Travel

Switzerland

Chocolate Destinations Around the World to Drool Over

These five places from Belgium to Hong Kong offer their own enticing takes on the confection

February 11, 2015

Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings Nominated for Unesco World Heritage Status

It’s the first time the United States has nominated works of modern architecture

February 9, 2015

Japan Announces Plans for the First Hotel Run by Robots

Slated to open July 17, the hotel in a Japanese theme park will be staffed by “actroids”

February 6, 2015

The World’s Most-Visited Castles and Palaces

From Paris to Beijing, these historic castles and palaces draw millions of visitors for a glimpse of the lifestyles of the rich and famous

February 5, 2015

Catalonia

One Night Each Winter, Devils Run Through the Streets of Barcelona

Since the early 1990s, Barcelona’s winter bonfire festival has celebrated the intersection of Catalan and Majorcan cultures

February 4, 2015

Europe

Vikings Storm the Streets at Up Helly Aa, Europe’s Biggest Fire Festival (Photos)

Hundreds of local residents took to the streets, brandishing thousands of flaming torches, in an homage to Shetland’s Viking heritage

January 30, 2015

How SkyMall Captured a Moment of Technological and American History

The now-bankrupt catalog had a meteoric rise and fall

January 27, 2015

The Smithsonian May Go for the Gold, Opening a Venue at London’s Olympic Grounds

The Smithsonian Regents give museum officials the thumbs-up to explore opening a new gallery in London and the mayor there says, “Welcome to our city”

January 27, 2015

Celebrate 100 Years of Rocky Mountain National Park

January 26 marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park—and celebrations are going all year long

January 26, 2015

Tour Paris With the Marquis de Sade as Your Guide

Traces still remain in the City of Love of the famed author and sex icon

January 26, 2015

Craziest Airplane Cabins of the Future

These airplane cabin designs—both real and conceptual—show what might await us on flights in the near future

January 25, 2015

Where to See Thousands of Monarch Butterflies

The species is being reviewed for potential addition to the Endangered Species list. Can tourism help save the butterfly?

January 22, 2015

An Iceberg Flipped Over, and Its Underside Is Breathtaking

On vacation in Antarctica, filmmaker and photographer Alex Cornell captured an unusual sight

January 22, 2015

Why Footbinding Persisted in China for a Millennium

Despite the pain, millions of Chinese women stood firm in their devotion to the tradition

February 2015

Inside the Three-Decade Evolution of “Star Wars” Costumes

A Smithsonian traveling exhibition offers an unprecedented glimpse at costumes from a galaxy far, far away

January 20, 2015

Celebrate National Cheese Lovers’ Day With This Map of Cheese Found Around the World

This sharp interactive will make you feel gouda all over

January 20, 2015

Top Historic Sites to Visit in Cuba

Cuba is rich in history-laden spots—and a relaxed travel ban will make it easier for Americans to visit

January 19, 2015

Where to See the Work of Mr. Turner Around America

The British painter is the subject of a new film, but where can you see him stateside?

January 16, 2015

Photos From the Coldest City on Earth

What’s it like to live and work in the coldest inhabited place on Earth? Photographer Amos Chapple shares his stories from the frozen cities of Siberia

January 14, 2015

Sponsor Content: Smithsonian Journeys

10 Thrilling Trips to Take with Smithsonian Journeys in 2015

From ancient fortresses in Sri Lanka to safaris in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, explore the world with Smithsonian Journeys

January 13, 2015