This interesting hike climbs the entire length of Kulepeamoa Ridge to the Ko'olau Summit. Along the way are lush greenery, patches of jungle and shrubbery, ironwood groves, primitive campsites, lots of ups and downs, some steep climbs, a few narrow spots and several false summits. The top offers panoramic views of the windward coast. The first part is lightly traveled and overgrown, with obscured footing and some tricky navigation. The middle and upper parts are better defined and easier to follow. READ MORE ->

Koko Crater Trail, better known as “Koko Head Stairs”, is your StairMaster workout for the day, with a rewarding panoramic view up top. This Oahu hike will test your endurance and strength to continuously take each additional step up the mountain as you stride over 1000 steps to reach the top! As challenging as it sounds, hiking the Koko Head trail is a fun and very popular hike on Oahu. - See more at: READ MORE ->

Sprawling collection of sports fields, gardens, picnic areas & stairs climbing a volcanic crater.

But this hike isn’t on a sanctioned trail, so there doesn’t seem to be any consensus on the name. Hanauma Bay Loop Hike & Koko Head Rim Trail - to name the two.

Hämelschenburg Castle is delightfully set in the Weserbergland hills between Hamelin and Bad Pyrmont. It was built between 1588 and 1613 for Jürgen von Klenke and his wife Anna von Holle on the site of a feudal estate that had been destroyed several times before. The castle has all the attributes of a picture-postcard scene – an imposing triple-wing arrangement with moats, a fortified bridge providing access and two splendid octagonal towers housing the staircases. The most striking features are the 24 elaborately decorated gabled dormers that can be seen from quite a distance. Hämelschenburg Castle was built of Weser sandstone, a much sought-after material at the time. The founders of the castle lived with their 14 children in the most magnificent section – the three-storey south wing, richly decorated in the Italianate Renaissance style. It was thanks to this exceptional family's bravery that the entire castle was saved from being plundered and destroyed in the Thirty Years' War. An in-depth insight is given into the life of the nobility in the Renaissance, baroque and late 19th century periods. Many rooms are complete with furniture, paintings, porcelain, glassware and historical weaponry. The reconstructed Minnegarten is a colourful reminder of an era in which the garden was an intimate refuge for Minne or courtly love. Those in search of quiet contemplation after all this art and culture can enjoy idyllic strolls near to the castle on St. James' Way – the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Good news for walkers: this former country estate has a café and beer garden with views of the castle's magnificent south facade. READ MORE ->

Renovated castle, the Hohenlohe family's princely home, with museum, chapel & rose garden with cafe. -Google. Langenburg Castle was built on a high rocky hill. It was first mentioned in 1226. Since the 13th century, it has been in the possession of the Hohenlohe family. Part of the castle is given over to a museum. Visitors also have the opportunity to enter the chapel and take a stroll through the baroque park. READ MORE ->

Lüneburg is the salt town of the North. For over 1000 years salt ruled the life of the town. It made the town rich and powerful.

READ MORE ->

Museum on Martin Luther & the Reformation in a historic half-timbered house where he likely lived.-Google.

The house itself is one of the oldest surviving half-timbered houses in Thuringia.

Luther spent three years in Eisenach as a teenager. He came to the town in 1498, at the age of 15, to study Latin; during that time, he boarded with the family of Alderman Cotta.

READ MORE ->

Museum dedicated to Bach's life in a 1400s house, with live performances using baroque instruments.-Google.

Bach was born and baptized in Eisenach, and he lived in the city until he was 10 years old. Today, Eisenach is home to the Bachhaus, or Bach House, which is the world's leading museum about the great composer and his works.

READ MORE ->

Medieval castle on a high rock in parkland, housing museum focused on art from the Middle Ages.-Google.

The town of Arnstadt is home to one of the most important places of residence of the Bach family: the house at Kohlgasse 7. No other Bach location, known as a 'Bachstadt', in Germany contains a preserved building that is directly linked to Johann Sebastian Bach and was frequently visited and maybe even called home by the famous composer.

READ MORE ->

'Extremely rich and full of the greatest curiosities and treasures' - this is how in the 18th century the cathedral treasury was described in a contemporary travelogue, which dates back to the founding of the bishopric at the beginning of the 11th century. by Emperor Henry II (+ 1024) and his wife Kunigunde (+1033). Both presented a unique set of valuable liturgical equipment, relics, paraments and books. Despite many losses, the imperial robes still form the core of the cathedral treasury and the highlight of the museum's important medieval textile collection, which is very atmospheric in the chapter house built in 1733 by Balthasar Neumann. This collection includes the gold-embroidered starry coat of Emperor Henry, the fully preserved unique papal clause of Clement II (+ 1047), as well as the magnificent cathedral cross (11th-19th century) and the early Gothic original figures of the Dukes and Adams portals of the cathedral. READ MORE ->

Offers breathtaking views overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu. In fact the view is so good, it was used by the US military as a post for preventing attacks against Honolulu. The trail takes you to the edge of a 300,000 year old crater. While the hike isn’t that long in terms of distance, it can be somewhat challenging due to its ascent. Parts of the trail are over uneven rock, and the 99 steps near the end of the hike are steep. Also, the only water fountains are at the beginning of the trail, so you’ll want to bring a water bottle or bottled water to stay hydrated. READ MORE ->

The place of wonder. The ocean has created curvy layers in the rock that are delightful. Underneath you, as you stand on the rocks, the ocean is pounding out a cave! When the waves spill into the cave, they come spitting out in a huge horizontal gush! Summer is the best time to see this. Water sprays up over rocks below on all sides. And the sunset is gorgeous. You are so high up that you don't get wet. This area is where they filmed the sixth episode of the TV show "Lost: 2nd Season" !!! Directions: park along the road ( Lumahai St) at the end. You will see the path between houses on your right. The walk down is a bit steep and slippery but doable.

This beginning section of the Kalalau trail brings you to Hanakapi`ai beach (2 miles in) with the option to hike an additional 2 miles up Hanakapi`ai Valley to the falls. Remote and beautiful, this Na Pali hike is gorgeous but challenging. READ MORE ->

The Hanakapiai or Kalalau Trail, beginning in Haena at Ke'e Beach, is a world renowned north shore Kauai hiking trail offering some of the best views of the scenic and dramatic northwest Na Pali Coastline that you can enjoy from land. This trail takes you into Kalalau Valley, ending at a secluded beach 11 miles up the trail. Used by both locals and visitors, this hike won't leave you disappointed (don't forget the camera!). READ MORE ->

When visiting Waimea Canyon in northwest Kauai it's almost hard not to notice two-tier Waipo'o Falls dropping some 800ft into the Canyon below. You're first glimpse of the falls is at the Waimea Canyon Overlook, past mile marker 10 on Highway 550. Both the canyon and the falls are spectacular from this lookout. Further up the road at Pu'u Ka Pele lookout, near mile marker 13, you can get your closest (though partially obstructed) view of the falls from Highway 550. You're still a remarkable distance away from the falls, but it's a beautiful photo opportunity. READ MORE ->

Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle – Germany’s oldest castle. A masterpiece of late-Gothic architecture. A trendsetter since 1471.

READ MORE ->

Historic castle that overlooks the town of Meißen and the Elbe River. It is one of the oldest castles in Germany and holds great historical significance.

Built between 1471 and 1524, Albrechtsburg Castle was originally constructed as a residence for the House of Wettin, who were rulers of the Electorate of Saxony. The castle was named after Albert III, Duke of Saxony, who initiated its construction. It was designed as a late Gothic-style fortress and served as a symbol of the Wettin family's power and wealth.

The castle's architecture is impressive, featuring a combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles. It consists of four wings surrounding a central courtyard and is characterized by its ornate façade, towering spires, and decorative details.

Inside the castle, visitors can explore various rooms and halls that showcase the castle's rich history and art collections. The castle is home to the Albrechtsburg Museum, which houses a collection of medieval and Renaissance artifacts, including sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and historical documents.

One of the notable highlights of Albrechtsburg Castle is the Golden Room (Goldener Saal), a lavishly decorated banquet hall with intricate woodwork and gold leaf detailing. This room was used for prestigious events and festivities during the Renaissance period.

Additionally, the castle offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the town of Meißen, the Elbe River, and the nearby Meissen Cathedral, which is renowned for its intricate stained glass windows.

Albrechtsburg Castle is not only a historical landmark but also a cultural hub. It hosts various events, exhibitions, and concerts throughout the year, attracting visitors from all over the world.

READ MORE ->

One of the most important museums in the world

READ MORE ->

The Old Masters Picture Gallery, also known as the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, is located in the Zwinger complex in Dresden, Germany, It is one of the most renowned art museums in the world, housing a vast collection of European paintings from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

The gallery features an impressive array of masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, Titian, Vermeer, Rubens, Rembrandt, and many others. The collection includes works from various art movements, including the Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and Dutch Golden Age.

One of the most famous paintings in the gallery is Raphael's 'Sistine Madonna', which showcases the iconic image of two cherubs at the bottom. Other notable highlights include Vermeer's 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window', Rembrandt's 'Self-Portrait as the Apostle Paul', and Cranach the Elder's 'Judith with the Head of Holofernes'

The museum provides visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich artistic heritage of Europe. The carefully curated collection offers a glimpse into the evolution of painting styles and techniques throughout history. With its grand architecture and stunning artworks, the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden are one of the most important museums in the world - 14 museums offer a thematic variety that is unique in its kind.

READ MORE ->

Frederiksborg Palace is situated on three islets in the castle lake in Hillerød, north of Copenhagen. The palace, which is surrounded by the beautiful Frederiksborg Palace Garden, was built in the Dutch Renaissance style at the beginning of the 1600s by King Christian 4. The palace was built in Dutch Renaissance style by King Christian 4 in the 17th century. After a devastating fire in the middle of the 19th century, the palace was rebuilt by the owner of the Carlsberg Breweries, J. C. Jacobsen. READ MORE ->

LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF MODERN ART is a leading international museum of modern art. Located on the coast it strikes that rarest of balances between landscape, architecture, and art in a unique interaction that attracts visitors from around the world and makes a visit to Louisiana something special throughout the year. READ MORE ->

Museum is a hidden gem, with amazingly large scale sculptures and artworks.

The fortified church in Kampehl is a double-shell fieldstone building dating back to the first settlement of the town in the 13th century. The church was renovated in 2011. The mummy of the Knight Kalebuz, which can be visited during a guided tour, is...

READ MORE ->

This townhouse, one of the most beautiful in Wittenberg, was built by Elector Johann Friedrich in 1536 for the scholar Philipp Melanchthon, who lived here with his family until his death.

Philipp Melanchthon is one of Martin Luther's closest companions and one of the most important actors in the Wittenberg Reformation.

Museum with interactive exhibits on life in Communist-era East Germany & the reunification process. - Google.

Museum celebrating the composer's life, with interactive musical displays & original manuscripts. - Google.

An impressive building complex in Art-Deco style, houses three museums of domestic and international significance: the Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of Ethnology and the Museum of Music instruments. At the center of attraction in the three museums are their respective new feature of permanent exhibitions and alternating special exhibitions. The centerpiece of Grassi Museum is the Art Deco column hall. The central exhibition and event hall designed in shining red-gold-blue remains unparalleled all over Europe. The column hall that is named after its twelve ceiling-high triangular columns, represents the exclusive designing style of Art Deco. Grassi Museum is seen as a place of culture and inspiration. Its vegetated inner courtyards, the old Johannis cemetery, which looks like a park and the highly inviting Museum Café set the scene perfectly well for enjoying leisure time. READ MORE ->

Museum devoted to Jewish life featuring Judaica objects from the Middle Ages & educational exhibits. -Google. The main location for the Jewish Museum is an imposing 17th-century house. Franconia was an important cradle of Jewish life in southern Germany, with more than 400 Jewish communities. The Jewish Museum of Franconia offers a fascinating glimpse into nearly 1,000 unbroken years of Jewish history. READ MORE ->

The name of the castle was first mentioned in the 1157. The earliest part surviving until today was built around 1250 under the rule of the Hohenzollern, Conrad I.

Museum in a 13th-century Dominican convent housing exhibits of medieval weapons, pewter ware & more. - Googhle. The museum is housed in the former Dominican convent ((it was dissolved in the 16th-century), whose 13th-century kitchen is well preserved ( the oldest of its kind), and the 14th-century panels of the Rothenburg Passion. It presents the town's history and possesses the collections of the Baumann Foundation, which trace the history of weapons from the Stone Age to the 19th century (including hunting weapons once used by Frederick the Great). One section deals with the Jewish community of Rothenburg. Finally, some halls are dedicated to the painter Arthur Wasse (1854-1930).

Sizable Christmas museum with historical exhibits & a popular shop selling decorations. - Google.

The Counts of Abenberg built their first wooden castle in the middle of the 11th century. A hundred years later, they erected this stone fortification - one of the most impressive in Bavaria. The counts patronized the medieval poets - Tannhäuser, which was reflected in their works of the 13th century. Two towers – the slender 'Luginsland' watchtower and the massive 'Schottenturm' (Schott Tower) – dominate the striking silhouette of the castle. Neither was built until the 80s of the 19th century. READ MORE ->

The rise and fall of the imperial city of Dinkelsbühl as well as the discovery of the city of Munich painters lying in Dornrößchenschlaf represent the great arch that runs through the exhibition. Embark on the search for traces of over 800 years of history.

The departments of sculpture, arts and crafts and city history. The collection of sculptures and other works from the late Renaissance is one of the highlights of the Maximilian Museum. At that time, Italian and Italian-trained artists such as Adriaen de Vries worked in Augsburg. Extraordinary goldsmiths testify to the past of Fuggerstadt as one of the most important goldsmith metropolises in Central Europe.

The museum within a synagogue depicts local Jewish culture & history from the Middle Ages to the present. -Google. The monumental synagogue on Halderstraße in Augsburg was built between 1913 and 1917 according to designs by the architects Fritz Landauer (1883–1968) and Dr. Heinrich Lömpel (1877–1951). It is an impressive testament to German-Jewish culture, an outstanding document of Jewish history in Bavaria, and today once again the heart of a Jewish community. READ MORE ->

New Gothic style castle, summer residence of King Ludwig II, with ornately furnished state rooms. -Google. The ruined castle Schwanstein was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style by Crown Prince Maximilian of Bavaria. Here King Ludwig II not only spent his youth, but this castle also served him as a summer residence until his death in 1886

The convent’s museum is located in the Planta Tower, an over one-thousand-year-old fortified residential tower. The sound of the liturgical bell invites you to follow your guide on a journey through 1200 years of convent and architectural history.

READ MORE ->

This historic site is a Benedictine nunnery that dates back to the 8th century. It is renowned for its well-preserved Carolingian frescoes, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The convent was founded by Charlemagne's sister, Emperess Hildegard, in 775 AD. It served as a refuge for noblewomen during the Middle Ages and has been continuously inhabited by Benedictine nuns since its establishment

The highlight of the Convent of St. John Müstair is its impressive frescoes. The paintings, created in the 9th century, depict biblical scenes and saints. These frescoes are considered exceptional for their artistic quality and their preservation over centuries

Visitors can explore the convent's various rooms, including the church, cloister, chapter house, and museum. The church features a striking Romanesque-Gothic architecture, while the cloister offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The chapter house houses an exhibition on the convent's history and the frescoes

Aside from its historical and artistic significance, the Convent of St. John Müstair is an active religious community. The Benedictine nuns living here follow a life of prayer, contemplation, and work

The convent is open to the public, and guided tours are available to learn more about its rich history and cultural heritage. Visitors can also purchase locally made products, such as herbal remedies and crafts, from the convent's gift shop

Overall, the Convent of St. John Müstair is a remarkable place to visit, offering a glimpse into centuries of history, art, and spirituality.

City museum in Lombard Benedictine monastery complex, including artefacts from the region's history. -Google. The Museo di Santa Giulia mostly presents artworks, archaeological artifacts, and objects of applied arts related to the Brescia territory from Prehistory to the 19th century. The collections of archaeology, and art from antiquity to the Middle Ages include Celtic artifacts, ancient Roman mosaics and sculptures, including the famous bronze statue of the Winged Victory of Brescia, dating back to the 1st century AD; and an exceptional collection of Longobard mosaics, frescoes, bronzes, arms, and ritual objects including the famous Cross of Desiderius, a gold-plated wooden processional cross dating back to the 9th century AD. READ MORE ->

The magnificent structure of Castelvecchio which means the Old castle, hosts one of the fascinating museums, not only in Italy but in entire Europe. The building exhibits exciting art collections and is well-known for its rich history and architectural value. Castelvecchio was built in 1355 by the Della Scala family, the ruling dynasty of Verona in the middle age. It was planned both as a defensive fortification and a home but was successively adjusted by future invaders such as Venetians, the French, and the Austrians, which it was used as a barracks both during Napoleonic and Austrian rule. READ MORE ->

Museum within a 13th-century convent showing frescoes from the Middle Ages, plus Roman sculpture. -Google. READ MORE ->

Castle, originating in 11th century, housing a museum with ancient Egypt, Roman & Greek artifacts. -Google. READ MORE ->

The place of residence and death in the final years of poet Friedrich Hölderlin Restored tower with medieval origins, once home to a famed poet, with displays on his life & work. -Google.

This tower was built in the 12th century as a home for the Suardi family & offers panoramic views. -Google. The Civic Tower, otherwise known as the Campanone, which with its height of 52.76 metres, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the old town. At the top, accessible by foot (230 steps) or more comfortably in the lift, you will find the largest bell in Lombardy. READ MORE ->

San Giacomo Gate (“Porta San Giacomo”) used to be the entrance to Bergamo for those who came from Milan. It’s the only access to the Walls that can be perfectly seen from Viale Vittorio Emanuele, the axis crossing Lower Bergamo from South to North, both for its position and for its colour. In fact, it is made of white marble extracted from Zandobbio’s quarries, in the near Cavallina Valley: this material makes the gate stand out against the grey defensive walls. Due to these characteristics, besides being one of the most photographed places of Bergamo, it is also an ideal background on which projecting coloured lights during particular events (for instance, the colours of the Italian flag during national celebrations. Lean on the balustrade and enjoy, on one side, a stunning view of the Venetian fortification, and a fantastic panorama of the Lower Town and the Plain up to the Apennines on the other one! READ MORE ->

Founded in 1561 as a mere “Collection of old stuff”

Behind the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, follow the silent Via Arena to reach the Domus Magna: here, on the first floor, is the Donizetti Museum. The visit allows to know more about life, work and personality of Gaetano Donizetti, protagonist of the European musical scene of the early 19th century. Autograph scores, portraits, letters, objects belonging to his private life lead you on a fascinating journey: the words and the music of the great composer will be your guide. READ MORE ->

Memorial park dedicated to the victims of the atomic bomb & advocating for world peace since 1954.-Google.

10th to 12th centuries rock-cut churches and monk-cells that hold fabulous frescoes. Cappadocia's Göreme Open Air Museum has about 30 ancient churches, and it's about as far from a traditional museum as it’s possible to get. Within the haunting landscape of stone pillars, the roughly cut rock churches—particularly those of the Dark Church and the Church of the Buckle—contain some of the best-preserved frescoes in Cappadocia. By the end of the 2nd century AD, the Göreme Valley had been transformed into a hub of Christian activity, with converts fleeing persecution drawn to the area's natural defenses, including entire settlements underground. Yet another underground city has recently been discovered at Cappadocia, and archaeologists believe it could be the largest subterranean city ever known. Dating back 5,000 years, with corridors running as deep as 371 feet, this newfound labyrinth is believed to be the size of 65 soccer pitches.