Did You Know? Xi’an, during 3,100 years of history, was China’s capital for 13 dynasties. Xi’an was the eastern starting point for the Silk Road. Around 700 A.D., Xi’an was the world’s largest city with more than 1 million people. The first Qin emperor began building China’s Great Wall in
Did You Know? Windsor is the world’s oldest (1070-1086) and largest (13-acre footprint) inhabited castle. Twenty British prime ministers were educated at Eton College. It takes 16 hours to move the Windsor estate’s 450-plus clocks forward an hour, and 18 hours to turn them back. The Windsor knot is named
Did You Know? St. Cross Hospital, dating from the 12th century, is Britain’s oldest charitable institution. Winchester College is believed to be the country’s oldest continuously running school (1382). Winchester boasts the U.K.’s largest farmers market (95 stalls). The game of cricket was born in nearby Hambledon in the 1750s.
Did You Know? Blackcomb Mountain is North America's only mile-high mountain, with, literally, a 5,280-foot drop. Vancouver/Whistler sought the Winter Olympics three times (1968, 1976, 1980) before the 2010 win. But, after Denver turned down the 1976 Winter Olympics, Whistler declined as well. Whistler is named for the shrill whistle sound
Did You Know? Peter Jackson, director of “The Lord of the Rings,” hails from Wellington. New Zealand was the first country to grant women the vote (1893). Some Maori know Wellington by another name: Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The Thistle Inn in suburban Thorndon is New Zealand’s oldest surviving tavern (1840). An
Did You Know...? Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city, founded by the Vikings in 914. Waterford Crystal, which never discontinues a stemware pattern, melts 825 tons of crystal per year. The Waterford City Library was the first of many Andrew Carnegie libraries in Ireland (1905). The 13th century Reginald’s Tower is
Did You Know ... ? The ever-so-staid Viennese waltz was first deemed scandalous by 19th century society. The Central Cemetery is Europe’s largest burial site (remains of 3 million in 593 acres). The Austrian capital has more than 800 coffeehouses. During Carnival season, there are more than 100 major balls
Did You Know ... ? Fan Tan Alley, in Victoria’s Chinatown, is North America’s narrowest commercial street, about three feet wide. Victoria was called Camosack when founded in 1843. Alert Bay on northern Vancouver Island boasts the world’s tallest totem pole (163 feet). Victoria is closer to the U.S. than
Did You Know ... ? The balcony on "Juliet's House" was added in the 1930s, inspired by Shakespeare's play. Verona's name is linked to the root wehr, meaning a defensive wall. Forty percent of Verona's buildings and all bridges were destroyed in World War II. "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is
Did you know ... ? The Piazza San Marco is the only Venetian piazza; all other squares have names meaning field or yard. The average gondola lasts about 20 years. The word ghetto comes from the name of Venice’s 16th century Jewish section. Marco Polo left Venice for China in
