#culture

#culture

Lake Lucerne offers some of Switzerland's most fantastic views. The glittering lake stretches for 44 square miles with sweet villages and the city of Lucerne on its shores. You can spend your trip hiking around the deep, famously blue water, experiencing the lake on a cruise, or staying at any number of fantastic hotels to take in the scenery. Whether you're an outdoorsy type or would rather sit lakeside with a cup of tea, Lake Lucerne is a good choice for first-timers in Switzerland.

This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. The stories that resonated most with our readers this year include reporting that led the political conversation, analysis that unraveled deep mysteries, and meditations on our evolving culture. Spend time with some of our most popular stories of the year.

Trust is the only thing that can cut through fear, complexity, and industry jargon. And as the market evolves, trust is increasingly the first thing first-time buyers are looking for. Today's borrower, especially the emerging homebuyer, is walking into the market with real concerns. Rising costs, confusing guidelines, cultural barriers, past financial trauma, and years of hearing that homeownership is not for them.

Is Kim Kardashian's legal drama All's Fair really the worst TV show of all time? What are the best (and worst) vegan cheeses? And 20 years after they first hit the shelves, five-toed shoes are apparently having a big fashion moment. But what is it like to wear them in public? As the year draws to a close, Guardian Live invites you to a special event with columnist Tim Dowling, film and TV writer Stuart Heritage, and cook and author Meera Sodha.

There is nowhere in the world quite like Istanbul. Spread across two continents, Europe and Asia, it's a city of layers and contrasts, of ancient empires and modern energy. With historical sights like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace brushing up against buzzing bars and lively cafes, Ottoman-era mosques a short walk from contemporary art museums, and traditional carpet shops around the corner from trendy boutiques, Istanbul is a place where old and new coexist. And it never stops moving.

Berlin's history has been difficult, to say the least. And yet today, the German capital's intoxicating mix of grit, glamour, and anything-goes expression born from historical repression has made it one of the most dynamic cities on earth. Where else can you saunter through Prussian palaces, venture into Nazi-era bunkers, tour the world's longest outdoor art gallery, and lose yourself in Europe's most famous techno temple? (And that's just day one.) Yes, you'll come across remnants of the city's past

We tend to think that we experience the world as it is. We see and hear things, store them away as knowledge, and then take new facts into account. But that's not how our brains actually work. In reality, we filter out most of what we experience, so that we can focus on particular points of interest. In effect, we forget most things so we can zero in on what seems to be most important.

Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos, is a unique 2.9-square-mile island renowned for its rich history and culture, where adventure meets relaxation in a tranquil setting.

Deborah Carnegie's photography archive chronicals Black British women's Saturday night fashion from 1950 to the present, showcasing a vibrant and sacred pre-night out ritual with cultural significance.

New Zealand's North Island offers diverse family adventures, from Auckland's food scene to Māori cultural experiences in the Bay of Islands and magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

HellaDesi Comedy Night showcases top comedians of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Afghan, and South Asian descent, alongside Asian comedians, to celebrate Bay Area Desi culture.

Mario Vargas Llosa’s novel The Feast of the Goat delves into the brutal regime of Rafael Trujillo, examining how the scars of dictatorship endure after its fall.

Fifteen years ago in a sanctuary in Zambia, inspiration struck a chimpanzee named Julie, who introduced the behavior of placing grass in her ear, leading to cultural tradition within her group.

NYC residents can pay what they wish at the American Museum of Natural History, perfect for spending hours indoors among dinosaurs, gems, and immersive exhibits.

Chocolate is a massive player in today's modern food culture, with the global chocolate confectionery market valued at $140 billion. Different forms and flavors like milk, dark, and flavored chocolates are enjoyed all year.

The exhibition showcases how water management evolved from ancient irrigation techniques to modern understandings of clean water's importance, influencing cultures worldwide.

Ottawa doesn’t have the same buzz as Toronto or Montreal, but it offers a unique blend of history, nature, and culture that is often overlooked.