Weird world
Places around the globe that are unusual, intriguing or simply baffling
What are those glowing orbs that dart across the sky the world over?
Are they bad omens? A freak of nature? Huge, ghostly clusters of light – spotted from Australia to South America – have baffled scientists for decades
Forget Stonehenge. See the solstice in … Milton Keynes
Away from its roundabouts and 1970s shopping centre, the new town’s pagan sun temple is the place to witness the longest day
We rule OK: England's independent island kingdoms
Piel Island in Cumbria and Sealand off the coast of Essex are sovereign monarchies with their own laws, stamps … and enemies
Dinosaur toys and golf clubs: the strange things astronauts take to the moon
The personal items that Neil, Buzz and others carried with them – and left up there
Wing and a prayer: the bizarre Chicken Church of Java
Meant to be a dove, but looking more like a hen, one man’s vision of a temple for all faiths has enjoyed an unlikely resurrection
Britain’s historic ghost villages
Whether abandoned because of plague, erosion or MoD requisition, ghost villages will make for fascinating and salutary visits – once they reopen
The Tibetan lama who was really a plumber from Devon
A 1956 bestseller about life in a Himalayan monastery turned out to be made up by a man who’d never been there. But that didn’t stop the Dalai Lama endorsing it
Have you been to the Garden of Eden? It's in Bedford
The strange tale of how paradise came to be located in a Victorian semi not far from the town centre
Strange travel encounters: readers’ tips
The most memorable moments in travel are often the most eccentric. From oil wrestling to staring contests, or being entertained over dinner by robots, our readers share their way-out memories
Man recalls sneezing out toy dart out after 44 years - video
Charity worker, Steve Easton explains how he sneezed out a rubber sucker from a the end of a toy dart that had been lodged in his nose since he was seven years old
Pensioner hits 10 cars while leaving shopping centre - video
A 92-year-old driver crashes into 10 cars while attempting to leave a shopping centre in Wisconsin
Cyclist cheats death when rolled down under 14-wheel truck - video
A cyclist miraculously cheated death after bumping against a 14-wheel truck and rolled down under it on Wednesday in the city of Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province
Hanging out at a UFO convention: 'I saw an alien twice' - video
Hundreds of UFO enthusiasts gathered at the annual Mutual UFO Network convention in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Rabbit Island: a Japanese holiday resort for bunnies
Okunoshima, an island where Japan produced poison gas during the second world war, is now a haven for friendly rabbits
Spas with a difference: weird baths around the world
Fancy a soak in beer or green tea? We take a look at some unusual dips you can take around the world
Claustrophilia: how a live-action game became Budapest's top tourist activity
In the Hungarian capital, tourists are lining up to ... escape from a room. We look at a growing trend, inspired by computer games and horror movies
Up Helly Aa: Europe's largest fire festival
In Lerwick, Shetland, the Viking-themed fire festival provides a spectacular start to the new year
Where to experience the winter solstice: Ireland's prehistoric Newgrange tomb
The spectacle lasts just 17 minutes at the neolithic Newgrange monument in County Meath, but demand is so high an annual lottery is held and participants come from across the world
The world's biggest Christmas shop: Bronner's, Michigan, USA
This Chrimbo-themed megastore attracts two million shoppers a year and has so many Christmas lights it racks up a daily electricity bill of $900
