One of the most remarkable parts of traveling through the Philippines is the chance to immerse myself in every aspect of culture and history. Perhaps nowhere is this fascinating blending of culture more noticeable than in the beautiful Baroque churches in the Philippines. These beautiful churches are so significant they were named one of the …
The Seven Wonders of the World is a fun list that has inspired a lot of people to look at other countries in a new light. The New Seven Wonders of the World furthered that fascination with the best natural and made-made beauty that every country has to offer. For that reason, my Seven Wonders …
If you have been paying attention to the news the last several days, you might have heard that the New 7 Wonders Foundation released their list of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. You also might remember a similar announcement a few years ago for the New 7 Wonders of the World. The New 7 …
I love beaches—what’s not to love, after all? There’s sand (or rocks), blue skies, and the sound of lapping water. What’s not in the picture for me though, are overcrowded—those places with a Hard Rock Cafe across the street and heaving thongs of half-naked beachgoers piled onto the sand. Those beaches may be beautiful, but …
From the World Heritage inscription: The town of Chichen-Itza was established during the Classic period close to two natural cavities (cenotes or chenes), which gave the town its name “At the edge of the well of the Itzaes”. The cenotes facilitated tapping the underground waters of the area. The dates for this settlement vary according …
You’ve probably heard of Liechtenstein and know that it is one of the smallest countries in the world, but how much do you really know about this tiny principality sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria? Given how few fun facts (or really any facts) most people know about Liechtenstein, we thought it was time for another …
From the World Heritage inscription for Poblet Monastery: Santa María of Poblet presents a unique blend of architectural forms generally reserved for distinct applications. It has served as one of the largest and most complete of the Cistercian abbeys, as a massive military complex, and as a royal palace, residence, and pantheon. It is a …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Historic City of Ayutthaya: The Historic City of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which time it grew to be one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site: The Ban Chiang Archaeological Site is a large, prehistoric earthen mound located in an agricultural area in the Ban Chiang Sub-district, Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province in northeast Thailand, within the watershed of the Mekong River. It is an oval-shaped mound formed …