The World Tour of Oopsies: Chapter 1 – The Scorpion

[The World Tour of Oopsies is an ongoing series of travel stories about my first decade of travel. During these adventures and misadventures, I unlearned many things I thought I knew about life. Welcome to my miseducation.]

Part I / Koh Pdao

On the small island of Koh Pdao in Cambodia, in the middle of the Mekong River, I achieved one of my very short life’s goals: to drift slightly out of reach from all I’d ever known.

To get to this tiny island, I’d convinced my parents to let me join a service-learning trip as a teenager. The company brought ten Western youths to Cambodia with the help of a local tourism company.

We’d landed on that small island in the middle of the Mekong River to build biodigesters. In exchange, we were hosted by local families in pairs. They lived in stilted, wooden homes; the Mekong is prone to flooding, feeding the rice fields on the island where the water buffalo roam.

We ate with our host families in the mornings and at night, hanging out and finding ways to exchange conversation despite the language barrier. Like the rest of my group, I didn’t speak any Khmer aside from the bare basics. We spend two weeks on the island, working on small projects during the day and otherwise living slowly.

I remember feeling safe and at home on the island, despite the cultural and linguistic barriers. Sure, there was a little bit of curious staring, and also I got called out for having a lot of arm hair, but otherwise, I was in heaven.

When the sun would set, I would head to my host family’s house with my intrepid colleague named Sushi. Our host parents and siblings taught us traditional dances and showed us photos, while we asked questions and pointed to things in books.

During this two-week period, I was (beautifully) out of reach from the world I knew. No phone calls home. No letters.

Part II / The Scorpion

Smash cut to me waking up in the middle of the night needing to use the bathroom.

I headed to the back of my host family’s home, down the stairs, and into the bathroom. On my way back up, I made the fatal mistake of trusting the railing.

When I felt something pinch my finger, I pulled my hand back and saw something hanging from my middle finger, near my joint. It stung, so I instinctively shook my hand—

And saw a scorpion slinging from side to side with its stinger sunken into my flesh.

The good news: I’m not a screamer.

The bad news: the scorpion was venomous.

The even worse news: I didn’t speak Khmer and couldn’t tell my host family what had happened.

Back to the good news again: I’m really good at drawing.

In no time, I had whipped out one of my notebooks and drawn a sufficient depiction of a scorpion. My host parents nodded; they could seemingly put together the feverish gestures I was making, and understood that the swollen notch on my finger was from the scorpion.

Nothing happened. My host parents shrugged it off, and everyone went back to bed.

Even if my host parents had shown signs of worry, the village didn’t have electricity, and I didn’t know which families my group leaders were staying with.

As the minutes ticked by, I started to feel a weird sensation in my hand, which was spreading to my wrist toward my elbow. It felt like my arm was asleep; uncomfortable, but not painful.

So, I went back to my bed mat and waited for dawn. The symptoms in my hand and arm continued to intensify, but they never became painful. Again, I felt that my host family understood, and I also felt safe with them.

When the sun rose, we ate breakfast as usual, then left the house to head to our worksite for the day. I found my group’s leaders and pointed out my boo-boo, and someone left the island later on to get me a few painkillers (or possibly antihistamines, I can’t remember).

I was able to work that day. Every time my venom-hand hit something, it felt like my whole arm was waking up after falling asleep. Sort of like what I imagine it would feel like to stand inside a massive church bell while it’s ringing at full force.

By sundown, I had the pills I needed. Within two days, my arm was fully back to normal. To this day, I still have the journal I kept with me during my homestay on the island—and it still has the drawing of the scorpion in it.

TL;DR: Don’t use handrails at night when you’re in a jungle. And always trust your host family.

Where is PDA Taboo? Your Travel Guide to Macking in Public

The United States is one of the most interesting places to grow up when it comes to PDA, aka public displays of affection.

In big cities, most Americans don’t bat a lash at a couple that’s holding hands, cuddling up, or even kissing in public. But the further you wander into rural towns or religious areas (like Mormon country in Utah or Amish country in Pennsylvania), the more likely you are to make someone uncomfortable with a little macking.

Though we’re overwhelmingly fine with PDA (and racier media content in general), the country is home to religious groups that sometimes have a more conservative approach to life and love.

In other words, PDA is usually on the table in the United States, but might be off the table in certain places when we travel. For Americans, it’s (usually) easy to sense which area we’re in.

That’s a pretty dynamic take on PDA—one that I think serves us Americans well when we head abroad. Like at home, we can usually pick up on the atmosphere and act accordingly.

Still, there’s nothing worse than realizing you might be making locals uncomfortable, especially if a stranger approaches to ask you to keep it PG.

Want a short list about where PDA is either illegal or immoral? Similar to naturism and nudity, it’s a cultural and, at times, legal topic. While I can’t list out every single country on earth, I’m starting off with the most popular destinations for traveling Americans.

Before we start: For the purposes of this article, I’m focusing on heterosexual couples.

Countries where PDA is illegal

In some countries, PDA isn’t just viewed as immoral—it’ll actually get you a fine or, worse, a court date.

PDA is most often illegal in countries and regions where religious authorities hold legal power. If you’re heading to a country that’s non-secular, it’s a good time to take a closer look at the laws on PDA.

Islamic countries are likely top of mind for Americans, but PDA is often equally unwelcome in countries with Christian and Buddhist influences. In Bhutan, a Buddhist nation, PDA isn’t outright illegal but could be seen as illegal if it’s obscene enough, for example. And what’s viewed as obscene is based on cultural values, not legal sums.

The same for India. Though not explicitly illegal, citizens might have the right to press charges based on PDA if you offend them. That being said, public perceptions of PDA are always evolving, and even countries like India that are tougher on public displays still have exceptions.

That’s the key here: even where PDA might not be outright illegal, authorities might be encouraged to act if they’re feeling the pressure from citizens. And even something as simple as holding hands can raise the alarm in very conservative areas.

In these countries, PDA could get you into legal trouble:

Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Egypt
India
Russia (for same-sex couples only)

Countries where PDA isn’t welcome

Do I think a few sneaky little kisses will land you in a Dubai jail cell? No—but it could, if you don’t handle the situation with humility and aplomb.

What’s more likely to happen is that your public displays of affection will simply make everyone around you uncomfortable. Keep in mind that touristy areas are usually cultural isolates; locals know that you’re visiting and that you don’t know the rules, so you might get a pass, so to speak.

That being said, any time you wander off the tourist track, that type of leniency might not apply—and that’s especially true if you’re being affectionate with a local. They might be expected to uphold customs, while you might not be.

In these countries, PDA is likely to make other people uncomfortable:

China
Japan
Korea
Thailand
Vietnam
Bhutan
Morocco
Turkey

Again, if you’re heading to a country where religion remains a strong influence, from Islam to Buddhism to Christianity, think twice about PDA.

Top 8 All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida to Consider this Summer & Autumn

Florida would seem like the prime location to nail a great all-inclusive resort stay, right?

In reality, all-inclusive resort stays are highly elusive. Many all-inclusive offers are startlingly bare-bones, including only basic room and meal accommodations, plus a few standard amenities.

It’s a bit misleading for many guests—after all, what’s the point of heading to a resort if you’re not going to take advantage of all those amenities and activities?

If you’re on the hunt for a truly all-inclusive package or, at least, a functional way to put together an all-inclusive package, then look no further. I’ve rounded up some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Florida, including options for couples, families, nature-lovers, and more.

Here’s where to go when the Sunshine State calls. (Just keep in mind that not all the resorts listed below are true ‘all-inclusive’ offers; you might need to put together a few packages for an almost-all-inclusive experience.)

Short list: all-inclusive resorts in Florida

Best adults-only: Bungalows Key Largo (Key Largo)
Great for families: Omni Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach)
Coolest luxury pick: The Boca Raton (Boca Raton)
Most affordable: Hawks Cay Resort (Florida Keys)
Pure natural beauty: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (Florida Keys)
Longest list of amenities: The Breakers (Palm Beach)
Wellness-focused: Pelican Grand Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale)
Pure romance: Acqualina (Miami)

All-inclusive resorts in Florida to keep on your radar

Best adults-only: Bungalows Key Largo (Key Largo)

Consistently ranked as one of the top adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Florida by Forbes and Conde Nast, you can expect a truly relaxing experience at Bungalows Key Largo.

From soaking up the sunsets on the water to relishing the privacy of the bungalows, you won’t want to leave the resort. And with the promise of a kid-free day spent on the docks or by the poolside, it’s the perfect place to drift off.

Just make sure you’re ready to buck up for the luxury prices. This is one of Florida’s most quietly bougie escapes.

Great for families: Omni Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach)

Kids eat free this summer at Omni Amelia Island—so bring the whole family, especially if they’re a hungry bunch. While the fact that kids eat free should clue you into Omni’s lack of truly all-inclusive packages, you can cobble a streamlined package using their extensive special offers without a problem.

With the kids, you can take on adventures like nature tours, the mini golf course, paddle boarding, and more—or just kick poolside with a drink in hand.

Coolest luxury pick: The Boca Raton (Boca Raton)

This resort is a collection of five luxury hotels: the beach club, bungalows, tower, yacht club, and cloister. Each offers a distinct and truly opulent experience.

The grounds and rooms are truly stylish, while its list of activities includes golf, pickleball, boating, water sports, and more. There’s also a top-notch kids club, making The Boca Raton ideal for families who want to stay in the luxury space. (If you want an upscale experience without the kiddos, head to Bungalows Key Largo, listed above.)

Most affordable: Hawks Cay Resort (Duck Key)

A cay is a lagoon-like and shallow pool of seawater that forms near the coast. At Hawks Cay Resort, you’ve got a private cay to explore, whether you want to swim, paddleboard, or kayak. The grounds also offer SCUBA certification programs, along with tons of unique sea-faring trips, from deep-sea fishing to swimming with dolphins.

There’s also a marina, pool, spa, and more. Once again, there’s no pure all-inclusive offer here, but you can utilize Hawks Cay’s special offers for a streamlined and semi-inclusive trip.

Pure natural beauty: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (Florida Keys)

As another perennial favorite from major travel publications, Little Palm Island Resort lets you bask in the lap of luxury. In this case, you have two added perks.

First, unspoiled natural wonders wait in every direction. Second, though it’s not a truly all-inclusive resort, you can easily put together seamless experiences that take the work out of visiting, such as the culinary indulgence package. As America’s only private island resort, Little Palm lets you show up, drop your bags, and start relaxing immediately.

Longest list of amenities: The Breakers (Palm Beach)

The Breakers is a well-known quantity in Palm Beach. This ultra-lux and romantic resort is housed in a historic building, which adds a classy dash of grandiose intrigue. It almost feels like a storied, centuries-old East Coast haunt.

In fact, the insanely long list of amenities and activities at The Breakers makes that comparison ring true. Though it’s not an all-inclusive resort, the sheer number of options that you can add to the docket without too much muss or fuss makes it an ideal pick for a DIY experience.

From its long list of shops and restaurants to its golf and fitness experiences to its range of special resort offers, The Breakers doesn’t disappoint.

Wellness-focused: Pelican Grand Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale)

With a near five-star rating on TripAdvisor from a whopping 10,500 ratings, the people have spoken—and they love Pelican Grand Beach Resort. I’m particularly impressed with its range of wellness activities and amenities, which add something more to this beachside resort.

You can choose from a handful of spa programs, along with taking advantage of yoga classes. Plus, there are a range of inclusive offers to choose from, taking out the stress of trip planning.

Pure romance: Acqualina Resort (Miami)

The hunt for pure romance in Florida is usually a short one. Beaches, colorful sunsets, and bungalows abound, but Sunny Isles Beach in Miami has one of the best options out there.

With its tropical plants and bright red décor, Acqualina hands you the keys to a luscious poolside and beachside stay. There’s also a spa and plenty of space to roam. Just keep in mind it’s not adults-only.

Where to Go in Italy: City-by-City Breakdown

Whether you’re visiting Italy for the first time or returning for the umpteenth time, you’ll see and experience (and probably taste) something new.

Something unforgettable, too.

That being said, I’ve found that the more popular the destination, the tougher it is to ‘sift through the noise’. In the case of Italy, that noise is an array of historic and cultural cities that draw tens of millions of tourists from around the world every month.

It’s not just a bucket list destination; it’s a pile of bucket list destinations.

And if you’re heading to Italy on the standard week-long (or even two-week-long) trip, then you’re going to have to make a lot of tough choices deciding where to go.

Looking for a little shortcut that will give you a quick introduction to each city? Welcome to the Spark Notes take on Italian destinations, from Rome to the Amalfi Coast to Trieste.

Where to go in Italy: Top 5 cities

Rome

It’s known as the Eternal City for a reason. This ancient city lets you delve deep into the West’s most impactful cultural and philosophical legacies while also enjoying delicious eats and getting lost on scenic side streets. Just prepare for the lines.

Great for: History, museums, a long (almost unending) list of landmarks, and great eats

Milan

You’ll find plenty of heavy-hitting historical sites in Milan—but it’s a contemporary, powerhouse as well, home to Italy’s most important business, finance, fashion, and design brands. You can find a great blend of the past with the present, in other words.

Great for: Shopping, sightseeing, museums, and architecture

Naples

Naples is the birthplace of pizza, which you shouldn’t miss out on. But it also offers a balance of rich history and exciting nightlife. Similar to Milan, you’ll find a blend of history and modern tastes in Naples. Plus, next-level eats, including margarita pizza.

Great for: History, architecture, vibrant nightlife, seaside views, and great eats

Venice

This city of canals needs no introduction. You’ve probably heard of the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal, but did you know that aside from its canals, Venice also offers a unique take on cuisine? Plus, it’s most beloved cultural treasure: Carnaval.

Great for: World-renowned architecture, history, great eats, and unique culture

Florence

As the headquarters of the Renaissance and its most impactful thinkers and artists, Florence is chock-full of distinguished cultural sites and landmarks. It’s also home to a number of high-fashion houses—even if Milan is normally dubbed Italy’s fashion capital.

Great for: History (especially art history), architecture, and museums full of works by the Renaissance masters—plus a bit of modern fashion

Where to go in Italy: smaller gems you can’t miss

Amalfi coast

Known for its breathtaking coastal views and dramatic cliff faces, the Amalfi Coast is a masterclass in colorful cultural heritage. Along with its architectural beauty, you can enjoy stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and world-class restaurants.

Great for: Scenic drives and views, architecture, and great eats (plus, world-class limoncello)

Cinque Terre

Lining the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is a collection of five villages that line the ocean. Many constructions also overhang the dramatic, rocky coastline, offering gorgeous mountain views and Ligurian Sea vistas. Just watch out for tourists—it’s up there with Rome and Venice in terms of high-season crowds.

Great for: Scenic views, architecture, slow lifestyle, great wine, and great eats

Genoa

Birthplace of Christopher Columbus and pesto, Genoa is one of Italy’s hidden gems. You can find beautiful architecture, particularly in the historic center, which is home to colorful medieval buildings. And don’t forget about its harbor, which has made it an important maritime city.

Great for: Unexpected finds, medieval architecture, great eats, museums, and history

Turin

Equestrian statue dedicated to Duke Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy (Getty)

The architecture and history of Turin stand out because they aren’t quite like the rest of Italy, which was heavily influenced by Rome. There, you can find Baroque, Rococo, and Art Nouveau projects. Similar to Milan, it’s also a popular business hub, home to Fiat and Alfa Romeo, along with major music festivals.

Great for: Architecture, museums, culture, and great eats (especially sweets)

Trieste

Located on the border between Italy and Slovenia, Trieste is Italy’s most Germanic city thanks to its historic status as part of the Habsburg Austrian Empire. From its architecture to its eats to its history, that makes it not quite like other Italian hubs. Plus, it’s got a few canals like Venice, making it a solid alternative if you want to avoid crowds.

Great for: Architecture, culture, great eats, and unexpected finds

Bologna

Dubbed ‘la grassa’ or the fat for its extensive culinary impact, you’re going to eat well and eat often in Bologna. It’s also home to the world’s oldest university, giving you plenty of history and culture to bite into (pun intended) during your trip.

Great for: Great eats, history, culture, and architecture

Lucca

Lucca has quietly become one of the best alternatives to other Tuscan hotspots like Pisa and Florence. It’s got a stunning and well-preserved historic district, and is surrounded by some of Tuscany’s most lovely hills. Here, you can disappear into the slow pace of Italian life.

Great for: Slow living, great eats, architecture, and history

Olbia (Sardinia)

Boats in rocky cove, Maddalena Archipelago, Provincia di Olbia-Tempio, Italy (Getty)

Olbia is a popular spot for domestic Italian tourists, which should clue you into the beautiful beaches that can be found around the city. Similar to Palermo (below), you can also find historical callbacks to ancient Phoenician and Roman settlements. But the most famous sites are from its Romanesque architects, who built churches and basilicas.

Great for: Unexpected finds, beaches, architecture, and history

Palermo (Sicily)

On the right, San Cataldo Church, 12th century . On the left, Santa Maria dell Ammiraglio or La Martorana Church. Piazza Bellini Square. (Getty)

Though I usually prefer Sicily’s southern coast, there’s no doubt that I’d rather spend a day in Palermo compared to Catania. Both cities excel in terms of ancient history and delicious eats, but Palermo has more landmarks of historical significance thanks to the fact that it was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy for around seven hundred years. Best of all, Palermo puts you close to some of Italy’s quietest and prettiest beaches.

Great for: Ancient history, architecture, culture, museums, beaches, and great eats

The World’s Most Popular & Dangerous Tourist Experiences

Fear and travel pair together a lot—but I’m not just talking about a moment of turbulence on an international flight or realizing you’re suddenly missing a $20 bill.

I’m talking about travelers who purposefully seek out fear.

Maybe you’re into learning about the darker sides of history at landmarks and museums associated with humanity’s toughest hours. Maybe you’re willing to drive on a risky, scary road to reach your destination. Maybe you’re coming face-to-face with a never-before-seen cultural creature like Krampus.

Or maybe you’re actively looking for the scariest, adrenaline-pumping experiences in the world, from bungee jumping in New Zealand to Nile River rafting in Uganda. In reality, these types of adrenaline-pumping adventures aren’t new; remember when people used to throw themselves off Niagara Falls in wooden barrels?

Clearly, humans are wooed by many dangerous activities.

But what about international and far-flung destinations that bring in travelers solely for the promise of a dangerous, unforgettable, and rewarding survival experience? Where are they found, and what makes them so lethal?

Below are the most popular spots on earth where daredevil travelers like to tempt fate. I’m starting off with two of the most well-known adrenaline-inducing destinations and the types of dangerous tourist experiences they offer.

Most popular and dangerous tourist experiences for daredevils

Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls

You’ve likely heard of and seen pictures of this natural pool that abuts the edge of Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is the world’s most powerful waterfall, which makes it a much grander (and more terrifying) experience than visiting Niagara Falls, for example.

Devil’s Pool is only open from August to January, when the Zambezi River water levels are just right. It’s considered safe to visit so long as you’re with an experienced local guide. Reports on the total number of deaths at Devil’s Pool are unclear.

However, it’s likely that the rock lip that protects swimmers from going over the ledge will eventually erode, making Devil’s Pool something more like Devil’s Dropoff.

Diving with great white sharks in South Africa & Australia

Diving with great white sharks is a popular pastime around the world. I have an insane update for anyone who has dreamed of swimming with great white sharks off the coast of Cape Town in Gansbaai.

Apparently, the orcas have developed a taste for great white shark liver and are hunting them out of the area, so you might not actually find a great white willing to nibble at your underwater cage.

Instead, you might want to head to Australia’s southern coast, another area rich in great white activity. Neptune Islands in South Australia are one of the most reliable places where you can put yourself in biting range of a great white. Some companies even let children go shark diving, in case you want to bring your little one.

Visiting Pripyat, the blast site of Chernobyl

Dityatki, Ukraine – November 11, 2018: Unidentified people are near tourist information center and souvenir shop in front of checkpoint Dityatki in Chernobyl NPP alienation zone, Ukraine, Getty

Why visit the world’s most radioactive site? I can’t even guess at a motivation aside from hearing the call of dark tourism. Since 2011, travelers have been able to visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a safe area that rims the main disaster site.

Given that radioactive isotopes should have reached their half-life by 2011, the visit should be fine. Still, visitors aren’t encouraged to stay for long periods of time, and scientists have no proof that short periods of exposure won’t adversely affect your health.

Ultramarathons in places like the Sahara

Competitors take part in stage 3 of the 37th edition of the Marathon des Sables between Jebel El Otfal and Oued Tijekht in the Moroccan Sahara desert, near Tafraoute central Morocco, on April 25, 2023.(Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP via Getty Images)

I can’t fathom what would motivate me to run even a half-marathon, nonetheless pack up my gear and travel across the world to run an extreme marathon. But extreme marathons are absolutely a thing, and they take runners to some of the world’s cruelest environments, tasking them with crossing vast distances with limited supplies.

There’s the Badwater 135, which traverses Death Valley on a 135-mile route. There’s the North Pole Marathon, a standard-length marathon that takes place on a floating ice sheet 12,000 feet above sea level.

And my favorites, the Jungle Marathon that takes you through the Amazon for a 143-mile death race, and the Trans Sahara Marathon, a 93-mile race that tasks you with surviving the world’s largest desert.

The most dangerous tourist experiences by body count

Summiting Mount Everest

Devil’s Pool and shark diving (in cages) officially don’t have a death count, which makes them terrifying, but not especially dangerous. Summiting Mount Everest, on the other hand, will put you in death’s reach (and heaven’s reach, especially if you make it to the peak).

Since 1977, a total of 340 climbers have perished attempting to summit the mountain. Unfortunately, a whopping 200 out of 340 climbers have never been brought down from the mountain due to dangerous conditions. Officially, that makes Mount Everest the most dangerous tourist destination in the world.

Exploring Death Valley

Looking into Golden Canyon from Zabriskie Point, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Death Valley (Getty)

The United States is home to the world’s second-most dangerous tourist destination, Death Valley. With temperatures that hover over 110 degrees Fahrenheit, many visitors underestimate the toll that heat will take on their vehicles and bodies.

Since 2007 alone, 68 visitors have died in Death Valley National Park. Along with motor vehicle accidents, overheating is the most common cause of death. In 2024, six fatalities occurred in the park.

If you’re wondering how people end up lost and compromised in Death Valley, here’s a great podcast episode from Marooned about a German couple who were catastrophically lost in the park.

Running with the bulls in Pamplona

The Festival of San Fermin (or Sanfermines) in the city of Pamplona where the Running of the Bulls involves thousands of participants, Navarre, Spain.

I’m rounding off this list with the grizzliest activity: running with the bulls in Pamplona. Though most runners are locals, some come in from out of town to take the narrow streets and attempt to outrun massive bulls.

The rules dictate that they must be over the age of 18, not be under the influence of alcohol, not incite the bulls, and run in the same direction as the bulls. Since 1910, 16 runners have died, almost all by being gored by bulls.

Why Does Lisbon Have a Bridge That Looks Just Like the Golden Gate Bridge?

My first trip to Lisbon was full of surprises.

The biggest shock was the San Francisco-style hills that pen in the capital city. The second was realizing that locals would rather speak English with me than Spanish.

Last was when I headed to the waterfront to soak up views of the Tagus… only to be met with a massive suspension bridge that looked suspiciously like the Golden Gate Bridge.

The more my friend and I studied the bridge, from its cables to its orange color, the more we were struck by the similarities.

Comparing bridges across continents might not sound thrilling, but civil and architectural projects from top-notch firms unite the world, such as Zaha Hadid. And it’s one of my greatest travel nerd-outs to spot sister projects. (If you’ve ever spotted a Frank Lloyd Wright house, you get the nerdery that’s at play here.)

Spotting the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon spurred on questions that led me down a rabbit hole.

One that eventually led to some of the US’s grandest construction landmarks.

Ever wondered what Lisbon’s big orange suspension bridge has in common with the Flatiron Building in New York City? Or the Sears Tower in Chicago? Or the Superdome in New Orleans? Let’s dig in.

25 de Abril Bridge, aka Ponte 25 de Abril

The 25 de Abril Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tagus river. (Getty)

Let’s start with the basics. The 25 de Abril Bridge unites Lisbon with Almada across the Tagus River, spanning almost 10,500 feet; for comparison’s sake, the Golden Gate is only 8,980.

Starting in the late 1800s, companies and civil agents began the long and grueling process of submitting plans for a bridge, then waiting for approval. Decades of unsuccessful submissions delayed the project by almost a century.

Then, in 1960, the United States Steel Export Company won the bid to construct the bridge, which would also provide access to the recently constructed Cristo-Rei monument in Almada. The project took off and was completed in only six years.

(If you’ve heard of the American School of Lisbon, it was actually formed during this time to educate children of engineers who headed from the US to Lisbon.)

But American Steel wasn’t the company that was contracted to design the bridge—they were simply constructing it.

So, why does the 25 de Abril Bridge look so much like the Golden Gate Bridge, even down to the very same International Orange color?

Both were designed by the American Bridge Company, founded in 1900 and still active today. Part of the reason the company won the bid was that both Lisbon and San Francisco are prone to seismic activity.

Uniquely, there’s a third sister bridge in Edinburgh, the Forth Road Bridge. (I think that makes them triplet bridges?)

The American Bridge Company

This shot of the bridge at sunrise was made from the vessel on 01st of July 2022, New York, USA (Getty)

The fact that San Francisco, Lisbon, and Edinburgh have almost identical bridges is intriguing enough… but what if I told you that the Golden Gate Bridge is far from the coolest project that the American Bridge Company has designed?

Close your eyes and imagine some of the most striking bridges in the United States—which ones come to mind?

The Brooklyn Bridge is probably one of the first; unfortunately, the American Bridge Company didn’t design this iconic landmark. However, it’s behind New York City’s second-best bridge, the Verrazzano.

And that’s just the start. These are a few other American Bridge Company projects in chronological order:

Eads Bridge, Saint Louis (1874; at this time, the American Bridge Company was Keystone Bridge Company)
Mackinac Bridge (1957)
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (1964)
New River Gorge Bridge (1977)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge (1986)

The list keeps going…

That’s a pretty impressive list of bridge-building accomplishments, but don’t let the company’s name deceive you; the American Bridge Company has designed a lot more than just bridges.

Not only were its engineers adept at designing grand bridges that are both full of character and prepared to survive earthquakes, but they also helped design some of the United States’ greatest skyscrapers and arenas.

Buckle up—when you’re admiring the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon, you’re looking at a project that was designed by engineers who also worked on:

Flatiron Building (1902)
Woolworth Building (1913)
Chrysler Building (1930)
Empire State Building (1931)
Houston Astrodome (1964)
US Steel Tower (1971)
Sears Tower (1974)
Louisiana Superdome (1974)