Travel
Discover facts about travel. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Travel
At this McDonald's, you can order without removing your skis
At the Lindvallen ski resort in Sweden, McDonald’s McSki has a ski-through window, so you can order without taking off your skis.
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Pompeii's haunting figures were cast from empty spaces
As buried bodies decomposed, they left human-shaped cavities in the hardened volcanic deposits. Archaeologists filled those spaces with plaster, preserving…
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A kangaroo's tail can brace its kick
During a fight, a kangaroo can lean back on its muscular tail and strike with both hind legs. The upright posture looks like boxing, but the tail changes the…
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First class once meant a wicker chair
In the 1920s, first class meant a wicker chair on an unpressurized, freezing plane—not a lie-flat bed and free champagne.
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Copacabana promenade features a distinct wave pattern
The black-and-white pattern was laid by hand to echo the motion of crashing surf. Boardwalks elsewhere have since copied the design.
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Roadside camps helped turn the car trip into the motel business
Early motorists camped beside roads and in municipal auto camps. As operators added paid facilities and cabins, a night on the road became something travelers…
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A wartime shell blew apart the Parthenon
In 1687, Venetian artillery struck gunpowder stored inside the temple by Ottoman forces defending the Acropolis. The explosion destroyed much of the building.…
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Idaho grows billions of pounds of potatoes every year
Idaho’s volcanic soil is well suited to growing potatoes, including the crop used to make french fries.
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Marmots beg tourists for snacks in the Alps
At popular scenic overlooks, they stand on their hind legs and whistle for snacks, sometimes scoring a granola bar from tourists.
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Japanese train stations sell highly organized bento boxes
The carefully arranged compartments hold rice, pickled vegetables and meat, turning a train ride into a satisfying meal.
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In Japan, nodding off can advertise how hard you work
Inemuri means being asleep while still present in a social situation. Research on Japanese workplaces and parliament describes a surprising interpretation:…
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Nachos were invented with leftovers
With the kitchen closed, Ignacio Anaya improvised by melting cheese over tortilla chips and adding jalapeños. His quick dish became known as nachos.
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Japan's drunk-driving penalties can reach beyond the driver
Japanese rules can also punish people who knowingly provide a vehicle or alcohol for an impaired driver, and passengers who request a ride despite knowing the…
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Mountains grow taller from tectonic plate crashes
When continental plates collide, the crust can buckle and push rock upward, building mountain ranges over time.
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The sovereign order with no territory of its own
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta maintains diplomatic relations and issues passports for official duties despite having no country-sized territory to…
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Interpol Red Notices act as global arrest warrants
Red Notices alert countries that a person is wanted, but Interpol has no police force of its own; local authorities decide what action to take.
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Cruise ship muster drills are mandated by international law
International rules require a safety drill before departure, and the crew has to track down passengers who try to skip it.
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Reindeer wander into the streets of Longyearbyen
Svalbard reindeer graze around the Arctic town as well as out on the tundra. Their presence puts wildlife beside houses and everyday errands. You don't have…
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When the Brandenburg Gate stood alone
For years, the Brandenburg Gate stood in an inaccessible exclusion zone, hemmed in by concrete barriers. It remained a lonely silhouette until the political…
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Tinikling dancers dodge snapping bamboo poles
The dance imitates local wildlife, with performers timing their steps and leaps between clapping bamboo poles.
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Nanaimo bars require absolutely no baking whatsoever
Why turn on the oven when you can just aggressively layer sugar? This intensely rich treat stacks a crumb base, custard icing, and solid chocolate into a bar…
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Airlines aggressively sell your data for extra profit
Bookings, stated preferences, and affiliated credit card use can all add to an airline's profile of your habits, which may be shared with third-party marketers.
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Why overnight flights are called red-eyes
The name comes from how passengers can look after an overnight flight: exhausted and bloodshot-eyed when they arrive in the morning.
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Thailand's New Year turns a blessing into a water fight
Songkran includes pouring water as a gesture of cleansing and respect. Street celebrations expand that idea into buckets, hoses, and water guns, especially in…
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