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Mount Rushmore is one of the most recognizable American monuments, and one that draws many visitors a year. However, the southwestern tip of South Dakota is home to more than just the famous carved faces. In fact, the Black Hills region is a stunning departure from the flat farmland of central South Dakota. Badlands National park can be found here, known for its otherworldly striated rock structures jutting out of the grass lands. Nearby, Wind Cave National Parks hosts one of the densest cave systems in the world, and the first cave to be named a national park as far back as 1903. Geology, in all its glory, isn’t the only thing that is on display in these unique habitats. The region is home to many animals, including goats, cougars, foxes and iconic American bison, living on reserves such as Custer State Park. The Needles Highway, a 14 mile winding route through trees and granite cliffs, is a scenic way to see a small portion of what the Black Hills have to offer. Just be prepared to stop for the local wildlife along the way!

You would hardly expect to find a monument to the German monarchy in the middle of the Netherlands, and yet, the small estate of Huis Doorn is just that. After the expulsion of Kaiser Wilhelm II from Germany at the end of WWI, he fled the country (along with a great deal of his personal treasures) and took refuge in neighboring Netherlands, where his cousin Queen Wilhelmina ruled. The former Kaiser lived in style and took an interest in the estate. Not only did he plant gardens and specimen trees, but one of his greatest past times was cutting wood with an ax. He was so renowned for the activity, that he was known by some as “The Woodchopper of Doorn”. Despite his fall from power, he never stopped hoping for a revitalization of the Prussian monarchy. On his death in 1941, he left explicit instructions that his body is to be returned to Germany for burial once the monarchy is reestablished. For the foreseeable future, it rests at Huis Doorn, an unlikely center of twentieth century politics.

If you happen to get off at the South Kensington tube stop in London, you will find yourself in a district full of magnificent and very famous museums. The Natural History museum and the Science museum both reside here, and just across the street, is the Victoria and Albert museum (V&A). As the world’s largest collection dedicated to the decorative arts and design, it houses an eclectic collection of nearly everything on its 12.5 acre site. Officially opened in 1857 by Queen Victoria, wandering through the building you can find jewelry, ceramics, musical instruments, furniture, and even building facades from all over the world. Indeed, one of the magical qualities of the V&A is that around every corner, there are items that you never thought to see, and may never see again, as the floorplan is a warren to halls and galleries. So if you find yourself with an hour free, it is well worth a stroll in this cultural masterpiece, to experience the grandeur of art experienced through everyday items.

If you want to experience peace and tranquility, Lake Bled is a good choice. Situated by the beautiful Julian alps, in northern Slovenia, the lake is surrounded by lush forested hills with a castle overlooking the tranquil waters. While walking or cycling around the lake is invigorating, to tour its one small island up close (complete with church) requires braving the waters. Not to worry, no motor boats are allowed on the lake, ensuring the calm. Instead, passage across to the island is traditionally done via a pletna boat – a flat bottomed boat with a canopy, unique to Lake Bled. The boat is propelled with two oars, still operated by hand. In fact, the job of oarsman on Lake Bled is very exclusive. In 1740, Empress Maria Teresa, of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, decreed that only 22 families had the right to ferry passengers to and from the island – and even today, the job is restricted. The fare to and from the island is negotiable – in general you are rowed out for free but pay for the return trip. However, you can’t experience Lake Bled fully without seeing the view from a pletna.

Can a garden be more than a bed of flowers? Sissinghurst Castle, located in southern England, proves that it can be! The site itself has very ancient origins, although not all of its history has been rosy. It was a thriving country manor in the 1500s, even visited by Queen Elizabeth I, but later centuries led to hard times, and by the late 1700s, the manor was so decrepit, that it was deemed only suitable for detaining French prisoners of war. While the prisoners’ stay may have been under duress, they left a lasting impression on Sissinghurst by giving it the name of “castle” – a designation that it retained, even as the site deteriorated further. By the 1930s, all that was left was a near ruin, in the midst of poorly maintained surroundings. However, at that moment the poet and writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband decided to purchase the estate. From meager beginnings, they spent decades transforming Sissinghurst Castle and pouring their energy into the gardens there. The result, which can be visited today, is among the most famous gardens in the country, which has been highly influential to garden design, thanks to Vita Sackville-West’s writing. Definitely a place where poetry and flowers both flourished!

The Netherlands are renowned for tulips, canals and Rembrandt - and rightly so. However, anyone who has walked down the streets of Amsterdam will know that bicycles form a large part of Dutch life. With wide open countryside, which is almost completely flat (if not below sea level), it is no wonder that cycling became a major mode of transportation. Indeed, the transportation system is so bike friendly, that roads for cyclists are almost better maintained than those for cars, and the parking is just as problematic at busy train stations. The Dutch also prove that there is never a point when you are too young to cycle, with parents often riding with 2-3 children of all ages in various seats in front and behind them, and kids of no more than six easily overtaking casual sightseers as they pedal to school. As a tourist, there is only one golden rule for interacting with Dutch cyclists: Never walk on the cycle path. Break that rule, and you are bound to meet a bicycle, up close and personal, much faster than you thought possible!

There are many reasons to visit Vienna, the capital of Austria: beautiful architecture, charming cafes, impressive museums, and – of course! – the tradition of theatre and music. For centuries, Vienna served as a seat of power to the Hapsburg royal family, which ruled from 1440-1918. These aristocrats sponsored many building projects and artists, including scores of musicians. This patronage made Vienna a hub for many aspiring artists: Mozart, Johannes Brahms, Beethoven, Haydn, Strauss, and more. While many of these famous composers and performers are long gone, the tradition of music and theatre continues, and most important festivities within the city are marked with a concert, dance, or both. In this way, the waltz has become synonymous with the city and remains a national pastime for young and old. So, for any traveler through Vienna, take a moment and listen as you pass through this grand city.

Autumn is known to be a colorful season, especially across the northern US, which turns gold, orange and red annually. However, it isn’t just the fall color that makes this season such a stand out in the state of Michigan. As a leading producer of fruit in the States, Michigan farmers grow many different crops – and the western portion of the state hosts a cherry festival in summer and its own wine region. However, autumn is synonymous with apple orchards throughout the state, and visiting them is a favorite pastime for natives. They come in all shapes and sizes, large and small, historic or newly minted, but one thing they have in common are the wide variety of apples and apple cider for sale. But if apples aren’t to your liking, they also bake fresh donuts as well!

When you see an amphitheater, do you automatically assume you are in Rome? Think again! The arena in Pula, Croatia is one of the best preserved examples of Roman architecture in the world, and is among the six largest survivors left standing today. The city of Pula once stood along a main road leading to Rome, a location that made the city a regional capital, and in 27 BC, construction started on the giant amphitheater. The walls of the structure reach nearly 100 feet, encompassing 15 gates, and it could accommodate 23,000 people! The true wonder of this structure is that, even after many changes in government and several world wars, the outer walls still stand, encircling a sandy arena which still captivates visitors.

Madrid is a vibrant metropolis in the very heart of Spain, filled with grand architecture which exemplifies its role as a capital city and the seat of royalty. However, like any large city, it also contains quiet parks and gardens which allow residents and visitors an escape from the noise and chaos of busy streets. The Buen Retiro Park, located at the heart of Madrid, is a beautiful example. Once a royal garden, the park has undergone many building phases, and royal relics remain scattered around its 350 acres. While the park became public in the mid 1860s, that wasn’t the end of the royal mementos. In 1922, the park unveiled a grand monument to Alfonso XII of Spain. Sitting above a small artificial lake, it is a colonnade, reaching 100 feet (30 meters) tall and 280 feet (86 meters) wide. At the center, sits Alfonso XII on his horse, in an enviable position to enjoy the peacefulness of Buen Retiro and watch the row boats on the lake. Definitely a good place to recharge after seeing the sights of Madrid.