Culture

Helsinki is a relatively young city by European standards. Founded in 1550, it became the capital just about 200 years ago. Yet Finland itself is ancient.

Capital: Excellent or first-rate, American Heritage Dictionary. Yes, that undoubtedly describes Helsinki.

After having toured around the major museums and the Royal Palace, one would think we are done with art in Madrid, not so, Madrid, Spain, is considered the city of art and life, and . There is still more art to see: some interesting buildings and ohter minor art venues to visit.

The Palacio Real -Royal Palace- in Madrid is grandious. This view is taken from the gardens. Plan to visit the Sabatini gardens close to your visit to the palace.

Located at Calle Santa Isabel 52, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is just the ticket for fans of Picasso, Miro, Solana and other notable Spanish artists.

The name may be a challenge for English speakers, but Madrid's newest art museum is very easy to love for individuals of any nationality. Drawn from the possessions collected over generations of a wealthy family, the contents form one of the greatest gatherings of paintings in the world.

Unearthed in 1955, the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb is a stellar example of a Han Dynasty burial chamber, nearly 2,000 years old.

Hong Kong is a bustling, ultra-modern city with an ancient past. This contrast is captured and displayed to perfection in the Hong Kong Museum of History.

Tibet is not, of course, literally an island. But this ancient land has remained substantially untouched by the rush of modern social evolution. Though China has undergone several political, cultural and economic revolutions in the last hundred years, Tibet is still very much as it has been for hundreds of years.