Top 10 Cemeteries to Visit

A visitor leaves the final resting place of Eva Peron in Cementerio de La Recoleta in Buenos Aries, Argentina

 

Many of the world’s most storied graveyards offer respite—and rewards—for the living too. Headstones, crypts, and landscapes divulge clues into the spirit of a place and its people. At these famous cemeteries, dig past the spooky surface to find a repository enlivened by the legends of the characters buried below.

Père-Lachaise, Paris, France

In the 20th arrondissement, this archetype for rural cemeteries opened in 1804. Parisians jog on winding paths, groupies crusade to Jim Morrison’s grave, and admirers leave lipstick kisses on Oscar Wilde’s tomb, which features an Egyptian-style depiction of a man in flight.

Merry Cemetery, Romania

Tucked behind Sapanta’s Church of the Assumption, ornately carved oak crosses mark each of the countryside plot’s 900-plus graves; art and poetry tell quirky tales of the dead. In an epitaph for a lifelong boozer, a posthumous request: “Leave a little wine.”

St. Louis No. 1, New Orleans, Louisiana

Near the French Quarter, a thousand aboveground vaults jam onto one square block, the 18th-century cemetery exploited in 1969’s Easy Rider. Interred here: architect turned pirate Barthelemy Lafon and—rumors say—voodoo priestess Marie Laveau.

Forest Lawn, Los Angeles, California

Hollywood Hills, overlooking top Tinseltown studios, serve as a resting place for its glitziest stars, from Bette Davis to Liberace. Many tombs are surprisingly staid (at nearby Glendale, Michael Jackson’s is hidden), but a Venetian glass mosaic ups the razzle-dazzle.

La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina

At this exclusive graveyard, visitors beeline to Eva Perón’s tomb (under her maiden name, Duarte). Among large stone angels and carved mausoleums stands the heart-wrenching sculpture of a bride who died in an avalanche on her honeymoon.

Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico

Crowded around an ancient, crumbling chapel, the rickety headstones in this old graveyard outside of Oaxaca can be difficult to walk between—especially during Day of the Dead celebrations. Revelers begin with a vigil the night of October 31, when the departed are feted with altars, candles, and marigold petals. Six blocks away, a carnival-like atmosphere pervades the Panteon Nuevo, or new cemetery, with picnicking families, strolling musicians, and vendors selling pan de muerto (bread of the dead) from tents.

Mount Auburn, Cambridge, Massachusetts

The roster of distinguished Americans interred here—Mary Baker Eddy, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Winslow Homer, to name a few—is impressive, but this tranquil swath of rolling hills, majestic maple and oak trees, and formal gardens outside of Boston remains true to its mission to be a place for the living. Founded in 1831, it was the first landscaped expanse open to the public, ultimately leading to the birth of the U.S. park system.

Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague, Czech Republic

Some 12,000 tombstones, ranging from Gothic to rococo, are wedged into this city block–size graveyard that dates from the 15th century. Symbols adorn the graves, such as the lion etched on the tomb of Judah Loew Ben Bezalel, the chief rabbi of Prague in the 16th century who, according to legend, made a golem out of clay to protect the city’s Jewish community.

Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland, Oregon

Roaming this natural landscape—one of the few cemeteries that allows the planting of a tree or garden to commemorate the dearly departed—is like the turning the pages of a Portland history book. You’ll find graves of pioneers; Block 14, a memorial in the works for the Chinese immigrants who helped build the city; and crypts of captains of industry, like the imposing Gothic-style MacLeay family mausoleum.

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

From Louis Comfort Tiffany to Jean-Michel Basquiat, many of the names etched into the tombstones, granite monuments, and brownstone mausoleums here read like Page Six of the New York Post. But the real attraction of this 478-acre oasis in Greenwood Heights is the parklike setting with glacial ponds, a Gothic Revival entrance gate circa 1861, and the Manhattan skyline peeking through the century-old trees.

Food travel: Dare to Eat

Oysters

Photograph by Miquel Gonzalez, laif/Redux

Here’s a pearl of wisdom: Sniff after you shuck, and swallow only when you’re certain. Of the riskiest foods regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raw oysters rank high for their outbreak-causing potential. The two pathogens wreaking the most havoc are Norovirus (which can cause gastroenteritis) and Vibrio, a bacterium related to cholera that can cause fever, septic shock, blistering skin lesions, and even fatal septicemia.

Ackee, Jamaica

Photograph by Marco Moretti, Anzenberger/Redux

With the common name “vegetable brain” and a pedigree to boot—this lychee relative is the national fruit of Jamaica—you’d think ackee would be an all-around crowd-pleaser. But the pear-shaped pods of this West African tree can deliver a deadly bite if eaten prior to ripening. It’s a beachside buzz kill to come down with Jamaican vomiting sickness and seizures; death, a very real risk, is the ultimate vacation wrecker. The solution: Patience. To enjoy this delicious and nutritious produce, it’s essential to wait until the fruit turns bright red and its spongy flesh peels away from the toxic black seeds within. Then, boil it up, season appropriately, and serve with saltfish. Voila: It’s Jamaica’s national dish.

Sannakji, Korea

Photograph by tomcensani, flickr

Suction cups are not typically on the American menu, but in Korea, the consumption of live baby octopus tentacles is considered a hoe (raw dish) delicacy. Although removed from the body, sliced into bite-size bits and dressed with sesame oil and sesame seeds, the squirming tentacles have a way of sticking around—in your throat—thanks to still-active suction cups, which present a choking hazard. The safest solution is to chew it 100 times before swallowing. And don’t talk with your mouth full.

Tuna

Photograph by Justin Guariglia, National Geographic

Pollution caused by industrial waste gave rise to the methylmercury-related illnesses, including development deficits in children, that have placed tuna—tuna steaks and canned tuna—on many no-no lists. But pathogens such as scombrotoxin, brought on by improper handling of fresh fish, sicken hundreds of people each year. Symptoms run the gamut from headaches to diarrhea and even loss of vision. The safest solution: Keep your fish cool and only eat at reputable restaurants.

Mushrooms

Photograph by Darlyne A. Murawski, National Geographic

Truffle hunting in Tuscany sounds like an idyllic way to spend a holiday. But beware: while there’s good fungus among us, the tasty porcini has some poisonous cousins. Even when their names spell certain doom—death cap, destroying angels, among them—look-alike mushrooms can create a toxic menace. Is that a morel you’re eating or a highly poisonous Gyromitra? A delicious chanterelle or an evil jack o’lantern (pictured here)? The poisonous galerina or the hallucinogenic psilocybe? You’d better know exactly what you’re looking for, because many mushrooms are decidedly not magical.

Fugu, Japan

Photograph by Tony McNicol, Alamy

Those apocryphal tales about the hypertoxic blowfish prized by Japanese gastronomes? Terrifyingly true. Tetrodotoxin is the potent poison that can turn fugu into a final meal. Fortunately, chefs train for years to master the art of filleting this fish while avoiding the ovaries, liver, and intestines, which contain a toxin so lethal that a tiny drop can kill. Still, dozens of daredevil diners in Japan head to the hospital each year with acute respiratory failure brought on by this lethal puffer fish. The taste? After a subtly astringent numbing of the tongue, it tastes pretty much like flounder and is easily overpowered by any sauce.

Ideas for Casserole Dinners

Casseroles make for easy dinners

Casseroles make for easy dinners because they are usually complete meals served out of just one dish. In addition, most casseroles freeze well so cooks can make multiple casseroles ahead of time and just pop them in the oven for a dinner on a busy day. All casseroles should be baked at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they are bubbly throughout.

• Squash Casserole

  • Squash casserole is best made with a combination of yellow squash and zucchini, both readily available in the summer. In the winter, experiment with acorn squash and butternut squash instead for a heavier casserole. Chop and saute an onion until translucent. Turn off the heat and mix the onion with about 3 to 4 cups of cubed squash, 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese and 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese. Spoon the mixture into a casserole dish and cover with 3/4 cup bread crumbs.

  Cottage Pie

  • Cottage pie has a layer of meat, vegetables and gravy covered in a couple inches of fluffy mashed potatoes. It is also known as shepherd’s pie, although shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with lamb, whereas cottage pie uses beef. Make the pie by cooking ground or cubed beef and adding cooked mixed vegetables, gravy and seasonings of choice. Spread these in the bottom of a casserole dish. Top with homemade mashed potatoes or instant mashed potatoes for a simpler dinner.

  Chicken Enchilada Casserole

  • Make a simple Mexican-inspired casserole that is a cross between lasagna and enchiladas. Mix together equal amounts of enchilada sauce and cream of chicken soup, add some shredded chicken and diced onions. Spread a layer of this, 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick, over the bottom of a casserole dish. Sprinkle with a generous handful of grated cheddar cheese. Tear corn tortillas into quarters and piece them together to form a layer over the cheese. Repeat the process until the casserole reaches the top of the dish.

  Rice Casserole

  • Use leftover white or brown rice as the base for a hearty casserole. Mix about 6 cups of cooked rice with a sauteed onion and some minced garlic. Stir in chopped cooked greens, 1/4 cup cream cheese, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, three eggs and herbs to taste. Spread in a casserole dish and sprinkle a light layer of Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese on top.

 

Top 10 Family Activities in Ontario

Ice skaters enjoy the world's longest skating rink—the frozen Rideau Canal, a 19th-century waterway that runs through downtown Ottawa.

1. A Trip to the Cottage

   Ontario is a big, diverse place and its residents, spread across more than a million square kilometers, don’t lay claim to all that many shared experiences. But if there’s one Ontario tradition that’s nearly universal, it’s the family trip to the cottage.

   Cottage time is all about campfires, canoe rides, and rainy-day board games. Visitors can get in on the action too; rental cottages are widely available. Popular “cottage country” areas include the Kawarthas and Muskoka, both within a couple hours’ drive of Toronto, and the Rideau Lakes, near Ottawa.

2. Toronto Zoo

   The Toronto Zoo is the largest in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Its 460-plus animal species are organized by their region of origin. In addition to the main exhibits, the zoo also offers a special children’s zone with demonstrations, a splash park, and interactive activities for kids.

   In recent years the Toronto Zoo has substantially expanded its conservation and education efforts, upgrading animal habitats and funding research projects worldwide. Ask about the zoo’s family-focused educational programs.

3. Rideau Canal (Ottawa)

   Ottawa’s Rideau Canal is a national historic site and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built after the War of 1812 as the key link in a chain of locks, rivers, and lakes that provided an alternate route between Montreal and Kingston, in case of an American invasion of the St. Lawrence River. Today it’s an urban waterway lined with trees and bike paths—perfect for renting a canoe, pedal boat, or bicycle and cruising through downtown. In winter, it’s transformed into the world’s longest skating rink.

4. Canoeing in Algonquin Provincial Park

   A canoe ride in Algonquin is quintessential Ontario: an endless expanse of water, rock, and pine trees, with the silence broken only by a loon’s call or the splash of a paddle.

   Of course, since the park is enormously popular, it isn’t always quite that idyllic. But while Ontario has plenty of wild, empty backcountry to offer, Algonquin’s level of infrastructure and trip support makes it especially family-friendly, and the park is so vast that it’s almost always possible to find some solitude. Options range from short, easy paddles to multiday, self-supported backcountry canoe-camping trips.

5. Science North and Dynamic Earth (Sudbury)

   Sudbury’s twin science centers offer hands-on exhibits covering a broad array of scientific topics, often with a northern flavor. At Science North visitors can learn about bush planes and butterflies, try their hand at measuring emissions and air quality in the region, and visit an IMAX theater and a planetarium.

   Nearby at Dynamic Earth, the emphasis is on geology: the highlight is an elevator ride deep underground to a simulated mining environment. Some of the exhibits here offer an opportunity to teach kids about reading and thinking critically.

6. Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa)

   The Canadian Museum of Nature is a natural history playground in the heart of Ottawa. The permanent exhibits feature everything from skeletal dinosaurs to live tarantulas and cockroaches, and traveling exhibitions also rotate through. Some of the displays still tend toward the old school—think taxidermy mammals and painted habitat backdrops—but the newer sections of the museum emphasize interactivity and hands-on learning. Even the museum building itself can be a thrill for kids: It’s castle-like, more than a century old, and rumor has it the place is haunted.

7. OHL Hockey

   Experience Canada’s national obsession with the OHL (or Ontario Hockey League), a prominent junior hockey league that grooms many future big league hockey stars. It’s open only to players 16 to 20, and its games tend to be fast-paced and highly skilled. They’re also far more affordable than professional NHL games, where the ticket prices rapidly rise into triple digits.

   The league has teams spread out across the province, from Ottawa in the east to Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie in the north and Sarnia in far southwestern Ontario. Weekend afternoon games are particularly family-friendly.

8. Agawa Canyon Tour Train (Sault Ste. Marie)

   The Algoma Central Railway runs this popular one-day scenic train ride out of Sault Ste. Marie, the northern Ontario city better known as the Soo. The train runs north through a granite wilderness before plunging into the Agawa Canyon. At the bottom, visitors take a 90-minute break; try one of the handful of hiking trails to a waterfall or scenic lookout, or settle down for a picnic.

   Trains are equipped with large windows and monitors showing “engineer’s-eye-view” footage from cameras mounted up front. Snacks and hot or cold meals are available onboard.

9. Black Creek Pioneer Village (Toronto)

   Black Creek is a classic pioneer village attraction, complete with historic buildings, demonstrations of old-time skills and chores, hands-on activities for kids, and interpreters in period dress. And while it’s largely kid-focused, the village also has a perk for adults: there’s a microbrewery on-site.

   For visitors who can’t make it to Toronto, there are similar working historical villages in other parts of the province: check out Eastern Ontario’s Upper Canada Village, Muskoka Heritage Place, or Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay.

10. Ontario Place (Toronto)

    Ontario Place is an interesting contradiction: a hedonistic theme park run by, of all things, a government agency. The result is a fun hybrid, with carnival standbys like bumper boats and mini-golf on offer alongside large-scale thrill rides, a giant water park, and—here’s where the contrast kicks in—an eco-learning center and an IMAX theater that screens regular nature documentaries.

    Ontario Place is located on the waterfront in downtown Toronto. It’s open from mid-June to early September.

 

 

Italy Tour

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Photograph by Lawrence Goh

The Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), located in Rome. Throngs of tourists flock to this fountain to throw their coins in hopes of a return to Rome.

 

Dolomites

Photograph by Gianluca Castagna

This picture was taken in July 2009, near val Gardena (Dolomiti Alto Adige, Italy), from the famous Sentiero Viel dal Pan and looking toward Sassolungo and Five Fingers on the left of the frame and the Pordoi on the right.

 

Duomo, Florence

Photograph by Courtney Townsend

After climbing approximately 400 stairs to the top of the bell tower in Florence, Italy, I was completely exhausted and began to wonder why I had chosen to climb it in the first place. However, after looking out at the beautiful view of Florence and capturing this image, I knew my climb had been worth it. I was glad I was able to capture the majestic beauty of the dome and the rest of Florence sprawling behind it.

 

Sunflowers, Tuscany

Photograph by Andrea Quarneri

Field of sunflowers in Tuscany, Italy. August 2010.

 

Colosseum, Rome

Photograph by Douglas Wylie

I got this shot while traveling through Italy in December. My wife spotted the puddles in the ground and suggested they would make a great reflection.

 

Gondola, Venice

Photograph by Guillaume Leray

A classic view of Venice, Italy

 

Beach, Gabbice Mare

Photograph by Richard Lalonde

Colorful parasols and chairs at the beach in Gabbice Mare on the Adriatic Sea in Italy form an interesting pattern.

 

Hotel View, Torino

Photograph by John Gale

Sunset at the Refuge Hotel, Torino, 3,375 meters, in the Italian Alps

 

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Photograph by Joe Musalo

Pisa, Italy

 

Gates of Paradise, Florence

Photograph by Joyce Salvador

Gates of Paradise, Florence, Italy

 

Carnival, Venice

Photograph by Mariusz Smiejek

Italy, 2009

 

Shepherd, Appian Way

Photograph by Joe Routon

While visiting Rome, my wife and I were on the Appian Way when we spotted an approaching cloud of dust in the distance. As it drew nearer, we realized that it was a flock of sheep. As the sheep were herded under the aqueduct, I had the realization that this event was something that had happened daily for thousands of years—I was a witness to an ancient and unchanged ritual.

 

Miage Glacier, Italy

Photograph by Davide Necchi

The Miage Lake at the end of the Miage Glacier, with the Aiguille Noire de Peuterey in Val Veny, Mont Blanc (Italy)

 

Ratto Delle Sabine, Florence

Photograph by Linda Pecchioli

This is a detail of Ratto delle Sabine. The clock in the background is that of the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence.

 

Amalfi Coast

Photograph by Ken McCurdy

I always prefer to shoot on the edges of the day. This was shot en route to a reservation for dinner. The gear is always with me.

 

Gelateria, Tuscany

Photograph by Matt Kelly

Gelato for sale in a small shop near Il Campo, Siena, Italy

 

Soccer Practice, Siena

Photograph by Adam Austin

Children practice soccer in the afternoon sun of Siena, Italy.

 

Mount Stromboli

Photograph by Fredrik Schenholm

It is amazing to watch a volcano erupt and to experience how new land forms. This is what Earth could have looked like four billions years ago, with erupting volcanoes and an atmosphere lacking oxygen, producing a different color in the sky. The image was taken in Italy, on the volcano Stromboli, in March 2009.

 

Spanish Steps, Rome

Photograph by Giuseppe Capobianco

The famous Trinità dei Monti staircase and Piazza di Spagna below, one of the most visited places in Rome.

 

Colosseum, Rome

Photograph by Vasanth Vs

Midday at the Colosseum. The light was harsh, giving me much needed rawness for this shot.

 

Landscape, Tuscany

Photograph by Jure Kravanja

When I was driving last year through Tuscany, Italy, I suddenly saw this beautiful image.

 

Children on Terrace, Venice

Photograph by Silvia Astoli

Kids woke up on a clear September morning in Venice, on the terrace of the roof overlooking beautiful Santa Maria dei Frari church, in the heart of Venice (San Polo)

 

Hiking, Brenta

Photograph by Claudio Campa

A spectacular passage of the “via ferrata” Bocchette Centrali, on the Dolomiti del Brenta, Italy. Along the lane there is a wire rope where the people can fasten on.

 

Assisi

Photograph by Fotis Mavroudakis

Italy

 

Selinunte, Sicily

Photograph by Baldur Hólmgeirsson

Selinunte was one of the most important of the Greek colonies in Sicily, Italy.

 

Capri

Photograph by Giuseppe Greco

Italy, 2008

 

Canal Grande, Trieste

Photograph by Zhiqun Fei

The reflection on the Canal Grande in Trieste, Italy

 

Campanile, Burano

Photograph by Andrea Johnston

The island of Burano, in the Venetian lagoon, is known for its brightly painted houses and for traditional lacemaking. The Church of San Martino’s campanile leans at the same five degrees as Pisa’s tower.

 

Gondolier, Venice

Photograph by Liz Walker

Taking a gondola ride in Venice, Italy

Pantheon

Photograph by Roberta Dragan

Rome, Italy

 

Mount Rocciamelone

Photograph by Roberto Bertero

Sunset view from the summit of Mount Rocciamelone (3,538 meters/11,603 feet). On the left you can easily see the huge shadow of the mountain’s conical shape projected to infinity.

 

Mask Painter, Venice

Photograph by Tamara Simeonovic

A woman hand paints a mask in a small shop in Venice. All the masks in her shop are made this way.

 

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan

Photograph by David Jessop

A view of the inside of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in central Milan, Italy

Houses, Naples

Photograph by Bui Alvin

This is a picture of houses located in Napoli, Italy. I have never seen such a sight of congestion, yet beauty and order at the same time.

 

Dolomites

Photograph by Mirto Fontana

Italy

 

Lake, Trentino

Photograph by Marco Pilla

Picture taken during a wonderful day of early autumn on the border of a little lake near S. Pellegrino Pass, Trentino, Italy. Dolomiti mountains are famous all over the world for the colors they show during the sunset, but also the season can give them a beautiful livery to exhibit all day long.