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Some tourists may travel to Costa Rica to enjoy the tropical climate and Arenal volcano, but the real attraction is the country's wildlife.

Costa Rica: Turtles and Birds

Close government watch on wildlife has made the Central American country a must-see for animal lovers

Perhaps the weirdest and most intimidating creature in this spectacularly otherworldly place is the American alligator.

Alligators in the Everglades

The swampy nature preserve is home to many of southern Florida’s infamous reptile natives

This monumental complex embraces a palace, courtyards, gardens, gazebos, ceremonial gates, an artificial lake and the Jama Masjid, a mosque big enough for 10,000 worshipers.

The Ancient Architecture of Fatehpur Sikri

Abandoned for centuries, the Indian site attracts tourists from around the world for its majestic buildings

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The Serenity of the Outer Hebrides

Breathtaking views and millennia of history charm guests of these islands off the coast of Scotland

The earth is splitting apart in the middle of Iceland along a ridge that runs north to south through the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Iceland’s Volcanoes

Set atop a tectonic hotspot, the small island is home to breathtaking eruptions and other geologic sites

A sperm whale dives deep in Trinity Bay off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada

Canada

Whale Watching in Newfoundland

Once a home base for commercial whalers, the Canadian province is now a popular locale for spotting the massive creatures

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Drive the Road to Hana

The zigzagging road may take long to traverse for only being 52 miles long, but the eye candy alone makes it worthwhile

Santorini’s villages cling to red-and-black cliffs, looking out on a nearly enclosed 400-foot-deep lagoon; this deep harbor was formed when a catastrophic volcanic eruption occurred some 3,600 years, creating a massive crater.

Archaeology and Relaxation in Santorini

The Greek isle, a remnant of a long ago volcanic eruption, has most everything a traveler would want: great food and awe-inspiring scenery

Table Mountain is a flat-topped granite and sandstone massif that rises 3,562 feet above Cape Town, South Africa.

Take in South Africa From Table Mountain National Park

High above Cape Town, this craggy wildlife preserve provides sprawling views and thrilling hikes

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Ride a Stage of the Tour de France

You may not be wearing the yellow jersey, but taking a bicycle on the world’s most famous race is still thrilling

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Ski the Vasaloppet in Sweden

For the thrill-seeking sports enthusiasts, few races can compete with this exhilarating Swedish ski race

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Lose Yourself in the White Sands

The New Mexico national monument is a barren and desolate place with an otherworldly appeal

Ceiling of Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia

Catalonia

Explore Antoni Gaudi’s Barcelona

The capital’s cityscape bears the unmistakable Modernist mark of the Spanish architect in its churches, buildings and parks

En route to Rock Springs, Wyoming, Matt Quy flew by Pinnacle Rock

On the Flight Path of the Tuskegee Stearman Winging its Way to the Smithsonian

The Patent Office Building as it looked before the Civil War

The List: From Ballroom to Hospital, Five Lives of the Old Patent Office Building

Take a look back in time and learn the five lives of the old Patent Office Building

School lunch program poster

What’s Cooking Uncle Sam: A Must-See Show at the National Archives

The show was a revelation for exhibiting the breadth of the government’s involvement in our food

Body hackers can get all sorts of information about their personal health.

Me, My Data and I

A T. rex sighting in South Dakota

Dinosaur Sighting: Wall Drug

The ultimate roadside attraction features a T. rex that shakes its head, snaps its jaws and RAWRs

What do you hate most about mosquitoes?

14 Not-So-Fun Facts About Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol found in our breath and sweat. They may have a preference for beer drinkers

Owney the Dog, immortalized in a stamp.

Honoring Owney, the Legendary Post Office Pup

Owney the dog, beloved mascot of the Railway Mail Service, is being honored with his own interactive postage stamp, sure to endear him to new generations

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