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National Llama Day
National Llama Day
Strap on your hiking boots because it"s National Llama Day! December 9 is a designated day to appreciate these intelligent and trainable creatures. You"ll need to visit the Andes Mountains to see their wild cousins, guanacos. Guanacos are believed to have originated in the central plains of North America 40 million years ago, but they gradually migrated to South America. Scientists think llamas descended from guanacos and were first domesticated around 4500 BCE.Desktop Version
Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Surely one of the grandest stores found in any city is the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. It"s not just a place to shop but a destination as popular as any in the City of Light. At a time when department stores are fading and the entire retail industry is shifting, the Galeries Lafayette holds fast. It has survived financial crises, wars, and now the internet, remaining a celebrated part of life in Paris. Like Macy"s or Rockefeller Center in New York, the Galeries Lafayette is synonymous with the holidays. A giant fir is decorated every holiday season under the store"s signature stained glass dome—a ritual of Christmas cheer that Parisians have embraced for generations.Desktop Version
A splash by the sea
A splash by the sea
You wouldn’t know there’s a highway behind these beaming blue pools, and that is just what architect Álvaro Siza Vieira intended. At the young age of 26, Álvaro Siza designed these Piscinas das Marés (Pools on the Beach). His creation has become a Portuguese national landmark and is praised for the way the pools blend into the landscape from some perspectives, and show a harmonious blend of nature and artificiality from others. The design respectfully floats the pools between the soft sands of the beach and the rocky outcrops that have been here long before 1966, when the project was completed. The shapes of the pools simultaneously follow and oppose the natural lines of the terrain that surround them, a masterful balance that foregrounds the beauty of each, as well as the entirety of the scene Álvaro Siza has helped to set.Desktop Version
Bryce Canyon National Park turns 100
Bryce Canyon National Park turns 100
As the sun rises on Bryce Canyon, its snow-capped red rock formations start to glow. These slender towers are called hoodoos, and Bryce Canyon National Park has the highest concentration of them anywhere on Earth.Desktop Version
Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Experience nature"s palette at its colorful best at Zelenci Springs, where Italy, Austria, and Slovenia meet, and multiple springs combine to form this aquamarine lake. Here in Slovenia’s Triglav National Park, these crystal-clear waters are the source of the Sava Dolinka, which runs into the country’s longest river, the Sava. Peer closely at the lakebed and you will see tiny springs bubbling up beneath the water"s surface. These spring waters never freeze as underground water temperatures stay around 41 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to keep flowing through harsh winters in this alpine region.Desktop Version
World Elephant Day
World Elephant Day
These giants are the largest land animals on Earth, African bush elephants, which can reach 13 feet in shoulder height and weigh as much as 11 tons. They are one of three living species of elephant, alongside their smaller relatives, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. Their immense size is not the only incredible thing about them. Studies suggest that elephants can recognize themselves in the mirror and that these mammals display emotions such as grief when they lose family members. World Elephant Day—held on August 12—was set up to admire them but also to highlight the difficulties they face. Amboseli National Park in Kenya—where this photograph was taken—is one of the few remaining habitats where African elephant herds can still be found in large numbers.Desktop Version
Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
With more than 600 curves and numerous one-lane bridges, it"s best not to relax too much while navigating Hawaii"s famous Road to Hana. It"s hard to stay focused though, as the road winds its way through lush surroundings over 64 miles along the northern coast of Maui, from Kahului to Hana. Make a few stops along the way to get the best views of the rainforests and waterfalls that line the route. Popular attractions include the Waikamoi Ridge Trail, the easily accessible Twin Falls, and the black sands of Wai"ānapanapa State Park.Desktop Version
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Legend has it that tea was first brewed accidentally around 2737 BC in China thanks to a strong wind and some loose leaves. If you find that hard to swallow, there are other origin stories to choose from. However, one thing is certain—the feeling it stirs in tea drinkers worldwide. From gongfu tea practice in China to darye in Korea, there are plenty of fascinating tea cultures to savor. Tea tourism has gained popularity, with visitors to tea plantations and estates learning all about their history. Our homepage image shows one such place, Nuwara Eliya"s Edinburgh Estate in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya"s colonial-era buildings and mist-shrouded tea gardens have earned it the name "Little England." The area is known for producing some of the world"s finest orange pekoe tea. So, for your next trip, are you willing to "chai" something new?Desktop Version
Mute swans
Mute swans
These proverbial "ugly ducklings" are anything but. Soon, they will indeed grow up to become graceful swans. The young mute swans, called cygnets, are sheltered under mom"s tail feathers in the Massapequa Preserve on Long Island, New York, a tranquil oasis in the suburban sprawl of Nassau County.Desktop Version
Mitsumata blossoms
Mitsumata blossoms
Stress seems to melt away when you gaze at this serene forest protecting the mitsumata blossoms below. While the flowering buds are beautiful in their natural state, the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha) has so much more to offer. Originally brought from China to Japan by monks, the green plant is now a staple of Japanese papermaking and one of three principal ingredients in washi, traditional Japanese paper. No wonder, then, that it"s also known as the Oriental paperbush. Mitsumata washi is dense and holds ink well—it"s a favorite of artists and calligraphers—and sheets of mitsumata paper are also used in traditional shoji screens.Desktop Version
Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Hungary is a country blessed with stunning landscapes and a host of historic castles. From the opulent Buda Castle in Budapest, with its commanding views of the Danube, to Eger Castle, renowned for its heroic defense against the Turks, each site has a story to tell.Desktop Version
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
May the Fourth be with you! The "Star Wars" universe has captured the imagination of fans for decades and its impact, like the "Force," is all around us. The original 1977 film introduced us to a galaxy far, far away, a cast of unforgettable characters, and a gripping battle between good and evil. Its reach has since extended to television, books, comics, theme parks, thousands of products, and a day of its own to celebrate the much-loved sci-fi franchise.Desktop Version
Lake Peipus, Estonia
Lake Peipus, Estonia
Lake Peipus, the fifth-largest lake in Europe, dates back hundreds of millions of years to the Paleozoic Era and is known for its sand dunes, which can "sing" when the wind blows just right. In the winter the frozen lake surface may feature ice hummocks, as seen in this image. The hummocks are caused by slow, uneven pressure in the ice pack.Desktop Version
Heavens Gate Cave, Tianmen Mountain National Park, China
Heavens Gate Cave, Tianmen Mountain National Park, China
The rock arch formation you"re looking at today is Heaven"s Gate Cave, a popular landmark in Hunan province, China. This busy tourist destination is located on Tianmen (Heaven"s Gate) Mountain in Tianmen Mountain National Park. To reach the arch, you must either ride a cable car or take a bus up a twisty, winding road with 99 turns. (The number 9 represents eternity in Chinese numerology.) Once off the bus, you"ll need to walk 999 steps up a 45-degree incline—a stairway to the heavens. It"s no easy feat, but this is no ordinary cave. At an elevation of 4,100 feet, the arch is 440 feet high and 180 feet wide.Desktop Version
Bear Hole Brook, Catskill Mountains, New York
Bear Hole Brook, Catskill Mountains, New York
Stretched over 4,000 square miles in upstate New York, the Catskill Mountains captivate visitors with their breathtaking beauty. Towering peaks cloaked in forests surround valleys filled with meandering streams like Bear Hole Brook, seen in today"s image. The region boasts hiking trails that wind through enchanting woodlands, past waterfalls and lakes while motorists can enjoy scenic drives and spot the region"s covered bridges, dating from the 1800s. The Catskills also hold a place in cultural history, attracting artists and dreamers and as the fictional setting for the movie Dirty Dancing—which was actually filmed in Pembroke, Virginia. With other attractions including ski resorts and picturesque small towns and hamlets, visitors continue to flock to the Catskills, a huge wilderness within driving distance of more than 20 million Americans.Desktop Version
Misool Island, Indonesia
Misool Island, Indonesia
You may think finding a tropical paradise that"s still largely untouched by people is merely a pipe dream. You may be wrong. Raja Ampat, an archipelago in the province of West Papua, Indonesia, has a mere 64,000 inhabitants, and they all live on or around its four main islands—Batanta, Misool, Salawati, and Waigeo. (In fact, the name Raja Ampat means "Four Kings" and derives from an ancient legend that says four young kings were hatched from dragon eggs, one ruler for each of those main islands.) The rest of Raja Ampat is made up of about 1,500 smaller islands and cays—and astonishingly, hundreds of these tiny islands have yet to be explored by humans.Desktop Version
The Girl Scouts celebrate 110 years
The Girl Scouts celebrate 110 years
Today we"re celebrating 110 years of the Girl Scouts! Sure, we enjoy their cookies every year, but with so much history behind the organization, the Girl Scouts deserve merit badges for more than just the Thin Mint. On March 12, 1912, founder Juliette Gordon Low brought an outfit called the Girl Guides stateside from England after befriending the founder of the scouting movement there. The first American troop had 18 girls participating. Low designed activities to allow girls to serve their communities, experience the outdoors, and develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. Those skills would be useful on the camping expedition seen in today"s photo. These girls can be seen along the shore of Todd Lake at the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon in 1960.Desktop Version
What s cuter than nuzzling rhinos?
What s cuter than nuzzling rhinos?
Today is World Rhino Day, and to celebrate we"re in South Africa, the home of the majority of the planet"s white rhinos. In the wild, these majestic animals are grazers, with wide, square upper lips perfect for feeding on the grasses of African savannahs. The two-horned white rhino is one of five living rhino species, along with the black, greater one-horned, Sumatran, and Javan rhinos. White rhinos, like the mother and offspring you see nuzzling here, have seen their numbers dwindle due to poaching and shrinking natural habitats.Desktop Version
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona
Stunning sandstone cliffs rise from the desert floor amid spectacular scenery here in Sedona, Arizona, also known as Red Rock Country. Adventure enthusiasts come to enjoy the beautiful trails that dot the region, which is also steeped in Native American history. The earliest settlers are believed to have been the Ancestral Puebloans, who inhabited the area around 1,400 years ago. Without any written history, most of the information about these ancient people comes from the archaeological ruins that remain, including cliff dwellings built under overhangs in the area"s red sandstone rocks. Other Native American groups came to the area such as the Hakataya, the Hohokam, the Sinagua, and the modern-day tribes that live in Arizona today, the Tonto Apache and the Yavapai.Desktop Version
Waimea Canyon and Waipoo Falls, Kauai, Hawaii
Waimea Canyon and Waipoo Falls, Kauai, Hawaii
The water pictured crashing down the side of Waimea Canyon, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, has come from one of the rainiest places on Earth. Waipo"o Falls is fed by water from Mount Wai"ale"ale, a shield volcano whose name means "overflowing water." The mountain is often shrouded in clouds and experiences a huge amount of rainfall each year—which helps explains those spectacular rainbows.Desktop Version
Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
Carved into rose-red cliffs, Petra and its crown jewel, Ad-Deir, or "The Monastery," feel like stepping into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure. Tucked in the heart of Jordan"s arid desert landscapes, this ancient city once thrived as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom in the 2nd century BCE. It was also a hub of the spice trade, connecting distant regions like China, Egypt, Greece, and India. The city was abandoned for around 500 years before being rediscovered in 1812, earning it the "Lost City" moniker.Desktop Version
A fair that s star-studded
A fair that s star-studded
Meet Texas Star, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in North America and a big attraction at the State Fair of Texas. Built in 1985, it sends riders so high that on a clear day they can see the Fort Worth skyline, about 40 miles away. Since 1886, locals and visitors have come to Dallas" historic Fair Park for food, rides, shows, and other attractions. About 100,000 people a day now visit the fairgrounds to experience the array of activities and treats, from the largest new car show in the Southwest to a bevy of culinary delights. You can try deep-fried shepherd"s pie, fried beer, or something called deep-fried skillet potato melt. Awards are given to the tastiest concoctions. But the fair"s flavor extends beyond food. The purpose is to promote Texas agriculture, education, and community. There"s plenty to do after exploring and sampling one-of-a-kind bites, including live music, pig races—and don"t forget to ride the Texas Star. This year, the State Fair of Texas runs through October 20.Desktop Version
An ice cap-puccino
An ice cap-puccino
No, that"s not a new frozen coffee drink from Starbucks; it"s the southern polar ice cap on Mars. Mars is the only other planet in the solar system with visible ice caps, though they differ from Earth’s because the ice caps on Mars consist of both water ice and frozen carbon dioxide. The ice cap looks smooth here, but its surface is pockmarked with swiss-cheese-like depressions caused by the seasonal freezing and melting of the Martian winters and summers. While Mars has been observed by humanity for thousands of years, it was only on August 13, 1672, that Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens observed the ice cap using the most powerful telescope of the day. The giant of science designed the 50x magnification telescope himself, and with his brother, produced the lenses as well.Desktop Version
International Polar Bear Day
International Polar Bear Day
Today we"re heading north for International Polar Bear Day. This event is the perfect time to learn more about the world"s largest bear species and the threats they face. Polar bears are native to the Arctic and can be found in Alaska, Russia, Greenland, and Svalbard. They"re also found in Canada—like the cub in today"s image, photographed in Churchill, Manitoba.Desktop Version
Umschreibung by Olafur Eliasson in Munich
Umschreibung by Olafur Eliasson in Munich
Making a New Year"s resolution to boost your fitness? Let us present National Take the Stairs Day. (You"re welcome.) The annual event began informally in 2016 and was later adopted by the American Lung Association. It"s an ingenious way to nudge people to exercise—most of us encounter stairs during our day, so there"s really no excuse. Climbing stairs is a low-impact activity that raises your heart rate and burns calories.Desktop Version