Travel
Discover facts about travel. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Travel
Why your shadow changes sides across the equator
Because the Sun appears on opposite sides of the sky in the two hemispheres, shadows generally point in opposite directions: north in the Northern Hemisphere…
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Hotel windows don't block all UV rays
Standard window glass blocks most UVB rays but can let UVA through, so sunlight may still reach your skin indoors and contribute to skin aging.
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The Norwegian village named with one letter
Å, pronounced like the vowel in “born,” sits at the southern tip of the Lofoten archipelago, where tourists sometimes steal its one-letter road signs as…
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Why airport food costs so much
Airport restaurants face delivery checks, restricted access, and costly terminal space. They also serve customers who cannot easily leave to compare prices…
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Key West's chickens rule the streets
Local ordinances protect the roosters and hens that roam past cafes, scavenge dropped pastries, and ignore traffic.
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Quokkas may drop their babies to escape danger
When threatened, a quokka may eject its joey from its pouch; the joey can distract a predator while the mother escapes.
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Why New York pizzerias blame the tap water
Pizzerias often credit the city's tap water, especially its mineral content, for the distinctive chew of a classic slice.
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Fraser Island is a whole island made of sand
The island is essentially a vast accumulation of loose grains, not a slab of rock.
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Neuschwanstein was a king's retreat built like a legend
Ludwig II commissioned the Bavarian castle with an idealized medieval world in mind, drawing on stories and theatrical imagery rather than military necessity.…
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Why hotel mirrors make getting ready so hard
Harsh overhead lights cast shadows across your face, making it harder to shave or apply makeup. You may find yourself leaning over the sink to see clearly.
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Portugal technically banned peeing in the ocean
Portugal formally banned urinating in the Atlantic, but enforcing the rule would be nearly impossible without some way to detect it underwater.
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Corner hotel rooms often give you extra space
A building's layout can leave extra floor space at the end of a hallway, giving a corner room a little more room for your bags.
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Cenotes are giant collapsed sinkholes
Cenotes are water-filled sinkholes formed when the ground collapses, creating pools that can look like underground swimming holes.
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In Poland, refusing seconds can offend your host
Polish hospitality can make refusing seconds awkward: a host may take it as a sign you disliked the food. Pace yourself, because another helping may be offered.
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Biltong is cured utilizing vinegar and air drying
Vinegar and spices season the meat before it's hung to air-dry, giving biltong its thick, savory bite.
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Wanderlust is a concept borrowed directly from German
It describes a strong desire to roam or travel, long before it became a social-media hashtag.
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Why a cheap airline ticket is never just the ticket
Budget airlines keep fares low by unbundling services and charging extra for things like carry-on bags, boarding-pass printing, and water.
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Nairobi roads frequently flood during April rainstorms
Heavy April downpours can turn intersections into flooded stretches of road, trapping cars and disrupting commutes.
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The rooster that survived more than a year without a head
Mike the Headless Chicken survived for about eighteen months after an attempted beheading left enough of his brainstem intact to support basic functions. His…
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A train's brakes are designed to react when the train breaks apart
In an automatic braking system, loss of the controlling pressure can apply the brakes rather than release them. That lets separated portions stop instead of…
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Why fufu must be pounded, not stirred
Cassava and plantains are pounded until they form a smooth, doughlike mass—not simply stirred together.
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Bed-and-breakfasts began with monks and weary travelers
Travelers knocked on abbey doors and asked monks for a simple cot for the night—the humble lodging behind today's bed-and-breakfast.
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Japan has a museum of face-shaped rocks
The Chinsekikan museum houses more than 1,000 rocks whose natural indentations resemble faces, including one that looks like Elvis Presley.
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Antarctica's floating ice acts like a brake
An ice shelf floats on the sea while remaining attached to ice on land. Its restraint slows the glaciers feeding it; remove that support and more land ice can…
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