The website NetCredit has used the advice from Goodreads users to compile a list of the most popular books set in each country around the world, proving the vast power of good literature. From epic romances to daring adventures, and even witty humor on remote islands. Here are 12 of the most famous books set in countries around the world. The Help United Staes of America Set in 1960’s Mississippi, Kathryn Stockett’s The Help became a smash hit as it revealed the interpersonal relationships between southern women and their black maids. The book remained on the NYT Bestsellers List…
Author: Keith Langston
Every nation has its legendary creature. Some walk on earth, others swim through our oceans, and some even soar into the night sky. But what connects them all is that they captivate the imagination and curiosity of people from around the globe…and sometimes, they can even be based on fact, rather than fiction. The Bili ape, for example, was thought to be a legend for decades. Locals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo claimed there were massive, human-sized apes in the Bili forest that could even hunt and kill lions. These apes weren’t caught on camera for the first…
Last year, residents of Key West voted to limit the amount of cruise ship activity in their port. According to The Miami Herald, “They capped the number of passengers that can disembark each day to 1,500, limited mooring to ships with a capacity of 1,300, and gave docking priorities to cruise lines with the best health and environmental records.” However, Florida’s government doesn’t like this. They see this as a loss of potential profits for the state. So, despite the fact that Republicans claim to hate big government, the Republican-controlled Florida House and Senate have drafted a bill that says…
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that by January 1, 2020, their entire fleet will ditch single-use plastic bottles. Norwegian is partnering with JUST, a packaged water company that was conceived by Jaden Smith and his family. JUST packages it’s water in a plant-based container that’s lined with “plastic” made out of sugarcane, thus eliminating standard oil-based plastic. The package is also made from 82% renewable material. This isn’t the first step Norwegian has taken to go green (or rather, blue.) Back in 2018, the cruise line removed all single-use plastic straws from its fleet, and so far has found the initiative…
Many travelers are wondering how to safely get back out into the world, so they can explore new destinations and revisit old favorites. One tour company, Tours By Locals, may have the answer. Tours By Locals enlists the help of reliable and knowledgeable locals to lead private tours. The company has guides in over 183 countries and thousands throughout North America alone. Better yet, with private, personalized tours, you can ensure your trip will be socially distanced. On top of this, the company also has their guides follow many safety procedures, such as wiping down all touchpoints of vehicles after…
Walking through the untamed wilderness is an invigorating and exciting adventure. However, the same can be said for a well maintained garden. Plants can be selected, arranged, and pruned into pure artwork. A botanical garden is both sophisticated and inspiring, while also giving you fresh air and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a day outside. Here are some of the best in the world! By Keith David Langston SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS Singapore may be known around the globe for its “Supertrees” and biodomes, but the city-state also has a beautiful collection of botanic gardens that are protected as a…
United Airlines has made clear that they want to encourage Americans to get vaccinated. To help build enthusiasm amongst the population to get the shot (currently, only 40% of Americans are fully vaccinated and the Mayo Clinic believes we need 80% to reach herd immunity) United Airlines is giving away free flights. And these aren’t just any free flights… they’re giving away 30 round-trip fares for two in any class of service to anywhere in the world that United flies to. On top of that, on July 1st, United will announce five randomly selected lucky MileagePlus members who have entered the sweepstakes for…
Many travelers are trying to be better global citizens. Gone are the days of craving that gated, all-inclusive resort awkwardly built in the middle of a Caribbean island that isolates you from the reality of the nation you’re in. Nowadays, travelers visit places to actually experience them, and they want to stay at hotels and resorts that give back to the planet. Fortunately for travelers, a new brand of hotels, resorts, and lodges have been certified as both eco-friendly and humanitarian by Beyond Green. To be a member of Beyond Green, properties must have sustainable practices, must be dedicated to…
Many travelers are looking for safe, fun places to visit during spring break 2021, whether that be through RVs, luxury yurts, or unique cabins. What better way to welcome the warmer spring weather than by vacationing in the heart of nature? Here are five awesome spring break destinations that are unique, exciting, and socially-distanced. Dry Tortugas National Park About 68 miles west of Key West lies a small archipelago of islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The islands are a snorkeler’s dream, and one even houses the historic Fort Jefferson, which was built back in the 1860s.…
If you need to take a break this winter, nobody can blame you. It’s been a rough year and we all deserve a vacation at this point. And luckily, many hotels and resorts around the nation are slashing pricing and offering some very exciting deals. Check out the list of hotels and resorts below and plan your next getaway now. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Lake Geneva is one of the midwest’s most famous vacation destinations. It’s close to Milwaukee and Chicago, making it a perfect day trip, and with a whole array of lodging options,…
Some would argue that few places on this planet beat Southeast Asia for its beauty, its culture, and its cuisines. Others would claim that no place could possibly top Southeast Asia (abbreviated by some as S.E.A). What everyone agrees upon is that this exciting part of the world is a must to experience. One of the most notable reasons why people love traveling to this region is the food. Hailed by many as the best in the world, the cuisines of Southeast Asia all have their unique touches, but they share the use of tropical herbs and produce, the mixing…
So, you travel the world. You get upgraded thanks to your airline miles, and you’re pretty sure you know the world like the back of your hand. Well, let’s put that to the test. How many of these 10 travel questions can you get right? Are you a travel genius? Let’s find out! (answers at the bottom of page) 1.) Budget airline Jetstar operates throughout nations like Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, and more, but it’s actually a subsidiary of which airline? A.) Singapore Airlines B.) Qantas C.) Malaysia Airlines D.) Cathay Pacific 2.) Before becoming…
In The Little Mermaid, Sebastian sings, “Just look at the world around you, right here on the ocean floor, such wonderful things surround you, what more is you lookin’ for?” And you know what, maybe he’s right. Why spend your vacations above ground when you can spend them under the sea? Here are some of the best underwater adventures North America has to offer, so hold your breath, dive in, and have fun! By Keith Langston Cenote Dos Ojos Cave Mexico Like a scene right out of the new 47 Meters Down movie, the Cenote Dos Ojos Cave in…
As the pandemic finally starts to come to an end, Americans are once again dreaming of future travel. The vacation rental website KOALA has released a study that lists the top-searched destinations on their website. They isolated search results originating from America to create their ranking of the top 10 destinations Americans plan to visit in the future. From tropical getaways to ancient islands, here are the places Americans are dreaming about. Iceland 189,100 searches It’s no wonder why Iceland made the Top 10 list. The island nation is an outdoors paradise, loaded with epic hiking trails, hot springs,…
Wednesday, November 25th became the busiest travel day since before the COVID-19 lockdowns in March. According to NBCNews, on Wednesday, 1.1 million travelers made their way through airports, the highest number since mid-March. March 16, 2020, saw 1.25 million passengers pass through airports before lockdown restrictions were placed around the country. In total, the week before Thanksgiving saw 6.7 million airport visitors, despite calls from health officials to not travel home for the holidays. The record is bittersweet. On one hand, it represents America’s undying need to travel, to see family, and to connect with loved ones. On the other, many…
The Italian island of Sicily is already planning its post-pandemic comeback. The popular travel destination, which is home to gorgeous beaches, incredible food, and numerous historical sites, is going to help pay traveler’s expenses if they visit sometime in 2020. While there is no official word yet from Italy as to when the nation will reopen, on May 4th the country is set to begin easing restrictions, paving the way for their initial reopening plan. Sicily is banking on the country being back to normal within a few a months and says that if you visit sometime in 2020 after lockdown ends,…
Vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough, Neapolitan – Ah yes, the classics. For the adventurous among us, there’s always new and exciting Ben and Jerry’s flavors to be savored and enjoyed, but what happens when Cherry Garcia is no longer thrilling enough? What happens when you want to live on the wild side…when you start craving something bizarre, unknown, and potentially even a little morbid? Well my friends, then you’ve stumbled upon the right list. I proudly present, the craziest ice cream flavors from around the world. By Keith David Langston CICADA Gather ’round everyone, and I shall tell you a little…
A new development firm, EQ Office, is in the final stages of its $500 million renovations of Chicago’s famous Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower. To celebrate, the company hired famed artist Olafur Eliasson to create a stunning piece of public art for the city. Eliasson’s creation, called Atmospheric wave wall, was inspired by Lake Michigan and Chicago’s famously unpredictable weather. The waves are made from curved tiles colored in blues, deep greens, and white. Reflections of the sun, clouds, and moon all make different shapes and patterns become more prominent, making the piece of art look different every…
The Biden administration has extended its transportation mask mandate (which applies to trains, airplanes, airports/stations, and inter-city busses) until May 3rd. Originally, the mandate was set to expire on April 18th. According to USA Today, the move comes as the US has seen an increase in COVID cases, mostly due to the new Omicron sub-variant, called BA.2. While the rising cases are nowhere near as bad as we’ve seen in the past, the administration wants to ensure that America is headed out of the pandemic, not towards another surge. CNBC quotes the CDC, stating, “Since early April, there have been increases…
The world is filled with beautiful, delicious, and even crazy plants. Some of these plants, however, are also deadly. One of the plants on our list could be located right in your backyard, and another could be on your dinner plate. From America, to Australia, to Argentina, deadly plants are everywhere. By: Keith David Langston DEADLY NIGHTSHADE Native to Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia Those little juicy berries sure do look delicious, don’t they? Unfortunately, many children playing in the woods think so. The nightshade, which is actually a relative to the potato, tomato, and eggplant, contains deadly tropane alkaloids. When…