Trip: UK + Western Europe 2010

This Cistercian abbey south of Edinburgh was founded in 1136 and is now in picturesque ruins. It is said to enshrine the heart of Robert the Bruce.

One of the largest and best museums in the world, the British Museum displays a wide variety of important artifacts, among them the famous Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles.

Richly carved with animals and Biblical scenes by Saxons in the 9th century, the Sandbach Crosses were destroyed by Puritans but later reassembled. They are now displayed in the market square.

A World Heritage Site, Maulbronn Monastery (Kloster Maulbronn) is the best-preserved medieval monastery north of the Alps. Its architecture, mostly in the Transitional Gothic style, was highly influential in the area.

Dating from around 2500 BCE, this magnificent stone circle occupies a scenic location between two lakes on Orkney. At nearly 104 meters in diameter, the Ring of Brodgar is the third-largest stone circle in Britain.

Built in 80 CE to host gladiatorial combats and other entertainment, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheatre in the Roman world. Although much damaged and plundered over the centuries, it remains an imposing presence in the heart of Rome.

Santo Stefano is a monastic complex of four Romanesque churches (11-13C) built on the site of a pagan temple to Isis and incorporating earlier churches dating back to the 4th century. There is also a medieval cloister and small museum.

One of the most beautiful and prestigious colleges in Oxford, Christ Church was founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525. Highlights include Tom Tower, by Sir Christopher Wren, the beautiful Great Hall, and Christ Church Cathedral.

The taller of the famous due Torri (two towers) of Bologna, the Asinelli Tower was completed in 1119. Its 498 steps can be climbed for great views of the city.