Although traveling for leisure is on pause right now, the global lockdown won’t last forever. In a short while, wanderers will once again swarm the most beloved spots on the planet. Below, the top 15 fascinating nuggets about iconic tourist locales will spark your wanderlust and maybe even add a new stop to your bucket list.
Top 15 Fascinating Highlights
15 Safest Place For Babies Iceland
Iceland, the land of fire and ice, dazzles visitors with its towering volcanoes and sprawling glaciers. Yet beyond the dramatic scenery, it boasts a reputation as one of the world’s safest nations.
The country operates without an army or air force, and its police force doesn’t even carry firearms thanks to an exceptionally low crime rate. So secure is everyday life that mothers feel comfortable leaving their infants napping in strollers outside cafés and shops while they run errands.
14 Fordlandia Brazil
Brazil instantly conjures images of the Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio’s carnival, and world‑class soccer. While those are major draws, a lesser‑known relic lies deep within the Amazon rainforest: the ghost town of Fordlandia.
Founded by automobile magnate Henry Ford in 1928, Fordlandia was meant to supply rubber for his car empire. The settlement thrived briefly before succumbing to the harsh jungle, leaving behind ruins that now whisper stories of industrial ambition amid tropical foliage.
13 Saint Patrick Isn’t Quite Who He Seems Ireland
When you think of Ireland, you probably picture frothy pints, four‑leaf clovers, and maybe the ’90s boy band Westlife. The Emerald Isle also boasts Europe’s fourth‑largest stadium, but there’s a surprising twist to its most celebrated saint.
Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was actually born in what is now Wales. Captured by Irish pirates at sixteen, he was taken to Ireland, imprisoned for six years, escaped, and later returned as a missionary, spending fifteen years spreading Christianity across the island.
This unexpected origin story flips the common narrative, reminding travelers that even the most iconic figures can have surprising backstories.
12 Money For Charity Italy
Italy consistently ranks among the world’s most visited nations, drawing crowds to the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and the romantic streets of Rome. Yet beyond the famed landmarks, a charitable tradition flows through its capital.
Each year, roughly one million pounds in loose change are tossed into Rome’s Trevi Fountain. Periodically, the water‑logged coins are collected and donated to charitable causes, turning tourists’ spontaneous generosity into organized goodwill. Italy also gave the world inventions like batteries and eyeglasses, underscoring its lasting impact.
11 Post‑a‑Nut Hawaii
Hawaii immediately evokes images of turquoise seas, endless sunshine, and Instagram‑worthy beach shots. For those who want to brag a little extra, the islands offer a quirky postal service that lets you send a coconut straight from the Pacific.
Since 1991, the tiny Hoolehua Post Office on Molokai has run the “Post‑a‑Nut” program, where travelers can mail a coconut to friends worldwide. By 2016, about 3,000 coconuts were dispatched annually, with 700 traveling beyond U.S. borders. The service is free; you only cover postage.
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10 Einstein’s Eyeballs New York City
The city that never sleeps, New York, dazzles with Broadway lights, Central Park’s sprawling green, and a skyline that defines ambition. Yet tucked away in a safe‑deposit box somewhere in the concrete jungle lies a truly odd relic.
After an illegal autopsy on Albert Einstein’s body, his brain was sliced into roughly 200 pieces, and his eyeballs were removed. The eyes were gifted to his ophthalmologist, who placed them in an undisclosed safe‑deposit box, preserving a piece of the genius for posterity.
Sources differ on the doctor’s name—some say Henry Adams, others Henry Abrams—but a 1994 interview in the South Florida Sun Sentinel confirms the latter. Dr. Abrams, who died at 97 in 2009, ensured the eyes remain safely locked away.
9 Sand Galore Dubai
The United Arab Emirates, highlighted in blockbuster films like Geostorm and Furious 7, boasts a dazzling skyline and a melting pot of over 200 nationalities. One of its most iconic feats is the artificial Palm Islands that jut out of the Arabian Gulf.
To build the first Palm Island, engineers dredged roughly 3 billion cubic meters of sand from the sea floor—enough to fill almost three Empire State Buildings. In total, the islands contain about 94 million cubic meters of sand, a staggering volume that reshapes the coastline.
8 Baobab Bar South Africa
South Africa, perched at the continent’s southern tip, draws visitors with its wildlife, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture. Cape Town, nicknamed the “Mother City,” offers historic castles, the bustling V&A Waterfront, and the iconic Table Mountain cable car.
Beyond the usual attractions, the town of Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo houses the Sunland Baobab Pub—a bar built inside a massive, centuries‑old baobab tree. Since 1933, the hollowed trunk has served as a snug drinking spot for up to fifteen patrons, blending nature and hospitality.
7 Don’t Make A Mistake Mexico
Mexico dazzles with its mouth‑watering cuisine, world‑renowned tequila, and the colorful Day of the Dead celebrations. With over 300 native languages and the continent’s oldest university, the country is a cultural mosaic.
If you ever find yourself invited to sing Mexico’s national anthem, be sure to get every lyric spot‑on. The government imposes fines on anyone who stumbles over the words, and in serious cases, the offender must publicly apologize to the nation for the mishap.
6 Mythical National Animal Scotland
Scotland, a land of misty highlands, legendary lochs, and historic castles, also boasts a national animal that belongs to the realm of myth: the unicorn.
In Celtic lore, the unicorn symbolizes purity and strength. The creature first appeared on Scotland’s royal coat of arms in the 12th century under King William I, cementing its place in the nation’s heraldic tradition.
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5 Sheep New Zealand
New Zealand’s rolling pastures host a staggering sheep‑to‑person ratio of about 5.6 to 1, making it one of the most ovine‑dense nations on Earth. The country’s quirky charm even extended to broadcasting a weather report in Elvish in 2012, celebrating the release of The Hobbit.
Despite its expansive landmass—larger than the United Kingdom—only around 7 percent of the population are human; the rest are animals. Notably, the nation has no native snakes, adding another layer to its unique biodiversity.
4 No Weird Baby Names Here Germany
Germany, famed for Oktoberfest, world‑class soccer, sauerkraut, and a legacy of automotive excellence, also dazzles visitors with its festive Christmas markets and historic castles.
On the more regulatory side, the German government enforces a rule that first names must clearly indicate the child’s gender. Local registration offices can reject names that fail to meet this criterion, ensuring gender‑specific naming conventions.
3 Royal Vampire? England
England conjures images of tea, crumpets, the Beatles, red double‑decker buses, and iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Stonehenge. Yet beneath the royal façade lies a spine‑tingling genealogical tidbit.
Queen Elizabeth II is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler, the 15th‑century ruler who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Prince Charles highlighted this ancestral link in 2011, sparking a flurry of conspiracy theories suggesting the queen might be a vampire, keeping her youthful appearance for centuries.
The rumors persist, feeding a playful narrative that blends history with the supernatural.
2 Alpaca Lunch Peru
Peru’s tourism is booming, with the government forecasting around seven million visitors in 2021. The country shines thanks to iconic sites like Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the bustling markets of Lima.
One of the nation’s most adorable residents are alpacas—about 87 percent of the world’s 4.4 million alpacas call Peru home. These gentle creatures are friendly enough to be house‑trained, and the country also shelters the majestic Andean condor, the largest flying bird on Earth.
1 The Longest Name Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital, attracts travelers to landmarks like Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and the vibrant Sky Bar. Locally, the city is called Krung Thep, meaning “City of Angels.”
However, the full ceremonial name stretches to a jaw‑dropping length: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. Recognized by the Guinness World Records, it holds the title of the longest city name on the planet.
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