Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ XUMO Lifestyle Channel # 452 The great Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is one of Europe’s most popular castles. Thanks to its breathtaking location and architecture, the castle looks like something out of a fairy tale. This was somewhat the intention of Bavarian King Ludwig II, who ordered the construction of the castle as a fantasy retreat from reality. After losing control of the Bavarian army and most of his real power, Ludwig II began planning a series of lavish palaces and castles where he could isolate himself and indulge his dreams of royalty. Neuschwanstein

Linderhof Palace, Germany

The German state of Bavaria is renowned for its beautiful views and magnificent architecture, and some of its most impressive sites were built under the rule of King Ludwig II, the area’s “fairy tale king.” During his 22-year reign, the king commissioned two palaces and a castle. Linderhof Palace, featured in this video, is the only one to have been completed as planned. Surely eccentric, and even known to some as the “Mad King,” Ludwig went heavily into debt to construct these buildings, which largely pay homage to King Louis XIV of France and the romantic works of composer Richard Wagner. This debt became one of the reasons for the king’s eventual deposition. Ironically, Ludwig’s self-indulgent

Wat Arun at Sunset

Thailand holds tens of thousands of Buddhist temples, but none as famous as Wat Arun, the beautiful “temple of the dawn” in the capital city of Bangkok. The exact age of Wat Arun is unknown, but it dates back at least to the 1600s, during the era of the country’s Ayutthaya Kingdom. The iconic spires– or prongs— were not added until the reign of King Rama II in the nineteenth century. The tallest spire is a symbol for Mount Meru, the center of the Buddhist universe. It stands over 260 feet tall. Visitors to the temple can climb the central prong via a series of steep steps, for a beautiful view of surrounding Bangkok. This eScapes

The Pyramids of Giza

Watch a full HD version of this single song sample episode on the eScapes’ XUMO Lifestyle Channel # 452 Few sites in the world are as revered as the pyramids of the Giza Necropolis. These timeless structures seem to simultaneously defy time and logic and they stand in the shifting Egyptian sands. The oldest and largest pyramid at the site, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, was built more than 4,500 years ago and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,871 of those years, until the completion of England’s Lincoln Cathedral in 1311 AD. It is also the only surviving destination from the original Seven Wonders of the World. Just as famous in modern

The Burying Point (Salem, Massachusetts)

Salem, Massachusetts is infamous for its history of witch trials and executions, which took place during 1692 and 1693. The Salem area is now a popular (though sometimes macabre) historical attraction. The witch trials, however, are only a small part of a larger history, and Salem is also significant as an early American settlement dating back to 1626. Salem’s Charter Street Cemetery, also known as “The Burying Point,” has links to many facets of the city’s early history. This scenic cemetery is the second-oldest in the United States, and holds the remains of one of the original Mayflower pilgrims. Also found on the grounds is the grave of Justice John Hathorne, a judge during the witch

Detroit Institute of Arts (American Landscapes)

No visit to Detroit is complete without a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, a 658,000-square-foot museum with one of the top collections of artwork in the United States. Founded in 1885, the museum is home to a diverse collection of art from a broad span of eras and cultures. Some of the museum’s most famous pieces include Diego Rivera’s enormous “Detroit Industry” fresco and an 1887 self portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. This eScapes video takes you on a relaxing tour of the museum’s gallery of American landscapes. Most of these works are from the mid-19th century and the centerpiece of this gallery, Frederic Edwin Church’s 1862 painting Cotopaxi, is thought to be a

Paris (Eiffel Tower & Arc de Triomphe)

Paris has a reputation as the most romantic city on the planet, and it’s easy to understand why. Whether it’s a ride down the River Seine, a walk through the Louvre Museum, or a twilight picnic at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the greatest sights of Paris seem designed for two. Known as the “City of Light” for its role in the Enlightenment, Paris is one of the world’s foremost cultural centers: a giant in fashion, food, and the arts. This eScapes scene features two of Paris’ most famous landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, originally built as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, and the Arc de Triomphe, decorated with scenes from French military history.

Château Margaux, France

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Bordeaux’s Chateau Margaux is one of the most prestigious wine producers in France. Though its history dates back to the 12th century, it wasn’t until the 1570s that the grounds were used as a vineyard. The beautiful chateau itself wasn’t built until the 19th century but it’s already become a French historical monument, as well as a monument to the French winemaking tradition. Chateau Margaux wines are known throughout the world and have a price to match their reputation. In 2011, bottles of Margaux ranged from $225 to $2,400.

Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux

Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux is one example of the stunning gothic cathedrals found throughout France. This cathedral dates back to at least 1096 AD, but much of its striking architecture was added over the next 400 years. The cathedral’s twin bell towers on the north facade, featured prominently in this eScapes video, are highlights of the building’s exterior. Four bell towers were initially planned, but only two were constructed due to concerns over the building’s weight and the risk of it sinking into the ground. The Cathédrale Saint-André, sometimes more simply known as Bordeaux Cathedral, has been witness to nearly a thousand years of history. In 1137, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII were married in

Machu Picchu

Few South American archaeological sites are as stunning as Peru’s Machu Picchu. In the middle of a mountain forest nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, this Inca city uses natural materials to create an aesthetic harmony with its natural surroundings. This site was one of the last sanctuaries for the Inca Empire as it fell to Spanish colonialism. In fact, the Spaniards were never able to find Machu Picchu and it remained hidden until 1911. As a result, it is a notably intact archaeological site although it is threatened by increasing tourism and commercial infiltration. Outside the city, the tranquil Andes Mountains are home to a variety of interesting wildlife, including Peru’s famous llamas. A pair