In the late 1980s. Austin resident Vince Hannemann took the phrase “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure” quite literally. Hannemann began to construct a fort in his backyard out of discarded items such as license plates, surf boards, street signs, and bicycles. Vince Hannemann didn’t start out with any grand plans for his trash…
The small Spanish town of Castellfollit de la Roca is not the ideal travel destination for those who are claustrophobic or afraid of heights. Castellfollit de la Roca is located atop a frightfully narrow cliff with a 160-foot drop. Throughout most of the town, a single slim walkway separates rows of multistory dwellings. The town’s…
Near the border of Austria and Switzerland, the Italian waters of Lake Resia are home to a lone church tower that rises out of the serene lake like the final remnant of an enchanted city. The church tower is the last standing piece of the 14th-century Church of Santa Caterina di Alessandria—which many locals refer…
In the late 1970s, Henry Conyngham’s family estate in Ireland was on the brink of financial ruin. Henry Conyngham was next in line to inherit Slane Castle—a stately castle situated in the fertile Boyne Valley in Ireland. Conyngham’s father advised him to come up with a plan to fund the castle’s upkeep. Maintaining the castle…
Iceland is mostly known for its stunning glaciers, volcanoes, and geysers. Iceland’s folklore is just as captivating as its many scenic vistas. Iceland has a rich history which includes many fantastical elements. Iceland’s Museum of Prophecies honors Iceland’s mystical past by paying tribute to a 10th century prophetess named Pordis. A painted tapestry details the…
Centuries ago, fishermen in the Italian village of Burano—which is located on an island near the city of Venice—painted their houses vibrant colors so that their village would always be visible on the horizon when they were out at sea. Bright shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow also helped to separate one building from…
Mount Washington—New Hampshire’s highest peak—is rumored to have the worst weather in the world. The forecast alternates between ferocious winds, blizzards, and pounding sleet. Mount Washington gets so foggy that a native tribe in the area thought that the ever-present mist was a sign that the peak was home to a Great Spirit. In 1852,…
An expansive cave lake of unknown proportions rests between Sweetwater and Madisonville, Tennessee. Aptly called the Lost Sea—the clean, clear waters of Tennessee’s magnificent hidden cave lake remain largely uncharted. Visitors routinely peer into the mysterious waters of the Lost Sea as they cruise around on a boat. The occasional splash of a large trout…