Finland's northernmost zoo is home to the country's only polar bears.

This honeycomb-textured tafone looks like a petrified troll head.

A lumberjack in Finnish Lapland did not want to cut down his Arctic pines, so he offered them up to be adopted by nature-lovers.

This cairn marks the only place where Central European Time, Eastern European Time, and Further-eastern European Time meet.

A beautiful Arctic museum and nature center preserves the culture of the Sámi people.

Hidden deep in a forest is this geological wonder carved by glaciers.

Crawling into this primordial cave may feel disconcertingly familiar.

A replica of the home of a famous fictional troll family.

This irregularly shaped sea fortress has defended not one but three different sovereign states.

Legend has this precariously placed rock was placed by giants. Science has another explanation.

Architecturally stunning library serves as the hub of Finnish scholarly life and culture.

This fantastical icy castle is built anew every winter.

Rent out a glass igloo to watch the Northern Lights like you live in the future.

This narrow fjord-like bay is the largest ria in the Mediterranean Sea.

This heart-shaped island looks substantially less lovely after a recent bulldozing project.

The Renaissance-era courthouse is a relic from the fortified town's centuries of Venetian rule.

This beautiful Croatian fortress is haunted by legends of forbidden love.

Built as an anti-fascist tribute, this surreal Yugoslav memorial became an unwelcome symbol after the Croatian war for independence.

Dive for drinks at Croatia's first and only underwater winery.

Croatia's "hairy stone" fortress is one of the most well preserved Istrian castles.

This Croatian fairytale castle is slowly falling apart thanks to years of neglect.

This picturesque medieval monastery guards a small trove of historic treasures.

The complex has been abandoned since the Croatian War of Independence, barring a stint as a set for 'Game of Thrones.'

The remains of a sunken military ship wreck visible through clear water.