Do you know your destinations? Try our travel quiz

Whether you’re a pub-quiz whiz, or simply want to brush up on your travel knowledge, enjoy 10 fun facts from our brand-new tours.

We’re always looking for new ways to engage with our valued customers, inspire your wanderlust and help you make the most of every moment while on your wish-list holidays. With that in mind, our team has been thinking up questions to put your knowledge of destinations across the globe to the test.

Whether you’re joining us from today’s dedicated email or are regular readers of the Newmarket Holidays blog, here are 10 questions to tease your brain!

Question: What is the most populated island in Indonesia?

Answer: Java – Home to over 150,000,000 people, this bustling island is Indonesia’s most populous and boasts some of its largest cities including lively Yogyakarta and the magnificent national capital, Jakarta.

Question: Which US state has the most national parks?

Answer: California – With the likes of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia, and Joshua Tree amongst California’s most famous nature reserves, the sunshine state is nothing if not in touch with the natural world. In fact, it features the highest number of national parks in the United States with a total of nine.

Question: The largest wild population of what endangered species is protected in Hwange National Park?

Answer: Painted dogs – Nestled on the outskirts of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s Painted Dog Conservation aims to protect this critically endangered species through hands-off anti-poaching initiatives and education. The centre itself monitors 700 of the remaining 7,000 painted dogs alive, the largest wild population across the globe.

Question: How many royal palaces can be found in Seoul?

Answer: Five – Built throughout the Joseon dynasty, Seoul boasts a total of five royal palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Gyeonghuigung.

Question: Owing to its rich collection of churches, mosques and synagogues, Toledo is also known by what nickname?

Answer: ‘The City of Three Cultures’ – Having once been home to large Jewish, Muslim and Catholic populations, multi-cultural Toledo showcases a vibrant blend of historic influences and identities. In this sense, it’s certainly lives up to its nickname. 

Question: Which of the following species is not part of Africa’s famous ‘Big Five’?

Answer: Hippo – While certainly one of Africa’s largest creatures in size, hippos narrowly miss out on a spot in the famous ‘Big Five’ as they don’t pose as much of threat to hunters given that they can often be found wallowing in rivers or lounging on the banks.

Question: The iconic Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, but for what reason?

Answer: As a mausoleum for his wife – Such was Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, that he constructed this iconic 42-acre monument to serve as her mausoleum. The landmark cost approximately 32 million rupees when it was finally completed in 1653, which is the equivalent of roughly £650 million in today’s currency!

Question: Cappadocia is a Turkish region best known for what architectural feat?

Answer: Rock-cut houses – As Christians fled from persecution in 4th-century CE, they found refuge amongst Cappadocia’s sprawling cave systems and developed a unique architectural style, burrowing into the soft surrounding rock. This tradition developed over the centuries and one of the most significant examples of its use is in Kaymakli’s underground city, an expansive series of vaults, tunnels and chambers that once housed hundreds of people.

Question: Goa became the Asian capital of which European empire?

Answer: Portugal – After the Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama, established the first Portuguese colonies on the Indian subcontinent in the late 15th century, European interest in the peninsula began to grow, culminating in Portugal’s capture of Goa 10 years later. The city then became the capital of Portuguese India and retains a cultural and architectural connection to the country to this day.

Question: The Grand Canyon was formed over millions of years by which American river? 

Answer: Colorado River – Flowing through seven US states, from Colorado to the Gulf of California in Mexico, this iconic river is largely responsible for the spectacular landscapes of the modern Grand Canyon, having eroded the rock over six million years.  

Learn something new with Newmarket Holidays

So, how did you do? If you’re feeling inspired by your newfound knowledge, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call and enjoy even more expert insight on one of our 10 brand-new escorted tours. For full details of each itinerary, and to book directly, visit our website.