The capital and biggest city of Thailand, Bangkok holds the Guinness World Record for the longest name: his ceremonial name “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahastan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit” means “City of angels, the great city, the city of eternal happiness, the impenetrable city of God Indra, the magnificent capital of the world equipped with precious gems, the happy city, abounding in a great Royal Palace, which is similar to the divine house where reincarnated Gods reigns, a city blessed by Indra and built for Vishnukam”
Boundless, hot, smiling and animated by a vibrant nightlife, Bangkok has been elected by the magazine Travel + Leisure the “best city in the world in 2008”.
Don’t miss to taste the typical street food and watch a ping-pong match …
Bangkok’s floating markets like Damnoen Saduak are vibrant hubs where vendors sell fresh produce and cooked meals directly from their boats. The Golden Buddha, located in Wat Traimit, is the world’s largest gold statue, weighing 5.5 tons and dating back to the 13th century. With over 400 temples, Bangkok is home to must-visit landmarks like Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Pho, which houses the famous Reclining Buddha.
Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat, is one of the largest and most vibrant in the world, renowned for its bustling markets, Chinese temples, and exceptional street food.
For those seeking something unique, the Siriraj Medical Museum, also called the “Museum of Death,” displays preserved specimens, historical medical artefacts, and even mummies, offering a glimpse into the city’s medical history.
Bangkok’s rooftop bars are legendary, with places like Sirocco at the State Tower offering incredible views of the city’s glittering skyline, making them a highlight for nightlife lovers. From its cultural treasures to its dynamic modernity, Bangkok is a city full of contrasts and endless surprises.
Defined by a correspondent of the Frankfurter Zeitung as the most beautiful street in the world and by Winston Churchill as the eighth wonder of the world, the SP 38 road, well known as Strada della Forra, is a panoramic route located along the West coast of the Garda Lake, in Italy.
The most spectacular point is the short track through the gorges formed by the Brasa River, crossing dark tunnels and overhanging rocks. In 2008, the SP 38 was the scene of a car chase starring Daniel Craig as James Bond in the movie Quantum of Solace and in the past of many other films and TV advertisements.
Built between 1908 and 1913, it is still considered one of the most spectacular roads in Italy.
Yellowstone National Park, located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho, is world-renowned for its iconic bison, erupting geysers, and stunning natural formations. However, beneath its breathtaking surface lies one of the most fascinating and powerful geological features on Earth: the Yellowstone caldera. This immense volcanic crater, formed approximately 630,000 years ago during the cataclysmic Lava Creek eruption, is one of the planet’s few supervolcanoes. Spanning an astonishing 50 kilometers in length and 75 kilometers in width, the Yellowstone caldera is a silent reminder of Earth’s volatile power.
The Yellowstone caldera is situated above one of Earth’s most active geological hotspots. Here, magma rises from deep within the mantle, nearing the surface and creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. This hotspot fuels the geothermal wonders that Yellowstone is famous for, from the explosive Old Faithful geyser to bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles. Scientists estimate that the destructive potential of the Yellowstone caldera is thousands—possibly millions—of times greater than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, highlighting its immense power. Though its next eruption is not expected any time soon, the caldera remains a subject of intense study and fascination.
Among Yellowstone’s many geothermal marvels, the Grand Prismatic Spring stands out as a jewel of color and intrigue. As the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world, it measures approximately 50 meters (164 feet) deep and 112 meters (370 feet) in diameter. What makes this spring truly extraordinary is its vivid, rainbow-like appearance. The brilliant hues of orange, yellow, green, and blue result from thermophilic microorganisms that thrive in the spring’s varying temperature zones. These microbes produce pigments to adapt to the extreme environment, painting a mesmerizing natural masterpiece that is visible even from above.
While the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful draw much of the attention, Yellowstone is home to countless other lesser-known yet equally fascinating features. The Morning Glory Pool, for instance, is a hot spring that has transformed over time due to human impact. Once vividly colored, it now displays more muted tones as debris thrown in by visitors has disrupted its geothermal activity.
Yellowstone’s unique geology also gives rise to Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-altitude lake in North America. Beneath its serene surface, hydrothermal vents release heat and gases, creating an underwater landscape as dynamic as the park above ground. These vents are evidence of the park’s persistent volcanic activity, offering a glimpse into the hidden world beneath the caldera.
Beyond its geological wonders, Yellowstone is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. It is one of the few places in the continental United States where bison roam freely, often spotted grazing near geothermal features. Wolves, reintroduced to the park in 1995, have revitalized the ecosystem, playing a critical role in balancing predator-prey dynamics. Visitors may also encounter grizzly bears, elk, and the elusive wolverine, making Yellowstone a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise.
Despite its grandeur, Yellowstone is a fragile ecosystem. The geothermal features, wildlife, and vegetation are all interlinked in a delicate balance. Human activity and climate change pose threats to this natural wonder, making conservation efforts more important than ever. Visitors are encouraged to tread lightly, respect park guidelines, and support sustainable tourism initiatives to preserve Yellowstone for future generations.
A 22° halo (known also as moon or solar halo) is an optical phenomenon, forming a circle with a radius of approximately 22° around the moon or sun, produced by reflected/refracted light interacting with millions hexagonal ice crystals suspended in the cirrus or cirrostratus clouds (troposphere, 6-13 km high).
No light is reflected towards the inside of the ring, giving it the impression of a big hole in the sky. As the sailors say, when the 22° halo appears in the sky, a storm is approaching.
In clear sky conditions the view of this phenomenon is spectacular: the one in the photo (taken in Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho) is a lunar halo, much rarer than the solar halo.
Sir William Wallace (1270-1305) was a Scottish knight, member of the lesser nobility and the main leader during the wars for the independence of Scotland. He became the national hero and the symbol of the Scottish people’s freedom.
National Wallace Monument, Stirling.
The execution of Wallace was one of the roughest of the history: after his capture by the English army (5th August 1305), on 23rd August 1305, at the Tower of London, he was stripped naked and dragged through the city at the heels of a horse, then he was hanged but released while he was still alive, eviscerated (his bowels were burned), beheaded and then cut into four parts.
His head was placed on a pike on the top of the London Bridge; his limbs were displayed, separately, in Stirling, Berwick, Newcastle and Perth.
William Wallace was the protagonist of Blind Harry‘s epic poem “The Wallace” (1479) and Mel Gibson‘s movie “Braveheart” (1995), winner of five Academy Awards. The English heavy metal band Iron Maiden dedicated to the story of Wallace the song “The Clansman” (1998) and the German band Grave Digger dedicated him their song “William Wallace (Braveheart)” (1996).
Known all over the African continent, the “big five” expression refers to the five most dangerous animals at the time of hunting safari: LION, ELEPHANT, RHINO, LEOPARD and BUFFALO.
They all can be found in many African parks and reserves (particularly in South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, …) or, more simply, on the South African bills (with 380 Rand you will have them all).
Best Places to See the Big Five
1. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Why Visit: One of Africa’s most famous reserves, Kruger offers excellent infrastructure, diverse wildlife, and year-round Big Five sightings.
Highlights: Self-drive safaris, guided tours, and luxury lodges make Kruger accessible to all types of travelers.
Best Time: May to September (dry season). Vegetation is sparse, and animals gather around waterholes, making them easier to spot.
2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Why Visit: Renowned for the Great Migration, the Serengeti is also a prime location for Big Five sightings.
Highlights: Witness lions hunting during the migration and spot leopards in the acacia trees.
Best Time: June to October (dry season) and January to February (calving season).
3. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Why Visit: Known for its dense lion population and the dramatic crossings of wildebeest during the Great Migration.
Highlights: Game drives, cultural visits to Maasai villages, and hot air balloon safaris.
Best Time: July to October (Great Migration) and January to February (dry season).
4. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Why Visit: Etosha’s salt pans attract an array of wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, and lions.
Highlights: Excellent for photography, especially around waterholes, where multiple species gather.
Best Time: June to October (dry season).
5. Okavango Delta, Botswana
Why Visit: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the delta is a unique ecosystem with opportunities for both land and water-based safaris.
Highlights: Spot leopards and lions in the lush delta and enjoy mokoro (canoe) rides.
Best Time: June to October (dry season and peak flood season).
6. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Why Visit: Famous for its walking safaris, South Luangwa is a more off-the-beaten-path option for Big Five enthusiasts.
Highlights: Spot leopards at night and enjoy intimate wildlife encounters.
Best Time: May to October (dry season).
7. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Why Visit: This ancient volcanic caldera is home to all Big Five species, including a healthy population of black rhinos.
Highlights: The compact area makes it easier to see the Big Five in a single day.
Best Time: June to October (dry season).
8. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa
Why Visit: Known for its successful rhino conservation efforts, this park offers great opportunities to see the Big Five.
Highlights: Guided safaris and the chance to see both white and black rhinos.
One of the most fascinating trips through the South American continent is definitely the one undertaken by the medical students Ernesto “Fuser” Guevara de la Serna and Alberto “Mial” Granado, began with a motorcycle (nicknamed “la Poderosa”) in 1951 from Buenos Aires (Argentina), through much of the Latin continent, to Caracas (Venezuela).
It was after having embarked on this trip that Ernesto Guevara de la Serna knew what would have been his future… becoming the revolutionary worldwide known as Ernesto “El Che” Guevara.
Ernesto Guevara told this experience in the diary Latinoamericana (Notas de viaje) from which, in 2004, was made the cult movie “The Motorcycle Diaries”.
Today the remains of Guevara are kept at the mausoleum of Santa Clara (Cuba), where the following quote can be read:
“One thing I’ve learned in Guatemala of Arbenz was that if I had never been a revolutionary doctor, or just a revolutionary, first there should be a revolution” Ernesto “El Che” Guevara.
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