‘Indiana Jones’ Rabbi Thought He Found Ark of the Covenant

Plus, America's Newest National Park Will Lure You to an Underrated State

Manage newsletters View in browser The entire world in your inbox. Hello all—   Something that I believe makes Beast Travel unique from other travel outlets is our obsession with history and the places we love to travel. I believe that when we get to immerse ourselves in the rich tales and characters of a place, one's visit becomes that much more memorable.   This week's lead feature does just that. In an adapted excerpt from his new book Under Jerusalem: The Buried History of the World's Most Contested City, Andrew Lawler cracks open the mystery of what happened in the early 1980s when an Israeli rabbi was caught tunneling under the Temple Mount. It turns out, he reports, the rabbi thought he'd found the Ark of the Covenant. It's an incredible tale that reaches up to the highest level of the government!   We also love our National Parks, and you won't want to miss this week we have a great rundown of what you'll find in our nation's newest one, New River Gorge, from Cassandra Brooklyn. After reading it, you'll likely want to plan a trip to West Virginia soon!   While so much of travel is often about excitement in cities or relaxing in places of spectacular natural beauty, this week we have a truly lovely piece about finding connection and liberation in silence while staying with monks in France from journalist Sarah Sands. Enjoy!   —William O'Connor, Travel Editor 'Indiana Jones' Rabbi Thought He Found Ark of the Covenant One month after "Raiders of the Lost Ark" premiered in the United States, a real-life version of Indiana Jones' adventure unfolded beneath the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem. America's Newest National Park Will Lure You to an Underrated State The newest addition to our best attraction has outdoor activities most (or all) national parks won't let you do. Who Knew Being Silent With Monks Could Be So Liberating? I thought that silence was the absence of a relationship, but in fact it was the opposite. Their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience are not confining but liberating. A Neighborhood Hotel with a Different Miami View Just Reopened If you don't need the beach or the parties (or just want to be away from it for a bit) this culture-centric hotel might be right for you. Enjoy an Expertly Curated Weekend in Nature While Barely Lifting a Finger Scouting Report:   Getaway offers luxe cabins outside of major cities equipped with everything you need to have a good time and get into nature. There's something for everyone: whether it's making smores or going on a grueling hike, this will be the most memorable gift they've received yet.   It's not camping, but I felt like I got an even better experience in nature this way, lying in bed, staring at the quivering trees out of the giant glass window, as they teetered upwards and dotted the star-speckled sky.    — Scouted by Daniel Modlin SHOP AT GETAWAY >>> "Archeologists excavating a Byzantine era site unearthed a valuable and remarkably beautiful gold and purple stoned ring from the environs of a large factory that produced white wine. Worst of all, scientists speculate that the ring was supposed to ward off the deleterious effects of over-imbibing, meaning that the unlucky owner was not just out of pocket, they were also out of ancient Advil." — Historian Candida Moss unpacks a recent archaeological discovery and the history around ancient hangover cures. OMG I Want to Rent This House!      Key Biscayne, FL (Vrbo): We know what you're thinking: the cold weather is setting in, you're feeling that chill, and it's been 10 full weeks since Labor Day brought your summer holiday season to a very rude halt. What you desperately need, you're thinking, is a beach vacation. And the paradise of which you dream? A giant modern glass-and-white box in the exclusive Florida enclave of Key Biscayne. We've donned our floppiest sun hats and biggest statement sunnies and are here for everything this bayside chateau has to offer.   The only thing better than a vast deck is one that encircles your home so that no open-air view goes wasted. All in all, we'd say the $7,500 per night price tag is worth it, though if you're looking for a deal, opt to book by the month and kick that price tag to a round $200k. We're (almost) sure you're worth it.   Book Your Stay: Waterfront Villa, Key Biscayne, FL, $7,500/night via Vrbo   Don't miss previous OMG, I Want to Rent This House posts, which spotlight the most spectacular and unique homes that you can actually stay in.  Check out the full archives.  Travel the World Like You're in a Wes Anderson Movie   What makes a building or the cute telephone booth "Accidentally Wes Anderson"? According to Wally Koval, the creator of the immensely popular Instagram account of that name, "You know it when you see it: whether it's the symmetrical lines, pastel hues, immaculate composition, or something idiosyncratic and beautiful that you can and cannot describe at once." Luckily for all of us, Koval has curated a catalog of some of the best selections around the world. That catalog, Accidentally Wes Anderson, is the latest selection for our series on beautiful travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked.   Check out our previous selections for our series on gorgeous travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked. BUY ON AMAZON  >>               Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts or newsletters, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales. © Copyright 2021 The Daily Beast Company LLC  555 W. 18th Street, New York NY 10011  Privacy Policy If you are on a mobile device or cannot view the images in this message, click here to view this email in your browser. To ensure delivery of these emails, please add emails@thedailybeast.com to your address book. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, or think you have received this message in error, you can safely unsubscribe.