AlUla’s Rise as a Global Heritage Site in 2024 AlUla’s Rise as a Global Heritage Site in 2024 (image credits: pixabay) Once a quiet archaeological secret, AlUla has surged onto the world stage as Saudi Arabia’s flagship heritage destination. According to the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), 2024 saw visitor numbers top 330,000—more than double …
Marcel Kuhn
Redefining Luxury: Why Minimalist Travel Is Soaring in 2025 Redefining Luxury: Why Minimalist Travel Is Soaring in 2025 (image credits: unsplash) Minimalist travel is no longer a fringe movement; it’s become a defining trend among global explorers. According to a 2024 Expedia survey, 63% of Gen Z and millennial travelers prioritized “experiences over things,” seeking …
World Happiness Report 2024: Finland Tops the List—Again World Happiness Report 2024: Finland Tops the List—Again (image credits: unsplash) In 2024, Finland once again claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report, marking its seventh consecutive year as the happiest country on the planet. The report, released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks …
Finland: The Unshakeable Leader in Happiness Finland: The Unshakeable Leader in Happiness (image credits: pixabay) Every year, Finland seems to dazzle the world by topping the World Happiness Report, holding the #1 spot for six years straight as of 2023. This tiny Nordic nation, with its snow-dusted forests and sparkling lakes, is more than just …
The Unstoppable Pulse of Varanasi’s Streets The Unstoppable Pulse of Varanasi’s Streets (image credits: wikimedia) Every day, nearly 1.2 million people navigate the narrow lanes of Varanasi, a city where chaos is not just a backdrop but a way of life. The city’s latest municipal data from March 2024 highlights a 15% increase in road …
Scorpions on a Stick Scorpions on a Stick (image credits: wikimedia) Crunchy, savory, and downright daring, scorpions on a stick are one of the boldest street snacks you’ll encounter in China’s bustling night markets. In places like Beijing and Xi’an, rows of live scorpions wiggle on skewers before being plunged into hot oil and fried …
Strategically Aligning Paid Holidays with Weekends Strategically Aligning Paid Holidays with Weekends (image credits: rawpixel) In 2025, U.S. federal employees receive 11 paid holidays, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. A smart approach is to line up your vacation around these dates to extend your time off. For example, July 4th, 2025, falls …
Stinky Tofu: A Pungent Powerhouse Stinky Tofu: A Pungent Powerhouse (image credits: unsplash) Stinky tofu, or “chòu dòufu,” is infamous for its overpowering odor that many say is reminiscent of rotten garbage, yet it remains a beloved snack across China. Recent data from the 2024 Shanghai Food Expo revealed that over 35% of Chinese respondents …
1. The Reality of Everyday Life in Pyongyang 1. The Reality of Everyday Life in Pyongyang (image credits: unsplash) Rare images from the streets of Pyongyang challenge the glossy narrative pushed by North Korean state media. Instead of modern high-rises and vibrant public spaces, photographs from 2024 reveal crumbling apartment blocks, unreliable public transportation, and …
The State of Radiation in 2025: Numbers, Not Nightmares The State of Radiation in 2025: Numbers, Not Nightmares (image credits: unsplash) Radiation levels inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone remain a subject of fascination and fear, but recent surveys from 2024 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reveal a nuanced picture. The average background radiation …