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Dominican Republic: Beyond the Beach

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Sara Calvosa Olson's cookbook shares delicious recipes and stories celebrating the oak's nut.

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Asakusa Underground Street.
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Asakusa Underground Street

Tokyo, Japan

Stuck in a bygone era, the oldest subterranean shopping street in Japan hides beneath the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo.

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    Malacca, Malaysia

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    This gorgeous Peranakan mansion’s family heritage includes a century-old baby gate, which was also used to keep out irresponsible husbands.

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  • Konchu Senju-Kannon, the Insect Goddess of Mercy.

    Itakura, Japan

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    Shoshone, California

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    Rosehearty, Scotland

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    Loddington, England

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    The first German gnome who popularized the garden decoration.

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    Heinabergslón

    A little-known, yet charming glacial lagoon.

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The Extremely Enchanting, Totally Perplexing, Possibly Never-Ending Quest for the Golden Owl

For 30 years, this labyrinthine treasure hunt has had thousands of players cracking codes and digging up the French countryside. After a sudden death and bitter disputes, will the prize ever be found?

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  • Brigadier General Benedict Arnold lost the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776—as well as several of the young navy's ships, including the gunboat Spitfire—but the skirmish bought the Continental Army much-needed time in the war.

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  • Mercury, an "empty little rock," appears as a small black dot as it crosses in front of the Sun.

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    Mercury Retrograde Is Ending, and It’s Up to You How to Feel About It

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  • This vintage map, published in 1864 by H.H. Lloyd of New York, reflects anti-secession sentiment by taking secession to an extreme conclusion.

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    A Map of the 'Disunited States' Shows the Fears of Civil War–Era America

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    The Living, Breathing Brooches of the Yucatán

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  • The Ga Hiti in the Thamel neighborhood is one of many spouts that provide life-giving water to the people of Kathmandu.

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    The Lost Waters of Kathmandu Are Needed Now More Than Ever

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Beijing's Forbidden City, built in the 15th century, was constructed based on cosmological principles that endured in China for millennia.

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A Square, Flat Earth and Round Heaven Meant the World to Ancient China

For millennia, this cosmological principle guided everything from calendars to urban planning.

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September 21, 2023
  • Cartographer Antonio Zatta included Lake de Fonte on this 1776 map. It never existed.

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  • Kebaya is the first restaurant in New York to focus on Peranakan food.

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    A Secretive Food Culture Enters the Spotlight

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  • Sisters Aly and AJ Michalka didn't have many family heirlooms—so they started collecting vintage watches they could pass down.

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