Nestled away in northeastern Arizona lies the spectacular Canyon de Chelly National Monument. This extensive canyon was cut by the tributaries of the Chinle Creek which has shaped and formed the landscape over thousands of years to the way we see it today. Located entirely within the bounds of the Navajo Nation near the border of New Mexico, Canyon de Chelly, pronounced Canyon “de-shay”, is a wonder to see.
Nestled in northern New Mexico, about a half hour drive northeast of Farmington, lies the Aztec Ruins National Monument. This preserve seeks to protect a 900 year old Pueblo “Great House”. Thanks to the wonderful condition of the standing ruins, visitors are given a unique chance to walk through and get their own intimate experience with the style and intricacies of ancient Pueblo architecture. And remarkably, this national monument is free for anyone to visit.
Located in the coastal city of Pula, Croatia, is the well-preserved ancient Roman triumphal arch, the Arch of the Sergii. It stands at the entrance to the old town, providing visitors with the perfect introduction to this beautiful part of the city.
Nestled within the coastal city of Pula, Croatia, along the Adriatic Sea, is the famous Pula Arena. This ancient Roman amphitheater is truly one of a kind. It is the best preserved Roman amphitheater in the world and the best preserved archaeological site in Croatia. It is the only Roman amphitheater to have all four side towers with the three original Roman architectural orders (the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns) still extant.
When traveling through the southwest, one of my favorite national parks by far was the Petrified Forest National Park. This park located in northeastern Arizona is naturally and culturally significant and quite beautiful. This area is strewn with colorful fossilized logs that date back to the Late Triassic Period. About 2,000 years ago, humans settled in and built little communities here.
Meandering trails take you throughout the park, giving you glimpses of trees that look like works of art and pueblos from hundreds to thousands of years ago show you how these prehistoric people lived. There’s even one home that looks like it was made from precious stones, which it kind of is.
Today, the Dublin Castle in Ireland is a government building used for official ceremonies, dinners, presidential inaugurations, and other state affairs. Historically, however, it has had a varied past and was once called home by the Vikings, Normans, English, and British. Through most of its history, it has served as the administrative seat for English and British rule in Ireland. In 1922, it was finally handed back to the people of its country and has served them ever since.
Scotland is, without a doubt, one of my favorite places in the world. There is something incredibly wonderful and comfy about the entire country. To me, it feels like home. I will have to talk about so many of the lovely spots that I had the chance to visit while doing research for my masters thesis, but today, I will talk about just one amazing place. The Ring of Brodgar in the Orkney Islands.