Category: Travel

On this day in 44 BCE, Dictator for Life Gaius Julius Caesar was assassinated by members of the Roman Senate, stabbed 23 times in what the conspirators believed was an act that would save the Republic and stop Caesar’s advancement toward becoming the King of Rome. This day, on the Roman calendar of the time, was the Ides of March. What does “Ides” mean? Why that day? And what was the Julian Calendar all about, anyway?Up until the year before Caesar’s death, the Roman calendar was a bit of a disaster, at least if you were trying to use it for things like “what season is it,” “when do I plant my wheat,” or “when should the pigs be suckled”? These examples may seem simplistic, but it’s important to remember that the Roman Republic was at its heart an agrarian society: when soldiers retired, they were given farmland to work. Cincinnatus, a legendary elder statesman and hero of the Republic, would serve as needed in times of military warfare and plebeian uprisings, but would always return to his farm, inspiring George Washington and other Revolutionary War figures to idealize an agrarian United States.

Source: Beware the Ides of March. (But Why?) – JSTOR Daily

Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches over 500,000 acres across Tennessee and North Carolina, and is known for its wildlife and historic homesteads. It’s the most visited national park in the country (yes, beating Yellowstone), with 12 million visitors in the last year alone.With six park entrances to choose from, it’s important to base yourself near the sites you most want to see. Each gateway town has its own personality, but most don’t get as much press as well-known Gatlinburg. Here, we break down what each of the six towns has to offer to help you decide where to stay for your Smokies getaway.All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Source: A Guide to the Gateway Towns of Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Condé Nast Traveler

The latest data from the National Science Foundation’s Survey of Earned Doctorates for the 1216 PhDs in economics awarded in 2020 find that men outnumbered women by nearly 2-to-1, 60% of the doctorates went to foreigners with temporary visas, and 24 of the 493 recipients (about 5%) who were U.S. citizens or permanent residents were Black.A few gleanings from the data:Of 1216 PhDs awarded in economics in 2020, 797 (66%) went to men and 419 (34%) to women.  For comparison, in physics, 21% of the doctorates were awarded to women; in computer and information sciences, also 21%; in math and statistics, 29%; in political science, 39%; in chemistry, also 39%; in business management and administration, 42%; in sociology, 59%; in psychology, 72%.

Source: Who earned PhDs in economics in 2020?

On Friday, it was announced that the project’s final price tag has once again ballooned by billions of dollars.Site C was initially estimated to cost $6 billion, and the first approved budget, back in 2014, was $8.775 billion. The budget increased to $10.8 billion in 2018.But the latest update suggests it will cost about $16 billion in total. And, in addition to a higher budget, the date of completion has been pushed back to 2025 – a year later than the initial target.

Source: Site C update: Massive B.C. energy development will go ahead despite being delayed, over budget | CTV News

Can you name the most frequently failed high school course?It’s a subject that students have called “difficult,” “challenging,” and, at times, “torture.”Yes. It’s a math class.And if you guessed Algebra, you’re right.The fact that so many students struggle with Algebra is a real problem because it’s a class that has far-reaching impacts on their lives. Here’s why.Algebra is one of the most important indicators of a student’s future success. Students who pass Algebra 1 by the end of 9th grade open the door to advanced STEM courses and AP classes, and are more likely to enroll in college, graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and go on to well-paid, in-demand careers.Conversely, for students who fail Algebra 1, the door to opportunity often closes. Students who don’t complete Algebra 1 have just a one in five chance of graduating from high school. This is a statistic that particularly affects students who are Black, Latino, English learners, or experiencing poverty, putting them at a disadvantage for future careers and higher earnings. And during COVID-19, these students are facing greater uncertainty and challenges academically because of widespread disruptions to schooling.

Source: More students flunk this high school course than any other | Bill Gates

Fast Facts About QuebecMajor Cities That Make Up Quebec: Quebec City, Montreal, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Trois-Rivieres.Timezones include: Eastern time zone (EST)Most Populous Cities: Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke.Geographic Places Of NoteMountains to see: Laurentian Mountains, Mont-Royal, Mont-Tremblant, Mont Rigaud, Mont-Saint-Grégoire.Quebec has several islands, including the Anticosti Island, and Magdalen Islands.Notable bodies of water include the Saint Lawrence River and Rivière Saguenay.Montreal is home to the Bull Waterfalls.

Source: Quebec Complete Travel Guide – Things To Do, Activities & Food

When is the BNP Paribas Open?The 2022 BNP Paribas Open will be held from 10-20 March. The hard-court tournament, established in 1976, will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. The tournament director is former World No. 2 Tommy Haas.Who is playing at the 2022 BNP Paribas Open?The BNP Paribas Open will feature all of the Top 20 players in the ATP Rankings, led by Daniil Medvedev, with reigning champion Cameron Norrie returning.When is the draw for the BNP Paribas Open?The Indian Wells draw will be made on Tuesday 8 March at 3:00 p.m.What is the schedule for the Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 event?* Qualifying: Tuesday, 8 March – Wednesday, 9 March at 11:00 a.m.* Main Draw: Thursday, 10 March – Sunday, 20 March. Thursday, 10 March – Thursday, 17 March at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Friday, 18 March 12:00 p.m.* Doubles Final: Saturday, 19 March Not Before 5:00 p.m.* Singles Final: Sunday, 20 March Not Before 3:00 p.m.* View On Official Website

Source: BNP Paribas Open 2022: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know | ATP Tour | Tennis

Rick Steves can point out the balconies in Milan where Mussolini gave speeches. He knows where to order the tastiest mangalica in Budapest, Hungary. And for more than 40 years, he has researched European travel for his popular guidebooks and television show, amassing a sizable fan base with his intricate knowledge of history, culture, and cuisine.Prior to 2021, however, Steves had largely overlooked one major side of European travel: the great outdoors. That changed in September when Steves went on a six-day trek through the French Alps.“Here I am, supposed to be this expert on European travel, and I’ve never done a multiday hike in the Alps,” Steves told Outside in a recent phone interview. “It was something totally new to me, and now I want to tell everybody what a great travel option it is.”Now 66, Steves has become hooked on hiking, and he’s convinced that his fans—many of whom are near or at retirement age—may enjoy trekking in the mountains just as much as cruising the Seine or strolling the Louvre.“What I like is the rhythm of my feet on the trail,” Steves said. “It’s therapeutic. It’s a delightful experience for my body and my soul.”Steves and three friends tackled part of the Tour du Mont Blanc, the famed 110-mile trail network around Europe’s highest peak. The well-trodden route passes multiple guesthouses, restaurants, and hotels, and there’s even a service that ferries a hiker’s bags from one destination to the next. But the route is also rocky and rugged, with more than 32,000 total feet of elevation gain.

Source: What You Missed: How Rick Steves Got Hooked on Hiking – Outside Online