These Midwestern museums were just named among the most beautiful museums in the world
The list is short, with only seven museums on it this year. While we admire the architecture of the Saka Museum in Bali with steel and glass providing a beautiful counterpoint to the ancient artifacts inside and are thrilled to see the Grand Palais in Paris finally emerge from four years of work, it's really the two U.S. museums that catch our attention.
In Ohio, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has won a spot on the list. As recently renovated by the DLR Group, its architecture showcases Northeast Ohio's geological history and especially its historic glaciers, which formed the Great Lakes. The glaciers' flow is interpreted at the museum with 'flowing white alluvial forms in a single, continuous concept to unify the various parts of the facility,' says the Prix Versailles statement. The original museum is a century old, and its collections tell the story of the life of Earth, back to the time of dinosaurs.
Likewise, the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, has emerged from a two-year renovation of two of its three unique structures and the addition of a third, all connected to each other. These include the original Art Deco Joslyn building from 1931 designed by John and Alan McDonald; the 1994 pavilion by Norman Foster as his first American commission (he's behind the incredible transformation at San Francisco's iconic Transamerica Pyramid), and 2024's new pavilion designed by Snøhetta (the group behind San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art 2016 addition). The museum offers free entry and collections that vary widely: from Amy Sherald 's 'The Beauty of Change' (2023) to medieval Old Masters.
Here is the full list of the seven Most Beautiful Museums in the World. It appears not to be a ranked list, but rather organized alphabetically by country:
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The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
My husband always dreamed of distant oceans. With a volunteer crew, I gave him a sailor's farewell
I feel the ocean swell beneath the keel as we leave the Mooloolaba harbour entrance training walls, heading out to sea. I was right here 44 years ago, our course set for Moreton Bay. Then, we were aboard Pearl Bay, our beautiful cruising ketch, a labour of love and another dream fulfilled for my husband, John. After a harrowing experience crossing the Wide Bay Bar, we spent a week recuperating in this quiet, almost-deserted harbour, its coast guard 'headquarters' nothing but an ageing caravan. Only the harbour entrance is familiar now. The rest has grown and spread beyond all recognition. Today it's surrounded by mansions and multi-storey holiday apartments, and filled to capacity with boats; an endless forest of masts and rigging. The weather is fine and the seas have eased, but this time I'm not on Pearl Bay and John is not at the helm. Instead, John's ashes are beside me. They're in a biodegradable box I've covered with photographs of each of the beautiful yachts he built. Adorning the lid is the only epitaph that seemed to fit: 'Cosmos Mariner, Destination Unknown.' It's resting in a basket of yellow rose petals. On our first trip out of Mooloolaba harbour, John was jubilant. He was born a restless soul, saltwater in his veins and distant oceans in his dreams. As a child in Amsterdam in the 1940s, his beloved 'toys' were the tools he found in his grandfather's ship's carpenter sea chest. He ran away to sea as a teenager in the 1950s, signing on to the merchant navy for a string of passages across the North Sea. He migrated to Australia in the early 1960s and was among the first to surf the now-famous Bells beach waves in Victoria. In Queensland in the early 1970s, he taught himself to sail in a little Arafura Cadet, winning the novice championship in his first year at Keppel Bay Sailing Club. Taurus, an Arrow catamaran, was the first of his home-built craft. John's dreams soon outgrew the bay; the nearby islands beckoned. A Bruce Roberts-designed 18ft trailer-sailer was his next project. We named her Halcyon, and for a while he was satisfied with sailing her across to Great Keppel for snorkelling and picnics on the beach. But in 1978 he spotted an ad for the plans for Peter Ibold's 35' classic Endurance ketch. Three years later, having sold our house to finance Pearl Bay's completion, we were living aboard. When age and illness caught up with John he switched to hand-crafting model boats and fishing at every opportunity. His death on 5 July 2018 ended our 53 years of marriage – and his lifelong obsession with the sea. John had not wanted a funeral. He had arranged to donate his body to a university's body donor program, and had been accepted. I learned immediately after his death that the university was no longer able to take him. Too late to find another donor program, my only choice was an unattended cremation. The funeral director handed me his ashes sealed in a basic poly urn. It was not the ending I wanted for him. Seven years later, I was ready to set him free. But how? What would be a memorable, appropriate farewell for an inveterate seafarer? It had to be the ocean, but simply scattering his ashes off a beach – even Bells beach – just wouldn't do. Then I found the answer: I learned the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard offers memorial services. John had always described members of the Coast Guard as the angels of the sea, watching over the small and not-so-small craft out on our coastal waters. Whether as boat crews, radio operators or members of the administration team, the Coast Guard give their valuable time to keep us safe. While we're relaxing, they are maintaining a listening watch on radio calls, undertaking marine search and rescue operations, delivering accredited training and public education courses. And offering memorial services. Who better to assist with the scattering of his ashes? Briefed on safety procedures and buckled into a lifejacket by the QF6 Mooloolaba Coast Guard, I'm aboard the powerful, distinctive bright yellow vessel Mooloolaba Rotary Rescue. Commander Paul Heath, Chaplain Sue Clarke and today's crew of highly trained and certified mariners are with me. They are not paid for their service. Staffed entirely by volunteers, this flotilla is funded by donations. We're clear to head out as there have been no urgent calls for Coast Guard assistance this morning. As we leave the harbour, flags are lowered to half mast. It's been a naval tradition and a symbol of mourning and respect since the early 17th century, said to make room for an invisible flag – the flag of death – to fly. We pass my sister waving from the end of the harbour wall. Prone to seasickness, she prefers to stay grounded as we make our way to our destination, offshore from Alexandra Headland. I explained to our chaplain that John was not religious and asked if I could write and deliver my own service – a story of his lifelong relationship with the sea. Sue supported me in this request and is close by my side in case I'm unable to go on. Partway through, I realise everyone aboard has gathered around, genuinely interested. Fellow seafarers ask for a closer look at the photos, to admire his creations, so we pass his box around. John would be so proud – he is a real hit! Many hands help me lower the box of ashes overboard and we toss in the petals after. Mooloolaba Rotary Rescue motors in slow circles around the drifting petals before the flags are raised again. As we make our way back between the training walls and into the harbour, I'm elated. It took seven years, but I'm glad I waited to find the perfect way to see John off on his forever voyage. He would have loved every minute. As I step off the yellow vessel, I'm touched by a fleeting sadness, the feeling I'm leaving old friends. Back home, I find a message from Sue, with a collection of precious photos attached. I hadn't realised she was compiling a complete record of the memorial service for me. It is a thoughtful gesture that I hadn't expected, and will allow family and friends to share the day. As I relive the service through the photos, I'm struck by other realisations. I hadn't expected so much kindness. I certainly hadn't expected a day of joy rather than tears. I'll be forever grateful to the people operating QF6. John was right – they are the angels of the sea. Now, thanks to their help, John is in his element at last, free to roam every ocean forever.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I went to Greece on holiday and there's mistake you should never make in restaurants'
Many Brits fly to Greece for their summer holidays – and one woman who visited the European country shared one thing you should avoid doing if you visit too It's well known that summer is the peak season for traveling overseas, particularly because children are on school break and many destinations enjoy their warmest weather during this time. Brits regularly travel to European favourites, including Spain, France, Greece and Italy, to enjoy seaside breaks and outdoor activities, like watersports. Whilst these countries sit relatively close to the UK, they have distinct cultural customs and practices that might catch tourists off guard. So Alexa, a British holidaymaker in Greece, took to TikTok to share a useful piece of advice for fellow travellers heading to the southeastern European destination. She shared a video from a restaurant on the Greek island of Skiathos, showing herself seated around a table with friends, who were the only diners there. Alexa added the on-screen text: "God forbid a girl makes a dinner reservation at 6.30pm in Greece." The clip shows her surrounded by lots of empty tables and chairs throughout the venue. In the caption she wrote: "We've learned our lesson but still." The video has gained two million views, attracted more than 100,000 likes, and sparked hundreds of comments, with most people agreeing that 6:30 p.m. is too early for dinner in Greece. One local explained: "At 6:30pm in Greece we're having our afternoon coffee. Dinner is after 20:00." Another chimed in: "The earliest we eat dinner here is 8pm." A confused European resident exclaimed: "6:30??? As a European that is diabolical! I'm surprised it was even open." Another person, familiar with Greek dining habits, added: "My family in Greece eat dinner around 9-10 PM lol." A fourth viewer quipped: "Pretty sure that's not legal... people still at the beach girl.." Other holidaymakers confessed in the comments section that they were also unaware of the later dining times typical in Greece compared to the UK. One shared: "The first night we got here we went for dinner at about 7 and it was empty besides one American family." A second echoed: "Girl same we were super early." However, another viewer saw a positive: "The lesson here is keep booking for 6.30pm so you don't have crowds lol." Travel agent Greeka suggests that locals may have their last meal as late as 11pm, especially during summer when sunset is around 9pm. Many Greeks prefer to wait until nightfall before having dinner, as they spend much of their day outside soaking up the sunny, warm climate, with temperatures climbing to 35°C. According to the travel guide, lunch is typically served between noon and 5pm while restaurants see their busiest dinner hours from 8 to 10pm. It's certainly a lifestyle that feels quite different!
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
King Charles invites rarely-seen royal family member to summer holiday in Balmoral
It is believed that Princess Beatrice's stepson will be joining her and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as they enjoy a summer getaway at the royals' Balmoral estate A rarely-seen member of the Royal Family looks set to join King Charles and the rest of the Firm at Balmoral. Charles officially kicked off his holiday in the Scottish Highlands earlier this week, where he is expected to be joined by multiple members of his family. And it seems among those on the guest list is an under-the-radar member of the family, who will get to enjoy the countless outdoor activities on offer in the Aberdeenshire countryside. That's because Princess Beatrice's stepson Christopher Woolf, also known as Wolfie, is set to travel to the royals' estate with her and his dad, Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Beatrice, who is also mum to daughters Sienna and Athena, will reportedly join the Balmoral getaway, along with her sister Princess Eugenie and her family, as well as their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. A family friend told the Daily Mail: "He will enjoy a wonderful holiday of outdoor activities such as wild swimming and cycling." Edo and Wolfie's mum, American architect Dara Huang, have tried to fiercely guard the privacy of their nine-year-old son. However, he has now made several public outings with the royals, including at Sandringham last Christmas, where he joined in with the traditional walk to church. His trip to Balmoral will also come after he spent time on holiday in Florida with his mum earlier this summer. Wolfie played a starring role in Beatrice and Edo's royal wedding in 2020, however, as they decided to keep details of the day secret, we didn't get to see any photos of him. He acted as best man for his dad as well as a page boy. A friend of the couple told the Daily Mail that the youngster was asked to carry out the role because they wanted to show that he is loved and embraced by Beatrice. They said: "Bea is totally into the stepmum role. She's very concerned about getting it right and making every effort to be a second mother to Wolfie. She's totally devoted to him and talks about him all the time." They also said that Beatrice is working hard to make sure Wolfie knows he has two families, including making sure their home is filled with photos of him. They continued: "Bea has always been really close to Edo's family, so it's natural that Wolfie should become part of hers. "He's a super little boy and extremely cute. It will be interesting to see what happens when they start their own family – but Bea is so caring, his happiness will always be her number one priority." On Monday morning, Charles arrived at the Aberdeenshire castle in his state Bentley for his official welcome to Balmoral. He inspected regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony, as it stood with handler Corporal Rory Stewart as the monarch inspected his Royal Guard. A Guard of Honour was held by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) to officially welcome the King to Balmoral, although he attended a church service there on Sunday in a private capacity. After the ceremony, there was a performance from the Pipes and Drums, formed by soldiers from across the regiment, including from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, in a display of pageantry which was closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
