Join author Mary Roach and astronomer Dr. Steven Beckwith on a 4-night/5-day trip to Oregon for this historic event. Spend one night in Portland, then continue to Salem for three nights. Explore the state's capital, enjoy winery visits and hear lectures and discussions about the magic of our skies. On the morning of August 21, from our private viewing area at Eola Hills Winery, experience the total solar eclipse.

Explore the history, ecology and scenery of five national parks and monuments on the Colorado Plateau. Experience the dramatic cliffs of Zion and the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. Hike amid multi-hued cliffs, spires, and arches of Cedar Breaks; the Waterpocket fold of Capitol Reef; and slot-canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante. Former Park Ranger Frank Ackerman leads our trip.

Cruise aboard the exclusively chartered five-star m.s. Le Boreal from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Stockholm, Sweden. Experience the renaissance of Gdansk, Poland; the medieval charms of Tallinn, Estonia and Visby, Sweden; the stunning architecture in cosmopolitan Helsinki, Finland; and the grandeur of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Explore Japan and South Korea during a seven-night cruise aboard the small ship m.s. L’Austral along the Inland Sea of Japan, plus two nights in Kyoto. Visit five UNESCO World Heritage sites. Explore Nijo Castle, Hiroshima's Memorial Peace Park, Miyajima's inspiring Itsukushima Shrine, and the Buddhist wonders of Gyeongju, South Korea.

Explore Lisbon and the National Palace of Queluz. Traverse the Alentejo region of olive groves. Discover Evora, a treasure-trove of Portuguese history and architecture, and a UNESCO site. Visit Seville, Andalucia’s capital, and Ronda, one of Spain’s most charming towns. Experience Granada’s Alhambra; medieval Toledo; and Madrid’s Prado Museum.

Journey to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. From Johannesburg, tour Soweto and the home of the late Nelson Mandela. Experience spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and enjoy a rhino safari. Explore Chobe National Park, and marvel at the vast Namib Desert with its towering sand dunes rising more than a thousand feet high. Spend four nights in vibrant Cape Town and visit Robben Island. Finally, discover the Winelands, South Africa’s renowned wine-growing region.

Explore old Havana’s history and architecture. Enjoy a private flamenco performance by some of Cuba’s best dancers. Discuss U.S. foreign policy and economic changes during lectures with thought leaders in the country.

Visit the fantastic Museum of Fine Arts, a private gallery and a neighborhood mosaic project. Learn about Cuban music during a live music lecture. See the site of the Bay of Pigs and the colonial cities of Trinidad and Cienfuegos.

Explore this magnificent land of extremes with study leader Frank Ackerman, former Death Valley National Park Ranger.

Visit Badwater Salt Flats (282 feet below sea level) and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of all 11,049 feet of Telescope Peak. Hike through the multi-hued walls of Golden Canyon; experience sunrise at Zabriskie Point; and visit Ubehebe Crater. Learn about the park’s dramatic geology and remarkably hardy flora and fauna, and perhaps experience wildflowers in bloom.

Join a 13-day expedition to Patagonia during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, and featuring study leader Dr. Jared Diamond, author of five best-selling books about human societies and human evolution.