Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

Travel

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

None

Lose Yourself in the White Sands

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

None

Hike the Appalachian Trail

For decades, the backbone of the Eastern United States has given much needed respite for thousands of nature enthusiasts

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

None

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

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

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

None

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

None

Berlin, Alive Again

After withstanding world and cold wars, the German city is a thriving metropolis, filled with nightclubs and cultural treats

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

The versatile green bean.

Five Ways to Eat Green Beans

To prove their versatility, here are five out-of-the-ordinary ideas for cooking with green beans, each from a different world culture

Bananas have been cultivated for thousands of years. But are the days of the familiar Cavendish numbered?

Taming the Wild Banana

When and where did people learn to cultivate one of our favorite snacks?

Visitors and artists interact under the guadua (bamboo) tents in the Colombia program area.

Cooking With Colombian Beans

There are endless variations on frijoles, and each family has its own distinctive recipe

Cafe Mai's cup of ca phe cut chon.

Weasel Coffee: You’re Going to Drink What?

I was looking forward to another great-tasting coffee experience—until I found out that “cut chon” is Vietnamese for “civet cat dung”

A delicious tray of chocolate.

Inviting Writing: Sick of Chocolate?

Bayonne, the capital of France’s Basque country, is known for its ham, Espelette peppers and chocolate

What do you do with galangal?

What the Heck Do I Do With Galangal?

Galangal is a rhizome in the same family as ginger, which it resembles in appearance and, to some degree, flavor

What is "Cancun Style," exactly?

Inviting Writing: Restaurant and Kitchen Surprises

I was horrified to see the world’s creepiest menagerie of alien-looking sea creatures wandering through my walk-in

A colorful cheese curd

The Cheese That Squeaks Like a Mouse

Lumps of fresh cheddar that haven’t been pressed and aged are a popular treat; they sound like a tiny window-washer is squeegeeing your teeth

Page 97 of 132