12 | Viking Explorer Society News
Top 15
PLACES YOU MUST SEE
From the breathtaking fjords of Norway to the ancient temples of Turkey, the
baroque masterpieces of Germany to the beaches of the Caribbean, there's always
something new to discover about the world
Valletta, Malta
The island of Malta has been
shaped by countless civilizations.
But it was the Knights of St. John
who built Valletta, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. This baroque
wonder is one of Europe's first
cities planned and constructed
from scratch, cut from local
honey-colored limestone. The
humble facades of its churches
and palaces hide extravagant
interiors of marble, tapestries and
paintings. A stroll around the
massive walls and bastions affords
a striking bird's-eye view of the
cityscape and the spectacular
Grand Harbour.
Ephesus, Turkey
One of antiquity's
best-preserved cities,
Ephesus offers an
unparalleled look into the lives of
the ancients. Many of its ruins
have endured from the time
Ephesus was one of the largest
metropolises of the ancient world.
Excavations reach back to the 10th
century BC, when this city hosted
one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World—the Temple of
Artemis. Today, Ephesus is still full
of wonders: the towering facade
of the Library of Celsus, the
massive amphitheater that once
sat 25,000 spectators and
residences adorned with frescoes.
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau is the only capital of the continental US that is inaccessible by car. The dramatic fjord-like
terrain of steep, rugged mountains and vast glaciers isolates the city, creating a remote setting
with limited access from the rest of the mainland. Its seclusion along the scenic Gastineau
Channel also makes it one of the most picturesque cities in the world. In ancient times, the Auke
and Taku Tlingit tribes fished these waters. Their descendants have kept artistic and cultural
traditions alive throughout a long history of European and Russian explorations.
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At home in Juneau with Beth Monahan
History of Valletta With Local Artist
Kenneth Zammit Tabona
