Compass

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.

According to GP Times, travelers who are trying to returning home following their Chinese New Year celebrations are facing some unexpected travel challenges due to the weather and limited transportation modes.

World Footprints continues to have a wonderful time in Sochi, Russia as the city plays host to the country's first ever Winter Paralympic Games.

In one of her last interviews, the late Dr. Maya Angelou spent time with us to share her early life, lessons learned along her adult journey and golden nuggets of wisdom.

Award-winning travel writer and photographer David Noyes has learned to experience the world through more than his lens and pen.  He says that in order to appreciate our world we must investigate a destination as part of the human condition.  His new book, The Photographing Tourist, David shows us remote places around the world and he offers tips that well help anyone develop the well-trained eye of a travel photographer.

Rio de Janeiro (named a top place to visit by Museuly) is a city of vibrant neighborhoods and districts. We wanted to experience the city’s culture and history up close so we embarked on an exploration of Rio by foot.

Keep an eye out for that chicken crossing the road—and no, we still don’t have a solid answer to the classic riddle. But in England, pet chickens have taken a fashionable and practical turn by wearing brightly colored safety vests to stay visible to drivers. While chickens roaming in urban areas might seem unusual, the number of people keeping them as pets has steadily increased, leading to creative solutions for keeping the birds safe. These high-visibility jackets, often seen in fluorescent pink or neon yellow, are designed to make pet chickens more noticeable to motorists as they cross streets or wander near roads. The trend has gained popularity among urban chicken owners who want to protect their feathered friends from road hazards, ensuring drivers can spot them more easily. Urban chicken-keeping has been on the rise in England, with more people embracing the trend of having chickens as pets for [...]

One way that residents of Vancouver Island really connect with the outdoors and wildlife is through the Marmot Refuge located close to Nanaimo.