Compass
World Footprints will talk to intrepid travelers, explore America's Natural Parks and endangered World Heritage Sites, and we'll pay a visit to the Philippines and Northern Florida. First, the Congo's Virunga National Park has been ensnared in bloody conflict for years but National Geographic Explorer correspondent, Justin Hall, discusses whether this vast natural resource can uplift the Congo's fortunes. This park is unique with its active chain of volcanoes and rich diversity of habitats that surpass those of any other African park Then, hear about what lies "Beyond the Horizon" with author and traveler Christopher Many, who has taken some unconventional means to traveler around the world. Also, we welcome back television personality and former Travel Channel host, Samantha Brown, who has joined forces with AARP to celebrate the centennial of the U.S. National Park Service. Finally, Dr. Mechtild Rossler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center joins World Footprints to discuss [...]
On June 24, 1374, a bizarre and mysterious phenomenon swept through the town of Aix-la-Chapelle, Germany—a sudden outbreak of "dancing mania." Also known as "St. John's Dance," this strange affliction saw people compulsively break into wild, frenzied dancing that could last for hours, even days, until they collapsed from sheer exhaustion. The cause of this unusual epidemic remains a mystery, but the mania quickly spread across Europe, affecting towns in Italy, Luxembourg, and France.
On June 3, 1982, Memphis, Tennessee earned its place as the unofficial "Royal Capital" of the United States when Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland mansion opened its doors to the public. The estate, once the private home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, became a pilgrimage site for fans and history buffs alike. Visitors to Graceland now have the chance to explore the rooms and memorabilia of one of music's greatest legends. For those curious about the history and significance of Graceland, the video below provides an in-depth look at the mansion and the life of Elvis Presley.
With summer looming, Andalucía should be on top of your potential holiday destinations. Located on the south of Spain, the Andalucía region is renowned for having the hottest average temperatures in Europe. It has a diverse landscape, with a mountainous region on one side and the Mediterranean coast on the other. It is easy to tour the entire region because most of the attractions are 2 to 4-hour-drive apart. Here are the top 6 cities in the south of Spain that should be on the top of your list. Malaga Malaga is the hometown of the world's renowned artist, Pablo Picasso. It’s no surprise that the city has several fascinating galleries and generates an artsy vibe. Historical sites are also in abundance, including the Moorish fortress of Alcazaba, the 11th-century Gibralfaro Castle, and the Roman theatre. The cuisine is just as good as the history and tradition in Malaga. Locals [...]
Ever wondered what it would be like to walk on the ceiling? Now you can experience it for yourself at one of Shanghai's most unique attractions. Situated in the Fengjing Ancient Town, the upside-down house has become a magnet for tourists since it opened, offering a mind-bending adventure that challenges your sense of balance and perception.
Imagine an island with stunning, pearl-white beaches and opulent hotels, a place that once attracted Hollywood royalty and symbolized the glamorous jet age of the 1960s. This Mediterranean haven was none other than Cyprus, a destination synonymous with the term “jet set”—a nod to the wealthy elite who could afford the luxury of fast international travel.
Jalisco is the seventh largest state of the 32 states in Mexico. It is rich in history and considered to be the true Mexico since many of the cultural characteristics of the country (Mariachis, the sombrero, Mexican Hat Dance, tequila) originated there. While touring the state we enjoyed a playful swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery in Puerto Vallarta and spoke to a resident veterinarian about how Dolphin Discovery is at the forefront of marine life conservation.
After the movie 300 came out in 2006, the story of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE became globally recognized. As a result, almost everyone knows about the 300 Spartans who died trying to hold back the Persian Empire’s 300,000-strong army on its way to conquer Greece. It forever cemented Thermopylae as a place where ancient soldiers made history by overcoming overwhelming odds. But just how close is this fictionalized account to the actual events that took place in Thermopylae? Frank Miller himself admits that his story isn’t accurate as he took a lot of liberties in his epic comic-book and movie retelling of the battle. After all, 300 is categorized under historical fantasy, and rather than an authentic retelling of history, it uses the battle to tell a fantastical tale that enhances the history. However, this isn’t to say that the actual details of the Battle of Thermopylae aren’t interesting. While historical fiction [...]
Six months after the devastation wrought by hurricanes Irma and Maria, how is the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico faring? According to a recent account by The New York Times’ Jada Yuan, in an article titled, “The Suffering and Spirit of San Juan,” the island is trying to show the world’s it is back in business and ready for tourists, though it continues to struggle.
Today we’ll go on some remarkable adventures and we’ll review the history of friendship between the United States and Japan. Mary Anne Potts has worked in the adventure travel editorial space for more than eleven years. She started on the editorial staff of National Geographic Adventure magazine in 2001 and has moved up the ranks from there. She has run the magazine’s website and also launched its social media presence. Mary Anne continues to run Adventure as a standalone digital brand for National Geographic and includes her National Geographic Adventure blog which Outdoor Magazine recognized as No. 3 within its Top 10 List of Adventure blogs. Richard Wiese has been called the modern day Indiana Jones. He is a world-class explorer and host of ABC’s new program, Born to Explore. As an explorer and field scientist Richard has traveled to all seven continents. From tagging jaguars in the Yucatan jungles [...]
World Footprints is broadcasting from Sochi, Russia where we have just arrived for the country’s first ever Winter Paralympic Games. Before we left the United States, however, we caught up with Taylor Imus, a young journalism student from Ball State University (BSU) who traveled to Sochi with other BSU student journalists. She shared her Olympic experience and some helpful insights into this city that has gained tremendous international attention.
Join World Footprints as we explore Lynchburg, Virginia's history on an art and architectural tour including spotlight stops at the Point of Honor historic home and the Riverviews Artspace.
