“Travia” for jet-setters and armchair travels alike

By Marilyn Loeser

I’m sure my edition of Nadine Godwin’s book Travia, The Ultimate Book of Travel Trivia will become a well-worn, dog-eared, favorite in my library.

Godwin, a 35-year travel writing veteran, has divided her book into subjects instead of geographic areas, making it a great read as well as entertaining and educational.

Who knew, for example, it was a former school teacher, Anna Edson Taylor, who was the first person to go over Niagara Falls on her 63rd birthday in 1901?

Taylor survived. Since her plunge, 15 more daredevils have tried the same stunt — five lost their lives during their attempts.

In 1884, the Washington Monument was the tallest structure in the world, trumped five years later by the Eiffel Tower.

At last count, 31,850 golf courses dot the world including five championship courses at Florida’s Walt Disney World, which by the way, is 27,500 acres - nearly twice the size of New York’s Manhattan Island.

By checking the website http://www.traveltriviabook.com/ and clicking on the “index” link, you’ll find specific page numbers for destinations of interest around the world as you read your book.

I was surprised to see the hotel I stayed in just last week was mentioned.

“In Columbus, Ohio, during the 1890s, fire destroyed three hotels,” wrote Godwin. “To rebuild - and reassure the traveling public - 400 men invested $100 each to form the Great Southern Fireproof Hotel Company which, in turn, built the Great Southern Fireproof Hotel and Opera House.

“It was a grand property that debuted in 1897 with 222 guest rooms, 56 private bathrooms, and eight public baths.

“Today, it is the Westin Great Southern Hotel with 186 guest rooms, 23 suites, and a lot of bathrooms.”

For more information or to order the book, check the website at http://www.traveltriviabook.com.