The Space Needle in Seattle is tall, but doesn’t reach anywhere near space. Its exterior style is typical of 1960’s futurism with an enthusiasm for human progress. The observation tower is 184 meters tall, but the highest floor only stands at 158 meters. It was originally built for the 1962 Read more
After Château de Chillon, Schloss Burgdorf is the second best castle in Switzerland. Construction of fortifications on that hill began in the 11th century by the Kingdom of Burgundy. The was expanded over the centuries by various owners until the 18th century when the precursor to modern Switzerland was formed. Read more
Located on the southwestern slope of Mount Royal in Montreal, the St. Joseph’s Oratory is Canada’s largest church. It also has one of the largest church domes in the world with a 39 meter diameter. Completed in 1967, the basilica looks much older than it actually is with its Art Read more
Every winter from about January to March, the world’s largest skating rink opens to the public in Ottawa. Access is free, but parking is scarce. Using public transport is advised as nearby streets have limited parking while downtown parking lots cost more than a rose on Valentine’s Day. It’s usually Read more
The official residence of the Queen’s representative in Canada, the Governor General, is Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The grounds of the residence are free to visit most days of the year except when special events or state matters prohibit public access. The residence of the Prime Minister is just across Read more
Well known for building the Unité d’Habitation in several cities like Marseille and Berlin, co-designing the UN building in New York City, and inspiring the concept of the Radiant City, Le Corbusier also had an impact in his home country of Switzerland. Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds near the French border, Read more
There’s no shortage of venerated academic institutions in Massachusetts. There’s Harvard, Northeastern, Berklee, and MIT. One of the first things I noticed when I arrived at the Boston MIT campus was the name of their bus stop: 1 Harvard Square. I wonder if Harvard has a building located on 1 Read more
Located near the town of Ipoh in Malaysia, Kellie’s Castle is the unfinished home built by a Scottish settler which was later left to ruin. The property is mainly built in Victorian architectural style using darker materials with elements of Indian colonial building features. The owner, William Kellie Smith, died Read more
The ruins of a church built in 1815 stand in Glengarry County, Ontario. The empty shell of the stone structure is all that is left after a fire ravaged the church in 1970. A modern church structure stands adjacent to the old one and continues to serve the community today. Read more
Ever since I found out that the CN Tower was the tallest structure in the world I had wanted to visit it. Alas, when I did finally get the chance to visit Toronto in 2016, it was no longer the tallest structure in the world. Even though it has been Read more