The enchanting Kiso Valley, nestled in the heart of Japan, is a timeless treasure, where history breathes through its ancient pathways and rustic architecture. Four centuries ago, the picturesque villages of Magome and Tsumago served as crucial staging posts along the 500 km Nakasendo Highway, where feudal warlords journeyed annually to Edo (now Tokyo). Today, these villages retain their historic charm, with Magome seamlessly blending modern amenities with its traditional core, easily accessible by rail and bus from Nagoya. As you step onto the broad foot trail of 'old' Magome, the echoes of the past resonate, transporting you to an era untouched by time.

In ancient Greece, an Asklepieion was a healing temple, sacred to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. Legend has it that Hippocrates undertook his training there. Settled atop a hill, this is a perfect place to enjoy a panoramic view of Kos Town.

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.

Notre-Dame de Reims is a Roman Catholic cathedral where the kings of France once were crowned. The most famous one was Charles VII, who had Joan of Arc at his side, in 17 July 1429. In the year 2011 this impressive structure celebrated its 800th anniversary.