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Keukenhof Park, Holland: The Netherlands

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Keukenhof Park, Holland: The Netherlands

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Holland is known around the world for its rainbow-hued fields of tulips, especially those located in and around Keukenhof. Millions of bulbs are planted in the park each year—visit in mid-April to see the flowers during their peak season.

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Mind these tips before making your trips!

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Mind these tips before making your trips!

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My Top 22 Travel Life Hacks & Tips! | Jeanine Amapola

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Do not make the following mistakes while travelling!

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Do not make the following mistakes while travelling!

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The 10 BIGGEST Travel Mistakes TO NOT MAKE

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Nations of the World -  With Lyrics -  Animaniacs

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Learn more about how trave transforms us!

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Learn more about how trave transforms us!

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How and why travel transforms you by Francis Tapon at TEDxFillmore

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The serene beauty of the bamboo forest in the Arashiyama district is a wonderful site to behold.

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Whether you're spotting the Northern Lights in Sweden or glaciers off the coast of Greenland, the Arctic Circle is a new kind of hidden paradise.

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Cappadocia, an area in Turkey where entire cities have been carved into rock, is pretty incredible on its own. But whenever hot-air balloons pepper the sky, its beauty level simply skyrockets.

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You might know them better as the Cliffs of Insanity from The Princess Bride, but this seaside wonder is actually located just south of Galway. Inconceivable!

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Giza's three great pyramids are mysterious marvels of architecture. We may never know whether or not they were built by mutants.

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Santorini is officially one of the best islands in the world—and one of the most picturesque. The small village of Oia is particularly captivating, with its whitewashed buildings and bright blue roofs.

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While it may not be the first place you'd pick for a vacation abroad, Samarkand is a standout with intricately tiled buildings and colorfully dressed locals. It also has a rich history as a Silk Road stopping point.

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It's over 12,000 miles long, thousands of years old, and can be seen from space

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Of all the amazing cities in Italy, there is something truly enchanting about the sunlit canals of Venice.

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The largest glacier in Iceland is also one of the country's most beautiful sires. The landscape under the glacier is like a whole other world, complete with ice caves, canyons, and volcanoes.

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Machu Picchu's panoramic views and intricate (and a tad mysterious) stone walls more than validate the site's worldwide fame.

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Leave it to New Zealand to make even worms look beautiful. The Waitomo Caves hold thousands of bioluminescent larvae that leave long strings of mucus (sounds gross, looks dazzling) and glow like a Milky Way.

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Kazan is an eclectic city, with its identity rooted in sports as well as arts, religion, and sciences. It is perhaps most famous for its athletic events, and is often called the “Sports Capital of Russia.”

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Explore our planet and point the places you want to visit!

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Explore our planet and point the places you want to visit!

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15 stunning 3D visualisations of Earth. Geographic, demographic and economic views include tectonic boundaries, climate zones, average temperature and precipitation, political maps, GDP per capita, population density, energy consumption, GINI index, fertility rate and population growth.

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Learn about continents, coutries and oceans

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Learn about continents, coutries and oceans

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I'm often reminded just how much travel comes with the job of being a travel writer. Those endless hours in airports, cramped in buses, trains and taxis. Yet transportation is not only necessary to get around, but it can also shape your experience, the places you see, and the people that you meet. Below are 10 different modes of transport to explore a country, and some of the pros and cons that come with them.
1. By Bicycle

A bike has plenty of advantages. Moving slowly, you experience more of the land, its nuances, and people. There's no glass bubble protecting you, as your bike becomes a full sensory experience. Cycling around a country keeps you strong and fit, adding targets and goals to celebrate every night. You're travelling light, and so keeping it simple. Some countries are better for this mode of transport than others. Good roads definitely aid the avid cross-country cyclist, as does good weather. Of course, not everybody is up for the physical challenge, or has the length of time required for discovery by pedal power.

2. By Classic Car

Not everyone has an antique car, but a normal car will also do. There are various clubs that organize epic driving expeditions around the world. Driving in convoy, you become part of a community, a roadshow, a moving circus that intrigues the locals just as surely as they intrigue you. North America, Australia, South Africa, North Africa or Eastern Europe, the convoy can drive up to 500 km a day on planned itineraries. According to the website of a recent expedition from Vancouver to Alaska, drivers could expect "25 days of exciting motoring, spectacular scenery, good fellowship and fun."

3. By Surfboard

A surfboard won't get you from A to B, but it does provide a handy excuse to explore coastal towns and tropical islands. Surfers are passionate about their waves, booking surf vacations around the world. Countries in Asia like the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Indonesia have incredible surfing, as do Central American destinations like Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Take your surfboard and follow the trail to the best beaches and the best waves, which are usually accompanied by happening beach bars and surf communities.

4. By Local Bus

Here's a picture of me jumping on top of a Guatemalan chicken bus (I assure you, no chickens were harmed in the making of this photo). They are called chicken buses because it's not uncommon to be sitting next to one. Or five. These old American school buses grind and choke over mountain passes, in places like Central America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe too. Passengers are crammed like sardines, the buses never, ever leave on time, and are prone to break down for hours. It's not something you enjoy at the time, but you sure laugh about it when you think back about it. Travelling like locals makes you feel like a local, tasting a small slice of life in an exotic land.

5. By RV

Some people don't like to travel because they don't like to leave the comforts of home. So why not take your home with you? Modern RV's are so well-equipped you never have to go without the kitchen sink, satellite TV, refrigerator, double bed and bathroom ever again. Driving across America has always been alluring, exploring the continent at a leisurely pace, stopping off at landmarks along the way. Other RV destinations are Norway and France. In summer, an army of RVs hits the road, coming together nightly in makeshift communities at excellent RV Parks along the way. I did my first RV trip last summer. It won't be my last.

6. By Foot

There's taking it slow, and then there's taking it really, really slow. Long distance hiking is a serious challenge, involving a serious time commitment. The benefit is that you interact with the land and locals on the ground, step by step. Bill Bryson's bestselling books often have the travel writer walking on famous routes, averaging several kilometres a day, stopping to smell the roses, and make a few jokes too. My longest hike thus far was spending a week on Vancouver Island. Next spring, I'll be trekking 21 days in Nepal to Everest Base Camp. If anyone would like to join me, let me know!

7. By Motorbike

From Che Guevara to Easy Rider to Ewan McGregor, the idea of travelling long distances by motorcycle holds a timeless appeal. Accelerating on the open road, the wind against your leathers, the growl of your engine. Hills are no problem for today's powerful touring bikes, although riding in bad weather is no picnic. In India, I met many travellers who had bought 500cc Enfields to tour around the country, selling them when they left. Baja California, Chile and Argentina, Rome to Istanbul - there's no shortage of legendary bike routes around the world. Just remember that with speed comes danger, so take your time!

8. By Train

I spent three weeks crossing Mongolia and Russia by train. In that time, 11 days were spent on a train, including one 5-day stint without any stopping. Life on a train becomes almost hypnotic. The sound of the tracks, the motion of the carriage, the blur of the never-ending countryside. Perhaps more than other forms of travel, trains give you permission to stop. You can read and talk and think, gazing out the window as the world literally passes you by. Pretty much everything is beyond your control. You will arrive when you arrive, and depart when the whistle sounds. You may as well sit back and enjoy the ride.

9. By Kayak

There are some places in the world where you can kayak for weeks, encountering incredible wildlife, untainted natural beauty, and even indigenous tribes. Places like Venezuela's Orinoco Delta, the Amazon, or even British Columbia's Broken Group Islands. Tonga has 50 gorgeous islands to explore, while along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast you can camp overnight on islands amongst lavender and vineyards. Another popular kayaking destination is the Ionian Sea in Greece, where you can paddle over turquoise water to the whitewashed islands mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. Physical, yet gentle, kayaking on river or sea is an unforgettable way to get around.

10. By Thumb

Hitchhiking is always a crapshoot. You might get a great ride in a big luxury car, or find yourself squashed amongst the livestock at the back of a truck. You can meet friendly locals who go above and beyond, or, heaven forbid, put yourself at the mercy of lunatic. You could spend hours waiting in the rain, or get picked up by the first car to come along. Hitch-hiking across Europe, North America, and other parts of the world could be because you're broke, or a matter of personal choice. It's a mode of transport suited for the ultimate "where will the universe take me" adventure. I once spent hours on the side of an Albanian highway waiting for a ride. An old man rode up to me on a leathery donkey, and started playing his homemade flute. I remember that moment vividly, waiting in the sun, enjoying the lostness of it all. A thumbs-up moment for the power of hitchhiking.

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I'm often reminded just how much travel comes with the job of being a travel writer. Those endless hours in airports, cramped in buses, trains and taxis. Yet transportation is not only necessary to get around, but it can also shape your experience, the places you see, and the people that you meet.

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Choosing the Right Travel Accommodations | GoAbroad.com

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Worried about finding the perfect travel accommodations? Check out this list of options, with pros and cons, so you can decide which one will work bes...

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Whether this is your first trip or you're a seasoned globetrotter, it's always helpful to have a rundown of what items you may want to pack - you know, a comprehensive international travel checklist.

Bookmark this travel packing list because you'll want to refer to it as your trip gets closer. It'll serve as a tool to tell you what to pack, but also will help you make sure you've thought of everything else you might want to pack.

Step 1: Choose Your Main Luggage

Wherever you're planning to go, pick luggage that is versatile, lightweight and big enough to hold all your essentials. The most important decision you'll make is (as far as luggage is concerned) is buying a bag that has an awesome warranty. Traveling with a piece of luggage with broken wheel, handle or zipper is the absolute worst! Brands that back their gear with stand-up warranties build that promised durability into their gear. It's also important to finding a travel bag that's as versatile as you need it to be, while also fitting all your stuff and being easy to carry.

Rolling Luggage - Let's face it. Wheels are nice. There's no need to carry all your gear on your back or via a duffle bag if you know you're going to be traveling in a city where there are paved roads and sidewalks.

4-Wheels - As you fill up your wheeled luggage, weight can become a bit restrictive - especially if you have to walk long distances. Consider 4-wheels to keep the weight off your wrist and effortlessly roll your bag by your side.

Duffel Bag - These are simple, lightweight, and Eagle Creek's duffel bags are crazy durable. Sling it over your shoulder, or put some wheels on it and get on your way.

Wheeled Backpack - If you'll be going through different types of terrain, or switching from airports to cobblestones, having a bag with the option to roll it or carry it like a backpack or duffel is really handy.

Travel Backpack - If you know you don't want the extra weight of wheels, traveling with a travel pack is going to mean hands-free mobility and ultimate versatility.

Carry-On - Whenever possible, travel with a carry on luggage. It'll just mean you can save time at the airport, save on check-in fees, guarantee the airlines won't lose your bag... the list goes on and on.

For more information about how to pick the right travel luggage, read Eagle Creek's Buying Guide for luggage, travel packs, carry-ons and duffel bags.

Step 2: Organize Your Stuff

If you have lots of different types of activities you plan to do, that means you have a fair amount of gear you need to pack into your suitcase. Keeping everything organized can be a challenge. One of the best things you can do when you're packing for any trip, especially one that requires you to pack lots of layers, is to make sure you use packing organizers.

Keeping your suitcase organized with packing organizers means not only will you know exactly where everything is, but your clothing can be arranged and compressed so you can fit more in your bag. Why spend your time packing and unpacking when you can quickly unpack by sliding your organizers directly into hotel drawers, and pack up quick, getting seamlessly from one place to the next without having to rearrange your entire bag every time?

Keep your clothing organized in compartments based on outfit type or activity type by using packing cubes. These zippered organizers make it easy to keep your bag neat and provide quick access to all the different things you'll need during your trip. You can use compression sacs or cubes to reduce the volume of your clothes by up to 80%. This is especially convenient for bulky items such as sweaters and jackets. And f olders are great for keeping dress clothing nice, neat and folded.

Start with this clothing packing list:

The Basics

Lightweight clothing that can be layered

Long-sleeved shirts

Sweaters or fleece jacket

T-shirts and tank tops (be respectful of the culture you are visiting)

Pants and/or shorts

Belt - Check out this one for a ingenuitive money protection option

Socks - wool socks are best for hiking

Comfortable walking shoes

Rain jacket, windbreaker or umbrella

Pajamas/sleepwear

Underwear

Sunglasses and glasses case

Dresses and/or skirts

Jewelry - organize in a mini cube or circlet

Hat or sun visor

Scarf or bandana

Swimsuit or swim trunks - consider a wet/dry organizer

Cell phone and charger

Travel speakers

Travel pillow, eye mask and ear plugs

Electric converters and adapters

Travel apps that will help with language, directions, and money conversion

You'll want to pack smart (not lots of) clothing options if your trip will take you to a variety of places, or transversely if you will be navigating off the beaten path. Having options doesn't mean you'll need to over-pack. (And in fact, you shouldn't.) Just pack smart. Include clothing that can be worn on your daily adventures and then dressed up slightly with a different pair of shoes and a scarf. Maybe a dress that becomes a skirt or comfortable travel pants that can be dressed up for a day at the market. Also consider clothing with SPF or mosquito repellency if you'll be in environments where that would be beneficial.
Learn more about choosing the right packing organizers to pack the variety of everyday basics you'll want to pack.
Step 3: Pack Your Toiletry Bag

If you're carrying on, keep your toiletry bag light and TSA-compliant. The TSA's 3-1-1 rule makes it easy to remember: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container and they must be in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag. To make this as easy as possible for you, we have a set that includes four 3-ounce silicone bottles in a quart-sized clear pouch that's wipeable and has a water resistant zipper. Click here for more info about TSA rules regarding what you can pack.

Don't forget the following travel essentials for your toiletry case:

The Toiletry Bag Basics

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash

Hair brush or comb, hair ties, barrettes/bobby pins

Deodorant

Shampoo and conditioner - Dr. Bronners is a good option all-in-one option for hair care, face wash, laundry and more

Sunscreen and face lotion with SPF

Make up packed in a wipeable wristlet

Face wash and/or makeup remover wipes and q-tips

Night time Moisturizer/Lotion

Lip balm with SPF and lipstick or lip gloss

Personal hygiene items

Feminine hygiene products

Extra contacts, solution, and contact case

Glasses and prescription sunglasses

Prescription medication with the label/script so that you can refill if needed and not be questioned by TSA.

Toiletry Bag Extras

Cologne/perfume

Personal mini mirror

Hair products like hairspray, hair gel and beard oil

Clothesline and detergent

Shaving kit and extra razors

Sewing kit/clothing care kit, stain remover

Facial tissues and/or toilet paper

Travel Towel

Scissors, nail clippers, and tweezers (must be in checked luggage)

Travel Health

As soon as you decide to travel internationally, check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website for comprehensive travel vaccines, medicines, and travel advice information. Whether you decide to get vaccinated or not is your decision, but many vaccinations require administration 2 months before travel begins. So get informed!

First aid kit (bandages, gauze, adhesives, etc.)

Personal prescriptions (copies of scripts)

Pain and fever relievers (also children's strength if you are traveling with kids)

Thermometer

Cold medicines and throat lozenges

Diarrhea/laxative medicines

Allergy medicines

Hydrocortisone cream/antibacterial ointment

Multivitamins

Sunburn relief

Insect repellent/mosquito net/sting reliever

Motion sickness pills or bands

Altitude sickness pills (if you are planning to hike in higher altitudes)

Eye drops

Moleskin

Medicines and vaccinations specific to the region/activity

For more inspiration about what travel essentials to bring with you in your airplane personal item, read this post from travel writer Kelly O'Reilly.
Additional Health Items

Hand sanitizer or wet wipes

Prescriptions in original packaging (you'll want to make sure you have these in your carry-on bag just in case something were to happen to your checked luggage)

Sleeping medicines

Glasses and glasses case

The next thing you'll want to do is prepare your personal item carry-on bag with anything you'll want with you on the flight. It's always a good idea to make sure you have an outfit (or two) and a few essential toiletries in your personal item just in case your luggage is lost. If you'll be traveling around to multiple destinations, make sure this bag has items to keep you cozy on any train, boat or bus rides. It's always nice to have a bag that's easy to access so you don't have to get into your luggage each time you need your eye mask. But remember, you'll be carrying all of this, so keep it light.

We recommend you consider using a small daypack or backpack as your personal carry-on item. Here are some good things to include in your carry-on bag packing list:

Technology

Mobile device and charger

Laptop, iPad, or E-reader and charger(s)

Headphones (consider noise-reducing headphones if you're sensitive to sound)

Camera and Go Pro/video camera, memory card, and chargers

Electrical converters and adapters

Travel Comfort, Entertainment, and Information

Travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, and ear plugs

Travel journal and pen (it's awful when you forget your pen!)

Books and magazines

Deck of cards and travel games

Chapstick and lotion - it's dry up there

Water bottle - you'll need to fill it up once you get through TSA

Guide books, travel guides, maps, language guides, etc. (if you will need any of these upon arrival at your destination, put it in your carry-on)

Step 5: Collect Important Travel Documents, Cash, and Credit Cards

Start by collecting all of your important documents in a travel document organizer. ( This travel organizer holds a passport, ID, credit cards, coins, documents, a boarding pass, and a pen!) By bringing all your important information together, this will help ensure you have everything you need to get from one place to the next. Not sure what you need? Here's your international travel checklist, document-wise:

Passport/visa(s) - Not sure if you need a travel visa? Check here.

Personal ID/Student ID card - If you're a student, some companies, like Sta Travel, offer discount cards to ensure you get good deals while on the road

Frequent flyer card(s) and other loyalty program card numbers (ex: hotel chains and AAA)

Cash and credit card(s) - Call your credit card companies before you travel to inform them of your travel (otherwise they might turn them off to prevent perceived fraud)

Health insurance cards/document(s)

Travel insurance information

Reservations and itineraries - print them and save them electronically for easy access

Hotel and/or tour contact information

Transportation tickets (plane, train, bus, car, etc.)

Emergency contacts and important addresses

Copies of all these things in case you lose your wallet

Guide books and maps

As soon as you book a trip, it's a good idea to double-check that your passports and IDs aren't expired, and that they will not expire while you are traveling internationally. If you need to get a Passport for your kids, learn more here. You'll also want to inform your bank if you're traveling abroad so they don't assume fraudulent activity and freeze your credit card. Also consider emailing yourself a copy of your passport, driver's license, medical cards and itinerary, so if anything happens to them you'll be able to access them online.

Step 6: Consider Travel Security

In most large cities, travelers should always be on the lookout for pickpockets. The easiest way to keep your belongings safe is to keep them hidden and close to you. One way to do this is to stash your valuables underneath your clothing. Another way is by locking your bags closed and using reflective accents to help folks see you at nighttime. Consider these safety travel essentials:

Wearing a money belt or neck wallet lets you keep your valuables close to your body and away from prying hands. Review all the different styles here to choose what works best for you and the type of travel you'll be doing. You may also want to choose an option with RFID protection. RFID protection keeps all passports with an RFID chip (issued after 2006) and credit cards/debit cards safe while travelling. How? It's simple. Identity theft can occur when someone is able to "read" through your purse or pocket via the microchip, which has personal information stored on it. By using an RFID blocking technology, your personal information is protected. You can learn more about RFID safety from Scott Shelter, freelance journalist and frequent traveler.

Step 7: Prepare Your Home

If you're going an extended trip, it's essential to get your home in order before you go. Here are some simply tasks to think through before you head to the airport. (And yes, this travel checklist also includes thinking through home care.)

Have the post office hold your mail

Stop newspaper delivery

Set up an email autoresponder (unless you plan to be connected)

Arrange for care of pets, lawn, and plants

Pre-pay your bills

Prearrange school absences for children and get any home study assignments required

Empty refrigerator of this that will expire

Unplug appliances

Turn off heater/air conditioner

Turn down water heater

Turn off washing machine taps

Lock all doors and windows

Set up timed light system

Store valuables in a safe place

Leave house key and trip itinerary with a trusted friend

Leave flight and hotel itineraries with a relative

Reconfirm/check-in online with airline before you Uber, train, or shuttle to the airport

If you will be gone for more than 30 days, it's a good idea to check with your homeowner's or renter's insurance for specific instructions.
GET MORE PACKING ADVICE! Want to learn more about how to pack for a specific type of trip? We've got more packing advice from travel experts: Packing Lists by Location: What to Pack for Uruguay: The 5-Step Solution Packing Lists by Activity: 8 Items To Pack For a Super Active Summer Vacation More Travel Checklists Packing Light for a Cold Weather Getaway The Eagle Creek Travel System Main Travel Bag (rolling luggage, travel backpack, or duffel bag) Packing Organizers (packing folders, packing cubes, packing sacs, etc.) Comfort and Security Items (travel pillow, money belt, travel lock) Day Bag and Travel Wallet (backpack, shoulder bag, or tote and a travel organizer)
How To Pack the Ultimate Gym Bag
What to Pack for Your First Ragnar Relay Race
The Essential Packing List for a Traveling Kitchen
What to Pack for a Weekend Sailing Trip
What To Pack For Greenland: The Five-Step Solution
Minimalist Travel: How to Pack Your Bag for Cuba
What to Pack for Cambodia: The 5 Step Solution
Wherever you are headed, you're going to have great time! Just make sure you think through your list of activities beforehand so that you're able to bring everything you need and pick the right luggage. And pack light if you can using this ultimate packing checlist. It always helps with mobility. And remember, you are a traveler. Respect the people and places you go to visit. Respect their customs, tip accordingly, try and learn their language, and truly immerse yourself in the culture. Travel changes us to be better than we were by opening our eyes and giving us newfound respect.

Best of luck! Travel well.

If you'd like a downloadable travel packing list, click here.

Read more tips on international travel.

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The Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist | Eagle Creek

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Whether this is your first trip or you're a seasoned globetrotter, it's always helpful to have a rundown of what items you may want to pack - you know, a comprehensive international travel checklist. Bookmark this travel packing list because you'll want to refer to it as your trip gets closer.

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2. Colombia - "Tranquilo"

The flights will likely be canceled, the buses won't run on a schedule or sometimes at all, and you'll probably show up to school as a teacher and there won't be any class - for two weeks. No importa. Tranquilo. It's not important, don't worry, chill-out. This prevailing attitude in Colombia creates a constant air of tranquility because everything will work out, especially with the overwhelming kindness of every Colombian who will go out of their way to help you when you've missed a bus, don't have a plane, or need something to do when you have no work for two weeks. And I'm convinced this tranquilo lifestyle is why all Colombian maintain the look of eternal youth.

3.Turkey - Heart-warming hospitality

The idea of hitchhiking made me nervous but with my only ticket out of Istanbul, 900 km away, and no working forms of currency, I stuck out my thumb. I was overwhelmed by Turkish hospitality, I was always welcomed to the homes of those who gave me rides, be it to share giant meals of kebab or be given a place to stay; and I could never part ways without sharing the richest Turkish coffee.If we happened to end up at a restaurant, my hosts always picked up the tab. Maybe it was the luck of arrival during Ramadan, but Turkish hospitality needs to be adopted worldwide.

4. South Korea - NOT tipping

For someone who was raised in the United States and has worked in the food service industry throughout university, tipping is in my blood. I want to tip everyone as a way of showing my gratitude for their service, and solidarity with them in their work. But no sooner did I attempt to display my gratitude in a charming cafe in Seoul, then my tip was snatched quickly by my host with a sharp glare. In South Korea along with many other countries, employees in the food service industry are given fair wages and take pride in their work, and it is insulting to attempt to tip them. A habit and concept maybe the world would do well to consider.

5. Colombia - Tinto time

Tinto is a tiny cup of rich, dark coffee sweetened with panela (sugar's sweeter relative), and tinto time is all the time. You simply stop at one of the hundreds of carts of tinto being wheeled around, or at stands in the street for ten minutes to enjoy your sweet-caffeinated pick-me-up, catch up on the local gossip, and chat with friends. Tinto time means you'll probably be late for that meeting, but since everyone stops for tinto, so will everyone else.

6. China - Noodle slurping

After a long train ride, we were starving and were drawn to a ramen restaurant by its alluring aroma and the promise of warmth. But as soon as we entered, we were hit by the sound of slurping. For such a polite Asian culture, this seemed out of place and rude. Clearly, this was a custom I had yet to understand, but as soon as my host explained it, I was excited to partake. The slurping makes the food more enjoyable, the meal more comical and tells your host you loved it. The world would enjoy meals more if we allowed ourselves the polite Chinese custom of slurping (and the childlike delight of noisy, interactive eating).

7. Japan - Pushers on the subway

The Japanese subways are pristine and quiet enough that I've heard many pins drop, except when there are tourists aboard and you can hear them from two train cars away. But just like any other metro system, Japan's subway is crowded during rush hours. But instead of settling for the inefficiency that personal space demands, Japan has "pushers." They are exactly what they sound like - employees whose sole job during rush hour is to push more people onto the train cars. You thought there wasn't space enough for you? Wrong. There's space for you AND ten complete strangers.

8. Germany - Crossing the street

We could go on and on about the efficiency of Germany - from the buses and the trains that run perfectly on time to the incredible timeliness of every citizen - but one of the best German organizational habits that should be adopted worldwide, is pedestrians waiting for streetlights. In New York if you don't jaywalk, you're an obvious tourist; in Vietnam traffic NEVER stops for pedestrians; and in Mexico, pedestrians are just as sporadic as drivers. If the whole world was to adopt the organized and predictable street of Germany, the world would be a safer place.

9. Iceland - Christmas Eve books giving

We obsess over the eternal question of Christmas gifts; do we spend tons of money on new technology for our loved ones or just stick with the always-safe gift card? Will they read too much into a "fitbit"? Iceland has solved this problem with the Christmas Eve tradition of giving a book. After everyone unwraps the books, they spend the evening reading together. Iceland has preserved the culture of books in this beautiful Christmas custom which many countries would do well to emulate!

10. Russia - Offering vodka

It is the custom to welcome new friends with shots of vodka, and this is even expected from older generations. What better way to break the ice than with some stomach-warming shots of this Russian tradition? I think friendships would form faster worldwide if we all adopted this idea, and that's something we can all toast to, or, as they say in Russia, " Na zdorovye!".

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10 of the Most Interesting Customs Around the World

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Know your customs and traditions before you set off!