Merlin, aliens…who really built Stonehenge?
In a field in Salisbury is a mysterious stone circle that has baffled historians and archaeologists for centuries. Who built Stonehenge 4,000 years ago? Is it really possible that the ancient Celts arranged these enormous stones into a ring without using construction equipment? Or was something more mysterious behind Stonehenge’s construction? According to some theories, the stone circle was built by aliens. Others think England’s most famous magician, Merlin, built the mysterious monument. Our suggestion? Decide for yourself when you visit in person.
Fact or fiction: what’s the true story behind Dracula?
Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” may be one of the world’s most famous works of fiction. But is this fiction based in fact? It seems so. Transylvania’s Castle Bran is widely believed to be the inspiration for Dracula’s castle. What’s more, the castle’s owner Vlad the Impaler might be the inspiration for Dracula. According to local folklore, Vlad was a real-life vampire. Pack your camera when you visit this insta-worthy Romanian castle. And perhaps pack some garlic, too…
What mysterious monster lurks in Loch Ness?
It might be the whisky talking but, since the year 565, visitors to Scotland’s Loch Ness have reported sighting a mysterious creature under the lake’s pristine waters. Want to get to the bottom of the Loch Ness mystery? Grab your binoculars and head to the Scottish Highlands. Even if you don’t spot Nessie herself, you’ll fall in love with Scotland’s rugged beauty.
What’s the head-scratching story behind Easter Island’s statues?
In the Southern Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Chile, lies Easter Island. The island is famous for its Moai — giant head-shaped statues. And when we say giant, we really mean giant. On average, the heads are 13 feet tall and weigh 14 tons. Why were they built? And why do they all face away from the sea? Get a head-start on solving the mystery when you visit the remote island for yourself.
What are Xi’an’s fearsome terracotta warriors guarding?
It’s actually no secret what Xi’an’s famous army of terracotta warriors are guarding. They were arranged around the tomb of China’s first emperor, Quin Shi Huang, to guard him in the afterlife. What we don’t know is what lies inside the tomb that these 8,000 stone soldiers are guarding. The emperor’s tomb has never been opened. And, if rumors that it’s booby-trapped with hundreds of poison arrows are true, perhaps that’s a good thing! If you’re traveling in China, don’t miss the breathtaking terracotta army. Just watch out for poison arrows!
Who (or what) is behind the Peruvian desert’s Nazca Lines?
The Nazca Lines are ancient geoglyphs carved into Peru’s Nazca desert. What are geoglyphs exactly? They’re massive symbols carved into the earth. So massive, in fact, that they can only properly be seen from the air. No one knows who carved the Nazca lines. Perhaps it was the Nazca people. Perhaps, as some alien fans believe, the explanation lies out of this world. One thing we do know for sure: the Nazca lines are called the eighth wonder of the world for a reason. Take a trip to vibrant Peru and check them out for yourself!
