Plitvice Lakes National Park – Croatia
Once a relatively unknown gem, after being splashed across the Internet in countless photos, the word about Plitvice Lakes National Park has definitely gotten out.
The Acropolis, Greece
One of the world’s most iconic UNESCO sites and a top attraction in Athens, the Acropolis boasts many ancient ruins, including an amphitheater, a temple to the goddess Athena, and the Parthenon, the most famous of all. For the best experience arrives early in the morning, right when the gates open at 8 a.m., or late afternoon after the tour groups have departed.
Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge is the most famous of any stone circle on Earth, and one of the most popular attractions in the United Kingdom.
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
One of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, this UNESCO-listed site got its name from the 40,000 basalt columns that interlock to form what looks like Legos, or perhaps a walkway fit for a giant.
Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Set upon a rocky tidal island about two-thirds of a mile off the coast in Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel is a Gothic-style abbey built between the 11th and 16th centuries.
Mostar, Bosnia, and Herzegovina
The small historic village of Old Mostar is a photographer and nature lover’s dream. Developed in the 15th and 16th centuries as an Ottoman frontier town and during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
The Alhambra is a district of Albaycín developed during Spain’s Moorish history. A palace, castle, fortress, summer retreat, and enclosed town all in one enchanting place, they’re set atop two adjacent hills, forming the medieval part of Granada.
Diocletian’s Palace, Split, Croatia
Roman Emperor Diocletian decided to have his retirement residence built in what is now Split, back in the 4th-century AD. Today, Diocletian’s Palace is a maze-like complex that makes up nearly half of the city’s old town.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre is made up of five especially picturesque fishing villages. A travel bucket list destination for many, they feature impeccably-preserved architecture and a network of spectacular coastal and mountain trails, but no roads.
Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
When Viking settlers arrived in the 10th-century Thingvellir was the site they chose as the meeting place of Althingi, the world’s oldest parliament. Named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2004, today it’s a popular stop on the Golden Circle Route.
