In 1960, UNESCO’s campaigned the world over to save Egypt’s Abu Simbel from flooding by the Aswan Dam. This mammoth act of multinational cooperation galvanized the global community around heritage. France’s Culture Minister, André Malraux, said that our world “publicly proclaims [our] art as its indivisible heritage.” Over 50 countries funded half of the then $80 million cost to move the monuments out of harm’s way. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, one of UNESCO’s most successful programs, arguably the most powerful vehicle for heritage preservation. Adopted by...

The gay history of Amsterdam was not always one of tolerance, however. It’s hard to believe that this progressive and forward-thinking bastion of acceptance once hanged gay men publicly. Records detail gruesome tortures to elicit witch-trial-type confessions as late as the 1800s. It wasn’t until the hippy ’60s that the Dutch even allowed such “undesirables” to congregate privately and eventually decriminalized homosexuality. But in the decades since, the city has shone like a beacon of hope, spreading by example its ray of acceptance and solidarity worldwide.Gay Pride & Events Amsterdam’s official Gay Pride orbits around the...

Where can you get picturesque island charm with moderate year-round climates (and have no chance of ever seeing a hurricane)? Where are nights filled with concerts of sound and light, days full of sights and attractions, and nature meets cosmopolitan city life in a harmonious blend? Just a quick hop from Vancouver, British Columbia, the provincial capital, Victoria, offers a refreshing palette of attractions complemented by local hospitality that is both old-fashioned yet warm and accepting of diversity. It’s no surprise that many same-sex couples come here to exchange vows, and come back for the relaxing pace. An excellent backdrop...

Warm people, animated nightlife, and excellent attractions beckon visitors. Story By Marc Kassouf • Photography By S. Nathan DePetris From coast to coast, Mexico’s playgrounds provide vacationers with unparalleled beaches, countless cultural sights, top luxury resorts, and adventure possibilities. Never mind the hoopla that keeps being flashing on the news, tourism is thriving with very high visitor satisfaction from Americans who are not deterred by scary headlines. Like its’ northern neighbors, Mexico is a huge country and the problems that dominate the news are often isolated to border towns or specific cities. It’s no surprise...