Built in Neo-Renaissance style, the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) is one of the most famous buildings of the Imperial City.

It was completed in 1869 and that same year, on May 25, it presented Mozart’s Don Giovanni at its opening premiere. Among the VIP guests that night were Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Sissi.

Towards the end of World War II the building suffered damages by American bombardment and efforts to restore the structure went underway, finally reopening at the end of 1955.

Two of the most celebrated musical directors in the history of the Vienna State Opera are Gustav Mahler and Herbert Von Karajan.

For information on visiting Vienna click here.

Right on the bank of the Danube River, in the central part of Budapest, lies the most impressive and iconic building in the city (also the most photographed by tourists).

The Hungarian Parliament Building, built in Gothic Revival style, is the largest building in Hungary and the largest Parliament in all of Europe.

It was inaugurated in 1896 on the 1000^th anniversary of the country.

Visitors are welcome to enter the building where they can admire historical artifacts as well as artistic stained glass and paintings.

For more information on Budapest and current events click here.

One of the most famous icons of Japan is the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu), a monumental outdoor statue made in bronze.

With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second tallest (but most impressive) Buddha statue in Japan, just behind the Buddha of Nara located inside the Todaiji Temple.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura was built in 1252 and located inside a temple, but natural disasters destroyed the buildings in the 14^th century. Since 1495 the statue rests in the open air.

Travelers Tip: Bring Japanese currency (Yen) with you. Many places do not accept credit cards or take US dollars.

Unlike other European cathedrals, the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid is a very modern structure. Located just across the Royal Palace, the building’s exterior was designed in neoclassic style.

Even though plans to build this cathedral originated in the 16^th century – after the capital of Spain was moved from Toledo to Madrid – construction for this project didn’t begin until 1883.

The cathedral took over 100 years to complete and was consecrated in 1993 by Pope John Paul II.

Perhaps the most important event celebrated at the Almudena Cathedral was the wedding of Prince Felipe de Asturias to Princess Letizia in May 2004.

The Almudena Cathedral is open to the public and is today one of Madrid’s most iconic buildings.

This picture (with the Big Ben clock tower, the Parliament building, and the double-decker red bus) is definitely one of the most representative pictures of London.

What you end up doing when you visit London depends on the time you have available. Travel agencies can give you itineraries ranging from several hours to days. But regardless of how long you are visiting, here are 7 activities you should include in your travel schedule.

1. The London Eye: spectacular views from the largest Ferris wheel in Europe!
2. Tower of London: a palace and fortress with nearly 1,000 years of history.
3. The National Gallery: an impressive collection of Western European paintings.
4. London Street Markets: colorful markets for every kind of shopping.
5. Buckingham Palace: for a royal experience and to see the traditional changing of the guard.
6. Cruise on the River Thames: a relaxing and leisurely way to explore London.
7. The British Museum: discover one of the largest collections in the world on human history and culture!

* Photo by Adrian Perez