A section of the long chain that blocked enemy ships from entering Constantinople.

An Art Nouveau gem hides beneath the layers of city grime obscuring this once-magnificent building.

A surprising and unconventional mosque hidden in the subsoil of Istanbul.

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in the city of Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family.

This museum was invented in a novel before being made real by the author.

This historic hotel preserves many treasures from its heyday hosting passengers on the Orient Express.

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.

An imposing Omani fortress surrounded by date palm trees.

A sinkhole and now a swimming hole, too, full of dazzling turquoise water.

This remote British Imperial telegraph relay outpost drove men insane.

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

This futuristic building is yet another architectural wonder in Dubai.

The world's largest frame offers spectacular views of the city's past and present.

The United Arab Emirates's biggest and oldest fort pays homage to a lost era.

This enormous sports car themed amusement park is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.

The oldest surviving mosque in the UAE has mysterious origins and unusual architecture.

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.

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

Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.

Chelsea's soldiers were given strict orders when crossing this historic bridge.

This Norman castle was once the site of a Victorian-era prison, and now exists as a luxury hotel.

At the top of the hour, figures of the London department store's two co-founders emerge and bow to each other.

Legend says these colorful, invasive residents are the descendants of birds released by Jimi Hendrix.

The Tudor-style cottage in the middle of the square is not quite what it seems.