February 13, 2023

ANCIENT RISQUÉ ART  Pompeii’s House of the Vettii  The House of the Vettii, one of the most important historical sites in Pompeii, opened to the public in 2023 after 20 years of work to restore its frescos and the mansion itself. Its treasures are available in all their colorful detail, and we do mean colorful, for the walls contain some frescoes depicting erotic scenes. What seems titillating to us, however, was a little more prosaic to the Romans, who may have seen these as conversation pieces fit for polite company.  READ MORE →   WILDLIFE WONDER Look At This Quoll Whether or not you think this is one cute critter, the fact remains that Australia’s northern quoll is, by all accounts, an unpleasant animal. (A 2018 paper observed that the quolls “readily bit down on anything close to their mouths.” Yikes.) So when scientists set out to collect information on how and when the quolls moved, they needed to devise creative solutions for how to not only reach the quolls, but then how to outfit those bitey, irritable creatures. READ MORE →   ST FRANCISVILLE, LOUISIANA Cat Island Bald Cypress This bald cypress is the sixth-largest tree in the U.S. and the largest tree east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It boasts a height of around 83 feet and a circumference of over 57 feet, and is believed to be 1,200 to 1,500 years old, meaning it began growing around the same time as the death of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor of Europe. READ MORE →   SPONSORED BY VISIT ARIZONA The Stand Frybread today occupies a place of great—if not, complicated—significance in indigenous food culture, one you can taste for yourself at a roadside eatery just outside of Scottsdale. With frybread at the heart of its menu, this handmade stand constructed from arrowroot and cactus ribs serves rich, homemade toppings on frybread that’s always made to order. LEARN MORE →   DON’T DO THIS TOMORROW Victorian ‘Vinegar Valentines’ In the Victorian era, there was no better way to let someone know they were unwanted than with the ultimate insult: the vinegar valentine. Vinegar valentines were commercially bought postcards that were less beautiful than their love-filled counterparts, and contained an insulting poem and illustration. They were sent anonymously, so the receiver had to guess who hated him or her; as if this weren’t bruising enough, the recipient paid the postage on delivery. Ouch. READ MORE →   PEWSEY, ENGLAND Pewsey White Horse This white horse was cut by volunteers from Pewsey Fire Brigade in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI. Originally the date it was cut appeared above the horse, but this has since disappeared. READ MORE →   GASTRO OBSCURA COURSES Writing the Food Memoir In this generative memoir-writing workshop led by award-winning writer Gina Rae La Cerva, we’ll use the subject of food as a starting point to explore our inner worlds. Through short prompts, longer writing assignments, and readings, we’ll examine the craft of writing about food, highlighting the tools needed to create stellar food writing including ingredients, timing, and temperature. Along the way, we’ll look at the essential components of using sensory details to inform and inspire. ENROLL NOW →   GASTRO OBSCURA The History of Joe Froggers Have you ever heard of Joe Froggers? It’s a beloved spice cookie that combines the sharpness of rum with spices and a caramel overtone of rum. Its deliciousness, however, tells a deeper story of Black business ownership, slavery, and seafaring in Massachusetts. READ MORE →   MIRAMAR, MEXICO Quiahuiztlán The ancient necropolis known as Quiahuiztlán once contained 78 stone tombs that resembled miniature temples. Their contents originally contained human skeletal remains, polychrome pottery, and the metates (or grinding stones) that give Cerro de los Metates its name. READ MORE →   ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Journey Through Bulgaria Join us on this trip exploring Europe’s most southeasterly corner, taking in jaw-dropping natural landscapes, wandering picturesque old towns, and feasting on hearty local cuisine. You'll be guided by our trip leader, who will provide compelling insights and stories into the rich and often tragic history of one of Europe's oldest countries. BOOK NOW →