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The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in 1900 over the supposed grave of a legendary Estonian hero.

A Walking Tour of Tallinn

Take in the beautiful sights of the capital city and the central town square from viewpoints on high

Overlooking the Song Festival Grounds from the cheap seats is a statue of Gustav Ernesaks, who directed the Estonian National Male Choir for 50 years.

Estonia’s Singing Revolution

A long-standing tradition among Estonians, singing festivals served an important role in the country’s struggle for independence from the Soviet Union

Large ferries like this Viking Line vessel cruise between Helsinki and Tallinn every day.

Sailing to Estonia

Tourists can catch an overnight cruise from Sweden or take a short boat trip from Finland to get to Estonia

Kristina Johnson and Wayne Clough hoist the Smithsonian flag atop Observation Point—a site memorializing explorers who have died at the South Pole.

Day 3: A Day at the South Pole

Flying over the paths trod by explorers before him, Secretary Clough arrives at the South Pole eager to meet the Smithsonian scientists working there

Monument Valley is not a national park. There aren't signs and rangers all around explaining the landscape and wildlife.

Tips on Roads Less Traveled in Monument Valley

Driving through the southwest? Make sure to read our tips on the best ways to appreciate Monument Valley

Four emperor penguins standing together near the ice roads in Antarctica.

Day 2: Arriving at the Spectacular Antarctic

Secretary Clough lands on a barren continent intertwined with Smithsonian history, prepared to discover the research being done

Christchurch is the home of the United States/New Zealand polar logistics center and is the jumping-off point for the flight to Antarctica.

Day 1: A Stopover in New Zealand

As the first Smithsonian secretary to set foot on Antarctica, Secretary Clough prepares for his trip from a research center in Christchurch

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Mint Hill, N.C.

A suburb in the city of Charlotte

Lancaster, Kentucky

Lancaster, Kentucky

Here, everyone knows everyone

A tractor with the West Virginia flag attached to the back makes it way down Main Street in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

Buckhannon, West Virginia: The Perfect Birthplace

A community in the Allegheny foothills nurtured novelist Jayne Anne Phillips’ talent for storytelling

John Gussenhoven bought a Harley-Davidson, learned to ride it proficiently, and then marked his route with a bold “X” across a map of the 48 states.

Finding America’s Heart by Harley

Wealthy businessman John Gussenhoven pledged his fortunes to assist those who helped him on his journey across America

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Oak Hill, Florida

A must-see historic town

Marathon, N.Y.

Marathon, N.Y.

A small town atmosphere

In the Ecuador wilderness (guides Nelson, at the helm, and Paa), Charles Bergman sought the roots of the illegal animal trade (a blue-headed parrot chick).

Wildlife Trafficking

A reporter follows the lucrative, illicit and heartrending trade in stolen wild animals deep into Ecuador’s rain forest

Life spills into the El Alto outdoor market of Puebla, where "present and past coexist and harmonize," says Francine Prose.

Savoring Puebla

Mexico’s “City of Angels” is home to gilded churches, artistic treasures and a delectable culinary culture

Parts of a typical medieval castle.

Castle Architecture

Learning a few terms will enhance your experience among Europe’s medieval fortresses

Rothenburg is still Germany's best-preserved walled town. In the Middle Ages, Rothenburg was Germany's second-largest city with a population of 6,000.

Rothenburg: The Best of Medieval Germany

In the country’s best-preserved walled city, tourists get a taste of medieval history and some of the best modern shopping

With its forest of skyscrapers perched on the banks of the Main River, Frankfurt has been dubbed Germany's "Mainhattan."

Frankfurt—No Longer Bankfurt

Home to Germany’s banking district, Frankfurt also boasts major museums, winter gardens and bustling main square

Avebury is 16 times the size of Stonehenge. Tourists are free to wander among 100 stones, ditches, mounds and curious patterns from the past.

A Guide to Mysterious Britain

Glastonbury, Stonehenge, Avebury and Dartmoor hold secrets of the island’s prehistoric past

Brighton is South England’s fun city and the destination for students, bohemians, and blue-collar Londoners looking to go “on holiday.”

Brighton: Fun, Sun, and Candy Floss

The carnival game and nature walks make this beach town on England’s southern shore a popular vacation spot for Londoners

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