7. Tossing Coins into the Trevi Fountain
When in Rome, you simply have to stop by the Trevi Fountain to toss your coins in, just like in the movies Roman Holiday, Three Coins in the Fountain and La Dolce Vita. Bernini’s Baroque masterpiece beckons.
You’ll definitely be rubbing shoulders with masses of other coin tossers, though. With great crowds come great pickpockets, so keep your guard up while rummaging for change here. Note, gelato sellers jack their prices up around touristy places like this, too, so you might want to get your fix elsewhere.
8. Trekking to the Top of the World in Everest
Many intrepid adventurers set their sights on conquering mighty Mount Everest or at least trekking to basecamp to see this pristine Himalayan peak up close.
Sadly, it’s not all that pristine around the world’s tallest mountain. In fact, it has the unfortunate nickname of “the world’s highest garbage dump.” Climbers often leave litter, empty oxygen bottles, shredded tents, and other materials out there in their quest to make it back alive. And speaking of, there are quite a few dead bodies up there from the poor souls who didn’t make it. They say the average climber generates around 18 pounds of garbage, and they are starting to crack down on those who don’t bring back what they took up.
If you think you’ll be relatively alone at the top of the world, think again. These days, summiting Everest is big business, and there can be traffic jams of climbers snaking their way up the peak.
9. Seeing Copenhagen’s Fairytale Little Mermaid
All the guidebooks tell you a visit to the iconic statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid is a must when in Copenhagen.
The local Danes scratch their heads at this one, though, as its really just a small unimposing bronze statue at the waterside of Langeline promenade, a bit of a walk from the center of town. She’s been decapitated, disarmed, knocked off her pedestal, draped in a Muslim headscarf and otherwise vandalized over the years, but she remains a symbol of the Danish capital. A million tourists flock here each year to get their token snapshots – you need the patience to wait your turn with this camera-toting crowd. You might as well join the throngs and take your shot too, but please don’t be one of the morons that try to climb the rock or grope her boobs. That’s just rude.
