When most people go on vacation, they do it to relax. Others, however, like a little less relaxation and a little more courting death. Fortunately, there are a variety of death-defying tourist destinations scattered around the world, so no matter how you’d like to stare death in the face, you’ve got a choice.

10Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome

In total, around 60 people have died on Half Dome and the trail leading up to it. Hiking up Half Dome takes an entire day, during which you’ll climb over 1,500 meters (5,000 ft), burn anywhere from 4,000 to 9,800 calories, and climb the last 120 meters (400 ft) nearly vertical with the assistance of metal cables. And that’s where many of the problems start to occur.

Hikers are discouraged from undertaking the climb when conditions are wet, because the combination of slippery cables and slippery rocks can be deadly—so deadly, in fact, that the bottom part of the cliff on the same side as Mirror Lake is known as the Death Slabs. Even when it’s not wet and slippery, accidents are still well documented.

In 2012, a man slipped from the cables and had to be rescued after trying to grab a radio dropped by a person above him. Deaths of 2011 include three hikers who ignored guardrails and fell into Vernal Falls, another man who slipped and fell onto the Mist Trail (ultimately swept away and killed by the same river), and a 26-year-old who slipped on the cables and fell 180 meters (600 ft).

Falls and drowning aren’t the only dangers. There are also records of hikers being struck by lightning while attempting to make the climb. The Yosemite Search and Rescue team estimates that about 60 percent of their duties involve rescuing hikers in distress. They rely not just on helicopters for rescues and preparedness for medical emergencies, but also on canine search and rescue and swiftwater rescue teams.

9Alnwick Gardens

Because regular, non-deadly gardens lack a certain sense of adventure, Jane Percy, the Duchess of Northumberland, decided to make the gardens of Alnwick Castle something extra special. When she found herself at the head of the Alnwick household, she also inherited gardens that had long been neglected.

Originally thinking that she was going to include a section of plants known for their healing properties, she realized that wasn’t as much fun as plants that were poisonous. The result is a gated area on the grounds known as The Poison Garden, and it’s full of warnings and plants that can cause certain death. Even though visitors are a relatively safe distance from the plants and can’t actively smell or touch them, some have fainted from the toxic fumes that are released into the air.

While some of the plants have a bizarre, unsettling history—like the angel’s trumpet, which acts as an aphrodisiac before its poisonous effects kick in—other plants that the duchess has included in her garden have another meaning. She’s included plants like the coca plant and cannabis, seeing the garden as a valuable teaching tool for the schoolchildren that come through. While many of them might be bored by a trip to regular gardens, she sees her poison garden as a great way to get kids intrigued by plants and their properties.

8Hawaii’s Volcano Tours

If you’re the type that thinks checking out an active volcano is the way to go for a vacation, you’re in luck, as you have a couple of different choices in Hawaii. Both have track records of death and the National Park Service actually temporarily shut down the bicycle tour (mentioned below) in 2007 after there were three deaths and a number of serious injuries within the space of a year.

For a fee—about $100—tourists are driven up to the top of an active volcano and they then ride a bicycle down. Deaths came when people lost control of their bicycles on the downgrade, but that’s not the only way taking a volcano tour can kill you. In the decade between 1992–2002, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reported 40 deaths and 45 major injuries.

The volcanoes—including Kilauea, which has been erupting almost non-stop since 1938—are a major tourist attraction for the islands. Called geotourism, the trend exposes people to a number of risks aside from the potentially deadly lava. Just as dangerous as the obvious lava flows are the gases that are released into the air. A number of the deaths are of park staff as well as tourists and are attributed to the presence of lava haze. The haze, which looks like a harmless white vapor cloud, is actually a deadly mix of hydrochloric acid, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide.

The gases, while deadly on their own, can also increase the problems caused by asthma and heart conditions. Add in the scalding ocean water, the potential for flying rocks, and a chronic lack of preparation on the part of hikers, and the potential for death—or at least serious complications—from checking out Hawaii’s volcanoes is high.

7Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael most recently made the news as one of the filming locations for Star Wars, but it’s been a beautiful, remote, and integral part of Irish culture for centuries. The site of a monastic settlement, it was chosen by the monks because of its inaccessibility and difficult terrain, something that hasn’t changed since its establishment sometime between the sixth and eighth centuries. It is now a World Heritage site.

Visit Greater Skellig’s website and you will be greeted with a safety video for visitors. It stresses that there are 600 ancient steps that wind their way up the side of the mountain, and there are absolutely no safety features whatsoever. There’s also no food or water, visitor centers, toilets, or shelter.

Getting to the island means an hour-long boat ride across potentially troublesome open ocean, and it’s not uncommon for landing on the island to become impossible because of high waves and choppy water. The area is particularly prone to falling rocks, but that’s not the only problem. The stone stairs, more than 1,000 years old, are rough, uneven, and meandering.

Two deaths only months apart in 2009 sparked a review of the safety conditions on the island. It was determined that the addition of railings would not only destroy the natural beauty and authenticity of the site, but also, according to the Irish Office of Public Works, the presence of a railing would do nothing but lure people into becoming complacent with “a false sense of security.”

In spite of public outcry, the only real safety measures taken include signage and a handout that specifies the dangers of slippery, wet stairs, falling rocks, a steep climb, and a reminder to be courteous to others sharing the potentially deadly pathway with you.

6Praia De Boa Viagem

Wide, sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets, perfect weather, close proximity to urban nightlife, and warm, clear, ocean waters. Sounds like the perfect vacation, right? Possibly, if it wasn’t for the sharks. Praia de Boa Viagem has long been one of Brazil’s premiere destination spots for tourists from all over the world, but since 1992, the picturesque beach has been plagued by shark attacks.

Between 1992 and 2012, there were 56 shark attacks at the beach. You might say, “Sure, but that’s still less than Australia!” But people have a better chance of walking away from a shark attack in Australia than they do at Praia de Boa Viagem. There, one-third of all attacks end in fatality. The sharks in question are bull sharks, problematic because they tend to like the shallow, coastal waters that they end up sharing with swimmers and surfers—and they’re not really the ones at fault.

Porto Suape was built on breeding grounds for the sharks. When it opened in 1984, it also sealed off several estuaries that were once used by female sharks as a safe, sheltered place to bear their young. Tiger sharks are also thought to be a huge part of the problem, though less proof has been found of their attacks than of bull sharks.

They’re attracted to the area for a different reason—they also prefer coastal areas, but that’s because they have a tendency to follow ships and eat the garbage that gets thrown overboard. When they run into tourists paddling around in the shallows, that’s an even better meal. And although there are a number of lifeguards patrolling the beach, they don’t always recognize that there’s a problem developing in waist-high water until it’s too late.

5The Colorado River System

White-water rafting can be fun for the whole family, but the Colorado River system has been plagued with accidents, injuries, and fatalities. In 2014, part of the problem has been due in large part to an increase in the melting snowpack from higher up in Colorado’s mountain ranges. Heavy rains can potentially add to the problem, but according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife department, it’s the huge increase in melting snows that’s pushing them to issue high-water advisories for areas throughout the river system.

In 2007, the river system saw 12 fatalities and 176 serious injuries, and according to the state’s Division of Boating and Waterways, part of the problem is not just inexperience and neglect when it comes to wearing the proper safety equipment, but the atmosphere and attitude that goes along with boating and rafting on the river system.

Alcohol figures heavily into many accidents on the rivers, and with their Class V rapids, faster-than-usual currents, and high-running waters, it all adds up to making 2014 one of the deadliest years ever on the river system. During the first seven months of 2014, 15 deaths occurred on the waterways, tying the record high from 2009.

4The Beaches Of Acapulco

Acapulco is a name that’s been synonymous with one of the most relaxing, luxurious vacation spots that Americans can easily get to. Beaches, nice weather, huge city blocks built with the comfort of tourists in mind—unfortunately, those city blocks are in a city that has a crime rate that’s almost 30 times higher than the American average.

As recently as 2013, the murder rate was 142 per 100,000 citizens, and even though the city is quick to point out that it’s mostly drug-related and not tourist-centric at all, 200 murders in January and February of 2013 alone isn’t a great track record. There’s also no public information that details just where there’s the highest concentration of law enforcement patrols, or just where the murders happen.

In spite of assurances, stories still pepper the press with some pretty dark happenings on the beachfront paradise—including an incident in 2013 which saw the rape of six women on vacation. Afterward, Acapulco’s mayor stated that “it happens anywhere in the world,” which is a pretty cold statement to make—anywhere in the world.

According to the US Department of State’s Mexico Travel Warning, they recommend that if you do go to Acapulco, stay in specially designated tourist areas, plan rest stops carefully, make sure you have enough fuel to get you through the shady areas outside the tourist spots (if you absolutely need to travel through them), and travel by air when possible. In fact, when it comes to booking a place to stay for its employees, the US government will only book between the Hotel Avalon Excalibur Acapulco and Puerto Marquez, and it also forbids leaving the hotel after the Sun goes down.

3Cliffs Of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher have one of the most breathtaking views in Ireland, looking out over the rough Atlantic Ocean. Its rugged beauty is unobstructed by things such as safety rails, but the potential dangers are much greater than that. Not far from the parking lot is the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center, with their paved walkways, regular stone steps, and waist-high stone walls covered with signs warning people to stay off the walls.

But the walking trail extends out along the top of the cliffs, where it becomes something much more deadly. High, unpredictable winds, relentless and equally unpredictable rains coupled with steep sections of the path, loose gravel, and smooth stone mean that it’s not your normal walk in the park.

In 2006, one woman was walking along the top of the cliffs when winds swept her to her death at the bottom, while other deaths happen quite on purpose. In 2007, a 26-year-old mother took her four-year-old son with her when she jumped off the 180 meter (600 ft) cliff. This led to discussions over the implementation of policies directed not only toward warning people of the dangers of the site, but also putting plans in place to help those who go to the cliffs with intentions of jumping. And 2010 brought the focus onto the natural dangers presented by the cliffs, when a huge chunk of an upper ledge fell into the ocean.

2El Caminito Del Rey

The Caminito del Rey is so named because the now-deadly path was once walked by Spain’s King Alfonso XIII, shortly after its installation between two power plants in the Gaitanes Gorge. The man-made pathway is only about 1 meter (3 ft) wide (in the places that it still exists) and runs along a sheer cliff face about 100 meters (330 ft) tall. It’s technically closed to the public—and has been since five deaths between 1999–2000—but that doesn’t stop countless people from making the hike every year.

The pathway has fallen into disrepair over the years—and that’s something of an understatement. In many places, all that remains of the pathway are rusted metal rails, leaving the most daring no choice but to look straight down at the rocks below rather than at a nice, secure, wooden path. Many of the support beams are rusted through, and in some places, there’s no choice but to climb—carefully—along the side of the mountain.

Even where the path remains, holes are common, and even without a fear of heights, the view is dizzying. Although it’s technically illegal to walk there and trespassers face a hefty fine, it’s remained a popular destination—so popular that money is being sunk into extensive repairs, with the hopes that when the walkway reopens, it’s not only still popular but much, much safer.

1The Kokoda And Black Cat Trails

The Kokoda Trail is nearly 100 kilometers (60 mi) of hot, humid, treacherous, leech-infested territory running between the northern and southern coasts of Papua New Guinea. Its rainforests have exotic animals, jungles, clean water, and villages of native peoples who have lived off the land for generations. It is also the site of numerous World War II battles, fought between the Australians and the Japanese.

And every year, thousands of visitors make the trek, amid the threat of everything from trench foot to death. Walking the entire trail means six 10-hour days of walking, climbing, and swimming. Everything you need, you have to carry with you. Mountains make the miles seem even longer, and all the while you’re swatting mosquitoes that may or may not be carrying malaria. Walkers are escorted by guides, and along the way, many learn about the stories of the soldiers who fought and died in the old foxholes and amid the abandoned machinery. Dehydration, broken bones, and illness are the biggest threats, but there are others.

In September 2013, a group hiking the neighboring Black Cat Trail was attacked by a group of locals made up of villagers and escaped convicts. Two porters died after the machete attacks, and seven others were severely wounded—including one Australian who took a spear in the leg. Passports and personal belongings were stolen, and the whole thing was thought to be spurred by an ongoing battle between local tribes and villages—a battle to capitalize on the lucrative tourist trade acting as guides to those who come to walk the trails.

Tourism is a great source of income for every developed country. While we know all about the many tourist traps that ended up being built, most people haven’t heard of these crazy proposals.

10Michael Jackson’s Laser Robot

In the mid-2000s, Michael Jackson was planning on a huge comeback by securing a residency in Las Vegas. Jackson and his crew developed a variety of ideas for arenas, costumes, and shows but needed a huge advertising statement. Many ideas hit the drawing board before Jackson settled on his favorite: a 15-meter (50 ft) walking robot that would circle Las Vegas shooting laser beams.

Robot Michael Jackson was going to be fully mobile. It would stalk the desert around Las Vegas, focusing on being under the flight paths for airlines flying into McCarran Airport. (Nobody knows for sure if the robot would just walk or do Michael Jackson’s trademark moonwalk.) To complete the idea, robo-Jackson was going to have laser beams shooting from its eyes that could be seen from all parts of Las Vegas. It is unknown whether those would have been just laser lights or real, damaging laser beams. Unfortunately for Jackson, it was impossible to get any of the real estate moguls to invest in the design (possibly as a result of Jackson’s sex scandals), and the team had to drop their idea.

Instead of the giant robot, Jackson’s team decided on a “scaled down” plan to make a Michael Jackson–themed hotel and casino. They also refused to give up their dreams of robotic entertainment and planned to have Jackson’s shows involve a “giant audience-interactive video game with human cyborgs.”

All of these ideas never took off. Jackson did not have enough money and eventually decided against a Las Vegas residency. The city was spared from being stalked by a giant, laser-shooting Michael Jackson robot.

9Miami’s Artificial Sun

Miami is well known as a popular tourist area due to its perpetually warm weather and wonderful beaches. A pair of Swedish architects hope to capitalize on the sun-drenched city by erecting exactly what Miami needs: another Sun. Creatively named “Miami Sun,” the building is intended to be a 150-meter-tall (500 ft) half-orb with a hotel and casino. The exterior of the building is designed with screens that allow it to replicate the most vibrant sunsets during the day and to look like the Moon during the night.

If the architects get their way, Miami residents can look forward to a huge, otherworldly Sun-Moon combo right on the bay. As terrifying as that might sound, the Swedish architects have some practical reasoning behind their idea. The Miami Sun will be big enough to block out the real Sun during key summer months for people right near it. By doing this, tourists can have the joy of experiencing a sunny day without risking damage from dangerous UV rays. Fortunately for Miami residents, the city is extremely skeptical about the design, and it does not look like Miami will be building the artificial Sun anytime soon.

8Life-Size USS Enterprise

In 1992, the mayor of Las Vegas announced a project to redevelop downtown Vegas to pull some tourist money away from the big casinos on the strip. Countless project proposals were submitted, but the most interesting of all was the plan by the Goddard Group to build a life-size replica of the USS Enterprise from Star Trek.

The plan was an enormous undertaking. The Goddard Group proposed to build the Enterprise exactly to scale, making it a 300-meter-long (1,000 ft), 70-meter-tall (230 ft) attraction. Fittingly, the attraction would need new engineering techniques to keep the pylon and saucer held up without any external support. Instead of fitting the Enterprise with a hotel and casino as is standard for Vegas development projects, the ship was mainly geared toward shows, restaurants, rides, and other fan attractions.

Unfortunately, Paramount did not give the go-ahead for the licensing. Stanley Jaffe, CEO of Paramount, thought that the project would flop. Jaffe told the Goddard Group: “In the movie business, when we produce a big movie and it’s a flop—we take some bad press for a few weeks or a few months, but then it goes away. The next movie comes out and everyone forgets. But this—this is different. If this doesn’t work—if this is not a success—it’s there, forever . . . ”

Without the support of Paramount, the project stopped, and Las Vegas decided to go ahead with the Fremont Street Experience light show instead. Although a full-size Enterprise never came to fruition, the Goddard Group later built Star Trek: The Experience in the Las Vegas Hilton. This gave Star Trek fans the attraction they had waited for, until the Hilton tore it down in 2008.

7Valravn Roller Coaster

Unlike the other entries on this list, the Valravn roller coaster is one that you may actually be able to experience in your lifetime. It is currently under construction at Cedar Point in Ohio. When completed, the Valravn will break 10 world records, including one for the biggest dive roller coaster. Other roller coasters may have drops that seem vertical, but a dive roller coaster puts the riders through a long, 90-degree vertical drop. When the drop occurs, the riders are in complete free fall; the only thing keeping them in their seats are the restraints.

The Valravn has a 68-meter (223 ft) drop, ensuring that the riders get a few terrifying seconds where they are just falling. Because the drop is so long, the Valravn will also break the record for the fastest dive roller coaster at an insane 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph). Utilizing that fast speed and energy, the Valravn will put the riders through three inversions throughout the ride, once again breaking a world record while doing so. It is slated for completion in spring 2016, so brave riders can get ready to experience the feeling of complete free fall.

6Aeroscraft Flying Hotel

Large airships lost favor with the public after the Hindenburg explosion and due to the slow speed of airships. Since passengers wanted to get where they were going quickly, the idea of flying on a slow airship was uninviting, especially in the era of fast jet airliners. In recent years, many investors and designers have proposed bringing back the airship, but the most spectacular of them all is Igor Pasternak, who wants to build huge flying hotels that lumber across the world.

Named Aeroscraft, these airships will be the largest in the world at nearly 200 meters (650 ft) long and 50 meters (160 ft) tall. Aeroscraft will travel at a slow speed of 280 kilometers per hour (175 mph), which will allow it to cross the United States in 18 hours. That might seem like a long time, but riding in an Aeroscraft is not about the arrival at the destination but the experience of getting there. Aeroscraft will carry 250 passengers in utmost style. Interior amenities will include full staterooms, bars, lounges, casinos, conference rooms, and anything else a person may need on their flight. For transatlantic flights, Aeroscraft will basically be a flying hotel.

This may seem far-fetched, but Pasternak has already begun development on the project. Various investors have given him money, including the United States Department of Defense. Not only will Pasternak’s airships be good for passenger travel, they also have uses for freight lifting and defense. A half-scale airship called Dragon Dream took to the air in 2013, making the flying hotel seem like a future inevitability.

5Port Disney

Currently, DisneySea is the name of an aquatic theme park in Japan, but most people do not know that it’s based on an insane and complicated Disney park planned for California. Plans started in the late 1980s, when Disney began buying up real estate in Long Beach with plans to make Port Disney, a huge resort area on the California coast.

As Disney was buying land, it also made two other purchases, the RMS Queen Mary and the “Spruce Goose” airplane, which were key parts of the Port Disney plans. Disney planned to convert the Queen Mary into one of Port Disney’s five hotels. Plans for the port also included a huge marina that would serve as home for Disney cruise ships. The centerpiece of this oceanic property was a new Disney theme park, DisneySea.

The theme park would have been a huge architectural undertaking. Initial plans show that it had five huge domes, each one focusing on a different part of marine life and offering different attractions. Among these attractions were huge aquariums, natural history museums, a few rides, and—most surprisingly—an attraction where guests sat in steel cages in shark tanks so they could experience swimming with the sharks. DisneySea would also offer research opportunities to biologists studying marine life.

Even though the plans seemed impressive, residents of Long Beach opposed the project, and costs skyrocketed, becoming too high even for Disney. Instead of opening Port Disney, the company decided to develop the much more conventional California Adventure park next to Disneyland. Years later, architects used the DisneySea plans for a Tokyo theme park, which gave tourists a glimpse of what could have been.

4ACME United Nations Memorial Space

UN memorials are not usually big tourist attractions, but the United Nations Memorial Space in Chungju, South Korea will attract tourists from around the world. Chungju is the birthplace of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The Memorial Space will be the focal point of a large UN Peace Park. The ACME proposal did not win the design competition, but it is certainly an interesting building.

ACME designed its building as a series of cells that resemble a honeycomb. To determine the cell arrangement, ACME used a Voronoi diagram. This is a mathematical diagram that partitions a plane based on a series of predetermined variables. By using Voronoi diagrams to decide on the design of its structure, ACME gave the Memorial Space building a fascinating and seemingly random facade quite unlike other buildings. This odd structure symbolized the UN’s unity—all countries coming together for a single purpose.

The inside of the Memorial Space building houses a 1,500-seat assembly hall, conference rooms, theaters, and exhibition areas. Due to the cellular design, each area can be easily reconfigured for different purposes without affecting the structure of the building. To top it off, ACME placed a garden area on the roof for delegates and tourists to experience fresh air. ACME architects also made the center of the building hollow to allow for natural light to illuminate the corridors. Oddly, the UN has not released the second place and winning designs. With ACME’s spectacular building taking third, the winning design is probably breathtaking.

3Russian Commercial Space Station

Space tourism is all the rage now, with companies across the world gearing up to offer tourists a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a price. Not to be outdone by American space companies, the Russians are getting into the game. Aerospace company Orbital Technologies made plans for the first ever commercial hotel space station. Designed to be serviced by Soyuz and Progress capsules, the Russian space hotel was intended to launch by 2016, but setbacks in the program have pushed the date closer to 2020.

When completed, the yet-unnamed space station will be the first hotel in space. The design is big enough to hold seven people and can host research projects, if other countries prefer to use it instead of the larger International Space Station. But the science part is secondary. Orbital Technologies is looking to rake in tourist money from wealthy vacationers. A short stay at the station will cost around $1 million.

Orbital Technologies also expects to use the space station to host media productions and large parties. The firm has attempted to gain US support by stating that ISS astronauts could use the station as a backup if they need to evacuate. Investors have put some money into the project, and Orbital Technologies is confident that it will succeed.

2The Berg: Artificial Mountain

Everybody loves mountains. They are beautiful, scenic, and provide a variety of wonderful, touristy things to do, like skiing. Unfortunately, not everybody has easy access to mountains. Most people have to travel to visit them, and many might not have the time or money to make such a trip. The city of Berlin, Germany is bereft of tall mountains. Architect Jakob Tigges wants to change that by building a huge artificial mountain in the middle of Berlin.

In 2008, Berlin demolished the historic Tempelhof airport, clearing a huge swath of land in the city. German politicians do not know what to do with the land. Into the vacuum jumped Tigges, who believed that an artificial mountain called “The Berg” could invigorate the country. Chief among his proposal was the chance to ski right in the city without taking a trip to the Alps. With beautiful slopes and alpine features, The Berg would attract tourists from around the world while being a cutting-edge architectural project.

Tigges is not clear on exactly how to construct The Berg, but he is still working on getting approval for the project. In the late 2000s, support for the project was rapidly developing, with people around the world expressing interest in The Berg. However, development has stalled, and it seems that any chance that The Berg had has now evaporated. Still, it remains on the table as an odd way to reinvigorate Berlin.

1Hilton Hotel On The Moon

In an episode of AMC’s hit series Mad Men, hotel mogul Conrad Hilton asks protagonist Don Draper to work on an ad campaign. The subject? A forthcoming Hilton hotel on the Moon. The show portrayed it as a quirk of Hilton’s character, but the Hilton Moon hotel was a real project and one of the earliest attempts at outer space tourism.

Plans for the Lunar Hilton began to really take shape in 1967 and gained the public’s interest after the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey introduced people to the idea of commercial space travel. Nobody knows if the plans were sincere or just a way to get more people interested in the Hilton company. Whatever the case, by the end of the 1960s, everybody was talking about the Lunar Hilton. The company even started to sell souvenirs and reservation cards for the eventual opening of the hotel. Designs showed a fairly conventional hotel, with the biggest selling point being the view. Nothing could compare to waking up to a view of the Earth. With the lunar landings in 1969, the Hilton project remained in the public eye.

As time went on, excitement over the project waned. Lunar Hilton dropped out of the public eye, turning into a mere curiosity of the early space program. But the Lunar Hilton rarely stays dead. Talks about the project began again in the 1990s. This time, Hilton discussed building two hotels: one in orbit around the Earth and another on the Moon. These plans are shelved for now, but when it becomes possible, Hilton will create one of the most interesting tourist traps in the solar system.

Zachery Brasier is a physics student who likes to write on the side.

Dead people and skeletons are often the last thing we expect at tourist attractions—at least most of the time. While some places are visited for their human remains, most aren’t. Nonetheless, there are some vacation destinations that happen to have dead people or skeletons lying around.

Some tourist attractions discreetly contain bodies that tourists may not even realize are there. In other cases, the remains are in the full view of the visitors, who just pass by them as if they’re another artifact. Here are ten tourist attractions filled with human remains.

10 Mount Everest

Mount Everest is littered with lots of dead bodies. In fact, the north side is filled with so many bodies that it has been unofficially renamed Rainbow Ridge, after the colors of the clothes and gear of the numerous tourists and Sherpa guides who’ve perished there. The total number of bodies on Everest is unknown, but the figure was put at over 200 as of 2015.

One popular corpse is that of Tsewang Paljor. His body has remained on Everest since he was killed in a blizzard in 1996. Paljor is called Green Boots because he wore green boots. He has become so well-known that the enclave in which he froze to death is called Green Boots’ Cave. The enclave is a popular resting point for climbers descending from Everest.

Bodies are often left on Everest because of the cost and dangers involved in recovering them. Between six and eight Sherpa guides are required to retrieve a body from Everest. The bodies are always heavy, sometimes up to two times the victim’s weight when alive, because they are frozen. Sherpas often need to dig around the body and carry it with the ice. Retrievals cost thousands of dollars.^[1]

9 Yellow River

China’s Yellow River is always filled with the remains of people who committed suicide, drowned while swimming, or were dumped in the river after they were murdered. The government is uninterested in retrieving the bodies, causing creative entrepreneurs like Wei Xinpeng to retrieve the cadavers for money.

Xinpeng has noted a footbridge where bodies that end up in the river cannot pass. He paddles to the footbridge with his boat and pulls out any corpse he finds. He keeps the bodies in a cove and then takes out newspaper ads describing them.

Families pay a small fee to confirm if the body belongs to a relative. When it does, they pay another $500 to take the remains. As of 2010, Xinpeng said he’d found 500 bodies within seven years. Nine years later, we wonder how many more he has found.^[2]

8 Catacombs Of Paris

In the 18th century, the city council of Paris realized they were running out of cemetery space. So they agreed to turn the quarries underneath Paris into a catacomb and fill it with the remains of over six million people buried in cemeteries scattered across the city.

Whoever transported the skulls and bones into the catacombs initially just threw them in. However, workers began to artistically arrange the skulls and bones.

Many visitors never get to see the millions of bones and skulls that lie along the 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) of tunnels which are part of a tour. The tunnels can be reached by a staircase that leads further down into the catacombs. At the end of the tour is another staircase that leads to the upper sections of the catacombs. Tourists are said to be often covered in bone dust at the end of the journey.^[3]

7 Museum Of London

Roughly 20,000 skeletons are kept in an underground vault in the Museum of London. The vault is built with concrete walls and hidden from tourists. It is called the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology and is believed to be “the largest single collection of stratified human remains anywhere in the world in one city.”

The skeletons belonged to people who died from when the Romans ruled over Britain up until the 19th century. They are stored in cardboard boxes that are labeled “human skeleton” or “human infant skeleton,” in the case of infants. The museum keeps the bodies to study the history of London.

For instance, historians know that the people of the Middle Ages had better teeth than the people during the Age of Discovery after analyzing their skeletons. The latter had bad teeth because they ate lots of sugar.^[4]

6 Roopkund Lake

Roopkund lake in Uttarakhand, India, is known for its skeletons. The lake is often covered in ice. But when the ice melts—as it often does—tourists are treated to a chilling view of over 200 human skeletons scattered along its edge.

The skeletons were first discovered during World War II in 1942. The skeletons have dents on their skulls and shoulders, indicating that they had been struck by something from above. The British initially suspected they were the remains of Japanese soldiers who attempted to sneak into India.

They later realized the skeletons were too old to be the Japanese. Historians revisited the lake in 2004 and confirmed that the bones belonged to two groups of people killed by hailstones around AD 850.

One group was a family or tribe, while the other were either their porters or guides. The party was crossing the area when they ran into an hailstorm. They had no place to hide and died after they were continually hit by cricket ball-sized hailstones.^[5]

5 Pompeii

Mount Vesuvius erupted around noon on August 24, AD 79. The eruption threw hot ash into the air and down onto the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The ash fell on people and homes, blocking doors and causing roofs to collapse. It also filled the roads, further preventing people from escaping.

While thousands braved the ash and escaped, thousands more remained in their homes, where they cowered in fear and covered their heads with pillows. Whoever survived the falling ash and collapsing roofs was dead the next morning when a pyroclastic flow came pouring down the sides of the mountain.

Pompeii was forgotten until it was discovered in 1738. Excavators got to work and soon realized that the skeletons of the people killed during the AD 79 eruption were surrounded by empty spaces in the shape of what used to be their bodies. So they began pouring plaster of Paris into the spaces around the skeletons.

Today, we have hundreds of casts of the remains of people who died during the infamous eruption. There are also the plastered remains of a pig and a dog. The casts clearly show the faces and features of the people and animals—just as they were at the moment of death.

Around 1,150 bodies have been excavated from Pompeii as of 2015. However, historians believe over 2,000 people died in Pompeii. Considering that only three-fourths of Pompeii has been excavated, there are probably still more skeletons underground.^[6]

4 Sac Uayum

A cenote is a sinkhole filled with water. It is created when weak limestone ground collapses to expose the cavern underneath. Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula has lots of cenotes that are top tourist attractions. However, the Sac Uayum cenote stands out because it contains the remains of dead people and animals.

Sac Uayum was feared by the ancient Maya and is still feared by the locals, who have lots of folklore advising anyone against entering the cenote. In 2013, a team of archaeologists led by Bradley Russell dared the supposed dangers and decided to go into the cenote to investigate.

They discovered it is filled with skulls and bones of humans and cattle. They found 15 skulls but believe there are more. Some of the skulls are flattened, indicating they were from the Mayan civilization. While they suspect that the cows fell into the hole, they could not confirm how the humans ended up in the cenote.

The archaeologists know the cenote was never a cemetery and that the humans were never used as sacrifices. They think the people were possibly buried there temporarily because the Mayans believed in reincarnation. Alternatively, they could have been plague victims dumped there to prevent them from infecting the living.^[7]

3 The Great Wall Of China

The Great Wall of China, totaling some 21,000 kilometers (13,000 mi) altogether, is probably the most popular structure built in ancient China. It was built by several emperors, starting with Qin Shi Huang circa 221 BC. However, most of what remains of the wall today was built during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

Convicts and soldiers formed the bulk of the workforce at the time Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the wall. It is estimated that 400,000 workers died during construction at the time. Most of the dead are believed to be buried inside the wall.^[8]

2 Sedlec Ossuary

The Sedlec Ossuary (aka The Bone Church) in the Czech Republic is filled with the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people. The bones are not hidden but left in public view, where they have been turned into artworks. There are pyramids, candle-holders, and a chandelier made with human skulls and bones.

The history of the ossuary began in the 13th century, when a monk returned from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with some soil. He threw the soil all around Sedlec cemetery. Soon, everyone in today’s Czech Republic and neighboring kingdoms wanted to be buried at Sedlec. More than 30,000 people were buried there before the cemetery ran out of space.

The city agreed to move the bodies into a crypt so that newer bodies could be buried in the cemetery. That crypt is the Sedlec Ossuary. A woodcarver named Frantisek Rint turned the skeletons into artworks in 1870, when he used the bones to create designs. It was he who created the famous chandelier. He also bleached all the bones so that they’d be the same color.^[9]

1 Tower Of London

King Edward IV of England died on April 9, 1483. His successor was his son, Edward, who was crowned as King Edward V. But Edward V was only 13, so his uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was assigned as protector. A protector was a person who ruled until the king was of age.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, soon got greedy and decided he wanted to be king. He imprisoned Edward V and his ten-year-old brother, Richard, Duke of York, in the Tower of London. Then he claimed Edward V could not become king because he was an illegitimate son of Edward IV.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was crowned king in July 1483 as Richard III. Meanwhile, Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, mysteriously disappeared. Many believe they were killed by Richard III.^[10]

Several bodies have been found in the Tower of London over the years. Sometime between 1603 and 1614 (or even in 1647 as some sources claim), the skeletons of two children were found on a table in a walled up room.

The skeletons were initially thought to belong to the brothers until the suspicions were superseded by claims that they belonged to children aged between six and eight. Another body was found in 1619. It was thought to belong to one of the brothers until it was discovered to be the corpse of an ape.

Two more skeletons were found under a staircase in 1674. Yet more skeletons were found between 1830 and 1840, when the moat surrounding the tower was drained. Another body was found in 1977. However, carbon-dating revealed it was from the Iron Age. The skeletons of the royal brothers remain missing.

Australians are well-known for their sense of humor. We like to poke fun at everyone. We laugh at each other, we laugh at ourselves, and we love to poke fun at bureaucracy. So it’s no surprise that some of our quirkiest tourist attractions actually started out as a bit of a joke.

From teddy bears and garden gnomes planted in fun, which have turned into thriving colonies, to a submarine in an inland park, our Aussie sense of humor shines through in some of our funniest tourist attractions.

10 Submarine In An Inland Park

A rural Australian park is the last place you would expect to find a submarine. Yet the HMAS Otway is a major tourist attraction in the New South Wales town of Holbrook. The town was renamed in 1915 after their resident war hero, Lieutenant Norman Holbrook, who was the first submariner to receive the Victoria Cross (VC) during World War I.

Like residents of many rural towns bypassed by the highway during the 1990s, Holbrook residents were looking for a unique tourist attraction to bring passing visitors to their town. When the mayor suggested acquiring a submarine, the townspeople initially thought he was joking. However, the idea of establishing a memorial to submariners in honor of their own VC recipient soon caught on.

After much community fundraising and a generous bequest from the Holbrook family, the upper parts of the outer casings and the fins of the decommissioned HMAS Otway were purchased.

The submarine was moved to Germanton Park in Holbrook, where it has become a popular tourist attraction. The complex has a submarine museum including a mock interior where visitors can gain an insight into what life was like on a submarine.^[1]

9 Mad Max 2 Museum

We all have our favorite movies. Some us can even become a little over-passionate, collecting memorabilia and watching reruns. However, one man’s passion saw him move halfway around the world to open a museum in the most unlikely place.

Scenes from the earlier Mad Max movies were shot in the remote New South Wales outback near the sparsely populated town of Silverton. (The 2016 Australian census showed that the town had a population of just 50.) Yet it was to Silverton that an Englishman named Adrian Bennett came in 2009 to fuel his obsession with the movie Mad Max 2.

He spent his time collecting actual props, relics, and memorabilia from his favorite movie. The collection has grown into a full-scale museum, where Mad Max fans can not only view his collection but also learn more about the filming of the movie on the location in which it was set.^[2]

8 Utes In The Paddock

The Holden Ute is a true Australian icon. The work vehicle can be found all over rural Australia. The outback town of Condobolin has a unique outdoor art gallery depicting well-known Australian icons, all using the Holden Ute as its medium.

A number of years ago, a local landholder decided to turn a rusty old Ute into an artwork. Artists were then invited to repurpose rusty car bodies into art forms, which attract many tourists to the district each year. Twenty cars are upended or suspended at precarious angles to depict the life and characters of the Australian bush.

Here, you will see Australian identities such as Clancy of the Overflow and Dame Edna Everage sitting on a traditional Australian “dunny.” Aussie icons represented include a larger-than-life bottle of Bundaberg Rum and a mammoth jar of vegemite.

The display was originally installed on a remote property 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Condobolin but has since been moved to the outskirts of the town, where it is more accessible to tourists.^[3]

7 The Principality Of Hutt River

Every town has its eccentric residents, but one West Australian farmer’s persistence in seceding from the Commonwealth of Australia has become a quirky tourist attraction. A bureaucratic row over agricultural taxes in 1970 saw the farmer take things into his own hands. Leonard Casley (pictured above) simply established his own country, the Principality Of Hutt River, on his 75-square-kilometer (29 mi²) property near the town of Geraldton.

The Australian government has never recognized the sovereignty of the principality, but “Prince Leonard” still maintained his own postage stamps and currency until his death in 2019. Queen Elizabeth II, however, obviously enjoyed the joke, sending Leonard a letter of congratulation on the principality’s 46th anniversary. Prince Leonard abdicated in 2017 in favor of his son, Graeme, who continues to rule over the micronation.

The town of Nain has been established as the main administrative center of the principality. Here, tourists who want an extra passport stamp can collect one from the Principality of Hutt River while they view the historic displays.^[4]

6 Gnomesville

A cheeky community protest over proposed council roadworks has snowballed into a quirky tourist attraction for the West Australian town of Wellington Mill.

When the council announced controversial plans to construct a roundabout in 1995, a couple of cheeky residents “claimed the plot” by placing a couple of garden gnomes on the proposed site as a bit of a joke. The joke soon spread, and the gnomes quickly multiplied. Today, there are an estimated 5,000 gnomes residing in “Gnomesville,” which has become an unlikely tourist attraction.

Here, you will find gnomes enjoying just about every recreational activity, from fishing to music to sporting matches. Visitors are invited to add their own gnome to the growing collection, as long it is marked with where it came from.^[5]

5 Tantanoola Tiger

A stuffed tiger in a glass case, believed to be responsible for a livestock killing spree, is an unlikely tourist attraction in the small South Australian town of Tantanoola.

During the 1890s, an unknown creature was terrorizing livestock in the small rural town. Tales of sheep being eaten whole and a creature leaving footprints 10 centimeters (4 in) in diameter were widely circulated in the national media. Locals became fearful that the unknown predator might begin to prey on humans. The creature was dubbed the “Tantanoola Tiger” following reported sightings of a striped feline in bushes surrounding the village.

A large reward was posted for its capture, and unsuccessful shooting parties set out to hunt and kill the creature. Casts of the pawprints suggested it was a wild dog, not a tiger.

Eventually, in 1895, the large creature was shot and killed. There was much speculation about the animal’s exact species. It appeared to be a dog, but not of any known breed. It wasn’t a dingo, and it looked remarkably like a wolf. It was later determined to be an Arabian wolf. No one knows how it came to be in Tantanoola.

A taxidermist was called in to stuff the infamous creature, which was enclosed in a glass case and paraded around for viewing at the price of a few shillings. The famous “tiger” even became the mascot for the local football team early in the 20th century. Today, it is a somewhat morbid tourist attraction in the Tantanoola Tiger Hotel near Mount Gambier.^[6]

4 There’s A Bear In There!

A bend in the long, winding highway linking inland New South Wales with the South Coast is perhaps the last place you would expect to find a children’s tourist attraction.

Like many of Australia’s quirkier attractions, Pooh Bear’s Corner was established through one individual’s imagination and eventually took off. A local family from Crookwell spotted a disused cave halfway down Clyde Mountain on their frequent trips to the coast in the early 1970s. The parents concocted the story that the cave was, in fact, home to A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh for the amusement of their children.

They soon began leaving stuffed bears and handwritten signs at the spot on their journey down the mountain. The idea soon caught on, and others began leaving bears at the site, which became known as Pooh Bear’s Corner. Eventually, the local council caught onto the idea, erecting a permanent sign at the attraction.

Children and kids at heart still look out for the teddy bears congregating in Pooh’s cave on their way down Clyde Mountain today.^[7]

3 Bungendore Teddy Bear Colony

Along the highway from the rural town of Bungendore to Queanbeyan, just outside Canberra, teddy bears once again provide a unique tourist attraction. For several kilometers along the roadside, tourists can stop to see the proliferation of teddy bears hanging from trees. Some are relatively new, others are looking somewhat sand- and weather-worn.

The first teddy bears appeared in the late 1980s. Since then, their numbers appear to be growing at a significantly higher rate than the native koalas that inhabit the area. Visitors to the colony regularly make their own additions to the Bungendore teddy bear colony.

How the teddy bear colony began is somewhat of a mystery. Theories suggest the first bears arrived to protest the removal of trees, threatening the local koala habitat. Another theory is that the first bears were a memorial shrine to a young person tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.

The true origins of the teddy bear colony may be lost in time. However, like many quirky Australian tourist attractions, the trend caught on and has continued to grow to amuse passing motorists.^[8]

2 Coila Prawn Girl

Driving along the Princes Highway between the Southern NSW coastal towns of Moruya and Tuross, motorists probably never gave the tiny fuel stop at Coila a second glance. At least, that was the case until 2013, when the new owner came up with an eye-catching idea to encourage passing drivers to stop and maybe buy some local prawns.

The “Coila Prawn Girl” has become somewhat of a local icon. The bikini-clad mannequin is tied to a roadside advertising sign and has been successful in encouraging motorists to stop. The mannequin has also made the news for being the victim of a couple of abductions over the past couple of years.

Tourists frequently stop to pose for a photo with the bizarre attraction. The eccentric owner has recently added a pink Cessna plane nose-diving into the tarmac as an added incentive for an unusual photo stop.^[9]

1 The Dunny At Humpty-Doo

The mere name of the Northern Territory outback town of Humpty-Doo raises a bit of a giggle with visitors. One local larrikin has taken the humor to a new level.

Waldo Bayley, the local gift shop owner, also writes Australian bush poetry, funny little pieces that poke fun at everyone and everything. Not content with simply reciting his ditties to visitors to the shop, he devised an hilarious way to deliver his prose.

Within the shop, he has set up a traditional “bush dunny,” the small, wooden outhouse which once housed the lavatory in the backyard of every Australian home. Waldo actually sits on the dunny to deliver his poetry from the depths of the “thunderbox.” Once again, something that started out as a bit of a joke has turned into a tourist attraction which draws tourists to enjoy a little Aussie humor.^[10]

Lesley Connor is a retired newspaper editor who provides travel articles to online publications and through her travel blog.

When we plan our vacation activities, many of us think of lazing on the beach with a good book or hiking through crisp mountain air. Maybe we plan on taking in the cultural treasures in museums or art galleries, visiting famous buildings or natural landmarks, or even taking in some adrenaline-filled outdoor activity.

SEE ALSO: 10 More Macabre Folktales From Around The World

However, there are a number of macabre tourist attractions throughout the world that many of us would have nightmares about visiting. In fact, it’s hard to imagine how some of these attractions were ever established, let alone enjoy ongoing popularity. Displays of murder scenes, rat-infested temples, and voodoo markets are just some of the bizarre tourist attractions that some travelers have on their itinerary.

10 Sedlec Ossuary
Czech Republic

The Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic is an unremarkable medieval Gothic church from the outside. Step inside, however, and you will find that this is no ordinary chapel. While many churches are adorned with gilt and marble, the “Bone Church” is decorated with human remains.

In 1870, the ossuary under the church had become overcrowded with a couple of centuries’ worth of skeletons. A local woodcarver was called in to put the bones into some sort of order. His idea was perhaps not what the officials originally had in mind.

More than 40,000 skeletons decorate the church, adorning archways and fashioned into a coat of arms. A large chandelier is crafted from every bone in the human body, and strings of bones festoon the nave. Every part of the church is decorated with the bones from the old ossuary.^[1]

The results seem a little macabre, but the skeletal artworks now draw thousands of tourists each year.

9 Capuchin Catacombs
Sicily

On the outskirts of Palermo in Sicily, over 8,000 bodies are on display in the Capuchin Catacombs. A visit to the ghoulish tourist attraction would be the stuff that nightmares are made from and not for the faint of heart.

The catacombs date back to the 16th century, when Capuchin monks needed more space for their cemetery, so they excavated a crypt beneath their church. Bodies were transferred from the cemetery to the new crypt, where they rest in various states of mummification.

Although the catacombs were originally set aside as a final resting place for the monks, wealthier citizens began to pay to be embalmed within them. Bodies were dressed in their Sunday best and displayed along walls and in caskets. Some better-preserved corpses still have hair and teeth intact, with identifiable facial expressions.

One of the most chilling displays is a young child, Rosalia Lombardo, who died in 1920 and was one of the last people to be embalmed within the catacombs. She has been dubbed “The Sleeping Beauty” because of her remarkable state of preservation. Local authorities banned embalming in 1920.^[2]

8 Temple Of The Rats
India

A Hindu temple in Deshnoke, Rajasthan, is infested with rats, but tourists flock to see it.

Over 20,000 rats live in the temple.^[3] They are considered sacred beings by the Charan people. Worshipers feed the rats each day, and protective wires have even been put in place to keep them safe from predators. While the rodent population is predominantly black, spotting the occasional white rat is considered to be a blessing.

Visitors to the temple are required to take off their shoes before entering. Walking barefoot through rat droppings certainly doesn’t sound like a fun thing to do. Nor is having rats scurry across your feet, which is considered good luck.

7 Lake Natron
Tanzania

An African lake is surrounded with the corpses of calcified animals. High levels of sodium bicarbonate in Tanzania’s Lake Natron mummify any creatures that die on the lake, turning them into bizarre statues. Macabre mummified animals can be found around the lake.

Lake Natron has a particularly inhospitable environment. The high alkalinity of the lake can cause caustic burns to animals not used to the water, and temperatures can reach as high as 60 degrees Celsius (140 °F). However, the waters are home to flamingos and other bird species, which breed in the lake’s shallows. The birds feed on the algal blooms caused by the lake’s high salinity.^[4]

6 Island Of The Dolls
Mexico

When Don Julian Santana took up a reclusive existence on a small island in the canals of Xochimico, Mexico City, he became obsessed with the thought that a young girl had drowned in the canals. He spent his life collecting old dolls, which he hung from trees around the island to appease the soul of the girl.

Isla de Munecas has become a macabre tourist attraction, with visitors adding to the thousands of decaying dolls strung from trees, some limbless and others headless or staring blankly into space like something from a bizarre horror movie. The more gullible believe the dolls are, in fact, possessed by the souls of dead children and can be heard muttering among themselves.

5 Phnom Sampeau Killing Caves
Cambodia

Deep in the jungle near Battambang, Cambodia, lie the Killing Caves of the Khmer Rouge genocide. Victims were marched to holes at the tops of the caves and were bludgeoned to death, their bodies falling into the caverns below. Men and women were killed at separate caves.^[6] While many tourists visit the jungle area for the temples, scenery, monkeys, and bat colonies, others are attracted by a somewhat macabre tourist attraction.

Today, tourists trek to the the Killing Caves, which have been preserved as a memorial to those who were murdered and dumped into the darkness below. Within the caves, bones of unidentified victims are encased in glass displays. Other random collections of bones sit in chicken wire crates as a chilling reminder of the cave’s morbid history.

It would certainly be a chilling and unpleasant site to visit.

4 Paris Catacombs

During the late 18th century, the cemeteries of Paris were overflowing, and officials needed to find a receptacle for the dearly departed. Citizens began complaining of odor and disease from the decomposing bodies in the overcrowded cemeteries.

The solution was found in the network of quarries beneath the city.^[7] Bodies were transferred from cemeteries overnight and dumped down in the old mines. The ossuary became a haphazard mound of assorted skeletal remains.

From 1810, the mountains of bones were organized and stacked along the walls in decorative patterns to form the mausoleum which is visited today. Unidentified skulls are stacked on top of neatly placed femurs. There is no class structure among the row after row of skeletons, with the wealthy mixed in with the poor.

Over six million deceased Parisians are entombed in the catacombs beneath the city, which has been a popular tourist attraction since the late 19th century. Only a small fraction of the roughly 320 kilometers (200 mi) of tunnels are open to the public today.

3 Siriraj Medical Museum
Thailand

A Bangkok museum houses a morbid display of all things related to illness, death, and deformity.

The “Museum of Death,” or Siriraj Medical Museum, is located in Thailand’s oldest hospital, displaying an array of ghoulish exhibits. The museum was originally established as an educational resource for medical professionals and students. It has, however, become a somewhat gruesome tourist attraction.^[8]

Exhibits on display include deformed babies preserved in formaldehyde, bodies of accident victims, and dissected body parts. The museum even houses the mummified body of a notorious serial killer, presumably displayed to deter others from repeating his crimes. Other exhibits graphically show the effects of tumors on various body parts as well as genetic deformities. Murder weapons and gruesome displays of strange deaths are included in the collection.

Unless you are a serious pathology or forensic researcher, this museum seems to be somewhat macabre.

2 Akodessawa Fetish Market
Togo

This bizarre market in Lome, Togo, has everything you need to cast a spell. Voodoo practitioners travel from all over West Africa to source monkey heads, reptile heads, and animal parts.^[9] Described as an “alternative pharmacy,” a stroll through the Fetish Market would seem to produce, rather than cure, illness.

Animal parts in various stages of decay are lined up on tables in the outdoor market. You can just imagine the stench that would waft through the rows. The produce at the market ranges from huge animal bones to place at your back door to ward off evil spirits, to animal feet which can be made into talismans to ensure that your home team wins this weekend.

1 Museum Of Death
United States

The Museum of Death houses a grisly collection of murder weapons, crime scene photos, and death-related memorabilia. The museum’s website claims it holds “the world’s largest collection of serial killer artwork, antique funeral ephemera, mortician and coroners instruments, Manson Family memorabilia, pet death taxidermy, crime scene photographs and so much more!”^[10]

Exhibits include the guillotined head of “Blue Beard of Paris,” a collection of body bags and coffins, execution devices, and autopsy instruments. These aren’t the sort of exhibits that would appeal to most people, but the success of the museum indicates there are many out there who are not creeped out by ghoulish displays. The museum initially started in San Diego before moving to its current Hollywood location in 1995. There is also a second location in New Orleans.

Lesley Connor is a retired Australian newspaper editor who provides articles for online publications and her travel blog.

If you have a bucket list of travel destinations you really want to visit, it’s probably a good idea to do it as soon as possible. Quite a few natural and cultural tourist spots from history are now permanently lost to time, thanks to factors like wars, natural disasters, and economic recessions. 

10. Wawona Tree, USA

Estimated to be over 2,100 years old at the time it fell, the Wawona Tree was a giant sequoia tree in California’s Yosemite National Park. It was perhaps the most famous tree in the region, thanks to a tunnel cut through its trunk back in 1881, turning it into a popular tourist destination. 

The Wawona Tree fell during a winter storm in 1969, after years of being weakened by reasons like heavy snow, wet soil, and disease. Despite standing for 88 years, the tree was eventually no longer able to support its own weight due to the heavy snowfall and strong winds of the winters. The tunnel didn’t help, either, as trees generally don’t do well with gaping holes in their trunks. When it fell, the Wawona tree was reportedly 234 feet tall, with a total base diameter of about 26 feet. 

9. Guaira Falls, Brazil And Paraguay

The Saltos del Guairá, also known as Guairá Falls, was often called one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Located on the Paraná River along the border of Brazil and Paraguay, it was also one of the largest waterfalls in the world, with a drop height of about 375 feet and twice the flow rate of Niagara falls. 

Guairá Falls were destroyed in 1982, when the Itaipu Dam was built on the river and the falls had to be flooded to make way for a reservoir. The rock face of the falls was later destroyed with dynamite to make navigation easier on the new river. A joint project between Brazil and Paraguay, the construction of the dam caused environmental damage and mass relocation of people living near the shore. On the other hand, the Itaipu Dam is now one of the largest dams in the world, producing about 75% of Paraguay’s electricity and about 20% of Brazil’s. 

8. Sutro Baths, USA

Sutro Baths was a large saltwater swimming pool complex in San Francisco, California. Built in 1894 by a former mayor of the city – Adolph Sutro – it was opened to the public in 1896, and soon became a landmark destination for the residents of the city. At its peak, the Sutro complex could hold up to 10,000 people, with a number of popular features like natural rock formations, slides, springboards, an ice rink, and other water-based attractions. 

Like a lot of businesses around the world, Sutro Baths fell into disuse some time during the economic depression of the 1920s and ’30s. It was hit by a number of factors, like the sudden rise of new entertainment options like cinema, changing public tastes, and the high cost of maintaining such a large facility. A 1966 fire destroyed what was left of the abandoned complex, though one can still visit some of its ruins at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the San Francisco Bay. 

7. Pink And White Terraces, New Zealand

The pink and white terraces of New Zealand were natural wonders that existed until the late 19th century. They were a series of hot springs and geysers with various layers of silica deposited over time, creating large, multi-colored terraces on the shores of Lake Rotomahana in northern New Zealand. The terraces were first discovered by the native Maori people, who used them for bathing and healing purposes. They were estimated to be over 1,000 years old, and were a particularly popular tourist attraction around the world in the early 1800s.

Often considered one of the natural wonders of the world, the pink and white terraces remained popular until 1886, when the eruption of Mount Tarawera nearby dumped a huge amount of ash and debris on top of the terraces, permanently burying them underneath. While the region is still dotted with interesting features like geysers and fumaroles, the famous pink and white terraces of Lake Rotomahana now only exist in photographs and old travel accounts.

6. The Mausoleum At Halicarnassus, Turkey

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was a grand tomb in Halicarnassus – an ancient Greek city in modern-day Bodrum, Turkey. It was one of the most famous buildings of antiquity, built in the fourth century BC in the honor of Mausolus, the ruler of Caria, and his wife, Artemisia. It was designed by Greek architects Satyros and Pythius of Priene, and was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world due to its impressive architecture and design. 

The mausoleum stood for many centuries, until a series of earthquakes presumably destroyed it some time between the 12th and 15th centuries. Today, only a few fragments and ruins of the structure remain, like the four famous horse statues that once stood at the corners of the structure’s roof. Even after its destruction, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus remained a symbol of ancient-Greek artistic and architectural excellence, as its design has since inspired many buildings and other structures around the world. 

5. Original Penn Station, USA

The original Penn Station in midtown Manhattan was opened to the public in 1910. Designed by architect Charles McKim, it was an imposing Beaux-Arts structure with a 150-feet vaulted ceiling, a sweeping marble staircase, and ancient-Greek Doric columns. The station also housed a vast waiting room, a ticketing hall, and a vast network of underground tunnels and platforms that served more than 100 million passengers each year at its peak in 1945. 

While its grandeur and beauty made it an important architectural symbol of New York City, the original Penn Station was eventually demolished in 1963 due to financial problems. A new station was built in its place, along with a new complex called the Madison Square Garden, which is still used as a high-rise office and sports complex today. The new station still uses many of the features of the old one, including old tracks, tunnels, and platforms.

4. Disney’s River Country Water Park, USA

River Country was a water park in the Walt Disney World Resort, Florida. Opened in 1976, it was one of the first few parks themed around old-fashioned swimming holes, along with a slew of other attractions that soon turned it into a popular tourist spot. Some of the more popular rides at the park included the Whoop ‘n’ Holler water slide, the Barrel Bridge rope swing, and the Bay Cove swimming area. 

That would last until 2001, when the Disney River Country water park permanently shut its doors for visitors after about 25 years in operation. The reasons for the closure were never officially disclosed, but it’s widely believed to have been due to declining attendance and safety concerns. A slew of accidents during its last few years didn’t help, either. Today, the park sits abandoned and overgrown, with most of its rides and attractions left to decay and rust. 

3. The New York Hippodrome, USA

The Hippodrome was a massive theater on Sixth Avenue in New York City. Designed by architects Frederick Thompson and J. H. Morgan, it opened to the public in 1905, and quickly turned into an iconic cultural and tourist landmark of the city. Apart from its famous dome, the theater was known for its massive, 100-feet-wide stage, with a total seating capacity of about 5,200 people, as well as its state-of-the-art lighting and sound effects. At its peak, the Hippodrome hosted a variety of entertainment shows, including circuses, operas, vaudeville shows, and theatrical productions. 

Despite its importance as a cultural landmark, however, the New York Hippodrome was ultimately demolished in 1939, largely due to the economic slowdown caused by the Great Depression. The site remained vacant until 1952, when an office building and parking garage called the Hippodrome Center were built in its place. 

2. Love Locks Bridge, France

Pont des Arts, also called the ‘love locks’ bridge back when it existed, was a pedestrian bridge over the Seine River in Paris, France. It was famous for the thousands of padlocks attached to its railings by couples from around the world, turning it into a symbol of everlasting love for visiting tourists. 

As one would expect, the locks soon became a safety hazard for the residents of the city and tourists alike, as their ever-increasing weight caused lasting damage to the structural integrity of the bridge. The local movement to remove the locks gained traction in 2014, when a section of the railing collapsed due to the weight of the locks, resulting in widespread protests and demands to restore the bridge to its original condition. The locks were finally removed by the authorities in 2015, replacing them with glass panels for unobstructed views of the Seine and other Parisian landmarks. 

1. Jonah’s Tomb, Iraq

Jonah’s tomb, also known as Nebi Yunis, was a holy site located in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. Believed to be the final resting place of the biblical prophet Jonah, who is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the tomb was believed to have been built in the eighth century BC. Apart from being an important pilgrimage site for tourists from around the world for centuries, Jonah’s Tomb was also a symbol of the region’s cultural and religious diversity.

Sadly, the tomb was destroyed in July 2014, when ISIS captured Mosul and destroyed much of the cultural heritage of the city, as a part of its larger campaign to remove all traces of religious and historical diversity in the areas under its control. The destruction caused global outrage, and while many efforts have been made to rebuild the tomb in the years since, progress has been slow due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Although traveling for pleasure might not be possible at present, the global lockdown won’t last forever. Soon tourists will once again be flocking to popular destinations around the world.

These include cities such as New York, islands such as Hawaii, and old-world countries such as Italy, Spain, and Turkey. Each destination has unique factors or quirky characteristics that make them tourist magnets. On this list are 15 facts that might just inspire you to add a place or two to your travel bucket list.

10 Misconceptions About The ‘Most Dangerous’ Travel Destinations

15 Safest Place For Babies
Iceland

Iceland is known as the place of fire and ice because of its massive volcanoes and glaciers. However, it is also one of the safest countries on the planet.

Iceland has no army or air force. Due to the extremely low crime rate, their police officers don’t even carry firearms. It is so safe, in fact, that mothers leave their babies napping in strollers outside restaurants and shops while running their errands.^[1]

14 Fordlandia
Brazil

Brazil is well-known for the Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro, soccer superstars, and awesome carnivals. This makes for a very popular tourist destination.

However, some visitors to this beautiful country may not know that the remains of an industrial town called Fordlandia lie in the Amazon rain forest. The town was established by Henry Ford in 1928, and its inhabitants worked hard at harvesting rubber for use on Ford cars.^[2]

13 Saint Patrick Isn’t Quite Who He Seems
Ireland

Could it be that the most popular and well-known things about Ireland are beer and four-leaf clovers? The country also gave us the mega ’90s boy band, Westlife, and has the fourth biggest stadium in all of Europe.

Returning to the beer, however, it might be surprising to learn that Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, is not Irish. He was from mainland Britain in what is widely believed to be modern Wales.

After being taken hostage by Irish pirates at age 16, he was taken to Ireland and kept imprisoned for six years before escaping. He spent the next 15 years as a priest and eventually returned to Ireland to serve as a missionary.^[3]

12 Money For Charity
Italy

Although most people know that Italy is the fifth most visited country on Earth and that thousands of tourists go to the Sistine Chapel every day, some fun things about this exceptionally popular destination are not as well-known.

For instance, around £1 million in change is thrown into the Trevi Fountain each year.^[4] The money is collected periodically and donated to charity. Two more fun facts: Batteries and eyeglasses were invented in Italy.

11 Post-a-Nut
Hawaii

The name “Hawaii” conjures up images of sipping cocktails on sparkling white beaches while gazing out over an aquamarine ocean. It inspires thousands of tourists to spark jealousy on Facebook and Instagram when posting pics of themselves having fun on some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

If you ever find yourself holidaying in Hawaii and you really want to rub it in your friends’ faces, you can mail them a coconut from the tiny Hoolehua Post Office on the island of Molokai. Yes, an actual coconut.

The Post-a-Nut program was created in 1991 and is still one of the most popular tourist activities. By 2016, around 3,000 coconuts were posted annually, with approximately 700 of those going to foreign countries. What’s more, the coconut is free of charge and customers only pay postage.^[5]

10 Forbidden Destinations That You’re Not Allowed To Visit

10 Einstein’s Eyeballs
New York City

New York City is called “The City That Never Sleeps.” It is the place where those with a dream to perform go to “make it” on Broadway. It is also home to Central Park, which receives the most visitors of any urban park in the US.

What might be lesser known, however, is that Albert Einstein’s eyeballs are stored in a safe-deposit box somewhere in the city. After an illegal autopsy was performed on Einstein’s body, his brain was divided into around 200 parts. His eyeballs were also removed and gifted to his eye doctor.

Sources vary as to whether the eye doctor was named Henry Adams or Henry Abrams. However, South Florida Sun Sentinel published an interview with Abrams in 1994, so we’ll go with that name here.

Abrams ensured that the eyeballs were placed in the unknown safe-deposit box. According to one source, the wily doctor died at age 97 in 2009.^[6]

9 Sand Galore
Dubai

The United Arab Emirates was gloriously showcased in both Geostorm (before disaster struck in the form of a tsunami in Dubai) as well as Furious 7 (before Vin Diesel flew a car through three high-rise buildings in Abu Dhabi). Dubai is home to more than 200 nationalities and welcomes millions of tourists each year. They flock to its artificial palm islands and other attractions.

The artificial palm islands contain enough sand to fill almost three Empire State buildings: 94 million cubic meters (3,320 million ft³). Approximately 3 billion cubic meters (106 billion ft³) of sand was dredged from the seafloor to start the first island back in 2001.^[7]

8 Baobab Bar
South Africa

Located at the southern point of the African continent, South Africa is popular among overseas tourists for its diverse wildlife, fantastic beaches, and fascinating culture. In Cape Town (aka the “Mother City”), you can visit an ancient castle or head over to the extremely popular V&A Waterfront for a bite to eat or a trip on a pirate ship. Not to mention traveling up Table Mountain in a cable car.

At Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, you can see a colony of at least 3,000 African penguins. In Bathurst in the Eastern Cape, you can visit a giant pineapple and learn more about the pineapple industry.

One of the quirkier places, however, is located in Modjadjiskloof, a small town in the province of Limpopo. Here, you can grab a drink (or two) inside a massive baobab tree. The Sunland Baobab Pub has been in existence since 1933 and can serve up to 15 visitors at a time.^[8]

7 Don’t Make A Mistake
Mexico

Mexico is well-known for its excellent food and, of course, tequila. The country has a dedicated commemoration day for their deceased. Known as The Day of the Dead, it has been depicted in many movies and TV series. Over 300 languages and dialects are spoken in Mexico, and it is home to the oldest university in North America.

If you ever go to Mexico and, for some reason, you’re invited to perform their national anthem, make sure you do it 100 percent correctly. The country’s government imposes fines on anyone who makes a mistake while performing the anthem.^[9] In some cases, a fine is not enough and the individual will have to apologize to the country for messing up.

6 Mythical National Animal
Scotland

Scotland is a magical place. A monster may even lurk in Loch Ness, which is located in the Scottish Highlands. The country is full of medieval castles and hallowed grounds. Men wear kilts and play bagpipes. And the Scottish accent is out of this world.

All in all, Scotland is like something from a fairy tale. It should come as no surprise then that its national animal is none other than the mythical unicorn.

Celtic mythology portrays the unicorn as a symbol of innocence and power. The unicorn symbol was first used on the Scottish royal coat of arms in the 12th century by William I.^[10]

Top 10 Spooky Travel Destinations

5 Sheep
New Zealand

There is a lot of quirkiness in New Zealand and a whole lot of awesome. Not only is the sheep-to-person ratio the highest in the world (around 5.6 sheep for each New Zealander), the country also once broadcast the weather report in the Elvish language in 2012 to celebrate the movie premiere of The Hobbit.^[11]

Although New Zealand has more land than the United Kingdom, New Zealand only has about 7 percent of the UK’s human population. The rest of New Zealand’s inhabitants are animals. No native snakes, though!

4 No Weird Baby Names Here
Germany

Germany is famous for the Oktoberfest, a great soccer team, sauerkraut, and awesome car brands. At Christmastime, the country sets up the most wonderful Christmas markets. There are also a multitude of historic castles to visit during the year.

On the weirder side, the German government does not allow first names for babies which do not make the gender of the child obvious. Consequently, the local registration office is allowed to deny the registration of names that don’t comply with the law.^[12]

3 Royal Vampire?
England

When most people think of England, tea and crumpets come to mind. However, there is so much more to the country than beverages and food. Besides the Beatles and red buses, England is known for royalty, Shakespeare, Wimbledon, Big Ben, Stonehenge, and much more.

What might be lesser known about the country’s history is that Queen Elizabeth II is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula.^[13]

Prince Charles spoke about the genealogy that showed the link between Vlad and his own mother in 2011. Naturally, it didn’t take long for conspiracies to take flight, with people suggesting that Queen Elizabeth looks so good for her age because she is in fact . . . yup, you guessed it, a vampire.

2 Alpaca Lunch
Peru

Peru’s tourism is picking up, with its tourism board predicting in 2017 that around seven million visitors would be welcomed to the country in 2021. Peru is world-famous for the iconic Machu Picchu site and the Sacred Valley. Its capital, Lima, offers great markets and amazing food. Tourists can even take cruises that include excursions to ancient Inca ruins.

A fun fact about Peru: Out of the estimated 4.4 million alpacas in the world, around 87 percent of them can be found here.^[14] Alpacas are said to be incredibly friendly and can even be house-trained. Another fantastic animal to be found here is the largest flying bird on the planet: the giant Andean condor.

1 The Longest Name
Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the most visited destinations in the world. Tourists flock here to take in the sight of the Wat Arun (“The Temple of Dawn”), the Grand Palace, Sky Bar, the Bang Krachao gardens, the statue of a three-headed elephant, and so much more.

A fun fact about Bangkok is that the locals call it Krung Thep (“City of Angels”), but its full name is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

It is officially the longest name of any city in the world.^[15]

5 Awesome Radioactive Tourism Spots That’ll Leave You Glowing

Darkness falls early in Britain. Its ancient history is rich with murder, disease, and natural disasters, which makes it the perfect destination for dark and macabre tours—if you dare.

Stroll through the streets of London where serial killers have stalked their prey and thousands were killed by plague, fire, and wartime bombs. Travel to the countryside where Norman churches reveal gruesome secrets and medieval towns hide shameful pasts. While many seek only to walk in the steps of Jack the Ripper or visit the Tower of London to check of their “dark tourism” box, many other dark places can be experienced.

Let’s embrace the misery along with the rain and take a trip around some of the creepiest places in Britain.

Related: Top 10 Famous Haunted Landmarks You Didn’t Know Were Haunted

10 Lord Lucan’s House

The first stop on our list is 46 Lower Belgrave Street, a six-story house in the exclusive London borough of Westminster. In 1974, it was home to Richard John Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan, and his wife, Veronica.

The couple separated and became locked in a bitter custody battle, and Lady Lucan remained on the property with their children. On November 7, their nanny Sandra Rivett entered the dark basement and was bludgeoned to death with a lead pipe. When Lady Lucan went to investigate, she was also attacked in the dark. However, she was able to escape to the nearby Plumbers Arms pub, soaked in blood and badly injured.

Rivett’s body was found in the basement, stuffed into a mail sack with a bloody footprint next to it. Lucan vanished into the night; the only clue was a length of bandaged lead pipe found inside his car, which had been dumped miles away. An inquest ruled that Lucan was most likely the murderer—having mistaken Rivett for his wife in the gloomy basement.

Lucan’s body has never been found, but over the years, sightings of him have been reported from India and Africa. Rivett’s son believes he is an elderly Buddhist man living in Australia. Lord Lucan was officially declared dead in 1999.^[1]

9 Beachy Head

Beachy Head is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, with stunning views across the south coast. Tourists flock to the cliffs for walks and picnics, but the area has gained global notoriety for darker reasons. The cliffs stand 162 meters (530 feet) above sea level, making it a very effective spot for suicide.

It is so popular that 500 people have died here since 1965. Not all these deaths have been by suicide; some have perished in cars plunging over the edge, others have been murdered. Many have slipped and fallen over the crumbling cliff edge while posing for photos.

In June 2018, three bodies—all unrelated—were found below the cliffs in one day. People from around the world have traveled here to end their life, with tourists—either unwittingly or intentional—visiting the scene of these self-inflicted or nefarious deaths. Volunteers regularly patrol the area and rescue around 500 desperate people a year from the cliffs.^[2]

8 Ruth Ellis

Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in Britain, aged 28. On Easter Sunday 1955, Ruth followed former lover David Blakely to the Magdala pub in Hampstead. As he left the building, Ruth stepped out from a doorway, took a gun from her purse, and fired two shots into Blakely. She walked over to his prone body and fired two additional shots. Then she calmly asked bystanders to call the police.

Police investigating the cold-blooded murder revealed a relationship of violence and abuse. However, the law at the time did not allow for the abuse—including a few trips to the hospital and a miscarriage likely from a punch to the stomach—to factor in her trial and reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter. She was convicted and hanged. Public outcry and protest eventually led to abolishing the death penalty in Britain.

As the aftermath of the crime still lingers, so does the location. The Magdala is a favorite on the dark tourism trail, mainly due to the bullet holes still visible in the pub walls. Rumor has it, though, that they were added with a drill in the 1990s as a way to increase visitor numbers.^[3]

7 St. Leonard’s Church, Hythe

Hythe is a sleepy town on the Kent Coast and home to St. Leonard’s Church, built around 1090. Deep in its crypt, you will find over 1000 human skulls and a stack of bones. Historians estimate that these are the remains of 4000 people—but no one knows why they are there.

The crypt, known as “The Bonehouse” or “Ossuary,” is rumored to house victims of the Black Death, murdered Vikings, or shipwrecked pirates. As the bones are mainly female, they are believed to be from locals whose bodies were exhumed and re-housed in the church during building works carried out in the 13th century.

A polite note rests next to the bones asking visitors not to disturb the 700-year-old residents. In 2018, thieves smashed a lock and stole 21 skulls from the collection. They have never been recovered.^[4]

6 Canvey Island

Canvey Island in Essex is made up of land reclaimed from the Thames Estuary and lies just above sea level. On January 31, 1953, a massive storm hit the North Sea, causing a tidal surge that burst through the sea wall surrounding Canvey.

Flood water poured into the island, trapping residents in their homes. Many climbed onto the roofs for safety, where they died due to shock and hypothermia. Others died from heart attacks or drowned in the rising waters. Fifty-nine people lost their lives, and 13,000 were evacuated. The sea wall, previously made from little more than earth and grass, has been replaced by solid flood barriers.

Today, Canvey Island is a haven for birds and rare insects alongside a memorial to the flood victims.^[5]

5 Lancaster Castle and the Pendle Witches

Britain in the early 1700s was a place of fear and suspicion as King James began a campaign of terror to rid the country of witches. The remote village of Pendle in Lancashire became a hotspot when a local woman, Alizon Device, was accused of witchcraft. She was begging at the roadside when a traveling salesman refused to give her some pins, and as she cursed him, he fell to the ground and became paralyzed.

Villagers accused Alizon of being a witch and arrested her along with several members of prominent local families. They were held in the dungeons of Lancaster Castle on various charges, including old unsolved murders.

The trial of the Pendle Witches took place in August 1612. The star witness was 9-year-old Jennet Device, who gave evidence against her own mother, Elizabeth. Ten people were sentenced to death, dragged past the jeering crowds, and hanged on gallows high up on the windswept moors surrounding the castle.

Today you can visit the eerily atmospheric Lancaster Castle or venture to nearby St. Mary’s Church and see the grave of Alice Nutter, one of the accused. The church has an “evil eye” in its turret to ward off malevolent spirits.^[6]

4 The Blind Beggar Pub

The Kray Twins—Ronnie and Reggie—were infamous criminals who controlled London’s underworld in the 1960s. Together with their gang “The Firm,” they committed armed robberies and ran protection rackets, controlling local businesses through fear.

George Cornell was a member of a rival gang, The Richardsons, who had been involved in a shoot-out with a known Kray associate. On March 9, 1966, Cornell arrived at The Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel, East London—seen as being Kray “territory”—and settled onto a bar stool. Word quickly got to Ronnie Kray, who walked into the pub, fired a single shot into Cornell’s forehead with a 9mm Luger, then strolled out toward a waiting car.

It took three years for Kray to be sentenced to life for the murder as no witnesses came forward. Today, The Blind Beggar is a thriving East End pub, and a pool table now stands in the spot where Cornell was gunned down.^[7]

3 Hampton Court Palace

The Tower of London is the capital’s most ghoulish attraction—many people were murdered within its walls. But there is another London palace with a strange and murky past.

Hampton Court Palace is located just outside London and was home to Henry VIII and his assortment of six wives. Third wife Jane Seymour died here in 1573, days after giving birth. Her shadowy figure has been seen lingering on the Silverstick Stairs, leading to the room where she died.

Fifth wife, teenager Catherine Howard was arrested for adultery and dragged screaming through the Palace grounds to meet her executioner at the Tower of London.

After dark, you may hear the faint sound of a spinning wheel from behind a wall, said to belong to the “Grey Lady,” a loyal servant to four Tudor monarchs.^[8]

2 10 Rillington Place

An ordinary street in Notting Hill, London, has had several name changes. Now Bartle Road, formerly Ruston Close and most famously, Rillington Place. John Christie lived at number 10, and it was here that he gassed and strangled eight women, including his wife. Their bodies were hidden behind the kitchen walls, under floorboards, and in the garden. Timothy Evans, who lived in rooms upstairs, was wrongly found guilty and hanged for the murders of his wife and daughter—after Christie had killed them.

The other bodies were found behind a wall when Christie moved out, and the new tenants attempted to put up shelves.

Christie was hanged in 1953, and the address changed names before finally being demolished in 1978. During Christie’s reign of terror, the street was a slum, but it is now one of the most desirable areas of London. Bartle Close and Andrews Square were later built on top of the site to cover the burial ground.^[9]

1 23 Cranley Gardens

Once dubbed the “House of Horrors,” 23 Cranley Gardens sits in a leafy North London street. Serial killer Denis Nilsen lived here and murdered at least three young men in the tiny attic flat.

Unlike at his first property, where he had killed nine men, Nilsen did not have access to an outside space in order to burn the bodies. Instead, he began a complicated process of boiling body parts and flushing them down the toilet. Eventually, they blocked the drains. Police were called when plumbers found human flesh, and Nilsen calmly confessed to 12 murders. Denis Nilsen was sentenced to life imprisonment and died in 2018.

The property has changed hands several times, with potential buyers being urged to research its history before viewing.^[10]

Gradually and with fingers crossed, we’re starting to get back to normal. Even as the COVID-19 delta variant threatens additional lockdowns, the world is opening back up to travel – and one thing we can all use is a vacation.

But with travel comes a decided downside: the dreaded tourist trap. Here are ten to avoid at otherwise wonderful travel destinations.

Top 10 Iconic Behind-The-Scenes Photos From Hit Movies

10 South Beach (Miami)

The problem with South Beach isn’t that it exists… it’s that it’s the most noteworthy tourist attraction in an absolutely amazing city… and is a garish, trashy trap.

South Beach marries the worst of Florida – gaudy, tacky, violently drunk – with the worst aspects of mass tourism: overpriced, underwhelming restaurants and bars, and ignorant fools thinking they’re getting some sort of authentic South Florida experience.

Locals know precisely how trashy South Beach is; in fact, they sort of like it that way because it keeps tourists away from the city’s best beaches, dining and nightlife. However, the area is now facing a crackdown amid complaints from residents about excessive noise, crowds and, most recently, nightly COVID superspreader events.

If you absolutely must witness this nonsense for yourself, South Beach still has one classy holdover: an upscale seafood restaurant called Joe’s Stone Crab has been an institution since 1913. You’ll pay a premium, but the food is still consistently terrific.

Suggested alternatives: Want a better beach? Try Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne, with a trademark lighthouse and surrey bike rentals under shaded paths. For dining, Calle Ocho in Little Havana features some of the best (and reasonably priced) Cuban food in the world (a personal favorite: El Exquisito, a glorified diner pumping out exemplary Cuban fare). Rainy day? Check in the Wynwood Walls, an artist installment turned hip district with trendy shops and eclectic eateries.

9 Forbidden City (Beijing)

On paper, the Forbidden City has an impressive resume. Lying at the epicenter of the enormous metropolis’ famous ring roads, the 72-hectare area is dotted with imperial residences, ornate gardens and traditional temples.

So named because no one could enter or leave its walled confines without the emperor’s permission, the Forbidden City was initially constructed in the early 15th Century. Serving as the home of Chinese emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political center of China for over 500 years. Since 1925, the Forbidden City has been operated by the Palace Museum, and displays an extensive array of artwork and artifacts primarily from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.

However, the gap between the Forbidden City’s hype and its actuality is, quite literally, yawning. Though there are certainly several items of interest, there are only so many chalices, tapestries and incense burners one can see before everything starts to look the same. While beautiful, it’s an old city that gets old fast – especially for Western visitors, who typically lack the proper intrigue-instilling context behind the mountain of ancient valuables.

Suggested alternative: Beijing is an incredibly fast-changing city. And while the Forbidden City will always be there, its hutongs – aging, often decrepit residential neighborhoods amid a maze of narrow, daunting alleyways – will not. While somewhat voyeuristic, touring these humbler remnants of Beijing’s past can be more fascinating than endless display cases of gilded knickknacks.

8 Checkpoint Charlie (Berlin)

Perhaps no symbol in modern history better exemplified the value of freedom than the Berlin Wall. Following World War II, the city was partitioned between the four major victorious Allies: The US, UK, France and the Soviet Union. And since Berlin sits squarely in eastern Germany, the US, UK and French sectors became an island of Western freedom surrounded by an Iron Curtain.

The result was predictable: East Germans used Berlin as a vehicle to flee to freedom. By 1961, some 3.5 million – about 20% of East Germany’s population – emigrated to West Germany. So the Soviets pulled the ultimate optics don’t: 27 miles of tall, barbed-wire-topped wall. And until its glorious fall in 1989, the most prominent crossing point for foreigners and military personnel was Checkpoint Charlie.

But world-class cities like Berlin evolve. So while the history is fascinating, today Checkpoint Charlie is little more than an intersection with dueling posters showing two soldiers – one American, one Russian – staring at each other from across the now business-as-usual locale. There’s a fairly interesting museum about the Wall’s history, but other than that it’s the expected cheesy souvenir shops and overpriced, underwhelming eateries.

Suggested alternatives: Several bike tours of Berlin visit some of the Wall’s still-standing remnants, a few of which even have original guard towers. Also, a significant stretch of remaining Wall contains more than 100 murals, many dating from the period immediately following the Wall’s official decommission.

7 Old Town Montreal

Many world cities feature charming “old towns.” The Alfama district in Lisbon, Gamla Stan in Stockholm and the narrow streets of Lower Manhattan all have a nostalgic romanticism that, while perhaps a touch touristy in parts, retain the sort of authenticity that make travel so rewarding.

Unfortunately, one of North America’s greatest metropolises, Montreal, has an old city that has wasted several hours of many a tourist’s time. Its old-timey cobblestone streets belie the complete lack of anything worthwhile around its quaint corners. Instead, it’s an endless array of souvenir shops, hustlers offering to draw you as a cartoon, and dumpy cafes selling overpriced, flavorless poutine. The neighborhood is like a protracted lie, dashing hopes for some idealized francophone experience one rueful rue at a time.

Suggested alternatives: Montreal is easily Canada’s most eclectic culinary city. Besides traditional and nouveau French Canadian eateries, the city also has a noteworthy Jewish heritage; a favorite spot for smoked meat sandwiches is Schwartz’s Deli – a rare tourist spot that lives up to the hype.

Montreal also has something fairly unique: a veritable underground city, built in response to the city’s frigid wintertime temperatures. More than 20 miles of walkways connect subway stations, office buildings and housing complexes, and much of it is lined with top-notch shopping and dining. During the summer, Montreal also hosts two world-class annual events: a renowned jazz festival and the “Just for Laughs” comedy-fest.

6 Guinness Brewery (Dublin)

Touring breweries, wineries and distilleries can be immersing ways to discover a region’s culture and cuisine. Everything from wine tasting in Tuscany to whiskey sampling in Scotland to brewery tours in Belgium are inviting, interesting and joyfully intoxicating.

But remove the quaintness from the atmosphere, and what’s left is a mass-market tourist trap. If a winery or distillery’s gift shop is larger than its tasting room, the specialness of an authentic travel experience evaporates along with the angel’s share.

Unfortunately, such is the case with the home of Ireland’s signature beer: Guinness. The thick, frothy concoction is produced at St. James’ Gate Brewery in Dublin; in fact, when the wind is blowing in the right direction, a pleasant barley and hops scent permeates much of the town.

Touring the 18th Century building seems like a very traditional thing to do… until you actually enter the Guinness Storehouse. Inside is a cheesy “museum” whose atrium is tackily shaped like a Guinness pint glass. The entire operation is basically a €25 per person, seven-story endorsement for Guinness, under the guise of telling the history of beermaking.

Suggested alternatives: Plenty of smaller, newer breweries in Dublin offer tours and tastings more intriguing and less expensive. One is Five Lamps, an Irish up and comer. Want to drink somewhere truly historic? Stop by Ireland’s oldest pub, Brazen Head, which has been operating since 1198.

5 Leaning Tower of Pisa

Many a visitor to Florence, Italy has made the fateful decision to book a daytrip 100 kilometers west to the small city of Pisa, population 90,000. There, they looked at an old, slightly askew structure for a few minutes, and then did… what exactly?

People don’t pose for marginally amusing photos featuring the Leaning Tower of Pisa because they’re actually funny; they pose for photos featuring the Leaning Tower of Pisa because there is absolutely nothing else to do in Pisa besides look at a 14th Century belltower with a four-degree tilt.

Want to climb it? Have fun. The handsome price of €17 buys the right to huff and puff up 300 stairs to the top of a building that is… 18 stories tall. Not exactly scraping the clouds up there.

Besides that, there is simply no reason to be in Pisa – especially considering its close-but-not-too-close proximity to Florence. Anyone visiting the region would be remiss to skip Florence and, once there amid unmissable attractions like the Florence Cathedral and its trademark dome, have no need to trek 100 kms to a less impressive place to glimpse a 14th Century construction error.

Suggested alternatives: Far more worthwhile daytrips are available from Florence. For starters, wine tours abound since Florence is in the heart of oenophile Tuscany. Another option is Cinque Terre, an historic five-village cliffside coastal area.

4 Times Square (New York City)

If you’re not going to a play or pick-pocketing a tourist, please remove yourself from Times Square immediately. New York City’s most famous place name is so devoid of anything interesting that a list of “Best Things to Do in Times Square” is headlined by Bryant Park… which isn’t in Times Square.

The cheesy souvenir shops, disgusting chain restaurants and Disneyland-esque cartoon characters peddling five-dollar photo-ops make the area’s peep show and porn theater past look downright sophisticated. Oh, and there’s a guitar-playing guy wearing a cowboy hat, boots and underwear – and nothing else – who’s been skulking around the area since the late 1990s. Can somebody #MeToo this guy already?

Times Square suffers from a classic spillover problem: it’s a neighborhood that has a legitimate purpose – theater – which in turn attracts secondary business catering to the tourists that flock to the theater. Today, though, Times Square’s baseness is eating even the arts, as mass-market musicals that are essentially people dancing to Billy Joel or Green Day limit more deserving productions.

Suggested alternatives: Anything else, with the possible exception of Little Italy. Perhaps a few lesser-known museums? The Museum of the City of New York shows how Manhattan grew from its southern tip up. The Museum of Chinese in America is a great jumping off point to explore Manhattan’s last authentic ethnic neighborhood, Chinatown, while the New York Transit Museum is fittingly housed in an abandoned subway station in downtown Brooklyn.

3 The London Eye (London)

The mid-1990s decision to build what amounts to a permanent state fair installment on the bank of the Thames River probably went something like this:

City official #1: “We’re a world-class city and need to do something to mark the millennium. Any ideas?”

City official #2: (Awkward pause) “Um, how about a big f*cking Ferris wheel?”

City official #1: “Done and done. Here’s £70 million. And go ruin the Big Ben-Westminster Abbey skyline view while you’re at it.”

Originally called the Millennium Wheel, the London Eye, which opened on December 31, 1999, is officially a “cantilevered observation wheel.” In fact, it’s Europe’s largest cantilevered observation deck (how’s THAT for bragging rights?).

Despite basically being a £25-per-person carnival ride in a city of incredible landmarks like the Tower of London and the British Museum, the London Eye – whose myriad detractors call it (what else) the London Eyesore – attracts about three million riders per year. That makes it the single most visited paid attraction in the entire United Kingdom. So either the British are tacky or the tourists are; perhaps they should start serving corndogs and deep-fried Oreos at the ticket booth?

Suggested alternative: Skip the Ferris wheel and go below street level instead – to the Churchill War Rooms. Housing the underground nerve center where the British government directed World War II, as well as the adjacent Churchill Museum, the bunkers recall Londoners at their finest hour.

2 The Blue Mosque (Istanbul)

Judging from its history, the Sultan Ahmet Camil – better known as the Blue Mosque – seems like an itinerary must. The 400-year-old, 13-dome, 8-minaret behemoth has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. And since it’s an active house of worship, there’s no admission charge. So kick off those shoes – and cover your heads, ladies – and let’s step inside.

Oh. Huh. It’s just a big carpeted room with Middle Eastern-esque painted walls, some of which are blue.

Unlike the intricate statues and luxuriant ornateness of many Christian (especially Catholic) churches, mosques – even the most famous ones – offer comparably fewer aesthetics. No pictures or busts of prominent Muslims, no grand organ, no gilded chalice holding the alcohol-infused blood of a deity.

Instead, the Blue Mosque is a bunch of windows and patterns. It’s beautiful and interesting for like two minutes. But once you’re done looking around at the reason for its colorful nickname – its 20,000 handmade İznik tiles, a turquoise ceramic, decorated with Turkey’s familiar tulip pattern – it’s just boring. (Note: those truly enamored of Turkish interior design should instead visit the Topkapi Palace Harem.)

Suggested alternative: Assuming you’ve already toured the nearby Hagia Sophia (well worth it), check out the Spice Market, Istanbul’s cavernous covered bazaar dedicated to the region’s culinary delights. Many stalls can vacuum pack spices to survive the plane ride home.

1 The Eiffel Tower (Paris)

The official tagline for Paris’ skeletal skyscraper is “There’s no feeling like it.” And that’s true… if that feeling is abject boredom mixed with regret at wasting several hours better spent elsewhere in the City of Lights. Hell, the ashen ruins of Notre Dame are more appealing.

For starters, a single ticket providing top-level access to the Eiffel Tower is $30. But look! If you buy online, you can skip the line… unless some of the tower’s other 16,000 daily visitors stumbled open this newfangled thing called the Internet. Back of the line, mon ami (P.S., it’s a cliché to say “mon ami” to a Frenchman. Instead say nothing at all!) Rather climb 90 stories of stairs? Be my guest.

But of course, once the waiting is over and you’re up at the top, the view is breathtaking! Only it isn’t. It’s a park surrounded by endless, mostly gray buildings. But hey, just buy a flute of exceptionally overpriced champagne and take in the panoramic ennui.

Like so many other urban “for the view” attractions – the Circle Line boat tour around Manhattan comes to mind – the Eiffel Tower sends tourists over a city they should be diving into. You’re in Paris for God’s sake. There’s better things to do than look at rooftops.

Suggested alternative: The Musee Picasso Paris is among the finest collections of the Spanish artist’s extensive work, housing more than 5,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, prints and engravings. It’s more digestible and less crowded than the Louvre, and offers far better views than the Eiffel Tower.

Top 10 Iconic Places Pictured From Behind

The world is full of unexplored and lesser-travelled destinations just waiting to be fully discovered. Whether it be an historic site, hidden beach, unusual museum or half-buried ruins, these places make for unforgettable holidays, day trips and memories.

Related: 10 Beautiful Images Of Abandoned Structures

10 Huacachina

Peru is a very popular tourist destination because it is the location of Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, the Sacred Valley, Sillustani and many other stunning attractions. Before the pandemic hit, the country received on average between 3 and 4 million foreign visitors each year.

These numbers drop to the low thousands, however, when it comes to the small village of Huacachina that sits surrounded by sand dunes in southwestern Peru. The village is built around a small but breath-taking oasis and is inhabited by only 100 people. Legend has it that the oasis, which is a natural desert lake, was created when a native princess was in the process of getting ready to take a bath but then saw a hunter approaching her. Dropping the mirror she was holding, she ran, and the mirror turned into a lake. Today there are still rumors of a mermaid living in the waters of the lake, with many locals believing it is the very same princess.

The water is also said to be therapeutic, and locals bathe in it to relieve symptoms of rheumatic diseases and asthma.

9 Cosmosphere

The concept of space and what may or may not be out there, has long since fascinated humankind. For those who are interested in space travel, the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas makes for a fantastic tourist attraction. This museum houses more than 13,000 spaceflight artifacts and offers acclaimed educational programs.

Here visitors can explore The Hall of Space Museum, The Carey Digital Dome Theatre that brings space documentaries to life, The Justice Planetarium that takes you on a journey through the night sky, and Dr. Goddard’s Lab where you can watch an interactive show on the history of rockets. The artifacts on display in the Hall of Space include the Liberty Bell 7 Mercury spacecraft, a Moon rock from Apollo 11 and the Gemini 10 space capsule.

8 Bazaruto Archipelago

Mozambique is well-known for its beautiful beaches, traditional music, and excellent seafood. It is also the location of the Gorongosa National Park when you can have the ultimate immersive wilderness experience.

Not quite as trodden, are the paths that run through the Bazaruto Archipelago. The archipelago consists of six islands and became a national park in 1971. Its beauty remains protected and because of this there are still wild horses that play in the surf, intact coral reefs, and a population of around 180 sea cows to be spotted. In addition, 141 bird species, 18 reptile species, 21 mammal species and 5 dolphin species also inhabit the area.

7 Heaven Lake

In China, there are temples where you can learn kung fu, famous restaurants that offer unforgettable cuisine, giant pandas, fragrant teahouses, and many impressive tourist destinations including the dramatic Yellow River, The Great Wall, and the Forbidden City. On the lesser-known side of the scale, China is also home to the Dongchuan Red Lands, the Zhangye Rainbow Mountains, and the historic Fujian earthen buildings.

Nestled in a mountain range on the border between North Korea and China, lies the magical Heaven Lake. The lake lies within a caldera on top of the Paektu Mountain and is the highest volcanic lake in the world. Heaven Lake boasts its very own mythical monster, known as the Lake Tianchi Monster. It is also rumored that Kim Jong-iI was born near the lake and that the ice covering it cracked loudly after his death.

6 Penghu

Penghu in Taiwan consists of 90 small islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait that offer a host of activities, great beaches, and a glimpse into ancient history.

Walking around on the islands, you will see many beautiful temples, basalt cliffs, and the Chixi Rock Waterfall which is said to resemble a galloping horse. An old ship port is now known as the Penghu Paradise Road, which is a narrow footpath that leads out into the ocean.

Then there is Duxinghsi Village which is the oldest military housing in Taiwan and used to house the Japanese army during WWII. Many Japanese-styled homes can still be found here. On the southwest side of the West Island stands the Sitai Ancient Fortress which was built in the Qing Dynasty and hidden in a basalt.

5 Southern Namib Desert

The desert isn’t exactly the first place that comes to mind when planning a vacation, but the Southern Namib Desert in Namibia not only provides one of the best spots for nightly stargazing, but the sweeping desert views are truly mesmerizing. The Namib Desert is believed to be the oldest desert in the world, dating back around 55 million years and is home to springbok, ostriches, zebras, cheetahs and even lions, despite the harsh environment and minimal rainfall.

Often, thick rolling mists obscure the view of the nearby ocean, as the cold air from the Benguela Current clashes with the hot desert air. The Namib Desert is also the place where desert-adapted elephants roam, but sightings are rare because poaching has caused their numbers to dwindle dramatically.

4 Tohoku

In 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami killed over 18,000 people in Tohoku alone and caused great damage to infrastructure. In addition to this the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant was also severely damaged, with the meltdown of three nuclear reactors which led to the release of radioactive materials into the environment.

The resilience of the people of the Tohoku region has seen the area bounce back, however, and today it is again a beautiful place with so much to offer visitors. This includes the Aomori Nebuta Festival, the archaeological sites in Hiraizumi, and the Hakkoda Mountains. There is even a bright yellow train called Pokemon with You that was designed and built with the idea to bring smiles back to the faces of children whose families and homes were impacted by the tsunami. The train is decorated with Pikachu’s and Poke balls and includes a Playroom car.

3 New Caledonia

New Caledonia lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, around 900 miles east of Australia. The Isle of Pines forms part of its archipelago and it is here where you will find the magnificent Upi Bay. Turtles and dolphins frolic in the clear aquamarine water and huge rocks seemingly float on its surface.

Tourists can sail around in a traditional outrigger while taking in the stunning sight of Upi Bay, go for a swim or go sightseeing in the adjacent rain forest. Turtle Bay boasts clear waters, reef sharks, stingrays, and turtles, while Brush Island has a deserted beach just begging to be explored.

On the mainland of New Caledonia there are Melanesian dishes to be enjoyed, lakes to visit and waterfalls to take in.

2 Tsitsikamma National Park

Visitors to South Africa seem to prefer the well-known locations such as Cape Town and Johannesburg over the lesser-explored destinations to be found here, of which there are an abundance.

One of these underappreciated attractions is the Tsitsikamma National Park which forms part of the Garden Route National Park. It is the largest marine reserve in SA and harbors the giant Outenique yellowwood trees. It is also the location of the 42km hiking trail known as the Otter Trail.

Through the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range, the powerful Storms River winds its way to the Indian Ocean. It is one of the best places in the country to go diving or snorkeling and the Storms River area is home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world.

1 Extremadura

Extremadura is often referred to as ‘Spain’s best kept secret.’ The area is bordered by Andalucía and Portugal and was an important part of the Iberian Peninsula during Roman times as it lays astride a major trade route for the trading of copper and tin. It is the poorest region in Spain and the least populated but has a wealth of historic heritage and majestic open spaces to offer.

Merida is the capital of Extremadura and lies at the point where Ruta de la Plata crosses the river Guadiana. The Roman bridge that spans across the river is the longest of its kind in the world. Merida also boasts a Roman theatre, stadium, three aqueducts and an amphitheatre.

There are also two historic monasteries in Extremadura, including the Santa Maria de Guadalupe where Christopher Columbus thanked God for the discovery of the New World, and the monastery of Yuste where the emperor Charles V lived for the last two years of his life.