Among the Jewish community in America, a program called “Taglit-Birthright” is fast becoming a well-known rite of passage.

At first glance, the idea of it is almost unbelievable. A free trip to Israel for Jewish young adults aged 18 to 26?

In the U.S., where free travel is pretty much a non-existent term, it’s hard to believe such a program exists. But, to date, more 145,000 young adults have successfully completed this 10-day adventure.

So, pack your bags, kids … You’re going to Israel!

Instead experiencing other cultures through a museum exhibit, why not travel with a museum? Some of the world’s most respected museums offer educational tours around the world.

In Europe, the Smithsonian’s field experts walk you along the Waterways of Holland in the footsteps of Rembrandt.

In the warmer climates of Honduras or Guatemala, the American Museum of Natural History lends a dramatic look into the cultural treasures of Meso-America, such as sculptures and hieroglyphs.

Community leaders escort travelers on private visits to museums with Government Ministers and UNESCO World Heritage conservationists.

Or, you can sail with curators from the Metropolitan Museum from Moscow to St. Petersburg, with on-board lectures and private views of the cities’ greatest museums.

The downside is that these tours are pricey, …

Family vacations are a great way to escape the routine of everyday life and bond with your loved ones. But while you’re away, why not take the opportunity to learn something new?

Many language schools in countries around the world are now offering special programs for the whole family. So if you’re headed to Mexico, why not spend a week brushing up on your Spanish skills?

Or if you’re traveling to France, you and your kids can perfect your imperfect tenses while immersed in the French culture.

These family-centered programs are tailored to match the style of your vacation, so whether you want daily intensive classes or a week-long intro course, there …

If you have a college-bound kid, you probably want them to explore plenty of campuses.

But if you’re short on time—or patience—here’s how they can visit colleges without mom and dad getting in the way.

When there are too many colleges and not enough time, a college tour company can help a parent out.

The company College Visits operates at least 20 college tours a year throughout the U.S.

With the East Coast College Tours from Education Unlimited, your kids stay in dorm rooms and explore the area and sights around the campuses.

The company College Preview keeps students informed by giving them a binder, complete with background information on each college and note-taking forms.

They can also arrange for …

In the movie French Kiss, Meg Ryan said it for cheese-o-philes everywhere: “Did you know there are 452 official kinds of cheese in this country? Isn’t that amazing? To find 452 ways to classify what is essentially a bacterial process? Don’t you think that’s amazing?” Yes, we do!

France has some of the best-known cheeses in the world, but it also has many varieties you’ve never heard of because the U.S. Department of Agriculture won’t allow unpasturized cheeses to be imported.

Pasteurization may make cheese safe, but the heating process also kills the microbes that bring you the flavor.

So, if the cheese won’t come to you, you must go to the cheese.

If you are interested in traveling with a religiously affiliated airline or tour, you’re in luck, because the Vatican now charters its own airline.

Here’s where they go, and where other religious tours can take you.

The Vatican has chartered a Boeing 737, run by Italy’s Mistral air, to carry pilgrims to holy destinations such as the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal and Mount Sinai in Egypt.

The in-flight entertainment is religiously themed, and so are the logos on the headrests and on the flight attendants’ uniforms.

But even the pope can’t control this airline’s destiny—one spiritual passenger returning from his trip to Lourdes, France had his holy water confiscated by airport security.

For another alternative, Globus Journeys offers 20 different tours catering to …