World Briefs

  • Beautiful Landmark of Taj Mahal

    Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. We've all heard this saying before. Just like seeing replicas of designer handbags and clothes, there are replicas of the world's most famous architectural landmarks.

  • peru overlooking|Mount Rainier|Camino del Norte Spain|Gros Morne National Park

        From narrow canyons to rocky mountains, the Earth is a wonderful place to live on. Travelers enjoy being connected with nature while witnessing unique flora and fauna along the way. Mesmerizing waterfalls and movie-like ice fields add value to any trip inside our beautiful planet. Below, we have a list of some of the best backpacking trails worldwide that every backpacker must visit. Whether it is a simple hiking trail or a mountain peak, each is worth a tick on your backpacking bucket list. Wonderland Trail - USA Wonderland Trail is a 14,411-foot trail that stretches through Mount Rainier National Park. However, it’s not just an easy walk around the edges. Rather, it’s a 22.000 feet high-level peak with active volcanic areas and breathtaking terrain throughout the Pacific Northwest. Overall time to complete the trail is 10 to 14 days, depending on your pace and backpacking itinerary. Additionally, [...]

  • Small Cruise Ship|piaynemo Indoneisa Raja Ampat|galapagos islands with small cruise ship off the coast|Peru

    Do you want a break from a hectic monotonous routine to experience something relaxing and adventurous at the same time? An interactive trip to the world’s most alluring cruise destinations on a small cruise ship is your way to do just that. 

  • Las Vegas welcome sign

        There are plenty of reasons to visit Las Vegas, though it is a city that’s most famous for being the casino capital of the United States - and the world. Its entire existence is owed to the casino industry which evolved in Vegas to serve the crowds of workers involved in the construction of the nearby Hoover Dam.  For a long time, the state of Nevada was the only place in North America where it was possible to play games like blackjack, baccarat, and slots. However, other parts of the country and the world have begun to offer up alternatives  In the US, Atlantic City has established itself as a rival to Vegas, while many other states have also allowed casinos to open up within their borders. In other parts of the world, Singapore, Macau, and Monaco have become recognised as great destinations for those that want to [...]

  • Iconic Site - Stonehenge gray rock formation under white clouds and blue sky during daytime

    According to Stuff.co.nz, some famous iconic sites are more disappointing than dazzling. Here are ten overrated attractions and better alternatives to explore. Stonehenge, England Though often described as mystical and magical, the iconic site of Stonehenge is situated between two busy roads, making the experience less serene than expected. Visitors can't get close to the stones; the admission fee only grants distant views due to past vandalism where tourists chipped off pieces of the ancient rocks as souvenirs. Instead, visit Avebury, about 25 miles away, where you can freely explore a stone circle encompassing an entire town, offering a more immersive and less crowded experience. Blarney Stone, Ireland Legend has it that kissing the the iconic site of Blarney Stone bestows the gift of eloquence, but the reality is less enchanting. With countless people kissing the stone daily, it's more likely to spread germs than charm. Additionally, persistent rumors suggest [...]

  • Thomas Edison | South Africa. Robben Island. Tonya Fitzpatrick

    On this day in 1846, Thomas A. Edison was born in Milan, Ohio.  During his lifetime, 1,093 patents were issued to Edison during his lifetime, the last at age 83.

  • Puerto Rico. aerial view 1|th 6

    On this day in 1513, Ponce de Leon set sail from Puerto Rico to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Caribbean Indian legends spoke of waters, a drink of which would guarantee a life free from the worries of old age.

  • Mercedes automobile|aaa 3 74704

        It was 1902 and automobiles were quickly becoming the vehicle of choice. Road conditions, however, were deplorable. The relatively small number of drivers had to fight for the right to even use some roads in favor of horse drawn carriages. Small groups of drivers had formed clubs across the country to exchange driving and automobile tips.   AAA logo The Founding of AAA On March 4, 1902 a group of approximately 1000 automobile enthusiasts and members of these clubs joined forces in Cleveland, Ohio to form a not-for-profit lobbying organization. Over time, the AAA enhanced membership benefits. The first road maps were published in 1905 and hotel guides followed in 1917. Today, the not-for-profit organization provides emergency roadside assistance to members, and has expanded its offerings to include various financial and travel-arrangement services. AAA offers credit cards, insurance, and vehicle financing, and it operates travel agencies and publishes [...]

  • Aer Lingus | flying airline

      On May 22, 1935, Aer Lingus was founded as the flag carrier of Ireland. In Gaelic, Aer Loingeas means "Air Fleet" - the term was anglicized to name the airline. Established as the national carrier owned by the government, the airline today is owned 25% by the government of Ireland and 29% by Ryan Air, with the balance owned by the public on the stock exchanges. It employs more than 4,000 people and is a member of the OneWorld Alliance. Its first chairman was Seán Ó hUadhaigh.Pending legislation for Government investment through a parent company, Aer Lingus was associated with Blackpool and West Coast Air Services which advanced the money for the first aircraft, and operated with Aer Lingus under the common title "Irish Sea Airways". The name Aer Lingus was proposed by Richard F O'Connor, who was County Cork Surveyor, as well as an aviation enthusiast.A DH.84 Dragon, repainted in the livery of Aer Lingus' original aircraft "Iolar". [...]

  • Spock of Star Trek Live Well and Prosper|STWink Eye

    Birth of a future Global Citizen On this Labor Day season in history, World Footprints host Tonya (Johnson) Fitzpatrick was born.  Having grown up as a "Trekkie", thanks to her late father, today also carries another special memory.   Live Well and Prosper Star Trek is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into various films, television series, video games, novels, and comic books. With an estimated $10.6 billion in revenue, it is one of the most recognizable and highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The franchise began with Star Trek: The Original Series, which debuted in the US on September 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons on NBC. It was first broadcast on September 6, 1966 on Canada's CTV network. It followed the voyages of the starship USS Enterprise, a space exploration vessel built by the United Federation of Planets in the 23rd century, on a mission "to explore [...]

  • Video photo of Nelson Mandela winning election.

    On this day in 1994, South Africa officially ended apartheid and elected Nelson Mandela in the country's first multiracial election.

  • Image of the French flag La Marseillaise

    On April 25th, 1792, Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed "La Marseillaise" the song destined to become the French national anthem. Rouget composed the song as a rallying cry as Prussian and Austrian armies marched on France. The song became the French national anthem on Bastille Day, 1795. However, Napoleon I banned it during his reign. It was re-instated in 1879.