Brackets Busted! Grand Canyon Falls & Travel Madness Takes Over

Globetrotter Showdown: First Round Madness Recap!

The first round of our Globetrotter Showdown was nothing short of chaos! If you thought your travel bracket was safe—think again. The biggest shocker? The Grand Canyon, our #1 overall seed, is OUT after a stunning upset. That’s right, the natural wonder that dominates Instagram feeds and travel bucket lists got knocked out in the first round, proving that in March (and in travel), anything can happen.

First Round Takeaways:

🏛 No Surprises in Iconic Landmarks – If you played it safe here, your bracket is intact. Every #2 and #3 seed advanced without much resistance, proving that sometimes the classics are classic for a reason.

🔥 Cinderella Stories Begin – Two #16 seeds stunned #1 seeds, proving that even the biggest travel powerhouses aren’t immune to early exits. We also saw three #12 seeds making moves:

• Zhangjiajie National Forest (China) – Those towering sandstone pillars are moving on!

• Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia (Turkey) – Floating past the competition with ease.

• Lofoten Islands (Norway) – Those Arctic landscapes are winning hearts (and votes).

🏰 Survival of the Strongest – The only 5-seed to survive? Taj Mahal. The others got knocked off by 12-seed upstarts. March travel madness is real.

Who’s the New Favorite?

With the Grand Canyon gone, The Great Barrier Reef now holds the best odds to take the crown. But don’t count out the Iconic Landmarks or Cultural Experiences—there’s still plenty of competition left.

Round of 32 Must-Watch Matchup

🥊 Kyoto’s Cherry Blossoms (#1) vs. Serengeti Safari (#9) – A brutal second-round draw. One is a breathtaking seasonal wonder steeped in tradition, the other is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife adventure. Only one can move on.

As we head into Round 2, it’s clear—this tournament is anyone’s game. Stay tuned for more upsets, more Cinderella runs, and more travel inspiration! 🌍✈️