Exploring The Queen's Royal Yacht "Britannia" in Edinburgh, Scotland

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


I have to admit, the last tourist site that I was interested in visiting when I was in Edinburgh, was the former Royal Yacht Britannia.

It was well off the beaten path, and as far as I knew was just a boat.

What was the big deal?

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Drinking Champagne Out of Marie Antoinette's Breast (or, the history of champagne glasses)

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


The small bowl, or saucer-shaped champagne glass (called a coupe) is often claimed to be modeled on the left breast of the famed French aristocrat Marie Antoinette (1721-1793).

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Stephenson, William Stephenson: Did you know that James Bond was based on a real person?

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


Often considered to be the inspiration for the romanticized, over-sexed spy, and credited with being a key player in the creation of the CIA, Sir William Samuel Stephenson was an inventor, real-life master spy, and businessman.

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A Royal Parking Lot: The Discovery of King Richard III

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


In the fall of 2012, a team of archeologists from the University of Leicester discovered a skeleton under one of the town's parking lots. Shockingly, the skeleton turned out to be the lost remains in King Richard III who had been killed in battle in 1485!

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The History of The Covered Passageways in Paris

by Lindsay Shapka in , , ,


If you are anything like me, one of your favourite things about travelling is finding those spots that transport you back in time, and for just a moment you can pretend that you are part of the era that gave birth to artistic genius, architectural marvels, or mysterious cultures.

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Queen Nefertiti: The Most Beautiful Woman In Ancient Egypt

by Lindsay Shapka in , , ,


Like Helen of Troy, the beauty of Queen Nefertiti has been documented throughout history and her likeness has been studied and revered since it's discovery.

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