People have been living in the cave houses on this Italian hillside since the Neolithic era.

Southern Italy's spinning top village.

A musical instrument played by the sea.

This truly palatial work of Communist-era architecture now sits crumbling on a Croatian beach.

This one-time health resort was used by aristocrats around the world.

Part ski resort, part modern art space, this lodge brings giant metal spiders and bloody doors to the Austrian Alps.

Swarovski's museum/theme park is a fake diamond fantasia overlooked by a giant.

These delicate sand pyramids look like naturally occurring gothic spires.

The "Prussian Versailles" that is as glorious today as when it was built.

Soaring over 6,000 feet in the Bavarian Alps, this beer garden was once Hitler's 50th birthday present.

These bronze pamphlets remember a remarkable group of Germans who fearlessly opposed the Nazis in the very center of their power.

Go surfing on this urban wave, "hacked" by local surfers.

A serious museum dedicated to two German comedians.

This German version of Universal Studios holds a vault of treasures from the NeverEnding Story.

The prison where Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf," and 278 Nazis were later executed for war crimes.

Originally envisioned by King Ludwig II to rival Versailles, Herrenchiemsee's "New Palace" remains half-gilded for lack of funds.

This proud Teutonic warrior rises out of a German forest heralding a victory and measuring lightning.

A remarkable lava formation encloses a line of Buddhist statues that can't be accurately counted, according to local mythology.

A shrine built to combat the bad karma of a commercial venture.

This elephant kraal is the only one remaining in Thailand, dating back to the 16th century when these massive mammals were integral players in war and trade.

The headquarters of the Mahanikai school of Buddhism, Thailand's largest monastic order.

Surat Thani's official flower—and the world's largest—smells of rotting meat.

A dazzling temple featuring a towering 12-meter golden Buddha.

Little island known for its massive beachfront "flowerpot" pillars.