Beneath the heart of London, approximately 30 meters (98 feet) underground, lies a mile-long network of tunnels that is set to become one of the city’s most luxurious new tourist attractions. The company overseeing the $149 million redevelopment has secured planning approval for the ambitious project.
Originally constructed in the 1940s to provide shelter for Londoners during the Blitz, the Kingsway Exchange Tunnels were last accessible to the public during World War II. They later became the headquarters for Britain’s covert Special Operations Executive, a branch of MI6 that inspired James Bond’s Q Branch. The upcoming attraction will serve as a tribute to the Blitz, with Angus Murray, CEO of London Tunnels, describing it as a combination of museum, exhibition, and entertainment venue. It is scheduled to open to visitors by late 2027 or early 2028.
For those eager to explore London’s underground history before then, the London Transport Museum offers exclusive guided tours of abandoned tube stations, including Down Street—a secret wartime bunker that played a crucial role in securing victory in World War II.
Meanwhile, the first new moon of the lunar calendar arrived on January 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake and the 15-day Spring Festival. This major celebration is widely observed in China and by Chinese communities worldwide. If you’re curious about its significance, we’ve put together a guide explaining its traditions and what the year ahead may hold based on your zodiac sign—whether you’re a horse, goat, monkey, rooster, or another symbol.
Food plays a central role in the festivities, with one of the most exciting traditions being the “prosperity toss.” This lively practice, resembling a playful food fight with chopsticks, is accompanied by well wishes for good fortune. For those with an adventurous palate, 2025 presents an ideal opportunity to visit Hong Kong, where restaurants serve delicacies such as snake soup and snake balls. And for the truly daring, there’s even “penis wine” on the menu.
On a different note, fate sometimes works in mysterious ways. Englishman Francis Chadwick, 34 and in the middle of a divorce, met his future wife, Tehzin from Toronto, when she took a seat beside him at a poker table in Las Vegas in 2014. Similarly, in 1976, Canadian Mary Young and New Zealander Wayne Corlett crossed paths in a Sydney guesthouse kitchen—all thanks to a coin toss. And in 2019, hikers Manny Salas and Laura Binder bonded after encountering a rattlesnake in California’s San Gabriel Mountains, an ironic twist given Salas’ fear of snakes.
In Denver, Colorado, the International Church of Cannabis welcomes worshippers who consider marijuana a sacrament, allowing them to smoke inside its chapel. Since opening in 2017, it has consistently ranked as one of the city’s most popular attractions. The church also offers guided meditation sessions. However, for those who prefer to focus on mindfulness and physical well-being without the use of substances, our partners at CNN Underscored have compiled a list of the best yoga mats for 2025.
