This slowly crumbling mansion was home to one of East Africa's richest and most powerful slave traders.

In Zanzibar, a historic 19th-century palace is a reminder of the world's shortest war.

Freddie Mercury's childhood home is now a monument to the iconic Queen rockstar.

This sacred, circular cave is lined with pools so clear and still that it's hard to tell where the water begins.

After sunset the heart of Zanzibar's historic Stone Town neighborhood transforms into a culinary playground.

This Transylvanian church has changed its denomination four times.

This fairy-tale castle would make Dracula (who is said to have been imprisoned there) jealous.

This massive underground salt mine now holds a sci-fi theme park in its depths.

Once the legendary capital of the Dacian Kingdom, this city has been reduced to mere ruins.

Nine centuries-old fortresses guard the walls of this medieval Romanian city.

This hauntingly beautiful cemetery outside a medieval citadel is full of winding paths and ivy-covered graves.

Romania's only crater lake with water as pure as if distilled.

The ancient Greek Titan guards this massive dam holding a lightning bolt to symbolize electricity.

The legendary cliffside castle of three-time Voivode of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler.

A muddy alien landscape that is home to rare species of exotic plants.

A fire once nearly devoured this gorgeous 14th-century Gothic cathedral.

This snug medieval lane is one of the narrowest streets in the world.

The European towns of Brașov and Râșnov each have proud signs reminiscent of the Hollywood sign.

The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle."

Conspiracy theories and occult legends surround this mysterious natural rock formation.

This elaborately decorated, fairytale-like Romanian royal palace is one of the most striking castles in Europe.

This eccentric folly house was designed by Romanian thinker Bogdan-Petriceicu Hasdeu, with a helping hand from his deceased daughter's spirit.

17th century palace once a meeting place for politicians.

Romania's triumphal arch looks out over Bucharest.