Every week (or so), I will post a new Fun Stuff article - so follow either my Instagram or Facebook feeds to get the updates.!!
These are unusual attractions, out-of-the-way places are either locations that I have visited, or discovered online, but I also encourage visitors to the website to send me their own interesting fun travel sights - and I will try to publish them here if you send an email.!!
James Cameron’s Classic Scene Actually Honours a Real Titanic Memorial.?
Everyone LOVES the, “I’m the King of the World” scene, with Jack and Rose standing on the bowof the Titanic.
But did you know, that it is most likely a reference to the Titanic Memorial in Washington D.C. erected in 1931?
You can find the memorial at the south end of Southwest Waterfront Park on the Washington Channel in Washington, DC.
French Wine Run - This is my kind of Marathon.!!
The Bordeaux’s Marathon du Médoc’s course is still a full 26.2 miles, but the difference is that it takes place in France’s Médoc region through scenic vineyards... BUT, runners are expected to drink 23 glasses of wine at some of the most famed vineyards - as well as enjoy local specialities such as oysters, foie gras, cheese, steak and ice-cream along the way. The event claims, “wine, sports, fun and health”, and participants must wear a crazy costume.
This event has run for 36 years and has become so popular that participation is now limited to 8,500 runners.
How Romantic is Juliet’s Balcony in Verona.??
This is another one of those fictional places that tourists LOVE to flock to.!!!
Visiting the small Piazza delle Erbe in the beautiful city of Verona - tourists pack into the courtyard to see “Juliet’s Balcony”, the very balcony where Juliet Capulet found her great love, Romeo Montague (or at least the guide love to rave about that). Sorry romantics, but Shakespeare’s play is about completely fictional characters, and this house has nothing to do with it.!!! Even the balcony is a 20th century addition to the building.
Still lovers make the pilgrimage to leave letters for Juliet (even inspiring a Hollywood movie to perpetuate the myth) - and to rub the right breast of a statue of Juliet, to give them good fortune in love...
Maybe that kind of travel works for you...(but personally, I like to search out REAL historical sites)
Stay in the Beatles - George Harrison’s Liverpool home - now an AirBnb
For many, a stay in George Harrison’s family home would be a dream come true.!!
Maybe even strumming your own guitar in the front room where the band had rehearsed in the early days of the Beatles. The AirBnb listing reads - “Beatles and George Harrison superfans - There is much in Liverpool to help you experience the Beatles, but nothing quite like this.”(I know someone who would LOVE this - Joe.!!)
Canada’s 100 km-wide Stretch of Sandy Desert
As a Canadian, I couldn’t believe that this dessert is actually in Northern Saskatchewan - Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park.
Quite unknown to most people, probably because it is a very isolated region, located along the southern shore of Lake Athabasca. It is only accessible by float plane, and visitors must check-in with conservation officers before visiting - guided tours by licensed outfitters are also available.
Dawson City's Sourtoe Cocktail with a Real Severed Human Toe.!!
Yukon local, Captain Dick Stevenson established the Sourtoe Cocktail Club in 1973 - the challenge was to take a shot of whiskey, (usually Yukon Jack) containing a mummified human toe.!
In what has become a time-honoured tradition in Dawson City, the club has over 100,000 members from all over the world. The most important rule: “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips have gotta touch the toe” - (but you can now choose any beverage).
(There have been 10 donated toes over the years - plus Captain Dick has now donated his OWN toes after his death in 2019)
King Tut’s New Billion Dollar Grand Egypt Museum
Looking out over the Great Pyramids of Giza, the new Grand Egypt Museum (GEM) will be the world’s largest archeological museum when completed.
The highlight, will be the first exhibition of the full tomb collection of King Tutankhamun. (with 50,000 artifacts that have never been displayed before). The spectacular 14 metre tall statue of Ramesses II, (about 3,200 years old) welcomes visitors at the entrance of the museum. (Note: the 2020 opening date has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the museum is now expected to open November 2022.)
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