- MyRepublic
Welcome to Episode 2 of Geek Atlas, where the destinations are powered by curiosity, big brains, and occasionally, rocket engines (not so subtle hint towards something else that has a rocket. A purple one, to be exact.)
In the previous episode of Geek Atlas, we explored Pop Culture pilgrimage spots, from Hogwarts to Hobbiton. Now, we move onward and upward! If you’re the type who gets emotional over Mars rovers or dreams of building your own AI in a cabin in the Alps, this one’s for you.
1. Geneva, Switzerland – Home of the Big Bang (Machine)
CERN and the Large Hadron Collider make Geneva a must-visit for science nerds. It’s a place where real-time data, quantum theories, and giant underground detectors collide, quite literally. As you may have hoped, the gift shop sells particle-themed mugs and Higgs boson merch. Because, obviously you’d need a souvenir featuring subatomic physics.
2. Seoul, South Korea – Future Culture & Coding Cafés
If you’re looking for travel with a side of robotics and innovation, Seoul’s got you covered. Just south of the city lies Pangyo Techno Valley, a high-tech industrial complex that’s home to South Korea’s biggest startups, gaming companies, and research hubs. Think of it as the country’s answer to Silicon Valley—where entrepreneurs, engineers, and tech giants share the same skyline. Make your way to the Samsung Innovation Museum in Suwon, which walks you through the evolution of technology from analogue TVs to AI breakthroughs. Round it off by grabbing a coffee at one of Seoul’s many coding cafés, where developers casually debug over lattes as mechanical keyboards click in unison.
3. Cape Canaveral, USA – Launchpads & Legends
Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Center is where space dreams lift off. Literally. Here, you can visit the towering Saturn V rocket, get hands-on with astronaut training simulators, and trace the history of space related advancements, from Apollo to SpaceX. You can even eat astronaut ice cream here.
4. JAXA, Japan – Tsukuba Space Center
Located just outside Tokyo, the Tsukuba Space Center is the beating heart of Japan’s space program. Operated by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), this is where satellites are built, astronauts are trained, and mission control happens. Visitors can explore full-scale mockups of Japan’s space modules and maybe even spot a real astronaut doing laps around the building. Bonus: there’s even a gift shop with space ramen.
5. Munich, Germany – Engineering and Aviation Dreams
Munich’s Deutsches Museum is one of the largest science and technology museums in the world. This makes it an absolute must for anyone who ever voluntarily did extra credit in physics class. You’ll find everything from antique planes and nautical instruments to working robots and interactive energy exhibits. It’s like Disneyland, if the rides were equations and the mascots were mechanical.
6. Baikonur, Kazakhstan – Old-school Cosmonaut History
If you’re fascinated by the early days of space exploration and Soviet tech, Baikonur is your must-visit destination. Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world’s first and largest operational space launch facility. This is where Yuri Gagarin blasted off into history, and where Russia’s Soyuz rockets still launch to this day. It’s remote, it’s dusty, and it feels a bit like a Cold War time capsule, but really, that’s part of the charm. Guided tours include launch viewing opportunities and a visit to the museum housed in the original Cosmodrome buildings. It’s history, drama, and rocket fuel all in one.
7. Houston, USA – Mission Control and Moon Landings
Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where you can stand in the very room that guided the Apollo missions to the Moon. Take a walk and explore it for yourself, complete with vintage mission control panels and serious space vibes. You’ll also find zero-G training facilities and get a sneak peek at the glamorous world of orbital hygiene. (aka: space toilets.)
Extra Travel Tips from Our Geek Atlas
- Many facilities require advance booking or security checks. Plan early.
- Bring a notebook. Trust us, you’ll want to write stuff down.
- Most places are family-friendly, but some go full nerd. Prepare for diagrams.
- When you’re done exploring the outer limits, don’t forget to upgrade your own space at home too! After all, every great mission needs a launchpad, and your home deserves a broadband connection that’s fast, reliable, and unapologetically geeky (Also the #1 Best Broadband in Asia).
Up next on Geek Atlas…
Next time on Geek Atlas, we head to the quiet corners of the world where introverts, readers, and literary fanatics unite as we explore the world of Bookish Getaways.
