Europe Action & adventure, Flowers, Historic buildings, Lighthouse + Modern architecture pictures

• World

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, nestled between extinct volcanoes and hills, is almost fairytale in appearance, with its medieval buildings in the Old Town and the wide streets and spacious homes Georgian New Town, and the spectacular castle looking down from its cliff. Edinburgh was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995, which only begs the question: why did it take so long?

Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

The golden foyer and the glitzy restaurants here compete for attention with the range of spectacular ballets, operas and recitals.

Its grandiose colonnade and refurbished 19th-century interior make up an exquisite setting, with excellent acoustics for operatic shows and music concerts.

Find out why literary masters, such as Goethe and Victor Hugo, heaped praise on this remarkable, pink-hued cathedral.

Maze-like hedges, marble sculptures and colorful flower beds adorn this historic royal garden, where the palace’s stables and carriages once lay.

Enjoy views of the impressive futuristic train station from this green, pedestrianized plaza at Strasbourg’s core.

Take a sightseeing trip of Tuscany\'s renowned wine region and visit its vineyards, wineries, ancient churches, castles and hilltop villages.

Stop by a 16th-century meeting room inside the Cathedral of Seville that is stunningly decorated with religious paintings, sculptures and reliefs.

Visit the capital of Russia, a large modern city that combines dazzling architecture with cultural riches and a fascinating history.

A canal filled with boats laps around the scenic gardens at the front of this neo-Renaissance palace known as the Venice of Seville.

See the majestic gate that was once Madrid’s eastern entrance but is today a symbol of the Spanish metropolis.

The western section of Gamla Stan is a small islet decorated with aristocratic 17th-century palaces and one of the city’s oldest churches.  

Explore this photogenic riverside square, which is bordered by two grand neoclassical palaces and features a spectacular fountain at its center.

Giotto’s Bell Tower, the resplendent Baptistery, as well as the cathedral and its dome draw the crowds to this square in the heart of the city.

Visit the building blocks of Western civilization, swim and sunbathe on beautiful Mediterranean islands and enjoy the lively nightlife scene.

Escape the city and head to one of the world’s largest urban parks, which has lakes and meadows, as well as beer gardens and a variety of interesting relics.

Explore this photogenic riverside square, which is bordered by two grand neoclassical palaces and features a spectacular fountain at its center.

Admire the greatest works of Michelangelo and da Vinci, see the center of Catholicism and pose with the Leaning Tower of Pisa on this Mediterranean peninsula.

Wander between campus buildings and architectural landmarks, visit museums, catch a theater show and admire outdoor art displays at this city center university.