Travel
Discover facts about travel. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Travel
Why passport numbers are punched through every page
The holes help prevent someone from removing a visa page and slipping it into a different passport.
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The tiny island where Canada and Denmark share a border
After decades of dispute, Canada and Denmark split Hans Island, a small Arctic island, between them, creating a land border between the two countries.
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Why translation apps turn local dishes into nonsense
Translation apps can miss cultural slang and food names, turning a local delicacy into something like “exploding chicken sadness” and leaving diners and…
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Why European outlets use 230 volts
Europe’s 230-volt standard is nearly twice North America’s 120 volts, so a 120-volt-only styling tool can overheat rather than simply run faster.
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Your passport's machine-readable lines check their own arithmetic
The standard includes check digits for fields such as the document number, birth date and expiry date. Software recalculates them to catch many reading or…
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Border control requires proof of onward travel
Officials may ask for a booked departure to show that you plan to leave rather than overstay. A one-way ticket can prompt questions, though requirements vary…
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Children require new passports every five years
A child’s passport may expire after five years because facial features change quickly, making an old photo harder to match to its owner.
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Consulates handle stranded traveler emergencies
Consular staff handle practical services such as help with lost travel documents and visa matters, rather than the ambassador’s diplomatic role.
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Your phone can be searched at the U.S. border, too
Border inspections can extend beyond luggage to the contents of an electronic device. CBP distinguishes a manual inspection from an advanced search using…
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Apostille stamps authenticate international documents
An apostille is a certificate created under an international convention to authenticate a document for use abroad.
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Why flying can make you unusually gassy
As cabin pressure falls during ascent, gas in the digestive tract expands, sometimes by as much as 30%. That expansion can cause bloating and discomfort.
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Why hotel room safes aren't as secure as they look
If a hotel hasn’t changed the manufacturer’s override code, staff can use it to open the safe when a guest forgets their PIN—so the keypad may offer less…
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Why stolen passports are worth thousands
Authentic details and a clean travel history can make a stolen passport valuable to criminal networks. They may alter its photo and use it to evade border…
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You can fly to Rome and walk into another country
Vatican City has no conventional airport, so air travelers generally arrive through Rome before continuing overland. Its border with the city is so compact…
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Visiting working farms is an increasingly popular trip
Urban visitors are paying premium rates to see barns and animals—and experience rural chores they’d probably hate doing themselves.
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The duffel bag was made to be thrown around
Its heavy-duty fabric tube could be packed with equipment and tossed into a storage pile without bursting.
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Why old travel trunks became flat-topped
Flat tops let luggage handlers stack trunks in tight storage rooms; domed lids looked elegant and shed water but slid off one another.
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Brightly colored luggage straps simply identify your bags
The bright straps make a black suitcase easier to spot among nearly identical bags; they aren't meant to reinforce it.
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Fabric eye masks were designed for unpredictable glare
They offer a simple fix when curtains or hallway lights are beyond your control: block the glare with fabric over your eyes.
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Afternoon check ins purely exist for staffing logistics
Afternoon check-in gives housekeeping time to clean rooms after guests leave; turning over a large hotel takes time.
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Why hotels put ice machines in the hallway
Self-serve ice let guests get a cold drink without calling room service, and gave them a reason to mingle outside their rooms.
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Frequent traveler programs were created to ensure loyalty
Frequent-traveler programs reward repeat customers with points, and a growing balance can make switching brands less appealing. That can keep travelers…
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Circular travel boxes existed solely to protect hats
Top hats and feathered hats could be crushed in ordinary trunks, so travelers carried bulky cylindrical cases to keep them intact.
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Why old hotel keys came with heavy blocks
The oversized metal fobs were hard to forget or carry off, encouraging guests to leave their keys at the front desk.
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