Ancient Greece Was a Debauched Disney Trip for Romans

Plus, Eat Sheet: Our Tips on Where to Dine in Kansas City

Manage newsletters View in browser The entire world in your inbox. Hello all,   As summer hums along, perhaps you've consumed your fair share of fluffy beach reads and want something that will leave you feeling just a bit smarter. Well, we lead things off with an excerpt from such a book: Flying Snakes and Griffin Claws: And Other Classical Myths, Historical Oddities, and Scientific Curiosities. Adrienne Mayor regales us with tales of how ancient Romans treated Greece much like we do–as a place for yachting, exploring ancient ruins, and even getting ripped off at tourist traps! After reading the excerpt I think you'll see why I went and ordered the book for myself.   We also have our latest destination dining guide for one of my favorite cities to visit every year, Kansas City. Local longtime food columnist Jenny Vergara is our guide to this wonderful destination (and, yes, she does pick a barbecue spot!).    Speaking of cities I love, there's no city in the world that looks like Tbilisi. Its architecture, layout, and food make it truly unique. And if you're visiting and looking for a true local's neighborhood, longtime resident Paul Rimple has just the spot for you. It's full of humming bars, mouth-watering bakeries, and most importantly, residents who can give you a taste of what life here is really like.    Enjoy!   –William O'Connor, Travel Editor Ancient Greece Was a Debauched Disney Trip for Romans There were guidebooks with reviews, an ancient version of rental cars, luxury island hopping, and plenty of gimmicks. The Ancient Romans were just like us! Eat Sheet: Our Tips on Where to Dine in Kansas City You don't have to hang out on the coasts to get great food: Kansas City is one of the best spots in America's heartland for it. A True Local's Neighborhood in One of the World's Trendiest Destinations There is no city like Tbilisi, and within it, no neighborhood like Vera's Place. How Satellites Protect Historical Sites From Looters and War It's the first—and sometimes only—line of defense against historical destruction. "This month, as a direct result of the heat wave and water shortages across much of Europe, an ancient bridge reappeared in the Tiber in Rome." — Upon hearing the news of "Nero's Bridge" reappearing in Rome, Candida Moss couldn't help but be reminded of how many people thought Nero never actually died. OMG I Want to Rent This House!    Villa Madison, Ibiza, Spain (onefinestay): Over the past few decades, Ibiza has solidified its reputation as the party capital of Europe. Just hearing the name conjures up the "oontz oontz oontz" of techno beats and the feeling of sand under your toes and water lapping at your legs. But for the social faint of heart in 3 AC (Year 3 Anno COVID, of course), a vacation on this Spanish island doesn't have to be all DJs and holiday raves. Ibiza is also home to high-end, private nooks like Villa Madison where you can escape the macramé-clad crowds to take a break in luxury.   It doesn't matter what time it actually is, this terrace is telling us it's time for happy hour. PSA: You officially win vacationer of the year if you are coordinated enough to successfully happy hour while swinging in the hammock.   Book Your Stay: Villa Madison, Ibiza, Spain: $1,411/night via onefinestay   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 to the World's Most Beautiful Synagogues When we think today of iconic religious architecture, the first images that spring to mind are often churches, mosques, and Buddhist monasteries. But some of the most spectacular houses of worship in the world are those of the Jewish faith—synagogues. That's why the latest selection for Just Booked, our series on exciting new travel coffee table books, is Rizzoli's Synagogues: Marvels of Judaism by Leyla Uluhanli.   The book is one that demands attention from the outset with the electric blue stained glass window of the Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York on its cover. Inside, the book dives into the evolution of synagogue design from continent to continent, featuring more than 60 synagogues worldwide. Some are over the top, like the Great Synagogue in Budapest with its elaborate stencil-work ceilings, while others, like the Paradesi Synagogue in south India, are simpler but no less remarkable.   Don't miss our other selections for our series on gorgeous travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked. 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