As Kyōto's most iconic landmark, Kinkaku-Ji (literally the "Temple of the Golden Pavillion"), is undoubtedly astonishing. Built in 1397, the complex was the retirement villa of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Soon after his death in 1408, the structure was converted into a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect by his son. Engulfed in flames several times throughout the ages, the current complex was rebuilt true to the original in 1955 (except for the top two floors that were both covered in gold leaf). Thousands of sightseers pack the site to glance at the breathtaking Gold Temple, its reflection shimmering in the serene pond in a picturesque setting. It's best to go early in the morning or just before closing to avoid queuing in notoriously slow-moving lines.

The Grand Ole Opry is known worldwide as "The Show That Made Country Music Famous.” This weekly country music stage concert first took place in 1925 with a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM. Now, it is the longest-running radio broadcast in US history. Come experience a piece of Nashville music history with a mix of country greats, from new stars to superstars and legends. Among the Opry's current members are Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

Now here's an experience hard to come by elsewhere: the Rastafari Indigenous Village, just outside city limits, is a neat introduction to Jamaica's indigenous religious movement that has gained followers worldwide since its emergence in the 1930s. A guided tour is good way to learn more about Rastafarianism and its central tenants, as well as witness the daily and cultural life of its Jamaican adepts.