Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Interactive Website Shows Cleanest, Dirtiest European Beaches]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/interactive-website-shows-cleanest-dirtiest-european-beaches/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/interactive-website-shows-cleanest-dirtiest-european-beaches/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/interactive-website-shows-cleanest-dirtiest-european-beaches/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

beaches, Cyprus
Wikimedia Commons
It's getting to be that time of year again. People are heading to the beaches, especially around the Mediterranean.

Now choosing one has been made easier by a new interactive website by the European Environment Agency. The agency has released its 2012 figures for water quality of 23,511 "bathing waters." The website has them broken down by country and region. While most are beaches, popular inland swimming areas such as lakes are also included.

Some countries do better than others. Cyprus may be in economic doldrums, but 100% of their beaches have clean water. Slovenia, the subject of an upcoming series here on Gadling, gets equally high praise for its narrow strip of shoreline.

Scientists examined samples of water over several months in 2012, looking for evidence of pollution. It turns out 93 percent of sites had at least the minimum standard set by the European Union. The worst countries were Belgium, with 12 percent substandard swimming areas, and The Netherlands, with 7 percent.

Interactive Website Shows Cleanest, Dirtiest European Beaches originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachbeach resortbeach resortsbeach vacationbeach vacationsbeachesBeachResortBeachResortsBeachVacationBeachVacationsBelgiumCyprusEEAenvironmentenvironmentalEUEuropean Environment AgencyEuropean UnionEuropeanEnvironmentAgencyEuropeanUnionHOllandmediterraneanNetherlandpollutionsciencescience newsScienceNewsSloveniaswimmingwaterwater pollutionwater qualitywater safetyWaterPollutionWaterQualityWaterSafetyWed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jim Henson Will Get His Own Gallery In NYC's Museum Of The Moving Image]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/jim-henson-will-get-his-own-gallery-in-nycs-museum-of-the-movin/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/jim-henson-will-get-his-own-gallery-in-nycs-museum-of-the-movin/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/22/jim-henson-will-get-his-own-gallery-in-nycs-museum-of-the-movin/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Jim Henson
Eva Rinaldi
The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City has announced it will build a special gallery devoted to the art of Jim Henson.

Jim Henson's family has donated nearly 400 puppets, costumes, props, and other objects to the museum. They include items from all of his major projects such as "The Muppet Show," "Sesame Street," "Fraggle Rock," "The Dark Crystal" and others. The biggest stars included in the collection are Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Elmo, Ernie, Bert, Count von Count, Gobo Fraggle, the Swedish Chef, and Statler and Waldorf.

The 2,200 square-foot exhibition space will also feature storyboards, scripts, and video clips.

The new gallery will open in the winter of 2014-15. It will cost $5 million to build and has already received $2.75 million for the City of New York.

Jim Henson Will Get His Own Gallery In NYC's Museum Of The Moving Image originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart newsArtNewsJIm HensonJim Henson Companyjim henson studiosJimHensonJimHensonCompanyJimHensonStudiosmoviemoviesMuppetsMuppetShowmuseummuseum newsMuseum Of The Moving ImageMuseumNewsMuseumOfTheMovingImagemuseumsNew YorkNew York CityNew York City attractionsNew York City tourismNew York City travelNewYorkNewYorkCityNewYorkCityAttractionsNewYorkCityTourismNewYorkCityTravelWed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Could Bahrain Become The Next Big Heritage Tourism Destination?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/could-bahrain-become-the-next-big-heritage-tourism-destination/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/could-bahrain-become-the-next-big-heritage-tourism-destination/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/21/could-bahrain-become-the-next-big-heritage-tourism-destination/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bahrain, Dilmun
Desert Island Boy, flickr
The tiny Persian Gulf island nation of Bahrain is home to one of the most mysterious ancient civilizations of the Middle East.

Archaeologists have long known about a civilization called Dilmun. It's mentioned in many Mesopotamian texts as a wealthy place of "sweet water." Even the Epic of Gilgamesh mentions it, but all the sources were vague about its location.

It wasn't until the middle of the 20th century that excavations in Bahrain uncovered impressive cities and temples and proved that Dilmun was located there. Archaeologists found that Dilmun had been an important center for the Persian Gulf trade route that flourished between the Mesopotamian civilizations in what is now Iraq and the Indus Valley in southern Asia around 2000 B.C. Dilmun's trade connections also extended to civilizations in Oman, Turkey, and Syria.

Dilmun owed its importance for being one of the few spots to get fresh water along the route. Ships would stop there to rest and fill up on supplies, and Dilmun became an important player in world trade.

Now the Bahraini government is looking to make Bahrain a destination for heritage tourism. Of the two UNESCO World Heritage and five tentative sites in Bahrain, five belong to the Dilmun civilization. One of the most important, the ancient city of Saar, is now undergoing restoration after a recent excavation. The BBC reports that Bahraini archaeologists have shifted their efforts from excavating more of the site to developing it for tourism and exhibiting the many artifacts they've uncovered, such as this seal dug up near Saar.

Gallery: Ancient Dilmun

Dilmun period (3200-320 BC) burial chambers at SurINfant burial jar from DilmunCylindar seal found in Bahrain, c. 2350-2200 B.C.Arad Fort form the 15th century AD is a more

Continue reading Could Bahrain Become The Next Big Heritage Tourism Destination?

Could Bahrain Become The Next Big Heritage Tourism Destination? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient historyAncientHistoryArab SpringArabSpringarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewsBahrainBahrain tourismBahrain travelBahrainTourismBahrainTravelDilmunheritageheritage tourismHeritageTourismhistoric preservationHistoricPreservationhistoryManamamanama bahrainManamaBahrainmiddle eastmiddle east tourismmiddle east travelMiddleEastMiddleEastTourismMiddleEastTravelmuseummuseumsPersian GUlfpersian gulf statesPersianGulfPersianGulfStatespreservationUNESCOUnescoWorldHeritageSiteUnescoWorldHeritageSitesworld heritageworld heritage listworld heritage sitesWorldHeritageWorldHeritageListWorldHeritageSitesTue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Say Goodbye To Olive Oil Bottles In European Restaurants]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/say-goodbye-to-olive-oil-bottles-in-european-restaurants/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/say-goodbye-to-olive-oil-bottles-in-european-restaurants/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/20/say-goodbye-to-olive-oil-bottles-in-european-restaurants/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

olive oil
Wikimedia Commons
It's an old tradition here in Europe: sit down for a meal and at the center of the table is a little bottle of olive oil for using on your bread and other food. In the finer restaurants you'll often get a dipping bowl too.

Now the Guardian reports that the European Union has banned serving olive oil in anything but sealed, throwaway containers. The EU says this is to stop fraud, claiming some restaurants substitute cheaper olive oil than what they advertise, a bit like how some bars put cheaper brands into their top-shelf liquor bottles. In fact, few restaurants actually advertise which olive oil they're serving.

The new move is also supposed to improve hygiene, although of course it will increase the amount of trash restaurants produce.

Several newspapers are lambasting the move, saying it's pointless meddling by a bloated bureaucracy that should be tackling the economic meltdown. The move has already passed, however.

So the next time you go to Europe, your authentic local meal will be a little less authentic.

Say Goodbye To Olive Oil Bottles In European Restaurants originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eatingEUEU newsEuNewsEuropeEurope newsEurope tourismEurope travelEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionEuropeNewsEuropeTourismEuropeTravelfine diningFineDiningfoodolive oilolive oil bottlesOliveOilOliveOilBottlesrestaurantrestaurantsMon, 20 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iconic London Skate Park May Be Turned Into Chain Of Shops]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/iconic-london-skate-park-may-be-turned-into-chain-of-shops/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/iconic-london-skate-park-may-be-turned-into-chain-of-shops/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/iconic-london-skate-park-may-be-turned-into-chain-of-shops/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


A famous skate park on the South Bank of London may be turned into yet another stretch of retail sameness.

Underneath the Southbank Centre, which is home to several performing arts centers, is a covered area that looks like a cross between a cellar and an overly graffittied parking lot. It's been a meeting ground for skateboarders for 40 years. Every day you can see them doing tricks on the concrete ramps and benches while tourists and locals stop to watch and take photos.

Now the Southbank Centre wants to use the skate park as retail space to fund its new Festival Wing. It's offered to turn an area under a nearby bridge over to the skateboarders, but the local skateboarding community has rejected this, saying the new place wouldn't have the same history or sense of tradition. They've started the Long Live Southbank movement and launched an online petition to save the skate park that's garnered more than 38,000 signatures. They've also filed a request to the government to make it a protected community space.

While I'm not a skateboarder and am only in London part of the year, I'd be sad to see this place go. I've always enjoyed strolling along the South Bank. There's an open, lively feel to it that you don't get in most parts of the city, and the skate park is a big part of that. I always stop to watch the skateboarders do their thing. It's obvious that this place is important to them in a way that it isn't to me, and I don't want their community to lose it.

Iconic London Skate Park May Be Turned Into Chain Of Shops originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EnglandEngland tourismEngland travelEnglandTourismEnglandTravelLondonLondon tourismLondon travelLondonTourismLondonTravelskaingskate parkskateboardskateboarderskateboardersSkateboarderVideoskateboardingskateboardsSkateParkSouth BankSouth Bank LondonSouthBankSouthBankLondonUKSun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raha Moharrak Becomes First Saudi Woman To Climb Mt. Everest]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/raha-moharrak-becomes-first-saudi-woman-to-climb-mt-everest/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/raha-moharrak-becomes-first-saudi-woman-to-climb-mt-everest/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/raha-moharrak-becomes-first-saudi-woman-to-climb-mt-everest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Raha Moharrak
Raha Moharrak

Raha Moharrak has become the first woman from Saudi Arabia to climb Mt. Everest when she made it to the summit yesterday after a grueling climb.

The 25-year-old climber first had to convince her family to allow her to make the attempt, and then had to undergo rigorous training to climb the world's tallest peak. She was part of a four-person team called Arabs on Top of the World. The team also includes Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, the first Qatari, and Raed Zidan, the first Palestinian to make the attempt. Masoud Mohammad, an Iranian, is also on the expedition.

The team is working on a rotation system with other expeditions, so the men are currently trying to make the ascent.

The team isn't only making history; they're also making a difference. They're trying to raise $1 million for educational projects in Nepal. A donate button can be found on their website. This is a cause near and dear to Moharrak's heart. She's currently a graduate student in Dubai.

Raha Moharrak Becomes First Saudi Woman To Climb Mt. Everest originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventureradventurersadventuresAdventureTraveladvenutre outdoorsAdvenutreOutdoorsarabarab womenarabsArabWomenclimberclimbersclimbingEverestMount Everestmount everest newsmountaineermountaineeringMountaineersMountEverestMountEverestNewsmt everestMtEverestNepalNepal newsNepal tourismNepal travelNepalNewsNepalTourismNepalTravelRaha MoharrakRahaMoharrakSaudiSaudi ArabiaSaudi womenSaudiArabiaSaudiWomentrekkingSun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Preservation Group Wants To Save Civil War Battlefield]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/preservation-group-wants-to-save-civil-war-battlefield/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/preservation-group-wants-to-save-civil-war-battlefield/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/19/preservation-group-wants-to-save-civil-war-battlefield/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Civil War
Wikimedia Commons "Cavalry Charge Near Brandy Station, Virginia," a drawing by Edwin Forbes, 1864
A preservation group is trying to protect the site of the largest cavalry battle in North America.

The Civil War Trust has announced it has nearly reached its $3.6 million goal to preserve 56 acres of the site of the Battle of Brandy Station. The plot includes Fleetwood Hill, which was the center of the battle and the location of the Confederate headquarters.

On June 9, 1863, Union cavalry crossed the Rappahannock River and attacked the Confederate cavalry under the legendary general J.E.B. Stuart. A swirling battle of some 20,000 horsemen ensued and while the Union troops eventually retired, they had proven themselves. Before this, both sides saw the rebel cavalry as superior. The Battle of Brandy Station began to change that perception.

The Trust's press release quotes historian Clark "Bud" Hall as saying that Fleetwood Hill is "without question the most fought over, camped upon and marched over real estate in the entire United States. This unpretentious little ridge has seen more military activity than any other piece of ground in American history."

The Civil War Trust only needs to raise another $193,000 and they have matching funds from the American Battlefield Protection Program and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Donations can be made here. Considering the site's historic importance, it's certainly a better way to donate money than supporting someone's Kickstarter vacation.

Preservation Group Wants To Save Civil War Battlefield originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bandy StationBandyStationbattleBattle of Bandy StationbattlefieldbattlefieldsBattleOfBandyStationbattlescavalryCivil WarCivil War battleCivil War battlefieldcivil war battlefieldscivil war battlesCivil War Historycivil war sesquicentennialCivil War TrustCivil War VirginiaCivilWarCivilWarBattleCivilWarBattlefieldCivilWarBattlefieldsCivilWarBattlesCivilWarHistoryCivilWarSesquicentennialCivilWarTrustCivilWarVirginiaConfederate cavalryConfederateCavalryhistorymilitarymilitary historyMilitaryHistoryUnion cavalryUnionCavalryVirginiaVirginia tourismVirginia travelVirginiaTourismVirginiaTravelwarSun, 19 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official To Chinese Tourists: 'Be Quiet, Don't Spit']]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/18/official-to-chinese-tourists-be-quiet-dont-spit/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/18/official-to-chinese-tourists-be-quiet-dont-spit/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/18/official-to-chinese-tourists-be-quiet-dont-spit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chinese tourists
Kim Traynor
A senior official in China has urged Chinese tourists to improve their behavior, the South China Morning Post reports. Vice-Premier Wang Yang said the "breeding" of some Chinese tourists leaves something to be desired and there are problems with them, "talking loudly in public places, jay-walking, spitting and willfully carving characters on items in scenic zones."

Mr. Yang is backing up his warning. He made the comments at a meeting where the Communist Party passed a law that will allow travel companies to cancel their contracts with tourists who "violate social ethics." While the wording is vague, it basically means tour companies can send embarrassing guests home.

Needless to say, this bit of news is causing much snickering in the Western press, but personally I haven't noticed that Chinese tourists are any ruder than any other kind of tourist. Having lived in tourism epicenters such as Madrid and Oxford, I've seen plenty of Chinese tour groups and never witnessed any spitting. The only bit of obnoxiousness I saw was a group walking through Oxford with a tour leader giving her spiel on a megaphone. Yeah, passing through the dreaming towers of academe with a bloody megaphone. The Oxford police must have put a stop to it because I never saw it again.

Considering that the Chinese come from a culture where international tourism is a very recent phenomenon, I think on the whole they behave quite well. As China reaches out into the world, however, the government has become increasingly image conscious, doing such PR blitzes as putting on grandiose Chinese New Year's shows in places like the Estonian capital Tallinn, a city with only a tiny Chinese population.

So congratulations to Mr. Yang for being overly cautious. If only David Cameron would tell the English not to go on drunken stag trips. If only Barack Obama would tell Americans to not be so damn loud and arrogant. Yes, these stereotypes only apply to a small minority, but it's those obnoxious few that we tend to remember.

Official To Chinese Tourists: 'Be Quiet, Don't Spit' originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 18 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChinaChina newsChinaNewsChinese Communist PartyChinese tour groupchinese tour groupsChinese tourismChinese touristsChinese travelChineseCommunistPartyChineseTourGroupChineseTourGroupsChineseTourismChineseTouristsChineseTravelCOmmunistcommunist partyCommunistPartycultural differencesCulturalDifferencescultureop-edopinionopinion-piecerude touristrude touristsRudeTouristRudeTouriststour grouptour groupsTourGroupTourGroupstourismSat, 18 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Archaeologists Digging At Lincoln Castle Uncover Early Christian Community]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/archaeologists-digging-at-lincoln-castle-uncover-early-christian/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/archaeologists-digging-at-lincoln-castle-uncover-early-christian/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/archaeologists-digging-at-lincoln-castle-uncover-early-christian/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lincolnshire County Council
Archaeologists excavating at Lincoln Castle have discovered the remains of an early Christian community, according to a Lincolnshire County Council press release.

The team, which was digging inside the castle to clear the way for an elevator shaft, found the remains of a church that dates back at least 1,000 years. Inside a sealed niche in the wall they found human bones. They had been wrapped in finely woven cloth and while the cloth has long since disappeared, it left its impression on the surrounding mortar. Excavators theorize that these may be the remains of a holy person, as it was common to put relics in church walls and altars in order to make them holy.

An even older find included several skeletons and a stone sarcophagus. The archaeological team is planning to put an endoscopic camera into the coffin to see what's inside without disturbing it.

Gallery: Lincoln Castle

The skeletons and sarcophagusEast gate entrance to Lincoln castle.Bird's-eye view of hte castleObservatory towerBattle of Lincoln, 1217, in a 13th cnetury vellum manuscript

Continue reading Archaeologists Digging At Lincoln Castle Uncover Early Christian Community

Archaeologists Digging At Lincoln Castle Uncover Early Christian Community originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient historyAncientHistoryAnglo-SaxonAnglo-SaxonsarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewscastlecastlesDark AgesDarkAgesearly ChristianityEarlyChristianityEngland tourismEngland travelEnglandTourismEnglandTravelEnglnadhistoryLincoln CastleLincolnCastleLincolnshiremedievalmedieval historyMedievalHistoryMiddle AgesMiddleAgesrelicrelicsRomanRoman BritainROman EmpireRomanBritainRomanEmpireRomesaintsaintssciencescience newsScienceNewsUKFri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[In Fine Style: The Art Of Tudor And Stuart Fashion Opens At The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/in-fine-style-the-art-of-tudor-and-stuart-fashion-opens-at-the/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/in-fine-style-the-art-of-tudor-and-stuart-fashion-opens-at-the/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/in-fine-style-the-art-of-tudor-and-stuart-fashion-opens-at-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tudor
The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace, London, is putting on a fashion show, although the fashions are more than 400 years out of date.

"In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion" examines the luxurious clothing and jewelry worn by British monarchs and members of their court. It focuses on the two dynasties of the 16th and 17th centuries with everything from ornamental armor for a teenaged Prince of Wales to a bejeweled case for storing the black fabric patches that Queen Mary II stuck on her face to emphasize the whiteness of her skin.

Many of the items are on display for the first time, such as a diamond signet ring given by King Charles I to his wife, Queen Henrietta Maria, in 1628. It bears her cypher and the royal coat of arms. Another never-before-seen piece is a pendant of gold, rubies and diamond with a miniature portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. There are also some elegant articles of clothing like a pair of lacework gloves.

Of course, most costumes and jewelry from this period have disappeared, no matter how important their owners. To augment the exhibition there are more than 60 portraits showing royalty and nobility wearing their finest, including a startling portrait of a Duchess dressed as a man.

"In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion" runs until October 6. If you make it to London before July 14, you might also want to see "Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars" at the Victoria & Albert.


Gallery: Tudor And Stuart Fashion

Pendant of gold, rubies and diamond, probably an earring, with miniature of Elizabeth I, c.1585-1600Queen Mary II's patch box, enamelled gold set with diamonds, c.1694Gold thread and yellow taffeta purse in the shape of a frog, 17th cent.Gold and diamond signet ring given to Henrietta Maria by Charles I, 1628Embroidered gloves, c.1595-1605

In Fine Style: The Art Of Tudor And Stuart Fashion Opens At The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart historyart newsArtHistoryArtNewsBuckingham PalaceBuckinghamPalaceclothingEnglandEngland tourismEngland travelEnglandTourismEnglandTravelEnglish royal familyenglish royaltyEnglishRoyalFamilyEnglishRoyaltyfashionfine artFineArthistoryjewelryLondonLondon tourismLondon travelLondonTourismLondonTravelmuseummuseum newsMuseumNewsmuseumsQueens GalleryQueensGalleryRenaissanceRenaissance clothingRenaissance fashionRenaissanceClothingRenaissanceFashionroyalroyaltyStuartStuart dynastyStuartDynastyTudorTudor dynastyTudorDynastyUKWed, 15 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Geoguessr: The Internet's Newest Educational Time Waster]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/geoguessr-the-internets-newest-educational-time-waster/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/geoguessr-the-internets-newest-educational-time-waster/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/geoguessr-the-internets-newest-educational-time-waster/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Geoguessr
Where does this look like to you? I guessed central Mexico based on the Spanish signs and the mixture of dry soil and lush plants. Actually it's Brazil. The next view I looked at showed the characteristic onion domes of a Russian Orthodox Church. I guessed Russia and was correct.

This is an addictive new online game called Geoguessr. It gives you random Google Street View images and you have to click on a world map to guess where they are. You're awarded points based on how close you are.

It's surprisingly addictive. My young son, already a fan of Google Maps and MarineTraffic.com, is becoming obsessed with it. So am I. The best way to wrack up points is to explore a little. Start heading down a foreign street, studying traffic signs, plants, and passersby. They'll all give you clues as to where you are.

It's also really difficult. I've mistaken Korean writing for Chinese, the Australian Outback for Nevada and New Zealand for Hawaii. No matter how well traveled you are, this game will trip you up and make you want to play again. So if your boss has stepped out of the office for a drink, click on Geoguessr and spend some time learning a bit about how the world looks.

Geoguessr: The Internet's Newest Educational Time Waster originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappschildchildreneducationeducationaleducational appeducational gamesEducationalAppEducationalGamesgamegamesgeographyGeographyQuizGeoguessrGoogle Street ViewGoogleStreetViewonline gameonline gamesOnlineGameOnlineGamesparentingWed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Man Attempting To Dribble Soccer Ball To Brazil Killed In Accident]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/man-attempting-to-dribble-soccer-ball-to-brazil-killed-in-accide/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/man-attempting-to-dribble-soccer-ball-to-brazil-killed-in-accide/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/15/man-attempting-to-dribble-soccer-ball-to-brazil-killed-in-accide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SoccerIt sounded like one of those crazy ideas that should have led to fun and adventure and ended in triumph. Instead it ended in tragedy.

Richard Swanson, pictured here, of Seattle, decided to raise money for charity by dribbling a soccer ball 10,000 miles to Brazil in time for the 2014 World Cup. Sadly, The Guardian reports that he only made it as far as Oregon. While walking down US Highway 101 near Lincoln City he was hit by a pickup truck on Tuesday and killed. The police have ruled it an accident and the driver has not been charged.

Swanson was only two weeks and about 260 miles into his trip. He had been posting updates about his journey on his Facebook page, including a photo of the last meal he ate, a hearty breakfast in Lincoln City just hours before being killed.

His project, called Breakaway Brazil, was meant to raise money for the One World Futbol Project, which distributes durable soccer balls to needy children in developing areas.

Man Attempting To Dribble Soccer Ball To Brazil Killed In Accident originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure vacationAdventure Vacationsadventure-outdoorsadventure-traveladventureradventurersadventuresAdventureTravelAdventureVacationAdventureVacationscharityfootballRichard SwansonRichardSwansonsoccersoccer ballsoccer fanSoccerBallSoccerFansportssports fanSportsFanWorld CupWorld Cup 2014WorldCupWorldCup2014Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Otranto Cathedral: Where You Can See The Remains Of Catholicism's Newest Saints]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/otranto-cathedral-where-you-can-see-the-remains-of-catholicism/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/otranto-cathedral-where-you-can-see-the-remains-of-catholicism/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/otranto-cathedral-where-you-can-see-the-remains-of-catholicism/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Otranto Cathedral
Pope Francis has beatified a long list of religious figures in the first creation of saints of his papacy, the Guardian reports. Included in this list are the 813 Martyrs of Otranto. These were victims of a massacre in the southern Italian town in 1480 when Ottoman soldiers beheaded them for refusing to convert to Islam.

It was common in Medieval and Renaissance Europe to display the remains of martyrs and saints, and the Martyrs of Otranto were no exception. They are on display in a huge ossuary in the Cathedral of Otranto. It's a fitting home since many Otranto residents took shelter in the cathedral during the Ottoman attack on their city. Eventually, the Ottomans broke in, took away the people and turned the cathedral into a stable. The cathedral was reconsecrated the following year when the Italians recaptured Otranto.

The cathedral, first consecrated in 1088, has more to offer than the arresting sight of hundreds of bones stacked up on a wall. The floor is covered with one of the most impressive medieval mosaics in Europe - a complex 12th-century work of art showing Biblical scenes, Heaven, Hell and the Garden of Eden. There are also traces of early frescoes on the wall, a gilded ceiling and some fine Gothic tracery.

Some of the remains of the Martyrs of Otranto are kept in Santa Caterina a Formiello in Naples. Italy is one of the best countries to see bits of holy people from the past. There are numerous saints' relics in Rome, including a crypt of mummified monks. The city even has a Purgatory Museum. The Basilica of Mary Magdalene at Vézelay, France, has Mary's bones. Further east in Sozopol, Bulgaria, is a church with the bones of John the Baptist.

[Photo courtesy Laurent Massoptier]

Gallery: The Cathedral of Otranto

The cathedral's unassuming exteriorDetail of the rose windowDetail of the doorInteriorBaptismal font

Otranto Cathedral: Where You Can See The Remains Of Catholicism's Newest Saints originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cathedralcathedralsCatholiccatholic churchCatholicChurchcatholicismcatholicsCatholicSaintschurchchurchesIslamItalyItaly tourismItaly travelItalyTourismItalyTravelmartyrmartyrsmilitary historyMilitaryHistoryOtrantoOtranto CathedralOtrantoCathedralOttomanOttoman EmpireOttomanEmpirepopePope FrancisPopeFrancisrelicrelicsreligionsaintsaintssaints relicsSaintsRelicswarMon, 13 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwin Awards Contenders Foiled By Observant Cafe Customer]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/darwin-awards-contendors-foiled-by-observant-cafe-customer/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/darwin-awards-contendors-foiled-by-observant-cafe-customer/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/darwin-awards-contendors-foiled-by-observant-cafe-customer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darwin Awards
Four men who could have become strong candidates for this year's Darwin Awards have been saved by a Good Samaritan who was enjoying some coffee nearby.

The BBC reports that a customer at a cafe in Oxwich Bay, Wales, spotted four men in a dinghy clutching onto a buoy and desperately trying to get the attention of those on shore.

It's unclear if the men were consciously trying to win the Darwin Awards, given out every year for people who get killed in stupid ways and thus improve the gene pool of our species. Nevertheless, they proved their candidacy by setting out in an inflatable dinghy into worsening weather with no life jackets and no flares. Winds had reached up to force six on the Beaufort Scale by the time they were saved. Force six is just short of a gale, with waves rising up to 13 feet.

The person who spotted them alerted the coast guard, who sent out a lifeboat to save them. If it wasn't for this observant coffee lover, these wannabe sailors may have replicated the famous "Raft of the Medusa," being adrift at sea for weeks, slowly expiring from hunger and thirst until desperation led them to gnaw on one another to survive. It would have given a whole new meaning to the term "Welsh rarebit."

If you must try an alternative diet, try vegetarianism instead. It's far more benign. Also familiarize yourself with weather conditions before setting out and practice these sea safety guidelines. Now that spring is here and everyone wants to get out in the water, it's important to know how to play safe.

[Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Darwin Awards Contenders Foiled By Observant Cafe Customer originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cannibalcannibalismcannibalsDarwin AwardDarwin AwardsDarwinAwardDarwinAwardsdinghylifeboatlifeboatsmarine safetyMarineSafetyrowingstupidstupid peoplestupidityStupidPeopleWaleswater safetyWaterSafetyMon, 13 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield Makes First Music Video In Space]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/canadian-astronaut-chris-hadfield-makes-first-music-video-in-spa/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/canadian-astronaut-chris-hadfield-makes-first-music-video-in-spa/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/canadian-astronaut-chris-hadfield-makes-first-music-video-in-spa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's official. We Canadians rock. If William Shatner and Bryan Adams aren't enough for you, there's Chris Hadfield. He's an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency and has become hugely popular with his videos about life aboard the International Space Station, answering such profound questions as how to cut your nails in space.

Now Hadfield is coming home. He's turned over command of the ISS to Russian cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov and will be departing on a Soyuz module, which will land in Kazakhstan today at 10:31 p.m. EDT. As a final sendoff, he's made the first music video in space, a cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." Hadfield isn't a bad musician, and the video has beautiful visuals of him on the ISS.

Put it on full screen, sit back and enjoy. It's a great day to be Canadian.

Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield Makes First Music Video In Space originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure traveleradventure travelersadventure travelsadventure-traveladventureradventurersadventuresAdventureTravelAdventureTravelerAdventureTravelersAdventureTravelsastronautastronautsawesome videoAwesomeVideoCanadaCanadianCanadian Space AgencyCanadiansCanadianSpaceAgencyChris HadfieldChris Hadfield International Space StationChris Hadfield musicChris Hadfield music videoChris Hadfield videoChrisHadfieldChrisHadfieldInternationalSpaceStationChrisHadfieldMusicChrisHadfieldMusicVideoChrisHadfieldVideocool videoCoolVideocosmonautcosmonautsDavid BowieDavidBowiefunny videoFunnyVideoINternational Space StationInternationalSpaceStationISSmusicouter spaceOuterSpacesciencescience newsScienceNewsspacespace explorationspace travelSpaceExplorationSpaceTravelMon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[As Egypt's Tourism Industry Languishes, Antiquities Under Threat]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/as-egypts-tourism-industry-languishes-antiquities-under-threat/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/as-egypts-tourism-industry-languishes-antiquities-under-threat/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/13/as-egypts-tourism-industry-languishes-antiquities-under-threat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Egypt
Since the January 2011 Revolution, Egypt has been suffering social and political unrest, and its tourism industry has been hit hard.

Now the tumultuous situation is affecting one of the nation's main sources of income - its ancient heritage. Al-Ahram Weekly investigated several reports of damage at ancient sites and found a dire situation of neglect and willful destruction. At the ancient capital Amarna, farmers spread their fields onto the archaeological site. Part of the Graeco-Roman site of Al-Bordan got bulldozed when "developers" built holiday homes for themselves. At the ancient city of Iwn, a group moved in and built a car wash right on top of some ancient buildings.

In some places the destruction has been stopped. Police stepped in at Amarna before any serious damage was done. In others, the damage is already done and is even continuing.

The most famous site to suffer damage is Dashour, site of the famous Bent Pyramid (shown here in this Wikimedia Commons image). Part of the pyramid was damaged when locals built a cemetery nearby. Others in the area see the value of the site and staged a protest at the pyramid, holding up signs that said, "God does not bless a nation that ruins its heritage," and, "Heritage is our past, present and future. Let's protect it with love and respect."

A growing Islamist movement in Egypt has been blamed for the recent upturn in disrespect for ancient sites, but the Al-Ahram reports that even Cairo's ninth century Ibn Tulun mosque has suffered neglect and the area next to the walls is being used as a refuse dump.

Tourism is one of Egypt's main sources of hard currency. With tourist numbers down, police and archaeologists struggle to get the funds to protect the sites that generate income, thus creating a vicious downward spiral.

As Egypt's Tourism Industry Languishes, Antiquities Under Threat originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure traveleradventure travelersadventure travelsadventure vacationAdventure Vacationsadventure-traveladventuresAdventureTravelAdventureTravelerAdventureTravelersAdventureTravelsAdventureVacationAdventureVacationsancient Egyptancient historyAncientEgyptAncientHistoryantiquitiesArab SpringArabSpringarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewsDashurEgyptEgypt newsEgypt tourismEgypt travelEgyptNewsegyptologyEgyptologyNewsEgyptTourismEgyptTravelhistoric preservationHistoricPreservationpreservationpyramidpyramidsMon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Frederick The Great's Picture Gallery Celebrates 250 Years With Special Exhibition]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/12/frederick-the-greats-picture-gallery-celebrates-250-years-with/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/12/frederick-the-greats-picture-gallery-celebrates-250-years-with/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/12/frederick-the-greats-picture-gallery-celebrates-250-years-with/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Frederick the Great
A magnificent art gallery constructed by Frederick the Great of Prussia in Potsdam is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, Art Daily reports.

The gallery at Sanssouci Park, part of Frederick the Great's palace complex, was home to his vast collection of Classical and (then) contemporary art. While it lost much of its collection over the years, especially during the Napoleonic Wars and WWII, it's still an impressive center for fine art.

To celebrate the anniversary, the gallery is hosting "The Most Beautyful Gallery - Revisiting the Picture Gallery of Frederick the Great," and has brought together much of the original collection that got dispersed across Europe. Paintings from various periods fill the walls, including examples from the Italian Renaissance and High Baroque as well as 17th century Flemish and Dutch works. The gallery also shows Frederick's passion for Classical sculpture. Even the walls are made of marble torn from ancient buildings.

Potsdam is only 23 miles from Berlin and makes a good day trip from the German capital.

"The Most Beautyful Gallery - Revisiting the Picture Gallery of Frederick the Great" runs until October 31.

[Photo courtesy Kent Wang]

Frederick The Great's Picture Gallery Celebrates 250 Years With Special Exhibition originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart historyart newsArtHistoryArtNewsBerlinBerlin daytripBerlin tourismBerlin travelBerlinDaytripBerlinTourismBerlinTravelfine artFineArtFrederick the GreatFrederickTheGreatGermanyGermany tourismGermany travelGermanyTourismGermanyTravelhistorymuseummuseum newsMuseumNewsmuseumsPotsdamPrussiaPrussian historyPrussianHistorySanssouciSun, 12 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Famous Roman 'Tomb' May Have Actually Been A Temple]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/12/famous-roman-tomb-may-have-actually-been-a-temple/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/12/famous-roman-tomb-may-have-actually-been-a-temple/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/12/famous-roman-tomb-may-have-actually-been-a-temple/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Roman, CarmonaAt the Roman necropolis in Carmona, Spain, visitors are led to the popular "Elephant's Tomb," a large underground chamber that gets its name from a crude sculpture of an elephant found there.

Now archaeologists are saying it may not be a tomb at all, but rather a temple to one of the ancient world's most mysterious religions. A team from the University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, has analyzed the structure and says it was once a mithraeum, an underground temple for the god Mithras.

Mithraism centered on secret rites centered on the mystical slaying of a bull was one of the most popular faiths in the last years of paganism. Several mithraeums are scattered about Europe, including in London, Mérida, and along Hadrian's Wall.

The archaeologists point out that its general shape, with a columned, three-chambered room leading to an area for altars, is the same as other mithraeums. They also found astronomical alignments. Sunlight would hit the center of the chamber during the equinoxes, and during the winter and summer solstices, the sun would light up the north and south walls respectively. As the sun shines through the window during the spring equinox, Taurus rises to the East and Scorpio hides to the West. The opposite occurred during the autumn equinox. Taurus and Scorpio figure prominently in the religion's astrological symbolism, with the God Mithras slaying a bull as a scorpion stings the animal's testicles.

It was only later that the temple was turned into a burial chamber, researchers say.

Carmona is less than 20 miles from Seville and is a popular day trip from there.
Roman

[Top photo courtesy Daniel Villafruela. Bottom photo courtesy Henri de Boisgelin.]

Famous Roman 'Tomb' May Have Actually Been A Temple originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient historyAncientHistoryarchaeoastronomyarchaeologistsarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologistsarcheologyArcheologyNewsastrologyastronomyCarmonaClassicalHispaniahistorymithraeummithraismMithrasmystery religionmystery religionsMysteryReligionMysteryReligionsnecropolispaganpaganismreligionRomanROman EmpireRoman religionRoman SpainRomanEmpireRomanReligionRomanSpainRomeSpainSpain tourismSpain travelSpainTourismSpainTraveltombtombsSun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fight Against Malaria Takes Odd New Turn]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/fight-against-malaria-takes-odd-new-turn/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/fight-against-malaria-takes-odd-new-turn/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/fight-against-malaria-takes-odd-new-turn/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

malaria
A new study has found a possible way to stop at least one species of mosquito from giving you malaria - by infecting them with a special strain of bacteria.

Researchers have found that infecting mosquitoes with the Wolbachia bacterium makes it nearly impossible for malaria to survive in the insects, thus keeping them from spreading it to humans, the BBC reports. The technique was tested on Anopheles stephensi, a species that ranges from the Middle East to Asia. An example is shown here in this Wikimedia Commons image. This remarkable photograph shows the insect sucking blood from a human. It's become so engorged it's actually ejecting extra blood from its rear end. Sorry if you were eating when you saw this but hey, it's in the name of science.

The bacteria passed from female mosquitoes to their offspring, opening up the possibility of infecting the entire species. Researchers followed 34 generations of infected mosquitoes and found the bacteria passed on through all of them. The results have been published in the journal Science. A study last year showed the same bacteria can be used to stop dengue fever.

The technique has not yet been tried on Anopheles gambiae, the main source of malaria in Africa.

This potential breakthrough in the fight against malaria is coming along at an important time, now that mosquitoes are developing a resistance to DEET.

Fight Against Malaria Takes Odd New Turn originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diseasehealthhealth newsHealthNewsmalariamosquitomosquitoesresearchsciencescience newsScienceNewstravel healthTravelHealthtropical diseaseTropical diseasesTropicalDiseaseTropicalDiseasesFri, 10 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gettysburg's American Civil War Wax Museum Is For Sale]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/gettysburgs-american-civil-war-wax-museum-is-for-sale/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/gettysburgs-american-civil-war-wax-museum-is-for-sale/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/gettysburgs-american-civil-war-wax-museum-is-for-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Civil WarA favorite destination in America's most famous Civil War battlefield faces an uncertain future as its owners are retiring and putting the building up for sale.

The American Civil War Wax Museum at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was opened in 1962 and is selling for $1.7 million, the Evening Sun reports. Being a popular tourist attraction, the current owners say they are confident someone will buy it and keep it open.

The museum features more than 300 life-sized wax figures like these of Confederate Generals Joseph Johnston and Robert E. Lee shown here courtesy Flickr user cliff1066. Many of the figures are arranged into scenes of important moments in the Civil War.

In addition to the museum and a large gift shop, visitors can see reenactors demonstrating Civil War-era weapons and equipment most weekends from April through October.

Remarkably, the museum was founded by a Polish immigrant named C.M. Uberman, who moved to the United States shortly after World War II. This demonstrates the fascination this era of American history has for people all around the world. Here in Spain, history buffs ask me about the Civil War more than all other periods of American history combined. Hopefully if they make it to Gettysburg they'll find the American Civil War Wax Museum alive and well.

Gettysburg's American Civil War Wax Museum Is For Sale originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 May 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American Civil WarAmerican Civil War Wax MuseumAmericanCivilWarAmericanCivilWarWaxMuseumCivil WarCivil War HistoryCivil War reenactmentsCivil War reenactorscivil war sesquicentennialCivilWarCivilWarHistoryCivilWarReenactmentsCivilWarReenactorsCivilWarSesquicentennialGettysburgGettysburgNationalMilitaryParkhistorymilitary historyMilitaryHistorymuseummuseum newsMuseumNewsmuseumspennsylvaniawarwax museumwax museumsWaxMuseumWaxMuseumsFri, 10 May 2013 10:30:00 EST