This week’s travel roundup brings you everything from record-breaking feats to quirky new attractions. Let’s dive in.

Breaking Records Around the World

The World’s Tallest Bridge – Coming Soon in China

China’s Guizhou province, already home to nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges, is about to claim another title. This June, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will officially open. So, what makes this bridge stand out? At 2,051 feet (625 meters) above the river, it will surpass France’s iconic Millau Viaduct by an impressive 947 feet. This new marvel will not only make waves for its height but will also drastically reduce travel time across the canyon, slashing it from two hours down to just one minute.

A Record-Breaking Brewery in the Sky

In Singapore, a unique title has been claimed by LeVel33, the world’s highest microbrewery located inside a building. Perched on the 33rd floor of the Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower, the brewery boasts 12 brewing tanks, two copper kettles, and even a cooling machine—all lifted up by crane. For beer lovers, the stunning views over the Singapore skyline make it a must-visit spot.

The World’s Largest Chicken-Shaped Building? In the Philippines!

Now for something a little more unusual: a Guinness World Record for the largest building shaped like a chicken. Located in the Philippines, this quirky hotel stands 114 feet tall and is fully air-conditioned. While it may not offer traditional windows, it’s certainly an eye-catching landmark.

Disney’s Biggest Cruise Ship Sets Sail

Later this year, Disney will launch its biggest cruise ship ever, the 6,000-passenger Disney Adventure. This massive vessel will be the cruise line’s first ship based in Asia, marking a significant milestone in Disney’s global expansion.

The World’s Tiniest Park

In a more modest feat, the world’s smallest park has been recognized in the Japanese town of Nagaizumi, about 68 miles southwest of Tokyo. At just 2.6 square feet, the park features a tiny stool and a patch of greenery. Sometimes, small is mighty!

Epic Adventures

A Solo Trek Across the Empty Quarter

Saudi explorer Badr Al Shaibani made headlines by completing a 600-kilometer (370-mile) solo journey across the Empty Quarter, the largest continuous sand desert in the world. It’s an adventure that pushes the limits of endurance and exploration.

One Irishman’s Quest to Visit Every Irish Pub

Meanwhile, Irishman Colm Dalton has taken on the challenge of visiting every Irish pub worldwide. So far, he’s made it to 47 countries, all in the name of enjoying a pint and celebrating Irish culture.

New Lives, New Ventures

A Canadian Couple’s Leap to Mexico

After losing her job, Brooke Gazer convinced her husband, Rick, to take the plunge and move to Mexico, where they opened a bed-and-breakfast. Despite warnings from friends and family, their new life proved successful—and they’ve never looked back.

Ontario Sisters Take Over a Century-Old Inn

In Ontario, sisters Kristen and Kathryn Groom—aged 27 and 35—bought a century-old inn with no prior experience in the hospitality industry. Fast forward three years, and their business is thriving, partly thanks to their international social media presence.

Home Swaps as a Solution to Overtourism

Finally, many travelers are now opting for home swaps instead of using traditional hotels or Airbnbs. This innovative approach helps combat the overtourism problem while providing a more authentic, affordable experience for visitors. Whether it’s for a vacation rental or an exchange, people are finding new ways to travel and make the most of their homes.

If you’re looking to upgrade your own vacation rental, check out these tips from our partners at CNN Underscored, featuring everything from candles to white noise machines—your ultimate guide to making any space feel like home.

Source: CNN – Nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges are in this Chinese province. Now it’s building one to top them all

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The cruise industry continues to grow rapidly, with approximately 37.1 million passengers expected to set sail in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). However, alongside this growth, another troubling statistic has emerged. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 2024 has seen the worst year for gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade.

Norovirus Outbreaks at Sea

The majority of gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024 have been linked to norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug. In December alone, five ships, including those from Cunard Line, Holland America, and Princess Cruises, reported widespread illness, with hundreds of passengers affected. The CDC considers an outbreak when 3% or more of a ship’s passengers and crew exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms.

Norovirus has long been associated with cruise ships due to the confined nature of these vessels, which makes it easier for the virus to spread. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, notes that norovirus is “known obviously as the cruise ship virus.” The virus can spread quickly in close quarters, and even a small amount of the virus can cause illness. It also lingers on surfaces, making it easy for passengers to contract the virus if they touch contaminated areas.

A More Severe Season

Norovirus tends to peak during the winter months, but this season has been particularly severe, both on land and at sea. Dr. Schaffner attributes the high number of outbreaks in December 2024 to this more intense seasonal occurrence.

Despite this, the cruise industry maintains that gastrointestinal incidents on board are extremely rare. The Cruise Lines International Association emphasized in a statement that these outbreaks are reported more quickly on cruise ships than on land, thanks to strict reporting protocols. On average, the CDC records 19-21 million cases of norovirus in the U.S. annually.

Other Causes of Outbreaks

While norovirus dominated the 2024 outbreaks, other causes of gastrointestinal illness have been reported as well. In September 2024, a salmonella outbreak was reported on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas. Additionally, an E. coli outbreak occurred on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova earlier in the year, and the cause of another outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas remains unknown.

Rising Outbreak Numbers

In total, the CDC recorded 16 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024, the highest number in over a decade. By comparison, there were 14 outbreaks in 2023. However, a CDC spokesperson cautioned that while recent years have seen higher numbers of outbreaks than in the years before the pandemic, it is still unclear whether this represents a new trend. The period between 2020 and 2022 saw fewer outbreaks, largely due to the cruise industry’s shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidelines for Staying Healthy Onboard

The CDC advises passengers to report any symptoms of stomach illness immediately and follow medical staff recommendations to help prevent further spread. Hand hygiene is also crucial, and passengers are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating or drinking. While cruise ships take extensive measures to control outbreaks—such as quarantining ill passengers and increasing cleaning protocols—the highly infectious nature of norovirus means that these measures are not always fully effective.

Dr. Schaffner adds that despite the best efforts of cruise lines, norovirus is so contagious that it is likely to spread beyond these preventive measures. He suggests that travelers who feel ill should stay home and rebook their cruise, and be particularly vigilant about hand hygiene, using soap and water instead of hand sanitizers, which are less effective against norovirus.

Looking Ahead

Experts remain uncertain about whether the surge in norovirus cases will continue into 2025. Dr. Schaffner notes that predicting the future of norovirus outbreaks is difficult, and it’s best to “wait and see.” In the meantime, passengers should prioritize hygiene and health while aboard, ensuring they follow all safety guidelines provided by the cruise line.

Source

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