Say WOW

Suborbital space tourism finally arrives | FCC prepares to run public C-band auction | The big four in the U.S. launch industry — United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman — hope to be one of two providers that will receive five-year contracts later this year to launch national security payloads starting in 2022. | China’s launch rate stays high | The International Space Station is the largest ever crewed object in space.

 
Explore the Strange Roots of Holiday Traditions...
We at Atlas Obscura cherish our annual holiday traditions, but amid the charm, confusion, delight, and stress of the season, we also rejoice in the unexpected and the odd. This December, we explore surprising holiday customs, foods, places, gifts, and more. Join us for some festive storytelling in Holidays With a Twist, including tales about strange Christmas ornaments, the history of artificial Christmas trees, monsters who accompany Santa Claus, a nutcracker that traveled to space, and more. Plus find...

Read More

The Whimsical, Nostalgic Appeal of Becorns
A typical day in David Bird’s life begins with an idea for a story and then leads to scavenging through his backyard in Rhode Island for twigs, acorns, and pinecones. These foraged elements are the building blocks for his Becorns: woodland creatures that he brings to life with creativity, experience in toy design, and just the right amount of hot glue. Twigs become arms and legs, acorns pose as heads, petals decorate skirts, and mushrooms sit like hats. Then...

Read More

The Woman Putting a West-Coast Spin on...
Outside, only a few crimson leaves cling to the gnarled branches of the Japanese maple trees. Inside the Portland Japanese Garden’s modern tea room, glass walls show the forest giving way to winter. The setting may feel like something out of the Japanese countryside, but this oasis is some 5,000 miles away, nestled in a lush hillside in northwestern Oregon. In the 1960s, the city of Portland converted an old zoo into a 12-acre garden as part of an...

Read More

 
Lügenmuseum in Radebeul, Germany
Before being set free in the interior of the museum visitors are greeted with a cup of tea. The staff explains that the Lügenmuseum, or “lie museum,” is dedicated to telling lies in service of the truth. They tell a fictional origin story for the museum, namely that a little girl from a wealthy family decided to create the museum in the late 1800s and that her collection was rediscovered and put on display here. Inside visitors will find...

Read More

Before Drinking Coffee, People Washed Their Hands...
In the 15th century, a compelling new drink became the talk of the Near East. Called qahwa in Arabic, it was none other than coffee. But people in the region had been using coffee long before that. Only, not as a drink. Jeanette Fregulia, in her 2019 book A Rich and Tantalizing Brew: A History of How Coffee Connected the World, cites recent archaeological findings by an American-French team that establish “an ancient botanical origin” for Arabica coffee in...

Read More

Try These West African Spices in Your...
THIS ARTICLE IS ADAPTED FROM THE DECEMBER 9, 2023, EDITION OF GASTRO OBSCURA’S FAVORITE THINGS NEWSLETTER. YOU CAN SIGN UP HERE. If there’s one thing about the holiday season that gets me down, it’s everything tasting like cinnamon. It’s not that I hate cinnamon, exactly; I just don’t like how it hogs the spotlight in fall and winter when there are so many interesting spices from around the world that are underutilized in sweets and beverages this time of...

Read More

 
The Lost Aria Rediscovered in Venice's Ospedaletto...
This story was originally published on The Conversation. It appears here under a Creative Commons license. Imagine Lady Gaga or Elton John teaching at an orphanage or homeless shelter, offering daily music lessons. That’s what took place at Venice’s four Ospedali Grandi, which were charitable institutions that took in the needy—including orphaned and foundling girls—from the 16th century to the turn of the 19th century. Remarkably, all four Ospedali hired some of the greatest musicians and composers of the...

Read More

Podcast: Ol Pejeta Rhino Cemetery
Listen and subscribe on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps. In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, we visit a small memorial in the grasslands of Kenya. Ol Pejeta Rhino Cemetery is a way to honor one of the most endangered animals in the world—the rhinoceros—and draw attention to ongoing threats to their existence. Our podcast is an audio guide to the world’s wondrous, awe-inspiring, strange places. In under 15 minutes, we’ll take you to...

Read More

The Atlas Obscura Crossword: Worst Place in...
This Atlas Obscura–themed crossword comes from independent crossword constructor Brendan Emmett Quigley. He has been a professional puzzlemaker since 1996, and his pieces have appeared in dozens of publications. He’s also a member of the Boston Typewriter Orchestra. You can solve the puzzle below, or download it in .pdf or .puz. Note that the links in the clues will take you to Atlas Obscura pages that contain the answer. Happy solving!

Read More

 
Best AI Use Cases and Strategies in...
Question for Our Revenue Management Expert Panel: What are the most beneficial use cases and practical applications of AI in hotel revenue management? Where do you think the opportunities and pitfalls may lie? (Question by Alenka McMahon) Our Revenue Management Expert Panel Alenka McMahon – Managing Director, Hotel The post Best AI Use Cases and Strategies in Hotel Revenue Management appeared first on Revfine.com.

Read More

A Comprehensive Overview of All Hotel Positions
Hotel Positions Hotel positions encompass a variety of roles within a hotel’s operation, such as management, front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, and maintenance. These positions are crucial as they collectively ensure the smooth running of the hotel, delivering quality guest experiences and maintaining its reputation and operational efficiency. Key Takeaways Diverse Role Spectrum: Covers The post A Comprehensive Overview of All Hotel Positions appeared first on Revfine.com.

Read More

The 7 Star Hotel: Learn Everything About...
The 7-Star Hotel A 7-star hotel represents the pinnacle of luxury in the hospitality industry, although not officially recognized in the traditional star rating system. These hotels offer unparalleled service, exquisite amenities, and exceptional experiences, often featuring opulent decor and personalized services. They are important symbols of status, luxury, and architectural marvels, catering to the The post The 7 Star Hotel: Learn Everything About Seven Star Hotels appeared first on Revfine.com.

Read More

 
Hotel Facilities: Everything You Should Know About...
Hotel Facilities Hotel facilities refer to the various amenities and services a hotel provides to enhance guest comfort and convenience. These can include rooms, restaurants, fitness centers, spas, conference rooms, and pools. They are important as they significantly impact the guest experience, influencing satisfaction, repeat business, and the hotel’s overall reputation. Key Takeaways Variety of The post Hotel Facilities: Everything You Should Know About Facilities in Hotels appeared first on Revfine.com.

Read More

Front Office Department in Hotel: Everything You...
Front Office Department in Hotel The front office department in a hotel is a critical area where guests first encounter hotel staff. It manages key functions like reservations, guest services, and check-ins/check-outs. This department is essential for creating first impressions, ensuring guest satisfaction, and effectively managing room inventory and billing, making it vital for a The post Front Office Department in Hotel: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Revfine.com.

Read More

The Weird, Wonderful World of Collecting French...
Each January, French families unite around the frangipane-stuffed puff pastry known as galette des rois, an Epiphany staple now enjoyed throughout the month. Along with glasses of cider or Champagne, the assembled dig into their slices, carefully, in hopes of being designated king for the day by the presence of an inedible trinket known as the fève. Fève originally means fava bean, an allusion to similar winter solstice traditions dating back as far as ancient Rome, with favas signifying...

Read More