Captain James Cook was an adventurer in every sense of the word—an insatiable navigator, a talented cartographer, a prestigious captain in the British Royal Navy—whose epic voyages around the world during the 18th century helped chart land never before seen on a world map. In his diary, he wrote that he intended not only to go “farther than any man has been before me, but as far as I think it is possible for a man to go.” Those aspirations eventually landed him and his crew in Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island, near the First Nations village of Yuquot, in Canada. There, he charted the majority of North America’s northwest coastline, conducted trades with the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations people (in what eventually began the legendary North Pacific Marine Fur Trade), and, ultimately, changed the course of history for Canada’s Pacific Coast.

Soon, you’ll be able to trace the exact route of that portion of Cook’s journey with the custom itinerary dubbed In the Wake of Captain James Cook from British Columbia sailing operator Outer Shores Expeditions. Embarking from Tofino, you’ll spend eight nights aboard a 70-foot wooden schooner, dubbed Passing Cloud, exploring the rugged coastline, and every place that Cook made landfall, alongside a coastal archaeologist, anthropologist, and marine ecologist (who also happens to be your captain). Together, these expert naturalists will reveal insights about the sea otter pelt trade, the lives of the natives that once called these shores home for over 10,000 years—and the true impact of Cook’s life-changing discovery. 

First tour departs May 2016; from $3,995 CAD per person.

Harper Lee’s unexpected new novel “Go Set A Watchman” has become the fastest selling book in the history of publisher HarperCollins, with more than 1.1 million copies sold in North America in the first week, the company said on Monday.

The novel was released on July 14, 55 years after the author’s only other published work, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a classic story of racial injustice in the American South.

“Watchman,” written in the 1950s, was a first draft of “Mockingbird” with many of the same characters. It made headlines with its depiction of noble lawyer Atticus Finch as a racist and bigot, a stark contrast to the idealistic younger Finch of “Mockingbird” who put his principles on the line to defend a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman.

HarperCollins, a unit of News Corp, said on Monday it had ordered reprints several times and now has a North American print run for “Watchman” of more than 3.3 million. It did not give sales figures or print runs for the rest of the world.

“First week sales of ‘Go Set a Watchman’ have far exceeded our expectations,” Brian Murray, president and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers said in a statement. “We are thrilled to see readers responding to this historic new work from an iconic author like Harper Lee.”

Lee, now 89, withdrew from public life shortly after the success of “Mockingbird” and the 1962 Oscar-winning film version starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch.

Nantucket is a small island in Massachusetts. Nantucket is an extremely popular summer travel destination due to its 5-star quality resorts and service and its old-timey New England seaport charm. The island’s population increases dramatically in the summer due to the influx of tourists and seasonal residents. To get to the island, the most common mode of transportation is the ferry. The ferries offer both high-speed and traditional routes, depending on how fast you want to get to the island and if you want the journey to be a part of the vacation as well. You can take a car aboard some of the ferries, but a reservation is highly recommended and parking on the island is sparse. A car isn’t really needed on the island anyway, so it is probably best not to take one. There is an airport on the island, Nantucket Memorial Airport, and a few small airlines fly there. The best way to get around the island is by bike, and there are many paved, two-way bike paths to use for both transportation purposes and adventure rides.

Nantucket - National Historic Landmark District

The entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark District. There are many historical homes and buildings on the island, including the Old Windmill, built in 1746 and still standing in its original location, the Oldest House, built in 1686, the African Meeting House, the Nantucket Atheneum, which is the local library, and the “Three Bricks.” One of the island’s most famous residents was Maria Mitchell, the first female astronomer. The Maria Mitchell Association operates a series of museums on the island, including the Maria Mitchell Observatory, the Historic Mitchell House, which is Maria Mitchell’s birthplace and a history museum, and the Maria Mitchell Aquarium, among others.

Capital of Whaling Industry

Nantucket was one the capital of the whaling industry, and the island’s whaling history is preserved at the Whaling Museum. The museum hosts a collection of whaling artifacts, including scrimshaw, art pieces carved out of whale bones, and a 46-foot Sperm Whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling. The island is also home to many lighthouses, including Brant Point Light, thought to be one of the oldest lighthouse locations in the country, Sankaty Head Lighthouse, and Great Point Light, the original was built in 1784 and the third version is operational today.

Of course, when you go to Nantucket, one of the highlights is lounging on the beach. There are many beaches on the island, but the most popular are Jetties Beach and Surfside Beach. There are plenty of water sports and activities to take part in as well as plenty of amenities, including shops and eateries.

With everything from art to history to science to architecture and more, museums have something for everyone. They’re great places to go to whether you are on vacation or close to home, a great way to spend a day under any circumstances. Some museums are world-renowned while others inspire on a quieter level. The best thing about museums is they are usually inexpensive if not free. Millions of people visit museums each year, here are the most visited museums in the world.

1. Louvre (Paris, France)

No surprise here. The home of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa hosts 8.5 million persons each year. It also houses some 35,000 works of art.

2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.)

This free museum on the National Mall hosts the largest collection of aviation artifacts in the world, including 50,000 original relics, and hosts about 8.3 million visitors annually.

3. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.)

Home to some 126 million artifacts, 6.8 million people a year make this the most visited natural history museum in the world. It also hosts the world’s largest marine collection.

4. British Museum (London, U.K.)

7 million objects, 2.5 miles of galleries, and free admission make this one of the most popular museums in the world, tallying over 5.8 million visitors per year.

5. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, NY)

Special exhibits, along with its vast permanent collection, make this art museum a hot spot for tourists and New York natives alike, garnering some 5.2 million annual guests.

6. Tate Modern (London, U.K.)

Located in a former power station, this museum hosts fine works of modern art along with more than 5 million visitors a year.

7. American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY)

5 million guests come to see the infamous hanging blue whale replica each year at this institution that has been around since 1869. There is also an interesting architectural phenomenon in the museum in which, if you are standing at the right spot, you can hear someone whisper across the room.

8. National Gallery (London, U.K.)

Located on Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery sees just under 5 million visitors per year and houses Western European paintings from the 13th through 19th centuries and costs nothing to enter.

9. National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)

Originally the personal art collection of Andrew W. Mellon, the museum has expanded and now hosts nearly 4.8 people annually.

10. Vatican Museums (Rome, Italy)

Over 5 centuries old, this museum is a collection of sculptures and fine art collected by the popes that sees almost 4.7 million guests a year.

11. Natural History Museum (London, U.K.)

It houses 70 million items, including specimens found by Charles Darwin, and host over 4.6 million visitors each year.

12. Smithsonian National Museum of American History (Washington, D.C.)

4.2 million people come to see the 3 million artifacts, ranging from serious historical items to popular culture relics, each year.

13. Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY)

Over three million people come to this famous museum, which houses great works such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The price of admission has skyrocketed but is free Friday evenings from 4 to 8.

14. Centre Pompidou (Paris, France)

The building itself is a work of art along with the over 60,000 pieces of modern art inside, which is why 3.1 million people go there every year.

15. National Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea)

The museum only has 13,000 items but its permanent exhibitions are free and it houses some of the most important Korean artifacts on record, leading to over 3 million annual visitors and its status as the most popular museum in Asia.

16. Musée d’Orsay (Paris, France)

The building’s arched glass ceiling is as much of a draw for the just under 3 million annual visitors as Impressionist art found inside.

17. Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie

Europe’s largest science museum is not as well known as the prominent Louvre but still hosts over 2.8 million guests a year.

18. Science Museum (London, U.K.)

With a collection of over 300,000 items, London’s Science Museum is great for the 2.7 million people who visit it each year.

19. Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid, Spain)

The museum has expanded to include an auditorium, a bookstore, and restaurants in addition to its many galleries of European art, which 2.7 million people come to see every year.

20. Victoria and Albert Museum (London, U.K.)

The 50,000 items in this museum range from decorative arts such as ceramics to stylish clothing and design artifacts. 2.6 million people visit each year.

Road trips are the best ways to see the country. In the summer, when the road conditions are fine and the weather is hot, it’s great to sit in your air-conditioned car or feel the breeze blowing through your hair as you drive a stretch of road with the windows down. It’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination. There are so many sights to see along the roads, from scenic landscapes to wildlife. Your eyes will always be searching and will never be disappointed.

US 1

The US 1 in the Florida Keys runs from island to island while passing lighthouses, beaches, and vegetation. The entire highway is 120 miles, including a stretch over the water that encompasses the longest bridge in the world, 7 Mile Bridge. If driving over the beautiful blue waters makes you want to take a dip, stop at the Theater of the Sea on Islamorada to swim with dolphins.

Route 14

In California, Route 14 is also known as the Antelope Valley Freeway takes you past miles and miles of golden poppies. Drive up the Antelope Loop Trail in the 1,760-acre Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve to Antelope Butte Vista Point some 300 feet high for a gorgeous view of the Mojave Desert.

US Route 9

Route 9 runs 300 miles and takes you all the way up to Canada. It’s a long journey so you’ll definitely get hungry along the way. There’s no need to worry. You can stop at any of the many farmer’s markets and stands along the way for fresh produce. In the New York stretch of the highway, stop at the Vanderbilt Mansion.

Route 100

In Vermont, the Route 100 will take you past the infamous Woodstock, the Green Mountains, and Gifford Woods State Park for the best forest scenery you can find. On a hot summer day, you can stop for freshly churned ice cream.

US Highway 2

The US Highway 2 in Washington is also known as Cascade Loop, takes you from Puget Sound through rainforests and apple orchards to Lake Chelan. On the way, stop in Leavenworth for a quasi Deutsch experience in this re-created Bavarian Alps town.

Highway 31

Highway 31 in Louisiana heads along the bayous past tall oak trees and lagoons filled with alligators, herons, and other wildlife. The best part of your trip will be a stop at Breaux Bridge for some of the finest Cajun food you’ll ever eat.

Highway 513

The Highway 513 in Michigan, otherwise known as the Black River Scenic Byway, follows Lake superior through the Upper Peninsula of the state. Waterfalls, forests, and sandstone rocks all around, make sure to stop in Ironwood, a former mining town.

Highway 2

In the state of Nebraska, the Highway 2 will make you feel like you are the only souls in the world. You won’t run into many other people, but you will find great views of the Great Plains with its sand dunes. Stop at the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center to see cranes and, hopefully, some other humans.

Route 12

In Utah, the Route 12 takes you 124 miles past red sandstone canyons and purple sage bluffs. The road is bookended by two National Parks, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. The most treacherous and also the most interesting part of the drive is the Hogback.

Hana Highway

Hana Highway in Maui, Hawaii is a winding, roller coaster of a ride, but there is no more beautiful setting for a road trip. Along the 51 miles, you will pass Waianapanapa State Park where you can lounge on the black sand beaches, explore a sea cave, or climb a lava cliff.

Route 66

No list of road trips would be complete without 2,451 mile stretch of highway going from Illinois all the way to California. You’ll get to pass by the Grand Canyon. What could possibly be a more scenic drive?

The second most populous country in the world is bordered by the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal. India offers a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You can take multi-day elephant safaris through national parks or take a ride on a royal train. Although it is a crowded country, India offers unprecedented luxury and a place to relax on your vacation. Here are some of the best, most luxurious hotels to stay at in India.

The Imperial

Located in India’s capital, New Delhi, The Imperial saw its first guest in 1936. It was built during the colonial era and retains its unique and complicated history. The hotel covers eight acres. The driveway is lined with King Palm trees. The grounds are filled with gardens. The hotel offers a window into the past. Many prestigious guests have stayed there and the hotel was a meeting point for officials to discuss political strategy in the post-colonial era. The hotel is home to of British Art and is in it of itself a kind of museum. It also offers many modern day amenities, including WiFi and television. The hotel has 9 eateries, a spa, a salon, and 4 conference rooms and banquet halls.

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

With eleven locations around the country, Oberoi offers enriching and rejuvenating stays. Oberoi has been ranked in the top three hotels in the world multiple times. The hotels offer personalized service and modern amenities. The hotels are all beautifully designed; one was even built to evoke a traditional Indian palace. The hotels are located near top tourist attractions, such as the Taj Mahal, Ranthambhore National Park, and Jaipur. Take private yoga classes. Go on a tiger safari. The hotels offer activities such as golf, horseback riding, river rafting, and mountain biking. It even has a cruise ship hotel.

The Park Hotels

The nine hotels are all set in the urbanest and modern locations in India. The hotels are relatively small, one has only 61 rooms, and offer an intimate experience with great service. The hotels picked premiere and unique locations to build. One is on the historic Gemini Film Studios grounds, offering an inside look at Bollywood. The hotels often reflect their surroundings. They offer amenities such as open-air dining, access to great nightlife activities, beachfront properties, and an urban sensibility. Labeled as boutique hotels, Park offers a blend of international sophistication and local culture.

The Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts

The eight sprawling locations offer top amenities, quality service, and a great setting. One hotel encompasses 75 acres and has everything from a 12-hole golf course to a semi-private beach. The suites and villas offer the comforts of home on your vacation with large rooms and full-service amenities. One location has a lagoon and waterfalls on the premises. A free welcome drink, an on-call butler, and round the clock tea and drinks are to be expected with your stay at Leela. Spas and gourmet food, gyms and balconies are what you can expect from your luxury stay at a Leela Kempinski.

If ever you find yourself in Bavaria, you must take a day trip to Hohenschwangau to see the castles of Mad King Ludwig II. King Ludwig II was born in 1845. Growing up, he spent his summers in Hohenschwangau Castle, restored by his father King Maximilian in 1837. When he took over leadership in 1864, King Ludwig decided to restore the ruins of two former castles near his childhood home.  Ludwig designed Neuschwanstein Castle as an homage to his friend Richard Wagner in the Romantic style.

Tickets

When you arrive at the castle site, park in one of the designated lots and make your way to the ticket center. There you can purchase your tickets for tours of the two castles.You will be given a tour time for each castle. Tours last approximately 30 minutes, and you are given at least an hour in between tours. You must be on a guided tour to enter the castle and tours are offered in German and English with audio devices for other languages.

Entrance

With tickets in hand, make your way to Neuschwanstein. Explore the outside, the patio, the fountains, and the sculptures while you wait for your tour time. At the main entrance, you will notice a sophisticated setup. A large clock hangs high. It will flash the designated tour times when they become available. If your time is up on the screen, you must bust a move to the turnstile or else you will miss out on your tour.

The Guided Tour

The guided tours offer a rich history of the castles and the King who built them. The tours are more entertaining than educational, but the wonders inside the castles make the whole visit worth it. The architecture is breathtaking. The interiors are extravagantly decorated. A sizeable staff is kept on hand to maintain the properties and polish the silver.

Other Attractions

After you tour Neuschwanstein, you will have to trek your way up a sizeable hill to Hohenschwangau. Adventurous folk may like to walk it and stop at the Marienbrucke for a nice view, or you can take a horse and buggy up to the top. There is also a shuttle that will get you part way up the climb. Once at the Hohenschwangau Castle, you will have to repeat the procedure for ensuring your tour. Keep an eye on the time board and be prepared to jump up when your time flashes. On your trip back down the hill, stop for ice cream or other treats. You can also pick up some souvenirs along the way.