High up in the Serra da Estrela mountain range in Portugal, there lies a lake with an unusual man-made marvel. From a distance, an inverted bell-shaped drain known as Covao dos Conchos, constructed in 1955 as part of a hydroelectric dam, appears to be a perfectly symmetrical whirlpool, the mouth of a hungry sandworm, or…
In the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, a young man named Edmond Dantes is falsely arrested and imprisoned. Dantes overhears a fellow prisoner discuss a vast cache of hidden treasure buried on a mysterious island. Dantes ultimately escapes from prison, travels to the mysterious island to retrieve the hidden treasure, and…
Zlatni Rat—which is located near the town of Bol in Croatia—is one of the world’s most distinctive beaches. This narrow strip of land is in a constant state of flux. The shape of Zlatni Rat changes with the ebb and flow of the tide, causing it to shrink or expand. Occasionally, a small lake even…
In 1888, two Italian shepherdesses based in the small medieval village of Castelpetroso were tending to their flock when they noticed that two sheep were missing. The shepherdesses searched the surrounding hills until after dark without locating their wayward sheep. Just when they were about to head home, a glowing apparition materialized near the hillside….
The French Riviera, known for its sunshine, stunning beaches, and luxurious restaurants and hotels, holds a lesser-known secret. It’s a vital hub for citrus fruit cultivation in Europe. One of its towns, Menton, celebrates this abundance with the annual Fete du Citron. This 15-day festival, typically from late February to early March, transforms Menton’s streets…
If you’re a hot spring enthusiast, a trip to Hot Water Beach on New Zealand‘s Coromandel Peninsula is an absolute must. Hot Water Beach is home to one of the most unique hot springs in the world. During a two-hour window, between high and low tide, visitors can dig a hole on the beach and…
Japan‘s vibrant pink cherry blossoms are among the world’s most beloved signs of spring. Kawazu, a small town less than 3 hours from Tokyo, is home to a special type of cherry blossom that is a slightly more vivid shade of pink, has larger petals, and blooms earlier than the average Sakura tree thanks to…
Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, but America’s most celebrated highway lives on in songs, movies, and the imaginations of travelers embarking on the Great-American Road Trip. In John Steinbeck’s Great Depression-era novel The Grapes of Wrath, Route 66 serves as a symbol of the euphoric highs and crushing lows of the pursuit of…
