The post Big Ben: 3 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Grandpa Ben
The Big Ben is still looking sharp, but it’s not that young anymore! With its building starting in 1843 as part of the restoration of the ruined Palace of Westminster and finally ending in 1859, it is now over 160 years old. We could never tell.
Travel Content Creator ☾ (@globetrottingsu)Nickname Basis
Here’s a cool tidbit: The Big Ben Tower was initially named The Clock Tower, then renamed in 2012 as Elizabeth Tower. So… why does everyone refer to it as Big Ben? This nickname is actually the name of the tower’s bell, weighing no less than 13 tons. The leading theory is that the bell was named after the Chief Commissioner of Works, Sir Benjamin Hall, whose nickname was Big Ben.
More Than One Bell
While Big Ben is the main bell of the tower, there are four other small bells playing at the same time, together creating its unique sound. Each bell plays a different note: G, F#, E, and B. So, the chime of Big Ben is actually a full chord! Who knew?
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]]>The post 3 Surprising Facts About the Great Wall of China appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>It’s Made of a Few Different Walls
While it’s referred to as the Great Wall—singular—the Great Wall of China is actually made up of various sections! These different walls were built by different Chinese dynasties.
It Took Over 2000 Years to Build
Yes, the wall took 2000 years to build overall, putting all the dynasties’ work together. Estimations indicated that its first sections started being built in 771 BC, some of which were then demolished and rebuilt in 221 BC by the first Chinese emperor. In later years, other dynasties built and repaired more of it, culminating with its ultimate revival mid-2nd century by the Mind Dynasty.
Secret Ingredient: Sticky Rice
Okay, can this get more Chinese than that? While the Great Wall of China was built using mostly orthodox materials like brick, wood, and stone, it also contains one unorthodox ingredient: sticky rice flour! The Qin Dynasty actually leveraged its traits to make mortar back in the day. Who would have thought?
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]]>The post This is What the Different Passport Colors Mean appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Blue Passports
Blue passports are indicative of countries that are part of the New World, including North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In the United States, blue was chosen to match the color on the flag, though different color passports also exist for government employees, and emergency-issue passports for travel are actually purple.
Green Passports
Green is the color of choice for passports in countries belonging to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as well as certain states in West Africa. Representing the cultural and religious ties of the region, the color bears a great significance in Islam and is also often used in national flags as well as to decorate mosques.
Red Passports
Red is the most common passport color in the world, primarily used by European countries, with the exception of Croatia, as well as countries in the region interested in joining the European Union. Prior to Brexit, the standard burgundy was also used for United Kingdom passports, but since 2020, all new passports produced have been blue.
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]]>The post Advantages to Traveling Within the European Union appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>No Border Controls
Well, there are technically borders in the European Union, but you won’t find any border controls or long waits to cross because movement is not restricted within countries. That means you can cross from Spain into France without even stopping!
A Unified Currency
Nearly all countries in the EU have adopted the Euro, a currency which is used throughout 19 of the 27 member states of the entity. This is a big advantage, as prices and currencies don’t change and you won’t have to exchange money or do calculations in your head.
Diversity
Finally, the extreme diversity that can be found within the EU is yet another reason to explore it. The 27 countries which combine this union features different landscapes, cultures, and languages that you will never get bored of exploring.
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]]>The post 3 Secrets of the Pyramids of Giza appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>How They Were Built is Still a Mystery
Believe it or not, no one is exactly sure how the Ancient Egyptians managed to build something like the pyramids before construction machines and modern techniques were available. Their massive size, geometrical symmetry, and complex system of tunnels and passages blow the mind.
They Were Used to Tell Time
The pyramids were built with the idea that they would also help tell time. The orientation of the sun related to the Great Pyramid makes the shadow fall on certain lines on the structure of the pyramid, making it an important tool for time-telling back in ancient times.
They’re Super Accessible from Cairo
While most pictures of the Pyramids of Giza might lead you to believe that they are located in the desert in the middle of nowhere, that isn’t the case! In fact, they are just minutes away from the capital of Cairo and its suburb of Giza, making them easily accessible.
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]]>The post Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>While this world-famous festival is generally well-known, there are some secrets and fun facts about Pamplona’s biggest celebration that many people aren’t aware of. Let’s learn some more about it!
The Festival’s Real Name is “The Festival of San Fermin”
The reason that this festival was founded hundreds of years ago was to honor Saint Fermin, the patron saint of the city. Traditional participants in the festival, especially those who are from Pamplona, pay tribute to the saint at church services and at a famous figurine of him. He also gives his name to the festival’s real name, which isn’t “The Running of the Bulls!”
Selfies are Illegal!
If you choose to participate in one of the heart-stopping runnings of the bulls throughout the festival, leave your selfie stick at home. It is now illegal to take selfies while participating in this risky tradition, as the authorities determined that too many people were being injured while distracted with selfies.
It All Starts with a Txupinazo
The traditional kickoff to the festival on July 6th at 12 pm is a skyrocket which is launched from the balcony of the city’s town hall, marking the beginning of the festivities. Revelers camp out for hours to get a spot in the square in front of the town hall in order to see it in person.
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]]>The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Chichen Itza appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Its Pyramid Has 365 Steps
The main attraction of Chichen Itza is its “El Castillo” pyramid, a former Maya temple that rises 98 feet above the ground. While you cannot climb to the top of it anymore due to the need to secure its structural integrity, it has 365 steps that lead to the top, a symbol for one of every one of the days of the year.
The True Meaning of Its Name
While Chichen Itza is a world-famous name, many people do not know what exactly it means. The name comes from the Mayan language and means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” It was said that an underground spring known as Itza, a powerful place in the Mayan underworld, was located under the pyramid.
Abandoned for 100 Years
Chichen Itza was an important center and the home of a settlement with numerous residents for hundreds of years, but did you know that it was actually vacated in the 9th and 10th centuries for about 100 years thanks to a severe drought that struck the region? Fortunately, it was brought back to use around 1000 AD after the water supply was restored.
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]]>The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Florence’s Ponte Vecchio appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>It’s Almost 700 Years Old
While its origins date back even further, the newest and current version of the Ponte Vecchio was built in the 14th century after floods knocked down its predecessors. Despite numerous wars, floods, and natural disasters, it has stood tall.
It’s Full of Shops
One of the things that you will notice upon looking at the Ponte Vecchio is that it appears to have houses on its sides. Those colorful structures aren’t dwellings, however, but rather shops. Goldsmiths are especially common to see on the bridge, and they were originally the only businesses allowed on the bridge since they were seen as clean and sanitary.
It’s an Example of Groundbreaking Architecture
This bridge isn’t just old and beautiful, but it also has architectural significance. The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest standing segmental arch bridge in the world, as it has crossed the Arno River since 1345 AD.
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]]>The post The Difference Between Business Class and First Class? appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>For those of us who haven’t had the luxury of flying in an upgraded cabin, the distinction between these two celebrated cabin grades can be hard to gauge. So, what makes them different? Let’s take a look.
First Class
In short, flying first class is a little bit more expensive and nicer than business class. Why? Typically, in first class, your seat will lay flat in order to serve as a bed, and oftentimes your space will be able to be converted into a private “apartment-like” setting so that you aren’t seen or disturbed by other passengers. Food is typically of world-class quality, with menus designed by world-renowned chefs being common. This is the cream of the crop of the flying experience and usually is only offered on long (6+ hour) flights.
I put “trick” in quotations since this isn’t really a trick but rather a great way to use a stopover on a one-way ticket. It’s also forgotten way too often. It’s as simple as this. Let’s say you use 50,000 Alaska miles to book a biz class award ticket to Los Angeles from Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. Rather than stopping there, take advantage of the stopover option. If you live somewhere else, take a few days to visit LA. If you live in LA – and here’s the real “trick” – then stopover in your hometown for a few months before flying somewhere else in the U.S. for a weekend. Maybe a trip to NYC or Chicago. Just because you live in LA, doesn’t mean your destination has to be LA. It can easily be included as your stopover city when you book the flight home from Hong Kong. So, with 50,000 Alaska miles, you can fly home from Asia, go back to work, then start another trip all on one award ticket. ????? ???????? Personally, I think other airlines should provide these opportunities. Rather than focusing on cutting benefits, I’d like to see airlines find ways to create value for their customers with options like this. ???'?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?????.Business Class
Flying business class is really nice too and is a common alternative to economy class on medium-range and long-range flights. Here, your seat will have extra legroom and you’ll be able to stretch out during the flight. These days, some business class seats lie flat as well and serve as beds. The meals are nice, even restaurant-quality, and you will be waited upon very well by the flight staff.
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]]>The post 3 Unexpected Things You’ll See in the Canary Islands appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Take a look at these unexpected things that you’ll find in the Canary Islands!
A Massive Volcano
Teide is the tallest mountain in the country of Spain, towering 12,198 feet over the island of Tenerife. This massive mountain is also the fourth-highest volcano in the world. Considered an active volcano, it hasn’t erupted in over 100 years, so you can probably feel safe when doing hikes and exploring the region.
Lava Tubes
Volcanic structures’ presence in the Canary Islands can also be seen on the island of Lanzarote, where the “Cueva de los Verdes” can be visited as a rare example of a lava tube. An underground complex that is more than 3 miles long, this strange natural formation was made as a result of lava flows coming from the now-extinct Monte Corona.
Banana Plantations
Did you know that the Canary Islands are one of the only places in Europe where bananas can be cultivated? You’ll find banana plantations on 5 of the archipelago’s 7 main islands, with Tenerife being the top growing spot. Plenty of the plantations offer tours so that you can get a look at this unique crop.
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