When most people think of Italy, they think of the gondolas of Venice, the stately monuments of Rome, and the gorgeous beaches of the Amalfi Coast. The Italian Alps are some of the most majestic mountains in all of Europe, but because Italy is such a cultural mecca, they often get overlooked. The Italian Alps…
It is fitting that the English translation of Puerto Escondido is ‘hidden port’ since Puerto Escondido is one of Mexico‘s most resplendent hidden gems. Surfers and locals have been singing Puerto Escondido’s praises since the 1950s. Travelers searching for a laid-back surf town full of delectable fresh seafood, pristine white sandy beaches, and local charm…
Visitors flock to Arequipa, Peru to view buildings made of volcanic white stone, bask in over 300 annual days of sunshine, and explore a majestic volcano that looms in the distance. Arequipa’s elegant city center—which is made of a volcanic rock called sillar—has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 due to colonial architects…
In the Shinto tradition—which is an ancient Japanese belief system—the practice of iwakura venerates sacred stones that are thought to be inhabited by Shinto gods. The two rocks of Meoto Iwa—otherwise known as the Wedded Rocks—honor the gods Izanagi and Izanami, who Shinto devotees believe created the island of Japan. The larger rock represents the…
Located in the scenic Berlengas Archipelago in Portugal, the Fort of the Berlengasโotherwise known as the Fort of Sรฃo Joรฃo Baptistaโhas been an area of interest since the Romans declared that the Berlengas Archipelago was under the watchful eye of the god Saturn. The Fort of the Berlengas started out as a monastery but morphed…
One of the primary reasons that abandoned structures are so captivating is that they give us an opportunity to watch nature reclaim spaces that humans once dominated. One of the world’s most fascinating abandoned spaces is a former military supply ship that is steadily rusting in Homebush Bay, just outside of Sydney, Australia. Originally constructed…
When most people think of spas, they envision posh, exclusive resorts frequented by the rich and famous. Berkeley Springs, West Virginiaโwhich is widely considered to be the location of America’s first spaโis home to an accessible, affordable state park which features several mineral-rich mountain springs. For as little as $32, visitors can soak in pristine…
Alberta, Canada is often celebrated as one of the world’s great winter wonderlands. Alberta is home to majestic glaciers, sprawling ski slopes, and plenty of quaint snow-covered towns that look as though they should be immortalized in a snow globe. One of Alberta’s premier winter attractions is a multitude of perfectly round bubbles that appear…