Japan is a top contender to win the title of the international headquarters of all things cute. Hello Kitty accessories, mascots such as the smiling bear Kumamon, and hyperactive Pokemon characters are all designed to spread joy far and wide. How did Japan get so cute? One undeniable factor is that there are countless public…
Italy‘s Dolomiti Lucane is among the most breathtaking mountain ranges in all of Europe. The ancient village of Pietrapertosa, which dates back to the height of the Roman Empire, was built on the slopes of the majestic Monte dell’Impiso. The quaint buildings of Pietrapertosa enhance the awe-inspiring beauty of a jagged mountain range that seems…
Turkey‘s Butterfly Valley is strikingly beautiful. If you’re fortunate enough to visit, you might feel as if you’ve stepped into an enchantingly beautiful dream world. Located near Oludeniz on the Mediterranean coast, Butterfly Valley boasts a pristine beach paradise, surrounded by towering cliffs. These cliffs are a natural habitat for over 100 species of butterflies….
Beneath a striking stone bridge in Permet, Albania that is shaped like a half-moon flows a warm, sulfuric river that is surrounded by several turquoise hot springs that are celebrated for their healing properties. The Benja Thermal Baths bubble up to the surface from deep within the rocky recesses of Langarica Canyon. Visitors can soak…
Many prospective hikers have been mesmerized by breathtaking photos of Utah‘s Reflection Canyon. Due to its remote location, there is no easy way to access Reflection Canyon. Reaching the gorgeous vista that you saw pictured in National Geographic requires serious preparation and skill. A trek into the backcountry of Utah’s barren yet beautiful red rock…
Twice daily, a train rolls through a snug neighborhood in Hanoi, Vietnam’s Old Quarter. Locals are so accustomed to the thundering train that chugs through their narrow neighborhood that they spend the bulk of the day riding their bikes, sipping tea, and playing games on the railroad tracks. Visitors have become so captivated by the…
If you’re kayaking on the Hudson River about 50 miles north of New York City and you spot the ruins of an opulent castle in the distance, your eyes are not deceiving you. In the early 1900s, an affluent Brooklyn-based military surplus dealer of Scottish descent named Francis Bannerman decided to purchase a small island…
In 1914, a successful businessman named Sir Henry Pellatt decided to construct a lavish castle that would rival Europe’s finest aristocratic estates. Pellatt’s 98-room castle—known as Casa Loma—featured stately gardens, sprawling stables, and more than one secret passageway. Pellatt got so carried away with adding ornate flourishes—such as engraving the names of his horses in…