Colca Canyon, Peru

Colca Canyon, Peru

Peru’s Colca Canyon spans more than 4800 miles and is one of the deepest canyons in the world. The area around the Colca River features an extremely varied landscape and extraordinary biodiversity. Many inhabitants of this area have pre-Incan ancestry. They have preserved their traditional culture and continue to farm the stepped terraces along the canyon and sell traditional goods to the many tourists that come to enjoy this beautiful and relaxing place on earth. Kim Waters is a jazz multi-instrumentalist primarily known for his saxophone talent. In addition to fronting over a dozen albums, Waters’ chart-topping performances blend jazzy grooves with R&B and have been included on albums by genre greats including Al Green and

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The Pyramids of Giza

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

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Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse

Michigan’s Old Presque Isle Lighthouse was first lit on Lake Huron in 1840 to mark a natural harbor important to Great Lakes steamships. In the early 19th century, the harbor was a refuge for ships escaping storms and a source of wood for ship engines. Years later, the lighthouse was deemed an insufficient aid to ships and a New Presque Isle Lighthouse was built at the opposite end of the same peninsula. Additionally, a pair of range lights was added to the harbor entrance. Now a public park and museum, visitors can view a restoration of the keeper’s house, learn about the site’s history, climb the original tower, and, of course, tell ghost stories (Old Presque

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Paris (Eiffel Tower & Arc de Triomphe)

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.

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Dixboro, Michigan

Dixboro, Michigan

While Dixboro, Michigan might not be a city on the list of great American tourist destinations, its small town charm, scenic beauty, and nostalgic atmosphere make it enchanting to any visitor who happens to pass through. Sprouting from the lone vision and finances of Boston ship captain John Dix, the proper Village of Dixboro consists of only a handful of acres on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. In the 1820s, Dix built the area’s first barn and established a saw and grist mill in his new settlement. When the incoming railroad bypassed Dixboro in favor of nearby Ypsilanti, however, the growth of Dixboro slowed and John Dix left for Texas. Now a quaint community known for

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Steep Creek Falls, Washington

Steep Creek Falls, Washington

In many places (like Minneapolis), a 52-foot waterfall like Steep Creek Falls would be well-known by the locals and often visited by tourists. Along the Columbia River, however, amazing natural sights are everywhere, and a waterfall of this size can remain relatively unknown. One of the most accessible waterfalls in the area, Steep Creek Falls near Stevenson, Washington is a picturesque cascade that feeds Rock Creek, a tributary of the Columbia. Steep Creek Falls is perfectly complemented by the surrounding environment. Even though the waterfall is easily accessible and visible from a nearby gravel road, the beauty of the surrounding trees and rocks create a sense of seclusion. Fourplay is a jazz “supergroup” formed in 1990.

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Marina Bay, Singapore

Marina Bay, Singapore

The densely-populated city-state of Singapore rests on a small archipelago in the midst of Malaysia and Indonesia. A sovereign nation of one large metropolitan area, Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world and one of the world’s wealthiest countries, with more millionaires (in terms of US dollars) per capita than any other country. Despite being ruled by the same political party since its 1959, Singapore is also known for it’s lack of political corruption and for being one of the busiest port cites in the entire world. The country has greatly benefited from the many exports of its thriving industrial economy, as well as its strong financial sector. Singapore also caters to the

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Columbia River Trainwatching

Columbia River Trainwatching

Near the city of Stevenson, Washington (population 1,465), train enthusiasts can catch magnificent views of freight moving along the edges of the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The first railroad in this area might not have appealed to even the most devoted trainwatcher: it was nothing more than a track for a wagon, pulled my a mule, to portage cargo around some of the river’s rapids. Today, the Columbia River Gorge is a major commercial rail route through the Cascade Mountains, where a passing train is often the perfect complement to a dramatic natural landscape. Nestor Torres is a versatile flutist who crosses the genres of jazz, pop, classical, and Latin music. He has toured with mostly

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Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse

Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse

Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse, just south of Gulliver, Michigan on the north shore of Lake Michigan, has aided navigation on the lakes since 1892. Nearby Seul Choix Bay gets its name from the French for “only choice,” since early French settlers found it the only place appropriate to land their boats. Today, the light station is automated, owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and kept by the Gulliver Historical Society, which also operates a museum on the grounds. Ryan Fontanilla is a songwriter and acoustic guitarist based in Washington, D.C. He explores new concepts for acoustic guitar music by utilizing string, woodwind, electronic, and percussion instruments and by experimenting with unique structures. “Son of

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<i>Michipicoten</i> at Soo Locks

Michipicoten at Soo Locks

The Great Lakes freighter Michipicoten, formerly known as the Elton Hoyt 2nd, was built in 1952 and renamed once it joined the Lower Lakes Towing Company, which names its vessels after local rivers. In November 2010, it was converted to diesel power, increasing its capacity and lifespan while reducing its environmental footprint. The Michipicoten primarily runs between Marquette, Michigan and Algoma Steel, but also carries other material and has also been certified to carry grain. In this eScapes video, the freighter slowly moves through the Soo Locks, as it does on its usual route. Chuck Loeb is a guitarist, composer, and producer. Known for his smooth jazz recordings, he is a versatile artist who has explored

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