It’s not always smooth sailing for these luxury cruise ships. The world’s dirtiest cruise ships are brimming with grime — from beer tap sludge to maggot infestations — according to a new reporter from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency’s Vessel Sanitation Program, which scores cruise ships for cleanliness out of 100 to keep … Read more
Known for her gorgeous gowns and sky-high heels, Georgian-born, French pianist Khatia Buniatishvili is a rock star in the classical music world, having performed internationally since age 10. With her sixth solo album, “Mozart,” coming out Oct. 25 on Sony Classical, the 37-year-old has played Chopin, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff everywhere from NYC’s Carnegie Hall to … Read more
It’s the taco the town. A Mexico City taqueria made history in May when it was awarded the first-ever Michelin star and now the taco stand — still the only one in the world with the coveted award — is coming to the Big Apple for a limited time. The humble family-owned El Califa de … Read more
Archaeologists recently uncovered what they believe to be one of the oldest Christian churches in the world. The University of Münster announced the discovery of the fourth-century church in a press release on Oct. 11. The school, which is located in Germany, teamed up with archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia to find the ancient … Read more
Before pet cemeteries became a thing in the mid-19th century, few options existed for disposing of a beloved dog or cat (or parrot or monkey). In Paris, 5,000 dead animals a year were tossed in the Seine, while north of London 750 deceased dogs a week were taken for “rendering” and turned into manure. But when … Read more
The world’s smallest Rubik’s Cube might have the world’s highest price tag, too. The fully functional six-sided puzzle cube by Japanese toymaker MegaHouse is so tiny it could fit under a finger nail, and you might need tweezers to solve it. At the price of $5,320 (777,777 yen), the cube was made available for pre-order … Read more
Call them hip codes. Brooklyn may be shorthand for ‘cool’ on every continent except Antarctica by now, but the actual Brooklyn fell far short on a new list of the hottest blocks on the Third Rock, with just one puzzling pick from the Borough of Churches making the grade. The arbiters of taste at Timeout, … Read more
It’s aged — 3,600 years. Scientists have successfully pulled a DNA strand from what they believe to be the world’s oldest cheese, yanking it from Bronze Age mummies in a Chinese graveyard, circa 2,000 B.C. The dairy delight is kefir cheese — a modern-day cream cheese health substitute — and was found strangely smeared or … Read more
This fashion house is taking home gold in Paris. Rabanne debuted what has been hailed as the world’s “most expensive bag,” made from over 100 18-karat gold medallions, at Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday. The one-of-a-kind handcrafted 1969 Nano bag is worth €250,000, or nearly $280,000, and took 100 hours to create in collaboration with … Read more
A bag of Lays and a $106,000 watch? In an age where quiet luxury reigns supreme, the ultra-rich have found new and subtle ways to signal their status, opting for unassuming snacks and seemingly inconspicuous jewelry. When it comes to wristwear, the 0.1% are abandoning obvious markers of wealth, instead opting for accessories only recognized … Read more
Talk about on a wing and prayer. East of Mount Everest and the Himalayas is one of the world’s most notorious airstrips — one so treacherous passengers typically applaud at wheels down. Paro International Airport in Bhutan, situated between 18,000-foot mountain peaks and nearby residential areas, provides such a challenge to pilots that only 50 … Read more
NYC pizza still reigns supreme — no matter how you slice it. A Manhattan culinary staple has reclaimed the title of having the best pies in the world, usurping two southern Italian icons. Una Pizza Napoletana of 175 Orchard Street — which took the title in 2022 and was named the best pizza pie in … Read more
Want Oktoberfest — hold the Germans? Look no further than our hockey-loving, igloo-curious friends to the north in Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario. Those twin, heavily German-rooted Canadian cities are just an under-two-hour VIA train ride west from Toronto. Behind Munich, K-W’s is the world’s second-largest “Wiesn” (that’s what trendy Teutons hashtag their weeks-long party on … Read more
We’re great again! The United States is now the third best country in the world, apparently — our highest score ever achieved in US News & World Report’s annual Best Countries survey. The rankings, launched in 2016, are compiled using a worldwide survey of 17,000 “global citizens” in 36 different countries, the title reported. The United … Read more
Talk about a “feet” of strength. If Brazil is ground zero for jiujitsu, then Ashbourne, Derbyshire is the mecca for toe wrestling — every year, competitors flock to the tiny U.K. town to see who’ll reign supreme in the unusual sport. “I’m currently the six-time world champion and I plan on making that seven today,” Lisa … Read more
Didn’t we kick these boots to the curb? A pair of controversial heels from the 2010s are making a comeback just in time for fall. Jeffrey Campbell’s Lita boots are back en vogue as fashionistas welcome the revival of “Tumblr summer” — an ode to the popular blogging site that glorified indie sleaze in its … Read more
A year after undergoing the first whole-eye and partial-face transplant, Aaron James is finding beauty in the mundane. He can finally appreciate solid foods again — smelling is even a simple pleasure — and he doesn’t shudder when he looks in the mirror. And while most people loathe the DMV, James happily replaced his driver’s … Read more
A giant, fully functioning iPhone created by popular YouTubers broke a world record. Arun Maini and Matthew Perks constructed an 6.74-foot tall version of an iPhone 15 Pro Max, which set the Guinness World Record for the largest smartphone replica. In order to take home the title, the phone had to actually work, so theirs — … Read more
A McDonald’s inside an old train station has officially reopened after renovation — and people are comparing it to a “5-star hotel.” Nyugati Railway Station in Budapest, Hungary, is home to what is said to be the world’s most beautiful McDonald’s. The McDonald’s is located inside an old train station in Budapest. McDonald’s The McDonald’s … Read more
More From Johnny Oleksinski New York tennis fans are disgusting barbarians only with fewer manners, goes the common refrain. We are noisy and impolite boozehounds who treat a sport that’s sponsored by Rolex like it’s a day at the dog races, they say. They… would be right. The US Open, currently unfolding in Flushing Meadows, … Read more