Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations

The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

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The Twisty History of Montreal's Outdoor Staircases

Immigrants, artisans, economics, and the Catholic Church all played a role.

Laura Kiniry December 7, 2022

The Race to Make Alternative Lobster Bait

As the fishing industry grapples with declining herring and mackerel, could sausage be their savior?

Moira Donovan December 6, 2022

Podcast: Library of Congress Hair Collection

Locks from everyone, from Ludwig van Beethoven to Ulysses S. Grant.

The Podcast Team December 6, 2022

Is 'Mele Kalikimaka' Really the Thing to Say on a Bright Hawaiian Christmas Day?

Podcast: Fendika Cultural Center

Rediscovering Calabria's Mystical White Olives

Give the ultimate holiday gift!

The Explorer's Library box set

The Silk Road of Central Asia

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan

May 7–23, 2023

From $5,680 USD

+ 3 other dates

Monuments of History: Journey Through Bulgaria

May 6–15, 2023

From $3,470 USD

Dive into one of Europe’s oldest countries as we explore ancient civilizations and marvel at otherworldly relics of a communist utopia that never came to be.

+ 1 other date

Underground Greece: Ghost Cities & Sinking Ships

Oct 9–17, 2023

From $3,974 USD

Explore the ghost cities, abandoned industrial buildings, and mountain villages scattered throughout the rugged region of Peloponnese in search of a truer, more contradictory Greece.

Scottish Highlands: Clans, Castles, & Cèilidhs

May 6–13, 2023

From $6,560 USD

+ 3 other dates

Oaxaca: Tastes of Past & Present

Jan 20–26, 2023

From $3,480 USD

Join us as we explore the indigenous flavors, contemporary cuisine, and rich history of Oaxaca—meeting local chefs, artisans, and historians along the way.

+ 6 other dates

Lisbon: Tracing the Roots of an Imperial Cuisine

May 15–21, 2023

From $4,540 USD

Journey beyond the city’s tiled buildings and narrow streets to discover the long legacy and vibrant presence of culinary inventiveness in Lisbon.

+ 3 other dates

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Robertsport Ghost Ship

After several weeks of radio silence, this abandoned oil tanker washed up on a remote beach in Liberia.

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Destination Guide

London, England

Destination Guide

Marrakesh, Morocco

Destination Guide

Mexico City, Mexico

Destination Guide

New York

Destination Guide

São Paulo, Brazil

Destination Guide

Tokyo, Japan

Galway, Ireland

Kilmacduagh Monastic Settlement

The ruins of a monastery that dates to the 7th century.

Fort McClary State Historic Site

Despite its extensive history, this fort saw little to not combat.

Carefree, Arizona

Carefree Sundial

Once disputed as the largest sundial in the world.

Morrison, Colorado

Morrison Natural History Museum

A tiny town’s tiny museum with some gigantic residents.

Sölvesborg, Sweden

Sölvesborgsbron (The Sölvesborg Bridge)

One of the longest footbridges in Europe.

Nida, Lithuania

Nida Ethnographic Cemetery

An extensive collection of some of the oldest grave markers in Lithuania.

How to Read a Landscape: Botany & Ecology With Annie Novak

Starts Thu, Dec 8

Historical Nonfiction: Research-Based Writing With Hadley Meares

Starts Sun, Dec 11

$195 per person

+ 3 other dates

Bee-licious: Taste Honey Like a Sommelier With Marina Marchese

Starts Mon, Dec 12

$220 per person

All the Small Things: Crafting a Miniature Abandoned Room With Amanda Kelly

Starts Wed, Dec 14

$225 per person

A Lockpicking Practicum With Schuyler Towne

Starts Thu, Dec 15

$255 per person

Playing for Keeps: Designing Keepsake Games With Shing Yin Khor

Starts Tue, Dec 20

$215 per person