The island of Hydra – less than two hours south of Athens by ferry – offers the ideal Greek island experience. But those who come here with an agenda should be warned … this is the kind of place that makes you want to buy a bottle of ouzo and toss your itinerary into the … Read more
If you haven’t already fallen in love with the majestic Matterhorn and the town of Zermatt, travel pro Rick Steves explains why you should. I have a confession: I’m in love with the Matterhorn. There’s just something about this triangular peak of Disneyland fame – the most recognizable mountain on the planet. Just seeing it … Read more
A Holy hermit, possibly Guglielmo of Malavalle on a wall painting in Siena, Italy (1330–1337) – Credit: Dr Krisztina Ilko A scorched cherry twig miraculously sprouting; a diseased swamp restored to ‘peak fertility’; healing the broken leg of an ox; and multiplying cabbages. These are just some of the forgotten medieval miracles of the Augustinian … Read more
A modern tatami room – credit, Filiz Elaerts on Unsplash Western admirers of Japanese aesthetic are keeping afloat tatami craftsmen in Japan, where modernity and maintenance requirements are driving down interest in this artisanal form of flooring. From Europe to the US and even in the Middle East, eager importers of tatami mats now account … Read more
– credit Riky Speaking two or more languages is associated with a reduced risk of accelerated aging, according to data from more than 86,000 people across 27 European countries. It’s yet another great reason to learn a new language, or bring up a child in a bilingual household. Previous research has proposed that multilingualism can … Read more
The Habsburg private jewels – credit, Habsburg Heritage Familienschmuck Nasuna Stuart-Ulin © A collection of jewels belonging to arguably Europe’s greatest ever royal dynasty is now set to go on display to the public for the first time in over 100 years. The jewels, including one of the largest cut diamonds in the world when … Read more
A roadway near Timgad – Credit Itiner-e, Artas Media, MINERVA. It was said that all roads lead to Rome, but from where do all the roads to Rome lead? Using a mountain of data, a team of two dozen scientists have created a digital road atlas of the Roman imperial world, complete with many features … Read more