In 1850, Count Cesare Mattei decided to become a self-taught doctor and scientific researcher after his mother died of a tumor. Nearly a decade into his medical studies, Count Mattei began to construct a whimsical Italian castle known as Rocchetta Mattei on the foundation of a medieval fortress which would serve as a fanciful laboratory,…
Two routes lead to the same citadel, and the choice between them shapes almost everything else about a Peru trip. One takes four days on foot across high passes and cloud forest. The other takes a few hours through the Urubamba valley in a seat with a window. Both arrive at Machu Picchu. What separates…
In 1921, Italian nobleman Gelasio Caetani inherited a crumbling estate called Ninfa that was covered in overgrown foliage. Ninfa was once a thriving medieval village that ultimately languished due to a civil war and a relentless malaria outbreak. Gelasio Caetaniβs passionate love of plants inspired him to work tirelessly to create a lush garden estate…
Whether itβs a PHP 88 seat sale or a 45% off on published hotel rates, booking a great travel deal can make you do a happy dance because everything seems to fall into place. At the same time, using a credit card for travel bookings offers additional benefits. Beyond allowing one-click checkouts, you could also…
Located approximately 40 minutes outside of the bustling Spanish city of Granada, a quiet cave town called Guadix is increasingly attracting the attention of savvy travelers. Sparsely inhabited since the Bronze age, Roman statesman Julius Caesar put Guadix on the map by creating a mountain colony there in 45 BC. In the centuries that followed,…
Before you book a place in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, think about what you most want to do and how youβll get there. You donβt want to spend your Smoky Mountains trip driving back and forth when you could be out enjoying it. If you want to walk to dinner and browse the shops afterward,…
The best journeys often begin where the crowds thin out. Famous landmarks are popular for good reason, but the most memorable travel moments can happen in a quiet neighborhood cafe, on a back road through open country, or in a small museum run by someone who truly loves local history. Finding these places takes curiosity,…
The medieval village of Rocamadour rises from the side of a rugged cliff in Dordogne-Lot, France. Much like the mystical spires of Mont Saint-Michel and the healing waters of Lordes, Rocamadour is a popular pilgrimage destination.Β History and architecture buffs adore Rocamadourβs striking castle, rich folklore, and sweeping views of the Alzou Valley. Constructed in…