Lifestyle

7 curious and intriguing facts about the Great Wall of China that may not be well known to public

Many popular anecdotes about the wall are not true But there are many intriguing facts about it that are worth sharing As a member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic structures in the world, and with that comes misconceptions (it is not one wall) and outright falsehoods (it cannot be seen from space...

See how bright the northern lights were in Michigan

See how bright the northern lights were in Michigan

The 15 Best Mother-Daughter Trips to Take Together

Celebrate mom more than once a year with these curated trips!

Why does this Japanese town want to build a wall to block Mount Fuji?

Sea at Brighton turns a murky brown colour

The sea along the south coast of England has turned a filthy brown colour amid public fury at sewage-dumping on the country's most celebrated beaches.

Best of the unprecedented Northern Lights from the UK and across the world

Star gazers were left with sore necks looking up at the lights putting on their dazzling display across the weekend.

How to Transform Your Outdoor Space Into a Cozy Place to Hang Out

Make it instantly more inviting.

Here Are 5 Things You Should Only Pay For in Cash

Banks issue rewards credit cards for all kinds of spending categories, from flights, hotels, rental cars and entertainment to groceries, dining, warehouse clubs and e-commerce. With all of the various...

Geologist and historian solves centuries old Mona Lisa mystery

Geologist and Renaissance art historian Ann Pizzorusso believes she might finally have an answer to put the debate to rest.

What the State You Grew Up in Says About You

Every state has its own distinctive culture and traditions.

The Most Beautiful Small Towns In Every State

Why yes, we would love to reside in a place where we can pan for sapphires.

The Most Popular Book the Year You Were Born

We had forgotten about so many of these.

Travellers park their caravans in Surrey down the road from John Terry

Famous residents who have called leafy Cobham and the surrounding areas home as side footballer John Terry also include Cliff Richard and Andy Murray .

Rent Prices: The 25 Most Unaffordable Cities in America

Of the expenses that eat the most of your income, housing costs are typically among the biggest. Check Out: ​​The 50 Happiest States in America and How Much It Costs to Live There Learn More: Owe...

It's Official: We Found the 40 Prettiest Flowers in the World

How many of these breathtaking beauties do you recognize? As is often the case with beautiful things, we've given flowers meaning—so much so that even looking at one can make you feel more alive. A plain red rose has become a romantic expression of love and sunny daffodils represent the rebirth of the planet every spring. Of course, because they're plants, we also use them in more practical ways: Silky flower petals have been crushed and distilled into essential oils and perfumes for centuries, and we've figured out how to eat some of them and make tea with select leaves, stalks, and blooms. But to put it simply, the joy of admiring a gorgeous, colorful flower is unmatched. (Though we should note that some are best admired from afar because of toxicity.) Not to mention, no two flowers are exactly the same. Some rise out of the water to bloom while others sprout vines that go where they want…permanently decorating the side of your house. Even low bushes can produce incredible blossoms, like giant peonies, and if you've ever sat under a cherry blossom tree with a cool breeze blowing tiny petals around you, you know how magnificent flowering trees can be. A person who loves flowers is called an "anthophile," and if this describes you, you'll probably recognize most—if not all—of the flowers below. Rare or common, bright or soft, simple or complex, these beautiful flowers from around the world are certainly sights to behold.

15 Countries Worth Visiting for an Epic Drive

Whether it's the awesome roads, incredible terrain, or lax driving laws, plan your next road trip with this guide to our international favorite driving spots.

34 Rare Vintage Photos of The Plaza Hotel

It’s always been the place to be.

After a Night at These Luxurious New International Hotels, You’ll Never Want to Come Home.

Wanderlust is not a deadly sin.

Creepy and fascinating ghost towns you can actually visit

Desolate landscapes, abandoned houses, and dilapidated buildings aren't just the settings of horror movies—they're also somewhat commonly found all over the world. Once bustling locations can become ghost towns for various reasons. Curious to discover some of them? Then click through and take a look at the world's eeriest ghost towns that were left to rot.

How Frugal People Use Credit Cards: 6 Tips for Thrifty Credit Management

Credit cards are a great way to rack up rewards such as cash back on purchases and travel benefits. They also offer a lot of convenience. But because of credit cards' high interest rates, these...

Truly Fascinating Places You Won't Believe Are in the United States

From lunar-like landscapes to European-style castles.

13 Beautiful City Skyline Photos Snapped Around the World

Dazzling views from the top await.

These Garden Arches Can Transform Your Backyard Into a Beautiful Oasis

Adding visual interest to your outdoor space has never been easier.

These 10 Mountain Towns Are as Affordable as They Are Beautiful

Buy a house with the view you've always dreamed of.

New York Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicates show to ground-breaking Harlem Renaissance black art movement

55 years after its disastrous Harlem Renaissance show that featured no art by black artists, the New York Met has another show of the modern art movement's work 160 pieces depict the realities of daily life in black communities such as Harlem from 1920s to the 1940s, and portray the movement's great writers and thinkers The first time the Metropoli...

I'm a cruise ship worker...these are the FIVE things smart passengers always do onboard

Posting to her YouTube channel under the handle Cruising As Crew, Lucy Southerton, 28, from Birmingham , has been working on cruise ships for nine years.

Why tourism-hungry Hong Kong needs to get with the times, put inclusion front and centre and even become a diversity hub

Hong Kong's official attitude towards gender diversity and equality tarnishes its reputation as a welcoming tourist hub in the eyes of many By embracing inclusivity and respecting people's identities and genders, Hong Kong would reap the benefits, and could even become a diversity hub In the past, Hong Kong was renowned for its competitive prices f...

The World’s 20 Most Beautiful Cities to Visit in Your Lifetime

Some standards and some surprises–all dazzling destinations to tempt you on your next trip.

Sun, sea and delcious food: 10 wonderful agriturismos in Italy

You can’t beat an agriturismo. Rural locations, owners whose main job is farming, plus food and drink produced on site all add up to a charmingly informal stay. There is rarely a reception desk and there’ll be dogs and crowing roosters to contend with, but they offer brilliant food and a friendly welcome. And they are not all buried in the countryside; there are lots of agriturismos around Italy’s 5,000 miles of coast. Here are 10 within walking...

Former visitor centre in the Cotswolds to be sold

The centre closed its doors in February, having been a visitors centre since 1996.

World famous walls with fascinating secrets

Built to protect, divide and commemorate nations, we delve into the history of the world's most famous walls...

Nepali, British climbers extend Everest records

Mount Everest saw a record-breaking day Sunday as Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa and Briton Kenton Cool reached the top of the world's highest mountain, extending their records for the most summits by a Nepali and a foreigner. Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 800 climbers will tread the path to the top of the world's highest peak in the coming weeks after a group of Nepali climbers opened the route to the...

Skydivers complete wingsuit flight through Tower Bridge

Austrian Red Bull skydivers Marco Furst, 33, and Marco Waltenspiel, 39, jumped from a helicopter at 3,000 feet high on Sunday morning, diving down to 35 metres above the River Thames. They soared through Tower Bridge and completed a complex manoeuvre known as a 'flare,' to rise up again to 80 metres, the height required to open their parachutes before landing safely.

The Best Solo Travel Destinations in the United States for an Unforgettable Adventure

Whether you're looking for nonstop activity or total relaxation. While traveling with friends and family can be a lot of fun, going somewhere alone has its perks. You get to choose everything — the destination, the hotel, the itinerary, the restaurants, how much money you spend and beyond. Only one opinion matters...yours. It's also a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone, meet new people (if you so choose), unplug, rejuvenate and bask in moments of reflection — or even just escape reality for a few days. Whether you're planning your first adventure on your own or are a solo travel veteran, choosing a destination can be overwhelming, especially if you still have a lot of places to check off your bucket list. The good news is, you don't have to go far for the adventure or relaxation you crave, because there are plenty of options across the U.S. Weighing variables such as walkability, safety, self care opportunities, number of historic sites and museums and access to nature, we've come up with a list of the best places in the U.S. for solo travelers — ranging from mountain and beach destinations to small towns and large cities. Time to book your ticket for one, plan your itinerary (or don't, remember, it's your trip!) and answer to no one except yourself for a few days.

These Dog-Friendly Hotels Will Pamper Your Pup in Luxury

Save this for your next road trip.

Ukraine's first lady makes her premier visit to Belgrade

BELGRADE (Reuters) -Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Belgrade on Sunday, the first visit by a top Ukrainian dignitary to Serbia since Russia's invasion in 2022 and a signal of the Balkan country's swing away from Moscow, its traditional ally. Flanked by her Serbian counterpart Tamara Vucic and Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, also on his first visit to Belgrade,

30 Rare Photographs Taken at Chateau Marmont

The iconic Hollywood hotel has been a favorite among celebrities for nearly 100 years.

8 Ways To Spend Less on Your Daily Cup of Coffee

America is a country that heavily relies on coffee. Coffee is the most popular beverage in America, beating tap water, tea, soft drinks and juice. According to Drive Research, nearly 3 in 4 Americans...

Island remembers fishermen lost at sea

The family of Michael Michieli, who died at sea in 2022, joined a remembrance service in Jersey.

20 of America's Best Historic Homes You Definitely Have to Visit

Yes, it's time to plan a trip!

Cosy tiny homes perfect for a minimalist escape

From a lake-side glasshouse in Iceland to a miniature wooden pod in England, these snug pads are perfect for escaping the winter chill.

10 best Gordon Ramsay restaurants around the world

From Michelin-starred destinations to casual dining, people travel abroad just to dine in Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants. Here are the most famous ones to get started with. MasterChef, Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares — you know him from his reality TV shows, and every dish looks and sounds amazing. From the famed Beef Wellington, to that mouthwatering rack of lamb, you can now taste Gordon’s own recipes by dining at his establishments. Better...

Yes, You Can Book a Stay at These Celeb-Approved Hotels

You might get starstruck at these luxury properties.

These Are the 24 Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Hawaii

Hawaii, renowned for its stunning beaches, lush landscapes and luxurious living, boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the United States. From breathtaking oceanfront properties to secluded...

Weird things that have washed up on beaches

While we usually find shells, fish, and pretty pebbles on beaches, there have been some pretty weird discoveries in the last century. On the beaches near busy shipping routes, for example, some of the most bizarre merchandise has been found, including cat-shaped telephones and giant hairballs. There has also been strange natural phenomena and devastating environmental pollution. If you're curious about what crazy objects have been found on our beaches, take a look through this gallery.

Vatican Museums staff start unprecedented legal action over labour conditions

(Corrects spelling of 'paid' in paragraph 3) VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Forty-nine Vatican Museums employees have started an unprecedented labour dispute over what they say are unfair and poor conditions at their workplace, which could lead to an embarrassing lawsuit against Pope Francis' administration. The workers, mostly museum attendants, have sent a petition to the Vatican's "Governatorato",

'It's like the M25!' Fury as caravans invade Yorkshire beauty spot

Scenic South Gare in Redcar, North Yorkshire, was remote and tranquil until Covid. But visitors realised they could park up there and dodge police during lockdown, causing a boost in its popularity.

13 Amusement Parks in the U.S. That Are Completely Free to Enter

A few even charge you nothing for parking and entertainment. Amusement parks are synonymous with so many wonderful things: fun in the sun, rollercoasters and carousels, games galore and delicious food. And all in a colorful, jubilant, family-friendly setting. The only issue? Joy like that does not typically come cheap. Or can it? Well, at these 13 amusement parks across the U.S., from the Golden to the Garden States, you can save on one very important front: entry. While the vast majority of amusement parks — including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens — require tickets just to walk through the gates, these resorts and parks do not. Of course, if you want to ride the rides or snack on the snacks, you'll still have to open your wallet. (A good thing can only go so far!) But if you're someone who's more about the vibes than the rides, this is the list for you. Make sure you scroll to the bottom: There's one very famous park that's about to go "open gate" with its water parks for guests staying on property. (Hint: It's home to a special mouse!)

Remembering the fishermen who never came home

Services are being held around the UK coast to honour the fishermen who lost their lives at sea

The 10 worst French aircraft

France has produced some excellent planes over the years, but its share of duffers too – including these ones