Every equinox this Maya pyramid puts on a spooky ancient light show.

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

Frida Kahlo's childhood home, now a museum of her life and works.

The winter home of millions of migrating monarch butterflies.

Mexico's astounding mummy museum with "the world's smallest mummy."

Fascinating town where normal life interfaces with the occult.

A king's pet, a pope's gift, an artist's inspiration, and a tragic shipwreck.

The intricate stonework of Machu Picchu serves as a testament to Incan engineers.

This eccentrically decorated palace is replete with grottoes, fountains, tunnels, and caves.

The world's second-largest sundial, made entirely out of stone.

The 953 windows undoubtedly make this the world's most beautiful screened porch.

More than half of this Indian palace is drowned but it looks all the more spectacular for it.

An ancient iron pillar in Delhi that seems to be rustproof.

Largest cave system in Africa.

This African beach is home to thousands of rare mainland penguins that are known for their annoying voice.

An Ethiopian "Jerusalem" featuring a church hewn out of a single rock.

The hallucinogenic center of the ancient world.

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.

This eye-popping Icelandic crater lake is surrounded by red volcanic rock.

A sulfuric martian landscape that looks far better than it smells.

An Icelandic island full of diving birds and legend.

This elegant arc of a waterfall marks a religious turning point.

France's most famous cemetery, with some of its most curious tombs.

19th century pendulum and a clock restored by a rogue group of guerilla artists.