9 lost cities of the world

From crumbling Persian empires to colossal Roman cities, here are some of our favourite ruined civilisations from around the world.

UFOs and iced churches: the world’s most unusual buildings

“Ooh look, a rhombicuboctahedron!”

Italy away from the crowds: introducing Friuli Venezia Giulia

From ancient UNESCO sites to stunning mountain ranges and lagoon beaches, this little-visited region has it all.

Architectural delight: exploring Subotica

Love it or hate it, Subotica’s architecture is this Serbian town’s greatest draw.

Hilltop wonders: the monasteries of Fruška Gora

The hills of Fruška Gora in Vojvodina are dotted with architectural masterpieces.

Mosques, mausoleums and madrasas: our favourite Silk Road sights

Discover our favourite sights along one of the most important trading routes in history.

Exploring the Ottoman wonders of the Balkans

From painted mosques to gilded minarets.

Oman’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

With infrastructure and trade routes dating back thousands of years, it comes as no surprise that Oman has claimed five inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Worshipping magnificence: the best mosques in West Africa

From Senegal to Ghana, West Africa is known for its fantastic mosques – each an architectural masterpiece in their own right.

Ancient relics: a selection of Africa’s most remarkable ruins

How many have you visited?

Bizarre buildings: the otherworldly architecture of Astana

The Kazakh capital is packed with architectural delights.

Uzbekistan’s best Silk Road sights

Uzbekistan captures the imagination like nowhere else.

The best castles in Emilia‑Romagna

Those with a penchant for history will not be short of places to visit in this part of Italy.

The monasteries that hover in the air: exploring Meteora

A forest of sandstone pillars, iron grey and water scarred, rise straight up from the valley floor.

A grand day out: the best stately homes in Cheshire

The county is blessed when it comes to impressive manor houses.