Italy is a country of countless natural and cultural wonders, but Pragser Wildsee—a jewel-toned alpine lake also known as Lago di Braies that is located in the Italian Dolomites—is undeniably one of Italy’s most resplendent sights. Surrounded by towering mountains that are often shrouded in mist, Pragser Wildsee is a staggeringly beautiful emerald lake that…
The ancient Romans were so struck by the beauty of the Cies Islands in the Galician region of Spain that they named the stunning archipelago the “Island of the Gods”. The pristine turquoise waters, sweeping hills, and verdant pine forests of the Cies Islands have wowed visitors for centuries. Local lore states that the notorious…
Over 5,000 years ago, the Ozieri people in what we now know as Sardinia carefully constructed stone burial chambers to ensure that members of their community faired well in the afterlife. To the modern eye, the stone chambers which erupted from hillsides with small circular entrances appeared to be fairy dwellings. Through the centuries, locals…
In the quaint village of Carnac in Northern France, nearly 4,000 stones stand perfectly aligned in a field. Historians speculate that the stones have been standing for nearly 7,000 years. No one is entirely sure precisely who arranged the stones, or why. Archeologists believe that the Carnac Stones may have been placed by a roving…
Local lore states that fairies have been spotted throughout the centuries frolicking in the waterfalls of the idyllic village of Rastoke in Croatia. It’s not hard to imagine mythical creatures prancing about when you’re surrounded by Rastoke’s quaint wooden buildings and thundering waterfalls. Rastoke is literally a town of waterfalls with a hilltop settlement sprinkled…
The jagged peaks of the Teton Mountains, the ski slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the gurgling geothermal pools of Yellowstone tend to get all of the shine when people consider booking a trip to Wyoming. Nature lovers will happily tell you that Wyoming is a magnificently beautiful place brimming with vast stretches of…
Germany is often celebrated for its lush forests, so it is fitting that one of Germany‘s most beloved National Parks is often referred to as a “rock forest.” Saxon Switzerland National Park—which is located near Dresden—is home to stunning rock spires that have inspired artists, travelers, and nature lovers for centuries. Visitors can explore Saxon…
In 1982, a young community activist named Randy Gilson from Homestead, Pennsylvania arrived in the gritty industrial city of Pittsburgh. Randy had a passion for urban gardens, bright colors, and outsider art. After transforming a multitude of vacant lots into flourishing gardens, Randy purchased a derelict property in 1995. Gilson maxed out a credit card…
