Some travelers dig deep, with a sharp appetite for knowledge and minds wide open to what's old and what's new. In Cultured Traveler, the latest in the travel book collaborations between The New York Times and TASCHEN, these adventurers hum to Mozart in Vienna and tap their toes to dance music in Dar es Salaam. They pursue Hamlet in Elsinore, Picasso on the French Riviera, and Le Corbusier in India. They follow in the footsteps of Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackie Kennedy, and even Jesus.

Through 100 stories of their trips around the globe, talented Times travel writers and photographers invite readers to share in their discoveries. Pack your suitcase with curiosity for a trek to see Buddhist cave art in China or an afternoon of kayaking in Germany's intriguing and idyllic Spreewald. Challenge your senses along with your wits tasting maple syrup in Quebec or octopus snacks at a Japanese baseball game, sniffing the flowers in French perfume country, and sipping Cognac in none other than the place called Cognac.

And, as always, sample each writer's unique point of view. Henry Shukman, poet and teacher of Zen, hikes in England on Europe's oldest road amid a landscape he describes as "elemental, austere, with a kind of monumental elegance." Jason Wilson, the series editor for The Best American Travel Writing, follows the trail of the Stradivarius in fascinating prose, though he confesses, "I do not, in fact, play the violin." The veteran travel writer and author Tony Perrottet, with Sydney's art scene as Exhibit A, sets out to prove that "Australia has a lot more to offer than rampant hedonism and cuddly koalas."

The best travel is both fun and a learning experience. With Times-quality journalism and visuals, illuminating historic photos, and tips on what to read and watch for inspiration, Cultured Traveler gets you in the thick of it.