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Antelope Canyon in Arizona is one of the largest tourist draws to the Navajo Nation lands in the American Southwest
Over time, rainfall and flash flooding eroded the sharper edges of the sandstone, creating the smooth ripple effect seen today
The Library of Celsus lies in ruins in the ancient city of Ephesus in present-day Turkey.
It was built in honor of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, a governor of Roman Asia.
The library took several years to complete; it dates to the reign of Hadrian in the early 2nd century.
Archaeologists believe that the library once had a reading room that was illuminated with natural light.
The Library of Celsus was one of the three largest libraries in the Roman world, holding anywhere between 12,000 and 16,000 scrolls!
Bali is known for its breathtaking beaches, but have you seen its architecture?
Bali has over 20,000 Hindu temples, or puras, including this one: Pura Ulun Danu Bratan.
This 17th-century temple complex sits on Lake Bratan, which is the main water source in the region of central Bali.
Dedicated to the water goddess Dewi Danu, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is nicknamed “Bali Temple on the Lake.” When the lake waters rise, the temple looks like it is floating!
Ha Long Bay in tops almost every list of the most beautiful beaches in the world
Along about a 75-mile coastline, the bay is dotted with thousands of small islands, most of which are uninhabited. Made of limestone, these islands have karst formations. Over time, the softer limestone rock has given way, forming sinkholes and caves below the surface. These karst caves were formed millions of years ago, and they inspired many legends known to the people of Ha Long Bay.
According to locals, legend says that dragons came to Ha Long Bay to protect the Vietnamese against invaders. The dragons formed the bay’s tall islands, which destroyed the enemies’ approaching ships.
The bay itself has been targeted by enemy forces who wanted to invade Vietnam. In 1288, Kublai Khan launched his Mongol fleet for the bay; the population placed stakes in the water when the tide was at its highest, and the spikes tore up the Mongol ships.
For visitors, one of the most memorable experiences is visiting the floating fishing villages of Ha Long Bay. Beginning in the 19th century, local fish merchants set up these stations in the bay for fishermen to sell what they caught. Eventually, families started to live there, and the floating villages were completely self-sufficient, living off the land and the water.
In recent years, the government has shut down the floating villages, forcing the small populations to move ashore. Unfortunately, today, these floating villages are no longer inhabited full time. However, the locals still use them for catching and processing fish and seafood. There are four villages left, and they rely on tourism to supplement their income.
The town of Sperlonga lies on the western coast of Italy, between Rome and Naples. One of the town's historical sites is the Villa of Tiberius, the 1st century Roman emperor's retreat away from Rome.
Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire from 14 to 37 AD. Unfortunately, he didn't like the business of ruling as much as his predecessor, his stepfather, Augustus. Tiberius frequently escaped to his country villa in Sperlonga, leaving the administration of his Empire to others. After 26 AD, he wouldn't live in Rome at all, choosing to pass the time at his vacation homes outside of the city instead of ruling the Empire.
The Villa of Tiberius includes a grotto, Roman baths, spacious rooms, and pools. The emperor hosted dinner parties, with couches surrounding an island at the entrance to the cave.
Entertaining in a cave also had its dangers. According to ancient sources, Tiberius narrowly escaped death in the year 26 AD, when the roof to the grotto collapsed!
Las Vegas is one of the most famous resort cities – one that draws millions of visitors every year. It is home to some of the largest hotels and casinos in the world!
The main thoroughfare through the city, South Las Vegas Boulevard, is known as The Strip; it is a feast for the senses with its contemporary architecture, retail stores, and entertainment venues.
Synonymous with decadence and debauchery, The Strip has earned Las Vegas a memorable nickname: Sin City. Its many offerings and horrific traffic make this iconic street a pedestrian paradise – one with plenty of casinos, nightclubs, bars, and venues to keep you busy during your stay.
See a Cirque de Soleil show or visit one of the famous sights along the block, including Caesar’s Palace or the Bellagio.
The Strip is also where the world’s top musical talent performs regularly. Carrie Underwood, Barry Manilow, and Katy Perry are some of the singers holding residencies in 2022!
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is an adventurer’s paradise
Home to Sapporo beer, brewed in the island’s largest city, Hokkaido has a much milder climate than the rest of Japan
During the winter, one of the island’s main tourist draws is skiing and other outdoor sports
With active volcanoes and multiple national parks and reserves, Hokkaido also has plenty of hiking opportunities!
Go back to the Victorian period with a trip to Astoria, Oregon
This city is infamous as the setting of the film "The Goonies," but it is memorable for its Victorian architecture
This city is the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, and it is filled with history
Stop by the city’s beautiful antique shops, or visit Astoria’s old canneries that have been repurposed into modern businesses
Astoria sits right where the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean meet, so you’ll find freshest seafood here!
In the mid-19th century, grand viziers Si Musa and his son Si Ba Ahmed ibn Musa employed artists from all over Morocco to complete their vision for the Bahia Palace
This historic landmark in Marrakech features geometric patterns, marble tiles, and arabesque reliefs – the very best of Moroccan architecture
It was here at Cologne Cathedral in Germany that legend says the first candy cane was designed
In 1670, the choirmaster bribed his young vocalists with candy so that they would behave during church services
In honor of the holiday season, he had shaped the candy into shepherd’s crooks, creating the iconic candy cane shape we see today
Historians believe that this legend is only partially true. While the tradition of the curved hook at the top of the candy cane was fashioned in Germany, it could have been so that they could hang the candy on their Christmas trees
In Dresden, Germany, the Advent season every year marks the Striezelmarkt – the oldest Christmas market still in operation in the world today.
It opened in 1434 on the Monday before Christmas. The Elector of Saxony, Frederick II, established the market for citizens to buy meat for their Christmas feasts, ending the Advent fast.
Since then, the Striezelmarkt has grown to include hundreds of carts that still sell local favorites, including mulled wine, fruitcake, and gingerbread.
In the 18th century, European travelers searching for luxurious landscapes and remote destinations didn’t have to look very far. Traditionally, since the 17th century, when upper-class boys came of age, they went on the Grand Tour – an extended trip throughout Europe meant to enhance a classical education. The Grand Tour was also a way for artists to practice their techniques by copying ancient ruins.
The Amalfi Coast was one of the stops on the Grand Tour on the southern coast of Italy. It provided everything the upper classes were looking for: an exotic location that was a leisurely stop while touring the ancient ruins of Italy.
Fascination with the Amalfi Coast dates back to the ancient world. The Greeks believed that mythological beings lived along the beautiful terrain on the coast. Attracted to the isolated seaside, the Roman elite first settled the Amalfi Coast. Since the medieval period, the Amalfi Coast was a strategic maritime location along the Mediterranean. Amalfi sailors and traders frequented all the major trading hubs in the region, some reaching as far away as Constantinople. They were even some of the first to use a compass to navigate the waters of the Mediterranean! One lasting influence of the Amalfi traders was that they brought paper-making technology back to Europe from the East. Paper used for record-keeping and manuscripts spread all over Europe. It reached its highest demand with the introduction of the printing press.
The Amalfi Coast flourished as a trading center until the end of the medieval period. The Black Death ravaged the region, and it destroyed the economy. The coast came under the control of its more powerful neighbors, the Kingdom of Naples. It remained virtually untouched until the 18th century when Grand Tourists making their way through Italy rediscovered the area's natural beauty.
Today, the Amalfi Coast is no longer reserved for the elite. In the 19th century, the King of Naples, Ferdinand II, commissioned a road to connect the isolated coastal towns. Since then, tourism to the area has exploded. It is one of the most frequented spots in Italy. Its memorable, brightly-colored buildings and picturesque landscapes have inspired generations of art, photography, and literature.
The beaches of Oahu would be a welcome distraction from winter weather this holiday season! It is a favorite vacation spot for anyone looking for some fun in the sun. Oahu has several points of interest that any traveler will love.
Of course, Oahu is known for its beautiful beaches. There are many to choose from, no matter what you are looking for. If you love water sports, then don't miss Kailua Beach Park. One of the most popular beaches in the world - and part of Oahu's draw - is Waikiki Beach. As long as you don't mind the hustle-bustle of this tourist trap, even in the off-season, it is a great place to get some sun. Another beach that is more family-friendly than the rest is Lanikai Beach; it's much quieter and less tourist-heavy, so you and your family can really relax and soak in the Hawaiian sun.
History buffs will love investigating the history of the island. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park are three famous historical sites you can't miss. Stopping here might even earn your child some extra credit when they return to school!
These military memorials are not all that Oahu has to offer. The history of the last members of the Hawaiian royal family is preserved at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace.
Oahu is also the perfect spot to experience the great outdoors. Adventurers will be at home on the island, with multiple activities to see Oahu's natural beauty. A winter vacation means that you'll be in for the best surfing conditions of the year. If you visit from November to December, you can see the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. If underwater activities hold your interest, then there is nothing like the diving and snorkeling you can find on Oahu. Hikers can visit the Diamond Head State Monument, Manoa Falls, or the Koko Crater Trail for the best views on the island.
A visit to the Miccosukee Reservation, located between Fort Lauderdale and Naples, is one of many experiences you should have when visiting southern Florida. Attractions here detail the history of the Miccosukee tribe, including their arrival in Florida and how they adapted to life in the Everglades.
The Miccosukee Tribe is a nationally recognized Native American tribe, but few people outside of their communities know its history. Originally part of the Creek Confederacy, the tribe lived in present-day Georgia before the 18th century. As European settlements spread west, the Miccosukee were pushed out of their own lands. Resettling in Florida, the tribe was incorporated into the local Seminole Nation, but they retained their own language and customs.
By the early 19th century, the Miccosukee and the Seminole nation were embroiled in a decades-long conflict with the United States government – the Seminole Wars. Between 1816 and 1858, the Seminole Wars were multiple intermittent conflicts between the United States government and the Seminole Nation. Native Americans resisted American efforts to remove them from their homelands and relocate them to “Indian Territory” in the Midwest, which escalated into warfare. The U.S. used slash-and-burn tactics on the Native Americans, demoralizing their communities. Faced with starvation and homelessness, many members of the Seminole nation agreed to leave Florida for Indian Territory. Many, including the Miccosukee, remained behind, hiding from American authorities in the Everglades.
By 1858, most of the Native Americans of Florida were gone, deported to cramped reservations nowhere close to their ancestral lands. Into the 20th century, the Miccosukee lived in the swampy areas, adapting to their new environment. They did so for several decades. Eventually, settlers moved further into the Everglades, closer to where the Miccosukee lived. By the end of the 1920s, they couldn’t hide in their sanctuaries anymore.
The Miccosukee were able to retain their traditions since they lived in isolation. When expansion forced them to rejoin public life, the tribe embraced tourism to an extent. They set up stands to sell souvenirs and educate others about their history and culture. In 1962, the U.S. government officially recognized the Miccosukee tribe, and it gave the tribe its own land – where the Miccosukee Reservation is today.
The reservation has since become a tourist draw. Members tribe run exhibits that detail the history of the Miccosukee and how they adapted to their new environment in the swamps. The Village Museum has preserved the tribe’s history through documents, exhibits, artifacts, and public tours. The Miccosukee are expert alligator wranglers, and they host open sessions to the public. One of the highlights of the visit to this reservation is a trip by airboat to a nearby traditional settlement, so visitors can see how the Miccosukee survived when they lived in the Everglades.
Image credits:
Miccosukee Indian Village Museum. Greater Miami Convention and Vistors Bureau.
Wood carving. Greater Miami Convention and Vistors Bureau.
Miccosukee Airboats. Palmtreeshadows, 2015.
Near the Four Corners in the American West – where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet – lies the largest archaeological preserve in the United States. Mesa Verde National Park covers 50,000 acres, and it protects over 5,000 sites that chronicle the history of the ancient Puebloan people.
The Ancient Puebloans are known for their unique building style – the cliff dwelling. In Mesa Verde, the Cliff Palace shown here is the largest cliff dwelling structure in the United States. The Ancient Puebloans were the descendants of the first Paleo Indians that occupied the Four Corners in the Neolithic Era (around 7500 BCE).
Until about 1000 BCE, these Paleo Indians were influenced by their neighbors, evolving into the Basketmaker culture. These first settlers moved into Mesa Verde around 500 CE, building temporary stone housing on the mesas. Within 250 years, the Basketmakers had evolved into another people: the Ancient Puebloans. These communities are the direct ancestors of modern-day Pueblo peoples in the United States.
The Four Corners would be occupied for nearly 700 years, as the Basketmakers (and eventually the Ancient Puebloans) settled in the area's mesas and cliffs. In the 12th century, drought drove the Ancient Puebloans further into Mesa Verde from its surrounding areas. With the increase in population, they formed larger settlements, some of which housed hundreds of people. The Ancient Puebloans moved increasingly towards settled societies that practiced farming. Their new home had both the area needed to create large farms and water sources for both the crops and the population.
At first, the Puebloans remained on the mesas, but they eventually retreated into the canyons of Mesa Verde by the end of the 12th century. Instead of the temporary houses they had always used, the Puebloans built more permanent structures into the cliffs and canyons. They used the region's geography to their advantage, placing their structures in large spaces hidden from view. The rock in this area was soft, which the Puebloans manipulated into walls, ceilings, and walkways they would use for the next several decades.
Cliff Palace is built into one of these many alcoves. This city exists in the shade, with multi-storied buildings situated mostly out of reach of the sun to make the living area cooler. This was a good thing, because the population continued to grow throughout the 13th century. Mesa Verde had over 22,000 residents by the year 1200, and this number slowly increased throughout the century. Many of the pueblos were so large that they could hold over 100 people comfortably. In areas like Cliff Palace, multiple families usually lived together in the same building.
Unfortunately, the Ancient Puebloans would be forced out of the refuge they found at Mesa Verde by the end of the 13th century. Until 1270, rainfall dropped to its lowest levels in recent years, and a cooling phase reached the region. In this climate, crops couldn't survive. The yields didn't provide enough to feed the whole population. By the end of the 1200s, the Ancient Puebloans abandoned Mesa Verde, moving south into modern-day New Mexico and Arizona.
They left behind these cliff dwelling settlements that remained mostly undisturbed for hundreds of years. In 1888, two ranchers rediscovered the Cliff Palace after spotting it from the top of a nearby mesa. At the time of its rediscovery, the Puebloans had been long gone. They left behind a wealth of archaeological evidence that allow us to see who they were and how they lived.
One of the most beautiful places on Earth, Costa Rica is a favorite tourist destination for travelers who love the outdoors. Whether it’s lying on a beach or hiking through nature, Costa Rica has breathtaking landscapes and views that are well-worth the effort!
As much as people flock to Costa Rica today, this wasn’t the case when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. While the Europeans didn’t find this area as populated as other places in the New World, they did encounter some indigenous peoples. Legend says that the Spanish named the area Costa Rica (which translates to “rich coast”) because its inhabitants were wearing gold jewelry.
Costa Rica remained part of the Spanish Empire in the Western Hemisphere, but it didn’t have as many natural resources to make it a major draw for settlement. It achieved its independence in the 19th century, building up its own economy through cash crops. Beginning in the early 1800s, to***co, cacao, and sugar made up most of Costa Rica’s export business. These items were outdone by coffee, which was the country’s main export for nearly 200 years.
Since Costa Rica has enjoyed relative political stability – at least in comparison with her neighbors – since the mid-20th century, it has become a major tourist draw for its relaxing beaches and beautiful scenery.
The Nicoya Peninsula, with its 80 miles of clear shores, has flourished in recent years. Towns have popped up near the coast to provide housing and other services to travelers and locals alike. The Gold Coast on the northwestern side of the country, on the Pacific side, also has isolated beaches for quiet strolls with the family or your partner. This region is named Guanacaste, after Costa Rica’s state tree. Here, you can find all of Costa Rica’s environments: volcanoes, beaches, springs, waterfalls, and expanses of grassy fields.
Visiting Costa Rica also provides many opportunities for the more adventurous traveler. Have you ever been hiking on an actual volcano?! The Arenal Volcano in the Arenal Volcano National Park was one of the most active volcanoes in the world at one time, although now it is in a dormant stage. At over 5,000 feet high, it is a great place to see the gorgeous scenes that Costa Rica is known for. The park has guided tours available, or you can go exploring on your own. It is well known for its hanging bridges. These offer stunning landscape views – and a glimpse at the country’s varied wildlife - perfect for a photo op.
While these experiences are a wonderful way to spend some time off, that is not all that makes Costa Rica a favorite destination for many. Costa Ricans have a philosophy: “pura vida,” or “pure life.” Living in this tropical oasis, you can see why. The friendly locals are more than happy to teach you how to get away from it all, showing you all the great places where people go to relax.
The best time to visit is between November and June, when the rainy season is over. This makes Costa Rica the perfect winter vacation!
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The Palace of Westminster on the Thames River is the center of the British government, where Parliament holds its meetings. It is named after the nearby Westminster Abbey, the burial chapel of kings and queens, royalty, martyrs, artists, and writers – the most famous figures in British history.
The palace that stands today is actually from the 19th century. This Gothic Revival was constructed between 1840 and 1870, after an 1834 fire destroyed the palace. For this reason, the pre-1834 building is known as the Old Palace, and the New Palace is the building that stands in central London today.
The Old Palace was built on these grounds in the 11th century, where it quickly became the main residence of English monarchs. It also had chambers where Parliament would meet, beginning in the 13th century.
The Palace of Westminster remained the favorite residence of English royalty until the royal rooms burned down in 1512. While they were being repaired, King Henry VIII moved the royal household to the nearby Palace of Whitehall. It replaced Westminster as the main residence of the royal family until the end of the 17th century.
The Old Palace of Westminster was the location of one of the most infamous plots against the British crown. in 1605, the Gunpowder Plot against King James I was foiled when a conspirator, Guy Fawkes, was found under the Old Palace with gunpowder kegs and the matches to light them. The Gunpowder Plot was engineered by a group of Catholics who protested the king’s religious policies.
Fawkes was arrested and interrogated, where he admitted he was going to blow up the House of Lords. Under the order of King James I, Fawkes was brought to the Tower of London, where he was tortured into naming who else was involved. After two days of torture, Fawkes started naming names. The conspirators were arrested and tried in January 1606, where they were all found guilty. They were hanged, drawn, and quartered on the grounds of the Palace of Westminster. Fawkes had broken his neck when he was hanged, so he was saved from the pain of being quartered while he was still alive. Guy Fawkes came to represent the failed Gunpowder Plot, which is celebrated every November 5 in the UK with fireworks, parties, and bonfires.
In 1834, another fire broke out at the Palace of Westminster. Almost the entire building was destroyed, except for a few badly damaged areas. In 1840, the New Palace was designed in the Gothic Revival style, incorporating the surviving pieces of the Old Palace. The Palace of Westminster that stands today had more than 1,000 rooms, and it covers more than 1 million square feet. Although it is still officially owned by the Crown, it is the center of the British government – and one of the most popular tourist sites in London.
In central London, north of the Thames River, the Tower of London is a severe, imposing fortress that has stood in the same spot for nearly 1,000 years. Over the centuries, it has played many roles in British history, from a royal residence, a prison, a royal menagerie, and a storage facility for royal treasure. However, the Tower of London is most known as a prison, housing some of the most well-known personalities of British history.
In 1066, after the Norman conquest, William the Conqueror founded a fortress where the Tower of London stands today. William was not seen favorably by the local population, for good reason. They saw him as an oppressive despot, and William felt he needed protection from the rebellious English.
The Tower of London was expanded and added upon over the next two and a half centuries, creating the 12-acre complex that can be seen today. Mostly, the Tower was used as one of the royal residences in London, with a special area designated to hold valuables, weapons, and prisoners.
The fortress had always held members of the nobility who had been arrested, but life in captivity was generally easier for them. They could buy better accommodations, and they were allowed to have their servants and maids in their rooms. However, it would take several centuries before the Tower would be instantly associated as a prison.
From the 15th to 17th centuries, the Tower would hold its most famous residents. Two of them actually take the name of where they were held – “The Princes in the Tower.” They were the sons of King Edward IV that were last seen on the Tower grounds in summer 1483. It is generally believed they were murdered there, although their bodies have never been recovered.
Henry VIII would send some of the highest members of the nobility to their doom in the Tower. Known for his matrimonial troubles, he infamously broke with the Catholic Church to divorce his wife and marry Anne Boleyn. Henry’s longtime friend and advisor Sir Thomas More refused to go along with his attempts to form the Anglican Church, which landed him in the Tower. He was executed in 1535.
Two of Henry’s wives, Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, imprisoned in the Tower before their ex*****ons for treason. Henry used the Tower of London as his personal jail, arresting anyone who displeased him. Members of the nobility were arrested and sent to the Tower throughout the rest of the Tudor period. In 1541, Henry VIII arrested his second cousin, Margaret Pole, the Countess of Salisbury, for supporting the Catholic factions that opposed his separation from the Church. The Countess would become one of the most horrific deaths in history. An inexperienced ex*****oner botched Margaret Pole’s ex*****on, hacking away at her at least 10 times before she died.
Henry’s daughter Mary I (known colloquially as “Bloody Mary” for her ex*****ons of Protestants) sent Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days’ Queen, who had been placed on the throne by Protestant nobles, to the Tower before her ex*****on in 1554. Mary was suspicious that her Protestant sister, Elizabeth, was plotting against her, and she sent Elizabeth to the Tower, too. Elizabeth would eventually become Queen of England, reigning as Elizabeth I.
Despite all these famous prisoners, the Tower of London didn’t really reach its height as a prison until the 17th century. One famous resident was Guy Fawkes, an integral member of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 to assassinate King James I. Fawkes was held in the Tower of London, where he confessed under torture.
With such a bloody history, it is no surprise that the Tower of London is rumored to be haunted. Several people claim they have seen ghosts wandering the fortress. The lonely Princes in the Tower often appear together, running along the battlements and holding hands as they walk through the White Tower. Of course, some of the apparitions push the scale of the creepy factor. The ghost of Anne Boleyn reportedly haunts the church where she was buried, carrying her severed head. Some say they have also heard the bloodcurdling cries of the tortured Guy Fawkes in the White Tower. Margaret Pole is also said to haunt the grounds, re-enacting her bloody ex*****on upon unsuspecting witnesses.
South of Mexico City, the Island of the Dolls is not for the faint of heart. If dolls freak you out, then this creepy destination isn’t for you!
La Isla de las Muñecas, or the Island of the Dolls, is named after the dolls that hang from the trees. These dolls have been hanging from the trees since the 1950s.
After a young girl drowned, Julián Santana Barrera, the owner of the island, believed that her spirit was haunting the island. He started hanging dolls from the trees to scare her spirit away.
Hundreds of dolls still hang from the trees. They have decayed from the passage of time, giving the island an eerie feel.
Today, the Island of the Dolls is only accessible by boat. That is, if you can find someone to bring you there. Some locals refuse to approach the island out of fear of the spirits that supposedly reside there.
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