Necker Island in Hawaii

Necker Island, ancient standing stones

This small, remote, uninhabited island contains 33 stone shrines and many stone artifacts. Archaeologists believe that this island was used for ceremonial purposes. Site of the legends – reportedly, this was the last refuge of Menehune – mythical little people who lived in the Hawaiian Islands before the coming of current native people.

Mission San Diego de Alcalá

Mission San Diego de Alcalá

The first Franciscan mission in California, founded in 1769. Established by Spaniards and long inhabited by Kumeyaay Indians.

La Purisima Mission

La Purisima Mission, California

The best-preserved Spanish mission in California, with nine buildings. Established in 1787, after an earthquake rebuilt in its current site in 1812.

Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo

Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo

The oldest stone building in California. This church was constructed in 1794 and is the second oldest operating cathedral in the United States.

French Huguenot Church in Charleston

Huguenot Church in Charleston

This small church was built in 1844 in a sophisticated Gothic Revival style. This is the only independent Huguenot church in the United States. Huguenots fled from persecution in France and many came to South Carolina, often becoming rich and influential merchants.

Jejuri Khandoba temple

Jejuri Khandoba Temple

Beautiful Hindu temple on the hill that is reached after almost 200 steps. The main temple of Khandoba – a local deity in Maharashtra, initially for the Dhangar caste (herders).

Global Vipassana Pagoda

Global Vipassana Pagoda

96.12 m tall pagoda with the largest stone dome in the world. Internal diameter of the dome is 85.15 m and has seats for 8,000 people. Constructed in 2008.