Visit Shkodër

The town of a thousand windows: Ottoman houses stacked up a hillside below a still-inhabited castle.

Visit Vlorë, a coastal city in Albania known for its historical significance and Mediterranean charm. Explore the Independence Monument (commemorating Albania's 1912 declaration of independence), stroll along the promenade with views of the Adriatic Sea, and visit the Ethnographic Museum (showcasing traditional Albanian culture and artifacts). Nearby, discover the ancient ruins of Apollonia (an archaeological site with a well-preserved theater and monastery) and enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants along the waterfront.

Visit Durrës, Albania's second-largest city and main port on the Adriatic Sea. Explore the Roman Amphitheatre (one of the largest in the Balkans, dating back to the 2nd century AD), see the Venetian Tower and Byzantine walls in the historic center, stroll along the Durrës Beach promenade, and visit the Archaeological Museum (housing artifacts from Illyrian, Greek, and Roman periods).

The Albanian Riviera resort opposite Corfu, with Butrint ruins and the Blue Eye spring nearby.

Lake city with a covered wooden bridge.

Explore Carcassonne, a fortified medieval city in southern France. Walk the double ring of ramparts of the Cité de Carcassonne (a UNESCO World Heritage site with 52 towers), admire the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus (known for its 12th-century stained glass and Gothic choir), and cross the Pont Vieux (a 14th-century stone bridge offering panoramic views of the city).

Red-sandstone castle ruin above the old town of Heidelberg and the Neckar valley.

Belarus’s best-preserved historic centre, with two castles above the Neman.