Cultural Heritage: Architecture
“Cities are the greatest creation of humanity.” -Daniel Libeskind
The structures that surround us have helped shape and form almost every aspect of life. From the great iconic buildings and monuments around the world, almost every traveler will experience a structure that will leave an indelible impression in the mind. From marvelous ancient buildings that define our history to modern ones that inspire the imagination, exploring architecture is an inescapable part of almost any journey.
Far-east in Turkey: Sanliurfa city
By Tania BanerjeeA flood of flat-roofed buildings stands in sharp contrast to the blurry outlines of the distant hills. A chaos of dish TV antennas rules the rooftops. Several minarets of mosques stab the horizon. In southeastern Turkey, just 56 kilometres away from the Syrian border, from the window of my accommodation, … Read more Read more
Middle East Architecture History
What to See and Do at Windsor Castle
By Ali JenningsMost people know Windsor Castle as the venue for the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, swiftly followed by the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, but there’s far more to Windsor Castle than just royal matrimonial events. With a history spanning more than 1,000 years, Windsor … Read more Read more
United Kingdom Family Travel Architecture The Arts
Why You Should Visit Coventry at Least Once in Your Life
By Ali JenningsCoventry doesn’t feature much on most people’s travel bucket lists. It’s a city that is known predominantly for being razed to the ground during the Second World War and then rebuilt in questionable design. It regularly makes the list of the least liked places in the UK. But things have … Read more Read more
United Kingdom Architecture History The Arts
TODAY IN HISTORY: Dedication of the Empire State Building (May 1, 1931)
New York City’s Empire State Building was dedicated on this day in 1931. The iconic building was designed by the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb and Harmon using earlier designs, for the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Construction began on January 22, 1930. The Empire State building’s spire was … Read more Read more
North America Architecture History
City of David, Namibia, Tasting Sicily
Entrance wall to the City of David in Jerusalem, Israel. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick World Footprints will explore Biblical history at the City of David, Namibia’s political, economic and natural landscape and small town treasures that offer a taste of Sicily and more. According to Hebrew tradition, the area outside of … Read more Read more
The World Adventure Religious Travel Architecture History
TODAY IN HISTORY: Inauguration of the Eiffel Tower (March 31, 1889)
Along with the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid, there may be no more instantly recognizable man-made structure than the Eiffel Tower, inaugurated on this date in 1889. The grand tower was built for the Universal Exhibition held that year in celebration of the French Revolution. The project began in 1884 … Read more Read more
Europe Architecture History
A Visit to the Marrakech Medina
By Ana Astri-O’ReillyThe reddish-pink ramparts around the Marrakech medina enclose a thousand years of history. The Almoravids, a confederation of Berber tribes, conquered North Africa and Muslim Spain in the 11th and 12th centuries and established Marrakech as their capital. The new city became a thriving political and economic center, as well … Read more Read more
Africa Architecture The Arts
Five Reasons to Visit Taipei
By Ali JenningsWhen planning a trip to Asia, not many people consider Taiwan as part of their itinerary. But this small island off the coast of China has a lot going for it, in particular, the capital city Taipei. For a relatively small capital city – it has a population of just … Read more Read more
Asia Religious Travel Architecture Food & Drink
Exploring in and around Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal is a beautiful, warm, affordable place to visit. Think of breathtaking views of red rooftops for miles on end, watching the sun set over the wide river Tagus while sipping a beer, perusing the streets of the old town and admiring the mosaic walls. Lisbon possesses so much … Read more Read more
Europe Architecture
TODAY IN HISTORY: Leaning Tower of Pisa closes (Jan. 7, 1990)
The cathedral in Pisa has a free-standing bell tower on which construction began August 9, 1173 and took 117 years to complete. Built on a small foundation in soft soil, however, the massive tower soon began to tilt and over the centuries came to be know as the Leaning Tower … Read more Read more
Europe Architecture History
Taj Mahal Ticket Prices Hiked
One of India’s most iconic and exquisite attractions the Taj Mahal has for years drawn increasing numbers of tourists. Over the years, millions of tourists have traveled to Agra, India to soak up the beauty of the 17th- century mausoleum, now more than ever because of the greater accessibility to … Read more Read more
Asia Architecture
Tenerife Off the Beaten Track: Five Ideas to Escape the Crowds
By Diana CondreaThe volcanic island of Tenerife, the largest and most diverse of the Canary Island Archipelago, is a fabulous year-round destination with record-breaking numbers of visitors each year. With over six million tourists in 2017, Tenerife, known as the island of the eternal spring for its year-round warm temperatures, is one … Read more Read more
Spain Off the Beaten Path Architecture
The Leaning Tower of Pisa Defies Its Name
Can you imagine planning your next adventure travel or luxury travel to Italy and finding that the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is no more? Well thankfully, experts and geologists have seen to it that this will not come to be for years to come. Over the past 20 years, … Read more Read more
Europe Architecture
Documenting and Preserving Japan’s Samurai Castles
When we think of Japan we generally recall the unique Manga culture, cherry blossoms, bonsais, sushi and the list goes on… However, Japan’s unique samurai castles are architectural treasures that should not be overlooked and must be preserved for historic value. Structures like the Hikone Castle, known as “Water Castle”, … Read more Read more
Asia Architecture Preservation
TODAY IN HISTORY: Washington National Cathedral (Sept. 29, 1907)
Construction on the Washington National Cathedral was begun on this date in 1907. Located at Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues in Washington, DC, the National Cathedral is a Gothic edifice belonging to the Episcopal Church USA. President Theodore Roosevelt presided over the laying of the foundation stone and construction continued for … Read more Read more
North America Architecture History