Guest Post: Google search travel fails

The Money Shop reveals that over the last year, some people using Google search made some quite surprising travel fails

Hands up: who paid attention in geography?! Whilst basic general knowledge of the world may come naturally to some, research by travel money providers, The Money Shop, revealed that over the last year, some people using Google search made some quite surprising travel fails.

“Is the Eiffel Tower in Italy?”

Sacré bleu! Arguably France’s most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower has been at the centre of Parisian tourism with 250 million visits since it first opened in 1889. Despite an average of 25,000 people heading to the top of the tower daily, there were 480 Google searches checking up on its whereabouts.

“Is Mount Everest in Europe?”

The 29,035ft summit of Mount Everest is over 60 million years old and sits on the border of Nepal to the south and China and Tibet to the north. Thrill-seekers who fancy climbing the mountain will have to venture a little further than Europe to climb to the top of Mount Everest, which may disappoint the 240 searches.

“Is Stonehenge in Kenya?”

Safaris, lakes and national parks: Kenya is famous for several things, but an ancient English monument isn’t one of them. Dating back to prehistoric times, the Wiltshire-based monument receives more than a million visits every year… but probably not from any of the 120 searches who may still be searching for it in Africa!

“Who is Machu Picchu?”

We’re not entirely sure why 600 searches for ‘Who is Machu Picchu?’ thought that it was a person, but we can in fact confirm that it’s a landmark! Found northwest of Cuzco in Peru, Machu Picchu is thought to have been a sacred site for Inca leaders. Spanning five miles long and featuring 3,000 steps, it’s one of the world’s most famous manmade wonders… not people.

“Is the Grand Canyon in Vegas?”

The 277-mile Grand Canyon surprisingly doesn’t sit pretty on the Vegas strip, despite 840 searches asking that very question. Whilst the Grand Canyon borders Las Vegas’ state Nevada, both of the iconic landmarks are simply neighbours. Let’s face it, if you’re visiting Vegas for the weekend, you’re not going to be able to casually walk it to the canyon.

If all this travel-talk has hit you with a serious case of wanderlust, visit the Money Shop blog for more travel tips and holiday inspiration.