When abroad, correctly greeting locals could be the difference between coming off as a clueless tourist and a well-traveled globetrotter. Don’t leave home before you know whether to shake, kiss, high five or bow upon meeting new friends on your tour. Do you know your French bise from your Kiwi nose-rubbing smooch?
Roughly $191 million in fireworks were imported into the United States from China in 2010. We’re willing to bet a majority of those pyrotechnics explode the eve of July 4th, celebrating America’s Independence. But before the skies light up in red, white and blue—the day is packed with parades, barbecues and well, just kicking back to enjoy a national day off. A short three days prior, Canada also celebrates its independence in a similar manner but with a slight twist in Québec. The fanfare is a little more toned down there because it’s also considered “moving day,” the date that’s historically been the end of most lease agreements! (Who can blame them—it’s tough to enjoy a day of unpacking boxes.) Around the world, most countries host a national party to mark their day of independence. (And some even have two such as Latvia, Belize and the Czech Republic.) Though fireworks are pretty common, here’s a look at how some cultures celebrate in unique ways.
You’ll never be short on monuments, museums and historical sites to visit in big east coast cities. But even for die-hard urbanites, it’s nice to go beyond the desktop Zen garden and be one with nature—even for a few hours. Here are some places in Washington DC, New York and Boston, where you’ll discover nature…the way urban planners intended….
Apparently, I’ve been walking by the ugliest building in the world almost every day on my way home from Explorica…
According to the folks over at virtualtourist.com, Boston City Hall is the ugliest building in the world.
Personally, I think that’s a little harsh. True, City Hall does somewhat resemble a temporarily docked interplanetary mothership, but, I dunno….
Maybe it’s the homer in me, but I think some of these other buildings are equally, if not more, atrocious.
That being said, Explorations is nothing if not democratic, so I’m leaving it up to you.
What do you guys think–is Boston’s City Hall the worst of the worst, or is there a better choice among virtualtourist’s list for the top spot?
Any particularly galling buildings or monuments that you think virtualtourist left out?
