Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine played a pivotal role during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, inspiring Francis Scott Key to pen the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" as he witnessed the fort’s defense. Today, visitors can explore the historic 18th-century fort, view exhibits about the battle and the anthem's creation, and watch the iconic flag fly above the site.

Le Marais, on the Right Bank in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, mixes old and new with its 17th-century buildings and trendy vibe. It’s a lively area known for its museums, galleries, quirky shops, and buzzing nightlife. You'll also find plenty of kosher restaurants and historic spots like Place des Vosges — Paris’s oldest square — where the writer Victor Hugo once lived. Plus, it’s a hub for the city’s LGBT community, making it one of Paris’s most colourful neighbourhoods.

Anyone entering Szczecin by bridges over the Oder River can see the towering red-brick gothic Cathedral and an elegant, pale silhouette of a Renaissance castle with green towers, which used to be the seat of the dukes of the Griffins dynasty who ruled the Duchy of Pomerania. The Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle has five wings and two courtyards. Acting as a cultural institution it organizes an array of cultural events: concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, conferences and meetings to popularize science, as well as to spread knowledge about the history of West Pomerania. The largest wing houses an Opera. In the wing that housed a mint in the olden days one can find today Cultural and Tourist Information Centre. There is a panoramic terrace on the rooftop of the northern wing from where splendid views can be appreciated. The wing’s basement houses a Vault with sarcophaguses of six princes. The Duke Boguslaw X hall, which used to be a princely chapel, is now a concert hall with a polychromatic ceiling decorated in Renaissance style. A 17th century astronomical clock is the Castle’s special tourist attraction. Also a room dedicated to Eilhard Lubinus and the Witches’ Cell are definitely worth a visit.

Ranked among the most prominent cultural institutions in the Pacific Northwest, the Portland Art Museum features dedicated centers for Native American and Northwest art, alongside rotating exhibitions and permanent collections in its Asian and Modern & Contemporary art wings. The museum also houses two renowned masterpieces: Monet’s Water Lilies and Van Gogh’s The Ox-Cart.