Long-lasting posts that continue to earn reader attention over time.
When most people hear the name “Dismals Canyon,” they assume they’re headed for a gloomy destination. Dismals Canyonβwhich is located in Phil Campbell, Alabamaβis a joyful locale that is home to a rare natural light show. The larvae of thousands of tiny bioluminescent insects known as dismalites proliferate in a cave and emit soft blue…
In 1892, the fledgling town of Mitchell, South Dakota wanted to showcase its fertile soil. In an effort to attract visitors and permeant residents, the powers that be in Mitchell constructed a small wooden Corn Palace to highlight the region’s corn production. In the Great Plains, grain palaces were all the rage in the late…
The interior of Sloup Castle is fairly rustic, but the towering exterior is without a doubt one of the most striking castles in all of Europe. Located in the Czech Republic, Sloup Castle—which means “column” in Czech—is carved directly into a rugged slab of sandstone that stands over 100 feet tall. The placid reflection of…
The island nation of Mauritius—which is located in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar—is home to one of the most colorful geologic rarities on Earth. An expanse of rock that resembles a giant field of petrified sand dunes known as Terre des Sept Couleurs—or, the Seven Colored Earths—was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption that deposited…
A visit to Caminito del Rey is not for the faint of heart. Often referred to as “the world’s most dangerous walkway,” Caminito del Rey—or, King’s Little Pathway—is a footbridge that dangles over 330 feet above a mammoth gorge known as El Chorro in Ardales, Spain, that has been the site of more than a…
In the 1930s, Monowi, Nebraska was a modest town with a population of about 150 people. Proximity to a rail line and fertile soil attracted farmers attempting to cultivate community and provide for their families. As the 20th century marched on, Monowi’s fortunes changed, and the town’s population began to decline. By the early 2000s,…
Nyhavn is an instantly recognizable canal in Copenhagen that is lined with brightly colored townhouses. Sailors, travelers, and Danish citizens have been captivated by Nyhavn since it was first constructed in the 1600s. Denmark‘s most famous canal certainly had rough-and-tumble beginnings, as it was once populated by rowdy sailors who were famous for drinking heavily…
Longyearbyen—which is located in the remote Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard—is a rugged mining town that has blossomed into a unique tourist destination that allows travelers to experience the stunning beauty of the Arctic. Visitors can view the northern lights, explore an ice cave, or attend a festival celebrating the return of the sun at the…