Almaty
Kazakhstan's former capital's massive edifices, including First President Park and Ascension Cathedral, are dwarfed only by the mighty vistas of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, making you feel tiny. Replete with majestic slopes at Shymbulak's skiing resort, and Medeo's alpine ice-skating facility, you can also let your eyes do the work while relaxing and enjoying a coffee along Arbat Street, or in a cable car heading up to Kok Tobe's mountaintop.