Are you ready to go back to travel school with a destination alphabet? Learn fun facts about some of my favorite destinations, use them to spark dinner table conversation, and wow your trivia team with your new knowledge!
A IS FOR ALASKA: Of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 17 are in Alaska. Denali, the highest peak in North America, is 20,320 ft. above sea level.
B IS FOR BAHAMAS: The Bahamas consists of 700 tropical islands. 30 of them are inhabited by people.
C IS FOR CARIBBEAN: Caribbean has two distinct seasons: the dry season and a wet season. The wet season is from July to January and the dry season is from about February to June.
D IS FOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The Dominican Republic is the second-largest Caribbean nation, both by area and by population.
E IS FOR ECUADOR: Ecuador is roughly the size of Colorado.
F IS FOR FIJI: Tabuas, or sperm whale teeth, are given ahead of an engagement or at weddings, funerals, and births. They are also used to seal an apology.
G IS FOR GALAPAGOS: Due to its unique position straddling the Equator, visitors can view the constellations in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time.
H IS FOR HAWAII: The state flower is the yellow hibiscus.
I IS FOR ICELAND: Some Icelanders maintain beliefs in elves, trolls, and other characters that date back to the country’s Celtic and Norse beginnings.
J IS FOR JAMAICA: The island is home to the endangered Homerus swallowtail, the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere. Its wingspan is 6 inches.
K IS FOR KENYA: There are more than 50 reserves and parks to protect the native animals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, and rhinos.
L IS FOR LONDON: While the exact number varies by source, London is home to more than 170 museums.
M IS FOR MEXICO: Monarch butterflies migrate up to 3000 miles every year to and from Central Mexico.
N IS FOR (THE) NETHERLANDS: Dutch is the official language of The Netherlands.
O IS FOR ORLANDO: Orlando is known globally as the Theme Park Capital of the World, with attractions like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
P IS FOR PERU: The Inca Indians in Peru were the first to cultivate potatoes.
Q IS FOR QATAR: Falconry is a traditional sport in Qatar and is an important part of their culture and heritage.
R IS FOR ROME: Cats are protected by law and can freely roam wherever they want, including around historic landmarks.
S IS FOR SPAIN: La Tomatina, known as the world’s largest food fight, happens in the town of Buñol every August.
T IS FOR THAILAND: Thailand, which means “land of the free,” was known as Siam until 1939.
U IS FOR (THE) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world.
V IS FOR VIETNAM: Vietnam has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites.
W IS FOR WALES: The village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is the second-longest place name in the world with 58 characters.
X IS FOR XCARET, MEXICO: Xcaret was a port city, and historians and archaeologists believe it was one of the most significant and active ports on the Riviera Maya.
Y IS FOR YOSEMITE, USA: Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall, cascades 2,425 feet.
Z IS FOR ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe has the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Kariba.