The mysterious, fantastical woodland inspiration for "The Lord of the Rings."

A kaleidoscopic warehouse-maze of handmade neon signs.

This once-derelict building is now one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

A naturally beautiful, seemingly bottomless deep blue spring.

This ominous Albanian fortress houses tanks and downed planes as a reminder of their victories over Western imperialism.

According to a local legend, this old castle could only be built after a woman was immured in the walls.

A medieval bridge stretches over a sulfur-rich river that leads to year-round natural hot springs.

The largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkans once held over 20,000 people, but managed to lay hidden for hundreds of years.

Explore a traditional Albanian dwelling that pays tribute to the region's rich history.

The world's first zoo for microbes collecting the horrible and wonderful things living on and around us.

An Amsterdam street lined with antique shops each one dedicated to a different obscure collection.

Debatably clever, or just plain honest hotel advertised as "The Worst Hotel in the World."

Cat art as far as the eye can see.

A floating cat sanctuary on an Amsterdam canal.