Summer 2014

As my eyes travel around the room, I am both terrified and fascinated by the USSR propaganda lining every inch of the otherwise barren space. Each item feels like a jab in my side.

When you hear the word “Bulgaria,” what comes to mind? If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you probably think of Viktor Krum. If you’re not a Harry Potter fan, you should put this article down and start reading the series.

In the Heart of the Volcano

On a clear July morning, a few of my closest friends and I left our hotel in Budapest, Hungary, in search of an adventure. We made our way across the Danube River and continued to Castle Hill, where we hunted down the unassuming sign marking the entry to the Labyrinth of Buda Castle. Not knowing what to expect, we excitedly ventured off the cobblestone street and away from the morning sun and descended a narrow staircase enclosed by dark stone walls. The stairway led us to a dimly lit corridor that looked like it came straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Our eyes had barely adjusted to the darkness when a friendly Hungarian woman greeted us and showed us where to begin our self-guided tour.

You step up into the airplane and think you’ve stepped back in time. The three strangers in line with you make a valiant effort at small talk, but no words can mask the buzz of excitement and nerves. As you duck your head and climb awkwardly into the aircraft, you’re suddenly aware of how small it really is—there’s room for only four passengers on this plane.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is credited with bringing fire to humanity, an act that enabled the bursting forth of civilization. Today, Promethean Spark is spreading fire in the lives of youth from slums, orphanages, drug rehab centers, prisons, and leprosy colonies in South America, Africa, and India.

“Sound it out. Sound it out.”

Imagine this: you’ve finally purchased your plane ticket to Vienna, Austria, and you’re leaving on your dream trip in a few months. But before you go, you want to learn a little bit of the language to help you get around.

Dr. Adams’s Antarctic Research

Tucked in the hills next to the Gila (HE-la) National Forest of southern New Mexico is a city where artists are bringing history to life. Silver City, a community rich in Native American and Mexican culture, has a Youth Mural Program that puts paintbrushes in the hands of youth who then decorate the city walls with murals inspired by local culture and history. These vibrant murals have transformed Silver City into an ideal excursion for travelers interested in art, history, and culture.

It's the middle of May, and you're being awakened by snare drums pounding outside your window. Tut . . . Rut tut tut . . . Rut tut tut tut tut.

Above: While you're catching the sun in San Francisco, make sure you check out the Aquatic Park Bathhouse for a gorgeous example of WPA-era craftsmanship. “We are definitely in an era of building, the best kind of building—the building of great public projects for the benefit of the public and with the definite objective of building human happiness.”

It’s midmorning. The sun hovers just above the trees, and the air is crisp with island humidity. Down a dirt road thick with mud and glistening from the water left by last night’s rainfall stands a 12-by-8-foot building. It is a tiny school in a village called Vunato at the edge of Lautoka, Fiji.

Every July 4, the United States celebrates its independence with barbecues, fireworks, games, and parades. Here’s a look at other independence days around the world.

It may surprise you to learn that eggplant is not what it seems: this native Indian plant is actually a fruit! Eggplant has had many uses throughout history; for example, women in ancient China created a dye out of eggplant skins to polish their teeth to a shiny gray. As more than just a tooth dye, however, this fruit is used in recipes all over the world. Here are four delicious examples.

There’s something about fondue that keeps people coming back for more. Maybe it’s the fondue forks (endless entertainment), or the ability to mix and match your favorite foods (apples and cheese, anyone?), or simply the chance to gather around a pot with a group of your favorite people to talk, to laugh, and most importantly, to eat!

The Overseas Highway connects Florida’s mainland to the Key Islands. The highway itself is impressive, spanning more than 100 miles and including 47 bridges. But beyond that, it’s a great way to see some of the best sights Florida has to offer.