ITALY // The Vatican museums are a city within a city. Founded in the 16th century by Pope Julius II, they hold 70,000 artworks (only 20,000 of which are displayed) telling the stories of Christianity through the ages. Artefacts from ancient Egypt, a golden gallery filled with maps and room upon room of paintings and frescoes, most famously by Raphael, leave the 6.5 million annual visitors dumbfounded. And, for the finale: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, which feels like the portal to heaven.