Lifestyle

The surprisingly disgusting history of royal palaces

When we think of the royal dynasties in European history, we think of kings and queens with absolute power ruling over vast empires, living in unchecked luxury. Many of the palaces they built are still some of the most impressive architectural wonders in existence. From the French Palace of Versailles to London’s Kensington Palace, tourists walk the halls and marvel at the beauty and grandeur of these royal homes. However, these restored palaces leave out a few key details. When they were first built and actually hosted royal courts, they were worse than pigsties! Visitors of the Louvre Palace today are spared the harsh realities of centuries gone by: ungodly smells, rat infestations, and piles of human feces littering the floor. Do we have your attention? Click through the following gallery to find out what it was really like to live in a royal palace of the past.

The US states with the most million-dollar cities

Wealthy cities can be found all across the United States, particularly those where the average home is valued at US$1 million or more. According to Visual Capitalist, many states have a high number of these "million-dollar cities." This gallery will break down the number of such cities in each state and provide a deeper look into the state as a whole to see what makes it such a desirable place to live. Get ready to explore the 30 states that are home to the most expensive real estate markets in the country. Click through now to discover more.

The best (and worst) value travel destinations in 2024

It's hard to keep track of spending when you're away from home. However, now more than ever, travelers are being conscientious about how they allocate their hard-earned money. One of the ways to help make sure you don't blow the budget is to choose a destination that offers overall good value for what you pay for. In the United Kingdom, the Post Office Travel Money Holiday Spending Report survey has recently been released, providing insight into where holidaymakers feel they get the most bang for their buck while they're away from home. The survey looked at 28 destinations, ranking them in order of best to worst value. Curious? Click on to discover the locations where holidaymakers feel their money goes furthest, and where it doesn't.

How the Mid-Autumn Festival came to be: Think betrayal, immortality and secret messages

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — These days, fewer and fewer children walk around their neighbourhoods carrying lanterns in the s...

The best (and worst) airports in the world in 2024

While business class offers high-ranking services and amenities in the skies, airports themselves can be daunting environments. Managed by various entities and catering to a diverse clientele, these travel hubs very often prioritize functionality over comfort. To shed light on airport experiences, BusinessFinancing.co.uk conducted a comprehensive study of the best and worst airports around the world based on business travelers' reviews. Spoiler alert: the majority of the most poorly ranked airports are located in the US and the UK! Curious? Click on to discover the best and worst airports in the world.

Common cultural faux pas and how to avoid them when you're abroad

Navigating cultural differences can be a delicate dance, where one misstep can lead to embarrassment or offense. From improper table manners to inappropriate gestures, it's easy to commit many a social crime. But you can avoid this! Check out this informative gallery before you next travel, to find out the most common cultural faux pas and a few tips on how to avoid making them.

I Went Magnet Fishing Next To A Active Railway And Found Something Insane (Dangerous)

These are the 30 coolest streets in the world right now

What makes a street "cool?" Is it the number of restaurants, bars, cafés, and independent shops? Or is it just a general vibe, a friendly warmth that's hard to pin down? Apparently, it's a combination. Every year, Time Out ranks the best cities in the world. For 2024, it ranked the world's 30 coolest streets, but you might be surprised: they're unexpected spots! To produce the lineup, the global listings guide's network of editors and writers chipped in to make the case for their favorite streets in their respective cities. Click on to find out if you've ever strolled in one of them.

Found A VAPE PEN While Diving (River Treasure)

The most dangerous cities in Europe

Ah, Europe! History and culture that is steeped in fairy tales. The magnificent cities of Europe attract millions of eager tourists every year with the promise of a beautiful and safe trip into the magic it offers. However, be warned! Some of Europe's cities are not as safe as one might expect. In this gallery, we've ranked Europe's most dangerous cities according to their crime rates. These crime rates are calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population. The result is then multiplied by 100,000. It might surprise you to find some of your favorite cities on this list, but if they're there, there's good reason for it... Curious? Then click on!

Must-see hidden gems across the US

Are you in search of a peaceful getaway away from the crowds, or perhaps something a little different? The most obvious tourist destinations in the United States include Los Angeles, New York City, and the Grand Canyon, but if you look a little harder, there's so much more to be discovered. Although not as widely recognized, the destinations featured in this gallery are equally awe-inspiring. Click through and uncover these natural and man-made treasures just waiting to be explored.

Independence days around the world

Most countries on Earth, besides the most resilient of empires, have declared independence from a larger ruling faction at some point in time. In Europe, many countries gained independence through the dissolution of long-standing monarchies and empires. All around the world, nations that were subjected to decades if not centuries of colonial rule and oppression have fought for their liberation, freedom, and sovereignty. The French Revolution in particular, which took place at the end of the 18th century and freed France from monarchal rule, was seen as the blueprint for nearly every revolution that came after it. Let's look at other independence movements around the world and the holidays that celebrate them.

History's most impressive sea forts

Sea forts are fortified stone structures located in the ocean. They can be found in the shallows near the coast, or set further off the mainland in deeper water. Built mainly to defend the approaches to a city or estuary, most sea forts were constructed on natural or artificial islands and would have provided a formidable obstacle to an invading navy. Today, many of these unique sea defenses still stand. But where can you admire some truly impressive and historic examples? Click through and find out where waves meet walls.

Magnet Fishing In The World’s Most Disgusting Canals

Extraordinary desert experiences for adventurous travelers

The vast majesty of the desert has long captivated the most intrepid travelers. There are few natural environments that can inspire as much awe as the unique, unusual, and undeniably mystical desert landscape. From burnt red sands to bleached snow and temperate tableland, the world's deserts are diverse and home to an array of plant, animal, and mineral life. If you crave wide open spaces and destinations with a difference, you won't regret an adventurous desert expedition. Intrigued? Click on to explore these unforgettable desert experiences.

The biggest historical mysteries that will probably never get resolved

No matter how much we know about the past, there are still many historical mysteries that may never get resolved. From the date of Jesus' birth to Jack the Ripper's true identity, certain things have no explanation. This could be because relevant documentation or excavated items have been lost or destroyed. Other times, the evidence has been too vague to lead to any consensus. In the end, we might very well never find the answers, which makes these historical questions even more intriguing. Want to discover the world's biggest historical mysteries? Then check out the following gallery.

Mid-Autumn Festival is here, but what is it?

Celebrated primarily in East and Southeast Asia, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a tradition that dates back more than 3,000 years. Also known as the Moon Festival, it takes place when the moon is at its fullest, according to the lunar calendar, and is celebrated over three days. The festival is a time for families to reunite, give thanks for the harvest, pray for good fortune, and, of course, indulge in mooncakes! But what is the Mid-Autumn Festival really about? How did it all begin, and who celebrates it? Click through to find out the answers to these questions and more.

Exploring Sunken Yachts Gone Terribly Wrong (Remains Found)

'Surfing' through Sydney's attractions

This writer was among the 90,000 participants from all over the world who took part in City2Surf 2024.

Rare Sighting While Magnet Fishing

Space tourism: would you try it?

What once seemed like a science fiction fantasy is fast becoming a reality thanks to the Space Race of the 21st century—a battle among billionaires to be the first to offer commercial spaceflights to the average Joe (as long as he can pay for it!). But that's not all. Orbital hotels, luxury space cruises, and day trips to the moon are all under development in this new tourism sector. Discover a world where space travel is no longer a dream, but an emerging reality, opening a universe of extraordinary possibilities. Click through the gallery to see what the future of travel holds.

Scuba Diver Discovers Stolen Golf Cart Under Water- Vehicle Recovery Diving

Magnet Fishing At A Popular Boat Ramp

Top 10 fighter Aircraft of 1969

Which planes dominated the skies 50 years ago? Let’s take a look at the best

Fishing trip for two men leads to encounter with tiger

PETALING JAYA: A casual fishing outing for two men in Johor took a terrifying turn when they came face-to-face with a tiger. Read full story

5 Serene spots to escape the hustle and bustle of KL

Here are five locations where visitors can feast their eyes on lush greenery and stunning panoramas without the need to drive far, especially on weekends:

Scuba Diving Florida’s Most Dangerous Canal

The most expensive cities to live in this year (is yours on the list?)

Have you ever dreamed of packing a bag and starting over in the hustle and bustle of New York City? Or spending your golden years in the Hawaiian paradise of Honolulu? Sadly, these romantic daydreams are even further from reality than they once were (unless you happen to have won the lottery). The rental markets in these coveted cities have skyrocketed in recent years, contributing to cost-of-living crises breaking out across the globe. In 2024, it truly is a landlord's world. To calculate just how expensive it is to rent in each city, Numbeo has come up with the Cost of Rent Index. According to their website, "This index estimates the prices of renting apartments in a city compared to New York City. If the Rent Index is 80, it suggests that the average rental prices in that city are approximately 20% lower than those in New York City." For reference, the Point2 real estate agency estimates that an average NYC apartment goes for US$4,392 per month. In this gallery, you'll find the 30 cities that score highest on the Rent Index. Click through for a tour of the most eye-wateringly expensive rental markets in the world and find out what they have to offer!

I Took My 1500lbs Magnet To A Fishing dock (Unbelievable Finds)

Ecotourism gem to discover in Selangor

FLORA and fauna species never before seen on Gunung Nuang in Hulu Langat, Selangor, were discovered during a recent scientific expedition. Read full story

33 magnificently random things made by car makers

Hotels, missiles and an entire town...read on to find out more

Magnet Fishing A Loaded Bridge

Australia and Oceania: 15 beautiful, lesser known UNESCO World Heritage sites

Stolen Duffel Bag Found While Magnet Fishing (What’s Inside)

Magnet Fishing In Americas Most Disgusting Rivers

Why coral reefs are disappearing

Coral barrier reefs are notoriously beautiful due to their vibrant colors and majestic structures teeming with life. But while these important underwater havens provide a paradise for snorkelers and fishermen, they are actually disappearing rapidly. Indeed, scientists have estimated that 90% of coral reefs around the world are at risk of being completely wiped out by 2050. Intrigued? Click through the following gallery to see why coral reefs are dying, and what can be done to help.

Divers Find Stolen Safe Underwater (Jewelry Inside)

Gunung Nuang expedition an eye-opener for researchers

SPANNING five days, a recent expedition to Gunung Nuang, in Hulu Langat, Selangor, brought together 70 researchers from local universities to identify and record the diverse plant and animal life there. Read full story

What's behind most coffee shops looking the same?

The more things change, the more they stay the same it would seem. In an increasingly globalized world, a common style or aesthetic emerged in the 2010s that took the coffee shop world by storm. Perhaps it was an inevitable outcome of a combination of factors: the emerging world of social media presence and marketing, the millennial penchant for coffee, and a pared-back look that appeared somber in the face of the Great Recession. Whatever the reason, we are left with a legacy of coffee shops worldwide that look more or less the same. How did it happen? Click on the following gallery to find out.

I Went Magnet Fishing At A Secret Bridge (Hidden)

What are the laws of the sea?

For as long as humans have been around, the ocean has been a vast, uncharted frontier that has offered up an abundance of resources for the benefit of humanity. Between navigation and fishing, the world has exploited the high seas for centuries, but over time an invisible web of rules have been put in place to govern how explorers, traders, and nations are allowed to make use of this colossal area of the planet. The "laws of the sea" may sound like the stuff of pirate legends, but these laws shape everything from international trade routes to environmental preservation. As the modern world more frequently turns its eyes to the ocean's untapped resources, maritime law has become more vital than ever. Curious? Click through this gallery to find out what rules and regulations govern the high seas.

Diving In A FLOODED Parking Lot

Europe’s cleanest waters, ranked

Europe is known for its stunning landscapes and dense cluster of tourist destinations. It's truly an incredible place to travel. Some of the greatest European treasures are its bodies of water, many of which are known for being extremely clean and picturesque. This gallery will highlight Forbes’ list of Europe’s cleanest waters overall. So, whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a travel buff, or simply curious about Europe’s environmental successes, these rankings will offer insight into Europe’s cleanest bodies of water. Curious about which country has the cleanest waters? Click through now to explore further.

Things America does better than Europe

America: the land of the free and the home of the brave. While Europe has a lot of great things going for it, there are other areas where America takes the cake. It's not until traveling or living in Europe that Americans begin to realize how many everyday cultural and societal norms that are part of their lives are completely different abroad... Some for the worse, others for the better. Curious? Click on to learn the things America does better than Europe.

Magnet Fishing Gang Territory (Sketchy)

I Went Magnet Fishing Off A Bridge And Found An Old Antique

Diving Alligator Infested Waters For Hidden Treasure

Be a tourist in your own city and fall in love all over again

Picture the first time you set foot in a new city. Do the lights seem brighter? Does the charm of the buildings call to you? How does the air feel on your skin, and what smells do you embrace? The first time we experience a new place it can feel like constantly being on cloud nine—everything feels intensely beautiful and our souls are alive. However, as we stay in one place for an extended period of time, the luster can fade and it just becomes ‘home.’ Things we used to love may now be taken for granted. Fret not, though! There is hope to rekindle the spark with your once new city. Pretending to be a tourist in your own town can help open your eyes to things you might have been overlooking recently. Truly, it’s easy to fall in love all over again. Click through to see exactly what we mean.

I Went Diving At The River And Found Hidden Treasure (Cool Finds)

This is the weird story of an ancient statue put back together after a long history of bad luck