Country curiositiesVarious countries
Travel plug adapters: which one to pack for each destination
Brazil’s socket is a rarity. A table of plug type, voltage and frequency for 24 destinations, and a checklist for not frying your charger.
Country curiosities
Customs, laws and stories that exist in only one place on the map.
Articles on this topic
Country curiositiesNoruega
Vinmonopolet: why Norway sells strong drink in state shops
Norway sells wine and spirits only through Vinmonopolet, a state retailer from 1922. Opening hours, ID rules, prices and how to plan your purchase.
Country curiositiesFinlândia
Finnish saunas: why the country has one for every two people
Finland has about 3.3 million saunas for 5.5 million people. What löyly means, why public saunas returned and what to check before your first visit.
Country curiositiesJapão
Japan’s two power grids: why Tokyo and Osaka differ
Eastern Japan runs on 50 Hz and western Japan on 60 Hz, a split from 1895 and 1896. Why it stuck, what it did in 2011, and what travelers should check.
Country curiositiesPortugal
Azulejos: why Portugal’s buildings are covered in tile
Azulejos came from Moorish Spain, reached Portugal in 1503 and turned blue and white in the 1600s. See how they spread, and why tile theft is a crime.
Country curiositiesPortugal
Portuguese pavement: the stone mosaics under Lisbon’s feet
Portuguese pavement, the calçada, began at a Lisbon castle in the 1840s and reached Rio and Macau. Where the waves come from and why it is slippery.
Country curiositiesJapan
Japan’s vending machines: why there is one on every corner
Japan has over 2 million drink machines, many outdoors all night. Why they stay on the street, how one machine sells hot and cold, and what else they sell.
Country curiositiesIceland
Why Iceland makes you shower naked before swimming
At every public pool in Iceland, a naked soap shower comes before the swim. See why the rule exists, what entry costs and how to get it right first time.
Country curiositiesSamoa
The day Samoa skipped: why 30 December 2011 never existed
Samoa jumped from 29 to 31 December 2011 by moving across the International Date Line. See why it did it, what changed and its time zone today.
Country curiositiesSpain
Spain’s beach towel fines: where saving a spot costs you
Spanish towns fine people who leave parasols or towels to reserve sand. See the 2026 rules, the amounts and how to avoid a fine on your holiday.
Country curiositiesChina
Why China has only one time zone
China spans five geographic time zones, yet every clock runs on Beijing time. Out west, winter sunrise comes after 10 a.m., and many live by another hour.
Country curiositiesNepal
Why Nepal’s flag isn’t a rectangle
Nepal has the world’s only non-rectangular national flag. Its shape comes from two old pennants, and the constitution explains how to draw it step by step.
Country curiositiesFrance and Spain
Pheasant Island: Spanish half the year, French the other
On the Bidasoa river, a 200-metre islet is Spanish from February to July and French from August to January. How it started and when you can visit.
Country curiositiesSwitzerland
Switzerland has a fallout shelter for every resident
Switzerland has about 370,000 shelters and 9 million places, more than its population. How the rule works, what they're used for and where tourists fit.
Country curiositiesGermany
Why shops close on Sundays in Germany
Sunday rest is written into the German constitution. How the rule works, what stays open at stations and bakeries, and how to get through a Sunday.
Country curiositiesJapan
Why Japan has almost no public trash cans
Tokyo’s trash cans disappeared after the 1995 sarin gas attack, and most never came back. Why, and what to do with your rubbish while you travel.
Country curiositiesSingapore
Why Singapore bans the sale of chewing gum
Selling and importing chewing gum has been illegal in Singapore since 1992, and the subway is to blame. The story, and what you can pack for your trip.
Country curiositiesJapan
Tipping in Japan: why it isn’t done and what to do instead
In Japan the price on the bill is the final price, and tipping isn’t part of the culture. The few exceptions, and the extras that can show up on the bill.
Country curiositiesIceland
Why Iceland hasn’t changed its clocks since 1968
Iceland keeps the same time all year and lives with its clocks ahead of the sun. Why it made that choice, and what it means for visitors.
