This geography-themed standalone crossword has 5 thematic solutions, that are locations, sights or landmarks in or round a sure location (a metropolis). Each thematic reply is notable sufficient to have its personal article within the English Wikipedia, though not essentially beneath the identical identify that’s used right here. The aim is to fill the grid, establish the thematic solutions and guess the identify of Richard’s vacation spot, which isn’t indicated within the grid.

Hello Puzzling,

My good good friend Gladys requested me to jot down to you a few fairly unforgettable place I not too long ago visited. I hope you prefer it. One would possibly say this can be a actual once-in-a-lifetime expertise. I’ve seen mountains and skyscrapers, been surrounded by locations with wealthy historic and spiritual significance, and talked to a ton of people who find themselves simply as excited to be right here as I’m. Can you guess the place I’m?

Wish you have been right here!
Richard

Across
1. Mountain prime all mangled by Oscar partaking in careless run monitoring heartless, slug-like fictional slaver (5,2-4)
7. Double-O-Five butted from behind, buried underground (4)
9. Musical group from Iran struggling to entertain Mr Morrison (7)
10. Provide steerage in giving strategy to Russian river dam (8)
12. Being adopted by mysterious British company, in the end, one in all CIA’s members is furious (4)
13. Motown musician is nearer to touring with 14 down? (4)
15. (See 17 throughout)
16. Sci-fi planet’s inhabitants cooked peas (4)
17/15. Mother has daughter thrown in horrible jail in connetion with illegal mosque constructing (6,2-5)
21. Walkways of southern Romania commonly visited by Troy (5)
23. Double-O-Seven defending Miss Moneypenny? (3)
24. Instrument aiding within the formation of S.P.E.C.T.R.E. briefly turned over (5)
25. Push via bowel motion (5)
26. Saying “goodness gracious” – a bit archaic, looking back (5)
27. US gaming firm composer ultimately exhibiting style in music (3)
28. Backing highly effective politician very forcefully? Excellent tack! (5)
29. I smear the repute of the Queen exiting Great Britain? (6)
31. Sportsman who’s extraordinarily revered – in his recreation, a god (4)
32. MI6’s quartermaster concerned in a merciless novel’s end (7)
35. Children’s speeches given to an viewers with no shred of assist (4)
37. Diva’s proper for messy hair (4)
39. Two letters from Greece largely include temperature markings? (8)
40. Singing sea monster scratched backside consuming orca’s head and tail, individually (7)
41. Doctrines central to MI6 proven by textual content message (4)
42. Arab felony and Chicago crime boss detained by leaders of James Bond’s company inside tall skyscraper advanced (5,2,4)

Down
1. After January, Brazilian metropolis college’s beginning to happen in destroyed 4 down cemetery (6,2-6)
2. Doctor briefs their tactic: getting some paperwork from the hospital (5,12)
3. He had three daughters to look at, lecherously, in broadcast (4)
4. A senior officer in MI6 touching each flippin’ animal (5)
5. Australia lastly to sanction Double-O-Three? (5)
6. African God’s due to faith’s follower (5)
7. Mosaic books described by TV’s foremost speak present host, with no stress (5)
8. “Raising agent Bond?” – oaf at aerobics coaching (11,2,4)
11. Double-O-Nine’s been messing with MTV, exchanging one ludicrous excessive for an additional? That’s all good! (14)
14. Over seven a long time, they’ve held concert events in quite a few cities (in Germany, particularly) (3)
18. Caucasian male escaped difficult construction inspector Banks put up (5)
19/35. Mountain of God linked to warfare unexpectedly stopped by Latvian native? (5,5)
20. Martin welcoming western ruler (5)
21. Isolate American sailor (4)
22. Large animal, which assaults its prey utilizing its highly effective tooth and scorching liquid, causes extreme harm to the listening to (1-3)
30. Beloved Republican drops out, resulting in uproar (3)
33. Advocates argue about dropping a schilling (5)
34. Clothing of those that lived within the Andes and rushed round unclimbed peak earlier than center of day (5)
35. (See 19 down)
36. Joe and Kate bought misplaced, dropping monitor of each edges of expansive wine area (5)
38. Beginning in Uchalinsky, river with size, crossing Russia’s southern border (4)