Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

Photos

None

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Caterpillars, Frogs, Big Birds and More…

The Australian Dragonfish

Weird Creatures From the Deep

A massive census of the oceans has turned up a trove of strange marine wildlife, from jellyfish to octopuses to anemones

None

Extreme Jellyfish

There are some 2,000 species of jellyfish. Some are tasty, others will kill you with the tap of a tentacle. Here are nine varieties that really stand out

None

Five Species Likely to Become Extinct in the Next 40 Years

Experts estimate that one-eighth of all bird species, one-fifth of mammal species and one-third of amphibian species are at risk

Common Thresher Shark

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Cobras, sharks, lemurs, hermit crabs and more…

Shanghai’s European Suburbs

Chinese urban planners are building new towns with a foreign flair, each mimicking architecture from Europe’s storied cities

Northern quolls, cat-size Australian marsupials

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Hummingbirds, birch trees, queen bees, northern quolls and more…

None

Legends of the Apollo

For more than 75 years, some of the world’s greatest entertainers have performed at the famous Harlem theater

Rick Steves’ Europe: Venice, Italy

Piazza San Marco—the storied square punctuated by its 11th century basilica—endures as an awe-inspiring portal to the city’s many splendors

Rick Steves’ Europe: Rue Cler, Paris, France

The “best little street in Paris” offers tasty cheese, delectable pastries & old-fashioned merchants - an irresistible slice of authentic neighborhood life

Rick Steves’ Europe: Rome, Italy

An after-dark walk takes in the Eternal City’s most famous fountains, grand palaces, a soaring temple, candlelit outdoor cafes and street musicians

Rick Steves’ Europe: Prague, Czech Republic

The city’s historic core is an exquisitely preserved showcase of Czech culture, including Art Nouveau architecture and some of the best beer in Europe

Rick Steves’ Europe: Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina

A decade and a half after an ethnic war, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most inviting city is re-emerging as a tourist destination

Rick Steves’ Europe: Istanbul, Turkey

A bustling modern metropolis, the Turkish city also reminds travelers that the charm of traditional cultures is still something to value

None

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Running elephants, far-flying mosquitos, ancient crocodiles and more…

Rick Steves’ Europe: Hydra, Greece

For those willing to follow the uphill lanes, this Greek island offers tradition, magnificent views of the harbor and a relaxing vacation spot

Rick Steves’ Europe: Hallstatt, Austria

When Austrians want to enjoy the great outdoors, they head for a region of forested slopes, beckoning trails—and great fishing

Rick Steves’ Europe: Gimmelwald, Switzerland

On a mountainside above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Swiss traditions persist in a 700-year-old hamlet populated by contented cows and hospitable villagers

Rick Steves’ Europe: Florence, Italy

In Florence, Michelangelo’s masterpiece epitomizes the heroic power and surpassing artistry of the Renaissance

Rick Steves’ Europe: Tallinn, Estonia

Dominated by the Soviets for 50 years, the Estonian capital boasts medieval architecture and signature chic, attracting admirers of Old World character

Page 15 of 18