It could easily be argued that the U.S. is near the top of the list when it comes to countries that are so contained within their own bubbles that people tend not to think about the way life is lived in other places. That in mind, here are some social norms from other parts of the world that may sound a little odd to American ears.
Read MoreMaking travel affordable is one of the biggest obstacles many people come up against, which is why it’s a good thing there are so many resources out there to find good deals. You probably know about Expedia and Kayak and Hotels.com and all of that jazz, but just in case you needed another weapon in your arsenal, there is one other site you’ll want to check out.
Read MoreAs one of the largest sources of freshwater in the world — first in total area and second in volume only to Russia’s Lake Baikal — it’s difficult to imagine anyone making the argument that the Great Lakes aren’t named appropriately. But what if we were to compare the individual lakes with one another? Which of the Great Lakes is the greatest? The least-great? Now that’s a debate worth having.
Read MoreWhile George Lucas and J.J. Abrams would have you believe that “Stars Wars” takes place in a galaxy far, far away, the rest of us know that the movies were filmed, for the most part, in real locations all around the globe (and otherwise on green screens). From the Redwood forests of California to the arid deserts of Jordan, the creators of the film franchise have made use of many destinations to create the various planets and moons that fans have witnessed over the years.
Read MoreUnless you live near a major hub, such as those located in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, or another large urban area, trying to find flights that are cheap (and which don’t charge you for your first bag or saddle you with ridiculously long layovers) can be about as difficult as locating Waldo among a sea of pedestrians clad in red and white-striped clothing.
Read MoreCompanies aren’t legally required to offer their employees vacation time, but more than 90 percent of all full-time employees working in the private sector receive paid vacation. Why? Because even your stingy boss knows that a burnt-out employee is just about as useful as a poopy-flavored lollipop. It’s a universal truth: everybody needs a break now and then.
Read MoreAs humans, we are easily influenced by things we see on the internet — for better, and for worse. Sometimes we’re aware that someone is trying to sell us something; other times it’s much more subliminal. Whether or not it was their intention, the makers of a particular music video that I found a couple years back definitely sold me on traveling to a certain part of Panama.
Read MoreThere are 17 countries (including the partially-recognized state of Palestine) that are typically categorized as part of the Middle East, and while some areas are dangerous for travelers, there are also many, many places that would be worthy of any travel bucket list.
Read MoreLocated in between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan, has hosted its increasingly-popular music festival since 2003. That was the year a few people got together and said, “We want to bring some musical talent to our neck of the woods.” And so they did — literally.
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