Duomo, Florence, Italy

Even the most committed atheist is sure to have misgivings while looking up at Florence's majestic Renaissance cathedral. Giorgio Vasari's murals of the Last Judgement adorn the interior of the massive cupola erected by Filippo Brunelleschi. Federico Zuccari took on following Vasari's death in 1577 and finished the massive task in 1579. Climbing the cupola allows you to see the huge view up close. The views from the dome and Florence are equally spectacular.

The Bellagio, Las Vegas, USA

The amazingly gorgeous and bright glass artwork that grows over your head makes it easy to become sidetracked at check-in at Las Vegas' luxury hotel The Bellagio. Dale Chihuly, an artist, created Fiori di Como after being commissioned to create the art installation for the lavish hotel lobby in 1998. It is comprised of over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers and was inspired by the sight of Italian meadows in April.

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, Paris, France

At this magnificent Art Nouveau department store in Paris's 9th arrondissement, shopping is almost holy. The impressive dome of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, which is 140 feet (43 meters) tall, was completed in 1912. Théophile Bader, the owner, aimed to transform his tiny business into a "luxury bazaar". The stained-glass windows in the Neo-Byzantine style were designed by glassmaker Jacques Gruber. The shop is currently Paris' second most visited attraction, behind the Eiffel Tower.

Westfield World Trade Center, New York, USA

The Oculus, the mall's light-filled cavernous centerpiece, was inspired by the picture of a kid releasing a dove. It was created by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and is part of the World Trade Center complex's 365,000-square-foot (33,909-square-meter) commercial area. Poignantly, the Neo-Futuristic construction was planned so that the sun shines directly through the center skylight on September 11th at 10.28am, creating a symmetrical shaft of light.

York Minster, York, UK

The Chapter House in York Minster has an intricate ribbed timber ceiling that is a marvel of medieval structural engineering and design. Work on the octagonal chamber, one of the church's earliest portions, began in 1260 and was finished in 1286. The massive cathedral is especially recognized for its exceptional collection of medieval stained glass. Before ascending the tower to see the cathedral's gargoyles and sculptures, look for the Rose Window, Great East Window, and Five Sisters.

El Capitan Theatre, Los Angeles, USA

Experience the glamour of the movies at the stunningly renovated movie palace cinema El Capitan on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. The opulent theater, which dates back to 1926, features a gorgeous gold-metal leaf proscenium roof in its huge East Indian auditorium. It was transformed from a playhouse to a movie theatre in 1941 and is presently run by the Walt Disney Company. Check the webpage for opening times, then watch a classic Disney movie or take a tour to see the ceiling. All presentations begin with music performed on the huge 1920s "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

The early 17th-century Blue Mosque, with its unique six minarets, is one of Istanbul's must-see attractions. While its façade is intimidating, venture inside to discover its otherworldly splendor. The walls are lined with fine blue İznik tiles, and the semi-domes and center domes have stunning stained glass above them. The Sultan received some of the original glass from the Signoria in Venice. Tourists can normally access the sacred edifice, except during prayer times, when ladies must cover their hair.

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The Pantheon, Rome, Italy

It's difficult not to feel weak in the knees when you look up at the huge and ancient dome of Rome's best-preserved classical structure and consider how many generations have done the same. Emperor Hadrian built the third temple on the site in AD 125. The dome, with its central oculus, displays the civilization's extraordinary engineering and design abilities. At 142 feet (43 meters), it remains the world's biggest unreinforced concrete dome. It was dedicated as a church in 609.

The Gallery of Maps, the Vatican Museum, Vatican City

The Vatican has lavishly adorned walls and ceilings, most notably the Sistine Chapel (see later in the collection), and the collection of Maps is no exception. Pope Gregory XIII commissioned this lengthy gallery in 1580, which houses a collection of beautiful painted geographical maps. His cosmographer and priest, Ignazio Danti, started the enormous task. Look up to see paintings depicting stories from the places shown on the maps below.

The Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, USA

Instead of window shopping at Tiffany's, visit the Chicago Cultural Center and see its beautiful mosaic glass artistry. The opulent edifice, built in 1897 as Chicago's first central public library, houses the world's biggest Tiffany glass dome. The sparkling centerpiece is 38 feet (11.5 meters) in diameter and is constructed of 30,000 pieces of glass. Another beautiful dome can be seen on the north side of the structure, measuring 40 feet (12 meters) in circumference and constructed of 50,000 pieces of glass.