Head in the Clouds: Architecture

Nature is great, but sometimes it's nice to be surrounded by the human-made wonders of the world.

Sometimes, you want to take in a breathtaking vista after a long hike. Other times, you want to recline on a beach and watch the waves lap at the shore. More often than not, though, your travels involve an urban, concrete jungle - either as an airport gateway or your final destination. Whether you're a building buff or someone who's never bothered to look up from the sidewalk, these cities' stunning architecture will stop you in your tracks.

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Chicago

Let's start close to home, with America's most respected architecture hub. Chicago is as famous for its varied skyline as its legendary deep-dish pizza - and the diversity of the architecture is what makes it so unique.

Visitors instantly recognize landmarks like Cloud Gate (better known as "The Bean"), Willis Tower (better known as "Sears Tower"), the Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower (no longer home to their original owners). Stroll around the Loop and Magnificent Mile, though, and you'll see dozens of buildings you might not be able to name, but you'll surely remember. Aqua, the Chicago Board of Trade, Merchandise Mart, the Chicago Cultural Center, and the striking St. Regis Chicago - the perfect place to stay for an architecture lover.

Throw in the many Frank Lloyd Wright properties in nearby Oak Park, and you could justify a whole trip to Chicago without scratching the surface of the sports, theatre, arts, and amazing food and drink in the city.

Must do: Architecture River Tour, because the best way to experience the city is on the water

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Singapore

From the moment you land in the pristine city-state, you'll know you're in for something special. You could spend whole day just touring the beautiful art and architecture of Changi Airport, complete with the tallest indoor waterfall in the world.

The airport is a gateway to a wonderland of visual delights: a grove of massive SuperTrees in the Gardens by the Bay, the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and its rooftop infinity pool (the longest one in the world), the colonial Raffles Hotel, and the Escher-esque Interlace. Venture outside of the city center, and you'll find beautiful Hindu temples and colorful rowhouses that look like they're straight out of New Orleans. Singapore feels like utopia: a veritable playground of attractions, culture, and food, all nestled within one of the most unique skylines in the world.

Must do: SkyPark Observation Deck at the Marina Bay Sands, for a beautiful view of whole skyline - except the hotel itself

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Barcelona

Europe is full of architectural wonders, from the regal Haussmannian streets of Paris to the medieval beauty of Prague and Bruges, but perhaps no European city is more closely associated with architecture than Barcelona.

The city's patron saint is Antoni Gaudí, a legendary and peculiar architect who shaped the city's visual language with his colors, curves, and fantastical imagery reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. Gaudí is responsible for the notorious, awe-inspiring, and still unfinished Sagrada Família, which has been under construction since 1882, in addition to several apartment buildings and the sprawling Park Güell. Gaudí pushed the boundaries of the form, blurring the lines between architecture and art. His work has to be seen firsthand to be believed.

Must do: Stroll through Park Güell and admire the mosaics, giant columns, and sprawling city view. Bonus points if you go before 2034, when the Sagrada Família will (supposedly) be completed. It has so much more character with scaffolding and cranes!

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Dubai

Dubai is a mecca of modern architecture: a future-scape in the middle of the desert. Unlike the other cities on this list, Dubai's status as an architectural juggernaut is younger, but no less robust, as it feels like there's a new record-breaking structure emerging from the sand every year.

Home to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world (for now), the striking, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab (a Jumeirah hotel), and countless shiny, twisty, eye-catching skyscrapers, Dubai has no shortage of visual opulence to go along with its many culinary, entertainment, and leisure delights. It is the hub of modern architectual creativity, and the ever-changing skyline means that it's worth visiting every few years, so you can see the evolution in real time.

Must do: Museum of the Future, which is not only a marvel to look at, but contains glimpses of what the future of architecture (and much more) might hold