In 1593, The Venetian Republic constructed a fortified city in the shape of a nine-pointed star to celebrate the defeat of Ottoman forces in the War of Cyprus by Italian and Spanish soldiers. Palmanovaโwhich is located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italyโserved as a military fortress and the physical embodiment of utopian ideals of perfect symmetry…
Among the most appealing parts of Europe is the famous Alps mountain range, beloved by hikers, skiers, and explorers of every kind. And within that part of the continent, there are few peaks more inspiring than the tallest: that of Mont Blanc. But if youโre planning a trip to this famous mountain, youโll want to…
In 1791, the King of Bohemia organized an exhibition in Prague to showcase Bohemiaโs advanced manufacturing capabilities. In the 19th century, several European countries held similar exhibitions. Eventually, the World Expo was born. By the 20th century, millions of people gathered every few years in various cities around the globe to celebrate some of the…
The difference between an ordinary trip and a great one is often decided before anyone reaches the destination. A stressful airport pickup, a crowded ride to an event, or a group split between several vehicles can take away from the experience before it begins. Luxury Mercedes Sprinter vans offer a better approach. They combine the…
In the late 19th century, Renaissance man Henry Chapman Mercer traveled throughout France, Germany, and the United States studying and collecting pottery, tools, and spooky stories about the supernatural. Mercer believed that industrialization was endangering certain artisanal aspects of human culture, so he built an ornate castle in his home state of Pennsylvania to showcase…
When you picture a winter mountain getaway, your mind probably jumps straight to the French Alps or the Swiss peaks. Yet, tucked away in the eastern corner of the Balkans lies a winter destination quietly stealing the spotlight. Snow-draped pine forests frame modern lift systems, while the scent of grilled meats drifts from timber-clad taverns….
Thousands of years ago, the sandy shores of the Oregon coast near what is now the city of Neskowin were blanketed with a robust forest of Sikta spruce trees. Through the centuries the sea, the sand, and a powerful earthquake caused these 200-foot-tall trees to recede into the water. The ghostly forest was submerged beneath…
A moonbow may sound like something that only appears in a dream, but it is a real phenomenon that only occurs in a handful of places in the world. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin, Kentucky is one of the rare locales where you can see a misty rainbow that occurs regularly and is…