The mysterious giant arrows, which can measure up to 70ft in length, are a forgotten remnant of a bygone age, when they directed air mail planes across America. The world's first ground navigational system was used by the US Postal Service to direct pilots flying across the US to deliver mail in the early 20th century.
From the Grand Canyon Skywalk to a cliff with a 2,000-FOOT drop: The most spectacular views for daredevil holidaymakers
Whether it's a larger-than-life skyline in one of the world's greatest cities or an endless vista of snow-topped mountains, people are willing to travel across the globe to take in a stunning view. Brave souls can hang over the edge of Toronto's CN Tower (top left), which offers sweeping views of Canada's largest city, or pose for the ultimate selfie at Norway's Pulpit Rock (bottom left), which has a flat top and a drop of nearly 2,000ft. At 'Five Fingers in Austria's Dachstein Mountains (top right), visitors have some of the best views of the French Alps. For unrivalled panoramas of Rio de Janeiro (bottom right), holidaymakers trek up Corcovado, best known for its massive statue of Jesus Christ.
The largest Buddhist settlement in the world: Inside the village where 40,000 monks and nuns are segregated and televisions are banned... but iPhones are allowed
Despite its remote location the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Sertar, China is the largest settlement of its kind in the world, with 40,000 monks and nuns who live in basic conditions. They use communal toilets and the tiny red and brown huts where they eat and sleep do not have modern heating systems.
Ruff riders! Daredevil border collies catch some waves at surfing competitions for DOGS in Australia
Sleeping with Siberian tigers: Safari company offers rare trip to stay in endangered big cat's habitat in Russia's Far East (but it costs £3,500 and the chance of seeing one in the flesh is slim)
Holidaying with the lair of a tiger as your closest neighbour might not sound like the cleverest idea in the world but it is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that won't be forgotten. For £3,500, tourists are being invited to book a trip to Russia and sleep in the natural habitat of the Siberian tiger, one of the world's most endangered animals. Bespoke tour operators Natural World Safaris is offering the rare trip which also gives guests a unique opportunity to view the big cat.
Fight night on the flight, men refusing to sit by women... and the planes that ALWAYS run out of gin: Cabin crew reveal the routes they hate to fly (and some unexpected favourites)
Flying to Nice involves stocking up on gin, Saudi Arabia can be unexpectedly fun and London City to Ibiza is much better than Luton to Ibiza, according to cabin crew. Speaking about the best and worst routes on website FlyerTalk, the airline workers reveal what makes a great flight for them, from minimum jetlag to maximum commission form the duty free trolley.
If it's good enough for Ben Fogle! Chic and child-friendly Portuguese paradise offers luxury for all the family (and it even has its own baby concierge)
Martinhal, which opened in 2010, is renowned as being one of the best in the Algarve for a luxury family holiday. The high-end resort, which boasts a fine-dining restaurant, is the only five-star resort in the area to have direct access to a beach, and is set within 25 hectares in the protected Costa Vicentina Natural Park.
From Richard Gere's upstate New York hideaway to Hugh Jackman's Queensland wellness retreat: The A-list hoteliers and their surprisingly stylish resorts around the world
For these Hollywood A-listers, it's not enough to show off their talent on the silver screen, they're also dominating the field of hospitality. These are the most surprising celebrity-owned hotels in the world. Pictured (clockwise): Hugh Jackman's Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Queensland, Australia; Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch Hotel in Carmel, California; Leonardo DiCaprio's eco-friendly resort in Belize, which is currently in development; and Richard Gere's historic Bedford Post Inn in upstate New York.
A gingerbread cottage, a 'selfie' house full of mirrors and even a Cluedo murder mystery mansion: Are these the most bizarre rental properties in the world?
Swap your house of bricks back home for wooden treehouse perched high in the canopy in Costa Rica (pictured bottom left). Or perhaps a house full of mirrors (top right) is right up your street to ensure you're always looking your best. MailOnline Travel takes a look at some of the quirkiest rental properties around the world, from a gingerbread house (inset) to a home modelled on the Cluedo board game (top left) and even a Hobbit residence (bottom right).
MiC's Andy Jordan on joining the Mile High Club, hijacking tuk tuks in India... and which Chelsea star he would take to a desert island
He's known as living in one of the most exclusive postcodes in London, but Chelsea boy Andy Jordan reveals his secret favourite places to go on holiday, and which star he would most like to bring. The star says he is a firm believer in falling in love on public transport and says the girls looked incredible on the new season's opening episode in Barbados.
Five baggage handlers sacked after video shows passengers' luggage being hurled onto conveyor belt at Saudi Arabian airport
The video shows two of the Saudia employees throwing passengers' bags with such force that they land with a heavy thud or bounce off the wall at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. For nearly two minutes the workers toss suitcases or fling them behind their backs without care or caution, apparently in an attempt to unload the truck as quickly as possible. Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Civil Aviation confirmed that two supervisors and three baggage handlers have been sacked after the video surfaced online.
Riddle of the The Lonely Castle: Abandoned in the middle of the desert, the ancient tomb carved out of rock which has endured since the first century
In the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert is a magnificent single-stone tomb, which has been standing strong since the first century AD. Qasr al-Farid. which translates as 'The Lonely Castle', stands incomplete, having once been constructed for an important unknown figure, but abandoned before it was finished.
A golden age for travel: The vintage airline posters that promised glamorous holidays to London, Hawaii and Haiti... for those who could afford it
These vintage adverts from 1945 to 1975 are a throwback to the golden age of air travel, when flying was an exclusive experience, passengers wore their best clothes and there was plenty of legroom. They're featured in a new coffee table book, Airline Visual Identity 1945-1975, which revisits a time when the skies were dominated by the likes of Pan Am, British Overseas Airways Corp (BOAC) and Continental. Many of the ads feature drawings or photos of beautiful women or famous landmarks to encourage tourists to travel to places such as Southern California (left), London, Haiti (middle), Palm Springs (right) and Australia.
Two Britons fined $3,000 each for throwing peanuts at cabin crew forcing flight to divert to Bermuda
The perfect pad for a James Bond villain: Victorian sea fort opens as a luxury hotel, complete with nightclub, laser tag arena and rooftop hot tub... in the middle of the Solent
The spectacular isolated fort, one of three guarding the entrance to the Solent just off the coast of the Isle of Wight, has been turned into a luxury impregnable haven complete with a rooftop hot tub, shops and even its own nightclub, thanks to a multi-million pound revamp. Guests can unwind in one the 23 luxury suites (top right) which are priced at £450 per night, enjoy endless sea views (top left). relax on the sun deck (bottom right) and enjoy luxurious surroundings, all contained within the huge Victorian fort in the middle of the Solent.
What happens when a hotel guest dies? Where do the half-used loo rolls go? And can you really steal the robe? Your burning hotel questions, answered
Ever wondered exactly what happens to all those unused hotel toiletries? Or if someone dies during their stay? And can you actually get away with using the minibar and not paying for it? MailOnline Travel spoke to hotel industry insider and author Jacob Tomsky to answer all of those unusual hotel questions.
BEST OF MAILONLINE TRAVEL
TOP TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
NO FEES ON FOREIGN PURCHASES
Credit cards selected by This is Money
|
|
|
|
TOP STORIES IN TRAVEL
- Twirl your feet, lean forward in your seat and take it easy on the coffee: Infographic reveals how to avoid jet lag and stay fit on a long-haul flight
- From the edge of the world's highest full circle to a cliff with a 2,000-FOOT drop: The most spectacular views for daredevil holidaymakers
- The largest Buddhist settlement in the world: Inside the village where 40,000 monks and nuns are segregated and televisions are banned... but iPhones are allowed
- Ruff riders! Daredevil border collies catch some waves at surfing competitions for DOGS in Australia
- The heat is on! From lakes and lidos to rivers and pools: The top ten UK swimming spots to keep cool as the mercury rises
- CCTV footage shows elderly couple catch brazen pickpockets in the act at hotel in Benidorm... and bravely confront the thief
- The hills are still alive in Salzburg... Sound of Music fan Sarah Turner follows the film trail and belts out hits with Australian fans
- Houses are the new hotels: From posh LA apartments to Paris penthouses... find the perfect real home for your next holiday
- The train guard who is a bard: Northern Rail conductor delights passengers with self-penned poems over the Tannoy
- Sleeping with Siberian tigers: Safari company offers rare trip to stay in endangered big cat's habitat in Russia's Far East (but it will cost £3,500 and no promises that you'll see one)
- Government-issued housing, super-highways that span 20 lanes but not a soul in sight: Inside Myanmar's haunting capital city
- New York's playground: Mohonk Mountain's faux-gothic Victorian castle offers adventure for all ages 90 minutes from the Big Apple
- Food from home flown in by private jet, the world's first squash court at sea... and two tigers on board for selfies: The most outrageous superyacht requests revealed
- Coachella is summer's most expensive festival costing £187 A DAY for entry, food and drink... but for best value look no further than a Serbian fortress
- Irate passenger slaps airline worker in row about overweight luggage at Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City airport
- Prague airport hires porters to carry passengers' luggage up 32 stairs at metro station... because £525million rail project didn't budget for an escalator
- What happens when a hotel guest dies? Where do the half-used loo rolls go? And can you really steal the robe? Your burning hotel questions, answered
- The perfect pad for a James Bond villain: Victorian sea fort opens as a luxury hotel, complete with nightclub, laser tag arena and rooftop hot tub... in the middle of the Solent
- A comfortable holiday home, activities for children and plenty of time by the pool: Finding lively and family-oriented camping with Eurocamp in the South of France
- A golden age for travel: The vintage airline posters that promised glamorous holidays to London, Hawaii and Haiti... for those who could afford it
- Idyllic islands, stunning waterfalls and giant Buddha statues: Drone captures Thailand's breathtaking scenery like it has never been seen before
- Real tales of two cities: Bristol, Aberdeen and Kingston... places around the world that share a name but couldn't be more different
- Chinese woman dies after being accidentally knocked over by Canadian tourist at Great Wall of China
- British holidaymakers conned out of £2.2million by fake holiday letting websites, hackers and bogus airline tickets
- An award-winning spa, a two Michelin star restaurant and a swimming pool with underwater music: Why celebrities are flocking to Pennyhill Park
- Stay at Andrés Iniesta's house for just £90 after Barcelona footballer and Spanish World Cup winner lists his charming vineyard on Airbnb
- Two million eyes on Scotland! Stunning photos reveal what happens when you send eight of the most influential Instagram users on a road trip together to the Isle of Skye
- Vincent van Froth! Artist turned barista creates incredibly detailed caricatures in coffee foam, including legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao, at Manila cafe
- Time travel through the decades! Airbnb showcases its most in-demand rentals decorated in signature period styles (you can even stay in a decked out campervan!)
- If it's good enough for Ben Fogle! Chic and child-friendly Portuguese paradise offers luxury for all the family (and it even has its own baby concierge)
- Britannia rules the waves: Basking in Britishness aboard P&O's newest cruise ship
- Safari Britain: Forget Africa, a wealth of wildlife lies right here on our doorsteps
- Messing about in boats: Exploring the unspoilt beauty (along with wolves and elks) in Poland's Lake District
- Canine help you? Tourists from around the world flock to Tokyo tobacco shop where they are served by a cigarette-selling dog
- Join the Mile Low Club! From a $2.3bn superyacht that travels underwater to two-person submarine pods... the billionaires' toys that explore the world BELOW the waterline
- From the bluebonnets of Hill Country, Texas, to Japan's famed cherry tree blossoms: The most beautiful destinations in the world to spot spring in full swing
- You know nothing, Jon Snow! 'Depressing' tourism bosses in Northern Ireland hit back after Game of Thrones star Kit Harington ridicules Belfast
- OMG, flying SUX! The most unusual airport codes in the world (and why they have them)
- From Bedlam to Beyonce's London hideaway: Inside the sleek hotel built on the site of the infamous psychiatric hospital
- From unseen photos of Captain Scott's fateful expedition to a 177-year-old map of the world valued at £10,000: Incredibly rare travel items go up for auction at Christie's
- Barcelona BANS large tourist groups from entering city's famous La Boqueria food market... so locals can do their weekly shop
- Rescued from obscurity! Vintage 1950s lifeboat transformed into a romantic Dutch hotel (but you'll need to know each other well, because the toilet is right next to the heart-shaped bed)
- The ancient fortress that has historians - and even Putin - baffled: Nobody knows why spectacular 1,300-year-old Siberian island fort was built... or why it was abandoned
- Buried alive: Helmet camera captures terrifying footage and panicked screams of off-piste skier as he swept up by avalanche
- Instagram vs reality: What travel really looks like without a filter (and why you shouldn't trust your favourite celebrity's holiday snaps)
- 'We don't love Ryanair!': Spanish rockers perform sarcastic ballad about airline's customer service on flight as passengers sing along
- Bikini-clad local woman arrested and kicked off Mexican beach 'for sunbathing under a palm tree' in area reserved for tourists
- From Game of Thrones to Thor: Iceland sees tourism boom as a favourite filming spot for hit TV shows and Hollywood blockbusters
- A masterpiece of Islamic architecture: Breathtaking photos capture ornate beauty of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Water fights in Hungary and horseback parades in Germany: Easter celebrated with unusual traditions around the world
- Dog fluff art, baffling plays and some of the best galleries on the planet: Inside Nu York's cultural revolution
- Ryanair bans booze on notorious party flight from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Ibiza after rowdy behaviour sparks concerns about passenger safety
- Poldark craze sparks interest in Cornish property with stunning views of the sea and two cottages connected by a lift... but it will set you back £3million
- In the footsteps of the Lannisters: Game of Thrones fans flock to real-life King's Landing and Dorne ahead of series five premiere
- Red wine, cheese, gourmet crisps and foie gras: Paris company delivers made-to-order picnics to tourists who can't be bothered to pack their own
- From erotic literature to Native American religion: New York hotel inspired by Dewey Decimal System is every bibliophile's dream
- Do you need a key to start a plane? Can a cabin door open mid-flight? And where do pilots sleep at 35,000ft? The answers to every question you've ever had about flying
- From dancing at Coachella to sunning it up in the Hamptons: The best holiday destinations for celebrity spotting this summer
- 'Disgusting vandal' sought after human excrement discovered on floor inside London Midland train carriage
- Looking for love in all the right places: Website seeks 'date explorer' to travel around the world and mingle with locals (without paying a penny)
- Splashing out in Dubai: Olympic star Rebecca Adlington finds the perfect resort to prepare for motherhood
- Wish you were us? This impossibly beautiful couple's travel snaps will always trump yours (no wonder they have two million followers on Instagram)
- The most powerful passports in the world revealed (and the ones that barely let you travel anywhere)
- Welcome to Malaga - the new Barcelona! City's multi-million pound regeneration project makes it one of Europe's hippest destinations
- History on the run: A journey through Jerusalem's rich 3,000-year past begins with a 42.2km race through the city streets
- The brighter side of Somalia: Woman's pictures of stunning beaches and children playing happily in the sea attract 68,000 Instagram fans
- The celebrity haven nobody has heard of: Why supermodels and Hollywood stars are flocking to a fishing village in Uruguay
- Free Facebook access for a sky high selfie, mood lighting and a full length bathroom mirror: Virgin's economy class gets an upgrade
- Would you pay $2,000 A NIGHT for an overwater bungalow at Walt Disney World? Orlando resort unveils new villas... but they're not for the budget traveller
- Forget New York and London... the fastest-growing cities for multi-millionaires are Ho Chi Minh City and Houston
- For high-flyers only! Gold trim, white leather and a cruising speed of 178mph... the deluxe helicopter on sale for $15MILLION
- GPS tracking device for pets launched on flights so owners know location, temperature and condition of their pets at every stage of journey
- Below the surface of Laos: Kayakers capture incredible rock formations and emerald green waters of immense cave system
- Preparing for the tourist invasion: Airbnb allows American travellers to book flats and private rooms in Cuba for the first time
- Some like it hot (and cold): Daredevil skier tears up the slopes on and active VOLCANO... as lava bubbles behind him
- Spend a night behind bars! Former Liverpool prison turned into luxury hotel... complete with inmates' artwork on 'cell' walls
- How to beat the dreaded jet lag: Infographic reveals how you can get your long-haul holiday off to the best start
- The carpet that broke the internet: People flock to say a final farewell to Portland Airport's cult flooring that has more selfies than Kim Kardashian (probably!)
- What hand-some pictures! British couple travel the world taking photos of 'thumbs up' in front of every major landmark
- Souk up the sun: Lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of Marrakech before unwinding at the romantic Medina Gardens
- Costa Rica, a tropical paradise filled with long stretches of unspoiled beaches, dense jungles, exotic wildlife and smouldering volcanoes - 'pura vida' indeed
- The Austrian capital will the host the Eurovision Song Contest this year... here are six things you must do in Vienna once the show is over
- Great outdoors to be explored: How to make the most of the longer days
- Whet your appetite with a trip to Valencia: The home of paella makes for a delicious break
- The ultimate European road trip! Travelling 16,000 miles and taking in 45 places, U.S. scientist maps out the perfect getaway
- From the castle that inspired Walt Disney to a glowing beach in the Maldives: The world's best fairy-tale destinations to feel like a real-life Cinderella
- 'Sign the petition!' Footage reveals how Paris scammers target tourists with bogus causes and demands for donations
- The buffet is open! Stunning photographs show sharks, dolphins, birds and a whale feasting on NINE MILLION sardines
- Kayaking in the Mangroves, food fit for a king and the Grand Mosque at sunset: It's little wonder Abu Dhabi is known as the Arabian Jewell
- You're doing it all wrong! How to cram a month's worth of clothing into hand luggage allowed by most budget airlines
- With nine restaurants, black marble bath tubs and service with a genuine smile, Grenada's luxury all-inclusive Sandals La Source slays the cynics
- A game of other halves: Jenny Cowley finds beaches and beauty in Croatia ... while her husband shouts at the football
- Fancy a voyage? Make a cruise agent your first port of call who can ensure you pick your perfect itinerary
- Downton on rails: Finding Burma's soul via train and rail from Singapore to Mandalay
- Vilnius, Budapest and Riga offer best bargains for Britons this spring as more holidaymakers choose city breaks over beach getaways
- Have at least 30,000 Instagram followers, maintain your Klout score and use hashtags: How to use social media to bag a luxury holiday or free hotel stay
- From a breathtaking Italian vineyard to Australia's Gold Coast: How one adventurous couple stays in amazing destinations for FREE
- From scoring a free upgrade to sleeping in comfort at 35,000ft: The ultimate guide to what you should REALLY wear on a plane
- From a patch of brown dirt to 'The Happiest Place on Earth': Time-lapse reveals how original Disneyland was built 60 years ago
- Big, brash and beautiful: A captivating water world in the middle of the desert... and one of Kim Kardashian's favourite luxury hotels
- Keep your lips locked: Popular Indian tourist village in Goa bans 'obscene' public displays of affection... so where else is kissing is a crime?
- Wish you were here? Beyonce, Miranda Kerr and Lady Gaga share 'smug yoga' holiday selfies atop beaches, rocks and yachts
- Now that's a wake-up call! Florida hotel blasts theme from The Lion King every morning to wake up hungover spring breakers
- The face of 30: From an African mother to the New Yorker who fears failure, photographs explore people's lives as they reach milestone birthday
- What REALLY went down on the real life Hangover: Photos from epic Thailand trip which began as just a quiet beer in a Middlesbrough pub
- Are these the most dangerous holiday snaps ever taken? Tourists brave 800-FOOT drop to stand on boulder wedged between cliffs
- From William Shakespeare's 'cursed' tomb to Henry VIII's underground vault: The most visited grave sites in Britain revealed
- Algarve and Tenerife named best bargain spots for Britons planning last-minute Easter getaways... with Italy and France offering more expensive breaks
-
Is this the best police force in the world? Officers in Reykjavik dress up as Star Wars characters and play with kittens in amazing Instagram photos
- Hitler portraits, swastikas, and waiters dressed in SS uniforms: Indonesia's controversial Nazi-themed cafe defies critics and death threats
- Lyme disease in Scotland, parasites in Corsica and West Nile virus in America: The most unusual illnesses you wouldn't expect to get while on holiday
- Making history: New Russell Crowe movie on bloody World War I battle becomes first to film inside Istanbul's Blue Mosque