Heavenly Matched Travel
Before Rio de Janeiro became the glamorous heart of Brazil, Salvador de Bahia was the nation's very first capital, established by the Portuguese in 1549. Today, Salvador remains the vibrant epicenter of Afro-Brazilian culture, preserving rich culinary, musical, and religious traditions brought over during the colonial era.
The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro is relatively modern history! It was completed in 1931. The massive art deco statue was funded almost entirely by donations from Brazilian Catholics and was constructed piece by piece atop the 2,300-foot Corcovado mountain.
Around 508 BC, the Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called "demokratia," or "rule by the people." This revolutionary concept laid the foundational groundwork for the modern democratic systems used around the world today.
Built in the 5th century BC as a magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Parthenon has survived an incredibly turbulent history. Over the millennia, it has been repurposed as a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, an Islamic mosque following the Ottoman conquest, and even a fortress and gunpowder storage facility!
New York City was originally a Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam, founded in 1624 on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. In 1664, the English captured the city and renamed it "New York" in honor of the Duke of York.
Long before Washington D.C. was built, New York City served as the first capital of the United States under the Constitution. In 1789, George Washington took his oath of office as the very first President on the balcony of Federal Hall, located on Wall Street.
Morocco is home to the University of al-Qarawiyyin in the ancient city of Fez. Founded in 859 AD by a visionary woman named Fatima al-Fihri, it is recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest existing, continually operating educational institution in the world.
The stunning city of Chefchaouen is famous for its vibrant blue-washed buildings. The tradition of painting the town blue was introduced by Jewish refugees in the 1930s, who believed the color symbolized the sky and heaven, serving as a daily reminder to lead a spiritual life.
The ports of Costa Maya and Cozumel are gateways to the ancient Mayan civilization, which thrived in this region for thousands of years before European contact. The Mayans were brilliant astronomers and mathematicians, building massive stone pyramids without the use of metal tools or the wheel.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the waters surrounding Roatan, Honduras, were a famous haven for notorious pirates. Hidden coves and bays provided perfect hideouts for swashbucklers like Henry Morgan and Blackbeard, who laid in wait to ambush Spanish galleons loaded with gold.