Ah, the last day of school for the year! Class schedules go in the trash, educators’ blood pressures begin to return to normal and everyone takes a deep breath and relaxes. But after a week of lazing around the house, wallowing lifelessly inside a fort made from empty pizza boxes, the brain soon yearns to be fed again. Here are ten places around the world to keep those mental cogs turning over the long summer break.
Rome, Italy
Where better to start than at the center of all Western civilization? (We’re kind of sweeping the Ancient Greeks under the rug with that statement, but they should have thought about that before they failed to invent pizza.) The history is as rich as the espresso in Rome, with legendary landmarks more than 2,000 years old: the Colosseum, the Forum and, of course, the numerous aqueducts and baths. Rome is a paradise for history buffs, who will be insufferable on their return, reciting rote facts such as “did you know the average Roman life expectancy was a mere 25 years?” and “did you know the Circus Maximus held up to 250,000 spectators?” Well, now we know.
Egypt
The Egyptians go even further back than the Romans and claim inventions as timeless as the calendar, the plough and written language. Hieroglyphics depicted stories of war, culture and society in a much cooler way than Times New Roman 12-point font. But we’re also thankful to the Egyptians for lesser-known inventions such as breath mints, bowling and make-up. A summer trip to Egypt, though, should be used for more than stocking up on Mentos and getting tips on how to avoid that dreaded ten-pin split. Visit the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, where you can see the burial tombs of the Pharaohs, including the legendary Tutankhamun.
Mexico
Let’s run with this pyramid theme, since triangles are too often left out of the shape spotlight. Aztec pyramids are dotted around Mexico, and the story behind ancient Aztec culture is just as intriguing as their mummifying counterparts, even though the two civilizations existed some 4,000 years apart. These pyramids functioned as temples to gods with awesome and hard-to-pronounce names such as Huitzilopochtli and Quetzalcoatl, and as sites for human sacrifice, whereby priests would cut out human hearts then throw the corpses down into the pyramids. It should be noted that the same fate does not await tourists nowadays. A stay in Mexico also opens up the opportunity to learn Spanish with a twist. The Mexican dialect is intriguing, containing unique vocabulary such as cheve (beer), güero (someone whose hair isn’t dark) and güey (dude or idiot, depending on how you’re behaving).
Costa Rica
Staying in Latin America, but putting pyramids aside, we come to wildlife-rich Costa Rica, home to at least 615 species of flora and fauna, among highest of any country in the world. This is the ideal destination for animal aficionados, who’ll come across endangered and distinctive species such as the jaguarondi (a cat), the ctenosaur (a lizard), the quetzal (a macaw), the American crocodile (a crocodile) and the Baird’s tapir.
Galapagos Islands
If it’s wildlife that you want, look no further than the Galapagos Islands. These islands off the coast of Ecuador are home to some of the most unique and friendly animals, including some that are not found anywhere else in the world. Expect to see marine iguanas, the last ones on earth; Galapagos tortoises, which literally translates to tortoise tortoises, as “Galapagos” is Spanish for tortoise; the Galapagos penguin, the only penguin known to live north of the equator; the Galapagos fur seal, who prefer to spend their time on the beach than in the water; and flightless cormorants, the only cormorant in the world that lost the ability to fly. But why fly away when you get to live in a place like the Galapagos Islands? We understand, flightless cormorants, we wouldn’t leave either.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
The United States has its share of wildlife, as well as awe-inspiring landscapes, the best of both are protected in the country’s 59 national parks. One of the most formidable may be Yellowstone in Wyoming – not to be confused with the home of Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, Jellystone. The grand centerpiece of the park is Old Faithful, a geyser that spouts up to 8,400 gallons of boiling water more than 100 feet into the air every 90 minutes. People were known to use the geyser as a washing machine in the past, since the power and the temperature of the water provided a deep clean for cottons, though woolen items were said to be ripped apart: not an ideal consequence of laundering. Aside from Old Faithful laundry services, Yellowstone is home to various other sites of geothermic activity – Firehole River, Mammoth Springs and Mud Volcano – as well as creatures such as moose, elk, coyotes and even grizzly bears.
Iceland
It may seem that the number one reason many people visit Iceland is to witness the Northern Lights (winter is the best time to catch a glimpse of the mind-blowing Aurora Borealis and its kaleidoscope of colors), but winter visitors to Iceland are missing out. There is plenty to learn in the summer – and more time in the day to do it! At the height of summer, take advantage of the long-lasting days and unique beauty of the midnight sun. Spend your long days exploring the countryside on foot, with an abundance of scenic hiking trails, plus volcanically heated thermal pools, including the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. The water in these pools reaches almost 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but don’t let the heat keep you away from the water’s supposed healing properties.
Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States
Many travel to Florida for fun in the sun, but when you’re done working on your tan (or applying a new coat of Aloe to your sunburn), cool down with a quick trip to outer space. Or at least Kennedy Space Center, where you can experience the most realistic simulation of a space shuttle launch (and this is according to real-life NASA astronauts!). Ask one yourself when you take part in one of the center’s Lunch with an Astronaut events. Between simulations, interactive experiences and mind-blowing exhibits, you’ll be glad you traded palm trees for moon rocks. On your way out try the freeze dried ice cream and then remember you can get a cone of the real thing on your way back to the beach. You are still in Florida, after all!
Paris, France
It’s time for the “Sunday lifestyle supplement” section of this piece with the next couple of entries. Budding chefs could really go anywhere in the world to learn their preferred cuisine, but Paris has always been renowned for its culinary wisdom. There’s no shortage of ways in which gastronomic globetrotters can delve into the delicacies of Parisian cooking. French speakers may check out the popular Atelier des Chefs, offering masterclasses in specific fields such as bread-making. Not to worry, though, English speakers, as there are plenty of options for you, too. La Cocotte offers 90-minute pie-making classes under the instruction of British pastry chef Rachel Khoo. Those who prefer to indulge without the prep work will surely enjoy a Paris by Mouth tour, focusing on cheese, wine, chocolate or another French indulgence.
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
For a schooling in modern music history, Memphis, Tenn. is unrivaled. It’s the home of the blues and the late master B.B. King, whose club still sits proudly among an abundance of blues joints on bustling Beale Street. It’s also the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, and fans will step over many a Blue Suede Shoe to visit Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley recorded his very first song in 1953. Elvis groupies will also undoubtedly make the pilgrimage to Graceland. The King is in fact buried on the grounds of this pristinely kept mansion. Of course, many other American cities from Chicago to New Orleans boast musical importance, but Memphis also offers the opportunity to visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, built on the site where Martin Luther King Jr. lost his life during the turbulent fight for civil rights.
(Featured Image: Emvau, Italy, Rome via Flickr CC BY 2.0)
