Travel
Discover facts about travel. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Travel
Why saying thanks can sound arrogant in Japan
If someone praises your outfit or your skills, merely saying 'thanks' translates to 'Yes, I know I am incredibly amazing.' You are expected to fiercely deny…
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Why old sleeping masks blocked gas lamps
Modern travelers use them to ignore the sunrise, but the original eye covers served a grimmer purpose. They were strictly designed to shield delicate eyes…
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Why the South Pole marker moves every year
Antarctica features a massive ice sheet that is continuously sliding toward the sea. The ceremonial pole marker erected by scientists slowly inches away from…
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Why taking a camera into Egyptian pyramids can cost hundreds
Your Instagram aesthetic is going to cost you heavily. The Egyptian Antiquities Ministry knows exactly how much you want a high-resolution shot of a decaying…
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Your travel pillow may be facing the wrong way
Millions of weary passengers wear these thick foam donuts completely backward. The bulky gap is actually designed to support the front of your face so your…
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Hotel closet ironing boards squeak loudly
Wrinkle-free clothes require waking up the entire floor. The complimentary ironing boards stuffed into room closets are universally flimsy, heavily stained,…
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Why the King's Guard never smiles
They aren't just ignoring you because you're annoying; their jobs actually depend on it. The King's Guard are highly trained active-duty soldiers who will be…
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The palace where courtiers had no indoor toilets
The absolute pinnacle of regal luxury was essentially a giant, golden outhouse. Courtiers just relieved themselves in corners and stairwells because indoor…
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The Vegemite prank that catches tourists out
Spreading a thick layer of Vegemite on toast is a rite of passage designed entirely to watch foreigners suffer. While locals lovingly apply a microscopic…
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Why Yellowstone's bison cause traffic jams
Proving that humans have absolutely zero survival instincts. Thousands of massive, furry tanks roam the park freely, constantly causing traffic jams and…
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How Disney fights mosquitoes with garlic and chickens
The "Most Magical Place on Earth" is actually a heavily militarized anti-mosquito fortress. Built literally on top of a Florida swamp, Disney refuses to let…
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Antarctica has no native ants or official time zone
The ultimate desolate paradise for anyone trying to escape bug bites and 9-to-5 schedules. Because there's no permanent human settlement, there's absolutely…
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Why room-service fries arrive lukewarm
Paying a massive premium to eat in bed sounds luxurious until the actual cart arrives. After a thirty-minute transit up the elevator, your wildly overpriced…
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Marilyn Monroe was sewn into her famous dress
When Marilyn Monroe sang that breathy, inappropriately sensual rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to the President, she was physically trapped in her outfit. The…
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Geysers violently spew boiling water smelling of sulfur
Standing next to a highly pressurized underground boiler is a popular tourist activity. Every few minutes, the earth violently burps a massive column of…
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Currency exchange booths entirely reject coins
You saved up all the loose metal jingling in your pocket to swap back into your home currency at the end of the trip. Surprise: exchange booths violently…
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San Francisco's Lombard Street is not its crookedest
Despite drawing endless crowds of eager onlookers snapping pictures of its famous hairpin turns, this iconic brick road is entirely living a lie. Another…
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Most of Uluru is hidden underground
You think you’re looking at a massive red rock in the Australian outback, but that's just the tip. The vast majority of this massive sandstone formation is…
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Ninety percent of an iceberg hides below the surface
The terrifying white peak sticking out of the waves is just a minor preview of the massive frozen menace lurking underneath. It is the ultimate geographic…
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Why solar cars have almost no room inside
The beautiful dream of unlimited free sunshine driving your endless road trip is heavily crushed by the harsh reality of current battery limits. These…
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The helpful stranger who may be picking your pocket
If a pedestrian accidentally squirts mustard on your coat or points out bird droppings and vigorously attempts to wipe it off for you, secure your valuables.…
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The secret flowers hidden in British passports
Because when you think of high-level government security, you naturally think of decorative daisies. To stop master forgers, the UK embeds microscopic, highly…
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Seeing the Louvre could take 100 days
Tackling the Louvre in a single afternoon is an arrogant delusion shared by optimistic tourists everywhere. As the largest art museum on the planet, it spans…
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Why wheeled luggage hates European cobblestones
Charming uneven pavements are a literal trap for the uncoordinated. The completely random assortment of jagged, slippery stones acts as an aggressive obstacle…
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