14 of the most unique buildings in the world

You don’t hear about Central Florida very often, and when you do, chances are it has something to do with Walt Disney World. But just over an hour north of the famed resort complex is the mid-sized city of Ocala, a destination bursting with superlatives, including “America’s largest spring” and “horse capital of the world.”

While most American cities aren’t considered easy to navigate by foot, a recent study by travel insurance experts AllClear ranked one popular Southern city as the most walkable in the country. AllClear examined topographical information for more than 240 cities around the world, taking into account average elevation and range, and assigned each city a score — and ultimately, it was New Orleans that was named the most walkable city in the U.S. and the fourth most walkable city globally.

Europe dominates in a new ranking of the world’s most beautiful cities, filling nine of the top 10 spots.

Alaska Airlines was the most on-time carrier in North America in July in a month that saw mass flight delays due to the fallout from the CrowdStrike IT outage.

During the Olympics, I typically find myself cheering on the athletes from the comfort of my couch. I had always assumed seeing the Games in person was too expensive and logistically challenging.

Pantone is just like us, in the sense that they, too, are setting their intentions for the year — one filled with strength and energy. The Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, which the company describes as powerful and empowering. “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration… [It] revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint.” A year surrounded by joy and self-expression sounds like a year well spent to us.

At long last, August’s buzzed-above and powerful interstellar marvel is here. The Perseids, considered one of the brightest meteor showers of the year, could bring dozens upon dozens of shooting stars, and even vibrant fireballs, to our skies mid-month.  

Traveling not only comes with the actual monetary cost, but there are other costs to figure in when planning a vacation, and more and more, travelers are starting to consider the environmental impact of their travels. Whether through eco-tourism, choosing sustainable hotels, or just practicing more environmentally friendly practices, it’s at the forefront of many people’s minds. Transportation can be one of the most damaging environmental factors when traveling, whether by car, train, boat, or airplane. Trains are the most sustainable travel method, and boats are the worst, contrary to what most people believe.

Each year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reviews nominations for and selects new sites of “outstanding universal value” to its World Heritage List. This week, the organization announced 24 new UNESCO World Heritage sites for 2024, ranging from historic buildings and archeological areas to natural and cultural wonders.

By some measures, visiting China has never been easier.

South Korea’s tourism industry is experiencing a significant revival. The country welcomed 7.7 million foreign arrivals in the first half of the year, a 74% increase from the same period in 2023.

Jul 29, 2024 • 6 min read