Sarah McAnulty is not your average marine biologist. She conducts fieldwork in Hawaii, wading through the ocean to study the immune cells of the bobtail squid, but she’s also a vocal science education advocate. Sarah is the founder of Skype

Oahu is beloved for its pristine beaches, warm hospitality, and—in the case of Atlas Obscura traveler Sean Francis—an epic 30th birthday celebration. Below, Sean shares a moment from Science After Dark: Spotting Squids in the Tides of Oahu.Exploring Oahu with squid biologist Sarah McAnulty and helping collect squid for her research was a phenomenal experience. I learned so much about the species she studies, saw amazing sights around the island, and met others who share my passion for marine sci

Around the world, travel is on pause. The past few months have been a reminder of how precious trips are to us and how valuable they are to the people and places who count on us to visit. In this moment of stillness, we find ourselves searc

For an insider’s journey through New Orleans, look no further than Cassandra Snyder. A 30-year resident and founder of Soul of NOLA, Cassandra has her finger on the pulse of what makes her city the thrumming, artistic hub that’s inspired countless creatives. For four years, she produced The Goodnight Show, New Orleans’ late-night talk show, working closely with some of the citys best musical talent, authors, filmmakers, and activists. On Atlas Obscura’s Shifting Tides: Art in New Orleans, C

Jordan Hirsch, a native New Orleanian, has spent fifteen years chronicling and championing his city’s glorious musical heritage. From the early traditions of enslaved Africans to the contemporary hip hop and rap scene, Hirsch is well-versed in the cultural and historical influences that make New Orleans the musical powerhouse it is today. A journalist, activist, and screen-writer (who once played himself on the HBO series “Treme”), Jordan also leads Atlas Obscura’s trip Beyond the Quarter: Musi

Chef Iliana de la Vega knows where, when, and what to eat in Oaxaca—widely considered Mexico’s culinary capital. Her mother, an Oaxaca native, passed on a love for the city’s smoked chiles, rich chocolates, and distinct spices. For years, Iliana ran El Naranjo, a beloved restaurant and cooking school in Oaxaca, until she relocated her family and business to her adopted hometown of Austin, Texas. Chef Iliana, the leader of Atlas Obscura’s trip, Oaxaca: Tastes of Past and Present, is here to recom

Mother-daughter duo Iliana de la Vega and Isabel Torrealba are a powerhouse of Oaxacan culinary knowledge. Celebrated chef Iliana is a James Beard-nominated whiz in the kitchen, while food writer Isabel has a master’s degree in cultural reporting. Together they lead Oaxaca: Tastes of Past and Present. Ahead of our next trip to Oaxaca, Iliana shares some recipes that will bring the Mexican culinary capital to your kitchen—and Isabel writes about what makes her mom’s cooking so unique.

There’s no denying that Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and really has it all. Beautiful people, beautiful culture, and beautiful landscapes. There really is everything you could wish for in a stunning country. Whether you’re dreaming of Greece, unable to travel there, or simply want to experience the country yourself, one of the best ways to do this is by reading, and so with this in mind, here are the five best novels based in Greece you need to read!The Dark Labyri

Looking for a great destination in Greece, without having to handle the hustle-and-bustle of tourism? Ever wanted to have a piece of Greece to yourself, without having to compete with hundreds of other tourists for a nice spot on a beach? If this sounds like you, then you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of hidden gems in the Greek islands where you can truly call your own piece of paradise. So, want to avoid the usual stampede of tourism in Greece? Here are seven hidden gems to consider

Greece is the country that gave us Socrates, Pythagoras, Aristotle, Plato, and Thales. Today, Greece is still a bastion of educational achievements. Suppose youre looking to enroll in a university in the country or are just fascinated by the Greek educational system. In that case, this post covers the top five Greek universities for a professional degree. 1. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens This school isnt just seen as the best university in Greece; it also boasts the best medical

The Acropolis? Mykonos? Both are unforgettable, but even in the crazy summer of 2020 if you go there you wont be alone. So heres looking at you, (relative) solitude. Yes, social distancing is now the new must and masks are the necessary new fashion essential, but none of that means places that you would think might be crowd-free will be empty. But Greece has many beautiful places that havent been made famous by Instagram—at least, not yet. So why not clear one hurdle from start by going to place

Packed with rugged landscapes and sandy coves, Kefalonia is an idyllic island where most holidaymakers simply feel their troubles melt away. Although many holidaymakers think that all the Greek islands are similar, each has its own unique identity and culture. So, if you’re thinking of booking a holiday to Greece later in 2020 or 2021, here’s a rundown of the three features Kefalonia is most known for.#1 Beautiful Beaches The Greek coastline stretches for over 16,000 kilometres and contains over

During the second annual “Culture 2030” Meeting hosted by Eleusis 2021 / European Capital of Culture, Mentor, a culture & heritage management company, designed and implemented six thematic routes inspired by the rich heritage of Eleusis. Get to know the city is a project that combines urban tours, meetings, presentations, and storytelling to draw attention to Eleusis cultural legacy and wealth, as well as the unique stories and activities of local residents and associations.The first route,

1. Enjoy Astypalea’s beauties avoiding the crowds.You do not need much to love Astypalea, usually a visit is enough. And what’s better than avoiding the summer madness of July and August, and discover the real, authentic Astypalea off the beaten track. Take walks around the little whitewashed cobbled streets of Chora amongst locals mingling about and chatting and get those magical photographs of the amazing sunrise or sunset from the top at the Venetian Castle of Querini, without having to dodge

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Basque Culinary Center have joined forces again for the second edition of the Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition. After the success of the first edition, the competition has returned to identify and celebrate disruptive ideas and innovators who will lead the transformation of the sector as well as those who are making a positive impact in their local communities. In 2019, over 300 initiatives from 84 countries were submitted. Projects ranged

This challenge is a global call to reach the most disruptive startups, entrepreneurs and drive solutions to mitigate Covid-19 impacts on tourism through health, economic and destination management solutions. A step forward for Sustainable Development in a crisis situation. Participants should meet the following criteria: • Being innovative in nature and provide value-added solutions • To have a tested pilot and business plan • To have been accelerated before • To have potential to be applie

The travel and leisure industry has been one of the hardest hit by the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. With countries on lockdown, hotels, restaurants and bars all closed, and people confined to their homes, travelling for pleasure is no longer an option. But of course, it won’t always be this way. One day people will be able to travel freely again, and life will begin to return to normal (with holidays playing a huge part in that). But while people will travel again, it’s unlikely that things

Greece is one of the best places in the world to travel, if you’re a hiker or a nature-lover. With 80% of the country covered in hills and mountains, Greece offers hikers and nature-treading visitors a beautifully natural paradise. Here are some must-see destinations in Greece with extravagant trails, as well as great escapes into nature (if you’re a fauna and flora lover)! Mount Olympus “Ólympos, or Mount Olympus, is the fabled home of the gods,” says Helen Roddy, blogger at Writinity and Lastm

Being in the UK, in strict lockdown, and seeing Greece handling the crisis successfully was both a relief and an inspiration for me. While I live far from home, my family still resides in Crete. With the prospect of the country slowly opening up, I thought about what life could be like once we get through this tough period as a collective - and the beautiful Greek summer ahead of everyone, not just for those that live there already.Of course, people would need to know that it is safe and OK to c

Of all the places Ive visited so far, Corfu in Greece has to be my favourite for many reasons. The scenery being the main one. The island is full of lush olive groves and greenery and is surrounded by the clearest water I have ever seen.The flight from Manchester to Corfu is around three and a half hours and one of the highlights is passing over the Alps. As you approach Corfu, some of the Greek islands come into view and you can see their turquoise coastlines and strips of perfect beaches. The