Manta ray and scuba diver near the Socorro Islands, Mexico – Franco Banfi / WaterFrame – Underwater Images / Photolibrary

• People used to think these strange animals would envelop pearl divers and eat them.
  That’s just not true
• These curious creatures are gentle, sociable, and playful.
  Watch them swim
• It’s an amazing experience to touch them, but it’s easy to damage their sensitive skin.
  Learn about the giant manta ray
• Want to swim with giant manta rays?
  Get ready for a long trip

Funfair rollercoaster, Minato Mirai, Yokohama, Japan – Christian Kober

• If you think Japanese amusement parks are crazy, you should check out their game shows.
  Most Extreme Elimination Challenge
• Ride a roller coaster past the world’s largest clock (also a Ferris wheel) and into the depths of the city.
  Only one place on Earth
• Curious about Japanese culture, but don’t know where to start?
  Let the BBC help you
• This jaw-dropping roller coaster sits right next door to one of the world’s largest Ferris wheels.
  Where is it?

Colored scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pollen grain from a Chinese hibiscus — Science Photo Library Rf / Photolibrary

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada — Dennis Macdonald / Photolibrary

• Take a good look at these falls and imagine going over them in a barrel.
  Would you do it?
• Marilyn Monroe caused a spike in tourist attendance here in 1953.
  All because of this movie
• This has been a prime destination for newlyweds and daredevils for over a century.
  There’s a metaphor in there somewhere
• The U.S. and Canada have shared this natural wonder in peace for centuries.
  Where is it?

Alkmaar Cheese Market, Alkmaar, Netherlands — Glow Images / Photolibrary

• Charles de Gaulle once asked, “How can you govern a country in which there are 246 kinds of cheese?”
  He should have been a cook
• Some varieties are aged for up to seven years before they’re ready for market.
  That’s a good-a cheese
• This part of the world is seven meters below sea level at its lowest point.
  There are windmills involved
• This market is one of only four traditional Dutch cheese markets still in operation.
  Where is it?

Navajo Bridge over Colorado River — R. Ian Lloyd / Masterfile

• This is one of only seven land crossings of the Colorado River for 750 miles.
  Cross while the crossing’s good
• This bridge is a landmark at one of the first national parks in the United States.
  What park is it?
• “One cannot realize the enormity of it…’til he has crawled like a maimed insect at its base and looked…upward to the…sky.” —John Stoddard
  Meet the Grand Canyon
• It’s a lot trickier to travel between Arizona and Utah than you might think.
  See one of the more dramatic ways

Lion Peak above Milford Sound, Fjordland National Park, New Zealand — Chad Ehlers/Nordic Photos/Photolibrary

• This nation was the first in the world to grant all women the right to vote.
  What enlightened land is this?
• Astonishing beauty is one hallmark of this place.
  These two guys are another
• This country is a nuclear-free zone — no nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships may dock in its ports.
  See what a nuclear-free zone looks like
• You are looking at one of the most remote areas of one of the most remote nations in the entire world.
  Where is it?

Sydney Opera House, Australia — Walter Bibikow / The Image Bank / Getty Images

• This is the most famous landmark of one of the biggest, most expensive cities in the world.
  What city is it?
• The world’s smallest continent is also megadiverse — it harbors a majority of the Earth’s species.
  Tour this wild wonderland
• Contestants around the nation sing for a trio of snarky judges, each hoping to perform here as the first-place winner.
  Sound familiar?
• Danish architect Jørn Utzon designed this extraordinary building in 1957.
  It still looks pretty good

Adult male lion and cub, Botswana, Africa — Westend61 \ / Photolibrary

• “Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.” —Bill Cosby
  Learn more about Father’s Day
• Want to see more lion cubs?
  Yeah, you do
• How do fathers and sons on the savannah express their feelings for one another?
  Through the magic of song
• Fathers live everywhere, but lions only live in a few places.
  See the place these lions call home

Morocco spice market — Walter Bibikow / www.DanitaDelimont.com

Steptoe Butte State Park, Palouse, Washington — Michael Sedam / Stellar Stock / Photolibrary

• From the top of Steptoe Butte, you can see 200 miles of hypnotic, rolling hills.
  The hills soon give way to mountains
• You’d never guess that these idyllic hills were the scene of the Yakima Indian Wars in 1855.
  The wars changed everything
• One of Washington’s largest waterfalls is a hop, skip, and a jump away from this pastoral wonderland.
  Watch it do its thing
• All this natural beauty can make a person awfully hungry and thirsty.
  Where’s the nearest restaurant?

Boston, Massachusetts skyline — Walter Bibikow / age fotostock / Photolibrary

• Aerosmith is one of this city’s most famous musical groups.
  Amanda Palmer is one of its prettiest
• Home to the nation’s first public library, first college, and first subway system…
  Can you guess what city this is?
• This city’s rebellious residents fought the first battles of the American Revolution.
  They would hardly recognize it today
• The Puritans called it their “shining city on a hill,” and some know it today as the “Athens of America.”
  Where is it?

13th Century Grass Covered Sheds at Nupsstadur Farm, Southern Iceland — Bill Bachmann / www.DanitaDelimont.com

• This place is one of the world’s oldest democracies and youngest landmasses.
  It has at least 200 volcanoes
• Watch some of this country’s most popular musical talents at work.
  Besides Björk
• These little houses have been sheltering people from wind and snow since the 13th century.
  See the rest of the neighborhood
• Combine lava flows with glaciers, sheer cliffs with gushing geysers, puffins with ponies, and what do you get?
  Find out

Gamla Stan (Old Town), Stockholm, Sweden — Jaynes Gallery / www.danitadelimont.com

• This nation has long had a reputation for independence and intelligence.
  And for good meatballs
• Many people think this is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
  What do you think?
• People have been talking about the good looks of this country’s citizens since the 8th century AD.
  Watch one of its most famous beauties
• Founded in the 13th century, this city has had a lot of time to grow into a maze of winding streets and alleyways.
  A good map always helps

Berner Alps, Germany — Jose Fuste Raga / Mauritius / Photolibrary

• This massive mountain range spans seven countries and is host to innumerable resorts and tourist attractions.Which mountain range is it?
• What does one of the world’s most famous mountain ranges look like?Short answer: really pretty
• Skiing, chocolate, watches, good design—this little country packs quite a wallop.Watch it in action
• Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate how big the Swiss Alps are.Check the map and see for yourself

Cincinnati Museum Center, USA — William Manning \/ Corbis

• The stars represent the 50 states and the stripes represent the original 13 rebellious colonies.
  Learn more about the American flag
• The Star-Spangled Banner flew over Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of 1812 and is housed at the Smithsonian Institution today.
  It’s getting a little work done right now
• On this day in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as the official date for Flag Day.
  Learn more about Flag Day
• This building began life as a train station, but now it houses a museum, a library, and a movie theater.
  Want to see it from the outside?

Miami Beach, Florida — Ethel Davies \/ Imagestate RM \/ Photolibrary

• This booming metropolis is one of the only major U.S. cities founded by a woman.

  She did a pretty good job

• Tropical climate + glamorous, diverse population + money = Perfect for TV shows.

  Ready to solve some crimes?

• Forbes Magazine ranked this city America’s Cleanest in 2008.

  See more of America’s cleanest city

• This city’s proximity to Cuba has made it a natural home for thousands of Cubans in exile.

  Its beaches make it a natural home for sunbathers

Las Vegas, Nevada — Reiner Riedler / Anzenberger Agency / Jupiter Images

• These days Vegas casinos are famous for more than gambling.
  Their entertainers are world-class, too
• Certain folks think of one thing when they think of Las Vegas:
  Knucklehead Zoo
• As seen from space, this city is the brightest metropolitan area on Earth.
  Aliens will probably invade here first
• What does Las Vegas look like?
  That depends on which casino you’re at

Great Barrier Reef, between Cairns and Townsville Australia — Yann Arthus-Bertrand / Terra Standard RM / Corbis

• 17 kinds of sea snake, 1,500 kinds of fish, 7 kinds of sea turtles, 400 kinds of coral, 5,000 kinds of mollusks.
  See what lives in the Great Barrier Reef
• On this day in 1770, Captain James Cook became the first European to see the Great Barrier Reef.
  He wrecked his ship on it
• Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most popular destinations for snorkelers and scuba divers.
  Watch and learn why
• The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest single structure made by living organisms.
  You can see it from space

River Douro, Portugal — Michele Falzone/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images

• This city is famous for its wine, its cuisine, its architecture, and its work ethic.

  See what the fuss is about

• This is the nation that brings the world the wonder of Port wine.

  Watch and learn more

• The world’s oldest military alliance was first formalized here in 1387.

  What else has happened in this city?

• Some call this place the City of Bridges.

  Where is it?

Ponte Vecchio Duomo cathedral on Arno River in Florence, Italy – Chad Ehlers / Photolibrary

Presa Street Bridge, San Antonio River Walk — Richard Cummins/Encyclopedia Standard RM/Corbis

• Residents and tourists alike come to the River Walk to cool off on the banks of the San Antonio River.

  The margaritas are divine

• The River Walk isn’t the only place Texans go to keep cool on blisteringly hot summer days.

  See one of their best watering holes

• Some call this city the heart of Tejano culture in the United States.

  Watch one of Tejano’s most famous stars

• This picturesque city was the site of one of the great battles of the Texas Revolution.

  Remember the Alamo!

Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic — Jon Arnold Images /www.danitadelimont.com

• This country is still beautiful despite centuries of invaders, plagues, and religious strife.
  The last revolution was the Velvet Revolution
• Some call this place “the city of 100 spires,” and some call it “the golden city.”
  Watch the city unfold
• What does a 1,000-year-old city look like?
  Find out
• This ancient square has been the heart of the city since the 10th century.
  Where is it?

France, Calvados, Omaha beach, one of the beaches of the Normandy landings during the WWII — Bertrand Rieger, hemis.fr, Getty Images

• On this day in 1944, Allied Forces stormed the beaches at Normandy.
  It was a terrible battle
• Every war makes an indelible impression on the people involved, and World War II is no exception.
  Watch and learn more
• Over 2,000 Americans died here on this day in 1944.
  Learn how and why
• It’s hard to look at this beautiful beach today and imagine the violence of the D-Day invasion.
  See where it all happened

Damnoen Saduak floating market, Thailand — Jay Sturdevant / www.danitadelimont.com

• This watery nation is home to Buddhist temples, coral reefs, floating markets, and so much more.
  See Thailand for yourself
• Foodies in Thailand flock to the Damnoen Saduak floating market for the freshest produce around.
  What else happens in Thailand?
• Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by a European power.
  Tour the Land of the Free
• King Rama IV ordered the construction of a 32 km-long canal in 1866, which soon became home to this famous floating market.
  Where is it?

Manarola, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy –Walter Zerla/age fotostock

• You can only see this remote area for yourself by traveling on train, ferry, or walking trail.
  Or you could look at pictures
• There’s so much to see in this ancient, lovely country, it’s hard to decide what to see first.
  This guy can help you with that
• Five villages comprise this part of the Mediterranean, carefully terraced into the cliffs.
  It’s inaccessible by car
• This region is famous for its pesto, its focaccia, and its grappa.
  Where can you find this paradise?

Polychrome Pass overlooking the Alaska Range, Denali National Park, Alaska — Alaska Stock/age fotostock

• Park rangers use dogsleds to patrol this vast wilderness during the winter months.
  Meet a world champion dogsledder
• Minerals stain the mountains with rainbow hues here in the Polychrome Pass.
  See more multi-colored mountains
• At just over 2 million acres, this wilderness area is larger than the state of Massachusetts.
  Much of it is inaccessible by road
• This national park is home to the highest mountain on the North American continent.
  Where is it?

Leidschendam, Holland — Gavin Hellier\/age fotostock

• This country has one of the oldest standing armies in Western Europe, established around 1600.You don’t normally think of them as a military nation
• The world’s first asset-inflation bubble was born here in the 1600s.They call it Tulip Mania
• While the Netherlands has long been known for its clogs, windmills, and tulips, it’s more recently famous for its street art.Meet the Lastplak collective
• Windmills are an essential part of the Dutch landscape, and have helped to make the country what it is today.See the land that windmills built

Hot air balloons over Cappadocia, Central Anatolia, Turkey, Asia — Günter Flegar \/ imagebroker.net \/ Photolibrary

• People and the elements have carved this volcanic landscape into a maze of fairy chimneys and cave dwellings.
  There’s no other place like it
• One of the best ways to see this ancient, surreal landscape is by hot air balloon.
  Give it a try
• Shepherds in this country bred dogs large and strong enough to protect flocks from wolves, jackals, and cheetahs.
  Watch Anatolian Shepherds in action
• People first established communities here almost ten thousand years ago, and have been going strong ever since.
  Where is it?