Coast guard memorial chapel

The Coast Guard Academy was established on the banks of the Thames River in New London, Connecticut in 1932. At over 100 acres of land, the campus is home to a variety of historic buildings and landmarks, many of which reflect traditional New England architecture. Its chapel was erected in the early 1950s. It stands as a profound monument dedicated to the heroic and valiant members of the U.S. Coast Guard who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty during times of both peace and war. The most iconic feature of the chapel's classic New England brick architecture is its towering steeple, which houses a fully functional, lighthouse-style light. Modeled after traditional pier-head lanterns historically used on the Great Lakes, the lantern rotates at night and serves as a visible physical beacon for miles along both the highway and water approaches to New London.

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Sept 22

Wutachschlucht

The Wutachschlucht (Wutach Gorge) is the largest canyon in Germany, stretching over 33 kilometers through the Southern Black Forest Nature Park in Baden-Württemberg. Known as an adventure paradise for hikers, this dramatic river valley plunges between 60 and 170 meters deep, carving out a landscape filled with roaring waterfalls, rugged limestone cliffs, and diverse geological layers.

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Sept 14

Roman Baths

The Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset, are among the most remarkably preserved ancient Roman spas in the world. Constructed around a natural thermal spring between 60 and 70 AD, the complex served as a social, religious, and healing hub known to the Romans as Aquae Sulis. Today, it stands as an iconic landmark where you can walk along the original 2,000-year-old pavements and admire the steaming, mineral-rich waters. The Roman Baths are preserved in four main features: the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, and a museum which holds artefacts from Aquae Sulis.

Unesco: City of Bath
RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Oct 3

Alsace

Alsace is a historical region in northeastern France. Nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, it is world-renowned for its half-timbered villages, vibrant wine culture, and historic castles. Its capital, Strasbourg, is centered on the Ill River’s Grand Île island, bordered by canals and home to the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, with its animated astronomical clock. 

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Sept 17

Meetup Valkenburg

Thank you Evi!
Date: Sept 26

Gjakova

is a vibrant city located in southwestern Kosovo, situated midway between Peja and Prizren. Surrounded by the scenic Highlands of Gjakova and the Albanian Alps, it serves as a prominent cultural, educational, and historical hub in western Kosovo. Gjakova is most famous for housing the Grand Bazaar, which is the oldest and longest traditional bazaar in Kosovo. Spanning roughly one kilometer, this historic trade hub remains the cultural beating heart of the city. Beyond its massive marketplace, Gjakova is highly regarded across the Balkans for its deep-rooted heritage of traditional craftsmanship, distinctive Ottoman architecture, and its rich contribution to Albanian culture and education.

Thank you Lara!
Date: Sept 13

Meetup Mexico

A meetup in Mexico commemorating the World Cup.
RR: 10 Counties RR (20)
Date: August 29

Quokka

You can see quokkas in the wild on Rottnest Island, located just off the coast of Perth, or up-close at the Perth Zoo. Rottnest Island has the largest wild quokka population in the world and is the most famous place to see them.

Tag: Offer tag
Date: August 2

Notre-Dame

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. Following a devastating fire in April 2019, the cathedral underwent a massive restoration and officially reopened to the public in December 2024. It is renowned for its stunning French Gothic architecture, its breathtaking stained glass windows, elaborate stone carvings, and soaring spires, which reach heights of over 100 meters.

Unesco: Paris, Banks of the Seine

A souvenir from a day in Paris
Date: Sept 14

Elephant

A gorgeous elephant card. Thank you Herwig!
Date: Sept 12

Saint Michael’s Church

The Saint Michael’s Church is a 14th-century Byzantine Orthodox church built on a steep rock below the southern side of Berat Castle. Rising above the houses of Mangalem, the small domed chapel is one of the most strikingly situated medieval buildings in Berat. Constructed during the first half of the 14th century, the church follows a cross-in-square plan without internal supporting columns. A dome on an octagonal drum rises above the center, while a narthex occupies the western end. Its walls use the Byzantine cloisonné technique, with carefully arranged rows of stone separated by red brick. This patterned masonry gives the exterior much of its character. Only limited traces remain of the wall paintings that once covered the interior. The architecture is therefore the principal feature, particularly the balanced proportions of the dome, drum, apses, and small arched openings. Its compact design shows how a complete Byzantine church was adapted to an exceptionally restricted rocky site.

Unesco: Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra
Thank you Lara!
Date: Sept 10

Gorica Quarter

The Gorica Quarter is one of the three core historic neighborhoods that make up the UNESCO World Heritage city of Berat, Albania. Located on the left bank of the Osum River, directly across from the busy Mangalem quarter and the hilltop Berat Castle, Gorica was traditionally the city's early Christian and Orthodox community hub. It is widely celebrated for its remarkably preserved Ottoman-era stone houses, steep cobblestone labyrinth alleys, and quiet, deeply authentic atmosphere.

Unesco: Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra
Thank you Jo & Lara!
Date: Sept 9