Get Lost in These 5 Spellbinding Secret Gardens Around the World
By
Fiona Mokry
Read time: 4 minutes
November 2, 2023
Updated: November 2, 2023
Get Lost in These 5 Spellbinding Secret Gardens Around the World
Outdoors •November 2, 2023•Updated: November 2, 2023
By Fiona Mokry
Author
Fiona Mokry
Fiona has spent her career exploring the world and working in the travel industry, turning her lifelong passion into a profession. From planning custom trips to sharing stories as a travel writer for publications such as The Discoverer, she’s all about helping others experience the world in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Whether you want to walk along the majestic fjords of Norway, forge deep into Mexico’s rainforests, or climb one of the world’s tallest mountains, there are countless opportunities to get out and enjoy the beautiful bounty of nature. But what about the places few travelers have ever heard of? From a historic moss-covered temple in Kyoto, Japan, to the magnificent estate that inspired a famous novel, here are five of the world’s most enchanting secret gardens to discover on your travels.
British poet and surrealist Edward Frank Willis James was the mastermind behind this garden intertwining the natural and modern world in the depths of Mexico’s Sierra Madre mountains. Las Pozas requires some effort to reach but is more than worth the journey to leave the tourist track in the dust. Between 1949 and 1984, James spent millions on the creation of the garden’s emblematic concrete structures, which are now deeply rooted in the dense rainforest surrounding Xilitla.
Today, visitors to this garden and art museum can cross a bridge and pass a rushing river before entering the eccentric world of the writer — all 80 acres of its pristine wilderness, moss-covered sculptures, and whimsical structures with names like The House With a Roof Like a Whale, The Staircase to Heaven, and The House of Three Floors That Will In Fact Have Five or Four or Six. If you’re looking to travel to another dimension, this may be as close as it gets.
Hidden amid the grounds of Great Maytham Hall, this real-life garden inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett to write her classic novel A Secret Garden in 1911 (which was later adapted into a 1993 film). Burnett was the first tenant to live at the estate and discovered its walled garden filled with blossoming roses. Today, the garden is impeccably groomed with blooming displays of bluebells, daffodils, iris, and wisteria climbing the charming brick — along with the distinctive wrought-iron gate described in the book. The serene and secret setting has made this garden a sought-after wedding venue for couples around England.
As this is the northernmost botanical garden in the world, tourists only have a small window to visit this alpine garden before it disappears under a blanket of snow for much of the year. From late spring to early fall, you can find a carpet of cold-weather plants alongside tropical blooms clumped tightly together amongst rocky beds in northern Norway’s Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden. Follow the gravel trails that wrap around large rocks to find pockets of color — from Tibetan poppies to yellow cushion flowers, Falkland slippers, and many other plants from around the world. The bonus is undoubtedly the breathtaking views of the mountains and fjords surrounding this Arctic city from the garden’s elevated position.
The lush, expansive, and mysterious grounds of the Lost Gardens of Heligan date back to the 1800s and reached their prime at the end of the century. However, after World War I, the gardens fell into disarray, and it wasn’t until 1990 that these 200 acres were revived as one of Europe’s largest garden restoration projects.
A present-day walk through these lost gardens is a true treat for any nature lover, plant enthusiast, or even history buff — much of the brick wall and some of the structures are original. Sculptures, water features, ancient rhododendrons, flower and vegetable gardens, subtropical tree gardens, bamboo tunnels, and a suspended bridge are a few of the spectacular features you’ll find here.
As one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the moss garden at Kokedera Temple (also known as the Saiho-ji Temple or Moss Temple) isn’t so much a secret anymore. However, it certainly feels like you’ve found a special hidden place when you set eyes on the acres of glorious emerald carpets found here. The rolling terrain, wooden bridges, stone steps, and human-made islands are all covered in 120 varieties of moss. The serenity is sustained by the limited number of guests allowed to enter each day (pro tip: make a reservation in advance). Besides appreciating the pure tranquility of this temple, visitors can also partake in activities such as sutra writing, chanting, or sitting meditation.
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5 Interesting Presidential Birthplaces Any History Buff Should Visit
By
Jersey Griggs
Read time: 4 minutes
November 1, 2023
Updated: January 9, 2025
5 Interesting Presidential Birthplaces Any History Buff Should Visit
History •November 1, 2023•Updated: January 9, 2025
By Jersey Griggs
Author
Jersey Griggs
Jersey is a travel and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, Business Insider, and Bust. When she’s not exploring her adopted home state of Maine, she’s likely planning her next big trip.
As one of the most powerful people in the world, the President of the United States is a figure of fascination for many. Perhaps this is why so many seek out a visit to the various birthplaces of our nation’s 46 Presidents. Offering remarkable historical insights, they are places to honor, memorialize, and teach the public about the leaders who shaped the nation. From humble cabins to impressive estates, here are five presidential birthplaces that are well worth the visit.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument – Colonial Beach, Virginia
Located in the Northern Neck region of Virginia, this 550-acre park is where the nation’s first President was born in 1732. The former home of George Washington’s family for seven generations, the property — situated between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers — was turned into the George Washington Birthplace National Monument nearly 200 years after the first commander-in-chief was born.
When James Buchanan was born in 1791, Cove Gap was considered the unofficial gateway to the West. Located on the border of the Allegheny Mountains, the town was the final mercantile stop for westward settlers venturing into the unfamiliar Pennsylvania frontier. At the time, Buchanan’s father ran the town’s trading post, which was also home to cabins, a store, an orchard, and stables.
Today, it is the Buchanan Birthplace State Park, which covers 18.5 acres of forested mountains and the Buck Run, a river popular with trout anglers. The park’s 31-foot-tall pyramid marks the spot where Buchanan’s childhood cabin stood, the very same location where the 15th President came into this world.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site – New York, New York
Located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthplace was where the future 26th U.S. President spent most of his childhood days. Born in 1858, young Teddy suffered from nearsightedness, asthma, and frequent illness, which caused him to stay indoors for the first decade of his life. It wasn’t until the age of 12, two years before his family departed the New York brownstone, that his health turned for the better.
The building that now stands at 28 E. 20th St is a replica of the 26th President’s boyhood home, built by the Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association a few years after the President’s death in 1919. An adjacent museum was added, along with period furnishings that reflected the home as it was during Roosevelt’s youth. The National Historic Site is open for guided tours for the public to learn more about the President’s childhood, life, and career.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site – Brookline, Massachusetts
This two-story home at 83 Beals Street in the Boston suburb of Brookline was the birthplace of John F. Kennedy in 1917. JFK’s parents chose the home due to its favorable location, with proximity to a Catholic school, a neighborhood playground, and nearby retail stores at Coolidge Corner. At the time, they had no idea that the 35th U.S. President would be born in the home’s primary bedroom.
JFK had a brief tenure at 83 Beals, as the Kennedys moved out in 1920 in favor of a larger home in the same neighborhood. But fortunately, the house has since turned into a National Historic Site (although it is temporarily closed for renovations as of late 2023). Virtual tours of both the house and JFK’s boyhood neighborhood are available online.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park – Stonewall, Texas
This central Texas park is much more than the birthplace of Lyndon B. Johnson, the nation’s 36th President. Divided into two separate sections, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park covers the entirety of the President’s life, from birth to death.
The Johnson City District is dedicated to LBJ’s earlier years, including his birth in 1908, his boyhood home, and his grandparents’ log settlement. The LBJ Ranch District encompasses Johnson’s adult life and is the site of the “Texas White House,” LBJ’s private retreat during the height of his career. Visitors are permitted to tour the ranch and visit the Johnson family cemetery, where the President is buried a mere 14 miles from where he was born.
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15 of America’s Most Historic Covered Bridges You Should Cross
By
Daily Passport Team
Read time: 8 minutes
November 1, 2023
Updated: November 1, 2023
15 of America’s Most Historic Covered Bridges You Should Cross
Architecture •November 1, 2023•Updated: November 1, 2023
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
Covered bridges were all the rage in the 19th century. By the 1870s, there were over 10,000 of these beautiful bridges spanning rivers across America, with their thoughtfully designed covers protecting the bridges from the elements. Sadly, many covered bridges have been lost to time, weather, and neglect. Those which remain standing often convey a sense of romantic nostalgia, and they are carefully treasured by their local communities and the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. From coast to coast, here are 15 of the most beautiful and historic covered bridges in the country to check out on your next road trip.
Red Covered Bridge – Princeton, Illinois
The sign painted about the Red Covered Bridge in Princeton, Illinois, is a throwback to what life was like when it was built in 1863. It reads, “Five dollars fine for driving more than twelve horses, mules, or cattle at one time or for leading any beast faster than a walk on or across this bridge.” The Red Covered Bridge, located about two hours west of Chicago, is both the oldest and the longest covered bridge remaining in Illinois. It is also still open to traffic, though these days that means vehicles rather than mules or cattle. Made of wood and stone, it measures 149 feet in length and cost $3,000 to construct, equivalent to around $65,000 today.
Hyde Hall Covered Bridge – Cooperstown, New York
America’s oldest standing covered bridge is located in Glimmerglass State Park in Cooperstown, New York. The Hyde Hall Bridge was built in 1825 and crosses Shadow Brook at the northern end of Otsego Lake. It was originally built to provide access to a nearby mansion. The single-truss bridge has a span of 53 feet and follows a traditional design known as the Burr design. Hyde Hall Bridge has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1998 and is one of 33 remaining covered bridges in the state of New York.
Sachs Covered Bridge – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 213 covered bridges — more than any other state. Sachs Covered Bridge was built in 1852 to cross Marsh Creek, just outside of Gettysburg, and measures about 100 feet long. A little over a decade after its construction, its location meant it would serve as a shelter for both Confederate and Union troops during the pivotal three-day battle. In 1938, the Department of Highways named Sachs Bridge the state’s “most historic bridge.” In the past, the bridge was open to both vehicles and pedestrians; however, due to preservation efforts and concerns about its stability, it is now open only to pedestrians.
Colville Covered Bridge – Paris, Kentucky
The Colville Bridge, with its distinctive green and white stripes, is one of 13 covered bridges left in Kentucky. The 124-foot bridge was built from yellow poplar in 1877 to cross Hinkston Creek. In 1937, the bridge was raised to help protect it from flooding in the creek; however, record flooding 60 years later saw water levels rise several feet above the bridge’s decking, causing it to shift from the road. After careful repairs and renovations, it is once again open to vehicles. A popular site with local photographers, the Colville Bridge is believed to be haunted by multiple spirits.
Campbell’s Covered Bridge – Landrum, South Carolina
Campbell’s Bridge may be just 35 feet long, but as the only covered bridge still standing in South Carolina, it is something of a state treasure. Local builder Charles Irwin Willis constructed the bridge across Beaverdam Creek and named it for then-landowner Lafayette Campbell. The red wood-and-iron bridge was a valuable addition to the local community; trips which had once taken a day to complete could now be made in little more than an hour. Campbell’s Covered Bridge is now owned by Greenville County and is on public parkland, though it has been closed to car traffic since 1980.
Humpback Bridge – Covington, Virginia
Virginia’s Allegheny County is home to a 100-foot-long covered bridge that is notable for two reasons. Not only is it the state’s oldest, but it also boasts an unusual arched shape, with its center point several feet higher than either end. Before the aptly named Humpback Bridge stood here, there were three other ill-fated bridges at this spot on Dunlap Creek. The first two were washed away by floods, and the third collapsed.
Luckily, the fourth version, built in 1857, is still going strong, and its designers, who believed the arch shape would offer better protection from floods, were correct in their assessment. After a steel bridge was built nearby in 1929, traffic over the bridge was halted, and a local farmer used the bridge for storage. A local women’s group raised funds for its restoration in the 1950s, and the bridge opened to the public as part of a park.
Roseman Covered Bridge – Winterset, Iowa
The covered bridges of Iowa have become known worldwide thanks to Robert James Waller’s novel The Bridges of Madison County and the 1995 movie of the same name. Today, the famous county has six covered bridges remaining.
The most notable is the Roseman Covered Bridge, also known as the Oak Grove Bridge. Built in 1883, the bridge measures 225 feet long. As well as being associated with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, the eye-catching red bridge with gleaming white rails has a haunted reputation among locals. According to legend, the bridge’s name came from an 1892 chase involving a sheriff’s posse and a man who seemingly rose up straight through the roof of the bridge and disappeared into thin air.
Horton Covered Bridge – Amnicon Falls, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Amnicon Falls State Park is the site of Horton Covered Bridge, named for its designer Charles M. Horton. In 1897 and 1898, he patented designs for a bowstring bridge, which he argued was stronger, longer-lasting, and easier to erect than many existing bridge designs. The bridge that bears his name originally was part of a highway, but it was moved to the nearby state park in 1930. The roof, which was not a part of Horton’s original design, was added in 1939. The waterfalls that the bridge now overlook add an extra layer to its scenic charm.
Horton Mill Bridge – Oneonta, Alabama
Not to be confused with the previously mentioned bridge with a similar name in Wisconsin, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge is one of the highest covered bridges in the country, standing 70 feet above the Black Warrior River. It is one of three covered bridges in Alabama’s Blount County. The 203-foot-long bridge was built in 1934 and underwent restoration in 1974 and again in 2013. The bridge is named for Talmedge Horton, one of its builders and part of a local gristmilling family. Beautiful latticework adorns the sides of the bridge, allowing for dramatic views down into the river gorge.
Straddling the Doe River, the Elizabethton Covered Bridge debuted in 1882. Colonel Thomas Matson, who had come up with the idea for New York’s elevated railroad tracks, designed the bridge, which was hailed as an engineering feat at the time. It lived up to its reputation in 1901, when a flood destroyed all the county’s other bridges on the river. Located in Elizabethton’s downtown area, the bridge is now part of the city park, and a number of events are based around the landmark, including the Covered Bridge Days Festival in September. The locals are proud of the gleaming white bridge, and rightly so.
Felton Covered Bridge – Felton, California
The tallest covered bridge in the nation is the Felton Covered Bridge in California. Now part of a park in Santa Cruz County, the bridge is only open to pedestrians. Walking through it, you can look up to appreciate its 35-foot height and its intricate criss-cross roof design. The bridge was completed in 1893 and for years was the only route into the town of Felton. After it closed to vehicular traffic in 1937, it became a popular landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Harpersfield Covered Bridge – Ashtabula, Ohio
Built in 1868, the truss bridge in Harpersfield Township, Ohio, is one of only 16 in the U.S. that you can still drive a car across. At first glance, you might wonder why the covered wooden bridge only spans a portion of the Grand River. That’s because a severe flood in 1913 washed away a large chunk of land on one side of the bridge, leaving the 228-foot-long bridge open-ended. To reconnect it to the new riverbank, a steel span was attached. Additional renovations in the 1990s added a walkway.
Stark Bridge – Stark, New Hampshire
Unsurprisingly, covered bridges attract artists, photographers, and history enthusiasts. So when there was talk of replacing the bridge that spanned New Hampshire’s Upper Ammonoosuc River with a shiny new steel bridge in the 1950s, public outcry was so great that it convinced the people of Stark they had a landmark worth restoring.
The bridge had already experienced an eventful past. It was built in 1862 but washed away during floods in the 1890s. After the bridge was retrieved and put back in place, stronger stone foundations were installed. Further structural problems in the 1940s led to townspeople suggesting the replacement in the 1950s, but ultimately the state helped to fund restoration and repairs, and the bridge is now considered one of the prettiest in the country.
Goodpasture Bridge – Vida, Oregon
The Goodpasture Bridge, which extends 165 feet across the McKenzie River, is different from other wooden bridges due to one simple design feature: It has windows. Each side of the bridge features 10 Gothic-style louvered windows that lend the bridge a distinctive flair. Built in 1938 and named for a local farmer, Goodpasture is Oregon’s second-longest covered bridge. The state has resisted replacing it with a steel span, instead opting to invest in a $2 million overhaul and reinforcement that added LED lighting for spectacular night views. And at Christmas, the white bridge is decked out in an array of seasonal colors.
Cornish-Windsor Bridge – Cornish, New Hampshire and Windsor, Vermont
Connecting the two towns in its name, the Cornish-Windsor Bridge also links two states. Cornish is on one bank of the Connecticut River, in New Hampshire, while Windsor is on the other bank, in Vermont. When it was built in 1866, it became the fourth bridge to cross this particular spot after earlier crossings had washed away in floods. The state of New Hampshire purchased the bridge in 1935 and operated it for a period as a toll route.
During Vermont’s time as a dry state (meaning liquor sales were prohibited), the bridge was a convenient means for thirsty Vermonters to buy alcohol where it was still legal in New Hampshire. While that’s no longer an issue today, you’ll just need to remember to follow the advice at the entrance of the bridge: “Walk your horses or pay two dollars fine!”
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Architecture •November 1, 2023•Updated: November 1, 2023
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
For the quickest route to exploring the unique culture of a European city, head directly to the main square. Whether they call them squares, piazzas, praças, or plazas in the local language, these Old World spaces are usually anchored by a striking cathedral, palace, or civic building. Serving as the central hub of their cities, they have played host to countless celebrations, demonstrations, and coronations over the centuries. So, grab a bench or a café chair and get ready to take in the beauty of these five grand European city squares.
Marienplatz, the central square of Munich, wouldn’t belong anywhere else but Germany. For starters, it features a charming (and perhaps slightly quirky) 260-foot mechanical clock, Rathaus-Glockenspiel, whose 43 chimes and 32 spinning mannequins reenact scenes from Munich’s history.
Two massive city halls, one dating back to the early 1300s and a newer one from the 19th century, surround the square, both laden with heavy dollops of architectural ornamentation and topped by pointy towers. You’ll also find monuments to military history here, including a central column erected to mark the end of Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years War.
In December, a bustling Christmas market takes over Marienplatz, lit by twinkling lights, with mulled wine and hand-carved wooden Nativity scenes for sale. Marienplatz, though badly damaged by Allied bombs in World War II, has been shored up and restored to its ancient role as the cultural heart of Munich. Stop by for a bit of German history and, if you time your visit to coincide with the chiming of the Glockenspiel, a bit of twirling levity with your lesson.
Like Venice’s Piazza San Marco, Lisbon’s vast Praça do Comércio is meant to impress visitors arriving by boat, a fitting entrance for the capital of a seafaring nation. One end of the praça, or plaza,opens up to the River Tagus, and the other three sides of the square are lined by a uniform and striking array of 18th-century buildings painted a brilliant shade of yellow. The line of buildings on the side of the square opposite the river is broken by a white marble triumphal arch that leads into the Baixa neighborhood of Lisbon.
Many of the world’s notable city squares were established over centuries and contain buildings of contrasting architecture and vintage. However, the Praça do Comércio was built in the decade immediately after the 1755 earthquake that leveled most of Lisbon, so the square’s elegant symmetry was by design — a symbol of stability and enduring beauty for the citizens, as well as a message to the world that the city was again open for business. Even if you enter the square on foot rather than by boat, the expansive square’s balance and grandeur still impress.
Like the spindle on a great turntable, Nelson’s Column stands serenely in the center of Trafalgar Square while noisy London spins around it. Indeed, since 1290, this spot has been so central to the English that distances to and from the city have been measured from Trafalgar Square, or Charing Cross, as it was called at the time.
Back then, the site was a walled courtyard, part of Whitehall Palace, but architect John Nash envisioned a public gathering space for the site and began work on his plan in 1812. Trafalgar Square was finally completed in 1844, a year after the 169-foot-tall memorial to the war hero Lord Nelson was erected.
The lively square, still a regular gathering place for ceremonies, celebrations, and political demonstrations, is flanked by the National Gallery, St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, and the Mall — a wide, tree-lined, red-paved boulevard that leads to Buckingham Palace. Other public works in Trafalgar Square include fountains and more statues, as well as the Fourth Plinth, an elevated site where a rotating display of artists’ sculptures are mounted. At the northeast end of the square near the National Gallery, look for the bronze plaques that were mounted in the pavement and walls which depict the Standard Imperial Measures, replacing wooden predecessors that burned in an 1834 fire in Westminster.
Praza del Obradoiro – Santiago de Compostela, Spain
The great cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Spain’s northwest Galicia region, is thought to hold the remains of the apostle James and marks the end of the nearly-500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. The broad square in front of the cathedral, the Praza del Obradoiro (praza is the Galician version of the Spanish plaza), is therefore often filled with groups of hikers, standing, sitting, and reclining with their backpacks and recovering from their journey.
Another of the grand buildings that make up the sides of the square is the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos. Now a luxury hotel, it was originally built by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the 15th century to serve as a hospital and hostel for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.
Flanking the other sides of the square are the Colexio de San Xerome, a university that dates back to 1501, and a governmental palace that is now the town hall. The elegant buildings along the praza are serenely uniform in the color of their stonework, but each facade represents a different architectural style, which makes a survey from the center of the square a delight for visually-minded visitors.
This grand and photogenic piazza was purpose-built for crowds in 1656 at the behest of Pope Alexander VII, who wanted to return Rome to its ancient role as one of the great cities of the world. Either end of the elliptical piazza is framed by two semicircular colonnades designed by Bernini, the sculptor and architect responsible for many works at the Vatican. The center of the ellipse is marked by an Egyptian obelisk, flanked on either side by a pair of stately fountains.
Most days, tourists pass through the square on their way to visit the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter’s Basilica, but on Sundays, they gather here after noon to hear the Pope give his weekly address to the faithful from a balcony in his apartments. (Occasionally, he says mass from a balcony at the top of the basilica.) If you can’t catch a glimpse of His Holiness, maybe the sight of 140 saints, popes, and martyrs perched atop Bernini’s colonnades (in marble form) can lift your spirits heavenward.
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Have You Been to These 6 Rarely Visited Countries?
By
Daily Passport Team
Read time: 6 minutes
November 1, 2023
Updated: November 1, 2023
Have You Been to These 6 Rarely Visited Countries?
Culture •November 1, 2023•Updated: November 1, 2023
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
Consider yourself a seasoned traveler? Already checked iconic landmarks like Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, and Machu Picchu off your list? Though the number of truly off-the-beaten path places to visit is dwindling as global tourism booms, there are a handful of countries where you can still immerse yourself in local culture without hordes of other tourists. From a hard-to-pronounce European microstate to an exotic South Pacific kingdom, here are six magical — and rarely visited — countries you should consider visiting.
Liechtenstein, a tiny German-speaking country nestled between Austria and Switzerland, is doubly landlocked. In other words, it’s a landlocked nation surrounded by landlocked nations — and it’s one of only two in the world, along with Uzbekistan. But don’t let the lack of beaches (or airports) keep you away — Liechtenstein’s alpine terrain, medieval architecture, and fairytale vistas are an epic draw.
As are its historic castles and fortresses. Dating from the 12th century, the striking Vaduz Castle overlooks the capital of Vaduz and houses the royal family. Visitors can’t tour the fortress, but the famous Burg Guternberg (Gutenberg Castle) in the charming town of Balzers is open to the public, who wish to explore the beautiful rose gardens and medieval castle’s interior.
The majestic Central Alps stretch across about half of Liechtenstein, making mountain activities a high point of any visit. Winter offers world-class skiing without the crowds, while warmer weather makes for incredible hiking and biking — not to mention an opportunity to explore the country’s hillside wineries.
Travelers seeking a secluded escape — or a great glass of wine — should consider Moldova. Located between the Ukraine and Romania, this small, landlocked country offers a budget getaway amidst rolling, green pastures and picturesque vineyards.
Wine is a huge part of the country’s heritage — with a host of hyper-local and more well-known European varietals produced in the region for at least 5,000 years. In fact, the world’s largest wine collection is in Moldova. Located at Mileștii Mici vineyard outside the capital of Chișinău, the property’s labyrinth of underground storage tunnels house over 1.5 million bottles. Touring the site and visiting the tasting room are a must.
The official language of Moldova is Romanian, but Russian is also widely spoken. You’ll hear a mix of both in Chișinău, which features elegant, Old World European and stark, Brutalist-style Soviet architecture amid manicured parks, lively wine bars, and several museums. Just outside of town is Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei), a historical and archeological complex featuring a series of ancient caves and a monastery dating from the 13th century. The site is an ongoing archaeological dig and is considered one of the country’s most important historical locations.
An easy flight from New Zealand or Australia, New Caledonia is an archipelago and French territory in the Pacific Ocean. Best known for its picture-perfect, white sand beaches and its diverse marine life, New Caledonia famously attracts scuba divers and snorkelers who come to explore inlets and lagoons that are alive with sea turtles, dozens of species of shark, and the dugong — a marine mammal closely related to the manatee.
Meanwhile, one of the world’s largest barrier reef systems surrounds the main island of Grand Terre. The Natural Park of the Coral Sea, the world’s second-largest marine preserve home to colorful coral and fish, encompasses 95% of the waters surrounding New Caledonia.
A visit to the capital of Nouméa is a must. In addition to high-end boutiques, you’ll find a plethora of French bistros and seafood restaurants, wine bars, and gourmet markets selling imported French cheeses and other delicacies. Another popular stop is the Isle of Pines, a striking island famous for its towering evergreens that juxtapose otherworldly turquoise waters. Romantics will want to fly over the Heart of Voh. Only visible from the sky above, this heart-shaped swamp within a mangrove forest is a breathtaking natural phenomenon.
A tiny nation on the island of Borneo — Brunei is one of the least-visited countries in the world. Nature lovers seek out the small sultanate for its virgin rainforests. While other territories on the island have cleared much of their forested land, Brunei boasts lush jungle habitat including the massive Ulu Temburong National Park. Covering more than 120,000 acres, the park is accessible via longboat ferry and offers guided jungle trekking, canopy walks, and swimming in natural pools. That said, only 1% of this massive, unspoiled forest is accessible to visitors.
Architecture buffs will also enjoy a trip to Brunei since the country offers some of the most beautiful Islamic architecture in the world. The capital of Bandar Seri Begawan is home to the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, which features 29 golden domes. Additionally, strolls through the city’s squares and open markets, which buzz in the shadows of the opulent royal palace of Istana Nurul Iman, are a must visit. As is the floating village of Kampong Ayer. Foodies will revel in the country’s signature fried rice and noodle dishes that fuse the flavors of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
A necklace of Caribbean islands adjacent to Saint Lucia, Barbados, and Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has only had an international airport since 2017. And still, many visitors arrive to these tropical islands via sailboat, private yacht, or ferry.
More affordable ports of call include Union, Bequia, and Mayreau, but high rollers tend to stay at exclusive resorts in Canouan or on the privately-owned island of Mustique. Wherever you end up, you’ll enjoy pearl-colored or black-sand volcanic beaches, pristine aqua waters, abundant ocean life, and plenty of local rum punch.
Saint Vincent is the main island in this Anglo-Caribbean chain of 32 islands. The total landmass of all the islands is only about 150 square miles, and many individual islands are uninhabited and unspoiled. It’s no surprise, then, that most visitors (when not soaking up sun on the beach) spend their vacation days here sailing, fishing, diving, and snorkeling. Fun fact: This tropical paradise is also the backdrop for the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise.
The Kingdom of Tonga, a nation of over 170 islands in the South Pacific, might be best known for its uncrowded beaches and warm hospitality. Together, these characteristics ensure an authentic island experience.
To get a true taste of Tongan culture, participating in a Tongan feast is a must. These luau-like gatherings include traditional dances and ritual performances. And then there’s the food itself: dishes served on trays made from coconut fronds, including spit-roasted pig, raw fish cured in lemon juice and coconut milk, steamed octopus and seafood, and local fruits and vegetables such as breadfruit, plantains, cassava, and taro.
Beyond feasting, the islands offer incredible beaches and inlets for relaxing and exploring. Look for flying foxes and abundant marine life. From July through October, it’s even possible to swim in waters crowded with migrating humpback whales. Portions of the coastline, especially on the island of Tongatapu, feature stunning eruptions of seawater exploding from hollow channels of craggy lava rock. These formations were established over thousands of years due to volcanic activity.
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Culture •November 1, 2023•Updated: November 15, 2023
By Bradley O'Neill
An estimated 4.3 billion people — over 55% of the world’s population — reside in urban settings, and that number is expected to double in size by 2050. A metropolitan area is defined as a major city and its surrounding suburbs, plus any nearby towns and cities that are directly influenced by the major city in an economic and social fashion. Below, discover the top eight largest metro areas by population on the planet.
Sprawling inland from the Gulf of Guinea, the Lagos metropolitan area is the largest urban region in Africa. It is part of the Lagos state, which covers over 1,300 square miles and includes the four administrative divisions of Ikeja, Ikorodu, Epe, and Badagry. Once the capital of Nigeria until it was moved to Abuja in 1991, Lagos is a major center for culture and education, home to institutions such as the University of Lagos and Nigerian National Museum.
The geography of Lagos, a bustling port and Nigeria’s largest city, is characterized by a system of islands and lagoons connected to the mainland by bridges. By the 15th century, a large community of Yoruba fisherpeople had settled on Lagos Island. Today, Lagos is not only the Yoruba peoples’ most important city but also a melting pot of many other cultures.
With the city of São Paulo at its core, Greater São Paulo encompasses over 3,000 square miles of municipalities and other major cities such as Guarulhos. A financial and economic powerhouse, the area is home to Brazil’s largest employment base. One of the prime factors leading to São Paulo’s economic dominance was the rise of coffee exports and industrialization in the late 1800s.
Toward the south of the metro area, the ABC Region, incorporating the municipalities of Santo André and São Bernardo do Campo, is home to major industrial and car manufacturing corporations. Famed for its vibrant food and arts scene, São Paulo features modern skyscrapers that rise above historic neighborhoods and traffic-filled streets.
Officially called the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico, Greater Mexico City is the conurbation that wraps around Mexico City, the capital of Mexico located at 7,350 feet above sea level. It incorporates three states: the state of Mexico (aka EdoMex), Morelos, and Hidalgo. EdoMex, which borders Mexico City on all three sides, gets its original name, Mexico, from the Mexica peoples who were banished from the city by the Spanish.
Mexico City itself was built on the site of Tenochtitlan, the capital of Aztec Empire, which flourished in the area from around 1300 until the Spanish conquered it in 1521. Alongside archaeological sites such as the Templo Mayor are more modern culture treasures such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a vibrant street food scene, and lush urban parks.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) forms a significant part of India’s economic and cultural landscape. Occupying around 2,450 square miles, it includes the city of Mumbai and several important districts in the state of Maharashtra, including Thane and Navi Mumbai. Also within the region are over a thousand traditional villages.
Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) is the embodiment of old-meets-new. Here, sacred Hindu monuments like Shree Siddhivinayak Temple contrast with the glitzy skyscrapers of Bandra West. Mumbai is known for being the center of Bollywood filmmaking, for its love of cricket, and for its bustling markets. To the west, Navi Mumbai is among the world’s largest planned cities. It was built in the 1970s to ease population congestion in Mumbai proper.
Occupying much of the northwestern part of South Korea, the Seoul Metropolitan Area is the economic, political, and cultural center of the country. This rapidly developing area accounts for almost 12% of South Korea’s land area. It includes the administrative districts of Seoul Special City, Incheon Metropolitan City, and Gyeonggi-do. As of 2021, 28 of the nation’s 77 cities were located within the metropolitan area’s boundaries.
India’s National Capital Region is the country’s most populous metropolitan area. Situated in northern India, it comprises the National Capital Territory of Delhi and 20 districts scattered around the neighboring states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
The region’s most important city is Delhi, which is itself split into Old Delhi and New Delhi, and home to over 11 million of the region’s nearly 30 million inhabitants. It serves as India’s capital and seat of government. Defined by a diverse and fast-paced lifestyle, Delhi is home to iconic sites like Chandni Chowk bazaar, the Red Fort, and Jama Masjid.
Centered on Indonesia’s vibrant capital of Jakarta, the Greater Jakarta area is made up of five cities and three regions. It’s often referred to as Jabodetabek, which is a portmanteau that uses the first two letters of the cities of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.
Jakarta itself is home to 10 million residents and exhibits a fascinating blend of traditional and contemporary culture. The city’s Dutch-built Kota Tua (Old Town), energetic Glodok (Chinatown), and Sunda Kelapa port contrast with the glitzy Grand Indonesia Mall and modern Museum MACAN. Yet despite Jakarta’s cultural and historical significance, there are plans to build a new capital city called Nusantara on the eastern side of the island of Borneo.
The world’s most populous metropolitan area is home to roughly 30% of Japan’s entire population. Located on the island of Honshu, itself one of the world’s most populous islands, the metro area it features not only the city of Tokyo, Japan’s capital, but also its encompassing prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, and Yamanashi.
Throughout the region, modern infrastructure rubs shoulders with ancient buildings, all while being enveloped by striking natural beauty. In Tokyo, it’s common to look out at neon-lit skyscrapers, nearby age-old temples like Meiji Shinto Shrine, and Mount Fuji in the distance. Tochigi dazzles with volcanic scenery and Nikko National Park, while Yamanashi is considered the gateway to Mount Fuji. The area also includes the Izu and Ogasawara islands, the latter a playground for beachcombing, hiking, and wildlife watching.
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Want a New Apple Watch for Your Next Trip? We Have You Covered
By
Daily Passport Team
Read time: 1 minutes
November 1, 2023
Updated: November 1, 2023
Want a New Apple Watch for Your Next Trip? We Have You Covered
Outdoors •November 1, 2023•Updated: November 1, 2023
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
Turn your next trip into a breeze with the latest Apple Watch, which makes it easier to navigate the globe than ever before. Leave your phone in your pocket and use the Apple Watch to quickly find what you need — whether that’s flashing your boarding pass at the airport, pulling up directions when you’re navigating a new city, or monitoring your health as you’re out there exploring our fascinating world.
What’s Included?
Valued at $429, the Apple Watch Series 9 GPS includes a 45mm Midnight Aluminum Case and a Midnight Sport Band. As a loyal Daily Passport reader, you have the opportunity to win one of the year’s hottest travel gadgets — click the link below to enter, and good luck!
Architecture •October 26, 2023•Updated: October 26, 2023
By Julia Hammond
Author
Julia Hammond
Julia is a U.K.-based travel writer whose work has been featured in The Independent, The Telegraph, The New Zealand Herald, and Culture Trip, among others. She’s an enthusiastic advocate for independent travel and a passionate geographer who has had the privilege of traveling to more than 130 countries in search of a story.
The U.S. is home to a fascinating array of architectural styles and landmark buildings. Some represent foundational moments in the country’s history, while others reflect the nation’s ever-forward thinking, using technology and construction methods to create structures that were previously thought to be impossible to build. From the birthplace of the skyscraper to the center of historic Puebloan adobe architecture, these six U.S. cities should be on any architectural buff’s travel bucket list.
The world’s first first modern skyscraper debuted in 1885 on the corner of Adams and LaSalle Streets in downtown Chicago. Just as you’ll find in New York City, the jumble of glass and steel of the Loop’s high rises reflects a continuing love affair with these supertall buildings. Some of Chicago’s most famous skyscrapers include the 1,450-foot tall Willis Tower — the tallest in the city and the tallest in the world from 1973 to 1998 — and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. Completed in 1922, the latter incorporates pieces from some of the world’s most famous structures, including the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China, into its striking facade.
Yet, when it comes to architecture, this Midwestern city is no one-trick pony. Architecture buffs should also make their way to Chicago’s southern suburbs to explore the Pullman National Historic Park. This 19th-century planned development was the brainchild of railroad magnate George Pullman, who dreamt of an industrial utopia where his workers could live in comfortable conditions within walking distance of their jobs at the Pullman Palace Car Works. Later designated the first national park unit in the city of Chicago, the community is a noteworthy example of planned urban design and historic architecture.
Construction in San Francisco accelerated as a result of the influx of residents during the California Gold Rush, which began in 1848, and was temporarily halted by the Great Earthquake of 1906. The most flamboyant of the Victorian- and Edwardian-era buildings from this period were built in the Queen Anne style and date from 1880 to 1900. These magnificent homes feature an asymmetrical facade, pedimented porches, gabled roofs, balconies, and ornate architectural details such as spindles and fretwork.
The Painted Ladies of Steiner Street, lining the eastern edge of Alamo Square Park, are perhaps San Francisco’s most famous Queen Anne buildings. Developer Matthew Kavanaugh built these homes between 1892 and 1896. Their pretty pastel paintwork echoes the color palette of Miami’s tropical-inspired Art Deco buildings, and as with Florida’s South Beach, they’ve since become one of the most photographed spots in the city.
The Big Easy’s varied neighborhoods are a treasure trove of historic architecture, from the wrought iron balconies of the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) to the stately homes of St. Charles Avenue. The Faubourg Marigny district in New Orleans was laid out at the beginning of the 19th century on plantation land owned by Bernard Philippe Xavier de Marigny de Mandeville. The neighborhood’s trapezoid shape accommodates a meander in the Mississippi River, and its historic streets offer up a melting pot of architectural influences, from French to Spanish and Creole styles.
Here, you’ll find colorful shotgun houses and shuttered Creole cottages alongside two-story buildings adorned with wrought iron balconies and galleries. (There’s a difference: Balconies are designed to be self-supporting, while galleries are propped up on poles.) Examples of Greek, Italianate, and Craftsmen architecture are also found in the neighborhood, which has a bohemian and lively feel, particularly on Frenchmen Street.
Architecture buffs can step back in time to the late 17th and early 18th centuries as they explore Boston, one of America’s oldest cities. The oldest building in downtown Boston is the Paul Revere House, constructed around 1680. Nearby, you’ll see the Old Massachusetts State House (built in 1713); the Old Corner Bookstore, Boston’s oldest commercial building (erected in 1718); and Faneuil Hall (dating to 1742), named for the wealthy merchant who gifted it to the city on its completion. They are all stops on the city’s 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail, a must for any visitor.
However, Boston’s reputation extends far beyond those early days. For instance, the Brutalist-style Boston City Hall and Paul Rudolph’s Lindemann Center each make a bold statement, while landmarks from famed architects Frank Gehry (the Stata Center) and Eero Saarinen (Kresge Auditorium) in nearby Cambridge confront, challenge, and cheer in equal measure.
Santa Fe boasts some of the most eye-catching architecture in the U.S. This historic New Mexico city, also one of America’s oldest settlements, is proud of its long heritage and celebrates it with the conservation of the adobe buildings built by the region’s Indigenous Puebloans as early as 800 CE.
The Puebloans layered adobe onto a basic wooden framework of vigas and latillas, and the Spanish later adapted the technique in the 16th century by filling wooden molds to make brick and then spreading a thin layer of adobe over the rough walls to retain the smooth, rounded finish that we still admire today. Features such as covered porches (portales), arches set within interior walls (nichos) and kiva fireplaces also originated during this period. Be sure to seek out landmark buildings such as La Fonda on the Plaza, San Miguel Chapel, and the Palace of the Governors as you stroll around.
The Emerald City’s architecture offers an enchanting mix of past and present, from the historic Pike Place Market to the modern and striking glass exterior of the Seattle Central Library. But if there’s one reason for architecture lovers to pay a visit to Seattle, it’s to ascend the Space Needle. And surprisingly, this iconic tower started out as a doodle scribbled on a napkin. The man who drew it, Edward E. Carlson, was a key player in the preparations for the world’s fair that the city was due to host in 1962. This would be its centerpiece, but its legacy would be as an enduring fixture of the Seattle skyline.
Architects John Graham and Victor Steinbrueck each refined the idea for the Space Needle, giving it a waist and a flying saucer-shaped top. The construction process was also impressive, involving the largest continuous concrete pour that had ever taken place in the western U.S. Around 2.65 million visitors came to admire it during the Century 21 Exposition, with many millions more to follow. After an ambitious recent facelift, the upper observation deck now connects to a revolving glass floor below, the first of its kind in the world.
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Beyond Halloween: 6 Fascinating Traditions in Other Countries
By
Daily Passport Team
Read time: 6 minutes
October 26, 2023
Updated: October 21, 2025
Beyond Halloween: 6 Fascinating Traditions in Other Countries
Culture •October 26, 2023•Updated: October 21, 2025
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
Dressing up in costume and trick-or-treating may be the most popular way to celebrate Halloween in the United States, but traditions during this time of year take on many forms in different cultures. While the holiday itself is less commonly celebrated across the globe, many nations stage their own similar festivals that occur on or around October 31. From ringing in the harvest to honoring those who have passed away, get into the Halloween spirit with these six fascinating local fêtes from around the world.
The holiday we know today as Halloween has roots in Samhain. This pagan religious festival was first observed by the ancient Celtic peoples who occupied modern-day Ireland thousands of years ago. Samhain, which begins on October 31 and lasts until sunset on November 1, marks the end of the harvest season, when celebrants gather to usher in the dark half of the year. Revelers believe that barriers between the physical and spirit worlds break down on Samhain, thus allowing for closer interaction between the living and the dead.
Though it’s not observed as widely today, Samhain remains popular in Ireland. Celebrants gather to pay their respects to the departed with bonfires and sacrifices, and people nail special crosses above their doors to ward off bad luck in the coming year. A Samhain tradition known as mumming — an early precursor to trick-or-treating — dates to ancient times, when Celts wore animal skins to scare off phantoms. This inspired children to dress up in costume, go door-to-door singing songs, and receive cakes as payment.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Latin America during the first two days of November. The celebration coincides with All Saints’ Day on November 1 — a day to honor the souls of departed children — and All Souls’ Day on November 2, which pays homage to dearly departed adults. Day of the Dead is full of rich symbolism, as many homes adorn celebratory altars with skulls, flowers, and other decorations.
Some of the more popular symbolic items include skulls made of sugar, meringue powder, and water. They are meant to honor the departed, with the sugar representing the sweetness of life. Bright orange marigolds, known as the “flower of the dead,” are thought to help guide souls back home to visit. Colorful perforated paper often hangs from the ceiling representing the fragility of life, and photos of deceased relatives are prominently displayed. There’s also pan de muerto (bread of the dead), an important and delicious part of the festivities that’s typically sweet and lightly flavored with orange blossom and anise.
On November 1 and 2, Haiti celebrates Fèt Gede, a festival that also pays respects to departed loved ones. The event is marked by parades with revelers dressed up as spirits known as gede. Voodoo practitioners are said to contact the dead in the days leading up to the holiday in order to transform them into the costumed gede seen along the parade route. Participants often wear white and purple outfits, though are careful to avoid the color red which indicates responsibility for someone’s death.
Papa Gede is a particularly important figure on this holiday. Known for smoking cigars, he wears a top hat and often dons sunglasses with only one lens, suggesting his ability to see into both the physical and spiritual worlds. The largest celebration of Fèt Gede takes place in the Grand Cemetery of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince. The festival typically features spicy local fare and strong alcoholic beverages.
Pangangaluluwa is the Tagalog term for a practice known as “souling.” On the nights leading up to October 31, this Philippine tradition sees both adults and children travel throughout local neighborhoods pretending to be lost souls that are stuck in purgatory. Pangangaluluwa first became popular throughout the early 1900s, and though it’s less frequently celebrated today, it remains an important tradition in many Philippine villages.
People who partake in “souling” often sing songs in search of a local rice cake called biko. This traditional dessert features a combination of glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar. Indigenous Filippinos believe rice symbolically connects the living and the dead, hence the importance of biko on this holiday. A common tradition on the holiday is for celebrants to wrap it in a banana leaf and then lower the treat from a window down to the “lost souls” below.
Ognissanti is an Italian tradition dating back to the fourth century CE. It is celebrated on November 1, otherwise known as All Saints’ Day. The feast of Ognissanti honors those departed saints, though celebrations differ depending on the region. In Sicily, the dead are believed to appear on the night of November 1 and bring candy to well-behaved children. In Sardinia, children travel from house to house and ask for an offering from the departed, while in Rome, people eat meals near the graves of long lost relatives.
An important culinary element of Ognissanti are cookies shaped like fava beans that are known as fave dei morti (fava beans of the dead). In many Mediterranean cultures, beans have long been associated with the afterlife, and in ancient Rome, they were offered as gifts to Hades, god of the underworld. Today, chefs create tasty cookies in the shape of beans to keep this tradition alive, and children roam the streets in search of this sweet treat.
Spain’s three-day Halloween celebration kicks off with Día de las Brujas (Day of the Witches) on October 31. Different regions of Spain celebrate this holiday in a variety of ways. In Malaga, locals dress up as zombies and trudge through the city “hunting brains,” whereas in Galicia, people carve pumpkins and have bonfires while drinking a special alcoholic beverage called queimada. Invented in the 1950s, the drink combines brandy, sugar, coffee beans, and lemon zest — and it’s sometimes straight drunk out of a pumpkin.
On November 1, the Spanish celebrate Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day), which honors the Virgin Mary and other Catholic saints. On this day, it’s traditional to witness a performance of Don Juan Tenorio, a play about the romantic character Don Juan. Celebrants also consume huesos de santo (saint’s bones), a sweet treat made from marzipan and sweetened egg yolk. The country’s three-day celebration culminates on November 2 with Spain’s own version of Día de los Muertos, during which people visit the graves of the deceased and lay flowers at their gravestones.
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Culture •October 26, 2023•Updated: December 20, 2024
By Bradley O'Neill
Since the invention of the first steam locomotive in 1804, trains have played an important role in global transportation, helping to transport millions of people and millions of tons of cargo on a daily basis. Railway terminals are where they all intersect. Some comprise simple platforms and ticket offices, while others are sprawling modern concourses home to dozens of shops and restaurants. If you happen to thrive on the energetic and organized chaos associated with busy transport hubs, check out 15 of the busiest train stations around the world below, based on the latest available passenger traffic estimates from 2023 to 2024.
15. Flinders Street Station – Melbourne, Australia
Situated in Melbourne’s bustling Central Business District, Flinders Street Station is the busiest and oldest railway terminal in Australia. With around 110,000 passengers and 1,500 trains passing through every day, Flinders is also the busiest terminal in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Among the station’s 13 platforms is the 2,323-foot-long Platform 1, which ranks among the world’s longest platforms.
Completed in 1909, the striking terminal building features a yellow facade crowned by a green copper dome. Above the arched entrance is a series of 13 analog clocks that display the times of the next departing trains. According to local legend, a mixup with plans meant the building was erected according to a design intended for a station in Mumbai, which is why some say it features Indian-inspired design elements.
The first trains were invented in Britain in the early 19th century, and it’s no surprise that London remains a hotspot for train travel today. Services run through the British capital’s network of geographical zones and connect to almost all corners of the United Kingdom. In fact, London is home to eight of the 10 busiest stations in the U.K. London Waterloo recorded over 62.2 million passengers entries and exits between April 2023 and March 2024.
Opened in 1848, Waterloo was popular in its early days with people traveling to horseracing events at Epsom Downs, south of the city in Surrey. In 1899, a 20-year redevelopment began to turn a once-dark and confusing labyrinth into an airy terminal with elegant Georgian and Edwardian design elements. One of the most striking features is found at the main entrance — the Victory Arch honors the 585 British railroad workers who served in World War I.
13. London Paddington – London, United Kingdom
Credit: chris-mueller/ iStock Editorial via Getty Images Plus
Average annual passenger traffic: 66.9 million
London Paddington is the second-busiest station in the United Kingdom. Approximately 183,000 passengers enter or exit the station on a daily basis. They primarily use services operated by Great Western Railway, which connects commuters to destinations in west London, the Thames Valley region, Southwest England, and South Wales.
London Paddington is also one of the world’s oldest continuously operating train stations. Conceived as the London terminus of the Great Western Railway, it was officially completed in 1854. The iron-and-glass roof that covers the original 13 platforms is the work of acclaimed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was inspired by the Crystal Palace, built in 1851 for London’s Great Exhibition.
12. London Liverpool Street – London, United Kingdom
Between March 2023 and March 2024, around 94.5 million passengers entered and exited London Liverpool Street station — equivalent to about 260,000 people each day. The latest figures marked an impressive increase of 17.5% over the previous year, largely due to the opening of the city’s new Elizabeth line.
Trains first departed from London Liverpool Street in 1874, replacing Bishopsgate as the London terminus of the Great Eastern Railway. Its 10 lines were fully operational by the following year, and foreign travel from the station began in 1893. For visitors to London, the station is conveniently close to Spitalfields Market, home to independent art, clothing, jewelry, and gourmet food stands.
11. Toronto Union Station – Toronto, Canada
Credit: John Turp/ Moment Unreleased via Getty Images
Average annual passenger traffic: 109 million
Toronto Union Station welcomes an estimated 300,000 daily passengers, who travel on a combination of GO suburban trains, the TTC subway, Union Pearson Express airport rail link, and buses. Construction of the station started in 1914 and took 13 years to complete. Now a designated National Historic Site, Toronto Union is notable for its classical beaux-arts architecture. A row of 22 40-foot-tall limestone columns adorn the facade, and the interior floors are made of Tennessee marble.
The station is split into seven “neighborhoods,” each offering a unique retail and dining experience, and it also puts on a year-round schedule of events. “Unionale” is an art initiative inspired by the streets of Toronto that decorates the Union Market neighborhood. Passengers can also take advantage of free roller skating in the winter and Union Summer, a 60-day festival with food vendors and live music.
10. Zurich Hauptbahnhof – Zurich, Switzerland
Credit: Denis Linine/ iStock Editorial via Getty Images Plus
Average annual passenger traffic: 172 million
There are 25 train stations located in Zurich, the biggest and busiest of which is Zurich Hauptbahnhof. It has 26 tracks, which serve around 471,300 daily passengers and almost 3,000 trains. The station opened in 1847, although the present-day neoclassical building dates to 1871. Its original purpose was as the terminus of the Spanisch Brötli Bahn, which was the first railway line in Switzerland and connected Zurich with Baden.
Public art is a prominent feature of the station’s halls. One of the most impressive works is Niki de Saint Phalle’s Nana, a huge and colorful guardian angel that watches over the main concourse. Opposite the terminal and set inside a neo-Gothic and Renaissance palace is the Swiss National Museum, which features exhibits of Swiss art, handicrafts, history, and more.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is Hamburg’s most important railway terminal. Some 550,000 passengers use the station every day, making it among Europe’s most transited railway hubs. Opened in 1906, the terminal replaced several smaller city stations. It features a grandiose train shed inspired by the Galerie des machines, which was a pavilion showcased at the 1899 world’s fair in Paris. Today, there are 14 platforms, including eight for main line services, four for S-Bahn rapid lines, and six for U-Bahn subway lines.
Occupying two floors above the station’s east and west exits is the Wandhalle retail mall. It’s home to dozens of gourmet and fast-food options, in addition to specialty stores. Art exhibitions and free concerts often take place around the mall.
Welcoming over 220 million passengers every year, Gare du Nord is one of the busiest train stations in Europe. A major gateway to the “City of Light” and northern France, it also serves as a hub for destinations in Belgium and the Netherlands. Plus, around 6.6 million passengers each year pass through the Eurostar Terminal, which connects to London via the Chunnel.
Not only a symbol of railway heritage, Gare du Nord is also a marvelous showcase of 19th-century architecture. Unveiled in 1846, the grandiose neoclassical facade is decorated with 23 sculptures by artists such as Charles Gumery and Jean-Joseph Perraud. They represent French and European cities once linked to Paris by the Chemin de Fer du Nord transport company.
Located beneath Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan, Penn Station (officially named Pennsylvania Station) sees a whopping 630,000 passenger entries and exits each day. This makes it the busiest station not only in the United States but also the entire Western Hemisphere.
Built and named after the Pennsylvania Railroad, the original station opened in 1910 and featured an ornate Beaux-Arts design. Reduced ridership numbers led to the station being decommissioned in 1963, after which the terminal was moved to its underground location. But in 2021, the stunning Moynihan Train Hall extension opened in a former post office building. In addition to welcoming passengers on Amtrak and Long Island Railroad (LIRR) services, the terminal features a food court with popular local eateries, various shops, and works from local artists.
6. Howrah Junction Railway Station – Kolkata, India
India boasts one of the world’s largest railway networks, which covers over 7,000 stations and transports some 25 million daily passengers. On the banks of the Hooghly River, Howrah Junction Railway Station — one of India’s oldest stations — serves as the main transport hub for eastern India.
The first public train departed from here in 1854 on the short route to the district of Hooghly. Today, the station handles over 900 passenger trains and a million passengers each day. Inside the striking red brick building are 23 platforms, 10 of which can fit trains with over 24 coaches. Railroad enthusiasts can delve into the history and heritage of the Indian railways at the station’s Railway Museum.
Japan is one of the world’s leaders when it comes to train travel. The country’s annual rail ridership stands at an incredible 22.6 billion passengers. At Yokohama Station alone, around 2.1 million passengers take overground and underground services every day. The original terminal was unveiled in 1872 near Sakuragicho and connected the city with Tokyo. The current station opened in 1928.
Like many modern railway terminals, Yokohama Station doubles as a retail and dining district. The multistory JOINUS center, which has around 300 stores, and the underground Yokohama Porta shopping mall are both directly accessible from the station. It’s also a gateway to Tokyo’s bustling tourist zones, including the futuristic waterfront neighborhood of Minatomirai.
Located in the Toshima Ward of Tokyo, Ikebukuro Station has a long and fascinating history. It was inaugurated in 1903 as part of a line that transported coal to Tokyo. From the 1930s onward, major developments popped up around the station, eventually turning it into a commercial hub. Most were department stores, such as Kikuya Department Store (currently Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store) and Tobu Department Store.
Today, Ikebukuro Station welcomes approximately 2.5 million passengers on a daily basis. They travel on eight lines serving the Tokyo metropolitan region and its major airports. At the west exit is Ikebukuro Nishi-guchi Park, a contemporary public plaza with an open-air theater, giant television screen, and fountains. Also nearby is the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, which stages dance, music, and other performing arts productions.
With cutting-edge designs and high-speed trains, Japan has mastered the art of train travel. That’s particularly evident at Shibuya Station. One of the biggest train stations in the world, it serves as the gateway to the Shibuya City financial district, one of Tokyo’s 23 wards. The bustling station handles an estimated 3 million passengers on a daily basis, many of whom arrive from the western and southern areas of Tokyo.
An enormous and sprawling complex, Shibuya Station consists of three aboveground and two underground terminals, plus a long underground pedestrian passage. Among the four main entrances is the Hachiko Gate, which features the statue of a famously loyal Akito dog named Hachiko, who reportedly waited at the station for his owner each day for nine years after his passing. Once exiting the station, passengers will find themselves amid the neon lights and skyscrapers of Shibuya Crossing, often referred to as Tokyo’s Times Square.
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – Mumbai, India
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, one of Mumbai’s standout architectural landmarks, is India’s busiest railway station. An estimated 3 million passengers use the station every day, traveling on both intercity and long-distance services. The station, which has a total of 18 platforms, has been featured in many movies, including 2008’s Slumdog Millionaire.
The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens. It combines classic Indian temple features with Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival styles. Crowning the central dome is Progress, a marble statue portraying a woman holding a torch and spoke wheel that represent knowledge and progress.
Situated in the Shinjuku City district of Tokyo, Shinjuku Station claims the top spot as the busiest railway station in the world. An incredible 3.6 million passengers use the terminal every day to board services operated by five different railway companies. To accommodate such high passenger numbers, the station is equipped with 200 entrances, 36 platforms, and 12 train lines.
Beyond being a transport terminal, the station connects to several shopping malls. Visitors will also find Tokyo attractions like Shinjuku Central Park and the famed Golden Gai nightlife district within a short walk of Shinjuku Station.
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