Shkodër, regarded as the traditional capital of Northern Albania, is the 5th largest city of the country. It was created as the Capital of the Illyrian kingdom under the name Skodra. The history of Shkodër is storied, with origins in the Bronze Age coupled with Roman, Serbian, and Ottoman influences. Notable sights to see include Rozafa/Shkodër Castle and the Ebu Bekër Mosque.

Rome is the capital city of Italy whose history spans over 28 centuries. The historical center of Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage site and its name comes from its founder, Romulus. Referred to as the 'City of Seven Hills', some notable attractions in Rome include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Roman Forum.

Athens is one of the world's oldest cities and is the capital city of Greece. As a historical center for the arts, learning, and philosophy and current economic center in the Aegean, it is considered a Beta-status Global city. It is also known for its natural treasures and artefacts from the Classical Era. These includes the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the Temple of Hephaistos.

Tirana is the capital city of Albania, founded in 1614, and has been inhabited since the Iron Age. It was part of the Roman Empire, and subsequent Byzantine Empire, and is today considered a Gamma World city. The city is fast growing and displays both traditional and modern influences. Notable landmarks include the Pyramid of Tirana, Archaea Tower, Bunk'Art Museum, and the Namazgah Mosque.

Riyadh, (or Riad) is the capital of Saudi Arabia and is the largest city in the Arabian peninsula. It is considered a global city and hopes to challenge Dubai in attracting much foreign investment. Riyadh can be reached by all modes of transport. but specific places to see include the Kingdom Tower, Tuwaiq Palace, Al Masmak Palace, Murabba Palace, and the King Abdullah Financial District.

Chernobyl is an infamous area, known for the nuclear meltdown it experienced in 1986. The town of Pripyat, just 3 miles away, experienced the devastation of this accident, and to this day is a ghost town. Book a tour of this city and see the abandoned buildings of Hotel Polissya, Prometheus Cinema, and Avangard Stadium. The Duga Radar and Containment Zone are also popular stops.

Quito for some may just be a quick stop on their way to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. Make no mistake however, this capital city is worth spending a few days in. Whether you want to check out the crafts and markets at La Ronda, visit the Ecuador, or see the gorgeous church of Basilica del Voto Nacional, you'll be glad you took the time to see this cityscape before your Galápagos trip.

Kiev (or Kyiv), Ukraine surprised me in many ways. So many churches to see: St. Andrew's Church, St. Michael's Gold-domed Monastery, St. Sophia's Cathedral, and Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Great historical monuments like the Motherland Monument. And awesome neighborhoods like Vozdvyzhenka Barrio, Andriivs'kyi descent, and Park Landscape Alley. If you have the time, a day trip to Chernobyl is a must!

Head on over to Holland come see what makes Amsterdam such a special city. Get lost in the labyrinth of canals, lined by architecturally stunning buildings. Better yet, rent yourself a bike and head on over to great places like the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, Anne Frank Huis, Rembrandt Huis, the Red Light District, and the Heineken Brewery.

There is more to Helsinki than it's gorgeous emerald-domed cathedral. This Scandinavia capital is replete with a ton of fantastic cafes that give great views of the capital countryside. The fortress of Suomenlinna is also just a ferry ride away and its solitude and quietness stands in great contrast to the city sounds just across the water.

This Scandinavian capital has loads of fascinating sights to see. Start at the Oslo Opera House and also check out Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace, and Frogner Park. Make sure you don't miss the Kon-Tiki, Fram, and Viking Ship Museums on the Bygdøyfergene Peninsula as well.

Estonia's capital of Tallinn is a vastly underrated city not only in the Baltics, but in all of Europe. As technologically advanced as the city is, it boasts a wonderful Old Town. Other attractions include Kadriorg Palace, the artsy district of Noblessner, Victory Square and Column Monument, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and great bars like Fersen and cafes like Røst.

You would think that a country of just 350,000 people wouldn't have much to offer, and you would be very wrong in this case. The Icelandic capital of Reykjavik is small, but packs a punch. Book a northern lights tour, go to the Blue Lagoon tourist trap, swim between the tectonic plates at Silfra, see the Golden Circle sights like Gulfoss waterfall and Strokkur geyser and grab coffee at Stofan Cafe.

The Art Nouveau style of the Latvian capital of Riga is a refreshing change from the skyscrapers that usually accompany capital cities. This city can be reached by bus, plane, or ferry and boasts city center attractions like Riga Castle, Three Brothers, House of the Blackheads, Swedish Gate, St. Peter's Church, and Riga Market.

This Chinese capital city is HUGE and it can be intimidating to see. The must-see stops of Beijing include The Forbidden City, Tianenmen Square, and the Summer Palace. You can also see different portions of the Great Wall from Beijing as well. Don't forget to sample the street food and spend some time in a tea house.

The Swedish capital of Stockholm is arguably the best in all of Scandinavia. An archipelago of 14 islands, the city offers great attractions and museums such as Fotografiska, Erik's Gondolen, Monteliusvägen, Gröna Lund, Gamla Stan, Riddarholm Church, Royal Palace, Vasa and ABBA Museums, and the Stockholm Tunnelbana.

Penon Penh and Siem Reap are the two must sees in Cambodia. The country is most well known for its collection of temples, in their highest concentration at Angkor Archeological Park (near Siem Reap). Here you can see world famous temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Phnom Bakheng, Pre Rup, Preah Khan, and Temple Ta Prohm.

Your comprehensive guide to seeing Denmark's capital of Copenhagen, taking you to sites such as Nyhavn Harbor, Frederik's Church, St. Alban's Church, Kastellet, Danish Royal Library Gardens, Rosenborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace, NY Carlsberg Glyptotek, Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, Little Mermaid Statue, and the town of Christiania.