Category: Lifestyle

Over the years, there have been many landmarks that have been considered to be “Wonders of the World.” The first list that mentioned this came out prior to the AD days. This list contained the ancient wonders of the world and contained the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum at Halicarnasus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and Pharos Lighthouse at Alexandria.

Then, there was a list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. These official ones are the Great Wall of China, Petra, the Roman Colosseum, Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue. If they were to make a new list of more modern wonders, what would it look like? Here are our picks for the new Seven Alternative Wonders of the World.

The Eiffel Tower

There are a lot of manmade structures that have been placed into the lists of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it’s stunning to see that the Eiffel Tower didn’t make the cut in any of them. Located in Paris and created by engineer Gustave Eiffel’s company, it’s perhaps the most well-known structure in the world. Completed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower stands at over 1,000 feet and is visited by more than 7 million people each year.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Compared to a lot of countries around the world, the United States is extremely young, so it’s no surprise that there haven’t been any entries into the Seven Wonders of the World list. However, America has had plenty of manmade structures (and natural wonders) that should be considered for any of the lists. The first in mind is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is an Art Deco design that spans over 2,700 feet over the San Francisco Bay in California. Designed by Irving Morrow, the Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937.

The Statue of Liberty

Staying in the United States, the building that has become the overall symbol of the United States should truly be considered a wonder. As many know, though, the statue was designed by Frenchman Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and even put together in large part by Gustave Eiffel himself. The French gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States as a gift, and it currently stands on Liberty island, overlooking the New York Harbor.

Mount Rushmore

The third and final entry of American wonders on the list is Mount Rushmore, which is located in Pennington County, South Dakota. The sculpture was carved into the side of the Black Hills and was completed after more than a decade of work from start to finish. Mount Rushmore depicts some of America’s founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln from left to right. Though it’s in a remote area, there are still more than 2 million people each year who make their way to see Mount Rushmore in person.

Big Ben

If you’re not from England and were asked to close your eyes and picture London, the first thing that your brain would probably come up with is Big Ben. The clock tower that sits at the end of the Palace of Westminster is now named the Elizabeth Tower officially, but everyone still refers to it simply as Big Ben, though it’s contested on whether it was named for Sir Benjamin Hall or Benjamin Caunt. Either way, the clock tower was completed in 1859 and stands over 310 feet tall.

Sydney Opera House

By far the newest structure on the list, the Sydney Opera House was completed in 1973 after more than a decade of construction. It has since become the most recognizable building in all of Australia as it overlooks the Sydney Harbour. The SOH has several venues within the structure and has hosted some of the biggest events in Sydney. The building was even considered for the New 7 Wonders of the World list but just missed the cut.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

You probably thought that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was already on one of the lists, but surprisingly it’s not. Originally breaking ground in 1173, it wasn’t until 1372 that the Tower of Pisa was completed. It started leaning long before completion, too, because of the soft ground it was built on. All these centuries later, the building still stands 183 feet in height. Of course, it has become one of the most photographed buildings in the world as people have to see it to believe it and want to remember their visit.

Escape rooms have caught on throughout the world to the point where some cities have dozens if not well more than 100. One city, in particular, has nearly 200, though the range in quality can be rather large. No matter where you are in the world, there’s a good chance that you’re not too far from a good escape room.

Out of all of the cities in the world, though, which ones are the best for escape room fans? Let’s take a look at the five that every fan must visit. Before we begin the list, we wanted to make sure that countries were only represented by one city. If not for that, the list would be comprised of entirely Chinese cities. With that said, let’s get to the top choice.

Beijing, China

Escape rooms are massively popular in China, with 10 of them having at least 40. Shanghai comes in second place at just over 100 escape rooms, but Beijing far and away leads the pack with close to 200. The best part about having so many escape rooms in one city is that there is a wide range to pick from. You can do downright terrifying escape rooms or something a little more family-friendly with easier puzzles.

Fans have been debating for years about the best escape room in Beijing, with some saying that OMESCAPE is the top while others have a soft spot for Mr. X. The latter has been praised for creating a true horror fan experience while also being top of the line in quality and having a production value that would make people think that it was taken directly from a movie set. To make things easier on yourself, try taking a group of 10 to Mr. X.

Budapest, Hungary

If you travel outside of Asia, the city that has the most escape rooms anywhere is Budapest. It might come as a bit of a surprise, but Hungarians are crazy about escape rooms and there are more than five dozen throughout the city. One of the things that attracts people to Budapest escape rooms the most is the price, with even top-of-the-line ones costing around $25.

PLAY! Escape Rooms, Locked Room, and Escape Zone are consistently the highest-rated escape rooms throughout Budapest, with the latter containing a game that has a “Star Wars” theme. While licensing would make that tricky to pull off in some countries, it looks like it was designed by George Lucas himself in Budapest.

Toronto, Canada

If you were thinking that the city with the most escape rooms in North America would be located in the United States, guess again. Toronto, Ontario takes the top spot with three dozen escape rooms with varying difficulty, which is around a dozen more than any American city. From whimsical to downright scary, Toronto has a lot to offer.

The Looking Glass Adventure and The Imaginarium are two of the favorites in Toronto, with most of the escape rooms being quite family-friendly. Toronto receives a lot of praise for having fine actors who accompany you throughout your adventure, making the experience special.

Tokyo, Japan

Heading back to Asia, Japan leads the way for non-Chinese countries as there are around 30 escape rooms in the world’s largest city, Tokyo. Like their Chinese counterparts, there are different levels of difficulty, and many of the escape rooms focus on the horror aspect. Another thing you have to know about Tokyo escape rooms is that, for the most part, they are extremely hard.

Many of the Tokyo escape rooms have a success rate of less than five percent, including the infamous Escape from the Red Room. There aren’t any clues on the walls in this bright red enclosure, and you have to rely on the handful of props to get yourself out. There are others that have higher success rates, but the horror tends to turn up to 11.

Los Angeles, California

We finally get to the United States at the end of the list, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the best city for escape rooms is the same one that’s home to Hollywood. With movie-quality escape rooms around just about every corner, Los Angeles has a lot to offer, with some saying that the quality outweighs the quantity in the City of Angels.

Hatch Escapes, Quest Room, 60out, and Black Market have all received praise for their different types of games which range from Jumanji to Red Giant. There are aspiring actors filling up the escape rooms, ready to take you on an unforgettable journey. Sure, it isn’t cheap to get the type of Hollywood production you come to expect from LA, but it’s definitely worth it.

While you can certainly take an airplane across long distances between cities, there’s something about taking a train that’s much more fun. On one hand, you’re not packed into uncomfortable seats on a train as you would be on a plane. There is also a lot more scenery and amenities with the ability to get off on stops and stretch your legs.

If you’re a train enthusiast and want to hop on some of the longest rides, then you’re in luck. There are certain train routes that span thousands of miles that are waiting to show you a wide span of the world. Here are the five longest routes you can take across Earth, so make sure to bring your passport too as many routes cross borders.

Moscow – Vladivostok 

Spanning 9,289 kilometers (5,772 miles) from Russia’s capital to the Oceanside city of Vladivostok, The Trans-Siberian Railway is the world’s longest train route. The railway first started being used in 1904 after 13 years of construction. 

The six to seven-day journey crosses through eight time zones, makes only ten stops throughout the trip, and passes through over thirty cities including parts of China, Mongolia, and the Sea of Japan. It’s a fascinating journey and gives you the opportunity to see a variety of places with ease. 

Toronto – Vancouver 

The Canadian by Via Rail offers year-round trips all the way from the west coast of Canada, Toronto, to the east coast of Canada in Vancouver. The 4,466 kilometer (2,775 miles) train journey takes four days and nights to complete and goes through many provinces and takes over 60 stops. It’s estimated over 82,000 riders take the trip annually. 

During their time on the train, travelers can enjoy hot meals from the dining car, multiple-person bedrooms, shower facilities, and different classes offering separate amenities depending on which class you pay for. 

Shanghai – Lhasa

The 4,373 kilometer (2,717 mile) train journey from the largest and most populated city in China and the world, Shanghai, to the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, is the third longest train route in all of the world. 

Every day at 8:02 pm the train heads out of Shanghai and takes nearly two days to arrive in Lhasa at 6:46 pm, taking 13 stops and showcasing all the beautiful scenery throughout the entire trip. The amenities on board the train are fairly basic, but they do offer meal and beverage services you can pay extra for. The gorgeous sights to see make up for the lack of luxury. 

Sydney – Perth  

The Indian Pacific train route that runs through Australia, from Sydney all the way to Perth, spans 4,352 kilometers (2,704 miles) and brings you from one beautiful ocean to another. It takes three nights to complete the journey, plenty of time to view the Australian wildlife and scenery from the comfort of your train car. 

Australian Train provides different services for the multiple packages offered at varying prices. You’ll have access to bathrooms, complimentary toiletries, beds, and meals and beverages. As well as the opportunity to make stops at popular tourist destinations. 

Dibrugarh – Kanyakumari

From the very southern tip of India and all the way to the tip that borders Tibet is the train route that runs from Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari. The trek takes no less than 28 hours and makes plenty of stops along the way. This includes passing along the southern border of Bhutan while also cutting down through Bangladesh.

Coming in at 3,770.6 kilometers (2343 miles), this trip has a total of 58 destinations along the way for some routes, including the Vivek Express which makes every stop while taking up over 82 hours of time. The train is comprised of 11 sleeper coaches and three general coaches and was introduced in 2011 to commemorate Swami Vivikananda’s 150th birth anniversary, which was one of the biggest celebrations in Indian history.

People that are going on long train rides for the first time might not be fully prepared. When you’re flying on a plane, there are only a few things that you truly need, but that’s also because those trips are mostly short and you’re in a very compact spot. Being on a train is much different, though, as you get more space for storage and get to stretch your legs more freely throughout the trip.

However, the trips are much, much longer on average, especially if you’re going on vacation. If you’re planning on a trip that spans hundreds (if not thousands) of miles, there are some things that you’re going to want with you. Not only will they save you money, but the added convenience will even save you some time. Here are five perfect items you never knew would make your long train journey a breeze.

Insulated Food and Beverage Containers 

With how popular traveling long distances by train is, most trains will have food cars and meals included in your package, or for purchase separately. If you don’t have access to a fresh meal, have dietary restrictions, or just want to keep your leftovers fresh, insulated meal and beverage containers are the perfect items to bring along with you on your trip. 

Keep your drinks hot, or cold for longer than your average beverage container will. You can keep your meals hot, or cold and fresh for up to 12 hours in most insulated containers so you won’t have to worry about food spoilage. 

Luggage Protection 

The last thing any traveler wants to deal with while on the go is an issue with their luggage. Making sure your luggage is safe, recognizable, and easy to carry long distances is essential. Purchase luggage that’s easy to spot and tell apart from the slew of similarly colored and patterned luggage. 

Secure tags with your basic information on them that you’ll be able to spot with ease. Most importantly, invest in luggage locks to ensure nothing happens to your luggage while it’s out of your sight. 

Comfort Items

One unfortunate side effect of lengthy travel is the discomfort that comes with sitting in the same spot for an extended period of time. Bringing light and easy-to-pack items to bring comfort will help alleviate discomfort greatly. 

There’s a variety of neck pillows made with comfort technology that will help you get some rest in your seat and relieve neck tension. You can bring along light mattress toppers to add some cushion to your in-train bed if there are sleeping quarters. A weighted eye mask would be a great addition to help you feel secure and block out unwanted light while you rest. 

Hygiene and Medicine Kit

Hygiene and medical safety have become essentials in modern-day travel. You want to make sure you’re prepared, while also traveling light. Bringing travel-sized versions of standard hygiene products and commonly used medicines in your carry-on luggage will help you keep up with a healthy hygiene routine and provide you with relief. 

Bring pain relievers for headaches, aches, and pains from traveling. Bring nausea medicine for any unseen stomach issues. Of course bring plenty of hand sanitizer, wet wipes, lotion, breath fresheners, and toiletries the train may not provide. 

Smart Device with Downloaded Content 

Most trains in developed countries will have access to wifi onboard, though that’s not always the case, especially in countries less developed. If you don’t want to waste your data, bring a smart device such as a phone, or tablet that you can download content onto beforehand while you have access to wifi. 

Make sure you have plenty of room to download your favorite songs, movies, and shows to last the entire trip and then some just in case travel is longer than expected. It’ll help keep you comfortably entertained during your venture. 

Almost all Americans want to travel, but the only problem is that for a lot of us, it’s simply too expensive. Some of these cities across the United States are incredibly pricey, though, and there are many countries around the world where the U.S. Dollar just doesn’t go far enough to make the most out of your trip.

However, there are certainly a number of countries in which you can not only have a great vacation abroad but can live more lavishly than you do at home. If you’re searching for destinations to either travel to yourself or take your family on a vacation, check out these five countries where your dollar goes furthest.

Colombia

Back in the early 2010s, Colombia wasn’t the cheapest place for Americans to visit, but times have changed since then and the dollar has been stronger in the past few years than just about any other point in the country’s history. While people might have a negative opinion of what’s available to tourists when visiting Colombia, the country actually has a lot to offer from Medellin to Bogota to Cartagena.

Airfare is not significantly cheaper heading to Colombia compared to some other countries, but everything else costs far less. From hotels and restaurants, $50 per day will get an entire family of four very far in Colombia. You can use the money saved to visit some of the nation’s best sights including the Tayrona National Park, Salt Cathedral, and Castle San Felipe de Barajas. If traveling solo, you can spend less than $1,800 in total and live like royalty.

India

Despite being the second-largest country in the world, India doesn’t have close to a 1:1 conversion rate. Instead, it’s one of the cheapest countries for Americans to visit, costing around $35 with food and lodging. The spending power has only gotten better over time, too.

There are some obvious sites that you’ll want to see when visiting India including the Taj Mahal and the Sri Harmandir Sahib. There are also some lesser-known places for people from the west including the Mysore Palace and Mahabodhi Temple which are must-sees. There’s really no wrong place to go in India, especially if you’re a fan of architecture.

Chile

Like Mexico, Chile uses the peso, but their own version stretches further for Americans than Mexico’s does. $1 in the United States converts to over 800 Chilean pesos, and visiting the country costs an average of $36 to visit. This includes food and lodging, making it a no-brainer.

Some of the best natural beauty in the world can be found in Chile, meaning it will save you even more money when visiting the country. The Torres Del Paine National Park and Valle de la Luna are two must-see places, while Easter Island is one of the most popular tourist sites in the world. For a beautiful blend of both ancient and modern, make your way to Santiago to get a masterclass in structure.

Vietnam

Ever since the end of the Vietnam War, the country has been a friendly place for Americans to visit while also having the dollar stretch further. It has become even more so on both fronts in recent years, with $1 USD able to convert into well over 20,000₫, a currency which was adopted as the official currency in 1978. 

Vietnam is filled with a lot of natural beauty, especially if you’re a fan of islands. Halong Bay is one of the most captivating sites not just in the country, but in the world. Ho Chi Minh City is a city that only gets better with time, while places like the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park offer up something for cave fans to enjoy.

Croatia

Croatia tends to come and go as one of the countries where the United States Dollar goes a long way, but in recent years, it has been a great place for American to visit for a low cost. Starting in 2014, the dollar had a lot more spending power in Croatia, with an average cost of $60 per day to visit.

Fans of both modern and ancient history will have something to do in Croatia from the Walls of Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes to the Pula Arena and Diocletian’s Palace. Zagreb is the busiest city and has the most to do, while others including Rovinj and Sibenik offer up some of the best sites in the country.