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The Tourist Attraction: 1 Paperback – 15 April 2020

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The first in a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy series from a debut author. Welcome to Moose Springs, Alaska !

When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…

Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

'As [Morgenthaler] imbues a familiar premise with infectious joy, good humour, and plenty to swoon over, her vivid descriptions of Alaska in the summertime are as charming as her protagonists.' ― Booklist

' A breath of fresh air on the romantic comedy scene ― Morgenthaler's voice feels both wonderfully familiar and delightfully fresh.' ― Lauren Layne, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Central Park Pact series

'A sparkling debut with a fantastic cast of characters. The Tourist Attraction will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.' ― Stefanie London, USA Today bestselling author of the Bad Bachelor series

'After reading Sarah Morgenthaler's charming debut, I wanted to hop a plane to Alaska and find my own grumpy cinnamon roll hero!' ― Melonie Johnson , award-winning author of Smitten by the Brit

• Book 1 of 3 Moose Springs, Alaska
• Print length 400 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Casablanca
• Publication date 15 April 2020
• Dimensions 13.97 x 2.64 x 20.96 cm
• ISBN-10 1728210488
• ISBN-13 978-1728210483
• See all details

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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Casablanca; 1st edition (15 April 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1728210488
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1728210483
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 2.64 x 20.96 cm
• 6,345 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books)
• 17,502 in Romantic Comedy (Books)
• 21,995 in New Adult & College Romance (Books)

About the author

Sarah morgenthaler.

Romance writer, geologist, chocolate chip cookie lover. Indie Romance Bestselling author of the Moose Springs Alaska series. Currently out climbing something, hiking something, or writing something. Find out more at: sarahmorgenthaler.com

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The Tourist Attraction

• 4.1 • 275 Ratings

Publisher Description

Curl up with a quirky small-town Alaskan rom-com that'll leave you laughing over: • A grumpy local and the sunny tourist who turns his world upside down • A rogue moose who threatens to steal every scene • A vacation you'll never forget • And a sweet romance that doesn't need to scald the pages to burn its way into your heart He had a strict "no tourists" policy…until she broke all of his rules. When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless parade of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way… Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the grumpy local than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness. This story of Alaska marries together all the things you didn't realize you needed : a whirlwind vacation, a friendly moose, a grumpy diner owner, a quirky tourist, plenty of restaurant humor, and a happy ending that'll take you away from it all.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY MAR 9, 2020

A grumpy diner owner and an adventurous waitress on her first vacation in years develop unexpected feelings in Morgenthaler's thoroughly entertaining debut. Graham Barnett hates running the Tourist Trap, his popular Moose Springs, Alas., establishment famous both for the gimmicky menu items ("Growly Bear" drinks and "reindeer dogs") and Graham's surly behavior, which the wealthy visitors to the nearby resort find inexplicably charming. He would much prefer to spend his time working on his chain saw sculptures. But as soon as he locks eyes with the "adorably dorky" Zoey Caldwell, who's saved up tip money for years for a two-week Alaskan adventure, Graham puts aside both art and business to spend time with her as her tour guide. Though their relationship hits an early hurdle when Zoey mistakes a chainsaw-wielding Graham for a murderer and kicks him in the groin, the chemistry between the two builds at a satisfying pace. Morgenthaler's descriptions of the scenery are majestic, and her delineation of the friction between the townspeople and the tourists is well done. The quirky supporting characters, including a truck-humping moose, add charm. This sweet, funny tale is sure to win Morgenthaler many fans.

Customer Reviews

A welcome surprise.

I started The Tourist Attraction prepared to be disappointed. I knew the synopsis sounded cute, but I'd recently read The Simple Wild and Wild at Heart and I was afraid I'd be comparing it to two books that had completely swept me off my feet. But try as I might, I couldn't fight the grin that overtook my face within the first few pages. And I kept finding myself smiling and laughing out loud as I read the rest of this adorable book. What I liked: Graham and Zoey are adorkable together. Their banter and chemistry is on point. I loved that Zoey was adventurous despite being quieter than her more confidant friend, Lana. Sometimes when our leading lady is the nerdy, quiet type, the author also makes her shy and timid. Not Zoey! I loved the setting. I think I'm developing an Alaskan fixation with all the books I've been reading lately. Morgenthaler does a beautiful job of setting the scene and giving the reader memorable (and romantic) experiences. I also loved the plot point of the town vs. the tourists. I love to travel, but I'm always thinking about how the locals must feel about strangers constantly rotating through the place they live and love. While tourism is sometimes necessary to keep money coming in, it often also means destroying some of what there is to love about a place. It's definitely a rock and hard place, and the author succeeds at showing a bit of both sides. But what I love most about this book is the humor and heart. I laughed, smiled, and got misty-eyed, and that's the kind of escapism needed right now. While I love this book and highly recommend it, a few things did bother me. I wanted more of Zoey's backstory. I kept waiting for it, thinking we're going to find out why Alaska has always been her dream destination, but we never get it. I also found myself confused by some of the dialogue--backtracking and rereading--but overall these small things weren't enough to kill my happy reading experience. The Tourist Attraction is so much fun, and I can't wait to read the next installment. I was provided an advance e-copy of this book from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, through Netgalley.

alaska is on the travel bucket list

this book makes me want to visit alaska in the non annoying tourist way ! small towns where the community is tightly knit (with tourists to help keep things moving) are so wonderful! starting the next book now !!

Terrible, don’t start & definitely don’t finish

This book was awful. The main characters were very very dry and the “chemistry” that was supposed to be between them was one-sided AT BEST but more accurately described as nonexistent. There was not a single character I liked. The two mains were immature, the “best friend” was the worst friend and all others are wildly undeveloped. The romance writing is off. It’s Insta-love on one character’s side but supposed to be slow burn I think for the rest of the book but it just comes off as cringe and the “humor” falls flat. Nothing redeeming about it! I could not even get halfway through it and based on other reviews I’m not missing much.

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Book Review :: The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way… Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

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What is The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler about?

The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler is about diner owner Graham Barnett and tourist Zoey Caldwell and takes place in Alaska, America.

Graham named his diner “The Tourist Trap” as a joke, but now he’s stuck serving a constant stream of uninterested resort visitors, including reindeer hot dogs. However, he meets a tourist named Zoey Caldwell who is charmed by the Alaskan mountain town of Moose Springs and, after a few friendly (and not-so-friendly) interactions, begins to see that there is more to Graham and the town than what initially meets the eye.

As Zoey tries to enjoy her holiday in Moose Springs, despite the fact that everything seems to be going wrong, Graham has his own problems to worry about.

My thoughts on The Tourist Attraction

Despite the fact that I’ve never really been that into general fiction or romance fiction, I’ve been on a bit of a binge recently and I’m enjoying them a lot more of late.  The Tourist Attraction   was no different – I really enjoyed this book.

“The life he wanted—the one he’d been waiting for—had started the moment she walked into it.”

Small town Moose Springs is just what I picture a wee tourist spot in Alaska would be like. Of course, this is fiction so I’m not sure just  how accurate it is, having never been to Alaska before. But the setting was so enjoyable to read.

The combination of the snowy resort where Zoey is staying is in stark contrast to Graham’s diner, which is full of locals (including a local moose) and suspicious menu items. The difference between Graham and Zoey as people is pretty stark too. Zoey is a sweet ready-to-do-all-the-tourist-things woman, and Graham is a grumpy, alpha male type who hates tourists with a deep passion. Of course, their differences are only heightened when they meet (and continue to meet) throughout the story.

While most of the book was very predictable (these sorts of books usually are), there were some really fun moments as the plot played out, and moments that I wasn’t expecting. While I hated how Graham called Zoey pet names a lot of the time (vomit 🤮), and he had a bit of a violent streak at one point, for the most part, I liked them as main characters. The supporting characters were also a lot of fun to read, and I believe that Morgenthaler’s other books in this series follow some of those minor characters.

This was a 3.5-star read for me and I think I’ll pick up the others in this series, too, Mistletoe and Mr. Right and Enjoy the View .

Have you read  The Tourist Attraction by Sara Morgenthaler? What did you think?

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The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler | Book Review

Posted February 27, 2020 by Jana in Adult Fiction , Book Review / 3 Comments

When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way… Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

ALERT! ALERT! New favorite book! I love Alaska, and was so excited when I saw that this rom-com with the cutest cover ever takes place there! I’ve really been gobbling up rom-com books lately. They’re so much fun and allow me to escape with sweet characters. The Tourist Attraction did just that for me. As always, my main points are bolded.

1. Moose Springs is the quaintest, cutest little town. I love that Sarah Morgenthaler was able to keep those cute town vibes while also allowing us to spend time at an exclusive resort that the locals (aka Graham) refer to as “the big house”. Yeah… the locals don’t like the resort at all. They feel it’s ruining their small town and driving business away, not to mention bringing in tons of unwanted tourists and destroying the natural beauty of Moose Springs. I tend to agree with them. I’d be much happier of the resort was a bunch of cute little bare bones cabins (Alaska has my heart and I want it to stay as wild and untouched by consumerism as possible), but we never would have met Zoey and Lana if they were!

2. Zoey, our heroine, has been saving up for YEARS to visit Alaska. When the opportunity arises in the form of crashing on her rich friend Lana’s couch in her luxury suite while she’s there on business, Zoey can not pass it up. She lives a very simple life and doesn’t get around much, which I loved. It makes her all the more excited when she arrives and sees what Alaska has to offer. She’s got everything planned out to the dollar, and carries all of those dollars around in her sparkly green frog coin purse. She’s kind of awkward, glasses slipping down her nose a million times a day, and quirky in a very endearing way. Adorkable, really. I loved her. She’s so relatable and down-to-earth. She is easily excited and wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s also got a good head on her shoulders and a spunky personality that really shines through when she’s pushing back against someone who has done her wrong. She won’t take crap from anyone, but is also emotional and feels a lot of things. I really saw a lot of myself in her.

3. Graham opens a greasy spoon diner called “The Tourist Trap” as a joke, but this place has become a right of passage for anyone who visits. It’s even in the guide books. People line up before the place opens, and insist on experiencing it even though it’s notorious for having the worst service ever. Graham is known for kicking everyone out at a moment’s notice because he’s just tired of the noise or the people or wants to go home. He’s known for not opening on time (or at all) because he’s got better things to do. But the people still come! It was so fun to read about how things at the diner work, and what Graham thinks about it all.

4. Zoey and Graham get off to a bit of a rocky start. I’m not even kidding. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say that it lands the both of them in jail. Hysterical. Graham is a rugged, sarcastic, grumpy, surly, blunt artist who just so happens to own a diner and is in a pretty serious relationship with a moose that likes to lick windows and loves the smell of fresh baked bread. When he’s not at the diner, he’s carving wood pieces with a chainsaw in his shipping container out back. If I didn’t know this book took place in Alaska, I’d think Graham was a cowboy. He’s got that smooth cowboy swag and calls Zoey “Darlin'”. He’s got a very laid back attitude, but will turn into a grizzly bear if you hurt him or anyone he cares about. He’s kind of the town troublemaker, but not even close to a bad boy even though I think he secretly hopes that’s what people see him as. He loves his moose and his sweet blind dog named Jack, and he hates tourists. Well, except Zoey. He will do anything for Zoey, including making a fool of himself and bringing her the biggest cinnamon rolls known to man.

5. I love all the banter between Graham and Zoey. They flirt and joke, but they also talk about deeper things that mean a lot to them. They’ve shared pain over what they’ve gone through. They’re there for each other, and I felt like their relationship was very sweet and meaningful for the short amount of time they’ve known each other.

6. I loved the locals, and had so much fun getting to know them. If you’ve ever seen Northern Exposure, I got those kinds of vibes from some of the people. Easton in particular is amazing.

7. There are narwhals in this book. NARWHALS. And whales. WHALES.

8. The Tourist Attraction is so funny! I loved everything, from the locals vs. the big house shenanigans, to the run-in with a whale, to the moose that’s left footprints on Graham’s heart and dents in his truck, to the silly touristy things Graham does with Zoey because he’ll do anything for her, to the hangovers and the jail debacle. There’s so much to love here.

Sarah Morgenthaler has done a wonderful job writing a rom-com that has so much depth and heart. I was swooning and laughing my way through it. A charming, sparkling debut. I’ve been forcing everyone I know to either read or pre-order this book, and I’ve already pre-ordered the paperback of the next book in this series! It’s a Christmas book called Mistletoe and Mr. Right , and it comes out in October 2020. This time Lana, Zoey’s best friend, will have her shot at romance. From the sounds of it, it’s going to be just as a wonderful as The Tourist Attraction . I can’t wait!

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• Moose Springs Alaska Series
• By Sarah Morgenthaler
• Sourcebooks Casablanca

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3 responses to “ The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler | Book Review ”

Sounds cute, thanks for sharing your thoughts

This sounds like something I would love. I went to Alaska once, and thought it was beautiful, so going back via this book is a welcomed treat. The couple sounds fantastic, and I anticipate a lot of laughter.

How did I not know about this book? Adding it to my TBR pronto! It sounds like something I’d love. :)

Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬 Lindsi recently posted… The Raven and the Dove (The Raven and the Dove, #1) by Kaitlyn Davis

The Tourist Attraction: A Sweet Vacation Romantic Comedy

By Sarah Morgenthaler

Curl up with a quirky small-town Alaskan rom-com that'll leave you laughing over:

• A grumpy local and the sunny tourist who turns his world upside down
• A rogue moose who threatens to steal every scene
• A vacation you'll never forget
• And a sweet romance that doesn't need to scald the pages to burn its way into your heart

He had a strict "no tourist... show more

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Average rating: 7.43

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The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska) (Paperback)

Other Books in Series

This is book number 1 in the Moose Springs, Alaska series.

• #2 : Mistletoe and Mr. Right (Moose Springs, Alaska) (Paperback) : $14.99
• #3 : Enjoy the View (Moose Springs, Alaska) (Paperback) : $14.99

Description

Curl up with a quirky small-town Alaskan rom-com that'll leave you laughing over:

• A grumpy local and the sunny tourist who turns his world upside down
• A rogue moose who threatens to steal every scene
• A vacation you'll never forget
• And a sweet romance that doesn't need to scald the pages to burn its way into your heart

He had a strict "no tourists" policy…until she broke all of his rules. When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless parade of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…

Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the grumpy local than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

This story of Alaska marries together all the things you didn't realize you needed : a whirlwind vacation, a friendly moose, a grumpy diner owner, a quirky tourist, plenty of restaurant humor, and a happy ending that'll take you away from it all.

About the Author

Sarah Morgenthaler is a romance writer, geologist, chocolate chip cookie lover--and bestselling author of the Moose Springs Alaska series. She is currently out writing something, hiking something, or climbing something. Find out more at sarahmorgenthaler.com.

Praise For…

• Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
• Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
• Fiction / Small Town & Rural
• Fiction / Romance / New Adult
• Kobo eBook (May 4th, 2020): $14.99
• Compact Disc (May 5th, 2020): $44.99
• MP3 CD (May 5th, 2020): $24.99

Sarah Morgenthaler

Author of the moose springs alaska series.

“Fresh, fun and romantic.” ― SARAH MORGAN , USA Today bestselling author of A Wedding in December

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ARC Book Review | The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

Title: The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska, #1) Author: Sarah Morgenthaler Genre: Contemporary Romance Published On: May 5, 2020 Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Source: digital copy Pages: 352

Synopsis: When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he’s stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn’t interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way… Two weeks in Alaska isn’t just the top item on Zoey Caldwell’s bucket list. It’s the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she’s smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham’s world, she may just find there’s more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness. 

My thoughts

I started  The Tourist Attraction  prepared to be disappointed. I knew the synopsis sounded cute, but I’d recently read  The Simple Wild  and  Wild at Heart  and I was afraid I’d be comparing it to two books that had completely swept me off my feet. But try as I might, I couldn’t fight the grin that overtook my face within the first few pages. And I kept finding myself smiling and laughing out loud as I read the rest of this adorable book. 

“I’m not Cinderella, Graham. I have a good life, and I don’t need to be rescued.” Graham chuckled, low in his throat.  “No rescuing from me, gorgeous. I’m definitely not the prince.” ~Sarah Morgenthaler, The Tourist Attraction

What I liked: Graham and Zoey are adorkable together. Their banter and chemistry is on point. I loved that Zoey was adventurous despite being quieter than her more confidant friend, Lana. Sometimes when our leading lady is the nerdy, quiet type, the author also makes her shy and timid. Not Zoey!

I loved the setting. I think I’m developing an Alaskan fixation with all the books I’ve been reading lately. Morgenthaler does a beautiful job of setting the scene and giving the reader memorable (and romantic) experiences. 

I also loved the plot point of the town vs. the tourists. I love to travel, but I’m always thinking about how the locals must feel about strangers constantly rotating through the place they live and love. While tourism is sometimes necessary to keep money coming in, it often also means destroying some of what there is to love about a place. It’s definitely a rock and hard place, and the author succeeds at showing a bit of both sides. 

But what I love most about this book is the humor and heart. I laughed, smiled, and got misty-eyed, and that’s the kind of escapism needed right now.

While I love this book and highly recommend it, a few things did bother me. I wanted more of Zoey’s backstory. I kept waiting for it, thinking we’re going to find out why Alaska has always been her dream destination, but we never get it. I also found myself confused by some of the dialogue–backtracking and rereading–but overall these small things weren’t enough to kill my happy reading experience. 

The Tourist Attraction  is so much fun, and I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, for providing me with an advance copy.

About the Author

Geologist and lifelong science nerd, Sarah Morgenthaler is a passionate supporter of chocolate chip cookies, geeking out over rocks, and playing with her rescue pit bull, Sammy. When not writing romantic comedy and contemporary romance set in far-off places, Sarah can be found traveling with her husband, hiking national parks, and enjoying her own happily ever after. Sarah is a two-time Golden Heart Finalist and winner of the NOLA STARS Suzannah award.

A Song For A Book

On Bookstagram I created a hashtag for when I include a song that reminds me of the book I’m sharing, #ASongForABook, I thought I’d make it a regular feature on my reviews, too. This time I’ve chosen “I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles . This fun, poppy song is perfect for Graham and Zoey. I especially love the lyrics: We are not perfect we’ll learn from our mistakes And as long as it takes I will prove my love to you I am not scared of the elements I am underprepared, But I am willing And even better I get to be the other half of you

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Have you read The Tourist Attraction ? Or is it on your tbr? Let me know in the comments!

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12 thoughts on “arc book review | the tourist attraction by sarah morgenthaler”.

This book sounds fun even though the last review I saw didn’t say so. It said the chemistry is off and banter too long. Anyway, I love the cover and want to give it a try. But I am reading Wild At Heart now. So, Maybe I’ll take a break and then come back to this. Thank you for the awesome review. It makes me want to give it a try.

I thought the banter was super cute. It had me laughing out loud. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it. And I LOVED Wild at Heart! Enjoy that one, too. <3

This sounds cute! I’ve also thought about what it must be like for the locals in places that depend on tourism income. I hope they’re doing okay right now, when tourism has essentially stopped everywhere. 🙁

Yes! Hopefully we can all travel again soon. I miss it so much.

This one sounds super-cute! I need a read like this in my life! 🙂

It was so much fun!

Another one that’s new to my shelf! So glad to see you enjoyed this one too. Hoping it’ll be another contemporary I enjoy. Thanks for the review!! 🙂

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Omg I Choose You is also one of my all time favourite songs and I love that you used it for this book ? This is another one that I was already very excited to read but now I am even MORE eager to pick up! I love good banter and these two sound adorkable (so cute)! Plus, that lowkey Alaska obsession is not letting me not read this so YAY! ? Grand review, Dedra <3

Oh yay! I love Sara Bareilles. She makes it onto soooo many of my playlists. 😉 I think I’m pretty obsessed with Alaska right now, too. It’s a great escape, right??

Great review Dedra. I saved reading it as I was listening to the book. I agree with all your points. I loved the banter most of the time, but there were a few moments that got a bit repetitive. I love your choice of song, it is perfect. “I Choose You” fits so well.

I’m so happy you enjoyed it, too! It was a fun book to escape with. 🙂

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Record-Breaking Tourist Attractions From Around The World

Posted: September 26, 2023 | Last updated: September 26, 2023

Chart toppers

Largest hot spring: Waimangu Cauldron, New Zealand

The Waimangu Volcanic Valley on New Zealand’s North Island is a hotbed of geothermal activity. It’s where you’ll find the world's largest hot spring by surface area, and the world’s second largest in terms of discharge. Waimangu Cauldron, or Frying Pan Lake, as it’s more commonly known, is shallow (20 feet/6m) but covers an area of 409,029 square feet (38,000sqm). The thermal area of Waimangu, which means “black water” in Maori, was only created in 1886 after the powerful eruption of Mount Tarawera. With acidic waters at 122-140°F this isn’t a place you want to get too close to – a better idea is to board a scenic flight to admire it in all its steamy glory from above.

Most visited museum: the Musee du Louvre, France

Paris’s sprawling museum, the Musee du Louvre is officially the most visited museum in the world. It welcomed a whopping 7.8 million visitors through its iconic pyramid entrance in 2022. A former fortress and palace, opening as a museum in 1793, the incredible space is home to the world’s most famous painting, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa , along with 35,000 other pieces of art, including masterpieces by the likes of Edouard Manet, Titian and Rembrandt. The hallowed institute, also one of the world’s largest museums, began capping daily admissions in 2022 at 30,000 people. It also introduced timeslots to even out visitor numbers.

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Biggest cave: Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

Vietnam is full of awe-inspiring beauty but Son Doong Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park takes it to another level. The main passage of this vast cavern is just over three miles (5km) long, with parts of it reaching up to 656 feet tall (200m) and 541 feet wide (165m). In total it’s over five-and-a-half miles (9km) long. Even more mind-blowing is that within its depths lie a primeval rainforest and underground river, and it has its own microclimate. You can’t just wander in, however. The cave can only be explored on a guided tour, and numbers are limited to 1,000 visitors a year to protect this extraordinary and fragile natural wonder.

Largest national park: Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland

Northeast Greenland National Park is one of the world’s last pristine wildernesses, but you’ll have to join an expedition cruise to experience this icy landscape, of which 80% is permanently covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet. Measuring 375,300 square miles (972,000 sq km) and almost entirely untouched by humans, the high-Arctic ecosystem is the world’s largest national park and its largest protected land area. It’s roughly the same area as Spain and France combined. Those who do get to see it will be awed by its carved icebergs, otherworldly rock formations, snow-cloaked mountains and immense tundra. This is where polar bears and the extremely rare polar wolf roam. Narwhals, walruses and beluga whales also inhabit its frigid waters.

Smallest national park: Moyenne Island, Seychelles

Now we move from ice to the icing-sugar sand of the Seychelles, where you'll find the world's smallest national park. Moyenne is a privately owned island, just off the coast of Mahe. It sits within Sainte-Anne Marine Park but enjoys its own autonomy as a national park thanks to its late owner, a British conservationist called Brendon Grimshaw, who set up a trust to preserve and protect it from development. It’s possible to visit this lush speckle of an isle – you won’t need long to navigate its walking paths, as it’s only around a third of a mile long (less than half a kilometer), but you'll see a diverse amount of tropical vegetation. Moyenne has around 40 endemic plants, along with a healthy population of giant Aldabra tortoises.

Tallest building: Burj Khalifa, UAE

Thirteen years after the Burj Khalifa officially opened in downtown Dubai, the gleaming mega-tall skyscraper still holds the world record for the tallest building on the planet. The captivating tower sits at 2,716 feet (828m) and has 163 floors. It also lays claim to a litany of other record-busting features including having the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. When it opened in 2010, the Burj took the mantle from Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which stands at 1,666 feet tall (508m). Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower was set to dwarf Dubai’s iconic tower but work on its construction has stalled.

These are the world's tallest buildings with observation decks

Fastest roller coaster: Formula Rossa, UAE

Speedsters will find plenty to rev their engines at Ferrari World on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. This theme park has 40 rides and driving experiences but it’s Formula Rossa that most thrill-seekers steer a course to. The coaster’s cars go from 0 to 149 miles per hour (240km/h) in just 4.9 seconds while racing up to 170 feet (52m) in the air. The Ferrari-branded theme park is home to many more record-breaking attractions, including Flying Aces, the world's highest loop ride, while the park's space-frame structure is the largest ever built.

Longest zipline: Jais Flight, UAE

Another reason why thrill-seekers should put the UAE on their wish list is the Jais Flight, a jaw-dropping zipline that zooms riders over the rugged Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah. Riders are attached to the wire before they’re launched to zoom headfirst at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour (160 km/h) at a height of 5,512 feet (1,680m). It runs for just under two miles (2.83km) and lasts for three minutes, where riders (assuming they can open their eyes) get a bird’s eye view of the range’s rugged landscape.

Oldest restaurant: Restaurante Sobrino Botin, Spain

The wood oven in Restaurante Botin has been firing for over 300 years, roasting suckling pigs and lambs in the age-old Castilian style – in fact it’s never put out. This Madrid institution on Calle Cuchilleros was founded in 1725 and has been recognised as the world’s oldest restaurant by the  Guinness Book of Records . Not only is its characterful interior the picture of an 18th-century tavern but its recipes, which also include line-caught hake and Castilian soup, give you a taste of the past. It also boasts an atmospheric wine cellar, lined with some rare vintages.

Biggest hotel by number of rooms: the First World Hotel, Malaysia

Bright and brash, this behemoth in the Genting Highlands, just north of Kuala Lumpur, is the largest hotel in the world and proud of it. The First World Hotel is part of Resorts World Genting and has 7,351 guest rooms set across its two main rainbow-colored towers. As you’d expect, there’s a wide choice of rooms, from the bijou standard room to the world club rooms featuring 420 square feet (39sqm) of living space. The three-star hotel leads into the wider resort which has a shopping mall, casino, indoor theme park and golf course.

These are the highest hotel rooms in the world

Smallest hotel: The Eh'hausl Hotel, Germany

For those who prefer a more boutique experience, the Eh'hausl Hotel might be more appealing. This luxurious bolthole in Amberg, a charming medieval town in Bavaria, holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest hotel. Behind its red facade, there’s room for just two people, though it squeezes in space for a small whirlpool, flat screen TV and a mini spa. It's only 8.2 feet wide (2.4m) with a total floorspace of just 173 square feet (53sqm) over a few floors. But the little lodging has an extensive history. The building dates back to 1728 and its name translates as “the marriage house” as it was built to circumvent a law that only allowed couples to marry if they owned a house.

Oldest model village: Bekonscot Model Village, England, UK

Talking of tiny... Who doesn’t love a miniature village? Bekonscot Model Village & Railway in Buckinghamshire claims to be the world's oldest model village. This diddy delight opened in 1929 and exploring it is very much like stepping back into 1930s England. Across its 1.5-acre gardens are seven miniscule towns from the 1930s, with Bekonscot Town the flagship. In total there are more than 200 buildings, 3,000 inhabitants, 1,000 animals and hundreds of moving vehicles, with an intricate level of detail to them all. Peek inside the diminutive dwellings and you’ll find yet more cute little features.

Tallest roller coaster in the world: Kingda Ka, USA

Test your nerves at New Jersey's squeal-inducing Six Flags Great Adventure theme park. It's home to the record busting Kingda Ka, officially the tallest roller coaster in the world thanks to its inverted, U-shaped loop, which shoots up to 456 feet (139m), or around 45 stories. It's also the fastest roller coaster in North America, with riders whizzing from 0 to 128 miles per hour (206km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, before plummeting down towards the ground in a 270-degree spiral. 

Waterpark with the most slides: Atlantis Aquaventure, UAE

You'd have to seriously push yourself to try out all 50 slides and 105 attractions and experiences at Dubai's world-leading water park, Aquaventure at Atlantis, the Palm. Stay at the hotel though and you can give it a good go during your vacation, as guests get free entrance. Brave the Blackout to slide down an almost vertical drop or take the Leap of Faith for another high-speed drop before whizzing through a shark-filled lagoon. Ride the rapids along the longest lazy river in the region, leap off cliffs at Immortal Falls or take it easy on Aquaventure Beach. The already voluminous waterpark got even bigger in 2021, when new areas Trident Tower, Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove were added.

Oldest structure: Gobekli Tepe, Turkey

Created at a time before humans had domesticated animals or cultivated crops, Gobekli Tepe in Turkey is regarded as the oldest known monumental structure on Earth. These intriguing oval and rectangular limestone structures, which include elaborately carved T-shaped pillars, were erected 11,000 years ago – that’s a whopping 6,000 years before Stonehenge. It’s thought this hilltop structure in upper Mesopotamia, near Urfa, was used by hunter-gatherers as a kind of temple or meeting place for rituals.

These are the most incredible ancient discoveries made recently

Longest toboggan run: Big Pintenfritz, Switzerland

Since the late 19th-century the daredevil Swiss have launched themselves from the Faulhorn to Grindelwald Oberall by toboggan. Hailed as the world's longest toboggan run, this spectacular route runs for nine miles (15km) from an elevation of 8,792 feet (2,680m) and can be completed in 30 minutes by serious sledders. The Big Pintenfritz is named after local character Fritz Bohren, who ran the Hotel Bellevue in Grindelwald (known as the Pinte) and Berghotel Faulhorn from 1888 to 1926. He's said to have raced down the slopes between the two establishments by sled. To do the full course, you have to haul your sled from the first gondola cableway station to get to the run's start on Faulhorn's summit. It’s only accessible by foot.

Oldest national park: Yellowstone National Park, USA

On 1 March 1872, Yellowstone became the world’s first ever national park during the presidency of Ulysses S Grant in order to protect the extraordinary landscape. There are many more record-breaking things about this vast wilderness, which spreads 3,472 square miles (8,992sq/km) across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. It has 10,000 hydrothermal features – more than the rest of the world combined. It's home to 67 mammal species and has the largest concentration of wildlife in the country’s lower 48 states. The park is especially famed for its bison and is also the only place in the US where these bulky beasts have lived continuously since prehistoric times.

Surprising facts about America's national parks

Largest church: the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast

This almighty structure is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast and it’s the world's largest single church building of any denomination, according to the Guinness Book of Records . Built in the country’s administrative capital Yamoussoukro between 1986–89, the Catholic basilica’s sprawling exterior measures 322,291 square feet (30,000sqm). It has a capacity for 8,000 seated worshippers inside and can contain crowds of hundreds of thousands on its outside grounds. It was the passion project of then President Felix Houphouet-Boigny and was modeled on the Vatican City’s St Peters.

Highest commercial bungee jump: Skypark Macau Tower, Macau

Got a serious head for heights and an adrenalin craving? Make for the Macau Tower and push yourself to the limit on its record-making bungee jump – it's the world's highest from a commercial building, according to the  Guinness Book of Records . The brainchild of New Zealand extreme sport pioneer AJ Hackett, Skypark Macau Tower’s bungee jump sees those who are game leap off a platform at a height of 764 feet (233m) from Macau's lofty tower. In winter you can even make the jump at night. After that, the landmark's other thrilling attractions – the skyjump, skywalk and tower climb – will barely get your heart racing. 

Busiest theme park: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, USA

Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park is the world’s most popular theme park – it attracted 17.1 million visitors in 2022, which was still down a few million on pre-COVID years – in 2019, 20.9 million people paid a visit. With the iconic Cinderella’s Castle at its heart, this enchanting attraction in Orlando is packed with thrilling coasters, delightful kids' rides and entertainment at every turn – just make sure you brace yourself for the crowds. If you don't like busy places, this probably won't be the "happiest place on Earth" for you.

Oldest theater site in continuous use: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, England, UK

London oozes history and culture so it stands to reason that the city is home to the world’s oldest theater site. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the world’s oldest theater site in continuous use. A dramatist called Thomas Killigrew built the original Theatre Royal in 1663 under a royal charter from King Charles II. It’s here that Nell Gwyn, who later became a long-term mistress of the king, made her stage debut. The original theater burnt down in 1672, a second one was demolished and the third iteration also went up in flames. The fourth and current building opened in 1812. A Grade I listed Regency building, it was designed by architect Benjamin Dean Wyatt.

Biggest beach: Praia do Cassino Beach, Brazil and Uruguay

You'll definitely want to remember which car park you parked in when spending the day on Praia do Cassino Beach in Brazil's seaport of Rio Grande. Covering over 150 miles (241km) of the coast, this is the longest sea beach in the world. The sandy stretch sweeps south to the Chui Stream and Brazil's border with Uruguay. Parts are busy, developed and home to large casinos – hence its name – while other sections are empty and natural. An old rusting shipwreck lies on the sands at one point.

How many of the world's most beautiful beaches have you visited?

Largest year-round Christmas store: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, USA

Crazy about Christmas? You’ll find all your festive dreams come true as soon as you step through the doors of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Kitsch doesn’t begin to cover the sparkly scenes within what is the largest year-round Christmas store in the world. The vast showroom covers 2.2 acres, while its total grounds measure 27 acres – including three giant Santas, a snowman and Christmas Lane, which is lit up by 100,000 fairy lights every evening. The family-run enterprise, which started in 1945 and has 700 employees in peak season, is clearly onto something as it welcomes two million customers every year.

Oldest public museums: Capitoline Museums, Italy

With the creation of its collection dating back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated some bronze statues to the people of Rome, the Capitoline Museums in Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio is often recognized as the world's oldest public museum. Subsequent popes donated priceless treasures too and now this collection of museums is home to an extraordinary array of Roman, medieval and Renaissance sculptures, as well as some paintings. One of its most precious items is a 2nd-century bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius on horseback; as well as the Capitoline wolf with Romulus and Remus. Located on Capitol Hill, the museums are completely surrounded by ancient history too.

Largest annual food fight: La Tomatina, Spain

If you hate food waste, look away now. Each year in Bunol, near Valencia in Spain, 20,000 people gather to lob around 150,000 kg of tomatoes at each other in the streets during La Tomatina, billed as the world's largest annual food fight. The curious festival has its origins in an innocuous tomato slinging fight that took place at a street parade in 1945 and became a tradition. The now world-famous spectacle is held on the last Wednesday of August and attracts tens of thousands of people every year.

Largest collection of haunted dolls: La Isla de las Munecas, Mexico

Prepare to be creeped out at this eerie island on Teshuilo Lake in the Xochimilco canals, just south of Mexico City. La Isla de las Munecas — or the Island of Dolls – is a niche record breaker, for sure, but a fascinating one. With around 4,000 sinister and mutilated dolls hanging from trees and covering its buildings, it is home to the biggest collection of haunted dolls in the world. The spooky site is said to have taken shape in the 1950s when a man witnessed a young girl drown. The next day a doll washed up in the same spot, after which he strung up dolls to ward off evil spirits.

World’s tallest statue: The Statue of Unity, India

Towering above the basin of the Narmada River and the Sardar Sarovar dam in Gujarat state, surrounded by the Satpura and Vindhyachal hills, the Statue of Unity depicts independence leader Sardar Vallabhai Patel. It was unveiled in 2018 and cost around $389 million. At 597 feet (182m) it is twice the size of the Statue of Liberty and claimed the record for being the world’s tallest statue from China’s Spring Temple Buddha, which sits at a comparatively piddling 420 feet (128m) high. 

Oldest bookshop: Livraria Bertrand, Portugal

Established in 1732, Bertrand bookshop in Lisbon is the store of dreams for all bibliophiles. People have come to browse its well-stocked shelves and gather to put the world to rights for hundreds of years. The culture-packed city is full of beautiful bookstores brimming with tomes, but this tile-adorned store on the corners of Rua Garrett and Anchieta in the Chiado district is the oldest of them all – and officially the oldest in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records . Take a pew on one of its sofas or in the literary-inspired cafe and drink in its bookish atmosphere.

Largest ancient castle: Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Measuring almost 753,473 square feet (70,000sqm), hilltop Prague Castle reigns supreme as the largest ancient castle in the world, according to the  Guinness Book of Records . It’s also one of the oldest. It was first founded by Prince Bonivoj in the late 9th century. Added to over the centuries, it’s now a dizzying complex of churches, towers, halls, palaces and gardens. It’s an absolute jewel in the picturesque capital’s crown, well deserving of multiple visits. Today it’s home to the Bohemian Crown Jewels, which are locked away in St Vitus Cathedral, and the castle is also the official home of the Czech Republic's president.

Highest outdoor infinity pool: Address Beach Resort, UAE

Scale the heights of glamor (both literally and figuratively) at Address Beach Resort in Dubai, a chi-chi high-rise hotel by Jumeirah Beach that’s crowned by the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool. Set 964 feet (294m) up, this stunning swimming spot offers sweeping views from its 77th-floor vantage point. Swimmers (who have to be guests at the hotel) can lap up the eye-popping views of Ain Dubai and the Arabian Gulf and gaze down on skyscrapers as they paddle or pose. There’s plenty of room to do both in this 311 foot-long (95m) pool. 

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