The London Eye will turn continuously on average 6,000 times each year and that the 32 capsules carry up to 15,000 visitors a day.

Gabrielle wants to hear from you! She is a Producer for an American website/independent TV company called CameraPlanet.com CameraPlanet takes viewer video (amateur video from all over the world), edits the tape into short pieces (four minutes) and posts the stories online for viewer enjoyment.

The videos follow certain themes that correspond with channels. Gabrielle is in charge of the site “Freefall” Channel, dedicated to extreme sports and thrill seeking in general.

If you are interested in creating a short video (shot by yourselves, they can provide a video camera if you don’t have access to one) about adventure holidays etc, contact Gabrielle on: 212.779.0500 ext.240) or to e-mail click here.

Maiasmokk is the most charming restaurant with a café overlooking the street on the ground floor where you can sip coffee or have drinks and watch the world go by. It’s tucked behind the main square but is easy to find. The best dinner the Beetle had whilst in Tallinn – and the competition was tough! Address: (1-2) Pikk 16, tel: 6464-070.

Want to tell us about your favourite coffee corner or watering hole? Then e-mail: the Beetle

In about 200 AD a famous Greek astronomer named Claudius Ptolemy believed that the earth had to be balanced or it would topple over. He figured that there had to be a land yet unknown to Europeans somewhere below the Indian Ocean. Over time this yet to be discovered land came to be known as Terra Australis Incognito that means the Unknown Southern Land.

NASA has recently published a map of the world showing the frequency of lightening around the world. They found that The Congo has 50 lightening strikes a year for each square kilometre of land, compared to two per square km in the UK. Antarctica and Egypt hardly have any lightening strikes at all.

Researchers studying the spotted hyena in Tanzania have discovered that they are the only wild animal to be able to carry the rabies virus but not display any of the symptoms. So stop worrying about those hyenas biting!

Under 24? A member of Globetrotters Club? Interested in a £1,000 travel award?

Know someone who is? We have £1,000 to award each year for five years for the best submitted independent travel plan. Interested?

Then see our legacy page on our Website, where you can apply with your plans for a totally independent travel trip and we’ll take a look at it. Get those plans in!!

When the Beetle wants to say thank you and money is not appropriate, she gives postcards from her hometown, London, to people as small gifts. Take some with you!

Got a travel tip you would like to share with the Beetle? Then e-mail them to: the Beetle

Both the Paris and Hong Kong metro systems regularly use air freshener. Apparently studies reveal that if the system smells good, customers feel more positive about the travelling experience. London Underground, with over 3 million passengers a day, has started to trial a fragrance called Madeleine to see if fragrance will make a positive difference. If customers like it, it will become a permanent item. Sound like the sweet smell of success?