Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations
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The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

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Our fascinating articles will transport and inspire you.
haunted

The Psychology Behind Why Identical Twins Inspire Fascination—and Fear

A history of othering, experimentation, and mystery.
Sarah Durn November 22, 2022
List

The Most Wondrous Warm Drinks to Get Through Winter

Hot bacon-and-brandy cocktails, cheese coffee, and other ways to counter the cold.
Sam O'Brien January 31, 2019
hot springs

The Icelandic Bakery That Buries Its Bread in Hot Springs

Laugarvatn Fontana's sweet, cakey rye gets baked by geothermal energy.
Tiffany Eastham January 17, 2022

In Search of Sanctuary

Sponsored by Lincoln
Give the ultimate holiday gift!
The Explorer's Library box set
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Unlock the World With Our Small-Group Trips
Our immersive, curiosity-driven experiences take you to the hidden side of the world.
history

The Kingdoms of Andalusia: Secret Gardens and Haunted Palaces

Spain
May 8–15, 2023
From $4,370 USD
+ 2 other dates
wildlife & nature

New Zealand: Māori Traditions & Natural Marvels

New Zealand
Apr 7–19, 2023
From $6,750 USD
+ 2 other dates
food & drink

Los Angeles: America’s Culinary Frontier

Los Angeles
From $3,325 USD
wildlife & nature

Chiloé & the Fjords of Northern Patagonia

Chile
Dec 30–Jan 8, 2023
From $4,230 USD
Encounter an archipelago woven with ancient myths and breathtaking scenery.
+ 2 other dates
wildlife & nature

Into the Wilds of Costa Rica

Costa Rica
Oct 15–22, 2023
From $4,180 USD
+ 5 other dates
food & drink

Lisbon: Tracing the Roots of an Imperial Cuisine

Portugal
May 15–21, 2023
From $4,540 USD
Journey beyond the city’s tiled buildings and narrow streets to discover the long legacy and vibrant presence of culinary inventiveness in Lisbon.
+ 3 other dates
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Place of the Day
37.2867, -112.9477
The Narrows
Hike through a narrow river flanked by the 2,000-foot-tall walls of Utah's Zion Canyon. Sponsored by Lincoln.
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Find Wondrous Places on Every Continent
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Destination Guide

London, England

96 Articles
440 Places
Destination Guide

Marrakesh, Morocco

15 Places
Destination Guide

Mexico City, Mexico

15 Articles
161 Places
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New York

190 Articles
733 Places
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São Paulo, Brazil

29 Places
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Tokyo, Japan

13 Articles
164 Places
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Explore Our Collection of Hidden Wonders Around the World
Our community-driven database of 22,000+ amazing places grows every day.
Queens, New York

Wise Clock (Riis Park Memorial Clock)

This 19th-century clock has been restored to help withstand the harsh environment of its seaside home.
Barcelona, Spain

Font de Sant Just

This fountain was designed to honor the man who helped bring water to Barcelona.
The Bronx, New York

Bronx Christmas House of the Garabedian Family

Because holiday cheer is at its finest when it includes eerie mannequins, right?
Barão de São João, Portugal

Passeio dos Poetas Stone Faces

On a trail in Portugal's Barão de São João National Forest, a pile of faces look up at hikers from the forest floor.
Le Tréport, France

Kahl-Bürg

Deep in the limestone cliffs of the Alabaster Coast, a German fortress built during World War II.
Chur, Switzerland

Church of St. Luzi Crypt

The remains of St. Lucius of Chur were said to be kept in this crypt for several centuries.
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Our deep and dynamic online learning will expand your horizons.
Online Course

Bee-licious: Taste Honey Like a Sommelier With Marina Marchese

Starts Mon, Nov 28
3 Sessions
$220 per person
+ 1 other date
Online Course

Demystifying Artisanal Cheese With Jasper Hill Farm

Starts Tue, Nov 29
4 Sessions
$80 per person
Online Course

Making Upcycled Travel Journals With Bel Mills

Starts Tue, Nov 29
4 Sessions
$210 per person
Online Course

How to Read a Landscape: Botany & Ecology With Annie Novak

Starts Thu, Dec 1
3 Sessions
$65 per person
Online Course

Spoken Stories: Recording Oral History With Meral Agish

Starts Thu, Dec 1
4 Sessions
$220 per person
Online Course

Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown

Starts Mon, Dec 5
3 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 3 other dates
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