Royally strange facts about the Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles, situated just over 12 miles (20 km) from the center of Paris, is world-famous for its stunning opulence. Around 10 million people visit the palace every year, averaging over 27,000 people per day, and yet many secrets and anecdotes have been kept relatively quiet since Louis XIV first commissioned André Le Nôtre to design the intricate grounds back in 1661. The palace has everything: grand halls, ornate furniture, priceless works of art, gardens filled with diverse plants and flowers, illustrious fountains, and more. But what makes it so rich is the history of it all, as it was passed along several rulers, played a huge role in the French Revolution, and preserves the opulence of the 17th- and 18th-century palace life. Within the many walls are a host of funny stories, bizarre facts, and fascinating quirks that you probably didn’t know about, so click through the following gallery and get acquainted with one of the most incredible palaces in the world.
2023-08-09T15:12:40Z
Rare snapshots of the Venice Film Festival in its vintage heyday
The International Venice Film Festival, founded in 1932, is the world's oldest film festival and one of the big European three, alongside Cannes and Berlin. The annual movie showcase attracts some of the biggest names in world cinema: A-list actors, actresses, and directors, as well as a wealth of celebrity artists, entertainers, and musicians. Some of the most memorable editions of the festival took place during the 1950s and early 1960s during Hollywood's Golden Age, when familiar big-screen heartthrobs from America rubbed shoulders with the finest and most respected names working on the continent. In this gallery, let's reload the camera and admire these rare snapshots from previous editions. Click on for more.
2023-09-01T11:04:06Z
Slow cities: what they are, and where to find them
The city life isn't for everyone. For some, the energy, excitement, and growth of the world's major cities are attractive characteristics, but for others it sounds like a nightmare. Many cities in the world also pose environmental threats, destroying the wilderness with unchecked development projects, producing tons of trash each year, and inviting a car-centered culture that creates massive clouds of smog. Thankfully, there are a group of towns and small cities that have banded together under the guidelines of Cittaslow and have pledged to actively fight all the negative impacts that urbanization can bring. These areas, called "slow cities," are the perfect locations for anyone who prefers life at a slower pace in a greener place. Read on to learn about just a few of the many slow cities around the world.
2024-01-16T15:02:59Z
The Old West's most wanted criminals
The American Frontier of the late 1800s and early 1900s is known as the Old West, a time and place romanticized for its freedom and feared for its violence in equal measure. Often referred to as the Wild West, this era saw an abundance of outlaws who made a living by robbing banks, stealing from trains, and ambushing stagecoaches. Some of these gunmen became legendary figures, their stories forever etched in American folklore. However, it's important to remember that most of these individuals were ruthless and brutal, living up to their reputations as dangerous gunfighters. These bandits, villains, fugitives, gunslingers, and desperados were some of the most wanted outlaws of the Wild West. Click through the gallery to get started. Click through the gallery to see them all.
2023-12-19T12:20:41Z
How extreme heat is impacting tourism
Sweltering summers are becoming commonplace across Europe as climate change is well and truly taking hold. In July 2023, Greece faced the longest heat wave on record, lasting 16 days, and in June 2024, Italy issued level 3 heat alerts, the highest level, for the Italian cities of Rome, Perugia, and Palermo. Figuring out how the travel industry can adapt to the rising temperatures is becoming a bigger issue for countries in southern Europe, many of which rely on tourism. If you'd like to know how heat waves are impacting the travel industry, click through this informative gallery now.
2024-08-07T09:15:32Z