Rocca Sparvièra Castle: The Cursed Abandoned Castle Of The French Alps

 43°53'34.46"N 7°17'14.56"E

(from Wikimedia Commons)

    Dramatically positioned atop a hill, Rocca Sparvièra overlooks strategically the two surrounding valleys, while offering at the same time a great sight of the Provence's green hills. No wonder they chose this spot to arrange a castle! However, the fortress is now in ruins following a span of centuries which felt like hell; one horror after another led to its mass destruction and final abandonment in the 18th century. The origins of these series of misfortunes are uncertain and probably just coincidental, however, a local legend tries to explain it in a rather bloodthirsty and macabre way. Its truthfulness is evidently very doubted, even if it does mix the pure myth with proved history... Welcome to the cursed Rocca Sparvièra or "Rock of the Hawks".

Phnom Kulen: Cambodia's Hill That Predates Angkor Wat

 13°36'51.70"N 104°06'39.24"E

(from Wikimedia Commons)

   The worldwide famous Angkor Wat is the undisputed symbol of Cambodia. However, some 30 kilometers north of it, there lays the equally magnificent Phnom Kulen mountain range. Now serving as a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has been a sacred spot for both Hindus and Buddhists for centuries, while it is also considered the birthplace of the powerful ancient Khmer Empire. But besides its history, Phnom Kulen boasts as well a fairy-tale nature: from crystal-clear waterfalls to lush green hills and from incredible standing-up rocks to little rivers and streams. Let's get started!

Hahoe Village: South Korea's Traditional Capital

36°32'20.22"N 128°31'05.22"E

(from Wikimedia Commons)

   When you think of South Korea, you'll associate it with K-Pop, heavy technological industrialization, or even the tensions it has with the "other" Korea. However, beyond these modern elements, South Korea also has a traditional side where the most representative place is Andong Hahoe Village. This hamlet is said to be the capital of Korea's traditional culture as it stuns in architecture and festivals, and was even chosen as a highlight during Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Korea. But maybe the most striking aspect is that the inhabitants are stuck in the past: the houses are made of mud, they cook with firewood instead of ovens, and a simple television would look otherworldly here.

The Catacombs of Paris: France's Subterranean Bone Collection

48°50'09.43"N 2°19'51.70"E

(from Wikimedia Commons)

   Paris is renowned worldwide as the "City of Love" with an estimated number of 9000 marriages registered every year. Some reasons for it are the charming boulevards, the expressive mimes and the imposing Gothic architecture. But beneath the surface, the Parisian atmosphere disappears completely: instead of love pairs and mimes, a shocking amount of millions of lost souls lays there. Welcome to the Catacombs of Paris, the hidden side of the French capital.