Dreams and Destinations Travel

11/09/2024

A little Friday humor...

11/06/2024

The Old Bank of England Pub London.

10/30/2024

This is a photo taken in 1950 on KLM. At the time, Martin M-130s, Lockheed Constellations, and Douglas DC-6s operated by airlines such as KLM and the now-defunct Trans World Airlines (TWA) had beds in both the upper and lower berths. These beds featured mattresses, Pullman-style curtains for privacy, windows, reading lights, and even breakfast-in-bed service. At the time, a round-trip economy airfare from New York to London on a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser cost about $580 (about $12,000 today) The baggage racks as we know them today were phased in during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

09/22/2024

09/14/2024

One of the most beautiful places on the planet, Neptune's Grotto is a stalactite cave near the city of Alghero on the island of Sardinia, Italy. The cave was discovered by local fishermen in the 18th century and has since become a popular tourist attraction.

09/12/2024

Ronda is located in Andalusia, Province of Malaga, Spain. It is situated in a mountainous area about 750 m (2,460 ft) above mean sea level. The Guadalevin River runs through the city, dividing it in two and carving out the steep, 100 meter deep El Tajo Canyon upon which the city perches. Ronda was founded by the Celts in the 6th century BC. and later used as a fortified fortress by the Romans during the reign of Julius Caesar. The city was part of the Visigoth reign until 713, when it fell to the Arabs, who named it Izn-Rand Onda (city of the castle) and made it the capital of the Takurunna province. In the 15th century Ronda fell to Spain. The Punta Romano (also known as the Puente San Miguel) is the oldest of three bridges that span the canyon.

It is set in and around a deep gorge spanned by an impressive bridge, which brings in many day-trippers from the Costa del Sol and other places to admire the view. However, Ronda is also a remarkably pretty town with beautiful architecture from the islamic period up to the 19th century, romantic winding streets with white-washed houses, some interesting museums, and lots of good places to eat and drink. It is also a good base to explore the surrounding area, where you will find beautiful mountains and many of the iconic pueblos blancos (white villages) of Andalusia.

09/12/2024

We are not currently booking passage on this ship...but we can help you with lots of other sailings!

The world's first Cruise Liner 🛳 constructed by the ancient Greek Archimedes.
Archimedes (287-212 BCE) was a Greek mathematician and mechanical engineer, a pioneer in both fields, many centuries ahead of his contemporaries.
In Sicily, under the ruling of the king Hiero II of Syracuse (270 – 215 BCE), a ship with stunning dimensions was built. The material used for the construction of that giant boat equated to the material for 60 regular ships. What was more, that vessel was meant to leave the secure coastal lanes and to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The ship was given a name – Syracusia – and represented what could be called “the first liner of antiquity.”

09/02/2024

~The Cave of the Swallows, is an open-air cave in the municipality of Aquismón, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The elliptical mouth, in a karst slope, is 49 by 62 m (154 by 200 ft) wide and is undercut around its entire perimeter, widening into a room approximately 303 by 135 metres (994 by 442 ft) wide. The cave floor is a free fall of 333 metres (1,092 ft) from the lower side of the opening, with a drop of 370 metres (1,214 ft) from the higher side, making it the largest known cave shaft in the world, the second deepest shaft in Mexico, and perhaps the 11th deepest fall in the world. Lists of deepest caves use different criteria, not pure drop, but accessibility. The floor and walls of the cave are inhabited by millipedes, scorpions, insects, snakes and birds. From the floor at the bottom of the main shaft there is a series of narrow shafts known as "The Crevice", totaling about 140 m (460 ft), which brings the total depth of the cave to 515 m (1,690 ft).

08/28/2024

130 km west of LONDON is a town that many define as the most beautiful town in the world.

It's called BIBURY and it's in County Gloucestershire.

Its appearance resembles a fairy tale and despite being so close to London, entering the city seems to be hundreds of years away from the chaos of the English capital.

It is located on the banks of the River Coln, in that area of the Cotswolds Hill (a mountain range in the heart of England) declared in 1966 "Area of Exceptional Natural Beauty".

And if you go there you'll understand why ...

08/27/2024

The Cosquer Cave located in Cap Morgiou, Marseille, France is situated about 37 meters (121 feet) below sea level and its entrance lies about 37 meters (121 feet) underwater. This underwater entrance suggests that the sea level was significantly lower during the time the cave was inhabited by prehistoric humans, allowing access to the cave without diving equipment.

The cave contains around 600 paintings and engravings, which are predominantly of animals such as horses, bison, ibex, and seals, as well as numerous hand stencils. These artworks provide valuable insights into the lives and beliefs of the people who inhabited the region during the Upper Paleolithic period.

Due to the unique underwater entrance and the fragile nature of the cave’s contents, access to the cave is strictly regulated, and special permission is required for scientific research or exploration. In recent years, efforts have been made to study and preserve the cave and its invaluable cultural heritage.

07/28/2024

Voronya Cave, the closest point to the center of the Earth.

Voronya Cave, also known as Krubera Cave, is the deepest cave in the world.
The cave, Krubera-Voronya, is considered the “Everest of Caves”. The total length of the cave passages reaches 13,232 m, the depth is -2,197 m. It is located in Abkhazia (Georgia) near the Black Sea.
The elevation difference between the cave entrance and its deepest explored point is 2,197 ± 20 meters (7,208 ± 66 feet). It became the deepest known cave in the world in 2001, when the expedition of the Ukrainian Speleological Association reached a depth of 1,710 m (5,610 feet), which surpassed the depth of the previously known deepest cave, Lamprechtsofen, in the Austrian Alps, by 80 meters (260 feet).
In 2004, for the first time in the history of speleology, the expedition of the Ukrainian Speleological Association reached a depth of over 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) and explored the cave up to -2,080 m (-6,824 feet).
The Ortobalagan Valley extends along the Berchil'sky anticliminal ridge, which descends gently northwestward. The entrances to the caves are lined along the anticlinial ridge, but the caves are controlled by longitudinal, transversal and oblique faults and include complex winding patterns in the plant view, remaining largely within and near the ridge area anti-clinical.
Caves are predominantly a combination of shallow wells and steep snake passages, although in some places they cut seemingly ancient fossil passages at different levels.

07/22/2024

Luxurious bathing culture in ancient Rome
The Baths of Caracalla in Rome are one of the most spectacular public baths in ancient Rome. Feel how the ancients relaxed and enjoyed life here.
-Historical background of the Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla were built in 216 AD by the Roman Emperor Caracalla. It is not only a bathing place, but also a social and entertainment center. The ancient Romans would bathe, exercise, read, socialize, and even conduct business activities here.
-Spectacular architecture
When you enter the Baths of Caracalla, the first thing that catches your eye is the huge architectural ruins. Although many parts no longer exist after thousands of years of wind and rain, you can still feel the grandeur of the year. The baths are divided into cold water pools, warm water pools, and hot water pools, each of which is spacious and exquisite. In addition, there are gyms and reading rooms for people to exercise.
-Exquisite mosaic floors
The floors of the baths are covered with a large number of mosaics, with exquisite patterns and colorful colors, showing the superb skills of ancient Roman craftsmen. These mosaics are not only beautiful, but also a vivid display of ancient Roman culture. Today, many of the original mosaics are still well preserved, which is amazing.
- Fusion of modern culture
Interestingly, the Baths of Caracalla is not only a monument, but also used for modern cultural activities. Every summer, operas and concerts are held here, adding new vitality to this ancient building. If you come to Rome in summer, don't miss a performance in such a historical scene.
Tips:
1. Visiting time: The Baths of Caracalla are usually open from 9 am to 7 pm every day (last admission is 6 pm), but the specific time may change, so it is recommended to check in advance.
2. Tickets: Adult ticket price is 8 euros, and there are discounted fares for EU students and seniors.
3. Transportation: You can take the subway line B and get off at Circo Massimo Station, and walk about 10 minutes to arrive.
4. Notes: It is recommended to bring sunscreen and a hat when visiting in summer, and dress warmer in winter.
The Baths of Caracalla are not only a witness to Roman history, but also a reflection of the wisdom and lifestyle of the ancient Romans. Walking here, you can deeply feel the luxury and greatness of ancient Rome.

07/22/2024

Eltz Castle, nestled in the hills above the Moselle River in Germany, is a prime example of medieval architecture and history.
Built in the 12th century, it has been meticulously preserved, remaining in the hands of the same family for over 850 years.
The castle features a stunning blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, with its fairy-tale turrets and half-timbered structures. Inside, visitors can explore rooms filled with original furnishings, historical artifacts, and intricate artwork, providing a glimpse into the lives of its noble inhabitants.
Surrounded by lush forests and offering picturesque views, Eltz Castle remains a must-visit for history enthusiasts and tourists alike...

07/15/2024

This is Malaga, Spain, where the women who live there crocheted and put together this shadow-giving miracle for the shops and cafes below.