Leave it to Prada to come up with something this avant garde. The windows here are actually slightly concave (or convex, depending on where you are), so there's a bubble effect that's pretty great. It's six stories high so there's plenty of great merchandise from which to choose!

Said to have been inspired by the iconic stairs at Galleries Lafayette in Paris, these steps are the focal point of a very elaborate building. Known as one of the most beautiful buildings in town, the Livraria Lello opened in 1906 and it still a thriving bookstore.

It's said that this was formed by a cave collapse in 263 A.D. Today it's used frequently by stunt fliers trying to get through the narrow opening. Amazingly, there are 999 stairs leading up to the top. I feel bad for the guy who had to count them; must have needed to start over many, many times!

At its highest point, Piedra de Penol is just over 7,000 feet above sea level and was first climbed in the 1950's. Today there's a resting place and even a little gift shop at the top. Whoever runs it must be in incredible shape!

File this one under "Truth is Stranger Than Fiction" and in this case we mean science fiction. Long story short the architect of the Bradbury building decided to take the job only after consulting with his dead brother via Ouija board. He then used an 1800s science fiction book as his inspiration File this one under "Truth is Stranger Than Fiction" and in this case we mean science fiction. Long story short the architect of the Bradbury building decided to take the job only after consulting with his dead brother via Ouija board. He then used an 1800s science fiction book as his inspiration for the design.… see moresee less

OK, I'm going to say it: This is the most beautiful art deco building on in the world. Saw my very first movie ever here--don't think I was really old enough to appreciate the architecture, though.

rockets with the baby

Fantastic

Ever get a little thirsty while you shop? This four-story retail emporium includes a full cocktail bar, not to mention a restaurant, so you won’t have to interrupt your shopping to re-hydrate.

I grew up not far from here and remember hearing about it. It's an island with a sad and very mysterious history. Typhoid Mary was quarantined here as were dozens of WWII soldiers diagnosed with contagious diseases. Believe it or not, even with what land is worth here, it's been completely abandonedI grew up not far from here and remember hearing about it. It's an island with a sad and very mysterious history. Typhoid Mary was quarantined here as were dozens of WWII soldiers diagnosed with contagious diseases. Believe it or not, even with what land is worth here, it's been completely abandoned since the 1960s.… see moresee less

I don't know what it is about Brutalist architecture...I hate it but somehow I can never look away...

I'd never be able to get any research done in here because I'd be staring at the architecture!

This is the Old Library of The Hague and it was built before the invention of electricity. It was thought that having gas lamps and candles in such close proximity to important documents would be dangerous, thus the giant skylight.

Oh, how do I keep missing this even though I've made four separate trips to London this past year alone! If you're not familiar with Rudolf Steiner, he was sort of a jack-of-all-philosophical trades (and incidentally looked like he could be Jeremy Irons' twin brother), and this center holds a lot ofOh, how do I keep missing this even though I've made four separate trips to London this past year alone! If you're not familiar with Rudolf Steiner, he was sort of a jack-of-all-philosophical trades (and incidentally looked like he could be Jeremy Irons' twin brother), and this center holds a lot of events based on his teachings. Would love to see the actual building as well as attend an event here!… see moresee less

This place fascinates me about as much as any place I've ever heard of. Cao Dai is a relatively new religion, having been started in the 1920s. It's principles are too complicated to discuss here but I will say that there's a painting in this temple that represents God talking to humanity. To This place fascinates me about as much as any place I've ever heard of. Cao Dai is a relatively new religion, having been started in the 1920s. It's principles are too complicated to discuss here but I will say that there's a painting in this temple that represents God talking to humanity. To represent humanity, the painter chose, among others, Victor Hugo, Churchill, Lenin, Joan of Arc, and Napoleon. I'd like to see this if for no other reason than to see that picture! Amazingly colorful and ornate, the Cao Dai temple took over 20 years to build and is filled with fascinating symbolism (for example, there are 28 dragon columns; the number 28 representing Buddha’s 28 manifestations). Among the temple’s most impressive features is an enormous sphere representing the Divine Eye of God.… see moresee less

Interesting story behind this--apparently the nuns at this chapel prayed for someone to build them a staircase and soon after a man came along to do just that. To this day no one is sure who he was.

I don't know about you, but my college never looked like this!

Pretty distinctive looking for an apartment building, isn't it?

The ruins were astonishing

Can't wait to see this in person...

Highly recommend, I couldn't get enough of it!

There are different words on each of the 112 steps here (to protect, to forgive, to laugh, etc.), clearly meant to elicit a reaction. Not sure what the artist is saying but it's interesting.

Wow. Just wow. Horta was one of the kings of Art Nouveau movement and his house really reflected it.

How amazing is this?!? This is actually the state law library. It's almost enough to make you want to become an attorney!

One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my life. The wintergardens here are so amazing that I ended up staying the whole day in them. You can climb up these stairs and really see the iron work up close. It's very, very hot here and very, very humid for obvious reasons so be prepared.

Remember the movie, Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn? Well, this is the staircase she came down in that incredible red dress.

This place has got to be one of the scariest places on earth. Although it's billed as being relatively safe, I've heard there have a been a lot of accidents here as those stairs and bridges are held to the mountain by iron things that look like big staples. It's great to look at but I'd think twice This place has got to be one of the scariest places on earth. Although it's billed as being relatively safe, I've heard there have a been a lot of accidents here as those stairs and bridges are held to the mountain by iron things that look like big staples. It's great to look at but I'd think twice before trying it, personally!… see moresee less

The most famous and best restored of the Yucatán Maya sites, Chichén Itzá (Mouth of the Well of the Itzáes; admission M$95, parking M$10, sound-&-light show M$30, guide M$500-600; 8am-5:30pm winter, to 6pm summer) while tremendously overcrowded – every gawker and their grandmother is trying to checkThe most famous and best restored of the Yucatán Maya sites, Chichén Itzá (Mouth of the Well of the Itzáes; admission M$95, parking M$10, sound-&-light show M$30, guide M$500-600; 8am-5:30pm winter, to 6pm summer) while tremendously overcrowded – every gawker and their grandmother is trying to check off the new seven wonders of the world – will still impress even the most jaded visitor. Many mysteries of the Maya astronomical calendar are made clear when one understands the design of the ‘time temples’ here. Other than a few minor passageways, climbing on the structures is not allowed.… see moresee less

Classic + Modern = Awesome. If you like art you should definitely stop by here.

Sometimes the stairs here actually get into the act. I saw the Armani exhibit here about 20 years ago and all the mannequins were set up on the ramps (there are no real stairs) so by the time you finished you were all the way up. So beautiful.

The artist who created this work 20 years ago is actually Chilean and started the steps as a tribute to the Brazilian people (note the colors). He raises money for the steps by selling his paintings, all of which are of a pregnant woman which he says refers to a "problem in his past". He also gets aThe artist who created this work 20 years ago is actually Chilean and started the steps as a tribute to the Brazilian people (note the colors). He raises money for the steps by selling his paintings, all of which are of a pregnant woman which he says refers to a "problem in his past". He also gets a lot of the tiles and ceramics that go into this donated.… see moresee less

One of the all-time iconic images of the city. Opened in 1867, there's actually a funicular (that's always a steam bath) that runs along side it. It's actually quite an eye sore in comparison to the stairs.

More sculpture than staircase, if they created these steps to get people to shop, it worked. Fresh, exciting, and even a bit whimsical, this is worth a trip whether or not you’re in the market for a new purse.

These were designed by Heatherwick studio. The same design house that designed the 2012 Olympic Cauldron.

There's a pretty big range here, from 7th-century bronzes to Rothkos.