California's own medieval Italian castle, authentic down to the 300-year-old iron maiden in the dungeon.

The fossilized remains of ancient California redwoods.

California's own majestic geyser is powered by a subterranean volcano.

Elevated freight railway turned wildly successful urban park.

This historic castle is one of the oldest and most impressive in all of Japan.

Hot springs monkey spa in the middle of Hell's Valley.

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

A magnificent, reportedly haunted mansion built for a composer by Spiritualists.

This lovely, if imposing, piece of Canadian gothic is possibly the most photographed hotel in the world.

This iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.

One of Antoni Gaudí's least-visited works, an homage to Catalan patrimony that mixes neo-Gothic with Modernista forms.

One of Antoni Gaudí’s earliest buildings, built between 1886 and 1890 for the industrialist Eusebi Güell.

Under a glass sidewalk lie the remains of some of Manhattan's oldest buildings.

The vaulted ceiling is home to a scurry of “squirrelgoyles.”

Montreal's giant farmer's market is a foodie's best friend, especially in the winter months.

This crumbling industrial fortress has attracted daredevils, filmmakers, and historians.

Designed by Buckminster Fuller, this relic of the 67 Expo survived fire and ice.

A swirling spectrum of stained glass dazzles visitors who enter this subway station.

A grand Gothic Revival basilica with stained glass depictions of Montreal's religious history has only one soul resting in its crypt.

The ancient dwellings of the Puebloans, located in the cliffs of majestic mesas.

This stretch of beach along California's central coast is a busy highway for the largest seal in the northern hemisphere.

An inconspicuous footbridge beloved by San Diego locals.

These unusual houses look like giant boats that washed ashore on a residential street.

The oldest family-run restaurant in the United States is a living museum of New Orleans dining history.