The staircase of the Fortress of Palamidi, Nafplio, Greece

Ascending history at Palamidi. Take the Stairs Day

Our neighbours to the south have a day for almost everything—and this one's a good excuse to get moving. National Take the Stairs Day, observed in the United States on the second Wednesday of January, encourages everyone to add small bursts of movement to daily life. Choosing stairs instead of elevators, or fitting in a short walk or bike ride, helps to build healthier habits. With millions living with chronic lung disease and air quality concerns growing, simple actions that strengthen our bodies matter more than ever, no matter which side of the border you're on.

If you want to mark the day with a climb to remember, the Fortress of Palamidi has you covered. Rising about 216 metres above the city of Nafplio in Greece, this Venetian-built stronghold dates back to 1714. This impressive fortification has eight bastions, each designed as an independent unit so that if one fell, the others could still be defended. The Ottomans captured the fortress a year after completion, and Greece reclaimed it in 1822, renaming the bastions after heroes like Achilles and Leonidas. Today, visitors often test themselves on the fortress's famous staircase—once believed to have 999 steps, though the actual count is 857. At the top, sweeping views of the Argolic Gulf make every step worthwhile.