For centuries, a long, skinny dragon—known as the Ly Dynasty dragon—has served as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune in Vietnamese culture. City officials in the bustling Vietnamese city of Da Nang decided that the best way to honor the Liberation of Da Nang—which was an important turning point in the Vietnam War—was to…
The Netherlands has long been considered a forward-thinking country where imaginative ideas flourish. Many people consider Rotterdam to be the creative capital of the Netherlands. Rotterdam’s Cube Houses are a shining example of the city’s enthusiasm for all things avant-garde. In the late 1970s, city officials in Rotterdam were contemplating how to build a housing…
Italy is home to countless stunning beaches, but locals will enthusiastically tell you that Torre Sant’Andrea—which is located in Puglia—ranks very high among Italy’s most breathtaking stretches of sand and sea. Situated in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea on the “heel” of Italy’s “boot,” Torre Sant’Andrea features snow-white sea stacks that visitors can…
If you’re a fan of breathtaking mountain scenery but you’re not keen on hiking, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China should be at the top of your travel list because it is home to a roomy glass elevator—known as the Bailong Elevator—that zooms to the top of a towering quartz sandstone cliff and offers…
In the late 1800s, the proprietor of the Mountain House Hotel in what is now known as Yosemite National Park decided to fling red-hot embers off a cliff to create a spectacle for a group of tourists. Onlookers were so taken with the glowing cascade that the “Firefall” became a regular occurrence. The Firefall ceased…
In recent years, a 15th century Hindu Temple known as Pura Tanah Lot that is dedicated to the sea god Bhatara Segara has become one of Bali’s most popular destinations. At low tide, visitors can wade through the waters of the Indian Ocean to stand at the entrance of a small temple that is said…
In the 1800s, New Orleans, Louisiana was home to a revered Voodoo priestess named Marie Laveau who used herbs, charms, and magic rituals to heal the sick, sway the courts during high stakes legal battles, and help heartbroken clients rekindle old flames or attract new love. Voodoo is a Caribbean religion that fuses African spiritualism…
In 1921, an ornate cinema and live performance space called the Theater Tuschinski that was one part Art Deco, one part Art Nouveau, and one part gothic cathedral opened its doors in Amsterdam. The Theater Tuschinski was founded by a Polish tailor named Abraham Tuschinski who stopped in the Netherlands when he was in the…
