Around the World in 9 Museums

At the beginning of our time in Egypt, we journey outside Cairo to the Giza Plateau to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), home to the greatest Pharaonic treasures in the world. The world’s largest archaeological museum covering a single civilization, the museum’s vast exhibits lend context to our travelers’ later discoveries as we trace the history of Egypt from Cheops to Cleopatra.

The first of its kind in Japan, the Hakone Open-Air Museum features more than 1,000 sculptures and numerous works from renowned artists like Picasso, Henry Moore, and Taro Okamoto. Stroll the rolling landscape while you admire distinctive masterpieces set against the stunning backdrop of the surrounding valley and mountains. If weather conditions don’t permit, you’re in luck—the museum features five indoor exhibitions, including the Picasso Pavillion Hall.

Up until the second half of the twentieth century, Opera dei pupi (Sicilian puppet theater) was a cherished and respected art form throughout Sicily. When former surgeon and anthropologist Antonio Pasqualino saw its popularity waning, he began collecting scripts, puppets, and theater equipment in hopes of preserving the craft for future generations. Visitors can peruse thousands of puppet-related artifacts, as well as watch live theatrical shows, which often debut contemporary artists and musicians.

Housed within the iconic, blue painting studio of artist Jacques Majorelle, the Berber Museum features the works of the most ancient ethnic group in Africa. Visitors will find more than 600 objects on display—from traditional clothing to rudimentary tools and vibrant ceramics—as well as a detailed map and audiovisual elements intended to provide deeper insights. Another draw for this historic museum is the expansive botanical garden surrounding the studio.

The Red History Museum houses rare, retro artifacts that provide an interactive window into 45 years of Communism in Croatia. From furniture and film posters to old music records, the collection offers insight into the events between World War II and when the country gained independence in the early 1990s. Film buffs will also appreciate the most celebrated exhibit: the Yugo car driven by Bruce Willis in Die Hard 3.

With its audacious and innovative design, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao provides a stunning example of 20th-century architecture—courtesy of Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The museum mostly houses large-scale installations by contemporary artists; however, exhibitions rotate often. The only permanent exhibit is The Matter of Time, a series of seven steel sculptures designed by artist Richard Serra.

The Glaciarium contains more than 27,000 square feet of glaciological exhibits that leverage dioramas, multimedia, and 3D models to illustrate the science behind glaciers—how they’re formed, how they move, and more. Visitors may also choose to view a documentary on the topic in the on-site movie theater. For those keen on getting a bit closer to the subject, the museum features the world’s first—and only—bar in the world to be constructed from glacial ice. Just remember to dress for the occasion!

Situated in central Bangkok, the Jim Thompson House exhibits Southeast Asian art once belonging to American businessman, textile baron, and architect, Jim Thompson. The gallery displays everything from Buddhist statues to Thai-inspired paintings constructed of wood and cloth, and blue porcelain handcrafted in China. The museum itself is also worth admiring, as it’s nestled on a scenic canal and possesses traditional architectural features dating back to the mid-twentieth century.

Reflect on the horrors of the First Indochina and Vietnam wars at the War Remnants Museum. Visitors have the opportunity to examine military equipment, detention chambers, defused bombs, as well as exhibits about the effects of Agent Orange and war crimes such as the My Lai massacre. The museum also hosts rotating exhibitions, which have historically included photographic displays of survivors.