Mental Floss

TRAVEL

Hikers watch Kīlauea erupt from the safety of the trail.

if you want explosive drama with your hiking adventures, there’s nothing like walking on a volcano. Here are 10 trails that will take you there.

Remote Mt. Shuksen in Washington’s North Cascades National Park is the one of the least-visited locales in the system.

For those who prefer the road less traveled, these parks are worth the journey.

Here’s a rare chance to own some rare coins.

An auction house is giving away valuable coins and banknotes to those who can solve their riddles.

Peaceful or horrifying?

These trails will really get your heart pumping.

Red cars are bold, but are they really targeted by cops the most?

It turns out there’s another, much less flashy shade that has a higher chance of getting flagged.

The Duomo di Milano in Milan, Italy.

Whether you’re religious or just a fan of monumental architecture, visiting a cathedral can be an awe-inspiring experience. Here are 11 masterpieces worth the journey.

You never know what—or who—you'll encounter in these national parks.

The parks offer thrill seekers, ghost hunters, and the brave alike another reason to visit.

The historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

Lost spirits and friendly ghosts allegedly haunt these hotels.

You can hike to incredible sites, including Machu Picchu.

Tired of your local trails? Plan a hiking trip to one of these incredible ancient sites.

Check out the cities where getting to school isn‘t always a hassle.

Find out which cities are scoring an A+ for their school commutes.

Kayaking is pretty popular in the U.S.

How outdoorsy is your home state? A recent study analyzed a full year of search trends to find out.

The beautiful ruins of Highgate Cemetery in London.

Falling leaves, stunning statuary, and famous graves—here are a dozen picturesque international spots to rest in peace.

Highway merging can be hazardous.

Merging with high-speed traffic is always risky, but these highways make it even more difficult.

Scroll down to see the map.

Foreign language anxiety (also known as xenoglossophobia) really comes into play for Americans visiting these countries.

Road trips across these states may be a little rough.

From smooth asphalt to pothole-filled nightmares, brush up on these lists before your next road trip.

The allegedly cursed ghost town of Bodie, California.

From ruined castles in Europe to a pebbled beach in Thailand, these supposedly hexed global destinations carry warnings for all who dare to visit them.

What dog wouldn't love a crisp, autumn hike?

It’s important to be as prepared as possible before you and your pup hit the trail.

“What am I forgetting?”

How many of these items have you inadvertently left behind?

West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge made the list.

Crossing these bridges are moments that stick with you, when the journey itself becomes the event.

You might want to think before washing your hands in an airplane bathroom.

It might seem counterintuitive, but this piece of advice actually makes sense.

Lucy Quintanilla/iStock

These five cemetery journeys are a great way to explore America’s rich and varied history. Tombstone tourists, rejoice.

These hiking trails put on a spectacular show around this time of year.

When it comes to apple picking, some regions reign supreme.

When it comes to all things apples, some regions clearly reign supreme.

Japan was a popular pick.

See where Americans’ wanderlust took them this year.