The Shambles, York: The Most Medieval Street in England

Many houses had slaughterhouse at the back of the premises and shops at the front. The meat was hung up outside the shops and laid out for sale on the shop window. It is still possible to see some of the original butchers meat-hooks attached to the shop fronts. As recently as 1872 there were twenty-five butchers' shops in the street. The butcher’s shops have now been replaced with shops catering to visitors, including jewelry and antiques....

September 11, 2012 · 1 min · 77 words · Brooke Gonzales

5 Unfortunately Shaped Skyscrapers

Chinese news agencyXinhua reportsof a new building in Suzhou that is nearing completion. The developer of the landmark building has recently come under much criticism for the unconventional look. The eight-year construction process is expected to be completed in 2012, costing a total of $700 million. Suzhou’s Gate is not the first unfortunate piece of architecture in this world. Here are some buildings that were supposed to look magnificent, but turned out to be something embarrassing instead....

September 10, 2012 · 1 min · 197 words · Rebecca Martinez

Capsized Cruise Ship ‘Costa Concordia’ Becomes Tourist Attraction

Thousands of people queue up each day to catch a ferry that passes within meters of its submerged ship. More than six months on and the tiny isle is teeming with tourists.

September 10, 2012 · 1 min · 32 words · Jose Ford

Kolmanskop, a Ghost Town Devoured by the Namibian Desert

The development of Kolmanskop reached its pinnacle in the 1920’s with nearly 1,200 residents from some 700 families. Today the ghost town’s crumbling ruins bear little resemblance to its former glory. The magnificent houses have been nearly demolished by the wind and knee-deep sand. Kolmanskops picturesque setting provide thousands of opportunities for photographers. Numerous TV series where shot in this location including one episode of the BBC seriesWonders of the Universe....

September 10, 2012 · 1 min · 71 words · Victoria Nelson

3 Most Impressive Water Bridges Around the World

Water bridges are bridge-like structures that carry navigable waterway canals over other rivers, valleys, railways or roads. Small ships and boats ply on these waterways. Here are three of the most unusual and magnificent water bridges around the world. Magdeburg Water Bridge The Magdeburg Water Bridge in Germany deserve special mention. At 918 meters, its the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. The reunification of Germany and establishment of major water transport routes made the Water Bridge a priority again....

September 9, 2012 · 1 min · 201 words · Dr. David Phillips

Botanical Garden Inside Atocha Train Station, Madrid

Photo credit [viaHubpages]

September 8, 2012 · 1 min · 3 words · Marissa Anderson

The Great Mara River Crossing

During their journey they have to cross the perilous Mara River that lies right across their route. The migration takes place within the Serengeti- Mara ecosystem. They spend months trekking Serengeti-Masai Plains until they reach the Mara River. Wildebeest arrive at the Mara River in their tens of thousands, and gather waiting to cross. For days they wait for their brothers to arrive and the numbers keep building up. Eventually the wildebeest choose a crossing point....

September 6, 2012 · 1 min · 142 words · Valerie Pace

World’s First McDonald Restaurant

The original restaurant was named “McDonald’s Famous Barbeque” and served over forty barbequed items. The following year, French fries and Coca-Cola were added to the menu. Visitors can walk in through the back, or peek through the order windows in front. There is also a collection of vintage ads, photos and a video about McDonald’s history. Photo from the 1950’s. Circa 1955 The site of the first McDonald’s restaurant, San Bernardino, California....

September 6, 2012 · 1 min · 98 words · Jean Smith

5 Magnificent Aqueducts of the Ancient Roman Empire

The simplest, most primitive form of aqueduct was used in early Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. The aqueducts were built from a combination of stone, brick and the special volcanic cement pozzuolana. While the great archways leave a definite impression, the bulk of the Roman waterway system ran below ground. Channels bored through rock, or dug below the surface carried water where it was convenient and possible. Here are 5 of the most well preserved aqueducts of the ancient Roman Empire....

September 4, 2012 · 2 min · 234 words · Autumn Wright

Long Exposure Firework Photographs by David Johnson

Johnson toldThe Colossalabout his method: The technique I used was a simple refocus during the long exposure. Each shot was about a second long, sometimes two. The shapes are quite bizarre, some of them I was pleasantly surprised with. Some of the little stems looks like deep sea creature, tells Johnson. it’s possible for you to see more pictureson this page.

September 4, 2012 · 1 min · 61 words · Suzanne Parker

Britain’s Telephone Box Libraries

In 2002 there were 92,000 BT phone boxes on the streets of Britain. The figure has now fallen to 51,500, while just 11,000 of these are traditional red phone boxes. But for many towns and villages, the phone box is part of the community’s history and identity. They are landmarks and an important part of the scenery and character of the village. People just don’t want to have an empty space where the phone box once stood....

September 3, 2012 · 1 min · 112 words · Michael Gould

Chefchaouen, the Blue City of Morocco

Chefchaouen is a small charming city of about 40,000 inhabitants located in northeastern Morocco near the Mediterranean Sea. Chefchaouen was painted blue by the Jewish refugees who lived there during the 1930’s. It is this beauty and the relaxed atmosphere of the town that makes Chefchaouen very attractive to visitors. Another reason why backpackers love Chefchaouen is the easy availability of drugs. Tourism in Chaouen is driven by its reputation as center of the marijuana plantations region in North Morocco....

August 29, 2012 · 1 min · 179 words · Amber Maldonado

Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe–Chapel on a Volcanic Plug

This original sanctuary and two of the apsidoles still survive today. The 10th-century frescoes were repainted in the original style and more were added.

August 29, 2012 · 1 min · 24 words · Randall Gibbs