Macabre astrological automaton clock dating to the late 1400s.

This gruesome biblical parade celebrates the one day a year that a bit of Jesus' blood turns to liquid.

Christ's blood preserved in a Belgian town.

This fairytale castle was built as a show of power but was nearly torn down thanks to its history of torture.

A little sculpture with a large wardrobe.

This collection of over 50 murals celebrates Brussels' rich history as the self-proclaimed home of the "comic strip."

An important Mayan religious and trading center dating back to 200 BC.

This portion of a lovely Belize beach is infested with (harmless) sharks and rays.

Thailand's distressed elephants find peace at this Chiang Mai sanctuary.

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.

Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.

A faithful reproduction of Al-Jazari's enormous water clock.

The ancient latrines of the Greeks, in all their public glory.

Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.

Legend says if you stick your thumb in the hole and it gets wet your wish will be granted.

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Its sunny hues are believed to have inspired the town's color palette.

One of the city's most imposing Neoclassical buildings is also one of its most prestigious schools.

Iconic red and white plaques show the creative names invented to navigate the city streets.

If you can look past the nearby sewer pipes, this urban sinkhole grotto is a mini-paradise.

Clap your hands at the base of the pyramid, and the song of a sacred Mayan bird will echo through the air.

No telescopes, no power, no gift shop: The Observatory of Chichen Itza, one of the world's oldest observatories, takes astronomy back to basics.