Religious Sites

According to some sources, the first version of Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral (the subject of our January mystery photo), located in Granada, Nicaragua, was built almost 500 years ago, in 1525. Despite its having suffered fires twice by 1578 (the original building included a straw roof), it became known as La Iglesia Bonita (The Beautiful Church). It wasn't until 1751 that the structure was rebuilt with more durable materials: stone and and brick.

8-day, 7-night luxury tour of two cities. Departures April-Sept. 2020. Highlights: In St. Petersburg, private “sunset” cruise, museum at 18th-century Peter and Paul Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Fabergé museum, the Hermitage, Peterhof palace, Russian nesting doll workshop/high-speed train to Moscow for Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, backstage tour of Bolshoi Theatre. $5,042-$5,725 ppdo. Single supp., $1,140-$1,170. Luxury Gold Vacations (Cypress, CA; 888/862-5952, www.luxurygold.com/us).

10-day, 9-night tour. Departures May-Sept. 2020. Highlights: In Riga, LATVIA, Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, Swedish Gate/in Tallinn, ESTONIA, Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral/ferry to Helsinki, FINLAND, for Senate Square, Sibelius Monument, Church in the Rock/in St. Petersburg, RUSSIA, Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral (museum), Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. From London, £1,660 (near $2,141) ppdo. Single supp., £555 ($716).