At Central Park, New York city, USA

 “You can get the true essence of New Yorkers by just hanging out in Central Park.” – Andy Roddick

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(in the U.S. state of New York) With a population of more than 8.8 million people distributed over some 300 square miles (~778 sq. km)., New York City (NYC) is the most densely populated city in the United States. Found at the southern tip of the state, NYC is the center of the largest metropolitan area in the world (by urban area). The city has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, influencing commerce, entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, dining, art, fashion, and sports. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is a center for international diplomacy. With this country's tallest buildings, biggest museums, and best pizza, it is a city of superlatives -- from the dazzling spectacle of Broadway to the Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA’s) world-class galleries, the boutiques of SoHo ("South of Houston Street"), and the array of restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, there is a different city to discover here, every time you visit. Beyond its iconic landmarks, however, New York’s secret side awaits. You’re likely to stumble upon indie vintage shops and locals-only brunch spots, even on the shortest of strolls. And when the crowds and noise are too much to take, just look up -- and the skyline alone will remind you why you wanted to come here!

+ Featured here is one of the world’s most renowned green spaces, Central Park, which comprises 843 acres (~139 ha) of rolling meadows, boulder-studded outcroppings, elm-lined walkways, manicured European-style gardens, a lake and a reservoir -- not to mention an outdoor theater, a memorial to John Lennon, an idyllic waterside eatery, and a famous Alice in Wonderland statue. Highlights include the 15-acre Sheep Meadow, where thousands of people lounge and play on warm days; Central Park Zoo; and the forest-like paths of the Ramble, popular with birdwatchers. In warm weather there are free outdoor concerts on the Great Lawn and top-notch drama at the annual Shakespeare-in-the-Park productions held each summer at the open-air Delacorte Theater. Other popular stops include the Shakespeare Garden, on the west side between 79th and 80th Sts, with its lush plantings and excellent skyline-view. Like the city’s subway system, the vast and majestic Central Park, a rectangle of open space in the middle of Manhattan, is a great class leveler -- exactly as it was envisioned. Created in the 1860s and ’70s by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux on the marshy northern fringe of the city, this popular park was designed as a leisure space for all New Yorkers regardless of color, class or creed. Central Park is actually only the fifth largest park in New York City, trailing behind other local greenspaces like Pelham Bay and Van Cortlandt parks in the Bronx, the Greenbelt on Staten Island, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.

In the city of Gothenburg, Sweden

"From Luossa came a beggar singing to the village folk.
Round the watch fire they lingered while he sang
Songs of pilgrims and of beggars, songs of wondrous, wondrous things
And of his yearning did he sing the whole night long...."
-- from Dan Andersson´s poem, The Beggar from Luossa
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(on Sweden's southwest coast) Gothenburg, Sweden’s chief seaport, is found along the Göta River estuary, about five miles (8 km) above that river’s mouth, at the Kattegat Sea. The capital of Västra Götaland län (county), Gothenburg lies about 240 miles (390 km) southwest of Stockholm. The city was founded by King Charles IX in 1603, on the site of earlier medieval settlements; the location was strategic because the Göta River estuary was Sweden’s only direct outlet to the Atlantic Ocean at that time. Though Gothenburg was destroyed in the Kalmar War with Denmark (from 1611–13), it was refounded by King Gustav II Adolf in 1619. Many of the early inhabitants were Dutch, who built urban canals and laid out the city center. Gothenburg’s prosperity increased in the early 18th century with the development of the Swedish East India Company, and during Napoleon’s continental blockade the port became Europe’s chief market for British goods. A second period of wealth started with the completion in 1832 of the Göta Canal and the beginning of a transoceanic shipping service. A reminder of the past is the moat that still encircles the old part of the city. The 17th-century cathedral and the Kristine Church are notable landmarks, as are the cultural, maritime, and natural history museums in the city. Among the larger parks are Slottskogen, the botanical gardens, and Trädgårdsföreningen (the “Garden Society”); and, Liseberg, an amusement park. Gothenburg is connected to the rest of Sweden by the Göta Canal and railway lines; the nearby Landvetter Airport accommodates both domestic and international air traffic.

+ Visiting Gothenburg Archipelago (depicted here) is a must, as is sampling everything from modern gastronomy to "fika" to the freshly-caught wonders at one of the many seafood restaurants. Neoclassical architecture lines its tram-rattled streets, locals sun themselves beside canals, and there's always an interesting cultural or social event going on. The city is quite walkable; from Centralstationen in the north, retail-centric Östra Hamngatan leads southeast across one of Gothenburg’s 17th-century canals, through verdant Kungsparken (King’s Park) to the city’s boutique and upscale bar-lined ‘Avenyn’ (Kungsportsavenyn) boulevard. The waterfront abounds with all things nautical, from ships, aquariums, and sea-related museums to the freshest available fish. To the west, the Vasastan, Haga and Linné districts buzz with grassroots creativity and an appreciation for well-preserved history. Be sure to take in the Gothenburg Museum of Art, contemporary art at Röda Sten Art Centre, and -- should you visit in August -- the great Way Out West music festival.

In the port town town of Antibes, the Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur région, in southeastern France

 "When I was a child my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk, you'll be the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso." -- Pablo P.

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(in the Alpes-Maritimes département of the Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur région, in southeastern France) The French Riviera, otherwise known as the Côte d’Azur, is situated along the southern coast of France and spans from Saint Tropez to Cannes to Monaco. This beautiful stretch along the Mediterranean Sea is home to high-profile and charming towns, including the breathtaking Antibes, the second-largest town in the French Riviera, located between Nice and Cannes, which offers both luxury attractions and quaint, old-world charm.

+ Featured here, is the port town town of Antibes, found on the eastern side of the Garoupe Peninsula across the Baie des Anges (Bay of the Angels) from Nice. Originally known as Antipolis, a Greek trading post established by Phocaeans from Marseille, it became a Roman town, and from 1384 to 1608 it was a fief of the coast-ruled Grimaldi family. The Grimaldi château is now a museum featuring works of Pablo Picasso, who painted here in 1946. There is also an archaeological museum displaying the Grimaldi fossils (remains of prehistoric humans discovered locally). Juan-les-Pins, with its parasol pines and sand beach, is part of the Antibes community, which also includes the luxury resort of Cap d’Antibes. Although Antibes was traditionally the center of the local flower trade, tourism now dominates the local economy. Apart from the attraction of the beaches, the area offers a series of large yachting harbors. (The town’s development was also boosted by the growth of Sophia-Antipolis, a neighboring science park that is one of the largest such parks in France.) Be sure to spend some time, while you're here, to explore Antibes' Old Town, which is considered by some to be the cultural heart of the Côte d'Azur. Visit the Musée Picasso for its splendid artwork, sculpture terrace, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Later, enjoy a great meal in one of the fine local restaurants, or take a quick ride into Juan-les-Pins for its bustling nightlife. Not only does Antibes host a glitterati crowd year after year, it has also inspied iconic artists like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Claude Monet, and Picasso, to just name a few. It features red-roofed Mediterranean mansions sprouting from the hillsides, azure water, soft white-sand beaches, and canopies of pine, acacia, and cypress trees. (Beyond the city limits, save some time to explore beautiful Cap d'Antibes, a wooded cape studded with seaside mansions and popular walking trails.

In the mountain village of Măgura , Transilvania, Romania

  “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” -- John Muir

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(in central Romania) Transylvania’s forested valleys and Gothic castles are forever embedded in the popular imagination. Even before arriving here, most visitors can picture this land of dark fairy-tales, where fog drapes like cobwebs over the Carpathian Mountains. Explore these stirring landscapes on hikes through Piatra Craiului National Park, or the Bucegi Mountains -- or see them frozen over at winter sports centers Poiana, Braşov, and Predeal. Rural Transylvania's tapestry of cultures in vibrant, secretive Roma communities, Székely Land hamlets where only Hungarian is spoken, and Saxon villages with crumbling citadels. Here, standstill traffic means horses and carts waiting patiently for herds of goats to scatter. And yes, Transylvania will still appeal to hosts of vampire tourists -- and enthral them with its jumble of edgy cities and villages that time forgot.

+ Featured here is Magura -- one of several mountain villages known as the Kalibash villages -- which is found in the at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level (on a plateau between the mountains Piatra Craiului and Bucegi) in the middle of Piatra Craiului National Park. The Kalibash once fled Walachia to this remote area which, at the time, was under Austro-Hungarian rule. (Here houses stretch along hilltops like pearls on a string.) Due to the secluded location of these villages they still preserve traditional rural life, as it can no longer be experienced in Western Europe. People live mostly on what their sheep produce, though everyone has a cow in the barn, and a few chickens scratching (and hatching) about the yard. Until 50 years ago Magura could only be reached by foot or horse-cart. Livestock breeding is the basis of the local income; in summer the domestic animals graze in the alpine meadows cared for by shepherds and dogs as protection against wolves and bears. The hay meadows in the village are scythed and there are still more horse-drawn carts than cars on the road. Vegetables and salads for the kitchen are grown in the gardens. Meat, milk, and eggs are exchanged among the village's farming families. The famous Dracula-Castle in Bran is just six kilometers (~4 miles) from here, and the distance to Brasov is about 25 km). The nearest town, with a bank, post office and shops, is some three kilometers away.

In the town of Vevey, perched between Mount Pélerin and Lake Geneva, Switzerlnad

 "The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost." -- Charlie Chaplin

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(in Switzerland( A landlocked country of towering mountains, deep Alpine lakes, grassy valleys dotted with neat farms and small villages, and thriving cities that blend the old and the new, Switzerland is the nexus of the diverse physical and cultural geography of western Europe, renowned for both its natural beauty and its way of life. Aspects of both have become bywords for the country, whose very name conjures images of the glacier-carved Alps beloved of writers, artists, photographers, and outdoor sports enthusiasts from around the world. The Swiss call the stretch of shore of Lake Geneva that runs from Lausanne through Vevey and on to Montreux the Swiss Riviera, a name that evokes waterfront vistas and carefree exclusivity to people around the world. A long list of celebrities from royalty to the arts have elected domicile here. Calling the area undiscovered is perhaps an exaggeration, but it is often overlooked. Lausanne is no more than an hour from Geneva by train and Vevey just a few minutes further, but many visitors sail through on their way to the slopes of Zermatt and Verbier without setting foot on the lakeshore. (If only they knew what they were missing!)

+ Featured here is Vevey, on the Swiss Riviera, which is perched between Mount Pélerin and Lake Geneva. Writers, artists, and intellectuals have long been attracted to the village: Henry James's "Daisy Miller" is set here (you can still stay at the Hotel des Trois Couronnes) and Charlie Chaplin made nearby Corsier his home (for the last 25 years of his life). Though Vevey is the world-headquarters for Nestlé, it still retains its old-world charm. To see for yourself, stroll the alleyways of its Old Town, visit the fine art collection at the Musée Suisse du Jeu, and shop at the busy local market.

At Lake Bled, the tiny central island, with-Saint Marys church, Slovenia

 “If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” – Anatole France

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(in Slovenia) Surrounded by the blue rolling mountains of the Julian Alps, the crystal clear water of Lake Bled is punctuated only by the tiny central island, with-Saint Marys church (and Bled's medieval castle, in the background).

In the city of Maastricht, southeastern Netherlands

 "Mozart composed his music not for the elite, but for everybody." -- Andre Rieu(*)

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(in the province of Limburg., in southeastern Netherlands) The city of Maastricht is found along the Meuse (Maas) River at the junction of the Juliana, Liège-Maastricht, and Zuid-Willems canals. Maastricht is the main city in the southeastern part of The Netherlands -- just two miles (~3 km) from the Belgian border. Maastricht is the capital of Holland’s southernmost region, Limburg. A town rich in history and culture, Maastricht boasts two wonderful town squares: Vrijthof, with Sint-Servaas Church, Sint-Jan's Cathedral and many bars, cafes and restaurants; and. Markt, home to the Town Hall and, a popular vendor market. The city’s Vestigingswerken (Old Town fortifications), are another big draw. Lively and energetic, Maastricht has Roman history, a maze of tunnel-caves. and lots of historical buildings, plus a Burgundian sophistication to its dining, a bacchanalian delight to its drinking culture, and a student-friendly street-life that's rather disproportionate to its size.

+ Once the site of the Roman settlement Trajectum ad Mosam (“Ford on the Meuse”), it was later the seat of a bishop from 382 to 721. The town was held by the dukes of Brabant after 1204, coming under the joint sovereignty of Brabant and the prince-bishops of Liège in 1284 and of Liège and the Dutch Estates-General in 1632. It was taken by the Spanish in 1579, by Prince Frederick Henry of Orange in 1632, and by the French in 1673, 1748, and 1794 -- but it did successfully resist the Belgians from 1830–32. Portions of its old fortifications -- Helpoort, the Pater Fink Tower, and 16th- and 17th-century bastions -- remain. Attacked on the first day of the German invasion of the Low Countries in 1940, Maastricht was the first Dutch town to be liberated, in 1944. Following a 1991 meeting of the European Communities that was held in Maastricht, an accord (known as the Maastricht Treaty) was signed calling for the establishment of a European Union, with common policies on economics, foreign affairs, security, and immigration. Maastricht’s landmarks include the old St. Servatius Bridge over the Meuse; the Dinghuis (former courthouse) and the 17th-century Town Hall (1658–64). The cathedral, dedicated to St. Servatius, was founded by Bishop Monulphus in the 6th century; it is the oldest church in The Netherlands -- though rebuilt and enlarged from the 11th to the 15th century). The Protestant Church of St. John, with a 75-meter) tower, originally served as its parish church. The much-restored Church of Our Lady has remnants of 10th-century crypts.
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(*)André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu is a Dutch violinist and conductor best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra. He and his orchestra have turned classical and waltz music into a worldwide concert touring act, as successful as some of the biggest global pop and rock music acts. (He resides in his native Maastricht.)

In the port city of Tarragona, in the northeastern Spain’s Catalonia region.

 “We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty.” ― G.K. Chesterton

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(in northeastern Spain on the Costa Daurada, by the Mediterranean Sea) The city of Tarragona iis known for its ancient Roman ruins from its days of a colony known as Tarraco, founded in 218 BCE. While not the only Roman city of Spain, this was the very first Roman city beyond the Western Empire stronghold on the Italian peninsula. Tarragona, the capital of Tarragona province in the autonomous community of Catalonia, is found at the mouth of the Francolí River, on a hill rising from the Mediterranean Sea. Tarragona is a flourishing seaport, an important agricultural market, and the center of active tourism, mostly concentrated in some well-known beach resorts.

+ Once the seat of an Iberian tribe, when it was captured (in 218 BCE) by the Roman generals Gnaeus and Publius Scipio, they improved its harbors and its walls, transforming it into the earliest Roman stronghold in Spain. Julius Caesar initiated its period of splendor and called it Colonia Julia Victrix Triumphalis to commemorate his victories. A temple was built in honor of the Roman emperor Augustus, who made Tarraco the capital of Hispania Tarraconensis. The emperors Hadrian and Trajan endowed Tarraco with power and cultural prestige, while its flax trade and other industries made it one of the richest seaports of the Roman Empire. Its fertile plain and sunny shores were praised by the Roman lyricist Martial, and its famous wines extolled by the writer Pliny the Elder.

According to tradition, St. Paul, with the help of St. Thecla, founded the Christian church in Spain at Tarraco in the year 60 CE. The city was razed by the Moors in 714 and remained of negligible importance until early in the 12th century, when it was recaptured by the Christians. After 1119 Tarragona resumed its new life as an prominent city of the Spanish kingdom of Aragon, and from it James I organized the conquest of Majorca (in 1229). Having inherited from Rome an imperial sense of unity, Tarragona has maintained contined loyalty to the kings of Spain and has been a bulwark against invaders. Its old quarter, with many houses built partly of Roman masonry, is more than half surrounded by Roman walls and square towers from the time of the empire. Roman ruins include the theater, amphitheater, circus (now forming part of the city’s archaeological museum), forum, necropolis, a nearby aqueduct, the so-called Tomb of the Scipios, and the Triumphal Arch of Bará. The cathedral (12th–13th century) reflects a transitional style (between Romanesque and Gothic), with a fine cloister. Tarragona has a pontifical university, a school of arts and crafts, a large technical school, and a paleo-Christian museum with one of the best collections of 4th- and 5th-century Christian documents in Spain. It is also the seat of an archbishop.

At the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the city of Milan, northern Italy

 "Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.' -- Leonardo da Vinci

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(in northern Italy) The city of Milan, capital of Milano province and of the region of Lombardy, is the leading financial center and the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial city of Italy. One of the world's fashion capitals, Milan has much to offer, including the iconic Duomo di Milano, (the world's largest Gothic cathedral, highlighted here), the exquisite mosaics and glass vaults of Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, and impressive museums (such as the Pinacoteca di Brera). There'are lots of trendy restaurants here, and pleasant cafes, as well as the longstanding Milanese tradition of aperitivo.

+ Ruled by the Caesars, Napoléon, the Austro-Hungarians, and Mussolini, Milan boasts quite an ancient and fascinating history. After the unification of Italy in 1861, it also became an important industrial and cultural center -- a title it still holds today. It also holds its own in Italy, with art collections old and new, which mark the genius of old masters and provoke new conversations about where the world is headed. (Leonardo lived in Milan for more than 20 years of his life and was commissioned to assist with many of the Sforza family's ambitious artistic and engineering projects.) This coincided with Leonardo's painting of the "Last Supper" in the cenacle of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Since da Vinci "broke all the rules" in his stunning Last Supper, the indefatigably inventive Milanese seem to have skipped straight from the Renaissance to the 1900s. Currently, Leonardo's Vineyard with the Casa degli Atellani, the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and the Cenacle represent the essence of Renaissance Milan -- and the period during which Leonardo da Vinci worked here.

At the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

 "Tomorrow we will do beautiful things." -- Antonio Gaudi

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(on the coast of northeastern Spain, in the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia) The seaport city of Barcelona is located 90 miles (144 km) south of the French border. It is Spain’s major Mediterranean port and commercial center -- famed for its individuality, cultural interest, and physical beauty. An enchanting ity with boundless culture, fabled architecture and a world-class drinking and dining scene, Barcelona's architectural treasures span more than 2,000 years. Towering temple columns, ancient city walls, and subterranean stone corridors provide a window into Roman-era Barcino. Fast forward a thousand years or so to the Middle Ages by taking a stroll through the shadowy lanes of the Gothic quarter, past quiet plazas and soaring 14th-century cathedrals. In other parts of this city are found the sculptural masterpieces of Modernisme, a mix of ingenious and whimsical creations by Gaudi and his Catalan architectural contemporaries. Barcelona has also long inspired artists, including Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, both of whom have major Barcelona museums devoted to their works. Barcelona is indeed a unique experience, unlike any other place in the world. From days spent exploring the Gothic Quarter to afternoons at the beach and nights partying ‘til dawn, the city is quite magnetic. While tapas and bustling mercados are well worth the attention they get in guidebooks, Barcelona’s true crown jewel is the work of Antoni Gaudí. His iconic creations, like the awesome Basilica of La Sagrada Familia (featured here), are instantly recognizable. You can expect to find your own Mediterranean magic here, any time of year.

+ The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) is considered to be the symbol of Barcelona by many residents, and the one place you really shouldn’t miss when visiting the Catalan capital. Initially intended to be a simple Roman Catholic church dedicated to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the church grew to become the most prominent example of Catalan Modernism. (Pope Benedict XVI declared it a basilica in 2010.) Said to be the result of a dream by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the basilica exemplifies his philosophy that nature is the work of God. Gaudí sought to combine Christian speech and biblical allegories with complex natural symbols like organic, geometric shapes which are prominent in every column, pinnacle, and stained glass window of the basilica. The end result is an astounding architectural masterpiece, which (despite being unfinished and under construction for some 140 years), has become one of the most visited monuments in Spain, receiving nearly five million visitors in a "normal" year.

At Bojnice Castle, in the historical town of Bojnice, central Slovakia

 " ... A snowflake upon my window pane,

the January sun turns into rain
but closing my eyes opens a door
to where Summer smiles forevermore.... 
And though, snowy, is my beard;
my heart always will be there
underneath that lovely linden tree."
-- Under the Linden Tree lyrics
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(in central Slovakia) The historical town of Bojnice is found on the banks of the upper Nitra river, near the city of Prievidza. Bojnice is best known for its tourist attractions: the oldest zoo in Slovakia, the most visited castle, and one of the oldest spa towns in Slovakia. The town is situated below the Bojnice Castle, which is built on travertine rock with a natural cave. Blushing sandstone towers and crenellated turrets make this romantic castle the most popular in Slovakia. Only foundations remain of the original 12th-century fortification, but an early-20th-century reconstruction by the Pálffy family took inspiration from the castles of France’s Loire Valley, lifting Bojnice to the neo-baroque splendor that stands today.

+ Bojnice Castle was first mentioned in written records in 1113.. Originally built as a wooden fort, it was gradually replaced by stone, with the outer walls being shaped according to the uneven rocky terrain. Its first owner was Matthew III Csák, who received it in 1302 from the King Ladislaus V of Hungary. Later, in the 15th century, it was owned by King Matthias Corvinus, who gave it to his son John Corvinus in 1489. Matthias liked to visit Bojnice and it was here that he worked on his royal decrees. He used to dictate them under a linden tree, which is now known as the "Linden tree of King Matthias." The Thurzós, the richest family in the northern Kingdom of Hungary, acquired the castle in 1528 and undertook its major reconstruction. The former fortress was turned into a Renaissance castle. From 1646 on, the castle's owners were the Pálffys, who continued to rebuild the castle. The last castle owner from the Pálffy family,

 Count János Ferenc Pálffy, made a complex romantic reconstruction from 1888 to 1910, to create today's imitation ofFrench castles of the Loire valley. He was also its architect and graphic designer, while applying his artistic taste and love for collecting pieces of art (he was known as one of the greatest collectors of antiques, tapestries, drawings, paintings and sculptures of his time.) After his death and long quarrels, his heirs sold many precious pieces of art from the castle and then, on 25 February 1939, sold the castle, the health spa, and the surrounding land to Czech entrepreneur Jan Antonín Baťa. After 1945, the property was confiscated by the Czechoslovak government, the castle became the seat of several state institutions. Now a museum, the castle is renowned for its attractions, including the popular Castle Fairytale, the International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits and the Summer Music Festival. (The King Matthias Linden Tree, approximately 700 years old, is one of the oldest documented trees in Slovakia.)

In the municipality of Tomar, in central Portugal

 Dom Henrique of Portugal, Duke of Viseu, better known as Prince Henry the Navigator, was a central figure in the early days of the Portuguese Empire and in the 15th-century European maritime discoveries and maritime expansion. Through his administrative direction, he is regarded as the main initiator of what would be known as the Age of Discovery.

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(in Portugal) The municipality of Tomar, in central Portugal, is found on the Nabão River, a tributary of the Zêzere, northeast of Lisbon. One of central Portugal’s most appealing towns -- with its pedestrian-friendly historic center, its pretty riverside park frequented by swans, herons, and families of ducks, and its charming natural setting adjacent to the lush Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes (Seven Hills National Forest) -- Tomar wins lots of bonus points for aesthetics. Yet, to understand what makes it truly extraordinary, cast your gaze skyward to the crenellated walls of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Convento de Cristo, which forms a beautiful backdrop from almost any vantage point. Eight-and-a-half centuries after its founding, this venerable headquarters of the legendary Knights Templar is a rambling mixture of Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture that bears extravagant witness to its integral role in centuries of Portuguese history, from the founding of Portugal as a nation state to the Age of Discoveries.

+ The Convento do Cristo is impossible to miss when driving into the town of Tomar. The position of this Knights Templar headquarters is indicative of its function, as a stronghold for the Knights Templar, as demonstrated by its rugged appearance. Wrapped in splendor and mystery, the Knights Templar held enormous power in Portugal from the 12th to 16th centuries, and largely bankrolled the Age of Discoveries. Their headquarters are still enclosed within 12th-century walls. Founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, the Convento de Cristo is quite a stony expression of magnificence, with its chapels, cloisters, and choirs in diverging styles -- added over the centuries by successive kings and Grand Masters. The Charola, the extraordinary 16-sided Templar church, dominates the complex. The interior is otherworldly in its vast heights -- an awesome combination of simple forms and rich embellishment. It’s said that the circular design enabled knights to attend Mass on horseback. In the center stands an eerily Gothic high altar, while wall paintings date from the early 16th century. The Janela Manuelina (Manueline Window) on the church's western side is the most famous feature of the monastery -- a celebration of the Age of Discoveries, it is a Medusa tangle of snaking ropes, seaweed and cork boats, atop of which floats the Cross of the Order of Christ, and the royal arms and armillary spheres of Dom Manuel. Two serene, azulejo-decorated cloisters to the east of the Charola were built during the time when Prince Henry the Navigator was Grand Master of the order in the 15th century.