Geography, I love. I've always found it interesting to visit places when I can if I am gone traveling for work. Might as well take advantage of being at a certain location at said date/time, if you have it to spend.Knowledge yes, but doesn't affect any politics at all.
I do love geography and flags and maps and whatnot, and without sports I may still know about Montreal and Toronto, but it's unlikely that I'd care where Winnipeg or Edmonton were if not for my interest in the NHL.
Yosemite sounds like a lame favorite of mine but I had an incredible time with awesome coworkers when we went on a little road trip after finishing early on our Friday there.