Long-lasting posts that continue to earn reader attention over time.
In the 14th century, a group of Augustinian hermits built a monastery on a secluded island in the middle of a lake in Croatia. In the mid-1400s, a group of Franciscan monks expanded the monastery in the wake of fleeing a Turkish invasion in Bosnia. Visovac Monastery—which is located in Krka National Park—is a peaceful…
Near the end of the Gilded Age, the proprietor of the upscale Waldorf Astoria hotel began to build a lavish European-inspired castle on Heart Island in Alexandria Bay, New York. Boldt Castle—which was dotted with hearts—was designed to be a loving tribute to George C. Boldt’s wife Louise. When Louise died unexpectedly in 1904, George…
Any lover of all things Italian will happily tell you that Vernazza is one of Italy‘s most resplendent villages. Dotted with colorful buildings that overlook the sea, the petite fishing village is considered the crown jewel of a collection of five small towns known as Cinque Terre. With no vehicular traffic, stepping onto the charming…
Shaped over thousands of years by the crashing waves, Kannesteinen Rock is a magnificent mushroom shaped rock formation located in the rural village of Oppedal, Norway, approximately 10 km west of the center of MΓ₯lΓΈy. While difficult to measure the exact size by looking at the photographs, the rock is about three feet high and…
Chinaβs Chongqing subway has an unusual station. At first, line 6, Caojiawan Station seems abandoned, but it was opened only in 2015. It looks like the plan was not quite though through. Out of the three planned exits, only one is used and the other two are overgrown with weeds and wilderness.
Ball’s Pyramid is a sea stack, a great jagged spire rising from the Tasman Sea. Its steep base, roughly 650 feet across, is battered by the rugged sea, making the landing a serious challenge. Royal Navy Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball is credited with discovering Ball’s Pyramid in 1788, which was named in his honor. It…