zealand's South Island is home to surreally shaped, permanently mangled trees.

This Soviet-era athletic and recreation facility is the highest ice skating rink in the world.

The lovely lake that was naturally dammed, then naturally destroyed, then unnaturally saved.

This celebration of Latvia’s freedom and independence avoided demolition over half a century of Soviet occupation.

A former Latvian headquarters of the brutal KGB secret police is now open as a grim reminder of their atrocities.

Perched above the bustling town of Kerak is a sprawling, ruinous castle that has witnessed nearly a millennia of Levantine history.

The world's oldest map of the holy land gives us a fragmented glimpse of the layout of biblical nations.

Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.

Gladiators battle and chariots race daily in the ruins of a once-great Roman city.

An ancient capital city that dates back 3,000 years old and harbors many surprises.

This ornate mosque is said to hold the remains of Muhammad's granddaughter beneath its dome of pure gold.

Only a handful of these gorgeous historic waterwheels remain but even those are in danger from local unrest.

Amid the rubble of Aleppo's Old Quarter, part of a historic market has been restored and re-opened.

One of the oldest and largest castles in the world.

Ruins of the Crusaders' headquarters.

Mysterious lost empire of the Silk Road.

A narrow, serpentine spit of sand is constantly eroded and rebuilt by competing currents.

When the sun sets, the customers arrive—but they’re not human.

The world's seventh-largest coral reef contains an incredible amount of biodiversity.

A museum that chronicles the interesting and often dark history of the London docklands, once one of the major trading ports of the world.

This former farm In northern Iceland is now a museum, where visitors can tour beautifully-preserved turf houses.

This storied music venue was once a tavern that housed an Italian Anarchist book club and prohibition parties; today it's a community space for artists and musicians.

What appears to be a wizard's lair in Milwaukee actually houses a massive water pipe.

A group of artists transformed this desolate city alleyway into an outdoor gallery of street art.