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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…
Far from the usual tourist trails, Russia hides museums that defy expectations. Alongside traditional art and history exhibitions, youβll find quirky treasure troves devoted to life and death, fashion and rituals, language and craft. These places offer an unexpected look at the worldβsometimes with humor, sometimes with warmth, always with curiosity. Museum of World Funeral…
In 1915, Lassen Peak in Northern California experienced a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. Ash and molten lava coated the surrounding landscape for several days. Glowing lava collided with patches of snow to create sweeping mudslides. In the wake of Lassen Peakβs dramatic explosion, the area became a National Park full of bubbling mud pots, jewel-toned alpine…
When most people are asked to name the oldest city in the United States, they say St. Augustine, Florida—which was founded in 1565. The gorgeous island of Puerto Rico—which has been a United States territory since 1917—is home to a walled city called Old San Juan which was settled in 1521. Old San Juan is…
In 1909, a riverbank collapse on the River Severn in Gloucestershire, England, led to concerns that a busy canal vital to the flow of goods and services would be compromised if the water level rose any higher. Old ships were intentionally beached to create a man-made barrier to protect the adjacent canal. Today, Purton Hulksβotherwise…
Germany is home to a handful of walled medieval towns that have withstood the test of time, but Rothenburg ob der Tauber is beyond a shadow of a doubt the most charming village of them all. In addition to strolling along quaint cobblestone streets and admiring red-roofed buildings, travelers can explore the town’s unique history…
The French town of Colmarβwhich is located in the Alsace region of Franceβis a dreamy village full of peaked roofs and placid canals. Starting in late November, Colmar hosts one of Europeβs most beloved Christmas markets. The Colmar market is divided into 6 distinct Christmas markets where visitors can sip on mulled wine, view a…
Like most mid-sized cities, Rockford, Illinois is home to an art museum, a natural history museum, and a childrenβs museum. What visitors donβt expect is a quartet of 12-foot stone statues that have been likened to stone gladiators, petrified robots, and golems that will spring to life at any moment to defend the town of…