A stretch of the Gulf of Mexico spanning more than 5,000 square miles along the Louisiana coast is nearly devoid of marine life this summer, according to a study released this week. Caused largely by nutrient runoff from farm fertilizer, this oxygen-deprived “dead zone” is approximately the size of Connecticut.
Almost two hours from Rome, Civita di Bagnoregio — Italy’s “Jewel on the Hill” — rises up from the surrounding hills, a majestic sight on the skyline.
Though the view is sublime, there’s one problem rocking this isolated, ancient town to its core — bits of Civita are slowly eroding away, and have been for years.
The main culprits of the erosion are continuous rains and the streams that line both sides of the approximately 2,500-year-old town.
Civita was built by the Etruscans, and their architecture is still prominent throughout the city, as evidenced by a massive stone arch that welcomes locals and visitors alike.
The arch comes after the often foggy, quarter-mile-long footbridge you must walk up to reach the town, as there are no cars allowed here.
Even though it’s quite the hike to get to Civita, tourists love the town’s enchanting ancient history, narrow roads and medieval ruins that litter the little hilltop town.
Tourists make up most of the people in the town during the day, as there is only a small population of full-time residents in town.
Those who have visited said that “pictures can’t describe this beautiful place” and that the overall experience is “surreal, magical and beautiful.”
So on your next Italian escape, make sure to say ciao to Civita di Bagnoregio!
Christmas with Kids at Disney (Photo Credit: Disney)
Believe it or not, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida becomes even more magical during the holiday season. You can feel the magic in the air more than ever during this time of year. From the beautiful decorations to the special events, the holidays are a great time for a Disney World vacation.
Disney starts the holiday season a little earlier than most places, by the first week of November. The holiday festivities last approximately two months, through the first week of January. There are festive decorations throughout the parks and resorts as well as special events and activities to help you celebrate the season.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (Photo Credit: Disney)
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is held at Magic Kingdom on select nights from early November through the week of Christmas. This is the only opportunity to see snow falling on Main Street, U.S.A. The party offers a variety of exciting holiday festivities. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade marches down Main Street with toy soldiers, gingerbread men, elves, and many of our favorite Disney characters. This year’s parade will even include Frozen characters Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. The party also includes character dance parties, free hot cocoa and cookies, and a special holiday Wishes fireworks spectacular.
Festival of the Seasons
Festival of the Seasons is the holiday celebration held at Downtown Disney. You can meet Santa Claus, pick up some Christmas ornaments, or enjoy live entertainment. There are holiday carolers, stilt walkers, street performers, and a holiday dance party. The area is also full of beautiful holiday decorations.
Candlelight Processional
Candlelight Processional at Epcot (Photo Credit: Disney)
Candlelight Processional is held every night from Thanksgiving to Christmas inside Epcot. Each night, Disney brings in a celebrity narrator to read the Christmas story. The celebrity narrator is accompanied by a 50-piece live orchestra and mass choir. The 2014 Candlelight Processional at Epcot will feature the following celebrity narrators:
• Jonathan Groff – December 3 and 4, 2014
• Whoopi Goldberg – December 5 and 6, 2014
• LeVar Burton – December 7 to December 9, 2014
• Edward James Olmos – December 10 to December 11, 2014
• Joe Morton – December 12 to December 14, 2014
• Chita Rivera – December 15 to December 17, 2014
• Ana Gasteyer – December 18 to December 20, 2014
• Marlee Matlin – December 21 to December 23, 2014
• Isabella Rossellini – December 24 and 25, 2014
• Blair Underwood – December 26 and 27, 2014
• Steven Curtis Chapman – December 28 to December 30, 2014
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Photo Credit: Disney)
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights covers the Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios with millions of dancing lights. Every 20 or so minutes, the lights “dance” to music and there will be a snowfall on the Streets of America. You will find a Christmas tree, angels, Santa Claus, and even a spinning Earth made of lights. Plus, you just might be lucky enough to spot a Hidden Mickey or two in the lights.
(MORE: Find wonderful hotels to stay in near or at the Walt Disney World Resort.)
Resort Decorations
Decorations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Photo Credit: Disney)
All of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels show their holiday spirit with incredible decorations ranging from floor to ceiling Christmas trees to larger than life gingerbread creations. All of the hotels have trees, wreaths, and other decorations, but the deluxe resorts truly go all out for the holidays. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa features a life size gingerbread house in their lobby along with freshly baked gingerbread treats available for purchase for a snack or to send to your friends and family back home. Disney’s Beach Club Resort creates a life sized gingerbread carousel in their lobby. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge have spectacular Christmas trees that are a few stories high sitting in their lobbies. Plus, Disney’s Contemporary Resort will feature a new Frozen-inspired creation in their lobby this year. As a reminder, anyone can visit the Walt Disney World Resort hotels to enjoy their decor.
Siera Duiser of Destinations in Florida contributed this to MiniTime.
More from MiniTime
Things to do for Christmas with Kids in Orlando
Holiday Family Fun at Southern California’s Theme Parks
Things to do for Christmas with Kids in New York City
6 Dreamy Christmas Getaways with Kids
Things to do for Christmas with Kids in London
They say you can’t have it all, but it seems like Chrissy Teigen just might. Not only is the Sports Illustrated model stunning, she’s also hilarious, self-deprecating and a hell of a good cook. Oh, and don’t even get us started on her hunky, hunky husband, Mr. John Legend.
Whenever we are looking through her Twitter feed or scrolling through her Instagram photos, we are perpetually laughing. Not only does she make great Taco Bell jokes, but she constantly proves that just because you’re famous, doesn’t mean you have to take life too seriously.
So in celebration of Chrissy Teigen’s 29th birthday today (Nov. 30), we’re taking a look at her best Instagrams over the past year. Get ready to LOL.
All images courtesy of @ChrissyTeigen.
The early evening darkness combined with the impending winter’s cold weather means more time spent in our homes. It’s during this time when we tend to notice just how loud everything is — the neighbors, the howling wind and, in many areas, traffic noise. If moving to the middle of nowhere isn’t an option, here are a few tips (and products) designed to increase the peace inside your home.
The Armored Spherical Cabin Electric Patrol Vehicle features a soccer-ball shaped cabin designed to provide its two-person crew maximum visibility in all directions.
There are certainly ways to play classic Game Boy titles on modern TVs, but many of them involve emulators. What if you have the real system in your hands? That’s where the crowdfunded Hdmyboy project might just save the day. The project lets you mod…
This Samsung 28″ 4K is the most popular monitor we’ve ever listed. It was an amazing deal when it debuted at a $700 MSRP. It’s $400 right now, with no tax for most and free shipping.
I’ve seen countless science fiction movies and documentaries about the future of humanity. Nothing I’ve ever seen was as inspiring and beautiful as this extraordinary short film by Erik Wernquist, narrated by Carl Sagan. It is not hyperbole. Turn off the lights, pump the volume, and get ready for goosebumps.
Ένας άνθρωπος σκοτώθηκε κατά τις συγκρούσεις που ξέσπασαν το Σάββατο ανάμεσα σε διαδηλωτές και αστυνομικούς στο κέντρο της πρωτεύουσας της Αιγύπτου, ανακοίνωσε υπεύθυνος των δυνάμεων ασφαλείας.
Χθες το απόγευμα, η αστυνομία χρησιμοποίησε δακρυγόνα και αντλίες νερού για να απομακρύνει τους περισσότερους από χίλιους διαδηλωτές που συγκεντρώθηκαν κοντά στην πλατεία Ταχρίρ στο κέντρο του Καϊρου για να διαμαρτυρηθούν για την απαλλαγή από τις κατηγορίες της συνέργειας σε φόνους διαδηλωτών το 2011 του πρώην προέδρου της χώρας Χόσνι Μουμπάρακ, σύμφωνα με δημοσιογράφους του Γαλλικού Πρακτορείου και του Ρόιτερς που βρίσκονταν στην περιοχή.
Οι διαδηλωτές φώναζαν συνθήματα –όπως “κάτω το στρατιωτικό καθεστώς” –κατά του Μουμπάρακ και του σημερινού προέδρου Αμπντέλ Φάταχ αλ-Σίσι.
Η χθεσινή συγκέντρωση ήταν η πολυπληθέστερη από τότε που την εξουσία ανέλαβε ο αλ-Σίσι.
Χθες το πρωί, δικαστήριο του Καΐρου απέσυρε την κατηγορία της συνέργειας σε φόνους που είχε απαγγελθεί σε βάρος του Μουμπάρακ για τον ρόλο του στην αιματηρή καταστολή των διαδηλώσεων κατά τη διάρκεια της λαϊκής εξέγερσης το 2011, η οποία οδήγησε στην πτώση του καθεστώτος του.
Επίσης το δικαστήριο απάλλαξε τον Μουμπάρακ από κατηγορίες για διαφθορά σε ξεχωριστή υπόθεση.
Ωστόσο ο 86χρονος πρώην πρόεδρος ο οποίος κυβέρνησε με σιδηρά πυγμή τη χώρα επί τριάντα χρόνια, θα παραμείνει υπό κράτηση σε στρατιωτικό νοσοκομείο καθώς εκτίει τριετή ποινή φυλάκισης για άλλη υπόθεση διαφθοράς.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
