This fort dates back to 1588 and was colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English and sits prominently on the Indian Ocean where azure water lap the coast.

Once thought to be the Garden of Eden it holds a holy footprint claimed to belong to Adam, Buddha and Shiva.

Known as the most scenic route in Sri Lanka, this train line is steeped in history and offers an unparalleled view of the country.

A Sri Lankan tea factory's ironic take on the Los Angeles landmark.

This ancient cave temple complex is the largest and best-preserved temple complex in Sri Lanka.

An ancient stone fortress considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world.

This sacred fig tree with a link to the Buddha is one of the oldest human-planted trees in the world.

Pettah's beautiful floating market was once a stinky canal in a sketchy industrial area.

This beautifully restored fortification kept the city safe for centuries.

This bazaar is one of the oldest in the Arabian world.

This spectacular mosque houses the second-largest chandelier in the world.

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

A sobering account of the vibrant multicultural neighborhood that was destroyed under apartheid.

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

The remains of diamond fever taken over by the desert.

This "dead marsh" sits among the largest sand dunes in the world, a forest frozen in time.

A desert that rolls right up to the ocean, where it's so dry animals live off the fog.

Road signs in Namibia mark the location of one of the five major circles of latitude.

The largest known Ancient Egyptian obelisk.

One of its engravings is believed to be among the first representations of medical and surgical instruments.

These Egyptian statues have survived for 3,400 years and were an acoustic wonder of the ancient world.

Mosaics, storks, and brothels—this ancient city has it all.

The courtyard of this small Marinid madrasa is a dazzling example of intricate Islamic architecture.

The oldest known university in the world is in Fez, Morocco.