1871: Great Chicago Fire Over 250 people died and 17,000 buildings were destroyed in this fire, allegedly started by a cow kicking over a lantern. Just a few buildings survived, including the Historic Water Tower and Pumping Station. Great Chicago Fire of 1871 1885: First Skyscraper Though just a measly – by today’s standards – … Read more
A glorious example of Medieval architecture on a truly grand scale, this former Benedictine abbey church stands on the south side of Parliament Square. Founded in the 11th century by Edward the Confessor, it survived the Reformation and continued as a place of royal ceremonials. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was held here in 1953 and … Read more
Museum District– Pinakotheken Together, the Alte and Neue Pinakothek and the Pinakothek der Moderne house the city’s major painting collections . Vase with Sunflowers (1888) by Vincent van Gogh, Neue Pinakothek Deutsches Museum The largest museum of science and technology in the world . Bayerisches Nationalmuseum One of the largest museums in Europe for art, … Read more
Buckingham Palace overlooks two of London ‘s most central Royal Parks – St James’s and Green Park – and is just a short walk from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Along with the other London parks, these provide year-round pleasure and an invaluable retreat for all who live, work and visit the city. Many offer … Read more
Of all the lakes in Munich’s lake region, Starnberger See is the most popular, being practically on the city’s doorstep. It is also the largest body of water in the region – 21 km (13 miles) long, 5 km (3 miles) wide, and up to 125 m (415 ft) deep – and offers attractive spots … Read more
Sony Center One of Berlin’s largest new structures is the spectacular Sony Center. Neue Nationalgalerie This impressive low building with its huge windows was built in 1965–8 according to plans by Mies van der Rohe. It was the first building to be designed by the pioneering Bauhaus architect after his emigration to the USA. He … Read more
Monorail replacement buses operate between Seattle Center and Westlake Center: Mon–Fri 7am–7pm, Sat–Sun 9am–9pm Space Needle Seattle’s modern architectural identity began with the Space Needle, designed by John Graham and Company, for the 1962 World’s Fair. The three pairs of beams supporting the spire lie buried 30-ft (8-m) underground, and have secured the 605-ft (185-m) … Read more
Brandenburger Tor More than a mere symbol, the Brandenburg Gate is synonymous with Berlin . Schloss Charlottenburg This palace boasts Baroque and Rococo splendours and a beautiful park, making it one of the most attractive in Germany . Schloss Bellevue Built according to plans by Philipp Daniel Boumann in 1785–90, this palace was the residence … Read more
Native American Roots Archaeological records date the first inhabitants of the Seattle region to 11,000-12,000 years ago. Tribes included the Suquamish, Duwamish, Nisqually, Snoqualmie, and Muckleshoot, who, despite their harsh environment, evolved into complex societies that traded with other tribes. Denny Party In 1851, Chief Sealth of the Duwamish Tribe greeted Arthur A. Denny and … Read more
Mission Dolores The 18th-century Spanish mission, site of the area’s earliest settlement, is worth a visit for its tranquility, as well as for the education it provides about the city’s early history . Jackson Square The area that witnessed the worst misbehavior of the Barbary Coast days contains some of the city’s oldest, loveliest buildings. … Read more
BC: The Founding of a City Barcino, as the city was first known, was founded in the 3rd century BC by Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca. It was taken by the Romans in 218 BC, but played second fiddle in the region to the provincial capital of Tarragona. 4th–11th Centuries: Early Invasions As the Roman Empire began … Read more
Native Americans There were settlements in the Bay as early as the 11th century BC, made up of hunters and gatherers who enjoyed a rich diet of seeds, shellfish, and game. Historians group these peoples into the Coast Miwok, the Wintun, and the Ohlone. Sir Francis Drake In 1579, the English privateer landed near Point … Read more
Barcelona’s sleek contemporary art museum looms in bold contrast to the surrounding area. Together with the nearby Centre de Cultura Contemporània (CCCB), the Museu d’Art Contemporani (MACBA) has provided a focal point for modern Barcelona since its opening in 1995, and, has played an integral part in the rejuvenation of El Raval. MACBA’s permanent collection … Read more
Features of Mr. Washington’s Farm 16-Sided Treading Barn With this unique design, George Washington created one of the most aesthetically pleasing and yet efficient working barns. The circular floorplan of the building with its slatted upper floor allowed horses to tread over grain placed on the floor to break the heads from the stalks. The … Read more
Few churches are such perfect primers on Roman art and architecture. Masters from the Early Renaissance (Pinturicchio, Bramante), High Renaissance (Raphael) and Baroque (Caravaggio, Bernini) exercised their genius in all disciplines here: painting, sculpture, architecture and decoration. It’s also one of the few churches with major chapels still intact, preserving the artworks that together tell … Read more
Fun Things to Do Around Niagara Fort George This historic British fort, built in 1796, was a key defense post during the War of 1812 between Britain and the US . It has been restored to the period with replica buildings and costumed staff. Niagara-on-the-Lake Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm daily Adm Fort George Casino Niagara Those … Read more
This graceful mansion, on the banks of the Potomac River, is the second most visited historic residence in America after the White House. George Washington spent part of his childhood here and returned after his presidency. With many of the buildings and activities brought back to life, no other place better portrays the character of … Read more
Spend a Night at the Opera Cantonese opera might sound like discordant screeching to the untrained ear, but make no mistake, this is a fine and ancient art. It combines song, mime, dancing, martial arts and fantastic costumes and make-up and can go on for six hours or more. Ride on a Junk We’ve all … Read more
One of the world’s most famous natural attractions, the great arcs of hissing, frothing water crashing over cliffs 20 stories high is a dazzling spectacle. Drifting spray adds to the excitement of being near the edge of a stomach-churning drop. The 173-ft- (53-m-) high Canadian Horseshoe Falls is the mightiest of the three cataracts that … Read more
Palazzo Altemps Collection Garden of Delights Loggia The loggia frescoes (c.1595) are a catalogue of the exotic fruits, plants and animals then being imported from the New World. Athena Parthenos The 1st-century BC Greek sculptor Antioco carved this statue to match the most famed sculpture in antiquity, the long-lost Athena in Athens’ Parthenon. “Grande Ludovisi” … Read more