Travel
Discover facts about travel. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Travel
The hidden business behind glowing hotel reviews
Some properties offer guests perks like free drinks for positive reviews, while others pay review farms to invent glowing praise.
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Why ostriches look like they bury their heads
They lower their heads to turn eggs in shallow dirt nests, which can look from a distance like they’re burying them.
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Moose are taller than you might expect
Moose can stand over six feet tall at the shoulder, making one crossing a dark road a daunting sight.
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Why the Tropic of Cancer keeps moving south
Because Earth's axial tilt shifts slightly, the Tropic of Cancer moves south by about 50 feet a year, leaving historic markers out of date.
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Maple syrup gets graded by color and translucency
Darker batches tend to have a more intense maple flavor.
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In Queensland, a public insult can become more than an argument
The state's public-nuisance law covers offensive or abusive language when the behavior interferes, or is likely to interfere, with other people's enjoyment of…
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Local ice cream flavors heavily feature frozen root veggies
Some regional flavors use red beans, corn, or sweet potatoes; a pink scoop may be sweetened bean paste rather than strawberry.
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Upright chopsticks in rice can evoke a funeral offering in Japan
Placing them vertically in a bowl resembles the way rice is offered to the deceased in Buddhist funerary practice. On an ordinary dining table, the same…
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Motel 6's name preserved its original nightly price
The first property opened in Santa Barbara in 1962 with rooms costing $6 a night. The no-frills price became the brand itself. Rates changed as the company…
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Inclusive meal plans exclude premium alcohol
Many packages exclude top-shelf alcohol, so premium drinks can still add to your bill.
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Lamingtons are sponge cakes coated in coconut flakes
The sponge cake is dipped in chocolate icing, then rolled in desiccated coconut—a coating that can also hide flaws in the cake.
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Los Angeles traffic jams frequently span several miles
A 10-mile drive can stretch into hours when the highways turn into parking lots, making a short trip a test of patience.
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Couples on a romantic getaway in France might accidentally break a 1910 law prohibiting this at train stations.
Couples on a romantic getaway in France might accidentally break a 1910 law prohibiting this at train stations.
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When dining in Japan, doing this standard Western practice will result in confused waiters chasing you down.
When dining in Japan, doing this standard Western practice will result in confused waiters chasing you down.
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Shining a blacklight on your passport reveals a beautiful, hidden feature designed to catch counterfeiters.
Shining a blacklight on your passport reveals a beautiful, hidden feature designed to catch counterfeiters.
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You’ve seen Gideon Bibles in hotel room drawers. But surprisingly, you are actively encouraged to do what with it?
You’ve seen Gideon Bibles in hotel room drawers. But surprisingly, you are actively encouraged to do what with it?
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If you traveled back to the year the Statue of Liberty was unveiled, you’d be shocked to see its original color.
If you traveled back to the year the Statue of Liberty was unveiled, you’d be shocked to see its original color.
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There is historically exactly one human on earth who could legally travel internationally without a passport. Who?
There is historically exactly one human on earth who could legally travel internationally without a passport. Who?
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Which world-famous destination secretly holds the title for the highest crime rate per capita?
Which world-famous destination secretly holds the title for the highest crime rate per capita?
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Swiss alpine trails are gorgeous, but the government had to legally ban what bizarre tourist activity?
Swiss alpine trails are gorgeous, but the government had to legally ban what bizarre tourist activity?
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If you try to capture a classic romantic photo by feeding pigeons in St. Mark's Square in Venice, what will happen?
If you try to capture a classic romantic photo by feeding pigeons in St. Mark's Square in Venice, what will happen?
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Millions flock to London to snap a photo of 'Big Ben,' totally unaware they are actually making this massive mistake.
Millions flock to London to snap a photo of 'Big Ben,' totally unaware they are actually making this massive mistake.
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It is the ultimate geography lie we were all taught. Which massive landmark is absolutely NOT visible from space?
It is the ultimate geography lie we were all taught. Which massive landmark is absolutely NOT visible from space?
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The Vegas Eiffel Tower replica was originally supposed to be massive. What completely ruined the architect's grand plans?
The Vegas Eiffel Tower replica was originally supposed to be massive. What completely ruined the architect's grand plans?
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