Adventure

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

Great Natural Vistas

Diving Into the Great Barrier Reef Beautiful beaches and unrivaled underwater views lure lovers of marine life to the world's largest coral reef Gaze at the Northern Lights The best reason to head north for vacation is to catch the beautiful aurora borealis

An Illuminated View of Iguazu Falls A series of 200 separate waterfalls, Iguazu is best viewed when the river is high and the moon is full The Beautiful and Bizarre Galápagos Islands Evolution disciples and the merely curious can experience conspicuously adapted wildlife off the coast of Ecuador

Machu Picchu's Ancient Beauty The "lost city of the Incas" has captivated visitors with its magnificent setting and detailed stonework Exploring the Amazon Rain Forest With an ecosystem under siege, every moment in this wild wonderland is one to savor

Iceland's Volcanoes Set atop a tectonic hotspot, the small island is home to breathtaking eruptions and other geologic sites The Serenity of the Outer Hebrides Breathtaking views and millennia of history charm guests of these islands off the coast of Scotland

Lose Yourself in the White Sands The New Mexico national monument is a barren and desolate place with an otherworldly appeal

In the Presence of Gods

The Grandeur of Angkor Wat The 12th century temple is the worlds largest religious structure and a jewel of Khmer architectural style The Architectural Wonders of Bagan Nearly a thousand years after the Burmese kingdom was formed, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the sprawling city

Exploring Ancient Ephesus Ruled over the centuries by Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, there is much to see of the city's former splendor The Parthenon's Old World Order After a recent restoration, the center of the Athenian Acropolis and symbol of Western democracy still inspires

Portals into the Past

Ponder the Pyramids of Giza The ongoing debate about how the pyramids were built is a testament to the brilliance of its makers Sizing Up the Great Wall Almost too big to comprehend, the 4,500-mile wall has a lore of its own

Restoring the Taj Mahal This year, millions of tourists will visit the marble monument—and the Indian government is restoring it for millions more Guarding Petra Balancing tourist access and the preservation of the sandstone city may be a tough call

A Glimpse of Old Pompeii Preserved under the volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius are the everyday goings-on of ancient Roman life In the Cliffs of Mesa Verde Climb into the Colorado cliff dwellings and imagine what life was like for the Ancestral Pueblo Indians who lived there

The Statues of Easter Island A riddle of engineering hasn't stopped archaeologists from debating how the giant carved stones were transported around the island The Mystery of Tikal An ancient Mayan city, once hidden by overgrown jungle, evokes a childlike sense of wonder

Scale New Heights

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro A trek up the world's tallest freestanding mountain takes you through five different ecosystems and offers a stunning 19,340-foot view The Wild Extremes of Antarctica The coldest and windiest place on Earth is still largely undiscovered

Sites and Cities

The Tranquil Zen Garden of Kyoto With Zen rocks strategically placed in carefully raked white sand, the Ryoan-ji garden evokes peace and beauty The Louvre's Priceless Masterpieces Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo are just two of the works housed within the walls of this fortress-turned-royal palace-turned-museum

Venice's Timeless Splendor The enchanting city celebrates its Middle Age and Renaissance glory through its art, architecture and enduring spirit The Resilient Uffizi Gallery Having survived bombings and floods, the Florence, Italy museum is home to a priceless collection of art

Berlin, Alive Again After withstanding world and cold wars, the German city is a thriving metropolis, filled with nightclubs and cultural treats Antoni Gaudi's Barcelona The capital's cityscape bears the unmistakable Modernist mark of the Spanish architect in its churches, buildings and parks

Wildlife Watching

Join the Migration in the Serengeti Hordes of wildlife travel 300 miles across the "land of endless space" in the largest migration on Earth Costa Rica: Turtles and Birds Close government watch on wildlife has made the Central American country a must-see for animal lovers