Much like San Francisco, California, the coastal city of Marseille in southern France is celebrated for its mild weather, rich history, and natural beauty. Similarly, Marseille has an infamous prison located on a small island just off its coast. Commonly known as the ‘Alcatraz of France,’ Chateau d’If is best known as the prison where…
There is a great debate about where the most brilliant white sandy beach in the world is located. Hyams Beach—which is located in New South Wales, Australia in Jervis Bay—is a strong contender for the world’s whitest sandy beach. The sand at Hyams Beach is composed of sparkling quartz that shimmers in the sunlight. Sunglasses…
In the mid-20th century, Thai millionaire Lek Viriyaphan decided to build a golf course shaped like the country of Thailand in the capital city of Bangkok that celebrated his beloved country’s culture and history. Eventually, Lek Viriyaphan’s proposed golf course morphed into an open-air cultural museum called Muang Boran—or Ancient City—that features miniature replicas of…
A significant amount of lore surrounds the Sverd I Fjell sculpture in Norway, featuring three prominent swords. One popular narrative involves Harald Fairhair, a politically ambitious warrior who fell in love with Gyda Eriksdatter, the daughter of a king. Gyda refused Harald Fairhair, deeming him not powerful enough. To win Gyda’s heart, Harald waged war…
In 1888, the Bishop overseeing the construction of a new chapel for the Sisters of Loretto, an order of nuns in New Mexico, passed away before the chapel’s completion. The Our Lady of Light Chapel was left with several unfinished details, including a large gap between the choir loft and the chapel. The Sisters of…
In the 1400s, a small yet strategically important fishing village known as Sveti Stefan, located in present-day Montenegro, was frequently sacked by the Turks. By the 1600s, the authorities decided to fortify Sveti Stefan to permanently repel the Turkish invasions. The village thrived until the 1950s, when the population dwindled to just 20 residents. In…
In recent years, traveling by train has made a major comeback. Train lovers will happily tell you that trains are their preferred method of travel because hopping aboard a train allows one to sit back, relax, and take in gorgeous scenery without worrying about traffic, parking, or flight delays. Switzerland’s Glacier Express is celebrated among…
In the early 20th century, Southern Sardinia was a mining hotspot. Ore extraction reached unprecedented levels. However, transporting ore from the steep cliffs of Sardinia to nearby port towns posed significant challenges. The process of loading heavy ore onto boats was notably time-consuming. Ore was initially loaded at a remote pickup point, far from the…
