Posts with strong current momentum based on recent reader activity.
In 1593, The Venetian Republic constructed a fortified city in the shape of a nine-pointed star to celebrate the defeat of Ottoman forces in the War of Cyprus by Italian and Spanish soldiers. Palmanova—which is located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy—served as a military fortress and the physical embodiment of utopian ideals of perfect symmetry…
U.S. Route 50 is one of America’s most fascinating cross-country highways. Stretching nearly 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from Ocean City, Maryland to West Sacramento, California, this legendary east–west route cuts through deserts, mountain ranges, tiny forgotten towns, and the famously empty stretch in Nevada known as “The Loneliest Road in America.” US Route 50 Map:…
Located on top a historical peak in the Central Stara Planina, Bulgaria, the Buzludzha monument looks like an alien ship out of a sci-fi movie. Built in 1981, the monument is closed for the public. Aside from the unusual architecture, which took seven years and 6,000 workers to complete, the interior is filled with intricate…
The general consensus is that Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. Or, maybe the happiest place on Earth is the country of Finland—which consistently ranks very high in all quality of life polls. Residents of Oregon know that the happiest place on Earth is in fact a green hillside visible from Route 18 near…
The Bund Finance Center is a development of eight buildings on over 100 acres in waterfront of Shanghai, China. The center includes office buildings, a boutique hotel, luxury retail space and a cultural center. Arts and cultural center includes an exhibition and event hall and it was inspired by the traditional Chinese theater. But, the…
When most people think of a river, they envision dark muddy water—or, crystal clear water with a few dull grey stones lining a fairly nondescript riverbed. From late July through November, Caño Cristales in Colombia is the most colorful river in the world. A short window between the wet and dry season is conductive to…