fact or fiction

Is it a fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores travel myths to help you avoid making that wrong turn.

Ali and Nino in Batumi, Georgia
I've been wanting to see this statue in person forever. I finally did, last weekend (February 7, 2026). My niece, who is staying with me and will be leaving in a week, desperately wanted to go to a sea (she has been to lakes, ponds, rivers, and oceans but never to a sea) so we decided to make a short trip to Batumi, the third largest city in Georgia (after Tbilisi and Kutaisi) located on the Black Sea shore. It is also a capital of Ajara, one of the regions of Georgia with a distinct culture and traditions. And the favorite place for Russians who fled Putin's war in Ukraine. In our short stay there, we heard a lot more Russian than Georgian in the streets of Batumi.
By Lana V Lynxabout 22 hours ago in Wander
A Little History In Heptonstall
Introduction Last week I holidayed in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and discovered a couple of things that I didn't know before getting there. One thing I did know is that several BBC series have been filmed there, "Happy Valley" and the current "Riot Women":
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 8 days ago in Wander
The EXplorer
I am a follower of all things Travel and Adventure, my eyes light up at the discovery of a new flight route to Armenia, A camel trek in the Western Sahara or a Windsurfing trip in Naxos. I sometime discover information about destinations so far removed from any known tourist guides that I cannot even pinpoint them on the world map without tracing the steps of previous explorers with some kind of obsessive desire to find the answers. The thought of the unknown is what drives my spirit of adventure, I leave scribbles and notes in diaries about trips and ideas far into the future, even if they are not viable or I never embark on them, but each idea is what inspires and motivates me to keep taking those steps to find what is over the horizon.
By Malachai Hough28 days ago in Wander
Bracing Beauty
The Quiet Vitality of a Winter Landscape Winter is often portrayed as a season of sleep, a time when the natural world retreats into a state of suspended animation. However, to stand in the middle of a snow-covered forest is to realize that winter is actually a season of intense, focused vitality. It is a period defined by the unique relationship between the cold, the terrain, and the water that binds them together.
By meerjananabout a month ago in Wander
Wings Beneath the Midnight Snow
Midnight arrived the way it always does in winter—quietly, without ceremony, slipping into the world like a held breath. The village slept under a deep blanket of snow, rooftops softened into pale shapes, paths erased, fences buried. Even the river had slowed its voice, whispering beneath thin sheets of ice. Above it all, the sky stretched wide and dark, scattered with faint stars that seemed colder than usual.
By Farhadabout a month ago in Wander
WWE Reportedly Planning Return to Puerto Rico for 2026 Premium Live Event. AI-Generated.
Introduction WWE is planning a return to Puerto Rico in 2026. According to a new report, the company intends to host a major Premium Live Event (PLE) in San Juan. This would mark a return to a familiar international locale three years after its last event on the island.
By Saad about a month ago in Wander
Balmy Beach Break
Eyes blink open — 4:45 am — all is calm, all is still. Not long ‘till seven o’clock and Kawana Beach parkrun... I can’t be late!
By Angie the Archivist 📚🪶2 months ago in Wander
8 Mysterious Places on Earth You’ll Probably Never Get to Visit
Why We’re Drawn to the Unreachable There’s something undeniably tempting about the things we can’t have, or in this case, the places we can’t go. And today’s lineup? Absolute bucket-list heartbreakers. These are some of the most incredible, historically rich, and spine-tingling destinations on Earth… that you’ll almost certainly never set foot in.
By Areeba Umair2 months ago in Wander
Winter in Finland is ...
At this point, I swear the rain’s developed a personality. It hits the window every morning as if it owns it, as if I asked for a six-month subscription to Rain Unlimited. The Sun shows up for five minutes to remind me it exists. Quickly it disappears like it has better places to go, which, frankly, it does.
By Susan Fourtané 2 months ago in Wander
Iceland Eclipse Festival 2026: A Cosmic Celebration of Music, Science, and Nature
In August 2026, the skies above Iceland will host one of the most breathtaking astronomical events of the century: a total solar eclipse. For four unforgettable days, travelers, stargazers, and adventurers from around the world will gather in the fishing village of Hellissandur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to witness this rare celestial alignment. But this isn’t just about looking up at the sky—it’s about immersing yourself in a once‑in‑a‑lifetime festival that blends science, art, music, and Iceland’s raw natural beauty.
By Tech Horizons4 months ago in Wander
Backcountry Backpacking the Lakeshore Trail in the Smoky Mountains: A True Test of Grit
I just returned from a 3-day backpacking backcountry trip in the Smoky Mountains. For those who love the Smokies, the call of the wilderness is irresistible. Winding footpaths, hidden campsites, and the promise of solitude pull hikers deep into one of the most beloved national parks in the country. Among the network of more than 900 miles of official trails, a handful stand out as true tests of endurance and patience. The Lakeshore Trail is one of them.
By Tim Carmichael4 months ago in Wander
The Dos and Don'ts of Travelling In A Group
This is not (just) a call-out to deeply inconsiderate people who I am currently on tour with, but a general guide to travelling as part of a group, especially when that group doesn't just consist of family who are obligated to not attempt to murder you until you get home and can be sent to opposite sides of the house.
By Natasja Rose5 months ago in Wander