For decades, cash was the ultimate travel backup. But nowadays, many travelers get a shock when they arrive at a resort and discover it has gone completely cashless.

Renting sports gear on vacation sounds simple enough. You pick out a kayak, snowboard, paddleboard, bike, or jet ski, sign a form, and head off to have a good time. Then you glance at the paperwork and suddenly it feels like you are signing away half your life just to go down a hill or paddle around a lake. The language can be intense, especially when it starts talking about serious injury, equipment damage, and responsibility. Still, the paperwork is not there because every rental is a disaster waiting to happen. It is there because outdoor sports do involve real risks, and rental companies want those risks spelled out before anyone gets started.

The Andes flight disaster—or the Miracle of the Andes—might be one of history's most harrowing survival stories.

Some states make retirement look pretty easy. Others? Not so much. Whether it's healthcare headaches, rising costs, long drives to basic services, or just a feeling that retirees aren't exactly the priority, some states consistently leave older Americans less satisfied than others. The question is...how many of these states surprised you?

Discover Death Road in Bolivia, once dubbed the most dangerous road in the world. Find out why this road is so dangerous and what makes it so appealing.

No one is perfect, and the same is true for the American states. While each one has some wonderful things about it, there are some—shall we say, not-so-wonderful things as well that bear mentioning. So, let's mention them...

Discover the 18 most peaceful countries in the world, ranked by data. From Iceland to Singapore, find out what makes these destinations the safest and calmest places to visit or live.

The Cherokee Indians have a rich and complex history in the United States. They were a sophisticated society with a unique language, governance structure, and cultural practices. But when settlers encroached on their land they were met with devastating consequences. Despite this trauma, the Cherokee Nation persevered, rebuilding their community and becoming one of the most successful and influential Native American tribes in the United States.

Discover the dark history of California's Trail of Tears, when thousands of Native Americans were forced out of their homelands. Find out the brutal incidents that occurred during their grueling journey to a new land, and how they continue to fight today.