All posts by Intellicurious

News, Views and Reviews for the Intellectually Curious

Islands: The Unknown Rural Side Of Santorini

Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebble.

Julia’s journey brings her to the glamorous island of Santorini, where she discovers how one of the Aegean’s poorest islands became a playground for the rich and famous.

Medicine: ‘How Vaccines Actually Work’ (Video)

Vaccines are medicines that train the body to defend itself against future disease, and they have been saving human lives for hundreds of years. Vaccines are medicines that train the body to defend itself against future disease.

Top New Camper Vans: 2022 Winnebago Travato 59KL

2022 Winnebago Travato Class B gas motorhome 59KL highlights:

  • Wet Bath
  • Two Twin Beds
  • Flex Bed System
  • 24″ HDTV
  • Pure Energy System

Pack your bags and head out across the country in this Travato Class B gas motorhome! The two twin beds can convert into a king-size bed if you’re traveling with your friend or spouse, and there is a convenient rear wet bath to freshen up every day. Prepare breakfast on the single-burner induction cooktop or in the convection microwave, and the pull-out countertop extension will give the chef more space to prep. The driver’s seat can swivel to use this countertop as a table, and the swivel passenger’s seat can use the additional adjustable/removable table for coffee. This model also includes the lithium Pure Energy Management System that provides 9,600W hours of store energy so that you can go off the beaten path for the ultimate journey!

Seaside Walks: ‘Soutwold – Southeast England’ (4K)

Southwold is a small town and civil parish on the English North Sea coast in the East Suffolk district of Suffolk. It lies at the mouth of the River Blyth within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Political Analysis: Is Taiwan Part Of China?

If countries were people, the relationship between China, America and Taiwan would be a love triangle like no other.

Taiwan is by some reckoning the most dangerous flashpoint between China and America. Though Taiwan is in most respects an independent country, China insists it is part of the People’s Republic and is not ruling out taking the island by force. If that were to happen it could ignite an all-out war between America and China. This film explains how this precarious situation came about and how might it play out.

New Wildlife Books: ‘Last Of Their Kind’ By Joachim Schmeisser (April 2021)

“Some of the largest and most wonderful creatures in Africa have become very dear to me over the years,” Schmeisser writes. His book of portraits carries two messages. “It [is] a homage and warning at the same time—a visual message with the aim of sharpening our clouded view of the one, infinitely complex and vulnerable nature and to recognize which treasures we are about to irretrievably lose,” he writes.

There are exactly two black rhinos left in the world, a subspecies of the white rhino, the very last of their kind. In this deeply poignant tribute, photographer Joachim Schmeisser presents these rhinos as well as other wild animals in the Amboseli National Park in Kenya, where Maasai tribespeople ensure that nobody endangers them. With his breathtaking black-and-white images, Schmeisser brings us up close to these extraordinary and endangered creatures, creating a powerful document of nature’s splendor and fragility.

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Views: ‘Grossglockner High Alpine Road’, Austria

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. It connects Bruck in the state of Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Törl and Hochtor Pass at 2,504 m. The road is named after the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. 

Morning News Podcast: Biden Speech Highlights, Markets, Amazon Workers

A.M. Edition for April 29. WSJ White House reporter Sabrina Siddiqui on key moments from President Biden’s speech to Congress as he pushes a broad economic agenda. 

A look at the markets as the president marks 100 days in office. Amazon workers are set for a pay raise. Marc Stewart hosts.

Chateau Tours: Světlá nad Sázavou, Czech Republic

Světlá nad Sázavou is a town in the Havlíčkův Brod District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of about 6,500. The Sázava River flows through the town.

This incredible complex has more than 5,500 sq. meters of usable area and a garden with a park that occupies 14,306 sq. meters. The chateau also has extensive attics and cellars.

The history of the chateau dates back to the Middle Ages when a Gothic fortress was built on the site, which was then a Renaissance hunting lodge was built. Over time, the chateau complex grew to include a Baroque wing and an Empire-style part, as well as a famous orangery. In the 19th century, under the leadership of a prominent Viennese architect, a demanding reconstruction and modification of the complex took place in the Neo-Renaissance style. With this reconstruction, the chateau gained its present appearance. A one-story historic building with four wings was built, which encloses a rectangular courtyard with a fountain. The building combines Renaissance, Baroque, Empire, and Neo-Renaissance elements.

Aerial City Views: ‘Atlanta – Georgia’ (4K Video)

Atlanta is the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia. It played an important part in both the Civil War and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Atlanta History Center chronicles the city’s past, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is dedicated to the African-American leader’s life and times. Downtown, Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Olympics, encompasses the massive Georgia Aquarium.