Barcelona

Over 2000 years of architectural history litter the streets of Barcelona where Roman ruins and Gothic cathedrals mix with the whimsical, undulating designs of Catalan modernist Antoni Gaudi.

Chicago, USA

The Great Chicago Fire in 1871 destroyed most of the city and paved the way for the construction of the world’s first skyscraper.

Since then, Chicago has earned a reputation for architectural experimentation with arresting high-rise creations and the work of pioneering modernists.

Istanbul, Turkey

Sitting astride two continents at the end of the Silk Road, Istanbul has been a hub of trade, power, and culture for thousands of years.  Its legacy is a staggering array of monuments, palaces, and towers illustrating Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences.

Rome, Italy

Awash with ancient ruins and Renaissance churches, Rome is home to some of the most significant and influential buildings in the Western world.

Wander around the Colosseum and Palatine Hill for a sense of ancient power and glory.

Mumbai, India

Mumbai’s architecture is as eclectic and flamboyant as the city. Its temples, mosques, and synagogues mix with glittering tower blocks, art deco cinemas, and glorious Victorian-era monuments of colonial extravagance.

Miami, USA

Set against blue skies and swaying palms, the art deco mansions of sunny South Beach still ooze the elegance and glamour of the 1930s. The city’s historic district has the largest collection of art deco buildings in the world.

Oxford, UK

Oxford’s architecture is intrinsically linked with that of its university, its most famous landmark the Radcliffe Camera, an elegant, neo-classical rotunda used as a university reading room.

Shanghai

Renowned for its futuristic skyline and constant frenzy of building work, Shanghai also offers ‘Chinese deco’ exuberance along the Bund and in the leafy French Concession.

Brazilia

The brainchild of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, Brasília is a glorious experiment in late ’50s modernism. Niemeyer’s vision of the future centers on the arresting, crown-like Catedral Metropolitana.

St Petersburg – Russia

Influenced by European style, the late baroque rococo style fell into favor with female rulers in St. Petersburg. Richly decorated, The Catherine Palace – commissioned by Catherine I and expanded by her daughter, Empress Elizabeth – is perhaps the most famous example.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Home to renowned architects Bjarke Ingels, Arne Jacobsen, and Jørn Utzon, Danish architecture and urban planning are perennial draws to Copenhagen.

Singapore

An economic powerhouse where prosperity has allowed cutting-edge architects to create an ultra-modern cityscape, Singapore’s skyline is instantly recognizable.