In 1806, Napoleon’s cartographer included a naturally heart-shaped island in an atlas of Croatia‘s Dalmatian Coast. Ever since Galesnjak Island’s first appearance on a map in the 19th century, the small and rugged valentine-shaped island—which is often referred to as Lover’s Island or the Island of Love—has attracted sweethearts from across the globe. Galesnjak Island…
In 241 BC, a fierce naval battle between Roman and Carthaginian ships resulted in mass casualties. Local lore states, that the carnage was so extreme that the waters off the shore of the island of Favignana—located just a short boat ride away from Sicily—were soaked in blood. A rocky yet placid beach in Favignana is…
Palombaggia Beach, located on the French island of Corsica, is widely considered one of Europe‘s most beautiful beaches. Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, the tranquil aquamarine waters of Palombaggia are surrounded by umbrella pine trees that seem straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, pink granite rocks, and silky white sand, ideal for sunbathing. One…
In the 13th century, the College of Cardinals decided there was too much unrest in Rome for the pope to conduct his holy duties. For 24 years, the powers that be decided to move the papal residence to a fortified city known as Viterbo. Eight centuries later, Viterbo is one of Italy‘s best-preserved medieval cities….
Since the early 1900s, wealthy residents of Portugal have retreated from bustling cities to spend the summer in the picturesque seaside village of Azenhas do Mar, which is about 45 minutes away from Lisbon. Azenhas do Mar has long been celebrated for its dramatic cliffs, elegant white houses with terra cotta roofs, and a small…
In the early 20th century, Chattanooga, Tennessee was a booming train hub. Travelers boarded trains in northern cities such as Cincinnati and stopped in Chattanooga to switch trains or rest prior to heading to southern cities such as Atlanta. Chattanooga’s legacy as a train town is still on display with a train-themed hotel, and a…
In the early 1950s, Italian artist Guido Galletti designed a bronze statue of Jesus Christ that was placed in the Italian Riviera near San Fruttuoso to honor the legacy of diver Duilio Marcante and divers and sailors who lost their lives at sea. Galletti’s statue—known as Il Cristo degli Abissi, or Christ of the Abyss—was…
Every motorist who has driven past the exit for Zzyzx Road on Interstate 15 in California’s Mojave Desert en route to Las Vegas has wondered about the road’s quirky name. Zzyzx Road—which is pronounced “zi-zex”—leads to a small lake fed by a natural spring, which was once home to a health resort run by an…