Study Reveals One Travel Product Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat—Can You Guess?

I’m not usually the biggest germaphobe, but I tend to pay attention to what I touch and how often I wash my hands when I travel.

Most of that falls back on my desire to stay healthy while traveling. Thanks to that dry plane air and its cornucopia of bacteria, I reserve most of my fretting for the airport and air travel. Bus rides and train rides are also high-alert times.

But all of that care during transportation means nothing if we’re heading to a dirty rental or hotel room. And that’s doubly true if the items we’ve packed are also covered in germs.

A while ago, I covered the dirtiest places in most hotel rooms and rentals. I advised following your fingers; remote controls, light switches, and other on/off buttons on appliances are usually culprits for hidden grime.

But what if we, as travelers, are actually toting around the Typhoid Mary time bomb? Could it be that ‘the call is coming from inside the house’, to use the When a Stranger Calls parlance?

According to one in-depth study from microbiologist Amy-May Pointer, travelers have something in their arsenal that’s dirtier than a toilet seat. (Start guessing now, spoilers are below!)

Which travel product is dirtier than a toilet seat?

Ready to know the dirty, awful truth? According to Pointer, our suitcases are almost 60 times dirtier than a toilet seat. That’s a pretty devastating metric considering it was measured against public toilet seats.

But let’s zoom in a bit closer. Pointer’s study focused on the wheels of your suitcase. And that wheel is exposed to some of the world’s most unlovable, disgusting spots—from bathroom floors to sidewalks covered in pigeon poop. Unfortunately, Pointer also noted a lot of black mold in the mix.

And, to top things off, while the wheels of your suitcase are the dirtiest part, they’re not the only spot that’s downright filthy. Both the underside of the suitcase and those trolleys that let you stack them in the airport also have more grime, mold, and bacteria than a toilet seat.

If you want to dig deeper into the actual bacteria present, dive into the study linked above. You can learn about Staph, E. Coli, Pseudomonas, and other bacteria that will have you scrubbing your suitcase wheels in no time.

Famous Architecture in Chicago: 12 Buildings You Can’t Miss

As a Midwesterner who lives in Europe, I bring up Chicago a lot—usually to better describe where I’m from.

It goes something like this, “Where in the US am I from? It’s called Missouri. No, Mississippi is a different state. So is Michigan. Yeah, we also have a Minnesota. I know, it’s confusing. Have you heard of Chicago? I’m from just south of there.”

Then comes a little introduction to Chicago.

While many people have heard of this famous Midwestern hub, they usually know a lot more about coastal cities like NYC, Boston, LA, and Miami.

Every now and then, however, someone’s eyes light up when I talk about Chicago. Usually, they bring up architecture. Similar to Saint Louis (home to some of the US’s most stunning brick buildings), Chicago is an architectural hub. One with famous buildings in a diverse range of styles.

Just take a look at the list of popular Chicago tours—quite a few touch on architecture. Whether watching buildings drift by from a river cruise, heading into some of the coolest buildings for a look at their interiors, or strolling down the Magnificent Mile, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy if you’re a fan of architecture and history.

But with dozens of famous sites to see, which buildings should you make sure not to miss while in the Windy City? Start with these 14 picks, which cover the most famous architecture in Chicago.

Famous architecture in Chicago: 12 buildings you can’t miss

The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
Wrigley Building
The Tribune Tower
The Rookery Building
South Shore Cultural Center
Marina City Towers
875 N. Michigan Ave (formerly John Hancock Center)
Chicago Board of Trade Building
TheMART (formerly The Merchandise Mart)
Chicago Cultural Center
The Aqua Tower
The St. Regis

Famous architecture in Chicago: a closer look

Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)

Completed: 1973
Architect: Bruce Graham, Fazlur Rahman Khan

The tallest skyscraper in the world from 1973 until 1998, Willis Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in the United States—and, for a while, the world. Today, it’s the second-tallest building in the US behind One World Trade Center. You can visit the top of the tower and enjoy a death-defying observation deck experience.

Wrigley Building

Completed: 1921
Architect: Graham, Anderson, Probst, & White

Constructed before any major buildings were standing on the Chicago River, the Wrigley Building was the first of its kind. (It was also the first building in the city to get air conditioning. Its architects and engineers were inspired by the Giralda Tower of the Seville Cathedral.

Tribune Tower

Chicago, Illinois – April 26, 2011: People walking in the busy and picturesque downtown area of Chicago (Getty)

Completed: 1925
Architect: Raymond Hood, John Meade Howells

We tend to picture those moody, Gothic-style buildings as being shorter and more reminiscent of the Medieval era, in which the style was popularized. But that’s not the case with the Tribune Tower. During the early 1900s, Gothic Revivalism was enjoying a comeback. The Tribune Tower is a masterclass in this style, with commanding flying buttresses near its top. (Fun fact: the Tribune Tower and Wrigley Building are located across the street from each other.)

The Rookery Building

Chicago, USA – May 27, 2013: The Rookery, a landmark building in The Loop. downtown Chicago. Built 1885 – 1888. (Getty)

Completed: 1888
Architect: Daniel H. Burnham, John Wellborn Root

Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, many parts of the city were still being reconstructed. The goal of the Rookery was to provide Chicago with a new flashy high-rise, which was used largely for commercial purposes. The bold building draws on plenty of diverse inspirations, from Venetian design to Moorish treatments. In 1970, it was added to the national historic registry.

South Shore Cultural Center

Completed: 1908
Architect: Marshall & Fox

This is a smaller building that’s easier to miss, but it’s one of my favorite spots to visit in Chicago. Located in the South Shore neighborhood, this South Shore Cultural Center is a gorgeous Mediterranean-style Villa. For decades, it was a private country club, but now is part of the Chicago Park District.

Marina City

Marina towers and other buildings on the background at sunset (Getty)

Completed: 1963-67
Architect: Bertrand Goldberg

If you’ve visited Chicago and caught sight of two massive towers across from the Loop and thought… that looks like something out of a Sci-Fi film from the 80s, you were probably looking at Marina City Towers. Though symbolically built to resemble the corn cobs common to Illinois, they look way cooler, in my opinion. When they were completed in the 60s, they were the tallest residential buildings in the world.

875 N. Michigan Ave (formerly John Hancock Center)

Skyline of Chicago with John Hancock Tower in the background (Getty)

Completed: 1969
Architect: Bruce Graham, Fazlur Rahman Khan

Along with Willis Tower, 875 N. Michigan Ave (aka the John Hancock Center) are the two most iconic famous buildings in Chicago—and that’s thanks to Fazlur Rahman Khan. This Bangladeshi-American engineer helped design both. (He’s been called the Einstein of structural engineering.) Today, it’s used for commercial and residential purposes.

Chicago Board of Trade Building

Completed: 1930
Architect: Holabird & Root

This grand Art Deco skyscraper has been the stomping grounds of the Chicago Board of Trade (aka CBOT, and later CME after a merger) for almost a century. Located on the popular Loop, it’s also known for its 30-foot Roman goddess statue that stands at its apex. The goddess is Ceres, the Goddess of Grains—yet another callback to those Illinois farmlands, like Marina City.

TheMART (formerly The Merchandise Mart)

Chicago, IL / USA – September 11, 2019: View of one of the iconic red bridges downtown, in the Loop, with the famous Merchandise Mart building in the background. (Getty)

Completed: 1930
Architect: Graham, Anderson, Probst, & White

As with the CBOT building, TheMART is yet another bulky Art Deco building, this one located at a junction in the Chicago River. (Seriously, it’s huge enough that it has its own zip code.) You’ll definitely spot it if you go on a river cruise—or you might even end up inside shopping. Since it was opened, it’s been an important commercial space for the city.

Chicago Cultural Center

Completed: 1897
Architect: CA Coolidge, Robert C. Spencer

For over a century, the Chicago Cultural Center has played a pivotal role in the city’s operations. From hosting big-wig mayoral welcoming ceremonies to operating public libraries, it’s a tourist attraction that also serves the community. Though a little basic from the outside, its interior features are drool-worthy.

The Aqua Tower

Skyline of modern skyscrapers at downtown, Chicago, Illinois, USA (Getty)

Completed: 2009
Architect: Jeanne Gang

It’s visually stunning, bird-friendly, and includes gazebos, gardens, and pools on its many rooftop areas. It’s got residential and commercial spaces, along with a hotel where you can actually stay. Uniquely, it was also built to be more environmentally friendly than similar skyscrapers; a whopping 84% of construction waste was recyclable. Welcome to the new school of famous architecture in Chicago.

St. Regis

Completed: 2020
Architect: Jeanne Gang

Like the Aqua Tower, this commanding and new skyscraper was designed by Jeanne Gang—and upon its completion in 2020, was the tallest building in the world designed by a woman. Once again, sustainability was an important factor in its construction. However, visual design is another standout feature; there are three towers that are slightly curved and include ‘wind tunnel floors’ to reduce wind sway.

What to Do in Bimini, Bahamas: 5 Secret Adventures on a Tiny Island

Have you ever heard of Bimini, Bahamas, a tiny island chain that’s a little hop, skip, and jump from Miami?

It’s one of the weirdest and coolest destinations that I’ve had on my bucket list for years.

Bimini first landed on my radar when I was in middle school because I saw the movie Tuck Everlasting, a story about two star-crossed teens who can’t be together because his family drank from a fountain of youth and became immortal, and hers didn’t.

(Spoiler alert: His family gets run out of town for being undead weirdos, leaving our young female protagonist to her own devices. She chooses not to drink from the fountain, which the male protagonist doesn’t find out until he rolls into town on a motorcycle one hundred years later and finds her tombstone.)

Thanks to the film, I got really into the idea that there might be a true fountain of youth somewhere. And, at the time, all sources pointed to the westernmost island of the Bahamas: a chain of islands called Bimini.

Apparently, there’s a fountain of youth on South Bimini. And that’s not all—there might even be a road to Atlantis hidden along its coasts. Oh, and a shipwreck from the Prohibition era.

That’s a pretty insane list of attractions for an island that’s only seven miles wide. And it’s doubly crazy when you consider how accessible and affordable it is to reach Bimini.

Want to take a closer look at what to do in Bimini, Bahamas? These are the five ‘secret’ adventures of Bimini, plus how to get there and where to stay.

What to do in Bimini, Bahamas: The 5 secret adventures

The Fountain of Youth (South Bimini)

Circa 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon (1460 – 1521) in his search for the fabulous island of Bimini where the legendary Fountain of Youth was said to be located. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

When Juan Ponce de Leon made it to the Caribbean in the early 1500s to settle the islands for Spain, he heard rumors of a Fountain of Youth further north. Leon set sail from Puerto Rico on the hunt for the Fountain of Youth, eventually landing in Bimini. Though he never found the fountain, it has since been located. It’s a limestone well that’s said to be thousands of years old, located right off a main road on South Bimini.

Bimini Road (North Bimini)

Located off the coast is a submerged alignment of stones known as The Bimini Road. Today, it’s a popular scuba diving site that lets you explore the 1,500-foot-long road, which some people believe was once part of the Lost City of Atlantis. Apparently, the submerged road closely mirrors others built in the Mediterranean during Antiquity.

The SS Sapona (North Bimini)

As one of the more well-known shipwrecks in the Caribbean, the SS Sapona isn’t necessarily a secret adventure—but it’s one of the coolest reasons to visit the island. That’s because, unlike many other sunken wrecks, you don’t need a scuba certification to explore.

Plus, it’s got a great story. The SS Sapona was a rum-runner during the US Prohibition era and was (allegedly) used as a floating nightclub for nearby Floridian revelers. Cut to a terrible hurricane, which sank the ship and left it moored on the sand, half above water.

Hammerhead safari (North Bimini)

A great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) swimming close to the surface on December 24, 2007 in Bimini, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea. (Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

I can’t think of anything more terrifying than a Hammerhead shark encounter, but some people love this type of adrenaline-inducing adventure. On the Great Hammerhead Safari, you can sink to depths of up to 20 feet and watch these marine apex predators swim above you. Keep in mind that this is only available from November to April.

Dolphin House (Alice Town)

Who doesn’t love a creative museum visit? Even if you’re usually bored by drier exhibits and plaques with tiny fonts, you’ll be inspired by a trip to Dolphin House. The grounds are a work of art created by a fifth-generation local who uses local materials, from tiles to seashells, to create interactive and sensory pieces. If you like mural projects like Philly’s Magic Gardens, you’ll love Dolphin House.

What to do in Bimini, Bahamas: transportation & lodging tips

You can take a flight to North Bimini from South Florida, which takes only around 30 minutes. You can also take a ferry from Fort Lauderdale with the company Balearia Caribbean. The crossing takes around two hours. Additionally, many cruise operators dock in Bimini, giving you the chance to make a day trip out of the experiences above.

Once you get to the islands, the main form of transportation is golf carts. You can easily rent from a local company by working with your concierge.

And speaking of concierge—where should you stay? Alice Town is the capital of Bimini, which is located right between North and South Bimini.

And speaking of concierge, you can book a room at:

Resorts World Bimini (Alice Town)
Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina (Alice Town)

Best Fine Dining in Washington DC: 13 Affordable Michelin-Approved Restaurants

DC is one of the US’s most important hubs.

While it tends to fly under the radar compared to nearby hotspots like New York City and Boston, it’s got all the factors that go into a visitable (and even re-visitable) city.

From free museums to functional public transport to its long list of trendy new projects, Washington, DC lets you take a bite out of American culture.

And speaking of bites, that’s also true for Washington DC’s culinary scene. With dozens of upscale dining options, you won’t be short on places to find a memorable, maybe even life-changing meal.

The big question is—where can you get fine dining in Washington DC without breaking the bank? Let’s take a look at some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants that won’t price you out. Each has been hand-selected by the great minds at Michelin and given a Bib Gourmand badge.

Best fine dining in Washington DC: Michelin Bib Gourmand picks

Timber Pizza Co (Selected Restaurant)
Toki Underground
Oyalmel
L’Ardente
Karma Modern Indian
Unconventional Diner
Cane
Taqueria Habanero
Ellē
Laos in Town
Astoria DC
The Red Hen
Residents Café & Bar

Best fine dining in Washington DC that won’t break the bank

Timber Pizza Co (Michelin Selected Restaurant)

With multiple locations around the city and a seriously good menu that includes white, red, and green sauces, you’ve got all those basic pizza flavors you want… along with plenty of options to experiment, if you’re in the mood. Though it doesn’t have that Bib Gourmand badge, it could be in the works.

Toki Underground

An ultra-popular ramen spot, this eatery is perfect for those who enjoy faithful Japanese dishes. Just make sure you make a reservation—they aren’t accepting walk-ins anymore.

Oyalmel

Take a bite out of Mexican culture at Oyamel, where chef Jose Andres rolls out a master class in small dishes and delicious cocktails. Expect plenty of antojitos, aka small Mexican plates—sort of like Spanish tapas, which Andres would know about as a Spaniard.

L’Ardente

Dubbed as ‘haute yet simple, glam yet rustic’, this Mediterranean restaurant bridges all the elements of fine dining and austere cooking. Except it comes in a package that doesn’t grossly overcharge. Expect plenty of char from the grill and wood-fired oven.

Karma Modern Indian

Like the title suggests, this restaurant specializes in reimagining Indian favorites, then repackaging them with modern cooking methods. The goal? Make Indian food more approachable for Americans. The result? Indian like you’ve never tasted before.

Unconventional Diner

From the same restaurateurs that brought you L’Ardente, Unconventional Diner also capitalizes on two dueling concepts: the hyper-casual American diner offers upscale, modern twists on classics. Like meatloaf cooked in a morel mushroom gravy and a touch of Sriracha.

Cane

This Trinidadian establishment takes its name from one of the island’s specialties: sugar cane. But you’ll find plenty more than sweets on the menu at this small, neighborhood selection. Though it’s not fine dining (oopsies, I’m making an exception here), you’ll be able to taste the fusion of African, Chinese, and Indian culinary influences—something that I think should perk up any foodie’s ears.

Taqueria Habanero

Like Cane, Taquera Habanero is a truly casual eatery—but I’m listing it here because, if it’s good enough to get the attention of Michelin and is also affordable, it should be on your DC dining list. At this taqueria, expect hand-made delights inspired by the city of Puebla, like hand-ground masa turned into tortillas.

Ellē

From young and highly innovative chefs, Elle has become one of DC’s trendiest new eateries. Though it’s a little too refined for my Basic Girl palette, it’s a fantastic selection for true foodies who want to delve into a dynamic menu without overpaying. Come see what the fuss it about.

Laos in Town

Take a bite out of a true Laotian menu at Laos in Town. Still, you won’t be bogged down with an overly selective menu. Though it uses rare ingredients and a Laos-level of heat for its spicy dishes, there are also unexpected finds—and plenty of vegan options, too.

Astoria DC

Modern, delicious, and frequented by young locals, you can expect a solid menu with plenty of locally sourced ingredients. There are also imaginative new dishes worth saving stomach space for, like the cumin lamb, and plenty of layered flavor profiles that are daring but well-balanced, similar to those at Elle.

The Red Hen

There’s plenty of Italian fare for you to sink your teeth into at The Red Hen—but I’d go for the pasta. Or a few different pastas, depending on how hungry you are and how large your group is. Pastas are made fresh and are perfectly accented with traditional Italian flavors, like sausage with a touch of fennel. Aside from pasta, expect a menu full of classic dishes.

Residents Café & Bar

Located near Astoria DC in Dupont Circle, Residents Café & Bar is yet another chic and young eatery. Whether you want brunch or dinner or just a few cocktails, there’s a cozy and picturesque corner for you to sit down and enjoy. It also has a magnetic and Instagrammable design, in case you like those photo ops!

Miami Neighborhoods to Visit: Your Guide to Vice City

Miami is a bucket-list destination thanks to its unique history, stylish culture, and semi-tropical beaches.

Sunshine, Art Deco architecture, fit people, and ultra-chic tastes have helped make Miami one of the US’s trendiest, most effortlessly cool destinations.

That being said, Miami’s multi-faceted identity can make it hard to navigate.

Are Miami Beach and South Beach different? Is Key Biscayne actually part of the city? And what’s the difference between Little Havana and Little Haiti?

Welcome to the tangled world of figuring out which Miami neighborhoods to visit. Even if you’ve been to Vice City before, its neighborhood lines are constantly in flux, as are the city’s list of activities, tours, restaurants, lounges, and more. In short, there’s a lot to get through.

Skip the homework to have those Miami neighborhoods explained for you, starting with the most common tourist areas, listed below.

Welcome to Miami

Diversity is usually top of mind for travelers who head to Miami thanks to the city’s longstanding status as a Latino hub. So is Art Deco architecture, which is the iconic style that you’ll notice around town.

Art Deco motifs are big because Miami boomed in the 1920s when that style was at its peak. (The same is true in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, too.)

Coconut Grove is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and was a popular spot for Bahamian settlers in the late 1800s—before Miami officially attained cityhood. Little Havana, by contrast, has been a popular hub since the Cuban Revolution, when immigrants flooded in from the nearby island. Little Haiti, in the meantime, didn’t take shape until the 1970s.

As you can see, Miami is a hodge-podge of Caribbean and American influences—one that’s continually evolving and changing. The more you know about Caribbean and Latin history in the area, the more deeply you’ll understand Miami neighborhoods.

No, you don’t need to study up before your trip—but just like New York City’s neighborhoods still have the stamp of Dutch colonial influence, the same is true in Miami. Except it’s more recent and it’s Caribbean.

Miami neighborhoods to visit: your short cut

Brickell: Dubbed a southern Wall Street, Brickell is Miami’s swanky, skyscraper business district within Downtown Miami. That being said, it’s not just for entrepreneurs in suits. You’ll find some of Miami’s most upscale restaurants, lounges, art galleries, and boutique shopping in Brickell. Just make sure you bring your wallet. And all of your credit cards.
Coconut Grove, aka The Grove: As outlined above, Coconut Grove is Miami’s first neighborhood. It was founded by Bahamian settlers, meaning you can find some of the city’s oldest homes and shops in the Grove. But the real appeal is historic charm, a laidback vibe, and monthly music and art events, such as the Fashion + Art + Music Night.
Design District: Step into the contemporary heart of Miami’s art scene. Home to over 130 art galleries, showrooms, design firms, and luxury fashion boutiques, it’s a sophisticated playground for some of the country’s coolest creatives. The Design District is located in the northern section of Wynwood, which I’ll discuss below.
Downtown Miami: Miami’s CBD is dotted with skyscrapers and high-rise condominiums, but it’s also a pedestrian and family-friendly zone. From popular nightclubs to waterfront parks to playgrounds, it’s a surprisingly dynamic and well-rounded hub—one that you might spend more time in than you previously thought.
Edgewater: This trendy neighborhood includes cozy, historic homes along with high-rise residential towers with views of Biscayne Bay. It’s a great place to stay while you visit, as the residential area is mostly quiet while also giving you direct access to both the Design District and Downtown Miami.
Little Haiti: As mentioned above, Little Haiti took shape in the 1970s when Haitian immigrants arrived. (Prior, the area was called Lemon City.) Half a century later, Little Haiti has become a hub for French-Creole restaurants, Haitian eateries, and hangouts. In 2016, the neighborhood was officially renamed.
Little Havana: Little Havana is the epicenter of Cuban culture in Miami, which offers a bustling and vibrant peek into Cuban culture, flavors, lifestyle, music, and more. From cigar shops to fruit stands, there’s a memorable find around every corner.
Miami Beach: Miami Beach is located on a barrier island that’s located east of the city, which runs around nine miles—you’d recognize this famous stretch of beach if you saw it on your screen. It’s home to three different beaches, including North Beach, South Beach, and Mid-Beach.
South Beach: South Beach is the southernmost stretch of Miami Beach that runs for around 2.5 miles. It stands out from the other two beaches on Miami Beach thanks to its iconic Art Deco buildings and party-centric atmosphere.
Wynwood: Located North of Downtown Miami and beside Edgewater, Wynwood is renowned for its industrial factories-turned-artsy-spaces. You’ll notice grand murals on building exteriors, along with plenty of new fashion and art district projects. Think: young, creative, and spacious.

UNO in Vegas: A Look at Mattel’s UNO Social Club Venture

If I met a genie and it gave me three wishes, the first two would be for a small fortune and transportation to Vegas. (I’d use the third wish for world peace, fear not.)

Though I’m not one for noisy parties, bright lights, or crowds, I absolutely love a little casino game. And beyond the purview of those massive casinos, Vegas has more to offer visitors than most think.

I’m talking about a live game show setup that you can play with your friends and family. Or a full-scale heavy equipment playground for adults. Or a haunted museum from the US’s most famous (and jacked) ghost-hunter.

But let’s refocus on casino games that involve real-money bets.

There’s a new venture in Las Vegas—and it’s one of the coolest takes on card games I’ve heard in a while. It’s an UNO Social Club where you can (probably) bet on the famous card game.

Palms Casino Resort recently announced plans to open an UNO Social Club as a pop-up venture. UNO is owned by Mattel, the giant company that’s also responsible for Barbie. According to Mattel, the Palms Casino Resort UNO Social Club will only be the first of many to launch across the US.

Unfortunately, it’s not yet clear how players could stake real money on games in Vegas. Additionally, it’s unclear whether any real money bets will take place at UNO Social Clubs that open up beyond Vegas. After all, most jurisdictions have tight regulations related to gambling.

So far, here’s what we know about the UNO Social Club: it will include a number of UNO table games with dealers at each, along with three deck variations. The variations are No Show ‘em No Mercy, Teams, and Golf.

In Show’em No Mercy, players face ruthless new rules and boosted penalties. In Teams, multiple players on the same team must empty their hands to win. In Golf, players must lower their scores by getting rid of high-value cards first.