Travel
Discover 5 of the World’s Weirdest Tourist Attractions
Far from the typical landmarks and renowned sites frequented by the masses, these destinations challenge conventional notions of tourism and invite visitors to embark on a journey into the unusual and extraordinary.
By Odd News Show Staff · January 22, 2024
Trolls in Iceland
In Iceland, trolls are a significant part of ancient Scandinavian mythology, believed to be human-like with incredible strength. Icelandic folklore is alive with tales of good, mischievous, and dangerous trolls, some even possessing magical powers. This cultural heritage is taken seriously by many Icelanders, with some polls indicating a strong belief in the existence of elves and trolls. Jovannig/Adobe Stock
Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls), Mexico
Isla de las Muñecas, or Island of the Dolls, located south of Mexico City in the canals of Xochimico, is a haunting island with a tragic past, originally not intended as a tourist destination. It's dedicated to the spirit of a young girl who died under mysterious circumstances. The island is covered with hundreds of disturbing dolls, their dismembered parts hanging from trees, creating an eerie atmosphere.Legend has it that the dolls are possessed by the girl's spirit, moving and whispering among themselves. The island's caretaker, Don Julian Santana Barrera, hung the dolls to appease the girl's spirit, leading to a collection spanning 50 years. After Julian's death, the island became a popular yet unsettling tourist attraction. Gabriel O./Adobe Stock
Sharks in Iowa!
In Iowa City, Carlos Maldonado, an artist and sculptor, has created a local sensation with his 20-foot-long snow sculpture of a great white shark. Built with the help of his two sons, the 5.5-foot-tall sculpture took around 4 1/2 hours to shape and an additional 1.5 hours to paint using watered-down acrylic paint. This remarkable artwork, shared online by Maldonado, has drawn numerous visitors, including families like Anastasia Morton's, who appreciated the creative use of snow and saw it as a memorable experience for her children. Carlos Maldonado Art/Facebook
The Karni Mata Temple (The Temple of the Rats), Rajasthan, India
The Karni Mata Temple, located in Deshnoke near Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, is an extraordinary and sacred site dedicated to Karni Mata, a revered figure considered an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga. The temple, notable for its unique cohabitation with approximately 20,000 holy rats called 'kabbas', is a significant pilgrimage destination.These revered rats are believed to be reincarnations of Karni Mata's devotees and are treated with the utmost respect. The temple, originally established around 1530 CE, is also famous for its beautiful marble architecture with silver doors, depicting legends of the Goddess. Pilgrims and tourists from across the globe visit this temple, both for spiritual blessings and to witness the harmonious coexistence of humans and rodents. Pvince73/Adobe Stock
