A year ago, no one could have predicted that a global pandemic would stop travel and usher in such an unprecedented year.
But in the uncertainty of 2020, we have continued to be inspired by remarkable stories that celebrate the people, places and cultures that make this world so wonderfully diverse and incredible. Here are a few of our favorites.
Cacio e Pepe: Italy’s favorite three-ingredient pasta dish
With just three simple ingredients, cacio e pepe is a rich pasta dish that’s hard not to love. And when you get that elusive texture, it becomes the perfect comfort food.
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The bay that keeps Asia young
The goji berry, which has been part of Chinese culture since the 3rd century, is now considered one of the hottest superfoods available today.
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The shipwreck that changed South Africa forever
When the Nieuw Haarlem was wrecked in 1647, it catalyzed the creation of the Cape. Today an archaeologist is set to find this lost ship that changed history forever.
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Why the French like to complain
In France, a complaint is an appropriate and frequent topic of conversation – but knowing when, to whom and what to complain about is a delicate art.
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The small “ country ” between England and Scotland
For 300 years, the Questionable Lands thrived as an anarchic no-man’s land; not independent, but too dangerous for Scotland or England to be able – or willing – to take control.
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Japan’s Forgotten Indigenous Peoples
The natives of Japan, the Ainu, were the first settlers of Hokkaido, the island in northern Japan. But most travelers will not have heard of it.
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The Dark Truth Behind the Pied Piper
Writers like the Grimm Brothers and Robert Browning may have turned the legend of the Pied Piper into art, but it turns out the story is likely based on an actual historical incident.
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The unique method of hand disinfection in Turkey
For hundreds of years, this Ottoman-era cologne has been synonymous with Turkish hospitality. Now it is being used to fight the coronavirus.
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A new island of hope emerging from the Indian Ocean
The modern island of Hulhumale is taking shape 8 km off the northeast coast of the island of Malé in the Maldives in direct response to the threat posed by the relentless rise in sea level.
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The mysterious lake monster of Canada
For generations, a mythical beast has been hiding in the depths of Okanagan Lake. But now a new vision of BC’s most revered snake is taking hold.
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India’s brilliant Bombay duck
Devilishly ugly and pungent, Bombay duck can be quite off-putting. So why is it so popular all over Mumbai?
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