Heavenly Matched Travel
Every destination we visit is steeped in centuries of incredible history, faith, and culture. Before we embark on our 2026 expeditions, dive into these six fascinating historical facts about the wonders we will witness together.
Constructed in 438 BC, the Parthenon atop the Acropolis appears perfectly straight and rectangular. However, this is an intentional optical illusion created by ancient architects. There are virtually no straight lines in the building; the columns lean slightly inward and bulge in the middle (entasis) to correct the optical distortion that happens when humans look at tall buildings from below.
The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio is struck by lightning three to six times a year due to its mountaintop location. To protect this modern wonder of the world, the soapstone tiles covering the reinforced concrete statue are fitted with hidden lightning rods inside the head and arms, safely grounding the massive electrical strikes.
While many believe the oldest universities are in Europe, the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest continuously operating, degree-granting educational institution in the world. Incredibly, it was founded in 859 AD by a visionary woman named Fatima al-Fihri.
Before 1904, the center of the Broadway theater district was originally known as Longacre Square. It was officially renamed "Times Square" when The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly built Times Building (now One Times Square). It was the publisher, Adolph Ochs, who initiated the tradition of the famous New Year's Eve ball drop there in 1907.
The ancient Mayan civilization, whose ruins dot the coastlines of the Caribbean sea, were master astronomers and mathematicians. Long before the concept reached Europe, the Mayans independently invented the mathematical concept of "zero," allowing them to create calendars more accurate than those used in the Old World at the time.
The Eiffel Tower, which we will visit on our grand finale night after Morocco, was never meant to be permanent. Built for the 1889 World's Fair, it was heavily criticized by Parisian artists and was scheduled to be demolished 20 years later. It was only saved from destruction because its height made it the perfect radio transmission antenna.