Travel
Discover facts about travel. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Travel
Why your shadow changes sides across the equator
Moving across the equator completely reverses the orientation of the sun in the sky, meaning shadows cast to the north in one hemisphere and south in the…
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Hotel windows don't block all UV rays
Staying indoors does not completely halt the solar assault. Standard architectural glass only blocks UVB rays, allowing the deeply penetrating UVA rays to…
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The Norwegian village named with one letter
While most towns waste resources on vowels and consonants, the Norwegians cut straight to the point. The village of Å (pronounced like the 'o' in 'born') is…
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Why airport food costs so much
You aren't just paying fifteen dollars for a limp, sad sandwich because of corporate greed—though that certainly helps. Everything from the bread to the…
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Key West's chickens rule the streets
Forget island time; you will wake up at dawn whether you want to or not. Protected by local ordinances, massive flocks of roosters and hens strut through…
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Quokkas may drop their babies to escape danger
Because surviving the outback requires ruthlessly terrible parenting. When threatened, these supposedly adorable smiling marsupials will literally toss their…
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Why New York pizzerias blame the tap water
Manhattan pizzerias violently defend the deeply mystical properties of their aggressively standard municipal plumbing. Highly aggressive locals fiercely…
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Fraser Island is a whole island made of sand
Imagine a beach that got completely out of control and formed an entire independent landmass. It is a terrifyingly huge pile of loose grains masquerading as…
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The castle that inspired Disney's classic logo
Because modern media empires always borrow from eccentric European royals. Built by King Ludwig II, who bankrupted his state to build a literal fairytale…
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Why hotel mirrors make getting ready so hard
Trying to get ready in a hotel bathroom is an exercise in poor visibility. Because designers prioritize harsh overhead lighting that makes the room look clean…
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Portugal technically banned peeing in the ocean
In an adorable attempt to legislate the impossible, Portugal formally banned peeing in the Atlantic Ocean. While commendable for environmental hygiene,…
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Corner hotel rooms often give you extra space
Geometry finally pays off for the weary traveler. Building layouts dictate that the end of a hallway usually leaves an awkward chunk of extra space, meaning…
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Cenotes are giant collapsed sinkholes
People love swimming in these beautiful underground pools, completely ignoring the fact that they are essentially swimming in giant, water-filled sinkholes…
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In Poland, refusing seconds can offend your host
Your dietary restrictions mean absolutely nothing in the face of Polish hospitality. Saying no to a second scoop of pierogi essentially implies the food was…
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Biltong is cured utilizing vinegar and air drying
It is absolutely not jerky, and telling that to a local will start a fight. This heavily spiced meat is preserved by hanging it in the breeze, resulting in a…
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Wanderlust is a concept borrowed directly from German
That trendy hashtag on your photos is entirely unoriginal. The overwhelming, intrinsic desire to blindly roam the earth and escape reality was perfectly…
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Why a cheap airline ticket is never just the ticket
That twenty-dollar flight to Europe is only possible because they will aggressively charge you for the luxury of bringing underwear and breathing. The…
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Nairobi roads frequently flood during April rainstorms
Your daily commute can suddenly require a boat. When the heavy rains hit, the urban infrastructure simply gives up, turning typical intersections into raging…
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The rooster that survived more than a year without a head
Because surviving without a head is peak agricultural achievement. Fruita honors a rooster that famously lived for over a year after an incredibly botched…
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Early trains had to start braking miles ahead
The first major locomotives operated on pure hope, shutting off the steam engine miles in advance and just praying that raw friction would eventually bring…
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Why fufu must be pounded, not stirred
You cannot simply mix this staple; you must violently attack it. Cassava and plantains are smashed continuously until they develop a perfectly smooth,…
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Bed-and-breakfasts began with monks and weary travelers
The quaint, lace-doily-covered establishment you book for a quiet weekend essentially stems from weary travelers knocking on heavy abbey doors and begging…
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Japan has a museum of face-shaped rocks
Leave it to Japan to take pareidolia and turn it into a legitimate tourist trap. The Chinsekikan museum houses over a thousand rocks with natural indentations…
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The ice shelf as large as France
Floating attached to Antarctica is a slab of ice so unfathomably massive that if it ever breaks off, it could casually reshape global coastlines, which is…
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