Video: Birthplace of the Hope Diamond
Say you were on a game show and they asked you, “In what country did the Hope Diamond originate?” Would you know the answer? The answer is India, but the details are sketchy at best. It was most likely found in the very productive Kollur Mine located in south central India, which operated between the 16th century and the mid-19th century. The diamond was first owned in the mid-17th century by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier as a roughly cut 112 3/16-carat gem, where it was then known as the “Tavernie... Read Full Story
Video: Birthplace of the Hope Diamond
Say you were on a game show and they asked you, “In what country did the Hope Diamond originate?” Would you know the answer? The answer is India, but the details are sketchy at best. It was most likely found in the very productive Kollur Mine located in south central India, which operated between the 16th century and the mid-19th century. The diamond was first owned in the mid-17th century by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier as a roughly cut 112 3/16-carat gem, where it was then known as the “Tavernie... Read Full Story
World Heritage: Venice
Allison Dale  is Smithsonian Journeys’ intrepid marketing intern. She is majoring in English at Georgetown University, and in her past travels she has explored North America, South America, and Europe. Here, she tells us about her adventures in Venice.   Sunset in Venice Sometimes called the “City of Water,” “The City of Bridges,” or “City of Lights,” Italy’s Venice  stretches over 118 islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon. This location in the Adriatic Sea naturally lends itself to some of t... Read Full Story
World Heritage: Venice
Allison Dale  is Smithsonian Journeys’ intrepid marketing intern. She is majoring in English at Georgetown University, and in her past travels she has explored North America, South America, and Europe. Here, she tells us about her adventures in Venice.   Sunset in Venice Sometimes called the “City of Water,” “The City of Bridges,” or “City of Lights,” Italy’s Venice  stretches over 118 islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon. This location in the Adriatic Sea naturally lends itself to some of t... Read Full Story
Photo: Historic Savannah
Victorian Homes in Savannah There are few southern cities that survived the Civil War as well as Savannah, Georgia. Founded in 1733, the city has seen its fair share of tragedy, including fire, war, disease, and it’s unique connection to voodoo culture. As a result, the American Institute of Parapsychology named Savannah “America’s Most Haunted City” in 2002. But Savannah is more than spooky ghost stories.  Despite its colorful past, it is recognized as one of the most historically preserved ... Read Full Story
Photo: Historic Savannah
Victorian Homes in Savannah There are few southern cities that survived the Civil War as well as Savannah, Georgia. Founded in 1733, the city has seen its fair share of tragedy, including fire, war, disease, and it’s unique connection to voodoo culture. As a result, the American Institute of Parapsychology named Savannah “America’s Most Haunted City” in 2002. But Savannah is more than spooky ghost stories.  Despite its colorful past, it is recognized as one of the most historically preserved ... Read Full Story
Breaking the Ramadan Fast in Ksiba, Morocco
Moshe Gershovich  is Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and will act as Study Leader on our upcoming Moroccan Discovery tour. In recent years, Moshe has taken groups of UNO students to Morocco where they were immersed in the study of Arabic and North African history and culture. Here, he shares memories of his very first trip to Morocco. Spice Market, Marrakech January 1996, Ramadan, 1417. My first trip to Morocco. Late in the afternoon, I was abou... Read Full Story
Breaking the Ramadan Fast in Ksiba, Morocco
Moshe Gershovich  is Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and will act as Study Leader on our upcoming Moroccan Discovery tour. In recent years, Moshe has taken groups of UNO students to Morocco where they were immersed in the study of Arabic and North African history and culture. Here, he shares memories of his very first trip to Morocco. Spice Market, Marrakech January 1996, Ramadan, 1417. My first trip to Morocco. Late in the afternoon, I was abou... Read Full Story
Photo: Pretty Frog, But Don’t Touch!
Jessie Cohen, NZP photographer The poison dart frog, above, is found in the Amazon rain forests of Central and South America. Sure, it’s pretty, but this little frog who measures between less than an inch and two inches can actually take down a small animal with its powerful toxin. That’s why it is a bright shade of blue, as to say to predators, “Don’t mess with me.” These frogs are also known as poison arrow frogs because some indigenous tribes in the Amazon have used their secretions to poi... Read Full Story
Photo: Pretty Frog, But Don’t Touch!
Jessie Cohen, NZP photographer The poison dart frog, above, is found in the Amazon rain forests of Central and South America. Sure, it’s pretty, but this little frog who measures between less than an inch and two inches can actually take down a small animal with its powerful toxin. That’s why it is a bright shade of blue, as to say to predators, “Don’t mess with me.” These frogs are also known as poison arrow frogs because some indigenous tribes in the Amazon have used their secretions to poi... Read Full Story