Europe Action & adventure, Gardens & parks, Historical, Museum, Religious + Water sports pictures

• World

The friendly capital of Northern Ireland has a fascinating history and is just an hour away from the country’s scenic Atlantic coastline.

Admire the greatest works of Michelangelo and da Vinci, see the center of Catholicism and pose with the Leaning Tower of Pisa on this Mediterranean peninsula.

Escape the city and head to one of the world’s largest urban parks, which has lakes and meadows, as well as beer gardens and a variety of interesting relics.

Maze-like hedges, marble sculptures and colorful flower beds adorn this historic royal garden, where the palace’s stables and carriages once lay.

Explore this photogenic riverside square, which is bordered by two grand neoclassical palaces and features a spectacular fountain at its center.

Relax by the pond, walk through landscaped gardens, and admire the elegant statues and buildings in one of Madrid’s biggest and most popular parks.

Tear yourself away long enough from snorkeling and relaxing in the thermal spas of Ischia to explore this gem of a medieval fortress on a rocky islet in the Bay of Naples.

Its grandiose colonnade and refurbished 19th-century interior make up an exquisite setting, with excellent acoustics for operatic shows and music concerts.

Giotto’s Bell Tower, the resplendent Baptistery, as well as the cathedral and its dome draw the crowds to this square in the heart of the city.

See the majestic gate that was once Madrid’s eastern entrance but is today a symbol of the Spanish metropolis.

Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

Santorini’s capital is a picturesque tourist stop-off. It also provides magnificent views of the coast.

Make your way along elegant promenades to find medieval churches, thermal spas and stunning gardens in the shadow of the Italian Alps. 

Tear yourself away long enough from snorkeling and relaxing in the thermal spas of Ischia to explore this gem of a medieval fortress on a rocky islet in the Bay of Naples.

Find cafés, fashion boutiques and one of the finest interiors in the country at this late 19th-century shopping arcade.

Discover themed gardens, artist pavilions, viewpoints and wildlife stations set around a natural amphitheater in the grounds of a medieval castle. 

Learn about the roots of Western civilization and build a nice tan on a Mediterranean island in this ancient southeastern European nation.

Wander between campus buildings and architectural landmarks, visit museums, catch a theater show and admire outdoor art displays at this city center university. 

Relax by the pond, walk through landscaped gardens, and admire the elegant statues and buildings in one of Madrid’s biggest and most popular parks.

Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

Explore this photogenic riverside square, which is bordered by two grand neoclassical palaces and features a spectacular fountain at its center.

Take a sightseeing trip of Tuscany\'s renowned wine region and visit its vineyards, wineries, ancient churches, castles and hilltop villages.