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Finding Treasure in Washington, DC

May 04, 2020 12:00 AM
Have you ever wanted to steal the Declaration of Independence? We’ve all watched Ben Gates and his friend Riley Poole use a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence to find ancient hidden treasure while racing against time and gun-toting treasure hunters. We may not be able to steal the Declaration of Independence or speak with the FBI, but we can visit where it all happened: Washington, DC.
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Finding Trolls in Norway

December 06, 0020 12:00 AM
Even the most unimaginative minds can be inspired by the stunning vistas Norway offers. Norwegian landscapes are full of life—and I’m not talking about the living vegetation, crawling insects, and woodland animals.
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The Great Silk Road

December 04, 0020 12:00 AM
The first silkworm is said to have been discovered by the Chinese empress Leizu around 4000 BC when a silkworm’s cocoon fell into her teacup. The hot tea loosened the fibers, and Leizu was enchanted with the soft, strong thread as she wound it around her fingers. As if she were unwrapping a present, Leizu was rewarded at the end of the thread with a silkworm and learned for the first time the source of this remarkable material.
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Step Into American Colonial Life

October 06, 0020 12:00 AM
Compared to Europe, there are few places in the United States that are deeply rooted in history; after all, the US is a comparatively young country. But Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia has ties to nearly every famous Revolutionary War figure, and the town still feels like it did over two hundred years ago. Walking the cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsburg literally feels like stepping into history. All the workers are in colonial dress, made from on-site materials and with authentic weaving processes. So many people are in era-appropriate attire that it almost feels out of place to wear jeans. The tour guides in each destination spot are incredibly knowledgeable in their craft and deliver all their information in character. There are no cars in Colonial Williamsburg, even for the people that live on-site. It’s all horse-drawn carriages and buggies (and if you ask nicely, the coachmen will let you pet the magnificent horses). Across Colonial Williamsburg’s 301 acres are over 80 original buildings housing many historic tradesmen, with lots of hands-on experiences for tourists. There is a brickyard, carpenter’s yard, garden, courthouse, armory, printing press, and farm. (Quick tip for the kids: at the brickyard, you can take off your shoes and stomp in the red mud!) As you wander along the streets, you might be lucky enough to watch a group of musicians perform.
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Jacmel: The City of Light

June 15, 0019 12:00 AM
Whether you’re a music nut, a film fanatic, or a beach bum, Jacmel, Haiti, is the place to go. The city became a tourist retreat in 1980, and even though tourism dropped off after the 1990s and 2000s due to things like the 2010 earthquake, Jacmel has since been rebuilt and thrives as the cultural capital of Haiti. Plus, that makes it the perfect getaway for someone who wants to take a trip into a world that’s a little less avant-garde.
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The Libraries of Your Dreams

October 31, 0018 12:00 AM
We love books because they take us around the world, into the past or future, and beyond the limits of reality. True book lovers don’t mind toting around their current read. Doing so allows them to prop open their current book and read through a few more pages whenever a moment presents itself—whether it be waiting in line at the store, relaxing during a lunch break at work, or stealing a couple minutes away from a boring class lecture. But it’s not just the books that capture your imagination; libraries can play a big part, too. Take a look at these three incredible libraries around the world, and maybe even spend a minute or two daydreaming about plopping down among the shelves and reading the day away. All of these libraries are open to the general public, so, if you get the chance, one day you can make that daydream a reality!
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Wandering Forgotten Lands

October 17, 0018 12:00 AM
Down the street and around the corner from some of the most famous holy sites in the world, a little abandoned village goes almost unnoticed. Lifta is a collection of forsaken stone buildings just off the edge of West Jerusalem, but it was once a thriving Palestinian settlement. This is a place that was affected by the Palestinian exodus of 1948, called the Nakba. Now walls that once sheltered families have crumbled, ceilings have caved in, and trash has littered the bushes and cracked floors. A rusty and broken truck stays parked in the tall grass, never to be driven again. With the bordering modern city and beautiful architecture such as the Chords Bridge clearly visible from the ruins, a stark difference between past and present can be felt. The houses of Lifta were deserted less than a hundred years ago, and now somehow walking among what’s left of them is like wandering through a dystopian, apocalyptic world.
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The Dignity They're Due: Respectfully Photographing Memorials of Tragedy

April 10, 0018 12:00 AM
Visiting memorials is a meaningful part of travel for many people. While some of these memorials might seem like the perfect locations for cute Instagram or Facebook photos, remember that memorials require respect. Here are a few tips for taking interesting, respectful photographs with memorials of tragedy.
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See Yellowstone First: America’s Wonderland through the Lens of Early Tourists

April 07, 0018 12:00 AM
By 1907 the United States was burgeoning with an appetite for travel, a desire whetted by the accurate depictions of places from around the world brought into the home by the commercial success of photography. With the expansion of the railroad, the frontier of the plains and the Rockies was a few days’ journey from the East Coast. The phrase went around, “See Europe if you will, but see America first!” Yellowstone National Park was branded as a characteristically American destination—America’s Wonderland.
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Holy Emblems: The Symbolism in Sacred Gothic Architecture

April 07, 0018 12:00 AM
As you walk into a Gothic church, the ethereal atmosphere is immediately evident. The reverent hush and the dark stonework lit by brilliantly colored stained-glass patterns of light create this aura that is completely unique to sacred Gothic architecture. Most people, whether seasoned or amateur travelers, are relatively familiar with Gothic churches. But the symbolism hidden within these centuries-old structures is often lost on visitors. Gothic churches were built with symbolism incorporated into every element. While each building differs slightly in terms of symbolic components, every symbol allows the visitor to have an enlightened and almost otherworldly experience.
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The “Something to Remember” City

February 26, 0018 12:00 AM
If you are looking for a fun and exciting vacation, look no further than San Antonio, Texas. For years, tourists from around the world have been traveling to this city to explore its authentic Texas culture. There is so much to see in San Antonio—but make sure you put these sites on your itinerary.
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Swedish Engineering

February 13, 0017 12:00 AM
My grandpa is Swedish; my grandma, English. Whenever his wife would start reminiscing about the glories of the motherland, my Papa, a lifelong chemist, would always reply, “But you’ll never meet an English inventor. Bunch of druids. The Swedes invent things.” Whether or not you’ll ever meet an English inventor, the Swedes are known for their pioneering spirit--just look at Anders Celcius, who invented the 100 point temperature scale, or Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite and founded the prizes named after him. In particular, Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, is a thriving hub where Swedish ingenuity is housed.
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The Kimono: An Icon for the Ages

October 01, 0016 12:00 AM
Kimonos are the ultimate icon of Japanese culture. From the Asian-inspired tops at the trendy clothing chain Forever 21 to Madonna’s vibrant red garb in her 2009 music video and even to Van Gogh’s works inspired by the Land of the Rising Sun, it’s no secret: kimonos are all the rage.
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Toothy Traditions

October 01, 0016 12:00 AM
Losing a tooth is a highly anticipated milestone for young kids. Not only does it mean that they are growing, but the event may also involve an exciting cultural tradition.
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Back to the Blueprint

October 01, 0016 12:00 AM
At the center of the small town of Chartres, a ninety-minute train ride away from Paris, sits a towering cathedral. This edifice, completed in the thirteenth century, has been the center of controversy because of a decision made in 2009 to renovate it. This is not the simple, patchwork maintenance performed on many old monuments; the cathedral’s once gloomy interior, blackened by centuries of use, is currently being painted a sunny, pale yellow. The paint job is part of a monumental attempt to restore the cathedral to its medieval appearance. But the renovation has inspired polemical responses.
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Hope Rising From The Dust

June 30, 0016 12:00 AM
A place can tell a million stories. A building, the landscape, the ground beneath your feet seem to absorb all of the emotion—the pain, the anger, the suffering—of the past. Sometimes if you just stand still and try to listen to the voices of history, you’ll hear them tell their tales. Sometimes, when a place bears a million stories, a million voices wash over you—all begging for you to listen to their story.The House of TerrorOne of the most visited buildings in Budapest is the House of Terror museum. Initially, this building had a relatively unassuming exterior, but because of its gruesome history as a palace of torture throughout World War II and the Cold War, it is now adorned with a metal awning with the word “terror” cut out of it. It has since been turned into an informative and moving museum with exhibits that educate patrons on the horrors that occurred within the building. The House of Terror is located in the middle of Budapest, between busy streets. Photo by Chris Price. ccThe House of Terror terrorized Hungarians for decades across two political regimes. During World War II, it was home to the Gestapo-like Arrow Cross. At that time, many Jews were held and later executed there. In addition to the terrible atrocities that occurred in the House of Terror during World War II, what happened afterwards during the Soviet Era was just as brutal, more widespread, and lasted many more years. Much of the terror described in the museum refers to this second period—much less known to most Westerners—when the secret police imprisoned approximately one person from every third family in Hungary. Many of these prisoners were tortured and some were murdered.The rooms in the House of Terror are decorated to tell the stories of those who were imprisoned, tortured, and murdered. One room explains how hundreds of thousands of Germans were deported from their homes in Hungary, and Hungarians from other Eastern European countries were forced to resettle in Hungary. Other rooms display Soviet propaganda and also show how those who attempted to practice their religion were mistreated.Near the end of the tour, a dark elevator lowers visitors to the basement while showing videos of what happened to some of the unfortunate souls who were imprisoned there. The chilling scene in the basement induces agonizing sympathy for the victims that once suffered as they awaited unfair death sentences while housed in incredibly small cells.The last few exhibits of the museum—featuring the glorious and long-awaited celebrations that took place when the Soviets left in 1991—entice sighs of relief as they provide a hopeful ending to the tragic history of the building.Pearl HarborNo trip to Hawaii is quite complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor to pay respects to the fallen sailors of 1941. In the midst of a beautiful island paradise are the various memorials commemorating the sacrifice of those who fought to protect the naval base when it was attacked.On December 7, 1941, just before 8:00 a.m., Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor, the home of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. The fighting lasted around two hours, but the ambush resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 American sailors. During the attack, the USS Arizona exploded and sank, taking those aboard down into the harbor with her. Pearl Harbor walkway over a see-through floor allows visitors to see sunken ships. Photo by JEB. ccVisitors today can take a short boat ride to a memorial standing over the wreckage of the USS Arizona, which is the most moving part of the exhibits and other monuments erected in honor of the fallen sailors. Standing by the railings of the structure, visitors can look into the aquamarine water and can clearly see different parts of the sunken ship. This evidence of tragedy creates an ambience of great reverence that washes over visitors as they realize that this is a watery grave, a marine cemetery to those who died here. Guests who look closely can see an unnaturally colored shimmer to the surface of the water near the ship. The ship still leaks oil and gives the surrounding water a permanent sheen—a perpetual reminder of the tragedy that occurred here almost 75 years ago. Yet the shining sun of a gorgeous Hawaiian day fills visitors with a sense of hope that we can bury our sorrows and move forward.The Killing Fields of CambodiaOnly nine miles away from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, lies a shrine made of around 8,000 skulls and skeletons—victims of the Khmer Rouge. In what would otherwise be a series of unassuming fields, the bones of only a fraction of the political regime’s victims serve as a grim reminder of the region’s troubled past. To remember the atrocities of the Cambodian Genocide, Cambodians have filled commemorative shrines and sites with skulls. Photo by istolethetv. ccImmediately after the end of the Cambodian War in 1975, a communist regime known as the Khmer Rouge took power. Over the regime’s four-year rule, the leader of the group, Pol Pat, and his Khmer soldiers carried out a mass genocide. In a short timeframe, the regime murdered an estimated 1.7 million people—around 21 percent of the Cambodian population.Nearby the fields is the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide, which was where most prisoners were held before they were executed in the fields. The building was formerly a school, but when the Khmer Rouge took control, the sounds of children playing happily turned to anguished screams of the tortured. Similar to the horrific camps of the Nazis in Europe just thirty years before, Tuol Sleng became a prison, a center of torture, a lab of cruel medical experimentation, and a factory of execution.The pictures and exhibits inside the museum are shocking, but there is little that can compare to the sight of the thousands of skeletons arranged in the fields to pay tribute to those slain there. The sheer number of skulls on display stuns visitors into a silent, somber mood. A slow walk through the fields triggers thoughts of the suffering, the pain, and the anguish of those killed in Tuol Sleng. All of it is almost overwhelming. In this warm, tropical country, these fields have been marked by death. But as tourists return to the bustle of Phnom Penh, they witness a country of people who have not forgotten their grief but have chosen to move past it and look toward a bright future.Auschwitz The Polish city of Oswiecim is the somber location of one of the greatest tragedies in all of mankind’s history. Some 37 miles away from Kraków lie the infamous three compounds that make up the dreaded Auschwitz. Auschwitz detainees were kept behind barbed wire so they could not escape. Photo by Bill Abbott.The well-known gate with the words reading Arbeit Macht Frei (“work will set you free”) greets all who enter the first camp. As with many of these sites, the various buildings in the camp have been turned into exhibits to tell the tale of those who were interned there. Throughout the buildings are huge collections of personal possessions the Nazis stole from the prisoners: shoes, suitcases, glasses, combs, pots, and pans. Some of these collections fill enormous storage containers but represent only a fraction of what was taken—perhaps a few days or a week’s worth of stolen goods.By far, the most unforgettable exhibit is the huge room of human hair, cut from those murdered in the gas chambers. Even visitors with no familial or personal ties to the Holocaust are moved to tears by the sheer magnitude of the suffering that occurred there.Occasionally, groups of Jewish teenagers join together to honor their ancestors by singing in Hebrew while visiting the different sites. Their youthful voices of today mix with those of the past in a chorus of emotion.Visiting tragedy-stricken sites invites a somber reverence for the suffering and sacrifices of those who lived there. Being where these victims spent some of their last moments connects the present with the voices of the past. As you tour these sites, look at their pictures, read their names, and hear their stories. Listen as their voices speak to you through the rising dust.—Tiffanie AbbottFeature photo by Bill Abbott.
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Heceta Head Lighthouse

January 07, 0016 12:00 AM
We’d had good weather the previous two days, high clouds with frequent blue sky and sun peaking through, but then we drove south on Highway 101 from Newport, Oregon, that afternoon of the third day. Our luck ran out and we got the normal spring conditions, low clouds blocking our view of everything except rain on the windshield. We were due back in Eugene, fifty miles inland, that evening. It looked like this last part of our trip might be a bit of a bust. Still, our older son told us that he wanted to see at least one lighthouse as long as we were out here by the ocean, so we took a chance and turned off at the sign for the Heceta Head Lighthouse.
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Cincinnati: A Home Run Destination

December 10, 0013 12:00 AM
The first boomtown in America’s heartland was none other than Cincinnati, Ohio. Although it was quickly surpassed in size by the urban sprawl of Chicago, Cincinnati remains a gateway to some of America’s most fascinating historical monuments and cultural landmarks.
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