A gigantic statue of a Russian soldier watches over the ancient city of Plovdiv, a prominent reminder of the Soviet period in Bulgaria.

Some call this eerie forest of crooked trees the "Bermuda Triangle of Romania."

This fairy-tale castle would make Dracula (who is said to have been imprisoned there) jealous.

This massive underground salt mine now holds a sci-fi theme park in its depths.

Mysterious standing stone formations looks like a petrified forest.

The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle."

A muddy alien landscape that is home to rare species of exotic plants.

The bust of Romania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Dracula aka "Vlad the Impaler," keeps watch over the ruins of his medieval court.

This solitary monastery may hold the remains of Vlad the Impaler (but probably not).

This memorial park stands on the site of one of the largest mass executions of the Second World War.

Structure built from the skulls of vanquished foes.

This Nazi ruin was the site where Hitler was almost blown up by a suitcase bomb.

The ridged layers that make up this river canyon represent Earth's geological history.

This historic cemetery was inaccessible for several years due to dozens of land mines.

A sinuous path among steep cliffs creates a stunning sight in southwestern Serbia.

These natural stone bridges are the largest on the European continent.

A giant portrait of an ancient king looms over the river.

This historical village takes you back to the 19th century.

A well preserved medieval fortress in Vojvodina.

Legends of treasure and spirits flow from this this fairy tale-like oasis.

This 15th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery also contained a school for illuminating manuscripts.

This outcropping was once home to a medieval monastery destroyed during the Ottoman conquest.

This 14th century castle withstood years of battle but is now sliding off the hills into the Danube.

Despite being pillaged and destroyed a number over times down the centuries, this historic church still sort of stands.