Classic Land Journeys 2021/22 SMALL GROUPS: JUST 16–24 GUESTS GUARANTEED
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Our Classic Land Journeys Collection Book an unforgettable journey. Choose your preferred departure date now.
About Smithsonian Journeys 8 Reasons to Travel with Us Our Experts At Home in the World
Europe
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Highlights of Italy Treasures of Southern Spain and Portugal Treasures of the Alps Old World Europe Across Northern Spain and Portugal Northern Italy Classical Greece France through the Ages The Emerald Isle Southern Italy and Sicily Scotland’s Treasures Journey through Provence Adventure in Iceland St. Petersburg and the Baltics Pearls of Croatia and Slovenia
Africa
Tanzania Safari Safari in Kenya and Tanzania African Safari Splendors of Morocco Ancient Egypt and the Nile
North America
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Alaska’s Natural Wonders Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon The Northern Rockies
Central and South America
Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Patagonian Explorer Legendary Peru
Australia and the South Pacific
Splendors of Australia and New Zealand Journey through New Zealand
Asia
Eternal Japan Discovering Vietnam Cover: Puffin overlooking the cliffs at Vik, Iceland (see pages 32-33)
4 6 7 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66
8 Reasons to Travel with Smithsonian Journeys 1. The Smithsonian Difference Our trips reflect the vast knowledge and experience Smithsonian has gathered since its founding in 1846. All of our itineraries are carefully crafted to provide a deep, authentic, and unique experience, and many also provide special access to Smithsonian research, people, and facilities. 2. A Name You Can Trust Smithsonian has worked hard over the past 175 years to earn its reputation as one of America’s most trusted institutions. And, as you would expect from Smithsonian, our journeys are known for top-notch service, engaging experts, and some of the most experienced trip leaders and local guides. And when you travel with Smithsonian, you know that your safety and well-being are always a top priority. 3. Travel with Our Experts Our travelers tell us one of their favorite aspects of our journeys is the fun and engaging learning at the core of every trip. Our world-class experts bring meaningful enrichment and insider perspectives to hundreds of departures on all seven continents. You’ll find that some of your best times with your Smithsonian Journeys Expert take place during informal conversations, at meals, and while exploring sites in more depth. In addition to traveling with a Smithsonian Journeys Expert, you’ll be accompanied by a top professional trip leader and local guides who are the best in the industry. They know their destination and itinerary intimately and can make adjustments on a moment’s notice. 4. The Smithsonian Community On any given trip, you’ll travel with intellectually curious, worldly, and adventurous lifelong learners. And the enthusiasm lingers long after the trip is over. Often some of the most lasting elements of a journey are the friendships that develop with other travelers who share your passion for deeper learning and exploration.
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5. Small Groups and Big Experiences Now more than ever, the idea of traveling with a small group of fellow travelers is reassuring. Almost all of our land trips feature guaranteed small groups of 16 to 24 people, allowing for more flexibility. You’ll experience the world in a bigger way, getting up close to renowned sites and taking the path less traveled. And with small-group travel, it’s all about the people. You’ll meet with the local people, participate in cultural traditions, and get to know your fellow travelers and trip leaders. 6. Great Value Once you add up the extras that we include—experts, enrichment, most meals, excursions, transfers, most gratuities, and even airfare inclusive pricing on many trips—you’ll find that many of our trips are a very good value in addition to being an exceptional experience. 7. Supporting the Smithsonian Mission When you travel with Smithsonian Journeys, your participation benefits the work of the Institution, supporting our educational mission to preserve our heritage, discover new knowledge, and share our resources with the world. And, you have the comfort of knowing that you are traveling with an organization that is committed to sustaining the character and biodiversity of the places we visit by selecting partners and suppliers who meet our standards for responsible travel and supporting regional economies through our use of distinctive local guides and accommodations. 8. Peace of Mind To assure your peace of mind during these times, we’ve made our payment terms more flexible. Reserve your 2021 journey before June 30, 2021 and you may cancel up to 95 days before the departure date and receive a full refund.* And we are implementing new protocols to ensure that all of our trips meet the health and safety guidelines established by the U.S. Travel Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
* Offer valid for new 2021 bookings received before June 30, 2021. At 95 days before departure, funds paid are no longer refundable. This offer is not available on Private Jet or Tailor-Made Journeys.
History, Culture, and the Natural World Our Classic Land Journeys are exciting forays into the history, culture, and natural world of a single country or region. Meticulously planned to include iconic sites and hidden gems, these 10 to 23-day trips are comprehensive and exciting. You may travel the full breadth of a country or just one region, but you’ll always see the highlights up close with an intimate group of 16 to 24 travelers—and most of these trips include airfare for even more value!
Classic Land Journeys Include: ● A small group of just 16 to 24 guests – guaranteed ●R ound-trip air transportation from listed cities, plus all flights within your tour ●A full program of lectures and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert and the services of a professional trip leader
● Extensive sightseeing, including all entrance fees and admissions ● Singular activities and more intimate cultural encounters possible only with a small group ● Gratuities included (except for cruise staff on cruise journeys)
●A ccommodations in distinctive lodgings that offer the best combination of quality, atmosphere, and value
● Pre-departure planning packages, including customized travel tips and a comprehensive, annotated reading list
●M ost meals: all breakfasts, many lunches and dinners (including festive welcome and farewell meals) – and the opportunity to explore and dine on your own (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)
● Luggage handling for one bag per person
Our tour with the Smithsonian was without a doubt one of the most fun, enjoyable, and educational journeys we have taken. Our fellow travelers quickly bonded and we are still in contact with many of them. We look forward to our next adventure with educated and thoughtful people. – David L. BOOK YOUR TRIP / SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687
Gain in-depth understanding and a sense of wonder
1. Madeline Díaz expert in art history and museum studies. See p. 30 2. Grant Nel naturalist and zoologist with a specialization in Africa. See p. 38 & 40 3. Carola Stearns field geologist and geophysicist. See p. 44, 52 & 56
Our Experts Among the experts who accompany you on your journey are scholars from around the world—with in-depth understanding of history, culture, politics, the natural world, geology, astronomy, or the fine arts. We select experts whose area of expertise fits perfectly with the destination and who are eager to share their passion, knowledge, and insights about the place you are visiting. Our travelers continue to tell us that our experts are a major reason they come back to Smithsonian Journeys again and again. Meet some of our experts and read about the tours they will lead in the pages that follow.
4. Adam Tanner foreign correspondent and author specializing in Europe. See p. 12, 26 & 36 5. Alia Kate expert in international relations with a focus on the Middle East and north Africa. See p. 44 6. Peter Bobrowsky archaeologist and geologist with 30 years of experience. See p. 32, 60 & 62
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Traveling with Smithsonian truly exceeded our expectations. The well planned itinerary and the knowledge and expertise of our Expert and tour director made it a memorable and rewarding experience. – Curt & Valerie A.
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For more information about our experts visit SmithsonianJourneys.org/experts
Be at home in the world Let the journey begin Whether you’re enjoying the cultural treasures of Europe or the wildlife of a safari adventure in Africa, your accommodations enhance your overall experience and are often integral to a memorable trip. Traveling with Smithsonian Journeys, you can be assured of distinctive properties that feature the character and ambiance of the local culture plus the quality service that meets the high standards you expect.
The Places We Stay We categorize our diverse selection of accommodations as follows: Excellent Hotels These are the Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class accommodations in major cities worldwide, including well-known chain hotels as well as independently owned properties. You can expect excellent service and amenities in these well-located properties.
Belmond Monasterio, Cuzco, Peru
Unique Lodgings These interesting properties cater to small groups and independent travelers, and generally are not available to conventional groups of 40 or more. From the historic paradores of Spain and pousadas of Portugal, to a French farmhouse or Japanese ryokan, these accommodations are often seen as destinations themselves. A Note About Foreign Accommodations Hotels around the world can vary signifcantly. These lodgings offer a sense of place, standard amenities, good service, and a good location. Please note that in rural areas the best accommodations available may be limited in terms of service and amenities. Electra Palace Hotel, Athens, Greece
Hotel Sahrai, Fez, Morocco
The Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook, New Zealand Kennicott Glacier Lodge, Kennicott, Alaska
EUROPE
Highlights of Italy
From the Amalfi Coast to Venice
16 days from $6,174 total price from New York
Spend three nights on the stunning Amalfi Coast.
($5,695 air & land inclusive plus $479 airline taxes and fees)
From the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to eternal Rome, through the gentle Umbrian and Tuscan countryside to timeless Venice, this leisurely tour showcases ancient sites, contemporary life, priceless art, and beautiful natural scenery.
Venice
ITALY
Siena
Florence San Gimignano Assisi Orvieto
Adriatic Sea
Rome Montecassino Naples
Overnight
Pompeii Amalfi
Tyrrhenian Sea
Featured Site Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Amalfi Coast Rome Venice
Apr 63 66 62
May 72 74 70
Jun 79 79 76
Sep 79 79 75
Oct 70 71 65
Nov 63 61 53
Highlights Include Discover the stunning beauty of the Amalfi Coast • Relish the coastal views from Villa Rufolo • Participate in an Italian cooking demonstration and savor the results at dinner • Explore the “green heart” of Italy in pastoral Umbria • Tour the evocative ruins at Pompeii • Visit the Borghese Gallery in Rome with a guided tour • Enjoy three- and four-night stays in intimate small hotels in Amalfi, Tuscany, and Umbria
Day Itinerary Hotel 1 2-4
Depart U.S. for Naples Amalfi Hotel Marmorata
5-7 Rome Empire Palace Hotel 8-10 Orvieto Grand Hotel Italia (Umbria) Hotel Borgo di 11-13 Tuscany Cortefreda
Rating First Class Sup. First Class First Class First Class
14-15 Venice Carnival Palace Hotel Sup. First Class 16 Depart Venice for U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
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Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Naples, Italy Day 2: Naples and Amalfi Upon arrival, travel to seaside Amalfi, a popular resort and your base for exploring Italy’s Campania region. Dine at your hotel tonight, as you will throughout your stay here. (D) Day 3: Amalfi and Ravello This morning experience this breathtaking coast by sea on a cruise to Amalfi Center (weather permitting). Here enjoy a brief tour of the region’s largest town, then have lunch on your own. Next, ascend to mountaintop Ravello and visit Villa Rufolo, a 13th-century villa rich with a storied past and pristine gardens. (B,D) Day 4: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento A fullday excursion today begins with an exploration of the vivid remains of Pompeii, the city devastated by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79 but not excavated until 1748. After lunch on your own, embark on a breathtaking drive along the winding Amalfi Coast high above the azure Mediterranean – with stops for photos along the way and in Sorrento. Return to the hotel late this afternoon. (B,D) Day 5: Amalfi, Montecassino, Rome En route to Rome today visit the town of Montecassino, whose abbey is the mother church of the Benedictine order
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and a center of medieval art. A German stronghold during World War II, the hilltop abbey was destroyed by Allied bombing then rebuilt as a replica of the 17th-century original. Tour the abbey, then continue on to Rome, the “Eternal City.” Arrive at your welllocated hotel mid-afternoon and enjoy an informal neighborhood walk led by your tour director. (B) Day 6: Rome This morning tour the heart of ancient Rome: the 55,000-seat Colosseum, completed in A.D. 80 to stage gladiator spectacles; and the temples of the Forum, ancient Rome’s political and legal center. The afternoon is free to explore on your own, with endless possibilities such as shopping along the fashionable Via Veneto, sipping espresso in beautiful Piazza Navona, seeing the Pantheon, or tossing a coin into Trevi Fountain. Early this evening enjoy a guided tour of the Borghese Gallery before dinner on your own. (B) Day 7: Rome Visit the Vatican for a tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums. Highlights include Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s, considered one of the greatest sculptures of all time; his frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, now restored to its original glory; and art-filled St. Peter’s itself, the most important church in all Christendom. (B)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Mama Mia! Highlights of Italy was everything we could have expected and more! Great food, art, architecture, history, religion, and fun with a great group of new friends.
Visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica while in Rome.
– William and Maribeth, G.
Day 8: Rome and Umbria Leaving Rome, travel north through a pastoral landscape of gentle agricultural land bounded by mountain wilderness and dotted with traditional villages and medieval hill towns. Mid-afternoon arrive in Orvieto, perched high on a plateau above a vineyard-clad plain. After checking in at the hotel in the heart of the city’s medieval quarter, enjoy an informal walking tour then attend a simple cooking demonstration followed by dinner at Zeppelin Restaurant. (B,D) Day 9: Orvieto This morning embark on a guided walking tour of this dramatically set city. Visit the medieval Duomo featuring a frescoed chapel by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli’s masterpiece, The Last Judgment. Next explore the formerly secret passages of Parco delle Grotte, a labyrinth of underground caves used since Etruscan times. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B) Day 10: Orvieto and Assisi Today’s excursion is to Assisi, considered a gem of an Umbrian town with inviting plazas, buildings of white marble, and a pervasive medieval air. Visit St. Clare Church and the renowned Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis and a sacred pilgrimage site that dominates the town. Inside are Giotto’s priceless frescoes The Life of St. Francis. There’s time on your own to stroll the fountain-splashed piazzas and enjoy local specialties for lunch. En route back to the hotel, visit Deruta, known for its prized hand-painted Majolica ceramics. (B) Day 11: Siena and Tuscany Continuing your journey, visit walled Siena whose ochre-colored buildings and ancient ramparts evoke the city’s medieval past. Fanshaped Piazza del Campo is one of Europe’s greatest public squares and its distinctive Duomo is one of Italy’s finest. After a walking tour that includes an inside visit to the Duomo, housing masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello, enjoy free time to explore on your own. (B,D) Day 12: Florence A living monument to the Renaissance, Florence is the crown jewel of Tuscany. Experience this splendid city on a full-day excursion
Post-Tour Extension
Venice – On Your Own
3 days/2 nights from $395 total price Single Supplement: $325
Enjoy time on your own in this timeless city.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • 2 nights accommodations at Carnival Palace Hotel (Superior First Class) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to airport
that includes a morning walking tour. Together visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s sublime David, as well as his pieces for the papal tombs; and visit the revered Duomo, with its stupendous dome by Brunelleschi. This afternoon is free to enjoy Florence as you wish before returning to your hotel, where you dine tonight. (B,D) Day 13: San Gimignano Encounter classic Tuscany today as you visit the hill town of San Gimignano, known for the 13 watchtowers that have left its skyline virtually unchanged since medieval times. Tour the 1300 Museum which highlights the history and architecture of this unique town. Then, after lunch on your own, visit a local winery and enjoy a tasting before returning to your lodgings mid-afternoon. (B,D) Days 14-15: Venice Leaving Tuscany today, travel through the Veneto region to Venice, arriving early this afternoon. Begin enjoying this wondrous city on your own. The next morning take a guided walk through vast St. Mark’s Square and surroundings. The afternoon is free to explore Venice independently; tonight join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. (2B,1D) Day 16: Depart for the U.S. Depart this morning for your connecting flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Experts Trudy Harrington Becker is associate chair of the department of history, Virginia Tech. Andrew Becker is associate chair of the department of foreign languages and literatures. They have been frequent teaching faculty at Virginia Tech’s Center for European Studies and Architecture in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. Both are award winning teachers, advisors and mentors. In 2013 Andrew and Trudy received their college’s Award for Excellence in International Initiatives, and in 2014 they jointly received the Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Excellence in International Education. They will lead the September 14 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 14 nights accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels • 22 meals: 14 breakfasts, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Sep 7* 2021 2022 Sep 14* 2022 Oct 19 Apr 12* Oct 12 May 3 New York
$6,174 $6,274 $6,374 $6,574
Boston, Philadelphia, $6,374 $6,474 $6,574 $6,774 Washington, DC Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, $6,474 $6,574 $6,674 $6,874 Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $6,574 $6,674 $6,774 $6,974 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$5,495 $5,595 $5,695 $5,895
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $479, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,195. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. *Accommodations on Amalfi Coast: Hotel San Francesco Post-Tour Venice Extension: $395 Sep, Oct; $455 all other dates. Single Supplement: $325 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
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EUROPE
Treasures of Southern Spain and Portugal 15 days from $5,774 total price from Boston, New York
Built almost a century ago for Expo 29, the grand Plaza de España counts as one of Seville’s prime attractions.
($5,195 air & land inclusive plus $579 airline taxes and fees)
An exciting history of explorers and invaders is etched across the gentle landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula. Stay in historic inns called paradores in Spain and pousadas in Portugal on this special sojourn, which features vibrant modern-day cities and the spectacular monuments of an illustrious past.
Atlantic Ocean
Barcelona
SPAIN
PORTUGAL
Madrid Toledo Merida
Lisbon Evora Overnight Featured Site
Cordoba Seville
Carmona
Ronda
Ubeda Granada
Mediterranean Sea
Motorcoach Extension (Air)
Avg. High (°F) Lisbon Seville Madrid
Mar Apr May Sep Oct 66 67 72 79 72 69 74 80 90 78 59 65 70 77 65
Highlights Include Spend eight nights in distinguished lodgings, including a medieval monastery, historic fortress, stately palace, and old town hall • Enjoy a traditional music performance that dates to the Middle Ages • Explore charming Ronda from your parador, perched dramatically at the edge of the plunging gorge, and enjoy a visit to a nearby olive farm • Visit seven World Heritage sites, including the historic centers of Evora and Cordoba as well as Granada’s Alhambra and Generalife • Explore sophisticated Madrid including the world-famous Prado • Take a guided tour of the Cathedral de Seville, a World Heritage site
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1 2-3 4-5 6-8 9-10 11 12-14 15
Deluxe First Class First Class First Class First Class Deluxe
Depart U.S. for Lisbon Lisbon Corinthia Hotel Lisbon Evora Pousada dos Loios Carmona Parador de Carmona Ronda Parador de Ronda Ubeda Parador de Ubeda Madrid Wellington Hotel Depart Madrid for U.S.
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
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Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Lisbon, Portugal Day 2: Lisbon Arrive in Lisbon early this afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure until your welcome dinner with fellow travelers. (D) Day 3: Lisbon and Queluz On a tour of Portugal’s lively capital city, visit the waterfront area of Belém. See the medieval Belém Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, an elegant example of the distinctive Manueline style of architecture, and the Monument to the Discoveries, which commemorates Portugal’s storied explorers. In the nearby town of Queluz, visit the National Palace, the former residence of Portu guese royalty now used for state occasions. (B) Day 4: Evora Travel through the Alentejo region with its olive groves, vineyards, and wheat fields. After stopping for lunch in the fortified hilltop town of Monsaraz, arrive in the regional capital of the Alentejo, Evora, late this afternoon. Relax at your lovely pousada, considered one of Portugal’s finest. (B,L,D) Day 5: Evora Spend the day exploring this university town, a World Heritage site and one of the architectural gems of Portugal. A morning walking tour highlights the well-preserved Roman and Moorish heritage, while the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this Golden Age city on your own. (B,D)
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Day 6: Merida, Spain, and Carmona Travel east through a countryside checkered with the ruins of fortresses to the Spanish border town of Merida. Discover Merida’s outstanding Roman ruins and enjoy time at leisure for lunch and personal interests. Continue to Carmona and your parador, a dramatic 14th-century Arab fortress. (B,D) Day 7: Carmona and Seville Today visit nearby Seville, the splendid Moorish capital of the Andalusia region, considered by many to be the cultural capital of Spain. A guided walking tour stops at the famous Cathedral de Seville, the world’s largest Gothic building, and features the delicately ornate Moorish Alcazar, or Royal Palace. Return to Carmona late this afternoon and dine at your parador this evening. (B,D) Day 8: Carmona and Cordoba Travel to Cordoba, once a major European center for art, science, and culture during the Middle Ages. Here, explore a rich legacy where Moorish, Christian, and Jewish cultures mingled successfully. After touring the highlights, including the magnificent Mezquita Mosque, enjoy free time to explore on your own, then return to Carmona. (B,D) Day 9: Ronda Leave Carmona behind and travel south to tiny Ronda, scene of the last great rising of the Moors against Ferdinand and Isabella. Its
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
This was my first Smithsonian Journeys tour and I loved it. I would recommend it highly to anyone who is interested in the history, art, architecture, and culture of Spain and Portugal.
Visit Granada’s Alhambra, the Moors’ “pearl set in emeralds.”
– Joan B.
whitewashed houses, and your parador, are perched dramatically near the edge of a plunging gorge, spanned by an 18th-century arched bridge. Enjoy a special afternoon excursion to a local olive farm. (B,L,D) Day 10: Ronda After a brief walking tour, return to your parador, Ronda’s original town hall, for a special tapas style lunch. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. Take in the spectacu lar views of the gorge and bridges, and marvel at the impressive Moorish architecture. (B,L) Day 11: Granada and Ubeda Depart this morning for Granada, the former stronghold of Moorish Spain, which is set in the foothills of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada. The city’s undisputed highlight is the Alhambra, the extraordinary palace of Spain’s last Moorish rulers. Sprawled across a hilltop, the Alhambra commands breathtaking views of the city below. This afternoon, tour this splendid citadel and the Generalife, with its lovely acclaimed gardens. Continue traveling north to Ubeda and your next parador, a former 16th-century palace. (B,D) Day 12: Toledo and Madrid Toledo, capital of medieval Spain, still looks much like it did when the artist El Greco painted here in the 16th century. See Toledo’s most important sites on a guided tour featuring the massive Gothic cathedral. Continue to Madrid, arriving late in the afternoon. (B) Lisbon’s Monument to the Discoveries
Day 13: Madrid Enjoy a morning tour of this monumental and dignified capital city including the vast Plaza Mayor, in the heart of Old Madrid; the Moorish medieval district; and the opulent 18th-cen tury Palacio Real (Royal Palace), with its 2,800 rooms. Then sample some of Madrid’s specialties over a lunch of tapas. Our tour ends at the Prado, one of the world’s great museums, where you are free to explore on your own. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L) Day 14: Madrid Spend your final day enjoying the Spanish capital as you wish. Stroll along the city’s broad boulevards, see Picasso’s famed painting Guernica at the Reina Sofia Museum, or wander through the weekly El Rastro Market. Tonight join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 15: Depart for the U.S. Depart Madrid for your return flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Dianne Konz has taught Spanish literature, language, and civilization at the University of Texas at Austin and at The George Washington University. She has also lectured and published studies on Spanish and Latin American literature, and Spanish culture. Dianne’s enthusiasm for Iberia grew from her experiences living and studying in Madrid. She approaches art and architecture, literature, music, and gastronomy as a reflection of a country’s history, politics, and geography. Her teachings include the Moorish and Islamic periods of occupation of Iberia and the rich cultural heritage of the Islamic presence there. Dianne will lead the September 27 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Post-Tour Extension
Barcelona – On Your Own
4 days/3 nights from $795 total price Single Supplement: $355
Enjoy this bustling seaport, Spain’s cultural and commercial capital, with its medieval Gothic Quarter and popular Ramblas waterfront promenade.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • Air transportation Madrid/Barcelona inclusive of airline taxes and fees • 3 nights accommodations at Hotel Avenida Palace (Superior First Class) • 3 meals: 3 breakfasts • Transfers to/from airport
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 13 nights accommodations: 5 nights in Deluxe hotels; 8 nights in First Class paradores and pousadas • 26 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 9 dinners • Regional wine with dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Sep 13 2022 2022 Sep 27 Apr 18 Mar 24 Oct 11 May 2 Boston, New York
$5,774
$5,974
$6,174
Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$5,974 $6,174 $6,374
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte,Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa
$6,074
$6,274
$6,474
Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$6,174
$6,374
$6,574
Land Only
$5,095
$5,295
$5,495
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $579, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,395. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Barcelona Extension: $795 Sep, Oct; $895 all other dates. Single Supplement: $355 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,595 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy this tour to the fullest.
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EUROPE
Treasures of the Alps 14 days from $7,092 total price from Boston, New York, Phil, PA
Encounter breathtaking alpine scenery throughout your tour. Pictured: Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps
($6,595 air & land inclusive plus $497 airline taxes and fees)
The awe-inspiring Alps have drawn visitors to Switzerland and Austria throughout history. This exciting new journey spotlights the region’s history and its Alpine trains.
GERMANY Munich Zurich Lucerne
SWITZERLAND
Vienna Salzburg
Berchtesgaden Seefeld Innsbruck AUSTRIA Maienfeld
Ascona Bellinzona Zermatt Lugano Matterhorn Stresa Italian Lake District
ITALY
Overnight Featured Site Motorcoach Extension (train)
Avg. High (°F) Lucerne Lugano Salzburg
Jun Aug Sep 72 75 67 76 79 71 72 76 68
Highlights Include Discover lovely Lucerne, including Kapellbrücke covered bridge • Ride a cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus • Experience the famed Glacier Express Alpine train route • Enjoy the Gornergratbahn open-air railway with views of the Matterhorn • Take a private Lake Lugano cruise • Visit Bellinzona’s Castelgrande, a World Heritage site • Enjoy a tour and tasting at Schloss Salenegg, Europe’s oldest winery • Explore the baroque Old Town of Salzburg • Visit Eagle’s Nest, Nazi clifftop retreat • Tour medieval Hohensalzburg, one of Europe’s finest castles • Attend an intimate Mozart concert
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Depart U.S. for Zurich Lake Lucerne Hotel Central 2-3 (Weggis) am See Schlosshotel 4-5 Zermatt Zermatt 6-8 Lugano Hotel de la Paix 9-10 Seefeld Hotel Seelos Imlauer Hotel 11-13 Salzburg Pitter Salzburg 14 Depart Munich for U.S.
Rating
1
First Class First Class First Class First Class Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
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Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Zurich, Switzerland Day 2: Arrive Zurich and Lucerne Arrive in Zurich and transfer by coach to Lucerne. After checking in at your hotel, meet for a briefing about the journey ahead, followed by dinner at the hotel. (D) Day 3: Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus This morning encounter historic and alluring Lucerne, surrounded by mountains and sitting on its namesake lake. Visit the medieval Old Town and cross treasured Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the oldest covered bridge in Europe. There’s time for lunch on your own before riding the world’s steepest cogwheel train to the summit of nearby Mt. Pilatus for stunning views across the surrounding countryside. (B) Day 4: Lake Lucerne and Zermatt Today’s scenic journey begins with a ferry ride on Lake Lucerne, where you pass Rütli meadow, legendary “birthplace of Switzerland.” Disembarking at Flüelen, coach to Andermatt to board the celebrated Glacier Express train, renowned for its panoramic views as it sweeps through striking valleys, past mountain hamlets, and follows the course of the fabled Rhône. Your adventure on this famed route ends in Zermatt, gateway to the Swiss Alps in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Tonight, enjoy a Swiss fondue dinner together at a local restaurant. (B,D)
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Day 5: Zermatt and Gornergrat Sitting low in the Matter Valley, Zermatt is surrounded on all sides by towering slopes. Get a unique view of the spectacular scenery this morning as you ride the Gornergratbahn, the highest open-air railway in Europe, to the summit of the Gornergrat. Atop this rocky ridge, a dramatic tapestry unfolds all around you: 29 Alpine peaks, each over 13,000 feet, including the majestic Matterhorn standing alone at nearly 15,000 feet. After admiring the jaw-dropping scenery, begin your descent by train to Zermatt, where the remainder of the day is free to explore this very walkable village as you wish. (B) Day 6: Zermatt, Stresa, Italy, Lugano Travel by coach today through more superb Swiss scenery, and cross into northern Italy via the legendary Simplon Pass through the Alps where, from 1801 to 1805, Napoleon constructed a road in order to expand his empire. Late morning, arrive in Stresa, Italy, along the shores of lovely Lake Maggiore, where there’s time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own. Then a scenic drive through the famed Italian lake district returns you to Switzerland and your hotel in lakeside Lugano. (B,D) Day 7: Lugano, Bellinzona, Ascona Today’s tour of Ticino, Switzerland’s southernmost canton, begins in medieval Bellinzona, with its three feudal castles, all World Heritage sites. Here visit Castelgrande, the
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
iconic central castle where you explore the ramparts and expansive grounds, then enjoy regional fare as you lunch alfresco at a local grotto restaurant built around mountain caves. Take a coach to the artists’ colony of Ascona on the shores of Lake Maggiore before returning to Lugano. (B,L) Day 8: Lake Lugano After a free morning to explore Lugano independently, board a motorboat for a private half-day cruise around Lake Lugano. Put ashore at Morcote, a town barely a mile square whose cobbled streets, terraced gardens, and Mediterranean charm led Swiss citizens in 2016 to name it the nation’s loveliest village. After lunch together and time to explore, continue on your cruise with a stop in Gandria, whose stucco facades seem to cling precariously to the side of Monte Brè. (B,L) Day 9: Lugano, Maienfeld, Vaduz, Liechtenstein, Seefeld, Austria You’re bound for Austria today by way of the tiny sovereign nation of Liechtenstein. Late morning arrive in the border town of Maienfeld, Switzerland, setting for the beloved novel Heidi. Here enjoy a tour and tasting at Schloss Salenegg, Europe’s oldest winery (c. A.D.1068). Continuing north, cross into the Principality of Liechtenstein, the fourthsmallest European country. Stop for lunch on your own in the capital of Vaduz then continue on to the mountain village of Seefeld, Austria, and your hotel, where you dine tonight. (B,D) Day 10: Seefeld and Innsbruck This morning coach to nearby Innsbruck, host of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. A walking tour highlights the postcard worthy sights, including the many pedestrian squares surrounded by pastel-colored facades. Then take a cable car to a lookout in the Nordkette, the “mountain at the heart of Innsbruck,” where you enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. You have time on your own in Innsbruck before returning to Seefeld. (B,D) Day 11: Seefeld, Tyrol, Salzburg Today travel through Tyrol, a crossroads of Western Europe, en route to Salzburg. Stop to visit the Museum of Tyrolean Farms, an interactive outdoor exhibit featuring dozens of preserved farmhouses dating from the 15th century onwards. Then continue
Post-Tour Extension
Vienna – On Your Own 4 days/3 nights from $795 Single Supplement: $355
Savor an unstructured stay in this city of arts and culture. Music, opera, and museums abound.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • • • • •
ail transportation Salzburg/Vienna R 3 nights accommodations at Hotel Kaiserhof (First Class) 3 meals: 3 breakfasts Vienna city orientation tour with local guide Transfer from rail station and to airport
on to Salzburg, Austria’s riverside jewel and city of Mozart and The Sound of Music. Following dinner at your hotel, attend a Baroque chamber music concert in the Marble Room of famed Mirabell Palace. (B,D) Day 12: Salzburg Your walking tour this morning features the geometrically-styled Mirabell Gardens, dating to the 17th century; the Baroque Old Town, now a World Heritage site; and visits to Salzburg Cathedral and medieval Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved castles. The remainder of the day is at leisure for independent exploration and dinner on your own. (B) Day 13: Salzburg, Eagle’s Nest, Berchtesgaden Travel today to the Bavarian resort town of Berchtesgaden, site of the clifftop Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest), the Nazi Party’s alpine retreat. Arriving by the original 1930s brass elevator, tour the chalet given to Hitler on his 50th birthday and captured by the Allies in the closing days of WWII. In the event Eagle’s Nest is closed because of unseasonal weather, you’ll visit the nearby Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, which has operated continuously for more than 500 years. After lunch together, enjoy a walking tour of Berchtesgaden, once a residence of the Bavarian royal family. Return to Salzburg, where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure before celebrating your splendid journey at a farewell dinner. (B,L,D) Day 14: Depart for the U.S. Transfer today to the Munich airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Adam Tanner has long studied the impact of colonialism, empire, and globalization with a special focus on the enduring impact of Europe on the rest of the world. He is an associate at the Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS) at Harvard University. Adam previously served as a Reuters news agency correspondent from 1995-2011, including as bureau chief for the Balkans, San Francisco bureau chief, and correspondent in Berlin, Moscow, and Washington D.C. He has appeared on various news programs; written for a number of magazines and has lectured around the world. Adam will lead the August 12 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • R ound-trip air transportation from listed cities • 12 nights accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels • 22 meals: 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Lucerne’s beloved Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge)
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2021 Jun 6 2022 Aug 12* Sep 5 Aug 8* Boston, New York, Philadelphia
$7,092 $7,292 $7,392
Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, DC
$7,292 $7,492 $7,592
Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orl, Tampa
$7,392
$7,592
$7,692
Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $7,492 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$7,692 $7,792
Land Only
$6,495
$6,295
$6,595
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $497, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $995. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airlines taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. *Salzburg Festival: Guests will have the opportunity to be in Salzburg during this classical music and performing arts festival (no formal activities planned). Post-Tour Vienna Extension: $795 Aug 12; $895 All other dates. Single Supplement: $355 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,895 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain in a natural environment. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. Elevations at hotel locations are not severe, ranging from 1,400 ft. to 5,200 ft. The altitude on some excursions – Gornergrat (10,300 ft.) and other Alpine venues (6,000–7,500 ft.) – could pose problems for guests with certain health conditions. You should consult your personal physician if you have concerns.
13
EUROPE
Old World Europe
From Poland to the Czech Republic
16 days from $6,097 total price from Boston, New York ($5,595 air & land inclusive plus $502 airline taxes and fees)
Join us for a fascinating journey to Central and Eastern Europe. From the faithfully rebuilt Old Town of Warsaw and Vienna’s splendid Schönbrunn Palace to Prague’s Charles Bridge and Budapest’s Castle District, witness the cultural and political renaissance of this beautiful and vibrant part of the world. Overnight/Featured Site Motorcoach
Berlin
Extension
Warsaw
POLAND
GERMANY Prague
Krakow
CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA Vienna
AUSTRIA
Budapest
HUNGARY Avg. High (°F) Warsaw Budapest Vienna
Apr May Aug Sep Oct 53 67 73 66 55 62 61 81 74 61 58 67 75 68 56
Highlights Include Explore the faithfully rebuilt Old Town of Warsaw, now a World Heritage site • Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine and admire the intriguing salt sculptures created by mine workers and contemporary artists • Discover Budapest’s cultural, historical, and architectural heritage and visit the Hungarian National Gallery • Follow in the footsteps of Habsburg monarchs at Vienna’s grand Schönbrunn Palace, and enjoy a classical music performance • Explore Prague’s many architectural gems • Discover the oldest and largest privately owned art collection in the Czech Republic at Lobkowicz Palace
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1 2-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16
Sup. First Class Not rated Deluxe Deluxe Sup. First Class
Depart U.S. for Warsaw Warsaw Polonia Palace Krakow Hotel Pod Roza Budapest Hilton Budapest Vienna Hilton Vienna Plaza Prague Grand Hotel Bohemia Depart Prague for U.S.
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
14
Budapest’s imposing Hungarian Parliament Building stretches along the Danube on the Pest side of the city.
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Warsaw, Poland Day 2: Warsaw Upon arrival in Warsaw transfer to your centrally located hotel. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D) Day 3: Warsaw Virtually destroyed during World War II, Warsaw was rebuilt in the decades that followed. With the fall of Communism, the city became a dynamic and progressive capital while retaining much of its distinct Old World character. Explore the faithfully rebuilt Old Town, the Royal Castle, and the area of the former Jewish Ghetto and Cemetery. This evening enjoy a private classical piano recital. (B) Day 4: Auschwitz and Krakow Today travel south of Warsaw to Krakow, the former Polish capital city, and stop for lunch at a local restaurant en route. In Oswiecim – Auschwitz in German – and Birkenau spend somber moments at the grounds of the former concentration camps. Arrive in Krakow in the late afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 5: Krakow A major center of Polish culture, Krakow survived World War II almost intact. Its authentic Old Town is a World Heritage site, and the Main Market Square is the largest medieval square in Europe. Visit St. Mary’s Church, famous for its wooden altarpiece; the Royal Chambers of Wawel
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Castle, seat of royalty for more than 500 years; and Wawel Cathedral, Poland’s national sanctuary. (B) Day 6: Wieliczka and Krakow A morning excursion features the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the “Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland.” Admire magnificent statues of historic figures sculpted out of rock salt by miners and contemporary artists. The mine’s centerpiece is the Chapel of Saint Kinga, with its chandelier and carving of The Last Supper. The afternoon is free for independent exploration in Krakow. (B) Day 7: Budapest, Hungary Head south today through the snowcapped Tatra Mountains into the country of Slovakia where you stop for lunch. Early this evening, reach your hotel in Budapest’s elegant Castle District located on the Buda side of the Danube River, where you dine together this evening. (B,L,D) Day 8: Budapest The Hungarian capital stretches along both sides of the Danube proudly displaying its rich cultural and historical heritage. Explore the magnificent Matthias Church, scene of several coronations, and stroll around the Fisherman’s Bastion for outstanding views of the Pest side of the river. Visit the Dohany Street Synagogue, where Franz Liszt and Camille SaintSaëns once performed. Enjoy a visit to the Hungarian National Gallery this afternoon before savoring a typical Hungarian dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Smithsonian tours are a great way to learn about the world. They are well-planned, informative, and fun! – Judy and David S.
Day 9: Budapest Enjoy a full day at leisure to discover the “Paris of the East” independently. (B) Day 10: Danube Bend and Vienna, Austria Journey through the delightful countryside of Western Transdanubia en route to Vienna and take in the stunning views of forested hills, medieval castles, and the meandering Danube. Stop to visit Szentendre, a charming small town with inviting artisan shops and a museum displaying the work of acclaimed ceramicist, Margit Kovacs. (B,L) Day 11: Vienna Follow the footsteps of imperial Habsburgs as you explore the ornate Vienna Opera House and the majestic Schönbrunn Palace, which richly demonstrates the tastes and aspirations of Habsburg royalty. The afternoon is at leisure. Following dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy a concert of classical music. (B,D) Day 12: Vienna Woods Today’s excursion to the Vienna Woods reveals the natural beauty of this region, which was once a royal hunting ground. Visit the medieval abbey of Heiligenkreuz, the oldest continuously occupied Cistercian monastery in the world, and the spa town of Baden, once the summer residence of Habsburg monarchs. (B) Day 13: Vienna and Prague, Czech Republic Leave for Prague, proud capital of the Czech Republic. Upon arrival in Prague, enjoy an informal late afternoon walk through charming Old Town, a World Heritage site. (B,L) Day 14: Prague Explore the Hradcany district, home of the distinctive 9th-century Prague Castle. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, then enjoy a stroll along Golden Lane with its picturesque artisans’ cottages. The remainder of the day is free. (B) Day 15: Prague This morning visit Josefov, Prague’s historic Jewish ghetto, which was founded by a 10th-century colony of Jewish tradesmen. Visit the historic Old Jewish Cemetery and several of the
once-thriving synagogues that are now part of the Jewish Museum, as well as the the Lobkowicz Palace to view its vast collection of art. Tonight celebrate your Eastern European adventure during a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 16: Depart Prague for the U.S. Transfer to the airport for your early return flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Experts Carol Reynolds weaves history, humor, and high energy into everything she does. A musicologist, pianist, and organist, she specializes in Russian, East European, and German cultural history. Before becoming a professor of Music at Southern Methodist University (Dallas), she studied at the Leningrad Conservatory and lived in West Germany. Carol is a frequent Smithsonian Journeys Expert and has led tours through Russia, the Baltic States, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Croatia. She is fluent in Russian and German. Carol will lead the August departure. Hugh Agnew earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University and currently teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on the history at the George Washington University, where he is a member of the Institute for Russian, European, and Eurasian Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs. Hugh has published books on Czech history and many articles on aspects of East European history. His insightful talks on past Smithsonian Journeys throughout Eastern Europe have made him a favorite with Smithsonian travelers. Hugh will lead the September departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Post-Tour Extension
Berlin – On Your Own
4 days/3 nights from $995 total price Single Supplement: $395
Explore the cosmopolitan German capital – a city of art, culture, and history – as you wish.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• Rail transportation Prague/Berlin • 3 nights accommodations at Hotel am Steinplatz (Superior First Class) • 3 meals: 3 breakfasts • Transfer from rail station and to airport
Prague’s Charles Bridge dates to 1357.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 14 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and unrated hotels • 24 meals: 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 2022 Aug 31 2022 Apr 19 Sep 16 May 7 Boston, New York
$6,097
$6,197
$6,297
Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$6,297 $6,397 $6,497
Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa
$6,397 $6,497 $6,597
Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $6,497 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$6,597
$6,697
Land Only
$5,495
$5,595
$5,395
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $502, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,495. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Berlin Extension: $995 Aug, Sep; $1,145 all other dates. Single Supplement: $395 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,595 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy this tour to the fullest.
15
EUROPE
Across Northern Spain and Portugal 17 days from $6,374 total price from Boston, New York
Visit Santiago’s 11th-century cathedral, last stop on the pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago.
($5,795 air & land inclusive plus $579 airline taxes and fees)
Fortified cities and tiny fishing villages, rugged Atlantic coastline and commanding Pyrenees peaks, iconic shrines to both religion and fine art, and intimate lodgings in historic paradores and pousadas – it all awaits on this singular small group journey from Lisbon across the north of Spain, ending in vibrant Barcelona. Bay of Biscay Santiago de Compostela
Atlantic Ocean
Bilbao Pamplona
León
Bielsa
Pyrenees
Barcelona
Porto
PORTUGAL SPAIN
Lisbon
Mediterranean Sea
Overnight Featured Site Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Lisbon Bilbao Barcelona
Apr 67 60 65
May 71 62 71
Sep 80 70 77
Oct 73 65 69
Nov 65 59 62
Highlights Include Tour Lisbon and Queluz Palace • Experience a Douro River cruise and port wine tasting • Discover the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela • Visit Bilbao’s Guggenheim and Fine Arts museums • Travel along the rugged, beautiful Basque coastline • Enjoy two nights in the Pyrenees Mountains region and a three-night stay in vibrant Barcelona • Spend seven nights in distinguished historic lodgings • Witness the ‘Sistine Chapel of Romanesque Art’ at the Royal Pantheon in León
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1
Depart U.S. for Lisbon Corinthia 2-3 Lisbon Deluxe Hotel Lisbon 4-5 Porto Pousada do Porto First Class Santiago de Parador de Santiago First Class 6-7 Compostela de Compostela 8 León Hotel Conde Luna First Class 9-11 Bilbao Melia Bilbao Sup. First Class 12-13 Bielsa Parador de Bielsa First Class 14-16 Barcelona Hotel Avenida Sup. First Class Palace 17 Depart Barcelona for U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
16
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Lisbon, Portugal Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. This afternoon is at leisure to relax before tonight’s welcome dinner. (1D) Day 3: Lisbon A morning tour introduces you to the city on the River Tagus; the afternoon is free for independent exploration. (B) Day 4: Porto Leaving Lisbon via the coastal route, stop in the small fortified town of Obidos and in the seaside village of Nazare. Mid-afternoon reach your pousada in lovely Porto, Portugal’s second largest city and a World Heritage site. (B,D) Day 5: Porto Highlights of today’s city tour include colorful Bolhao Market, the historic city center, baroque Clerigos Church, and the sophisticated Foz oceanfront district. Then enjoy an hour-long cruise on the Douro River. End the tour with a visit to a port lodge for a tasting of the fortified wine exclusive to the region. (B,D) Day 6: Santiago de Compostela, Spain En route to Santiago, stop in the old Galician town of Pontevedra. Then continue on to Santiago, capital of Spain’s northwest Galicia region, arriving midafternoon at your parador. (B,D) Day 7: Santiago de Compostela Last stop on the celebrated pilgrimage route of the Camino de
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Santiago (Way of St. James) and presumed repository of the remains of St. James the Apostle, Santiago de Compostela ranks among Spain’s most beautiful and visited cities. Discover this important cultural and educational capital on today’s tour, featuring the Cathedral housing the silver crypt believed to hold the remains of St. James. From here enter Plaza de Obradoiro, the monumental square surrounded by Santiago’s most important buildings. This afternoon is free for independent exploration in this eminently walkable and lovely World Heritage city. (B,D) Day 8: León Leaving Santiago this morning, travel east to vibrant León, another stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and known for its religious festivals and Easter Week processions. Upon arrival, visit the 12th-century León Cathedral, one of Spain’s most beautiful with its sculpture-covered facade and impressive stained glass windows. Also visit Casa Botines, a Modernist structure by architect Antoni Gaudi, then take a guided tour of the Royal Pantheon at the Basilica of San Isidro, known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Romanesque Art’. Reach your hotel this evening where you will dine tonight. (B,D) Day 9: Santander and Bilbao Stop today in the elegant port city and Cantabrian capital of Santander for a tour and lunch. Then travel on to Bilbao, the industrial port city almost magically transformed by
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
The tour was excellent and quite enlightening. The addition of the local guides and the personal touch of being in a private home brought the experience to the next level, giving us a piece of Spanish culture we would not have experienced otherwise. – Lois C.
the construction of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 1997. (B,L) Day 10: Bilbao This morning’s tour begins in Bilbao’s medieval Old City, with a charming mix of narrow cobblestone streets and inviting squares. See the Catedral de Santiago (c. 1379), once a stop on the pilgrimage route; monumental Plaza Nueva; and busy seaside La Ribera market. Then take a guided tour of the Guggenheim and its contemporary art collection. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the jaw-dropping structure of limestone, titanium, and glass has drawn acclaim, attention, and visitors to this popular, revitalized city. Your last stop is Bilbao’s Fine Arts Museum, with a rich collection of Spanish and Basque artworks. (B,D) Day 11: Basque Country A day-long excursion begins with a poignant stop: Gernika (Guernica), heart of the Basque region and the town razed by Nazi bombing in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, that was immortalized in the namesake painting by Picasso. Then pass through countryside historically home to the Basque people of Spain’s Atlantic Coast and western Pyrenees. At the seaside village of Bakio, follow a coastal road of wild beauty to the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, with its hermitage to St. John the Baptist. Stop in the key fishing town of Bermeo then continue on to the medieval fishing village of Mundaka, to enjoy magnificent views of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve of streams and a salt marsh surrounded by sheer cliffs. (B,L) Days 12-13: Pamplona and Bielsa Travel today to the Pyrenees town of Bielsa, stopping en route in fabled Pamplona, known for its annual Running of the Bulls tradition. The next morning, fresh mountain air and stunning scenery are on tap as you visit the Chistau Valley. A broad and tranquil valley in the Spanish Pyrenees, the Chistau offers overwhelming natural beauty in the form of jagged mountain peaks, trickling streams, lush hillsides, and postcard-worthy villages. (2B,2D)
Post-Tour Extension
Barcelona – On Your Own
3 days/2 nights from $345 total price Single Supplement: $245
Discover more of this lively, spirited city.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • 2 nights accommodations at Hotel Avenida Palace (Superior First Class) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to airport
Days 14-15: Bielsa and Barcelona Travel today to the world-class city of Barcelona. After a brief orientation walking tour, you are free for dinner on your own. The next morning’s city tour features Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), a maze of medieval streets, and Las Ramblas, the tree-lined pedestrian mall that attracts locals and visitors alike, day and night. Pay homage to Barcelona’s native son, flamboyant artist Antoni Gaudi, by visiting his illusory Parc Guell and the landmark Sagrada Familia, the surreal – and unfinished – cathedral. Following a tapas style lunch, the remainder of the day is free. (2B,L) Day 16: Barcelona Your Gaudi tour continues this morning at Casa Mila, whose curving stone face inspired the nickname “La Pedrera” (stone quarry). Now housing a cultural center, Casa Mila is a World Heritage site. This afternoon is at leisure; tonight join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 17: Depart for the U.S. Transfer to the airport this morning for flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Ana Afzali is a medievalist who specializes in the history and literature of both Spain and Portugal. She is a tenured professor at Citrus College in Southern California. Ana is a scholar of the Iberian Renaissance and has published extensively on the political and cultural history and literature of Spain and Portugal. She has earned both her Masters and Doctorate in Spanish literature and languages from University of California, Los Angeles where she taught for four years. A native of Madrid, Ana has traveled and lectured extensively through Spain and Portugal, and she is the recipient of numerous academic awards. She will lead the October 1 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 15 nights accommodations: 9 nights in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels; 6 nights in First Class paradores and pousadas • 28 meals: 15 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 10 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Tour Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum.
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 2021 Sep 14 2022 Oct 24 Oct 1 Apr 15
2022 May 13
Boston, New York $6,374 $6,574 $6,674 $6,774 Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$6,574 $6,774 $6,874 $6,974
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, $6,674 $6,874 $6,974 $7,074 Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $6,774 $6,974 $7,074 $7,174 Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$5,695 $5,895 $5,995 $6,095
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $579, which are subject to change until final payment has been made. Single travelers please add $1,495. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Barcelona Extension: $345 Sep, Oct; $395 all other dates. Single Supplement: $245 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,595 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
17
EUROPE
Northern Italy
From the Alps to the Adriatic
15 days from $6,274 total price from New York ($5,795 air & land inclusive plus $479 airline taxes and fees)
This leisurely exploration of Italy’s varied northern regions, from the romantic Lake District and dramatic Cinque Terre to beloved Tuscany, the majestic Dolomites, and canal-laced Venice, offers a refreshing perspective on a well-known land. In the company of a congenial small group, celebrate the Italian penchant for hospitality, good food, and good living. Bolzano Stresa Italian Lake District
Venice
Milan
Cinque Terre Santa Margherita
Ligurian Sea
Florence
Lucca Siena
Radda-in-Chianti
Adriatic Sea
Tuscany
ITALY
Overnight
A boat ride brings you to crescent-shaped Portofino, where you have free time to explore on your own.
Featured Site Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Stresa Florence Venice
Apr 62 64 62
May 71 73 70
Jun 78 81 76
Sept 74 79 75
Oct 62 68 65
Highlights Include Enjoy lake region touring, including medieval Orta San Giulio and Stresa • Cruise to Isola Bella and tour the palace and gardens • Explore Cinque Terre on a full-day excursion featuring Monterosso and Vernazza • Tour medieval Lucca, beautiful Florence, and historic Siena • Learn about the Palio Horse Race during a guided tour of a contrada museum • Discover the majestic Dolomites • Visit a winery in Barolo for a tour and tasting
Day Itinerary Hotel 1 Depart U.S. for Milan 2-4 Stresa La Palma Hotel Santa 5-7 Hotel Metropole Margherita Palazzo 8-10 Radda- in-Chianti San Lorenzo 11-12 Bolzano Hotel Scala Stiegl Palazzo 13-14 Venice Veneziano 15 Depart Venice for U.S.
Rating First Class First Class First Class First Class Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
18
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Milan and Stresa, Italy After arriving in Milan, drive to the town of Stresa on lovely Lake Maggiore. This afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s welcome dinner. (1D) Day 3: Stresa and Orta San Giulio This morning visit the lovely lakeside town of Orta San Giulio – dubbed “God’s watercolor” by Italian writer Piero Chiara – with its cobblestoned streets, 16th-century town hall, and medieval houses flanking the inviting town square. After lunch on your own here, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 4: Stresa Embark this morning on a cruise to Isola Bella, the beautiful Borromean island in the middle of Lake Maggiore. Fully occupied by 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo and its extravagantly landscaped gardens, the island offers lovely views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Take a guided tour of the palazzo, with its priceless works of fine art, and stroll through the flower-adorned gardens, then enjoy lunch together on nearby Isola dei Pescatori. (B,L) Day 5: Stresa, Barolo, Santa Margherita Leave the Piedmont region, bound for Santa Margherita and the Cinque Terre. En route, stop in the village of Barolo for lunch and to sample Barolo, the “king of
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687 / BOOK YOUR TRIP
wines,” at Marchesi di Barolo, one of Italy’s premiere vintners. Continue on to the Italian Riviera resort town of Santa Margherita, with its palm-lined esplanade overlooking the harbor. Tonight enjoy dinner together at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 6: Santa Margherita and Portofino This morning travel by boat to the renowned – and beautiful – resort town of Portofino. Enjoy free time to meander through the colorful streets and visit the chic boutiques and galleries here before returning to your hotel midday. (B) Day 7: Santa Margherita, Cinque Terre, Portovenere Depart this morning by train for the hour-long trip to the Cinque Terre (literally, “Five Lands”), the five cliff-clinging villages seemingly carved from the mountains. Originally medieval fishing villages, the Cinque Terre were inaccessible by land for centuries; even today, no road connects all five. Stop in scenic Vernazza then board a boat for a comfortable cruise along the rugged coastline to visit another village of the Cinque Terre. From here cruise to the port town of Portovenere, with its cluster of colorful column-shaped houses. After a brief walking tour of the Old Town, enjoy time to explore and have lunch on your own. Dine together tonight at your hotel. (B,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Day 8: Santa Margherita, Lucca, Radda-in-Chianti Travel south to beloved Tuscany, stopping first in the atmospheric medieval town of Lucca. Take a walking tour of this incredibly well-preserved gem, whose city walls and ramparts remain intact. After time for lunch on your own, continue on to your lodgings. (B,D) Day 9: Radda-in-Chianti and Florence Spend today touring and exploring wondrous Florence, a living monument to the Renaissance and crown jewel of Tuscany. Your day includes a guided morning walking tour followed by free time. Together visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s sublime David and his pieces for the papal tombs; and visit the Duomo, with its stupendous dome by Brunelleschi. There’s time on your own to visit renowned museums and churches, stroll the 14thcentury Ponte Vecchio, and enjoy lunch on your own. Return to the hotel mid-afternoon. (B) Day 10: Radda-in-Chianti and Siena Visit the walled city of Siena, whose historic center is a World Heritage site. Fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Europe’s greatest public squares; its Duomo, with pillars of black and white marble, is one of Italy’s finest, with masterpieces by Donatello and Michelangelo. Following a guided walking tour that includes an inside visit to the Duomo, as well as a visit to a contrada museum, enjoy free time to explore on your own. Return to your hotel late afternoon, with the evening at leisure. (B) Day 11: Radda-inChianti, Verona, Bolzano As you travel north today, stop in storied Verona, renowned as the setting of several Shakespeare plays, including, of course, Romeo and Juliet. A World Heritage site, Verona boasts well-preserved monuments from antiquity, including a 1st-century Roman amphitheater still in use today. After time for lunch on your own here, continue your journey to the South Tyrol, Italy’s Germanaccented northern reaches bordering Austria and Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance
Post-Tour Extension
Venice – On Your Own
3 days/2 nights from $475 total price Single Supplement: $325
End your journey with a longer stay in this beautiful city.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• 2 nights accommodations at Palazzo Veneziano (Superior First Class) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to airport
Switzerland. You’re bound for the regional capital of Bolzano, gateway to the Dolomites in the Italian Alps. Late afternoon reach your hotel, where you dine together tonight. (B,D)
Enjoy stunning scenery in the South Tyrol
Day 12: Bolzano Bolzano boasts an enviable quality of life – and truly spectacular scenery. Take a cable car to a spot for views of the 18-peak Dolomites, their vertical walls and sheer cliffs presenting a magnificent backdrop to the surrounding woodlands, valleys, and pastures. Then walk through Bolzano’s colorful historic center and visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, well known for housing the mummified corpse of Ötzi the Iceman, dating to 3,300 B.C. Tonight dine at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 13: Bolzano and Venice En route to Venice, travel through the Dolomites themselves, enjoying jaw-dropping scenery at every turn. Reach Venice this afternoon, and enjoy dinner on your own. (B,L) Day 14: Venice This morning take a guided walk through vast St. Mark’s Square and tour St. Mark’s Basilica. Visit a Squero boatyard to learn about the construction and reparation of famous gondolas. The afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration. Tonight join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 15: Depart for the U.S. Depart early this morning for your connecting flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Marta Staudinger is an artist, art historian and curator. She received her B.A. from George Mason University and is the director and founder of the Latela Art Gallery in Washington DC. Prior to founding the Latela Art Gallery, Marta worked on archival and curatorial projects in many museums in Florence, Italy including the National Bargello Museum, Medici Chapels, and Casa Martelli; in Barcelona at the Antoni Tàpies Foundation; and in Washington DC at the National Gallery of Art as the Samuel H. Kress Archivist. A former resident of Florence, Marta left Italy to pursue her M.A. in Barcelona at the Universitat de Ramon Llull in curatorial studies. Marta will lead the October departure. See our website for the complete list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 13 nights accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels • 23 meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Oct 6
2022 Apr 16
2021 2022 Sep 22 May 25
New York
$6,274
$6,374
$6,474
$6,674
Boston, Philadelphia
$6,474
$6,574
$6,674
$6,874
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, $6,574 Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, DC
$6,674
$6,774
$6,974
Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $6,674 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$6,774
$6,874
$7,074
Land Only
$5,695
$5,795
$5,895
$5,595
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $479, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,395. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Venice Extension: $475 Sep, Oct; $495 all other dates. Single Supplement: $325 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,995 per person; Premium Economy – $1,395 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
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Classical Greece 14 days from $6,892 total price from New York
Tour the ruins of Delphi, believed by the ancients to be the “navel [center] of the world.”
($6,395 air & land inclusive plus $497 airline taxes and fees)
Unearth the grandeur of the ancient world on this singular journey combining premier archaeological sites with the beauty and lore of the Aegean and her isles. As the ancient world comes alive in Athens and the Peloponnese, Crete and Santorini, celebrate the glory that was Greece – and still is today.
GREECE Delphi Athens Corinth Mycenae Nafplion Epidaurus Kantia Hydra Peleponnese Santorini Thira Overnight Featured Site Air Motorcoach
Crete
High Speed Ferry
Avg. High (°F) Athens Santorini Heraklion
Heraklion Knossos
Spinalonga Agios Nikolaos
Apr May Aug Sept Oct 69 77 92 84 74 64 73 84 78 73 68 74 83 80 74
Highlights Include Gaze upon the grandeur of the Parthenon and the Acropolis • Visit ancient Delphi • Tour the National Archaeological Museum in Athens • Explore the archaeological sites of Corinth, Mycenae, and Epidaurus • Tour Heraklion’s Minoan Palace of Knossos and Archaeological Museum • Enjoy a private cruise to Spinalonga • Partake in a tour and tasting at both an olive oil farm and a winery
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Depart U.S. for Athens Elia Ermou 2-4 Athens Athens Hotel Kandia’s Castle 5-7 Kantia (Peloponnese) Resort & Thelasso Aquila Atlantis 8-10 Heraklion (Crete) Hotel Thira Santorini Palace 11-12 (Santorini) Hotel Elia Ermou 13 Athens Athens Hotel 14 Depart Athens for U.S.
Rating
1
Deluxe Sup. First Class First Class First Class Deluxe
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
20
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Athens, Greece Day 2: Athens After a late morning arrival in the Greek capital, there’s time to relax at your hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, there are no group activities or meals planned for today. Day 3: Athens On this morning’s tour visit the city’s most important sites, including the 5th-century Acropolis and Parthenon, and the renowned Acropolis Museum. Also take a walking tour of Hadrian Street and the Plaka district. The afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration; ancient sights, monuments, and museums abound. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 4: Delphi Today’s excursion takes you to central Greece to explore Delphi, one of the most beautiful and celebrated ancient sites. Nestled between twin cliffs on a slope of Mount Parnassus and spilling out onto the Sacred Plain, Delphi is where the oracle representing the revered god Apollo presided over the ancient world. See the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the marble Sacred Way, and climb to the 4th-century B.C. theater still in use today. Also visit Delphi’s museum that houses the bronze “Charioteer,” one of antiquity’s greatest statues. After lunch in a local restaurant, return to Athens late afternoon. (B,L)
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Day 5: Athens, Corinth, Peloponnese Travel today by coach to the Peloponnesian Peninsula, Greece’s southernmost region separated from the mainland by the Corinth Canal. En route, visit the ruins and museum of Ancient Corinth, one of the country’s largest cities in antiquity that was demolished by the Romans (B.C. 146), who then rebuilt it a century later. Today, only low stone walls, foundations, and several Corinthian columns remain as testimony to the mighty city that once flourished here. The site boasts a strong connection to Christianity: Paul wrote his two letters, First and Second Corinthians, here; and you see the altar where he preached. Visit the Melas olive oil factory to learn about the history of olive oil production – Greece consumes more olive oil than any other country – and to enjoy a light lunch and tasting. This afternoon reach your resort hotel on the Peloponnesian coast and dine there tonight. (B,L,D) Day 6: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplion Among the highlights of this morning’s visit to the vast archaeological site and museum of Epidaurus is the 2,300-year-old theater, a masterpiece of Greek architecture known for its perfect acoustics and still in use today. Long associated with healing and medicine, Epidaurus comprises one of the most complete sanctuaries remaining from antiquity. This afternoon tour the imposing ruins at Mycenae, a World Heritage site that represented the pinnacle of
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
civilization from the 15th to the 12th centuries B.C. A key influence on the development of classic Greek culture (and hence Western civilization), Mycenae also is linked to Homer’s epics, Iliad and The Odyssey. See the Tomb of Agamemnon, with what was the world’s highest and widest dome for more than a thousand years; and the Lion’s Gate, the only known Bronze Age monumental sculpture in Greece. Then visit nearby Nafplion, a gem of a Venetian/Byzantine town with picturesque narrow streets, fortifications, and a bounty of waterfront cafés – and where you enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Tonight dine together at a local taverna. (B,L,D) Day 7: Peloponnese and Hydra This morning travel to the port of Ermioni, where you board a private boat for the ride to Hydra, the car-free Saronic Island where donkeys provide the transportation. After lunch together at a local taverna, there’s free time to enjoy this picturesque island as you wish. Late afternoon return to your resort for an evening at leisure. (B,L) Day 8: Peloponnese and Heraklion, Crete En route to Athens this morning stop to see the Corinth Canal, cutting at sea level through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean. Continue on to the Athens airport for the 50-minute flight to Crete, arriving mid-afternoon in Heraklion, the Cretan capital. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. This evening take a walking tour of the Venetian/Ottoman-influenced town center prior to dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 9: Heraklion and Knossos Today visit one of Greece’s greatest museums: Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum housing artifacts from 5,500 years of Cretan history, from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The museum is especially renowned for its Minoan collection, much of which was excavated from the palace of Knossos – your next stop. The political center of Minoan civilization and legendary home of King Minos, the Labyrinth, and the Minotaur, ancient Knossos is considered Europe’s “oldest city” and the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. Following your tour and lunch, return to Heraklion for a visit to Koules Fortress, the wellpreserved 16th-century bastion at the entrance to the old port. Then the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. (B,L) Day 10: Heraklion, Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos After an hour’s drive this morning, board a private boat for a cruise through the Bay of Elounda to Spinalonga, a former Venetian island fortress later occupied by the Ottomans then used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957. From here travel to the colorful harborside town of Agios Nikolaos, with its galleries, shops, cafés, tavernas, and tiny Lake Voulismeni, where, legend has it, the goddess Athena once bathed. (B) Day 11: Crete and Santorini Depart this morning by high-speed ferry for Santorini, the southernmost of the Cycladic islands. Once believed to have been the legendary lost island of Atlantis, Santorini today attracts both Greeks and visitors alike with its stupendous setting of cubiform whitewashed houses sitting
atop the jagged cliffs of a crescent-shaped caldera. Upon arrival visit Venetsanos Winery for a tour and tasting then have free time in the town of Thira for lunch and to explore on your own. (B,D)
Spend two nights in idyllic Santorini.
Day 12: Santorini Today tour Santorini’s archaeological site of Akrotiri, a Bronze Age Minoan location that was abandoned in the 17th century B.C. following a volcanic eruption – whose ash also preserved the excavations that you now see. Late this afternoon head to the town of Oia, known for its iconic whitewashed architecture and stunning views. (B,D) Day 13: Santorini and Athens After a late morning flight to Athens, visit the National Archaeological Museum, home to the world’s most significant collections of Greek artifacts. Then you’re free for lunch on your own and an afternoon at leisure, perhaps to visit the Plaka for last-minute shopping or to stroll the broad plaza of lively Syntagma Square. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner overlooking the Acropolis at the rooftop restaurant of your hotel. (B,D) Day 14: Depart for the U.S. Transfer to Athens’ international airport this morning, where you catch your return flight home. (B)
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Veronica Kalas is an art historian and archaeologist with special expertise in the ancient through Byzantine periods. She has taught courses on such topics as ancient Rome, ancient to medieval art and architecture, and special topics in Byzantine art at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor and Dearborn) and Wayne State University, as well as in Ankara. Veronica has also worked on archaeological excavations and architectural surveys in Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia. She earned her Ph.D. in art history and archeology from New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts and her B.A. in classical archaeology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Veronica will lead the September 9, April 17, September 6, and October 11 departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 12 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 24 meals: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Aug 29 2022 Sep 9 Apr 17 Sep 16 Oct 11
2022 May 3 Aug 25 Sep 6
New York
$6,892
$7,292
Boston, Philadelphia
$7,092 $7,192 $7,492
Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, DC
$7,192
$6,992
$7,292
$7,592
Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $7,292 $7,392 $7,692 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$5,995
$6,095
$6,395
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $497, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,195 Apr; $1,395 all other dates. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airlines taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy – $1,495 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven or cobblestone streets and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest.
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France through the Ages 15 days from $6,497 total price from Boston, New York
From Toulouse to Normandy
Spend several days in the Dordogne, a region of medieval villages, alluring landscapes, and a rich history.
($5,995 air & land inclusive plus $502 airline taxes and fees)
Discover the richness of French culture, the breadth of its history, and the beauty of its artistic and architectural treasures on this comprehensive journey. From Toulouse to Normandy, you’ll experience the beauty and hospitality of provincial France and stay in charming rural inns, an 18th-century mansion, and delightful hotels. English Channel
D-Day Beaches Crépon
Mont St. Michel Normandy Saumur
Atlantic Ocean
Loire Valley
Paris
FRANCE
Dordogne
Sarlat Rocamadour
Toulouse Carcassonne
Overnight Featured Site Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Apr May Sep Oct Toulouse 63 69 74 65 Paris 60 68 71 60
Highlights Include Explore the market town of Albi, including the ToulouseLautrec Museum • Enjoy an exclusive visit to Château des Milandes, former residence of Josephine Baker • Tour the Fontevraud Abbey, site of the original graves of King Henry II of England and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine • Visit Château Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years • Tour the caves at Lascaux IV to view replications of the prehistoric cave art
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Depart U.S. for Toulouse Crowne Plaza 2-3 Toulouse Toulouse Sarlat-en-Perigord Au Grand Hotel 4-6 (Dordogne) de Sarlat Saumur Hotel Anne 7-9 (Loire Valley) d’Anjou Crépon Ferme de la 10-12 (Normandy) Rançonniere Hotel Château 13-14 Paris Frontenac 15 Depart Paris for U.S.
Rating
1
First Class Not rated Not rated Not rated Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
22
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Toulouse, France Day 2: Arrive Toulouse Upon arrival, enjoy the afternoon at leisure, then gather for a welcome dinner and a b riefing about the journey ahead. (D) Day 3: Toulouse and Carcassonne Travel to Carcassonne to tour this quintessential medieval town with the longest city walls in Europe. Sitting atop a hill overlooking vast green plains that stretch all the way to the Pyrénées, Carcassonne boasts battlements and ramparts dating to the 1st-century Romans. Return to Toulouse for an afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 4: Albi and Sarlat Hometown of Belle Epoque artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the historic market town of Albi was built with rose-colored bricks that cast a warm glow over the city’s medieval streets and ramparts. Tour the town, including the Palais de la Berbie, an ancient fortress that houses a museum devoted to the works of Toulouse-Lautrec. Leaving Albi, continue to the rugged unspoiled countryside of the Périgord region and the Dordogne Valley. Travel to Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of France’s prettiest villages and one of Europe’s best preserved medieval gems, with more registered historic sites than anywhere else on the continent. (B,D)
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Day 5: Sarlat and Lascaux IV This morning, tour the International Center for Cave Art at Lascaux IV, showcasing reproductions of the pre-historic cave paintings found nearby. After lunch at a charming local inn, visit Château des Milandes, the former residence of Josephine Baker, before returning to Sarlat, where dinner is on your own. (B,L) Day 6: Sarlat and Rocamadour After a morning at leisure to explore this charming town at your own pace, travel to Rocamadour, a revered pilgrimage site and medieval village whose three tiers cling almost impossibly to a sheer limestone cliff. Enjoy a walking tour and lunch on your own here, then take a leisurely cruise along the Dordogne River, life-blood of this fertile region and redolent with history. As you pass cliff-top castles and fortified medieval towns, the history of Aquitaine truly comes to mind, particularly the 12th-century reign of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Return to Sarlat for a walking tour of this charming town. (B,D) Day 7: Le Dorat and Saumur Leave the rugged, unspoiled countryside of the Dordogne region and travel north to the beautiful Loire Valley. Stop in the busy market town of Le Dorat for a typical country lunch at a local restaurant. From here, travel to Saumur and your hotel, a converted 18th-century mansion on the banks of the Loire River. (B,L)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
One of, if not the, greatest tours we have had while visiting France. – Janice J.
Day 8: Saumur This morning is at leisure to explore this charming town on your own. This afternoon visit Fontevraud Abbey, the original resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, and Richard the Lion Heart. (B,D)
Rangers scaled towering cliffs to establish a beachhead; Utah Beach; and Ste-Mère-Eglise, where the 82nd Airborne Division successfully parachuted on June 5, 1944. End the day at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Saumur and Chenonceau Here in the châteaux region, England battled for control of France, Joan of Arc triumphed, and a great opulence reigned during the 16th century. Originally built as fortresses to keep intruders out, the Loire Valley’s grand châteaux now welcome visitors from around the world. Today, tour the Renaissance masterpiece of Chenonceau, considered one of the most romantic châteaux of all. After lunch at La Cave in Montlouis, visit the Château Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. (B,L)
Day 13: Giverny and Paris This morning visit the village of Giverny and the home and gardens of Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Walk amid his gardens with the familiar lily pond and wisteriacovered Japanese footbridge of his paintings, and see his home, now restored to its original design. Then travel to Paris, reaching your hotel late afternoon. Dinner tonight is on your own in this culinary capital. (B)
Day 10: Mont St. Michel and Crépon Travel to historic Normandy and make your way to the pilgrimage site of Mont St. Michel, Normandy’s famed Gothic abbey that sits atop a 264-foot high rock formation at the edge of the sea. With a history equal to its dramatic setting, the abbey was constructed between 1017 and 1521. Over the centuries it was a hotbed of French nationalism and religion, and recently monks have returned here to live and work. After a guided tour, enjoy some free time for lunch and exploring on your own. Early this evening, arrive in Crépon at your rustic 13th-century restored farmhouse where you’ll dine tonight on fresh regional fare. (B,D) Day 11: Crépon, Bayeux, Caen Miraculously, medieval Bayeux was spared from wartime bombing and was the first town to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy. Visit the city’s highlight – the Tapestry Museum, home to the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry depicting the exploits of William the Conqueror. Travel north to Caen to visit the Memorial Museum devoted to “history for peace.” Time permitting, you may visit Arromanches late this afternoon. (B,D) Day 12: D-Day Landing Beaches A poignant, inspiring day features the sites where Allied forces overcame overwhelming odds to alter the course of World War II. Visit Pointe du Hoc, where American
Post-Tour Extension
Paris – On Your Own
3 days/2 nights from $495 total price Single Supplement: $345
Savor the “City of Light” on your own time, at your own pace.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • 2 nights accommodations at Hotel Chateau Frontenac (Superior First Class) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to airport
Day 14: Paris During a city tour, view sites that bear historic and artistic significance, including a visit to the renowned Louvre Museum (or the Musée d’Orsay of Impressionist artwork when the Louvre is unavailable). The afternoon is free to explore the French capital on your own. Tonight gather for a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 15: Depart for the U.S. This morning depart for the airport and your flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Stephen Clancy recently retired as professor of art history at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. After receiving his Ph.D. from Cornell University, he taught the history of ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance art and architecture. His research career began with a focus on 15th-century French and Flemish illuminated manuscripts. Stephen is a recipient of a Fulbright grant, as well as grants from the Hewlett and Keck foundations. His latest research project has seen him develop a course entitled “Jewish Imagery and Images of Jews,” and has taken him to a number of medieval Jewish cultural sites in Spain, Germany, and France. Stephen will lead the September 6 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 13 nights accommodations in Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels • 25 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Visit the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 2021 Sep 27 Sep 6
2022 Apr 25
2022 May 20
Boston, New York $6,497 $6,597 $6,897 $6,997 Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$6,697 $6,797 $7,097 $7,197
Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, $6,797 $6,897 $7,197 $7,297 Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), $6,897 $6,997 $7,297 $7,397 San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$5,795 $5,895 $6,195 $6,295
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $502 which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $995 Apr; $1,195 all other dates. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Paris Extension: $495 Sep; $545 all other dates. Single Supplement: $345 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,595 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
23
EUROPE
The Emerald Isle
From Dublin to the Rugged West Coast
13 days from $6,192 total price from Boston, New York, Newark ($5,795 air & land inclusive plus $397 airline taxes and fees)
Steeped in history and boasting a rich tapestry of arts and cultural activities, Ireland welcomes travelers eager to explore its breathtaking landscapes and fascinating literary heritage. Join us on this intimate small group adventure to meet the local people and experience the culture of the Emerald Isle. Overnight Featured Site
NORTHERN IRELAND
Motorcoach Extension (motorcoach/van)
Atlantic Ocean
Belfast/ Antrim Coast
Connemara Clonmacnoise Galway Aran Islands Cliffs of Moher/ The Burren
Dublin
IRELAND Cashel
Kilkenny
Irish Sea
Killarney Ring of Kerry
Visit beautiful Kylemore Abbey, home to Benedictine nuns for almost a century. Avg. High (°F) May Aug Sep Oct Dublin 60 67 63 57 Killarney 63 70 66 61
Highlights Include Enjoy touring Dublin, including Trinity College and St. Patrick’s Cathedral • Admire the magnificent scenery of counties Galway and Kerry, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Connemara • Climb Dun Aenghus fortress during your full-day tour of Inishmor • Meet a local family during a home-hosted dinner outside Killarney • Drive around the Ring of Kerry with stunning mountain and coastal scenery • Explore the ancient Rock of Cashel • Tour medieval Kilkenny Castle, considered one of the country’s most beautiful castles • Learn about Irish emigration at EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum • Visit Poulnabrone dolmen and Kerry Bog Village
Day Itinerary Hotel Depart U.S. for Dublin The Shelbourne 2-3 Dublin Dublin 4-6 Galway The Twelve Hotel 7-9 Killarney Killarney Royal 10-11 Kilkenny Pembroke Hotel Barberstown 12 Dublin Castle Hotel 13 Depart Dublin for U.S.
Rating
1
Deluxe Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
24
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Dublin, Ireland Upon arrival in Ireland’s dynamic capital, check in to your hotel located on St. Stephen’s Green. Enjoy leisure time this afternoon before gathering for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (1D) Day 3: Dublin Enjoy a day getting to know the engaging city of Dublin, where almost every Irish writer lived for some time. Highlights of today’s tour feature Trinity College to see the extraordinary Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript created by monks around A.D. 800, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy your own individual pursuits. You may also wish to join your Smithsonian Journeys Expert and Tour Director for an optional walk to the National Museum of Archaeology, which you can visit on your own for an in-depth overview of Ireland’s heritage, culture, and natural history. (B) Day 4: Galway Head west to the region some consider the “most Irish part of Ireland,” and where traditional Irish is often heard. En route, stop at the 6th-century Clonmacnoise, Ireland’s most important early monastic site and burial place of the last High King of Ireland. Arrive in charming Galway City in the afternoon and enjoy dinner at your hotel, located in the nearby village of Bearna. (B,D)
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Day 5: Connemara Evocative and legendary Connemara is a dramatic, rugged landscape of mountains, glacial lakes, and uninhabited bog lands. During a full-day excursion, stop at the beautiful Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s most photographed castles, which was built as a private home in 1861. Enjoy spectacular views of the Twelve Bens mountain range in the background. This evening enjoy dinner with traditional Irish entertainment at Padraicins over-looking Galway Bay. (B,D) Day 6: Aran Islands and Galway Today’s destination is Inishmor, the largest of the fabled Aran Islands, whose unique culture and history have been an inspiration to artists, writers, and filmmakers. Located across Galway Bay, the islands feature primitive stone forts, early Christian churches, and medieval castles. Meet a local islander who shares knowledge and stories during a special tour, including a stop at Dun Aenghus Fortress, the three prehistoric stone walls crowning the tallest cliffs of Inishmore. Then enjoy time to explore on your own before returning to the mainland in the late afternoon. Dine tonight at a local restaurant in the village of Bearna. (B,L,D) Day 7: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Killarney Traveling south along the fabled coastline of County Clare, stop to admire the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, which rise vertically from the sea and stretch for
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
What a great overview of Ireland’s political and religious history, music, literature, and arts. With the small group size, everyone is included in the lectures and activities. Wonderful adventure! – Martha W.
five miles from north to south, and the dramatic Poulnabrone dolmen. Pass through the Burren, the 116-square mile rocky landscape of craggy gray karst (limestone) formations. Then cross by ferry into County Kerry, and arrive in the late afternoon in Killarney, set in beautiful Killarney National Park. Tonight, enjoy dinners in local family-run B&Bs. (B,D)
Day 10: Blarney, Cashel, Kilkenny Travel southeast to the small town of Blarney and visit the ruins of the 15th-century castle, with its celebrated Blarney Stone. After lunch on your own, continue to County Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel, once home to the High Kings of Munster. Arrive in Kilkenny late this afternoon. (B,D)
Day 8: Killarney Explore this vibrant town from the perspective of a historic jaunting-cart, then continue to 15th-century Ross Castle, the last stronghold to fall to Oliver Cromwell’s forces. Travel by boat to Muckross House, a 19th-century E lizabethan-style manor, where you’ll tour the elegantly furnished rooms and informal garden. Also explore the Kerry Folklife Centre, which showcases traditional arts and crafts such as bookbinding, pottery, and weaving. (B)
Day 11: Kilkenny A small medieval city, Kilkenny is known as Ireland’s cultural capital. Enjoy a tour of 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, considered one of the country’s most beautiful, then embark on an informal walking tour, noting the many buildings constructed of black limestone or “Kilkenny marble.” Spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring this charming town on your own. (B,L)
Day 9: Killarney and Ring of Kerry Today, admire and experience the Ireland of postcards — the stunning mounTitanic Museum, optional extension tain and coastal scenery of the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile route around the Ardagh Peninsula. Then learn about the rural history, heritage, and lifestyle of 19th-century Ireland at Kerry Bog Village. On the return to Killarney, stop at a 1,000-year-old Ring fort and for an Irish sheep dog demonstration. Dinner tonight is at the hotel (B,L,D)
Post-Tour Extension
Northern Ireland
4 days/3 nights from $1,295 total price Single Supplement: $295
Savor the dramatic beauty of the Antrim Coast, one of the most scenic in all of Ireland and the British Isles, and encounter the lively capital city of Belfast.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• Round-trip private motorcoach or van transportation Dublin/Belfast • 3 nights accommodations: 2 nights in Belfast at Fitzwilliam Hotel (Deluxe); 1 night in Dublin at Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport (Superior First Class) • 7 meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners • Extensive sightseeing included: Belfast, Antrim Coast (Giant’s Causeway, a World Heritage site; Bushmill’s Distillery; Carrick-a-rede Bridge); Titanic Museum in Belfast • Services of a professional tour representative • Gratuities for tour representative, dining room servers, and airport and hotel porters
Day 12: Dublin Set out for Dublin this morning, and tour fascinating EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum depicting 1,500 years of Irish history in an interactive environment. Mid-afternoon reach your hotel, located just outside Dublin. Tonight celebrate your Irish adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 13: Depart Dublin for the U.S. Transfer to the airport this morning for your flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Christopher Griffin studied literature at Trinity College, University College in Dublin, and the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. He taught humanities mostly to working adults at Strayer University in Washington, DC and was a lecturer at The George Washington University. At Politics and Prose bookstore in DC, Christopher has led numerous classes on various interests, including Irish literature, Shakespeare, literary Washington, and film. He has been a Smithsonian Journeys Expert on over a dozen Smithsonian Journeys and has lectured at Smithsonian Associates. Christopher will lead the August 15 and September 8 departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 11 nights accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels • 22 meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Stone walls wind through the Aran Islands.
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2022 2021 2021 May 15 Jul 14 Sep 5 Aug 15 Sep 8 Aug 14 Boston, New York, $6,192 $6,392 $6,492 $6,792 Newark Baltimore, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, $6,492 $6,692 $6,792 $7,092 Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington, DC Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, $6,592 $6,792 $6,892 $7,192 Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, $6,692 $6,892 $6,992 $7,292 Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$5,595 $5,795 $5,895 $6,195
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $397, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,495. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Northern Ireland Extension: $1,295 Aug 15, Sep 5; $1,495 all other dates. Single Supplement: $295 all dates Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic flight: $3,595 per person from Newark, Washington, DC (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
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Southern Italy and Sicily 15 days from $6,174 total price from New York
With Apulia and the Amalfi Coast
Overlooking Mt. Etna, Taormina’s 3rd-century Greek theatre still hosts theatrical performances, as well as ballets and concerts.
($5,695 air & land inclusive plus $479 airline taxes and fees)
Delight in a special exploration of Italy’s southernmost regions – from striking Sicily to the “boot heel” of Apulia and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast – where each region reflects a unique history, architecture, and cuisine. Plus, enjoy Italian hospitality and notable lodgings that allow you to immerse yourself in la dolce vita. Overnight
Rome
Motorcoach Extension (Air)
Adriatic Sea
ITALY
Featured Site
Naples
Pompeii
Sorrento
Alberobello Matera
Lecce
Tyrrhenian Sea
Catania/ Taormina Agrigento
Avg. High (°F) Taormina Lecce Amalfi Coast
Apr 65 64 63
Sicily
May 69 73 72
Ionian Sea
Sep 81 79 79
Oct 72 72 70
Nov 68 63 63
Highlights Include Spend four days visiting Sicily’s intriguing cultural and historic heritage • Visit the “Valley of the Temples” in Agrigento • Tour the active volcano, Mt. Etna • Enjoy lunch at a working Sicilian farmhouse • Stay in a renovated cave dwelling in Matera • Learn about Alberobello’s medieval white-washed buildings • Take part in a Neapolitan cooking demonstration and dinner • Tour Lecce, the “Florence of the South” • Enjoy drives on the stunning Amalfi Coast • Tour the ancient ruins at Pompeii (a World Heritage site) • Explore the cozy isle of Capri • Enjoy well-located, small-group style hotels
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1
Depart U.S. for Taormina (Catania) Eurostars 2-5 Taormina Sup. First Class Monte Tauro Locanda di 6-7 Matera First Class San Martino 8-10 Lecce Patria Palace Hotel Sup. First Class 11-14 Sorrento Hotel Antiche Mura First Class 15 Depart Naples for U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
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Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Taormina (Catania), Sicily Arrive in Catania on Italy’s autonomous island of Sicily then transfer by motorcoach to Taormina and the boutique hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea. Tonight gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
volcano, which frequently erupts but is seldom destructive. Midday enjoy a small group highlight: lunch at a family-run working farm amidst acres of lemon and kiwi. After returning to the hotel mid-afternoon, the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L)
Day 3: Taormina Take a walking tour of this delightful medieval town, including the spectacular ancient Greek theater dating to the 3rd century B.C., the popular 13th-century cathedral, and grand Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. This afternoon is at leisure to relax by the hotel pool, visit a lovely Taormina beach, or stroll along Corso Umberto lined with shops and restaurants. (B)
Day 6: Taormina and Matera Depart Sicily today for the mainland region of Basilicata, a day-long transfer that includes a ferry ride from Sicily to Calabria. Reach Matera, whose historic troglodyte churches and dwellings (Sassi) have been designated a World Heritage site and where the hotel is a renovated cave dwelling in the city’s historic district. (B,D)
Day 4: Taormina and Agrigento Visit the “Valley of the Temples,” the archaeological zone of Agrigento, whose Doric temples and sanctuaries date to Greek rule in the 5th century B.C. Known in its heyday as the “most beautiful city of mortals,” Agrigento’s highlight is the stunning, well-preserved Temple of Concordia (c. B.C. 430). A visit to the museum here lends context to our explorations. Return to the hotel to enjoy dinner. (B,L,D) Day 5: Taormina and Mt. Etna Venture to Europe’s largest active volcano. The ancients believed Mt. Etna to be the forge of Vulcan, god of fire. Today, modernday Sicilians have a very personal relationship with the
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Day 7: Matera Explore this city of art and folklore, with its unique ancient urban structure still intact. Home to more than 100 rock churches, Matera resembles ancient Jerusalem and has been used by international film directors as a stand-in for the holy city. Following a guided walking tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore independently before dinner tonight at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 8: Matera, Alberobello, Lecce Departing Matera this morning, stop in Alberobello, whose 400 or so trulli – whitewashed conical houses with greystone roofs – rank as a World Heritage site. Take a walking tour along the pristine cobblestone alleys, stepping inside an artisan’s workshop or trulli tipici,
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
We loved it!! The tours with various guides added so much to the trip, and we really enjoyed the other people on the tour. We saw things we would never have been able to see on our own. – Katherine M.
a recreation of an inhabited home. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Lecce, capital of Apulia’s southern Lecci province (in Italy’s “boot heel”), in time for dinner together at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 9: Lecce Discover the “Florence of the South,” so named for the unique decorative style for which Lecce is known: barocco leccese, the ornate and intricate sandstone carvings of cherubs, monsters, fruits, and flowers that adorn local buildings. See Palazzo Vescovile (c. 1632), the exuberantly decorated church of Santa Croce, and The ancient cave town of Matera the duomo with its lovely piazza. This afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s dinner together. (B,D) Day 10: Lecce and Otranto Today’s excursion takes you to the beautiful walled town of Otranto, overlooking the Adriatic. On a walking tour here see the imposing 15th-century Aragonese castle with its traditional moat, and the Romanesque cathedral whose impressive wall-to-wall mosaic floor was created in 1166. Continue to a local winery for a tasting and lunch, then return to Lecce mid-afternoon. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L) Day 11: Lecce, Polignano, Sorrento Depart by coach for Polignano a Mare, a historic coastal town set on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic. After lunch at a trattoria (tavern), travel to Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples. (B,L) Day 12: Sorrento and Pompeii Visit the evocative World Heritage site of Pompeii for a guided tour of the city frozen in time by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in
Post-Tour Extension
Rome – On Your Own
4 days/3 nights from $795 total price Single Supplement: $295
Explore the “Eternal City” at your leisure.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • Air transportation Naples/Rome inclusive of airline taxes and fees • 3 nights accommodations at Empire Palace Hotel (Superior First Class) • 3 meals: 3 breakfasts • Transfers to/from airport
A.D. 79 (the city was accidentally rediscovered in 1749). Gather for a hands-on Neapolitan cuisine cooking lesson, followed by dinner to savor the fruits of your labor. (B,D) Day 13: Sorrento and Capri Travel by hydrofoil to the storied Isle of Capri, a popular resort since Roman times. Explore cozy Capri town, and visit the terraced Gardens of Augustus with stunning views of the azure sea. Then, enjoy free time to explore on your own before returning to Sorrento early afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B) Day 14: Sorrento and Amalfi Coast Embark on a breathtaking drive along the winding, cliff-top Amalfi Coast between Sorrento and Amalfi, above the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea – with stops for photos along the way. This afternoon is at leisure. Tonight join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 15: Depart for the U.S. This morning, transfer to Naples airport and connect with your return flight to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Jodi Magness holds a senior endowed chair in the department of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: the Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism (since 2002). She is an archaeologist and past president of the Archaeological Institute of America. Jodi has published 11 books, including Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth (Princeton University Press, 2019), and dozens of articles. From 1992-2002, she was associate/assistant professor of classical and near eastern archaeology at Tufts University, Medford, MA. She received her B.A. in archaeology and history from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1977), and her Ph.D. in classical archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania (1989). She will lead the Oct. 10 departure. Adam Tanner (see page 6) will lead the Oct. 22 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 13 nights accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels • 26 meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
The stunning Amalfi Coast has drawn visitors for centuries.
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2021 2021 Apr 27 Sep 12 Oct 22 Oct 21 Oct 10 New York
$6,174
$6,374
$6,474
Boston, Philadelphia
$6,374
$6,574
$6,674
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, DC
$6,474
$6,674
$6,774
Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $6,574 $6,774 $6,874 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$5,495
$5,695
$5,795
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $479, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,395 Apr, Oct; $1,695 Sep. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Rome Extension: $795 Sep, Oct; $895 Apr. Single Supplement: $295 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking uphill and on uneven or cobblestone streets, and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
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Scotland’s Treasures 12 days from $5,996 total price from Newark
Highlands and Islands Eilean Donan Castle stands as one of Scotland’s most beautiful fortresses.
($5,495 air & land inclusive plus $501 airline taxes and fees)
“My heart’s in the Highlands” said Robert Burns. Discover Scotland’s enduring appeal as you travel from city to country, mainland to island, loch to glen. Along the way, encounter stunning natural beauty, welcoming clans, historic treasures, and rich cosmopolitan life, featuring stops in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Overnight Featured Site
Brora
Isle of Skye Portree
Motorcoach
Culloden
Urquhart Castle Loch Ness
The Highlands
Glenfinnan
Fort William
North Sea
Glencoe
St. Andrews Loch Lomond
Atlantic Ocean
Edinburgh Glasgow
SCOTLAND
Avg. High (°F) May Jun Aug Sep Glasgow 59 63 65 60 Edinburgh 57 63 65 61
Highlights Include Discover Glasgow’s unique architecture • Enjoy a private tour of Pollok House • Visit the new Riverside Museum • Take in the beautifulScottish Highlands scenery, including Loch Lomond, Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, and Loch Ness • Explore the Isle of Skye • See the evocative ruins of Urquhart Castle, historic Culloden Moor, and medieval St. Andrews • Tour Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood • Learn about whisky at a private tasting • Experience the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (July and August 12 departures only)
Day Itinerary Hotel 1 2-3 4-5 6-7 8 9-11 12
Rating
Depart U.S. for Glasgow Glasgow Grand Central Hotel First Class Fort William Nevis Bank Hotel Not rated Brora Royal Marine Hotel First Class St. Andrews Old Course Hotel Deluxe Edinburgh Tigerlily Edinburgh Sup. First Class Depart Edinburgh for U.S.
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
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Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Glasgow, Scotland Day 2: Glasgow Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Late this afternoon gather for a briefing on the journey ahead. Then, enjoy a welcome dinner at the National P iping Centre or the well-appointed Corinthian Club. (D) Day 3: Glasgow This morning’s city tour highlights “Glasgow Style,” the city’s distinct architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the stand-out buildings are the Glasgow Central Station, the Royal Exchange, Glasgow City Chambers, and Glasgow School of Art by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Also visit Sir John W. Simpson’s immensely popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Following the city tour visit Pollok House, ancestral home of the Maxwell clan and now a museum with superb Spanish art. Take a privately guided tour of the Edwardian country house and enjoy lunch in the award-winning restaurant. Then, explore the new Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum before returning to your hotel. (B,L) Day 4: Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William Leave Glasgow this morning bound for the scenic Highlands, Scotland’s sparsely populated historic northern region. Along the way stop at the banks of Loch Lomond, Great Britain’s largest lake and part of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Sir
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Walter Scott’s description of The Trossachs still rings true today: “So wondrous wild, the whole might seem the scenery of a fairy dream.” Tour the the islanddotted loch by coach before continuing to Glencoe. With deep valleys flanked by steep-sided mountains, rushing rivers, and dramatic waterfalls, Glencoe attracts both artists and adventurers to admire and enjoy its natural beauty. It also offers a stark lesson in Highlands history as site of the Glencoe Massacre in 1692, when some 38 members of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed over questions about their loyalty to the Protestant king, William III. Then travel to Fort William, the Highlands’ second largest settlement, arriving late this afternoon. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. (B,D) Day 5: Isle of Skye Embark on a full-day excursion to the Isle of Skye, the largest of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides known for its vivid history and stunning scenery. En route, make a photo stop at Glenfinnan Monument honoring Bonnie Prince Charlie for his leadership in the Jacobite Rising in 1745. Board a ferry for Armadale on the southern tip of Isle of Skye. Touring begins here with a visit to Armadale Castle and gardens, where you have lunch. Next set out on a scenic drive through the imposing Cuillin Hills (or “Black Cuillin”). Returning to the mainland via the Skye Bridge, stop to visit iconic Eilean Donn Castle. Dine tonight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
I have not been disappointed with any of the tours I have taken with Smithsonian. They make travel easier and informative. – Christina L.
Day 6: Loch Ness, Culloden Moor, Brora Depart today for the Highlands, stopping en route at fabled Loch Ness. Enjoy a boat ride on the 23-mile-long lake best known for the other-worldly creature alleged to live in its deep waters, and visit the ruins of lakeside Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s most popular attractions. Dating to the 13th century, the castle sits surrounded by water on three sides, giving it a formidable advantage in battle. Then travel to Culloden Moor, site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1746. Learn about the battle, and its aftermath, on your tour of the hallowed grounds. Early this evening arrive in Brora, a quaint Highlands village. (B,D) Day 7: Brora and Highlands Encounter more of the Highlands today, as you travel along the Pictish Trail, sites connected by the late Iron Age/ early Medieval Celtic people who once lived here. Visit striking Dunrobin Castle & Gardens, where you see a falconry demonstration then embark on a tour and tasting at a small local distillery that has been producing hand-crafted single malt whisky for generations. Drive along the scenic coastal road flanked by small farms with sheep, cows, and Shetland ponies. Late afternoon return to your hotel, where you dine this evening. (B,D) Glenfinnan Monument
Day 8: Kincraig, Pitlochry, St. Andrews Today’s first stop is Kincraig, where you watch a sheepdog demonstration with working Border Collies, known for their herding abilities. Travel on to the holiday town of Pitlochry in the heart of Scotland, where you enjoy some free time before continuing on to legendary St. Andrews, home of Scotland’s oldest university, and renowned as the home of golf, late this afternoon. Dinner tonight is on your own in this charming town. (B) Day 9: St. Andrews and Edinburgh This morning, embark on a walking tour of the medieval seaside town, followed by lunch together and free time to explore on your own. Later this afternoon continue to Edinburgh. Dinner tonight is on your own in the Scottish capital, which boasts a robust culinary scene. (B,L) Day 10: Edinburgh A morning tour of this stately city includes the 18th-century Georgian “New Town” and the medieval “Old Town,” where you visit Edinburgh Castle, symbolic heart of the country. This
Grand Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main shopping street
afternoon is at leisure to discover Edinburgh as you wish; museums, galleries, and shops abound. Guests on the July and August 12 departures will enjoy an evening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the spectacular annual pageant set in the floodlit esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (B) Day 11: Edinburgh This morning explore the Royal Mile, the historic boulevard c onnecting Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyrood House. Tour Holyrood and see where British royalty schemed and slept as you tour the State Apartments. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Tonight celebrate your sojourn over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 12: Depart for the U.S. Transfer this morning to the airport for return flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Experts Rab Houston was an undergraduate at St. Andrews and, after six years in Cambridge as a research student and research fellow, went back as a lecturer in modern history in 1983. He has held visiting professorships at the universities of Adelaide and Erasmus, Rotterdam as well as visiting fellowships at the Huntington Library and the Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University. Between 2006 and 2009 Rab held a prestigious Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a Member of the Academia Europaea, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Rab has written or edited numerous books and articles, most of them in the fields of early modern British and European literacy, British demography and urbanisation, Scottish society, and the history of mental abnormality. He will lead the August 5 and August 30 departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 10 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels • 19 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2022 2021 May 28 2021 Jul 30* Aug 30 Aug 29 Aug 5* Aug 13* Newark
$5,996 $6,296 $6,696 $6,896
Boston, Philadelphia
$6,196 $6,496 $6,896 $7,096
Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, $6,296 $6,596 $6,996 $7,196 Cleveland, Detroit, Washington, DC Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Houston, $6,396 $6,696 $7,096 $7,296 Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), $6,496 $6,796 San Francisco, Seattle
$7,196 $7,396
Land Only
$5,995 $6,195
$5,295 $5,595
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $501, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,195 May, Aug 29, 30; $1,495 all other dates All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. *Includes reserved seating at an evening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic flight: $3,495 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
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Journey through Provence 12 days from $5,597 total price from Boston, New York ($5,095 air & land inclusive plus $502 airline taxes and fees)
Join us for a new, comprehensive journey through Provence, spotlighting the diverse landscapes, Roman monuments, medieval villages, and celebrated art of southern France, as well as its relaxed lifestyle and exquisite cuisine. FRANCE Pont du Gard
Roussillon
Avignon Luberon
Aigues-Mortes
Arles Carmargue
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Provence Lourmarin
Saint-Paul-de-Vence Nice
Aix-en-Provence
Marseille
Mediterranean Sea Overnight Featured Site
Fragrant fields of lavender color – and perfume – the Provençal landscape.
Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Aix-en-Provence Nice
Aug 84 81
Sep 78 76
Oct 69 70
Highlights Include Visit the quintessential Provençal villages of Lourmarin, Roussillon, Les Baux, and Saint-Rémy • Tour Aix, including Atelier Cézanne • Enjoy a tasting and dinner at a local winery • See the World Heritage sites of Roman Arles • Experience the rugged, beautiful Camargue region on a two-night stay with a visit to a working Camargue ranch • Visit the Pont de Gau ornithological reserve • Stop at the Pont du Gard • Enjoy Avignon sightseeing, including the Papal Palace • Enjoy a private Provençal cooking lesson and dinner • Discover the art haven of Saint-Paul-de-Vence • Enjoy a two-night stay on the French Riviera
Day Itinerary 1
Hotel
Depart U.S. for Aix-en-Provence Aix-en- Grand Hôtel 2-4 Provence Roi René Saintes-Maries- 5-6 Vila de la Mar de-la-Mer Le Cloitre Saint 7-9 Avignon Louis 10-11 Nice Hôtel le Grimaldi 12 Depart Nice for U.S.
Rating Sup. First Class First Class First Class First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
30
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Marseille, France Day 2: Arrive Marseille and Aix-en-Provence Arrive in Marseille and transfer to the Provençal town of Aix-en-Provence (“Aix”). Tonight, meet your Smithsonian Journeys Expert, Tour Director, and fellow travelers at a briefing about the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) Day 3: Aix-en-Provence, Lourmarin, Roussillon Today’s excursion to the beloved Luberon region of charming hilltop villages overlooking vineyards and orchards reveals Provence in all its storied beauty. First visit Lourmarin, with its narrow winding streets lined with restored Mediterranean houses and boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Tour the landmark Renaissance castle then enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant. This afternoon continue on to alluring Roussillon, perched atop a striking ochre ridge. (B,L) Day 4: Aix-en-Provence Discover this lovely university town today, known for the beautiful Cours Mirabeau, the plane-tree lined main boulevard bordered by stately homes and the many elegant Roman fountains decorating city squares. On your walking tour, admire Aix’s rich architectural heritage and the “Vielle Ville” (Old Town). After a guided visit to the Atelier Cézanne, the studio where artist Paul Cézanne worked from 1902 to 1906, enjoy free time
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to explore as you wish. Late afternoon leave for a wine tasting and dinner at a nearby winery. (B,D) Day 5: Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Saintes-Mariesde-la-Mer This morning, call on Arles, once part of Roman Gaul then a clarion of Christianity, and, more recently, where Van Gogh painted. See much of that history on your tour, which includes a visit to the Roman Amphitheater, a World Heritage site dating to A.D. 90 and preserved virtually intact. Continue on to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, capital of the Camargue region of vast plains, wetlands, lakes, and lagoons. A World Heritage Biosphere Reserve at 360 square miles, the Camargue is known for unique breeds of white horses and bulls, its pink flamingos, and as a staging point for thousands of migratory birds. Mid-afternoon, reach Saintes Maries, a seaside resort in the heart of the Camargue. (B,D) Day 6: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Your exploration of the Camargue begins with a visit to a manade, a traditional ranch where gardians (cowboys) raise bulls both for meat and to perform in local arenas. Learn about the traditional way of life as you tour the manade, watch the gardians manage their herds while on horseback, and enjoy a lunch of local specialties. Then head to the Pont de Gau ornithological reserve in the heart of the Camargue Regional Natural Park. You’re likely to see the pink flamingos for which the
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
park is known, as well as species of heron, birds of prey, and seasonal migratory birds. (B,L) Day 7: Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Aigues-Mortes, Pont du Gard, Avignon As you approach AiguesMortes this morning, see the rose-hued salins (salt marshes) that produce the famed Camarguais salt. Take a walking tour featuring the weekly Sunday market and entrance to the medieval city walls and ramparts. After time for lunch on your own, continue on to Avignon, stopping at Pont du Gard, the 1st-century Roman aqueduct whose three tiers of arches span the Gardon River. Reach your historic hotel, a converted 17th-century convent, late afternoon and dine there tonight. (B,D) Day 8: Avignon This morning, encounter the ancient Roman city that was the capital of Christendom in the Middle Ages. Visit Avignon’s historic city center (a World HeriUnique white horses of tage site), with the Camargue its cathedral, half-finished Saint-Bénézet Bridge, and the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), one of the world’s largest and most important Gothic structures. Tour the palace, where seven successive popes lived during the 14th century. Then enjoy free time to explore on your own before tonight’s small group highlight as you join a local chef for a Provençal cooking class followed by dinner. (B,D) Day 9: Avignon, Les-Baux-de-Provence, SaintRémy-de-Provence Set out this morning for Les Baux, a gem of a medieval village perched atop a rock spur. Your first stop is the Carrieres de Lumiere multimedia art exhibition set in a former stone quarry. Then explore Les Baux itself, considered one of the country’s most beautiful villages, with its restored ancient
Post-Tour Extension
The French Riviera – On Your Own 3 days/2 nights for $295 total price Single Supplement: $225
Savor the good life in this celebrated spot, with splendid scenery, museums, beaches, and rustic villages close by.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • 2 nights accommodations in Nice at Hôtel le Grimaldi (First Class) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to Nice airport
houses, Renaissance-era facades, historic monuments, and stone citadel. After lunch together, visit the GalloRomanesque jewel of St-Paul de Mausole, where Van Gogh was confined after severing his ear. Continue to the picturesque village of Saint Rémy, where Van Gogh once painted. Take a walking tour of the ancient GalloRoman city center with its maze of winding streets and fountain-filled squares. (B,L) Day 10: Avignon, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Nice You’re bound today for the Cote d’Azur, the fabled French Riviera. Mid-day reach Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the beautiful medieval hilltop village once home to many prominent artists, including Marc Chagall. After a walking tour together, you’re free to explore as you wish. Then continue on to Nice, capital of the French Riviera, arriving late this afternoon. (B) Day 11: Nice This morning’s sightseeing begins with spectacular views of Nice and its prized setting along the Baie des Anges from atop Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), once a citadel and now a park. Stroll along the iconic seaside boulevard, Promenade des Anglais; explore “Vieux Nice” (Old Nice), with its colorful pastel buildings; and visit the historic Marché aux Fleurs (flower market). Tonight, celebrate your adventure over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 12: Depart for the U.S. Today depart for the Nice airport and your return flights to the U.S. (B)
Avignon’s famous bridge and the Palais des Papes
2021 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Joan Grimbert is professor emerita of French and medieval studies at Catholic University of America. Before completing her graduate studies in romance philology at the University of Chicago, Joan lived and worked in Paris for six years as a student, researcher, and translator. Her research is focused on medieval French literature, and she is an expert on Chrétien de Troyes and the legend of Tristan and Iseult from the 12th century to the present. Joan has published six books and numerous scholarly articles, primarily on Arthurian literature and film. A dual citizen of France and the United States, she was recently named Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes académiques. Joan will lead the August departure. Madeline Díaz (see page 6) will lead the September departure.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 10 nights accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels • 19 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Aug 30 Sep 27
Boston, New York
$5,597
Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$5,797
Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa
$5,897
Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$5,997
Land Only
$4,795
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $502, which are subject to change until final payment has been made. Single travelers please add $1,195. All 2021 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees) are guaranteed. Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,595 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
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EUROPE
Adventure in Iceland 11 days from $5,597 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC ($5,295 air & land inclusive plus $302 airline taxes and fees)
The second largest island in the North Atlantic, Iceland is a land of massive glaciers, rumbling volcanoes, spouting hot springs, lava fields, and powerful waterfalls. It is also known for its gracious hospitality and relaxed pace. Experience the astonishing natural history and cultural heritage of the land of fire and ice.
Siglufjordur
Puffin Island Husavik
Akureyri
Godafoss Lake Myvatn
ICELAND
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Borgarbyggo Gullfoss Thingvellir Nat’l Park
Reykjavik
Selfoss
Overnight
Skogafoss
Air Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Lake Myvatn Reykjavik
Jun 56 54
Jul 58 57
Aug 59 56
Sep 50 52
Oct 46 47
Nov 37 37
Highlights Include Marvel at the stunning, unique natural wonders • Tour the beautiful Snaefellsnes Peninsula • Admire Godafoss, “waterfall of the gods” • Learn about Lake Myvatn’s mud flats, lava fields, and volcanic craters • Witness Dettifoss, Iceland’s “Niagara Falls” • Visit Glacial River Canyon National Park • Tour Thingvellir National Park • Experience a bird-watching coastal cruise • Discuss Iceland’s economic issues with a local expert • Enjoy sophisticated Reykjavik • Visit Hellishedi geo-thermal power plant
Day Itinerary 1 2-3 4-5 6 7-8
Hotel
Depart U.S for Reykjavik Selfoss Hotel Selfoss Lake Myvatn Fosshotel Myvatn Siglufjordur Hotel Siglo Borgarbyggo Hotel Husafell Hotel Reykjavik 9-10 Reykjavik Centrum 11 Depart Reykjavik for U.S.
Rating First Class First Class First Class First Class First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
32
Visit Gullfoss, Iceland’s immensely popular “golden” waterfall.
Featured Site
Vik
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Reykjavik, Iceland Day 2: Reykjavik and Selfoss Arriving early morning in Iceland’s capital, meet your tour leaders and have breakfast at a local restaurant. Enjoy a scenic drive east, stopping to view the geothermal exhibit at the Hellisheidi Power Plant. After reaching your hotel mid-afternoon, enjoy time to relax before this evening’s briefing on the journey ahead followed by a welcome dinner. (B,D) Day 3: Selfoss and Vik This morning visit the new Lava Centre, dedicated to Iceland‘s riveting volcanic activity and its frequent earthquakes, then set off to Vik. Stop at picturesque Seljalandfoss waterfall, followed by nearby Skogafoss waterfall, known for its rainbows on sunny days. Continue to lovely Vik, Iceland’s southernmost town, and enjoy time to have lunch on your own and explore or shop for items of locally produced wool. Take a walk along the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, lined with columnar basalt-filled caves. En route to the hotel, stop by the Solheimajokull “sliding” glacier, so named for its rapid advance in the 1990s. (B) Day 4: Selfoss, Reykjavik, Lake Myvatn Transfer to Reykjavik this morning for the one hour flight to Akureyri, Iceland’s “northern capital,” then travel to
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beautiful Lake Myvatn. One of the world’s natural wonders, Lake Myvatn and its environs of bubbling mud flats, lava fields, and lunar-like volcanic craters comprise a stunning national park. Walk to view the fascinating Hverfjall crater, a local land-mark, and see the region’s unique “pseudo craters,” the boiling mud pots at Namaskard, the bizarre lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the explosion crater at Viti, and the flat volcano system at Krafla. (B,D) Day 5: Lake Myvatn, Husavik, Vatnajokull National Park This morning travel to Husavik, and embark on a bird-watching cruise to Puffin Island to see the thousands of seabirds here (based on seasonality): puffins, black guillemots, fulmars, and Arctic terns. On departures that visit after the puffins have migrated for the season (typically in August), take a whale watch cruise out of Husavik. This afternoon, visit Vatnajokull National Park, yet another of Iceland’s natural wonders. Here see Asbyrgi, a huge canyon enveloped by towering walls; in the middle of the partially wooded canyon sits a hoof-shaped rock called “The Island.” Next, traverse Hljodaklettar Echo Cliffs, where we explore the labyrinth of “echoing rocks” created by the spiral basalt formations of the arches and canyons here. Your last stop is at jawdropping Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall and Iceland’s “Niagara Falls.” (B,L,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Iceland is one of the most revealing places to study the history of our earth. The volcanoes, lava fields, waterfalls, and geysers are amazing reminders of the power of nature. – Judith H.
Day 6: Lake Myvatn, Akureyri, Siglufjordur This morning stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall of the gods,” named for the carvings of Norse gods discarded here when the country was declared Christian 1,000 years ago. Mid-morning, arrive in Akureyri, where you have free time to explore and for lunch on your own. Travel on to Siglufjordur, where you visit the unique Herring Era Museum, then arrive at your hotel in time for dinner there tonight. (B,D) Day 7: Siglufjordur and Borgarbyggo Travel towards the southwest corner of Iceland today, passing through more incredible natural scenery. Along the way visit Glambaer, a folk museum featuring authentic turf houses. Call on a Gauksmyri farm to see their famed Icelandic horses – small and hardy, with long manes. Enjoy scenic views at Grabrok Crater, then take an excursion to the thermal areas of Deildartunguhver and Hraunfossar Falls. (B,D) Day 8: Borgarbyggo and Snaefellsnes Peninsula Encounter the stupendous scenery of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Begin with a walk along the shell sand beach at the abandoned fishing village of Budir, surrounded by a vast lava field. Explore the caves and bizarre rock formations along the rugged shore at Arnarstapi, site of thousands of nesting cliff birds. After stopping for lunch at a rustic oceanfront restaurant, visit Djupalonssandur where you see the haunting remains of abandoned coastal farms. (B,L,D) Day 9: Borgarbyggo, Thingvellir National Park, Reykjavik Traveling back to Reykjavik visit Thingvellir National Park, known both for its historic importance and as the place where the fissure between the geological plates of North America and Europe is most evident. Learn about the historic parliament founded here in A.D. 930. Then depart for Gullfoss, the immensely popular “golden” waterfall, and Great Geysir, the most famous of Iceland’s geysers. Continue on to Reykjavik and meet with a local expert to learn about the 2008 bank crisis and its effects throughout Iceland. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L)
Day 10: Reykjavik This morning embark on a tour of the Icelandic capital, including a visit to the Perlan Glacier Museum. Then the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore and enjoy Reykjavik as you please. Tonight, celebrate over a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 11: Depart for the U.S. Depart for the airport and your return flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Jim Reynolds is a professor of geology at Brevard College, teaching all geology courses and a section of introductory environmental science. He received his Bachelors degree in earth science and Masters degree in volcanology from Dartmouth College, and then worked in the minerals and energy industries, government, and academia for six years before returning to Dartmouth for a Ph.D. (Andean tectonics). Since 1984, his research has focused on the uplift of the Andes in Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia and the geology of the Caribbean Plate. Jim was awarded two Fulbright Scholarships to teach at Argentine universities, and in 2006 he was inducted into the fellowship of the Geological Society of America. He will lead the August 17 and October departures. Peter Bobrowsky (see page 6) will lead the May and June departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
3 days/2 nights from $395 total price Single Supplement: $295
Make the most of the long days in Iceland’s colorful capital, at your own pace.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • 2 nights accommodations at Hotel Reykjavik Centrum (First Class) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to Reykjavik airport
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2022 Jun 14 2021 May 21 2021 Jul 7 Oct 28* Sep 22* Aug 17 Aug 4 Boston, New York, Washington, DC
$5,597 $6,197 $6,697 $6,897
Baltimore, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Seattle
$5,897 $6,497 $6,997 $7,197
Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, $5,997 $6,597 $7,097 $7,297 Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, $6,097 $6,697 $7,197 $7,397 Portland (OR), San Francisco Land Only
$5,095 $5,695 $6,095 $6,395
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $302, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
Post-Tour Extension
Reykjavik – On Your Own
Iceland’s landscape reveals an austere beauty
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; flight within itinerary • 9 nights accommodations in First Class hotels • 20 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Single travelers please add $995 May, Oct; $1,295 all other dates. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. *These departures offer the best opportunities for witnessing the Northern Lights. Post-Tour Reykjavik Extension: $395 2021; $455 2022. Single Supplement: $295 all dates Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic flight: $1,595 from Boston, Newark, New York, Washington, DC, (Dulles); $2,195 from Chicago, Minneapolis; $2,595 from Denver, Seattle (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
33
EUROPE
St. Petersburg and the Baltics 14 days from $5,498 total price from Boston, New York
Tour Peterhof, former summer palace of the czars that is now a World Heritage site.
($4,995 air & land inclusive plus $503 airline taxes and fees)
Experience the cultural rebirth of the Baltic States and the imperial riches of St. Petersburg. Visit four distinct nations – four thriving capitals and their provincial outskirts – and discover the fascinating heritage and stimulating contemporary life of this remarkable and diverse region.
Gulf of Finland
St. Petersburg
Tallinn
ESTONIA
Baltic Sea
RUSSIA Riga
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
Overnight/Featured Site
Vilnius
Avg. High (°F) Riga Tallinn St. Petersburg
Motorcoach
May Jul 61 71 59 70 59 70
Aug Sep 70 63 68 57 69 60
Highlights Include Visit the KGB Museum in Vilnius • Discover Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania • Tour Rundale Palace, architectural highlight of provincial Latvia • Visit Sigulda National Park, the “Switzerland of Latvia” • Explore Estonia’s open air Rocca-al-Mare village museum • Tour St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, one of the world’s greatest museums • Enjoy lunch with a St. Petersburg family • Marvel at Peterhof, royal estate of Czar Peter the Great
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Depart U.S. for Vilnius Radisson Blu 2-4 Vilnius Astoria Hotel Radisson Blu 5-7 Riga Elizabete Hotel Nordic 8-10 Tallinn Forum Hotel 11-13 St. Petersburg Belmond Grand Hotel Europe 14 Depart St. Petersburg for U.S.
Rating
1
First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Deluxe
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
34
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Vilnius, Lithuania Arrive in Vilnius, the attractive Lithuanian capital with baroque architecture, numerous churches, medieval towers and fortifications, and one of Eastern Europe’s oldest “Old Towns.” Your afternoon in this historic city is at leisure before tonight’s dinner at the hotel. (1D) Day 3: Vilnius See the highlights of the city, a World Heritage site, on this morning’s tour, including Cathedral Square, Gediminas’ Tower, Vilnius University, and the President’s Palace. Also tour the fascinating KGB Museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax at one of the many outdoor cafés, explore the old Jewish Quarter and ghetto, or admire the city’s architectural diversity. (B) Day 4: Vilnius and Trakai Today travel about 20 miles outside Vilnius to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania set in a resort village surrounded by five lakes. Tour 15th-century Trakai Castle, with exhibits commemorating the days when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania stretched all the way from the Baltic to the Black Sea. After a turbulent history of Russian rule, in 1991 Lithuania became one of the first of the Soviet Union’s breakaway republics and today, is once again, a sovereign democratic nation. (B,D)
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Day 5: Vilnius and Riga, Latvia Depart this morning for Riga, the Latvian capital. En route stop for lunch in Siauliai where you visit the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site and symbol of Lithuanian nationalism. After crossing the border into Latvia, travel through gentle countryside to the restored 18th-century baroque palace of Rundale. Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli who also designed St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Rundale’s construction took more than 30 years and 1,500 workers. From here continue to Riga, once known as the “little Paris of the North.” Dine tonight at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 6: Riga This morning’s city tour reveals the special treasures of this Baltic gem, once Russia’s coveted warm-water port and the largest of the Baltic capitals. Riga boasts lovingly restored architecture ranging from medieval to art nouveau; a well-preserved Old Town; magnificent churches, including St. Mary’s Cathedral (the Dom), with its 6,789-pipe organ; and a lively arts scene. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. (B) Day 7: Riga and Sigulda Today travel east of Riga to Sigulda to visit Gauja National Park, Latvia’s premier nature preserve. Your excursion includes a visit to Gutmanis’ Cave, a 35-foot cavern bubbling with fresh spring water believed to have curative powers; and the ruins of Turaida Castle, whose round red
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
brick tower rises above the forest canopy. Return to Riga mid-day and dine together this evening. (B,D) Day 8: Riga, Parnu, Tallinn, Estonia En route to the Estonian capital of Tallinn, stop for lunch in seaside Parnu, Estonia’s “summer capital.” Reach Tallinn late this afternoon; dinner is at a local restaurant. (B,L,D) Day 9: Tallinn This northernmost Baltic capital has endured a history similar to that of its cousins: a favored port location often coveted by its more powerful neighbors; centuries of war with brief periods of independence; 20th-century annexing by Russia; and finally, again, independence. See layers of Tallinn’s tumultuous history on this morning’s city tour featuring the surprisingly well-preserved medieval Old Town, and a curator-led tour of the Kumu Art Museum. Then the remainder of the day is free to enjoy this 800-year-old city as you wish. Green spaces abound, including vast Kadriorg Park, surrounding the Cathedral of the Resurrection, St. Petersburg palace and featuring a Japanese tea garden. (B) Day 10: Tallinn This morning visit the Estonian Open-Air Museum at Rocca-al-Mare, where 18th- and 19th-century life is recreated with authentic wooden farm houses, churches, and other structures from rural Estonia. Enjoy lunch together then have an afternoon at leisure to explore Tallinn independently. (B,L) Day 11: Tallinn and St. Petersburg, Russia Depart this morning by coach for St. Petersburg, stopping for lunch in Narva, Estonia. After arriving late this afternoon enjoy dinner together tonight. (B,L,D)
Post-Tour Extension
St. Petersburg – On Your Own 3 days/2 nights from $435 total price Single Supplement: $295
Explore more of this fascinating city – Russia’s cultural heart – at your own pace, from our centrally located hotel on Nevsky Prospekt adjacent to Arts Square.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • 2 nights accommodations at Belmond Grand Hotel Europe (Deluxe) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to airport
Day 12: St. Petersburg Czar Peter the Great’s “window on the West,” St. Petersburg was built in the early 1700s on 44 islands, mostly swampland – a feat that took the lives of thousands of workers. Today it’s a beautiful city, laced with canals, graceful bridges, and Empire-style buildings. Your daylong tour includes a visit to awe-inspiring St. Isaac’s Cathedral, whose construction took more than 40 years. See the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Bronze Horseman statue of city founder Peter the Great, and the main thoroughfare of Nevsky Prospekt. Then for a fascinating window on Russian life, join a local family for lunch and conversation. This afternoon take a guided tour of the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, housing one of the world’s greatest fine arts collections. (B,L) Day 13: St. Petersburg and Peterhof This morning travel to Peterhof, one of the many royal summer palaces built by the Romanovs during the last two centuries of their rule. Most of these palaces were virtually destroyed by retreating Germans during World War II and later rebuilt to their original designs, complete with gilding. Known for its elaborate fountains with gold statues and 142 jets, Peterhof sits in a huge park with a formal 18th-century garden. Your tour includes both the Grand Royal Palace and the Upper and Lower gardens. Tonight join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 14: Depart for the U.S. Depart this morning for your connecting flight to the United States. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Pamela Kachurin is an art historian specializing in Russian and Soviet art and architecture. She has conducted wide-ranging research on Russian and Soviet artists at Russia’s museums, archival repositories, and libraries. Pamela is the author of numerous articles, book reviews, and encyclopedia essays on Russian and Soviet art. She currently works with the Russian collection at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, and has lectured widely in the U.S. and abroad. She will lead the September 14 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 12 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 24 meals: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Riga’s historical center, a World Heritage site
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 May 17 2021 2022 2021 Jul 26 Sep 14 Sep 13 Aug 10 Aug 9 Boston, New York $5,498 Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$5,698
$5,798 $5,998
$5,698 $5,898 $5,998 $6,198
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, $5,798 $5,998 $6,098 $6,298 Cincinnati, Miami, Orlando, Tampa Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, $5,898 $6,098 $6,198 $6,398 Houston, Minneapolis Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), $5,998 $6,198 $6,298 $6,498 San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$4,695 $4,895 $4,995 $5,195
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $503, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,095. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour St. Petersburg Extension: $435 2021; $495 2022. Single Supplement: $295 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,595 per person; Premium Economy – 1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
35
EUROPE
Pearls of Croatia and Slovenia 15 days from $6,184 total price from Boston, New York
Enjoy a pleasing mix of guided touring and time on your own in Dubrovnik, whose medieval Old City is a World Heritage site.
($5,695 air & land inclusive plus $489 airline taxes and fees)
Independent, democratic Croatia welcomes visitors eager to absorb its remarkable history, culture, and its beautifully unspoiled Dalmatian coastline. As your small group travels from historic Zagreb and beautiful Lake Bled to the Habsburg resort of Opatija, the island of Hvar, and beloved Dubrovnik, you see why this cherished region lays such a claim on the hearts of all who visit. SLOVENIA
Lake Bled
Ljubljana
Zagreb Istrian Peninsula Opatija Rovinj Pula
CROATIA Plitvice Lakes National Park
Dalmatian Coast Trogir Overnight
Split Hvar
Featured Site Motorcoach
Adriatic Sea
Ship
Dubrovnik Cavtat
Extension (Motorcoach)
Avg. High (°F) Zagreb Dubrovnik
Tivat (Bay of Kotor)
Apr May Sep Oct 63 70 73 61 63 70 77 69
Highlights Include Tour historic Zagreb and vibrant Ljubljana • Discover the fairy-tale setting of Slovenia’s Lake Bled • Explore the Postojna Cave and Plitvice Lakes National Park • Experience the Istrian Peninsula and dramatic Dalmatian coastline • Tour Diocletian’s Palace, a World Heritage site • Tour charming Opatija and enjoy a two-night stay on the island of Hvar • Discover Dubrovnik, including the Old City walls
Day Itinerary Hotel Depart U.S. for Zagreb Amadria Park 2-3 Zagreb Hotel Capital 4-5 Ljubljana uHotel Ljubljana 6-8 Opatija Hotel Milenij 9 Trogir Hotel Trogir Palace 10-11 Hvar Adriana Hotel Hvar 12-14 Dubrovnik Dubrovnik Palace 15 Depart Dubrovnik for U.S.
Rating
1
Deluxe Sup. First Class Sup. First Class First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
36
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Zagreb, Croatia After a connecting flight in Europe, arrive in Zagreb and transfer to your hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, there are no group activities or meals planned for today. Day 3: Zagreb This morning’s tour of the Croatian capital by coach and on foot reveals a gracious city of culture and hospitality. Visit Mirogoj Park Cemetery, known for its arcades and sculpture, then continue through Old Town with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After calling on the colorful Dolac open air market, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,D) Day 4: Ljubljana, Slovenia Departing by coach for the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, arrive in time for lunch on your own. An afternoon walking tour reveals the charming heart of Ljubljana, a friendly, mid-sized European capital with a historic city center, ornate building facades, romantic bridges, and abundant parkland. Dine tonight at the hotel. (B,D) Day 5: Ljubljana and Lake Bled Travel northwest this morning to the town of Bled, whose namesake lake is reminiscent of a fairytale. Surrounded by the Julian Alps and deep forests, and with a medieval castle perched on its shore, the almost mile-wide lake ranks as a popular destination. After touring
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the castle enjoy a boat ride around the scenic lake. Return to Ljubljana early afternoon, where the rest of the day is at leisure (B,L) Day 6: Ljubljana, Postojna, Opatija, Croatia En route to Opatija today, stop to explore Postojna Cave, the almost 13-mile long karst cave system where an electric train takes you deeper than is possible in any other cave in the world. Then, after free time here for lunch on your own, continue on to Opatija, the seaside resort where Habsburg princes once vacationed. Upon arrival, explore the “Opatija Riviera” on a walking tour of this modern-day resort town nestled between green forested hills and the cobalt Adriatic. Dine together tonight. (B,D) Day 7: Opatija and Istrian Peninsula Today’s tour of the Istrian Peninsula reveals the multicultural roots of this alluring spit of land jutting into the Adriatic. At various times a vassal of Venice, the first Austro-Hungarian Empire, Fascist Italy, the Yugoslav Federation, and finally, Croatia, Istra, as it is known, boasts an interesting history, mild Mediterranean climate, lovely scenery, and good wines. Stop in the port of Pula, where you visit the remains of a Roman amphitheater (c. 177 ce), and in Rovinj, a charming old Venetian port where you are free to explore on your own. Then tour an olive grove and enjoy a tasting with local cheese and cured meats. After returning to
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Opatija late this afternoon, dine together tonight at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 8: Opatija Today visit nearby Moscenicka, once a fishing village that now draws visitors to its tranquil port and beautiful pebble beaches. After lunch together, return to Opatija where the remainder of the day is at leisure amid the Belle-Epoque architecture and atmosphere. (B,L) Day 9: Opatija, Plitvice Lakes, Trogir Travel south this morning for an excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Famed for its string of 16 turquoisecolored lakes connected by a series of waterfalls and cascades, separated by distinctive travertine deposits, and surrounded by dense forests, Plitvice counts as one of the first World Heritage natural sites and Croatia’s largest national park. Late afternoon depart for Trogir, arriving early this evening in time for dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 10: Trogir, Split, Hvar This morning travel to Split, the main city of the central Dalmatian Coast and home of 3rd-century Diocletian’s Palace. As you see on your guided tour, the palace, and eventually its ruins, formed the historic heart of picturesque Split. After time for lunch on your own, board a ferry for the two-hour cruise to Hvar, “queen” of the Dalmatian islands. Upon arrival travel by coach to lively Hvar Town. Dine tonight at a local restaurant just a short walk from the hotel. (B,D) Day 11: Hvar With captivating natural beauty and a strategic Adriatic location, Hvar has prospered since antiquity. Discover some of its charms this morning, first with a walking tour of Venetian-tinged Hvar Town, then with a walking tour of nearby Stari Grad. Here, in one of Croatia’s oldest cities, you will have time to wander on your own. Enjoy lunch and a tasting at a local winery before returning to your hotel. (B,L)
Post-Tour Extension
Montenegro
4 days/3 nights from $1,295 total price Single Supplement: from $395
Discover this tiny nation with a stunning coastline, imposing mountains, ancient towns, and a rich culture formed from its perch straddling East and West.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• Round-trip private motorcoach transportation Dubrovnik/ Tivat, Montenegro • 3 nights accommodations: 2 nights in Tivat at Regent Porto Montenegro (Deluxe); 1 night in Cavtat, Croatia, at Hotel Croatia (Superior First Class) • 5 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners • Extensive sightseeing included: Kotor town and bay, Our Lady of the Rocks church, walled city of Budva, historic capital of Cetinje, Roman mosaics of Risan • Services of a professional Tour Director • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, hotel porters, and all drivers
Days 12-13: Hvar and Dubrovnik Continue your journey south today, leaving Hvar for the mainland and traveling along the scenic Dalmatian coast to popular and beloved Dubrovnik. After reaching your hotel late afternoon, enjoy dinner there this evening. The next day discover the city whose ancient walls have withstood both time and tide for hundreds of years. Begin with a walking tour around the city walls, whose original ramparts and bastions date to the 12th and 13th centuries (Dubrovnik itself was founded in the 7th century). Then continue through the Old City, paying a visit to the stately Baroque Cathedral (c. 1672). You also see the Treasury, whose gilded shelves and historic relics sit behind locked wooden doors; and the Franciscan monastery with a 14th-century pharmacy. This evening, enjoy a sunset cruise around Dubrovnik’s city walls. (2B,1D) Day 14: Dubrovnik Today is free to explore on your own. From the medieval Old Town to the contemporary city with its Mediterranean accent, Dubrovnik offers discoveries aplenty. Enjoy a small group highlight as you set out late this afternoon for a farewell dinner with a local family whose home overlooks Dubrovnik. The menu features produce from their garden, homemade olive oil, and local wine. (B,D) Day 15: Depart for the U.S. This morning transfer to the airport for your return flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Hamish Scott is a senior research fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, and Wardlaw Professor Emeritus of International History at the University of St Andrews. A Fellow of the British Academy and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, he has published extensively on 17th- and 18th-century international relations, on enlightened absolutism, and on nobility. He is currently completing a major study entitled Forming Aristocracy: The Reconfiguration of Europe’s Nobilities, c.1300-1750. Hamish will lead the October departure. Adam Tanner (see page 6) will lead the September 9 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 13 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 25 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Lovely Lake Bled, surrounded by mountains and forests
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 2022 2021 2022 Sep 9 Apr 21 Oct 2 May 12 Sep 23 Boston, New York $6,184 $6,284 $6,384 $6,484 Philadelphia, $6,384 Washington, DC
$6,484 $6,584 $6,684
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago Cincinnati, Cleveland, $6,484 $6,584 $6,684 $6,784 Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, $6,584 $6,684 $6,784 $6,884 Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$5,295 $5,395 $5,495 $5,595
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $489, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,295 Apr; $1,395 Sep, Oct; $1,495 May. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Montenegro Extension: $1,295 Sep, Oct; $1,395 Apr; $1,595 May. Single Supplement: $455 Sep. Oct; $395 Apr; $495 May Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy – $1,595 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking uphill and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy this tour to the fullest.
37
AFRICA
Tanzania Safari 14 days from $8,397 total price from New York
More than 3,000 lions roam the Serengeti.
($7,595 air, land & safari inclusive plus $802 airline taxes and fees)
From the depths of Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti plains; off-the-beaten-path Tarangire to exotic Zanzibar, our small group encounters the breadth of tranquil Tanzania’s riches: abundant wildlife, exquisite landscapes, and diverse cultures. It’s Africa as it was – and still is.
KENYA Masai Mara Game Reserve
Lake Victoria
KENYA
Serengeti
Ngorongoro Crater
Arusha
Indian Ocean
Tarangire
TANZANIA Overnight
Zanzibar
Air 4x4 Vehicles
Avg. High (°F) Ngorongoro Serengeti Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam
Feb 72 81 91
Mar 83 81 91
Jul 63 79 82
Sep 68 81 84
Oct 72 82 86
Highlights Include Experience Tanzania’s unparalleled game viewing • Enjoy guaranteed window seats in safari vehicles • Discover Tarangire’s elephants and baobabs • Explore the Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area • Visit Olduvai Gorge, site of world’s oldest prehistoric remains • Marvel at the game-filled plains of the Central Serengeti • Experience exotic Zanzibar • Enjoy stays in top-rated game lodges
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1 2-3
Sup. First Class
Depart U.S. for Arusha Arusha The African Tulip Tarangire 4-5 Tarangire Sopa Lodge Ngorongoro Ngorongoro 6-7 Crater Serena Lodge Serengeti 8-10 Serengeti Serena Lodge Zanzibar 11-12 Zanzibar Serena Hotel Zanzibar/Dar es Salaam/ 13 Depart for U.S. (overnight flight) 14 Arrive U.S.
Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
38
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Arusha, Tanzania Upon arrival tonight, transfer directly to your hotel. Day 3: Arusha Meet your fellow travelers at this morning’s briefing about the journey ahead. Then get your first taste of life on safari, as you set out this afternoon on a game drive in Arusha National Park, where you may spot waterbuck, zebra, giraffe, flamingoes, monkeys, and more. In the distance, you may see iconic snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano and at 19,340 feet, Africa’s highest peak – and the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Inside the park, see Mt. Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest peak at 15,000 feet. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner together. (B,L,D) Day 4: Tarangire National Park Depart today for the two-hour drive to Tarangire, Tanzania’s 1,100-square-mile park known especially for its high concentration of elephants and for the many baobab trees dotting the savannah. Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, located within the park. After lunch and some time at leisure, late afternoon enjoy another game drive in the park, where you may see zebra, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, and of course, elephants. (B,L,D) Day 5: Tarangire In store today: morning and afternoon game drives in this gem of a park slightly
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off the beaten path. Along with the abundant game, you’re sure to see some of Tarangire’s 550 species of birds, as well as the many termite mounds scattered amid the grass- and swampland here. (B,L,D) Day 6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area This morning depart for Ngorongoro, wildlife haven and homeland of the semi-nomadic Maasai people. Arrive in time for lunch at your safari lodge uniquely set on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, blending in so much with the landscape as to be invisible from the crater floor. This afternoon is at leisure; the views of the crater from your lodge, spectacular. (B,L,D) Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater This morning descend to the floor of magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage site and at 100 square miles the world’s largest intact and perfectly formed volcanic caldera. The unique biosphere here has remained unchanged for eons; towering walls encircle the crater’s floor which represents Africa in microcosm: grassland, swamps, lakes, forests, and some 25,000 mammals, including elephant, black rhinoceros, lion, hippo, and zebra. Then return to your lodge for an afternoon at leisure. (B,L,D) Day 8: Ngorongoro, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti National Park En route today to the fabled Serengeti, visit 31-mile Olduvai Gorge. It was here in 1959
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
16-24 Smithsonian Just 15-17 guests per departure
that anthropologist Mary Leakey discovered the 1.8-million-year-old skull of Australopithecus boisei – and revolutionized the study of human evolution. Part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Olduvai is considered the “cradle of humanity” and ranks as one of the world’s most important prehistoric archaeological sites for its rich fossils and early hominid remains. Then visit a Maasai village before continuing on to Serengeti National Park, home to such plains dwellers as lion, cheetah, zebra, and wildebeest. The Serengeti, the Maasai’s “endless plain,” is Africa’s finest park, and you begin to see why on this afternoon’s game drive. Today’s safari outing concludes at your lodge, which you reach in time for dinner. (B,L,D) Day 9: Serengeti In Tanzania’s northeast corner sits the vast Serengeti National Park, 5,700 square miles (equal in size to Connecticut), one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges, and the Tanzanian portion of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Twice a year (Jan-Feb and Jun-Oct), some 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle migrate to new grazing lands, sparking one of nature’s most spectacular sights and the world’s largest migration. But the Serengeti’s plains teem with animal life yearround, as you’ll see on today’s game drives. (B,L,D) Day 10: Serengeti Embark on more game drives today. You have the chance to see some – or all – of Africa’s “Big Five”: lion, Cape buffalo, elephant, rhino, and leopard, along with wildebeest, zebra, eland, gazelle, and other plains animals, and some 500 species of birds. (B,L,D) Day 11: Serengeti and Zanzibar Fly this morning to tropical Zanzibar, Tanzania’s semiautonomous Indian Ocean archipelago with a colorful and storied history. Upon arrival today, set out to discover Stone Town, Zanzibar’s capital, a World Heritage site, and East Africa’s only ancient town still functioning. A heady mix of Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and African influences (though predominantly Muslim today), Stone Town boasts a labyrinth of narrow alleys lined with shops, homes, hidden courtyards, and extravagantly carved wooden doors, as we see on our tour. (B,L,D) Traditional dhow sails off Zanzibar.
Day 12: Zanzibar A morning tour of a spice plantation reveals why Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island” – its bounty of cloves, nutmeg, ginger, chilies, black pepper, vanilla, coriander, and cinnamon have found their way around the world for centuries. Return to yout hotel in time for lunch on your own
and an afternoon at leisure, perhaps to relax at the beachfront pool of the hotel. Tonight celebrate your Tanzania adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,D)
Learning the ropes ...
Day 13: Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Depart for the U.S. This morning take a quick flight to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city. Upon arrival, you will have a day room at a local hotel and an afternoon at leisure. After an early dinner tonight, return to the airport for your flights to the U.S. (B,D) Day 14: Arrive in the U.S. Arrive in the U.S. today and connect with your flights home.
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Zimbabwean-born Robyn KeeneYoung is an Emmy-nominated film producer and a widelypublished travel and nature writer. For more than 25 years, she’s explored southern and east Africa, producing magazine features, books, and television documentaries. Her films appear regularly on PBS, National Geographic and BBC. Her work allows her to spend her waking hours in the close company of some of the earth’s wildest and most fascinating creatures. Robyn attended the University of the Witwatersrand during South Africa’s turbulent transition to democracy, where she graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees. She worked as a human rights attorney among farmworkers in the Cape winelands, before leaving the profession to live in a tent and document the African wild with her photographer husband. When she’s not filming in remote wilderness, Robyn lives on a farm near South Africa’s Kruger National Park. She will lead the July departure. Grant Nel (see page 6) will lead the February departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • R ound-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 11 nights accommodations in Superior First Class hotels and lodges • 31 meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 11 dinners • Game viewing and sightseeing as described, including all park entrance fees • Mineral water while on safari • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private safari vehicle transportation throughout your trip with guaranteed window seating • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local driver/guides, dining room servers, and airport and hotel porters
2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Mar 13 Feb 18 Sep 25 Jul 17
New York
$8,397 $8,797 $9,197 $9,497
Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, $8,697 $9,097 $9,497 $9,797 Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington, DC Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, $8,797 $9,197 $9,597 $9,897 Los Angeles, Minneapolis Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, $8,897 $9,297 $9,697 $9,997 Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$7,195 $7,595 $7,995 $8,295
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $802, which are subject to change until final payment has been made. Single travelers please add $895. All 2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Business Class upgrade (subject to availability) on round-trip transatlantic flight: $5,495 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
39
AFRICA
Safari in Kenya and Tanzania 16 days for $10,696 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC
From the Serengeti to the Masai Mara
Go on safari in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
($9,895 air, land & safari inclusive plus $801 airline taxes and fees)
On safari … it’s one of the most alluring phrases in all of travel. And Kenya and Tanzania count among the most alluring places to be “on safari.” As your small group travels from grasslands to highlands, to reserves and national parks, enjoy intimate game drives, see stupendous landscapes, stay in excellent accommodations, and meet gracious local people. Mt. Kenya
KENYA
Masai Mara Game Reserve Lake Victoria
Nairobi
Serengeti National Park
Amboseli National Park
Ngorongoro Crater Lake Manyara
TANZANIA
Overnight Motorcoach
Indian Ocean
Air
Extension (Motorcoach)
Avg. High (°F) Masai Mara Serengeti
Jul 79 79
Aug 81 80
Sep 84 81
Oct 82 82
Nov 86 81
Highlights Include Discover Amboseli’s large elephant population and the diverse birdlife at Lake Manyara • Experience Ngorongoro, wildlife haven and Maasai homeland • Visit Olduvai Gorge • Explore the Serengeti and Masai Mara, Africa’s best game-viewing sites
Day Itinerary 1 2-3
Hotel
Depart U.S. for Nairobi Nairobi Fairmont The Norfolk Amboseli 4-5 Amboseli Serena Lodge 6 Lake Manyara Lake Manyara Serena Lodge Ngorongoro 7-8 Ngorongoro Serena Lodge Serengeti 9-10 Serengeti Serena Lodge Sarova Mara 11-13 Masai Mara Game Camp 14 Nairobi Fairmont The Norfolk 15 Nairobi/Depart for U.S. (overnight flight) 16 Arrive U.S.
Rating Deluxe Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Deluxe
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
40
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Nairobi, Kenya After arriving in Nairobi, transfer to your hotel. As arrival times may vary greatly, there are no group activities or meals planned. Day 3: Nairobi Your introduction to Kenya’s cosmopolitan capital city features a tour of the Karen Blixen Museum, the one-time home of the Danish writer who wrote Out of Africa (as Isak Dinesen). At the Giraffe Centre, a facility that provides nature education to Kenyan schoolchildren, you’ll see several of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe up close and learn about the various giraffe species. Return to your hotel late in the afternoon, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. (B,D) Day 4: Nairobi/Amboseli Amboseli National Park stands in the shadow of snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Maasai’s “white mountain” and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain at 19,336 feet. Known for its large elephant population, Amboseli boasts wide, dry plains also teeming with herds of wildebeest, zebra, impala, and giraffe. Depart for the park in the morning and spot many of these magnificent mammals on your first game drive this afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 5: Amboseli Early this morning visit a nearby Maasai village to see everyday life up close, meeting with villagers before they leave to tend their cattle. At
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a nearby school, students and teachers welcome you into their classroom where you’ll learn about their various endeavors. Then return to your lodge situated in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Late this afternoon set out for another game drive. (B,L,D) Day 6: Amboseli/Lake Manyara, Tanzania Tanzania has 13,000 square miles of protected parkland, more than any other African country. Travel today to peaceful Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s smallest and most diverse parks. Bordered by the dramatic Western Escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is notable for its abundant birdlife, diverse vegetation, tree-climbing lions, and hippos. Relax at your lodge upon arrival, then take an afternoon game drive. (B,L,D) Day 7: Lake Manyara/Ngorongoro Conservation Area Enjoy an early morning game drive at Lake Manyara, when the animals are especially active. After lunch at your lodge, depart for Ngorongoro, a World Heritage designated Conservation Area, International Biosphere Reserve, and site of Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. On the crater’s floor is Africa in microcosm: grassland, swampland, lakes, forest, mountains, and unparalleled wildlife, including the rare black rhino, hippo, wildebeest, zebra, eland, gazelle, and black-maned lion. (B,L,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16-24 15-17 Smithsonian guests per departure
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater On the morning tour of the 100-square-mile crater you will have the opportunity of a lifetime—to see all of Africa’s “Big Five,” including elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard— in one place! The afternoon is at leisure to relax at your lodge, which features panoramic views from its location on the crater’s rim. (B,L,D) Day 9: Ngorongoro/Serengeti National Park Depart this morning, bound for the Serengeti, considered Africa’s finest park and one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges. En route, visit the 31-mile Oldupai Gorge, where in 1959 anthropologist Mary Leakey discovered the 1.8-million-year-old skull of Australopithecus boisei, which revolutionized the study of human evolution. Reaching your lodge, embark on an afternoon game drive. (B,L,D) Day 10: Serengeti The Serengeti, which means “endless plains” in the Maasai language, spans approximately 12,000 square miles and is home to approximately 70 large mammal and 500 bird species. The vast treeless plains teem with animal life yearround, and is the best place to see lion and cheetah up close. Watch for them on today’s two game drives, relaxing at your lodge during mid-day along with discussions about the animal species, ecology, and conservation. (B,L,D) Day 11: Serengeti/Masai Mara Leave Tanzania today, flying to Masai Mara, Kenya’s premier game reserve rich with animal life and the traditional homeland of the native Maasai people. Essentially the continuation of the Serengeti, the two parks are known especially for the annual migration when around two million wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle (among other wildlife) migrate here from the Serengeti. The Mara sits in the Great Rift Valley and comprises 583 square miles of vast plains, acacia forests, grass-covered hills, and slow-flowing rivers.
Post-Tour Extension
Mt. Kenya Safari Club
3 days/2 nights from $1,395 total price Single Supplement: $595
Encounter more wildlife during a stay at the legendary Mount Kenya Safari Club, plus visit the important Mpala Research Centre.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• 2 nights accommodations at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club (Deluxe); day room in Nairobi at Tamarind Tree Hotel (not rated) • 6 meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners • Extensive sightseeing included: animal orphanage at Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy; game drive; and Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sancutary • Visit Mpala Research Centre, where Smithsonian fellows and research staff lead important research projects • Services of a professional representative • Private transportation • Transfer to Nairobi airport • Gratuities for representative, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and driver/guide
Here, you’ll check into your luxurious tented camp, then take your first game drive of this park. (B,L,D) Day 12: Masai Mara Spend today “on safari,” venturing out on early morning and late afternoon game drives during prime viewing hours to spot some of the wildlife that call the Mara home, including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, gazelle, wildebeest, elephant, buffalo, hippo, and rhino. (B,L,D) Day 13: Masai Mara Spend another day “on safari,” with morning and afternoon game drives in this preserve, which is just slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. When not out in the bush, you are at leisure to enjoy the amenities of your luxury tented camp, including the spa and swimming pool. (B,L,D) Day 14: Masai Mara/Nairobi Today re-enter the urban world as you fly from the Mara back to Nairobi, where you’ll have time at leisure to freshen up and re-pack at your hotel. Tonight, gather with fellow travelers to toast your safari adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,L,D) Days 15-16: Nairobi/Return to the U.S. After a morning at leisure, transfer to the Nairobi airport and board your connecting flight to the U.S. Reach the U.S. the following day and connect with your flights home. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Patty Hostiuck is a popular and respected naturalist, well-versed in tropical as well as polar ecosystems. She has led Smithsonian tours to Africa, Central and South America, North America, the Galápagos, and Australia. Patty’s high-latitude work has also taken her to every northerly nation from the Canadian High Arctic to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Russia. She has led over 100 trips with Smithsonian Journeys and has shared her expertise with thousands of fellow explorers. Patty will lead the Aug. 29 departure. Grant Nel (see page 6) will lead the Aug. 8, Oct., July 7, and Aug. 7 departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • R ound-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 13 nights accommodations: 10 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels and lodges; 3 nights in tented camp • 36 meals: 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners • Game viewing as described, including all park entrance fees • Mineral water while on safari • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private 4x4 transportation throughout your trip with guaranteed window seating • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, driver/guides, dining room servers, and airport and hotel porters
The Serengeti boasts Africa’s largest lion population
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2021 2021 Jul 7 Sep 30 Aug 8 Aug 7 Oct 21 Aug 29 Aug 28 Boston, New York, Washington, DC
$10,696 $11,096 $11,396
Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
$10,996 $11,396 $11,696
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando Philadelphia, Tampa
$11,096 $11,496 $11,796
Denver, Detroit, Phoenix, Portland (OR)
$11,196 $11,596 $11,896
Land Only
$9,495
$9,895
$10,195
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $801, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,795. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. cities may require a departure one day prior to the listed schedule above. Post-Tour Mt. Kenya Extension: $1,395 2021; $1,795 2022. Single Supplement: $595 all dates Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic flight: $4,995 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
41
AFRICA
African Safari
Botswana, Zambia, and Victoria Falls
14 days from $8,784 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC ($7,795 air, land & safari inclusive plus $989 airline taxes and fees)
Discover an extraordinary safari experience in some of southern Africa’s great wildlife sanctuaries. With our Smithsonian Journeys Expert, you’ll explore magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, captivating Chobe National Park in Botswana, and remote Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia on this unique journey. Lusaka
ZAMBIA
Lower Zambezi Nat’l Park Chobe Nat’l Park
Livingstone/ Victoria Falls
ZIMBABWE Indian Ocean
BOTSWANA
Overnight/Featured Site
SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town
Johannesburg
Air (Private charter) Extension (Air)
Apr 85 82
May 82 79
Jun 78 72
Aug 83 79
Sep 89 87
Oct 90 89
Nov 88 91
Highlights Include Tour spectacular Victoria Falls • Search for the “Big Five” in southern Africa • Take a guided walking tour on the massive Victoria Falls bridge • Discover Chobe National Park’s diverse and abundant game on early morning game drives and afternoon boat safaris • Explore remote Lower Zambezi National Park during a three-night stay at the unique Royal Zambezi Lodge
Day Itinerary 1 2-3 4-6
Hotel
Depart U.S. for Johannesburg Rosebank 54 on Bath Victoria Falls Pioneers Lodge 7-9 Chobe Nat’l Park Chobe Marina Lodge Lower Zambezi Royal Zambezi 10-12 National Park Lodge Lusaka/ Radisson Blu 13 Depart for U.S. Lusaka (day room) 14 Arrive U.S.
Rating Deluxe Not rated Sup. First Class Deluxe Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too new, too small, or too remote to be listed.
42
Embark on both boat and land safaris in Chobe, home to Africa’s largest elephant population.
Safari Vehicles
Atlantic Ocean
Avg. High (°F) Sydney Alice Springs (Zambia)
Air
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Johannesburg, South Africa Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in the suburb of Rosebank. (1B) Day 3: Johannesburg and Soweto Meet your fellow travelers today and embark on a full-day tour of the Soweto district of Johannesburg. See the home of former Archbishop Desmond Tutu; visit Nelson Mandela’s home, which is now a museum; and tour the moving Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum to learn more about apartheid and the Soweto uprising of 1976. Before lunch, hear stories from a local Sowetan who was present during the uprising. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,L,D) Day 4: Johannesburg and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Fly today to Livingstone, Zambia, then transfer to Victoria Falls and your historic hotel. View the thundering falls, first “discovered” by David Livingstone and claimed for Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-foot-deep gorge and soaking spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world. (B,D) Day 5: Victoria Falls Enjoy a small group highlight: a game drive to spot the elusive black rhino. This experience serves to educate visitors about the increasing threats to Africa’s wildlife. Late afternoon embark on a “Sundowner” dinner cruise on the Zambezi, where you see wildlife on shore and in the water. (B,D)
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Day 6: Victoria Falls Take a guided tour of the Victoria Falls bridge and learn about its construction from atop the catwalks. This afternoon is at leisure to relax at your grand hotel. Tonight hear a fascinating guest speaker on “The Story of David Livingstone,” followed by dinner together. (B,D) Day 7: Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park, Botswana This morning visit a local school, then travel two hours by motorcoach to Botswana and Chobe National Park, boasting one of the largest concentrations of game in all of Africa. After settling in and enjoying lunch at the lodge, embark on a gameviewing boat safari on the Chobe River, where you may see hippo, crocodiles, some of the park’s 450 species of birds (including the Sacred ibis, carmine Bee-eaters, Fish Eagle, and Kingfisher), and perhaps a beautiful Chobe sunset. Dine tonight at the lodge. (B,L,D) Day 8: Chobe National Park Known for its diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife – including the world’s largest elephant population (around 120,000), along with zebra, lion, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, and buffalo – Chobe covers 7,270 square miles of protected parkland. See a portion of this natural wonder on this morning’s game drive and this afternoon’s boat safari. (B,L,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16-24 Smithsonian guests per departure
This trip far exceeded our lofty expectations. Words alone cannot describe the magic of this experience. – Mark S.
Day 9: Chobe National Park Settle into a comfortable routine, with early morning and late afternoon game drives. In between game viewing activities, enjoy the amenities of the lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, adjacent to the park itself. (B,L,D) Day 10: Chobe National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia Board a privately chartered plane for the 1½-hour flight to Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia’s newest reserve (since 1983) and, as the former private sanctuary of Zambia’s president, the least developed. Here in one of Africa’s last stretches of pristine wilderness get closer to the animals than anywhere else. This afternoon engage in some of the lodge’s game viewing activities that include open vehicle game drives, fishing, guided canoe trips, bush walks, and boat safaris. (B,L,D) Day 11: Lower Zambezi National Park A day of game viewing activities await in this 1,600 square mile park on the southern end of Zambia known for its 100-strong elephant herds, unusually large Thundering Victoria Falls prides of lion, plus buffalo, waterbuck, antelope, zebra, crocodile, and hippos. Together with Zimbabwe’s renowned
Post-Tour Extension
Cape Town, South Africa
4 days/3 nights from $1,495 total price Single Supplement: $295
Discover South Africa’s sparkling Cape Town, from Table Mountain and the Malay Quarter to the Cape Peninsula and The Winelands.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• Air transportation Lusaka/Cape Town, inclusive of airline taxes and fees • 3 nights accommodations at The Table Bay Hotel (Deluxe) • 6 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner • Extensive sightseeing included: full-day Cape Peninsula tour; full-day Cape Town and Winelands tour • Services of a professional tour representative • Private motorcoach/van transportation • Transfers to/from airport • Gratuities for tour representative, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers Please note that guests on the extension will proceed directly to Cape Town and will not use the hotel day room in Lusaka on Day 13.
You may see leopards on safari
Mana Pools Reserve situated across the river, the Lower Zambezi National Park forms a massive sanctuary and World Heritage site where you’ll enjoy unparalleled game and bird viewing. (B,L,D) Day 12: Lower Zambezi National Park From the 14-room luxury lodge on the banks of the Zambezi, take part in game viewing activities in this lush riverine environment of 50 mammal species and 400 bird species. With the Zambezi River, abundant game on the valley floor, and the Zambezi Escarpment as a backdrop, the Lower Zambezi National Park offers a dramatic setting for game viewing, as does the lodge, where animals roam freely on the grounds. Tonight celebrate your wildlife adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,L,D) Day 13: Royal Zambezi National Park, Lusaka, Depart for the U.S. Travel by charter flight today to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, where you have hotel day rooms until the departure this evening for the airport and the overnight flight to the U.S. (B) Day 14: Arrive in the U.S. Arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with your flights home.
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Caitlin O’Connell-Rodwell is a faculty member at Harvard Medical School at the Eaton Peabody Lab and has studied elephants in Namibia for almost thirty years. She has written eight popular books about elephants, along with dozens of scientific papers and many feature magazine articles, including two in Smithsonian Magazine. Caitlin was the focus of the awardwinning Smithsonian documentary, Elephant King and has won numerous awards for her writing and photography. She will lead the October 27 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from cities listed; all flights within itinerary • 11 nights accommodations: 5 nights in Deluxe hotels; 6 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class lodges • 29 meals: 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 10 dinners • Game viewing as described, including all park entrance fees • Mineral water while on safari • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, driver/guides, hotel and lodge staff, and porters
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2022 2021 Apr 3 May 22 2021 Oct 27 Oct 30 Sep 21 Aug 15 Boston, New York, $8,784 $8,984 $9,384 $9,484 Washington, DC Chicago, Dallas, Houston, $9,084 $9,284 $9,684 $9,784 Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, $9,184 Minneapolis, Orlando Philadelphia, Tampa
$9,384
$9,784 $9,884
Denver, Detroit, Phoenix, Portland (OR)
$9,284
$9,484
$9,884 $9,984
Land Only
$7,395
$7,595
$7,995 $8,095
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a Deluxe thatched tent at Royal Zambezi Lodge and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $989, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $995. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Cape Town Extension: $1,495 Aug, Oct 27; $1,595 all other dates. Single Supplement: $295 all dates Upgrade to thatched tent suite with larger indoor and outdoor living areas at Royal Zambezi Lodge: $195 ($295 single) Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. cities may require a departure one day prior to the listed schedule above. Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic flight: $5,495 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
43
AFRICA
Splendors of Morocco
from the Imperial Cities to the Sahara
14 days from $6,079 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC
Encounter many of Morocco’s age-old kasbahs on your journey.
($5,395 air & land inclusive plus $684 airline taxes and fees)
Morocco is a land of contrasts – Roman ruins and sacred mosques, endless desert and storied mountains, imposing kasbahs and spirited souks. On this exotic adventure, discover the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech; the High Atlas Mountains; and the vast Sahara. Our journey will open your eyes and heart to a traditional culture and gracious people.
Mediterranean Sea Atlantic Ocean Rabat
Casablanca
Meknes
Fez
Atlas Mountains
MOROCCO
Marrakech Erfoud Ait ben-Haddou Ouarzazate
Overnight
Sahara Desert
Featured Site Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec Rabat 65 68 71 77 77 70 65 Marrakech 68 74 79 89 81 81 66
Highlights Include Enjoy a Sahara sunset excursion and camel ride on the dunes • Visit five World Heritage sites including the imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fez, and Marrakech • Tour the ruins of Volubilis • Enjoy a home-hosted dinner in Fez • Relax with an afternoon of Arabic music • Marvel at the scenic “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” and the dramatic Todra Gorges • Tour the kasbah of Ait ben-Haddou • Enjoy tea with a local family • Traverse through Marrakech’s medina and Djemaa el Fna Square • Meet with an imam in Marrakech • Tour Casablanca and Hassan II mosque
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1 2-3 4-6 7-8 9 10-12
Sup. First Class Deluxe First Class Sup. First Class Deluxe
Depart U.S. for Casablanca Rabat La Tour Hassan Fez Hotel Sahrai Erfoud Le Palais du Desért Ouarzazate Le Berbere Palace Marrakech Sofitel Marrakech 13 Casablanca Hyatt Regency Casablanca 14 Depart Casablanca for U.S.
Deluxe
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
44
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Casablanca, Morocco Day 2: Casablanca and Rabat After arriving in Casablanca, the commercial center of Morocco (and of all North Africa), proceed to Rabat, and check into your hotel near famed Hassan Tower. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel. (D) Day 3: Rabat One of Morocco’s four ancient capitals, or imperial cities, Rabat is the present-day capital, at once historic and contemporary as you discover on today’s tour. Visit the fortified Kasbah of the Oudaias, the peaceful Andalusian Gardens, and the necropolis of Chellah, built on ancient Roman ruins. Cross the river to Sale for lunch in a private home followed by a visit to the new Mohammed VI contemporary art museum and a walk through the medina (old city). Late afternoon return to your hotel before enjoying dinner together at Dinarjat, an acclaimed restaurant in Rabat’s Old Town. (B,L,D) Day 4: Meknes, Volubilis, Fez Depart Rabat for Fez this morning, stopping along the way in Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city (and World Heritage site). Visit the Bab el Mansour gateway and the ruins of the imperial stables before lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to the ancient Roman ruins at the site of Volubilis, known for its intricate and
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colorful mosaics. Upon arrival in Fez check into your elegant hotel adjacent to the medina, another World Heritage site. (B,L,D) Day 5: Fez Explore Morocco’s oldest imperial city, considered the “Athens of Africa.” Begin with a walking tour of Fez’s fascinating medina, focusing on the artisans’ quarters, the 14th-century Koranic schools, and Al Karaouine, the medieval theological university. Return to the hotel for lunch and some time at leisure, then tour the old mellah (Jewish quarter) and its 17th-century synagogue, the royal gates, and the Museum of Fez. Tonight enjoy a private dinner at an intimate family-run riad in Fez. (B,L,D) Day 6: Fez This morning return to the medina to discover some hidden treasures, including the Blue Gate, the medieval school of Bouanania, and the 12th-century home of Jewish scholar Maimonides. Share tea with a local family and visit the traditional quarter to watch artisans craft the acclaimed Fez pottery and ceramics. After lunch, enjoy a concert of enchanting Arabic music. (B,D) Day 7: Midelt and Erfoud Cross the fertile plains beyond Fez and continue through the Middle Atlas mountain range. Stop in the small town of Midelt for lunch, then cross the Ziz River, passing rows of sky-scraping palm trees and fortified villages before
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16-24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Our trip wasn’t a ‘trip’ rather, it was an experience! Every logistical detail was attended to with complete professionalism. The quality of our accommodation, travel, and restaurants as well as entertainment and education was unrivaled. – Kristina P.
reaching your kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud late in the day. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 8: Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga Visit the city of Rissani, with its 18th-century ksar, a virtually impenetrable warren of alleys. Set out on a sunset excursion to the breathtakingly beautiful sand dunes at Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara. In the enormous silence, watch the sun set over the desert from atop a camel. (B,L,D) Day 9: Tinehir, Todra Gorges, Ouarzazate One impressive scene unfolds after another on today’s journey to the snowcapped High Atlas. Visit the village of Tinehir, a stunning mountain oasis rising on a series of riverside terraces lush with palm trees, and see spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorges, home to a variety of rare bird and plant species. Following lunch, visit El Kelaa des Mgouna, Morocco’s “rose capital,” then set out on the fabled “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” ancient caravan route, a region of fortresses with elaborately decorated facades. Spend the evening in the town of Ouarzazate (the “door of the Rabat’s Kasbah des Oudaias desert”). (B,L,D) Day 10: Ait ben-Haddou and Marrakech En route to Marrakech today, stop first at uninhabited Ait ben-Haddou, a World Heritage site. Its old section consists of deep red kasbahs packed together so tightly they appear to be a single unit. Descending from the High Atlas, enjoy views of typical villages with fortified walls and stone houses with earthen roofs. Arrive in Marrakech late this afternoon and dine tonight at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 11: Marrakech The city of Marrakech is an alluring oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm, and fascinating sites. Travel by horse-drawn carriage from Menara Park to Majorelle Garden, a private botanical garden with 15 species of birds native to North Africa and known for its cobalt blue accents. Visit the newly renovated Berber Museum, with art and artifacts reflecting Berber culture in Morocco. After lunch on your own, embark on a walking tour of the medina, ending at Djemaa el Fna Square, a World Heritage site and the heart of Marrakech, crowded
Watch the Sahara sunset from atop a camel train
with snake charmers, e ntertainers, storytellers, musicians, and sellers of fruits and spices. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant in the city’s Old Town. (B,D) Day 12: Marrakech Today’s touring includes the Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive 282-foot minaret visible from miles away, the ruins of the 16th-century Palais El Badii, and the beautiful Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace. Return to the hotel for a buffet lunch and afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy an exciting meeting when you visit the home of a local imam to discuss the Muslim faith. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L) Day 13: Marrakech and Casablanca Depart Marrakech this morning for storied Casablanca, Morocco’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. After a brief orientation tour of the city, visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, Morocco’s only functioning mosque open to non-Muslims. Tonight celebrate your Moroccan adventure during a farewell dinner at a festive and lively restaurant. (B,D) Day 14: Depart for the U.S. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Wilfrid Rollman holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Michigan. He has worked extensively with organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art on educational outreach and travel programs on the history, art, and culture of Iberia, North Africa, the Mediterranean region, and the Middle East. He is now a senior lecturer at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and a visiting professor at Harvard University. Wilfrid will lead the Nov. departure. Carola Stearns (see page 6) will lead the Sep. 21 departure, and Alia Kate (see page 6) will lead the Feb. departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 12 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 11 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 Mar 1 Mar 27 Apr 10 2021 Sep 2 2021 Sep 3 2022 Sep 23 Nov 26 Sep 21 Feb 4 Oct 9 Boston, New York, $6,079 $6,379 $6,579 $6,679 Washington, DC Atlanta, Chicago $6,279 $6,579 $6,779 $6,879 Baltimore, Charlotte, Detroit, Los Angeles, $6,379 $6,679 $6,879 $6,979 Miami, Philadelphia Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, $6,479 $6,779 $6,979 $7,079 Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Land Only
$5,295 $5,595 $5,795 $5,895
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $684, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,295 Feb, Nov; $1,495 all other dates. All 2021/2022 prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy – $1,195 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
45
AFRICA
Ancient Egypt and the Nile 14 days from $5,897 total price from Boston, New York
Featuring Abu Simbel
Travel to the Giza plateau to see the legendary pyramids, built 5,000 years ago as royal tombs.
($5,295 air, land & cruise inclusive plus $602 airline taxes and fees)
Accompanied by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert and Egyptologist, this small group journey through antiquity travels from vibrant Cairo and the Great Pyramids to Abu Simbel and Aswan, plus a classic voyage along the Upper Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Mediterranean Sea
Amman
JORDAN
Cairo Giza
Petra
Red Sea
EGYPT Luxor
Overnight Featured Site
Nile River Aswan
Ship Air Extension (Motorcoach) Extension (Air)
Avg. High (°F) Cairo Aswan Luxor
Abu Simbel
Lake Nasser
Jan Feb Mar Apr Oct Nov Dec 65 67 72 81 82 73 68 74 78 86 94 94 83 75 73 74 82 91 91 82 74
Highlights Include Discover Cairo’s intriguing ancient sites, including the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Sakkara • Enjoy Old Cairo touring • Explore the renowned Egyptian Museum • View Abu Simbel’s dramatic temples • Experience a Nile felucca sail • Relax on a Nile River cruise • Visit the Aswan Dam and the temples at Kalabsha • Marvel at the ancient temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Rating
1
Depart U.S. for Cairo Four Seasons at the Deluxe 2-4 Cairo First Residence Mövenpick 5-6 Aswan Deluxe Resort Aswan 7-9 Nile cruise M/S Hamees Deluxe Steigenberger Sup. First 10-11 Luxor Nile Palace Class Four Seasons at the 12-13 Cairo Deluxe First Residence 14 Depart Cairo for U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
46
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Cairo, Egypt Arrive in the Egyptian capital and transfer to your hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, no group activities or meals have been planned. Day 3: Cairo After a morning briefing, your fullday tour begins at the acclaimed Egyptian Museum, the world’s greatest repository of ancient relics. Then tour the Citadel of Saladin housing the alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D) Day 4: Cairo This morning discover the astounding Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx, whose leonine body and human face were carved from a single piece of limestone. This afternoon you encounter Old Cairo, the district where early capital cities once rose. Visit 5th-century St. Sergius Church, the Coptic church of el-Muallaqa, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, built in 882. (B,L) Day 5: Cairo, Abu Simbel, Aswan Very early this morning fly to Aswan, where you connect with your flight to Abu Simbel. Here, on the west bank of Lake Nasser, visit the two massive rock temples guarded by statues of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, featuring incredibly well-preserved murals within. Carved into a mountainside between B.C. 1264-1244, the temples were moved stone by stone to their current location
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in 1968; otherwise, they would have been flooded and submerged by the creation of Lake Nasser. After touring this World Heritage site, return to the airport for the flight back to Aswan, where you have lunch at a local restaurant then check in at your hotel. Dine tonight at your hotel. (B,L,D) Day 6: Aswan Today see the Aswan High Dam, considered a marvel of engineering when completed in 1965 to control Nile flooding. Then tour the Temples of Philae, in antiquity a pilgrimage site for the cult of Isis and one of ancient Nubia’s – and now Egypt’s – most important temple complexes. Built between B.C. 380-362 on a small island in the Nile, Philae, like Abu Simbel, was relocated to save it from flooding; its current island site closely resembles the original. Move on to lunch at a local restaurant, then this afternoon visit the Nubian Museum, an acclaimed showcase of Nubian art and architecture. Mid-afternoon return to your hotel; dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L) Day 7: Aswan After breakfast at your hotel this morning, board your ship and embark on a three-night Nile cruise, enjoying lunch together onboard. This afternoon, board small feluccas, replicas of ancient Nile sailboats, for a relaxing afternoon sail. Sailing along the Nile, pass by the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener’s Island, home of the British hero who helped tame the
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16-24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Sudan; see Elephantine Island, with its huge granite rocks; and the tomb of the Aga Khan. Then dine and overnight aboard your Nile ship in Aswan. (B,L,D) Day 8: Nile Cruising – Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu Cruise today to the site of the ancient trading town at Kom Ombo with its unusual double temple and outstanding Nile views. Then sail on to Edfu, where tonight you are invited to a shipboard celebration. (B,L,D) Day 9: Nile Cruising – Edfu and Luxor This morning sail to Luxor, the world’s “greatest openair museum,” whose vast temple complexes, tombs, and statues dating from B.C. 2755 represent the pinnacle of Egyptian architecture. Here tour the Luxor Museum, housing relics discovered at the site. Back on board, tonight enjoy a show of Middle Eastern belly dancing. (B,L,D) Day 10: Disembark, Luxor, East Bank After disembarking your ship later this morning, explore the East Bank, home of Karnak, the greatest temple complex of them all, whose ruins stretch for more than a mile. Also visit Luxor Temple, whose builders included both Tutankhamun and Alexander the Great. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B,D) Day 11: Luxor and West Bank This morning tour the haunting Valley of the Kings, where 34 royal tombs feature magnificent paintings; the Valley of
M/S Hamees
Post-Tour Extension
Jordan: Petra & Amman
5 days/4 nights from $1,795 total price Single Supplement: $395
Discover the fabled “rose-red city, half as old as time” on this exciting exploration, plus ancient Jerash and the capital of Amman.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• Air transportation Cairo/Amman • 4 nights accommodations: 2 nights in Petra at Mövenpick Resort Petra (Superior First Class); 2 nights in Amman at Grand Hyatt Amman (Deluxe) • 9 meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners • Extensive sightseeing included: Madaba (City of Mosaics); Mt. Nebo pilgrimage site; full day at Petra; Amman’s Roman theatre and Citadel; Roman ruins of Jerash • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation • Gratuities for Tour Director, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
the Queens; and the dramatic Temple of Hatshepsut, honoring one of the few female pharaohs. Also see the massive Colossi of Memnon, two 64-foot high statues of Amenhotep III that once guarded the gates of his own tomb. As an added highlight you will also tour the village of Deir el Medina; home to the artisans who constructed the Valley of the Kings. Enjoy lunch together before returning to Luxor late this afternoon. Dine together this evening at your hotel. (B,L,D) Day 12: Luxor and Cairo Fly to Cairo today, where this afternoon you visit Khan el Khalil bazaar. Dinner this evening is on your own. (B) Day 13: Cairo Begin today’s exploration at the open-air museum at Memphis, Egypt’s first capital believed to be some 5,000 years old. Your next stop is at nearby Sakkara the vast burial ground for Memphis, with various pyramids (including the famous Step Pyramid) and decorated chambers. Also see the lesser-visited site of Dahshur; home to the Bent and Red pyramids. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D) Day 14: Depart for the U.S. Very early this morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Rozenn Bailleul-LeSuer received her Ph.D. in Egyptology in 2016 from the University of Chicago. She now divides her time between teaching in the Department of Anthropology at the College at Brockport, SUNY, and acting as historian and curator for a local historical society. Rozenn has lately centered her research on the ancient Egyptians’ relationship with their environment, most especially the avifauna encountered in the Nile Valley and surrounding deserts. She has worked as a consultant for the Art Institute of Chicago and the Oriental Institute Museum of the University of Chicago, where she curated the exhibit “Between Heaven and Earth: Birds in Ancient Egypt.” Rozenn will lead the Oct. 9 and Feb. 12 departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within Egypt • 12 nights accommodations: 9 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels; 3 nights aboard a Deluxe ship • 29 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip, including shore excursions • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Sail traditional feluccas along the Nile
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Nov 13 Nov 27 2022 Dec 4 Mar 5
2021 Oct 9*
2022 Apr 9
2022 Jan 1 Jan 8 Feb 5
Mar 12 Feb 12 Mar 19 Feb 19
Boston, New York $5,897 $5,997 $6,197 $6,397 Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$6,197 $6,297 $6,497 $6,697
Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, $6,297 Houston ,Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami
$6,397 $6,597
$6,797
Denver, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland (OR), $6,397 $6,497 $6,697 $6,897 San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Land Only
$4,895 $4,995 $5,195 $5,395
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in an outside cabin on the cruise and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $602, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,295. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Jordan Extension: $1,795 Oct-Dec; $1,995 all other dates. Single Supplement: $395 all dates *Accommodations in Petra on Post-Tour Extension: Hyatt Zaman Airline upgrades on round-trip transatlantic flight: Business Class – $3,495 per person; Premium Economy – $1,495 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
47
NORTH AMERICA
Alaska’s Natural Wonders 11 days from $7,097 total price from Seattle ($6,995 air & land inclusive plus $102 airline taxes and fees)
Awe-inspiring natural beauty and outdoor adventure await as you explore Alaska’s varied landscapes and noteworthy cities. From Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords national parks, to the energy of Anchorage and scenic Seward, your small group encounters the breadth and beauty of America’s Last Frontier. Overnight Air
Denali National Park
Motorcoach Train
A LASKA
Chitina Talkeetna
Seward Kenai Fjords National Park
Avg. High (°F) Anchorage Denali Seward
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Knik Valley
Anchorage
May 56 56 54
Gulf of Alaska
Jun 63 68 59
Jul 66 69 61
A highlight of any journey to Alaska: Denali, North America’s highest peak. Aug 64 63 62
Sep 56 52 55
Highlights Include Explore scenic Denali National Park • Visit an Iditarod sled dog kennel • Discover remote Wrangell-St. Elias National Park • Visit the copper mining town of Kennicott • Hike to Root Glacier • Tour the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center • Cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park • Tour Anchorage and visit the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center at the Anchorage Museum
Day Itinerary
Hotel
1
Anchorage Marriott First Class Downtown Denali Park First Class Village Lodge
2-4 5-6 7
Depart Seattle for Anchorage Denali National Park Kennicott (Wrangell-St. Elias Nat’l Park) Knik Valley
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Rating
First Class
Knik River Lodge First Class Seward 8-9 Seward First Class Windsong Lodge Anchorage Marriott First Class 10 Anchorage Downtown 11 Depart Anchorage Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
48
Day 1: Depart Seattle for Anchorage, Alaska Depart today for Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel then have time to explore on your own. As guests’ arrival times may vary, there are no group activities planned. Day 2: Anchorage and Denali National Park This morning meet your Smithsonian Journeys Expert, Tour Director, and fellow travelers at a welcome briefing about the journey ahead. Then depart by motorcoach for Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska’s – and America’s – true Last Frontier. First travel to Talkeetna, where you board a deluxe domed railcar that provides you with panoramic views of the passing landscape on the four-hour journey. Upon arrival in Denali late this afternoon, enjoy a special interpretive presentation, “Welcome to the SubArctic,” introducing you to the park. (B,D) Day 3: Denali National Park Today is a day of extreme beauty as you encounter Denali National Park up close. This six-million-acre preserve, larger than the state of Massachusetts, comprises forests, alpine tundra, subarctic taiga, and snow-covered mountains. Begin a full day of touring as you board a Denali bus for the drive along the lone road deep into the park. Stop at the Eielson Visitor Center, where, weather permitting, you may see one of the most dramatic views of grand Denali (formerly Mt.
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687 / BOOK YOUR TRIP
McKinley), North America’s tallest peak standing at more than 20,000 feet. Throughout your journey, a local naturalist and your driver-guide will share stories about the park and the historic characters who found their way to this remote wilderness. After stopping for a box lunch, set out on an easy hike through the park’s tundra, where you may see grizzly bear, moose, caribou, and the iconic Dall sheep. (B,L) Day 4: Denali National Park Today enjoy an authentic Alaska experience as you visit a local Iditarod sled dog kennel. Covering 1,000 miles of some of the roughest terrain in the world, the grueling Iditarod, “The Last Great Race on Earth,” draws nearly 100 competitive mushers and their dog teams annually. At the kennel, learn about the history of the race and meet the kennel’s Husky puppies, who will soon start their training to become working sled dogs. Return to the lodge for lunch followed by an afternoon at leisure. This evening reconvene for dinner and a lively show at the Denali Dinner Theater housed in an authentic log cabin. (B,D) Day 5: Denali National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Depart Denali by motorcoach this morning for the day-long journey to remote Chitina (pop. 126). Here board a prop plane for the scenic flight deep into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States at
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
8.3 million acres. Your destination: the historic copper mining towns of Kennicott and McCarthy, sitting deep within the park. During your 30-minute flight, get your first views of the park’s rugged wilderness, including 5,000 square miles of pristine glaciers, volcanoes, and mountains. Upon landing, transfer to your lodge in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias, overlooking 25 miles of glacier and surrounded by 14 of the highest mountain peaks in North America. Dine tonight at the lodge, the only one in Kennicott. (B,L,D) Day 6: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Home to more than 150 glaciers, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park contains the largest collection of these ice masses in North America. See one of these glaciers up close today on a singular half-day hike to Root Glacier. After being fitted with crampons – steel shoe spikes created to traverse ice – begin the two-mile excursion to the glacier and behold the natural beauty before you: unspoiled icefields, blue pools, cascading waterfalls, deep canyons, and narrow crevasses. Eat a sack lunch in the wild then return to the lodge for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner together at the lodge. (B,L,D) Day 7: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Knik Valley This morning, explore Kennicott, a National Historic Landmark District. Established in 1903, Kennicott was once a bustling mining camp that became a ghost town after the ore was depleted in 1938. The town is now considered one of the best remaining examples of 20th-century copper mining. See this firsthand on your tour of Grazing in the grass the 14-story concentration mill and other historic mining buildings. This afternoon board a prop plane for the return flight to Chitina, where you then board a motorcoach for the four-hour drive to your European-style lodge in the pristine wilderness of Knik Valley, just an hour from Anchorage. Join your fellow travelers for dinner at the lodge. (B,L,D) Day 8: Knik Valley, Anchorage, Seward Late this morning journey by coach to the coastal town of Seward. En route, stop for a city tour of Anchorage, beginning at Lake Hood, the largest and busiest seaplane base in the world with more than 190 float planes taking off and landing daily. Also explore the city’s historic downtown, including Old City Hall; the Wendler Building, a popular women’s-only bar from the 1940s and ’50s; and 4th Avenue Market Place filled with local artisan shops. After time for lunch on your own, continue on to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality animal care and preserving Alaska’s wildlife. With 200 acres of spacious
enclosures, the center offers an opportunity to see injured or orphaned bears, moose, elk, lynx, caribou, and more display their natural behavior in a safe environment. Then continue on to Seward and your hotel nestled in the Exit Glacier Valley. (B,D)
Colorful houses overlook Seward’s harbor
Day 9: Seward One of Alaska’s most scenic communities, Seward features a bustling harbor, inviting shops, and plenty of outdoor activities. The city also serves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, a 600,000-acre preserve comprising rocky peninsulas, long fjords, primeval glaciers, and tranquil bays and coves. Explore this rugged park today on a glacier and wildlife cruise. On board, get up close to one of Kenai’s many glaciers and keep an eye out for some of the park’s diverse array of mammals and marine life, including bears, mountain goats, moose, otters, porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, and whales. Enjoy lunch onboard before returning to Seward. (B,L) Day 10: Seward and Anchorage Today return to Anchorage, where you visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center representing 11 of Alaska’s major native cultural groups. Here enjoy a tour of the center and watch a dynamic Native Games demonstration. Then have lunch on your own followed by a visit to the Anchorage Museum including the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. Tonight, celebrate your journey through Alaska at a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 11: Depart Anchorage Transfer this morning to the Anchorage airport for your flights home. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Scott Burns is a Professor Emeritus of Geology and Past-Chair of the Dept. of Geology at Portland State University. He specializes in environmental and engineering geology, geomorphology, soils, and Quaternary geology. Scott has won many awards for outstanding teaching, the most significant being the Faculty Senate Chair Award at Louisiana Tech University in 1987, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Portland State Alumni Association in 2001, and the George Hoffmann Award from PSU in 2007. Based on his national leadership performance Scott was chosen to be a fellow of the Geological Society of America and a fellow with the Kellogg National Fellowship Program. He will lead the August 3 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; flights within itinerary • 10 nights accommodations in First Class hotels • 22 meals: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2022 2021 2021 May 31 Jul 8 Aug 31 Aug 3 Aug 30 Aug 5 Seattle
$7,097 $7,597 $7,697 $7,997
Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco
$7,397 $7,897 $7,997 $8,297
Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Miami, $7,597 $8,097 $8,197 $8,497 Minneapolis Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Tampa, Washington, DC
$7,697 $8,197 $8,297 $8,597
Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, New York, $7,897 $8,397 $8,497 $8,797 Orlando, Philadelphia Land Only
$6,495 $6,995 $7,095 $7,395
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $102, which are subject to change until final payment has been made. Single travelers please add $1,695. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Depending on flight schedules, certain cities may require an overnight flight upon return, with the arrival home the following day. Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain and in a natural environment. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest.
49
NORTH AMERICA
Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon 10 days from $4,395 total price land only
Experience the awe-inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon, a World Heritage site.
Experience the majesty and geological wonders of some of America’s most famous national parks in the Southwest. Gaze in wonder at the immensity of the Grand Canyon, the otherworldly hoodoos of Bryce, and the diversity of landscapes within Zion. Plus, you’ll enjoy an off-road jeep excursion in Sedona. U TAH Zion National Bryce Park Bryce Canyon National Park Springdale
N EVADA
Page Grand Canyon National Park Tusayan/ Grand Colorado River Canyon
Las Vegas
Sedona
A RIZONA Phoenix
Overnight Featured Site Motorcoach
Avg. High (°F) Phoenix Page (Lake Powell) Springdale (Zion)
Apr 61 70 73
Aug 83 92 95
Sep 76 85 88
Oct 65 71 75
Highlights Include See Sedona’s stunning red sandstone formations • View the inspiring landscape of the Grand Canyon, learn about its geology, then take a float trip on the Colorado River • During hikes, enjoy panoramic and up-close views of colorful red hoodoo rock formations at Bryce Canyon National Park • Experience deserts, forests, rivers, canyons, and red-rock bluffs during leisurely hikes through Zion National Park
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Pointe Hilton 1 Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort Best Western Premier 2-3 Tusayan Grand Canyon Squire Inn 4 Page Lake Powell Resort Bryce Best Western Bryce 5-6 Canyon City Canyon Grand Hotel Springdale 7-8 (Zion NP) Zion Lodge 9 Las Vegas Westin Las Vegas 10 Depart Las Vegas
Rating Sup. First Class First Class First Class First Class First Class Deluxe
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
50
Day 1: Depart for Phoenix, Arizona Depart today for Phoenix, Arizona. As guests’ arrival times may vary, you have the day at leisure to explore Arizona’s capital city. This afternoon check in at your hotel, where you enjoy a welcome briefing and dinner together. (D) Day 2: Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon Leave Phoenix today bound for the Grand Canyon, but first stop in Sedona, one of the most striking areas in the American Southwest. Famed for its range of towering red sandstone formations, Sedona ranks as a popular destination for artists, filmmakers, photographers, hikers, and mountain bikers. Enjoy time for lunch on your own and do some exploring before traversing this dazzling landscape on a Pink Jeep tour, for an exciting off-road excursion. Winding over dirt roads, enjoy stunning panoramic views and learn about the region’s cultural and geological history. Also visit the Honanki Heritage Site, a 700-year-old Sinaguan cliff dwelling. Then continue on to the Grand Canyon and your nearby hotel, where you dine together tonight. (B,D) Day 3: Grand Canyon It’s a day to remember, as you visit what is arguably one of the country’s most famous natural landmarks: the Grand Canyon. Often considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world, this World Heritage site stretches nearly 300 miles through and 10 miles across the Arizona
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687 / BOOK YOUR TRIP
desert. See truly awe-inspiring vistas: banded layers of rock rise to plateaus and bluffs thousands of feet overhead, while the mighty Colorado River rushes one mile below. On your guided tour, learn about the canyon’s geological and human history here: it dates back around 10,000 years and includes native peoples, explorers, miners, entrepreneurs, conservationists, and of course, visitors – who today number about six million annually. Then enjoy time for lunch on your own and an afternoon at leisure to appreciate the magnitude and beauty of the six-million-year-old canyon as you wish. After this bucket-list attraction, return to your hotel; dinner tonight is on your own. (B) Day 4: Grand Canyon, Page, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell Today travel to Page, Arizona, gateway to the imposing Glen Canyon Dam and its reservoir, Lake Powell. After reaching Page early this afternoon, enjoy lunch on your own then visit the sinuous – and spectacular – Upper Antelope Canyon. Travel onto Navajo land to reach this slot canyon, known to local tribes as “the place where water runs through rocks.” Your tour through this stunning passageway reveals red-orange walls of “flowing” rock rising to heights of nearly 120 feet – the narrow canyon’s hard edges smoothed away by eons of water and sand erosion. Check in at your lakeside hotel this afternoon then enjoy dinner together there tonight. (B,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Every time I travel with the Smithsonian I feel I grow in some way. I meet exceptional people and share experiences that I know I could never do on my own. – Janet J.
Day 5: Page, Colorado River, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah On tap today: a rousing motorized rafting excursion on the smooth waters of the Colorado. Controlled by a series of dams and reservoirs, the river provides hydroelectric power, irrigation, and municipal water supply to nearly 40 million people in the western U.S. Your adventure begins at the base of one of these structures: the 710-foot-high Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back man-made Lake Powell, the nation’s second largest artificial lake at 186 miles long and with nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline. As you drift downstream between soaring sandstone cliffs on either side, look out for ancient Native American petroglyphs on the canyon walls, as well as local wildlife. Continue on to southern Utah and Bryce Canyon National Park, stopping for lunch along the way. Dine together this evening. (B,L,D) Day 6: Bryce Canyon National Park Despite its name, Bryce isn’t truly a canyon at all, but a series of natural cliffs and amphitheaters carved into the region’s plateaus. The result: a stunning array of hoodoos, Beautiful Zion vista natural stone pillars and spires reminiscent of a child’s drip sand castle, as you see today. Thousands of these delicate structures stand side by side along the canyon’s ridgelines, lending a dramatic atmosphere to this remote location. In the park’s visitor center, see a film about the unusual geology here then have the day free to explore at your own pace. Your full day of natural splendor concludes with dinner together tonight. (B,D) Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park Depart this morning for Zion National Park, another celebrated Utah destination. After reaching Springdale mid-day, enjoy lunch on your own then walk to Zion’s nearby visitor center to learn about this inimitable region, which encompasses four separate biomes: desert, riparian (or riverbank), woodland, and coniferous forest. Then enter Zion National Park itself, so named for the 15-milelong, 2,500-foot-deep Zion Canyon cutting through the park’s western half. Get your first taste of Zion’s wonders this afternoon then have the evening free for dinner on your own in Springdale. (B) Day 8: Zion National Park Spend the day amid the wondrous natural world of Zion National Park.
Explore sinuous Antelope Canyon.
Despite its modest size, Zion counts as one of the most diverse national parks in the United States. Deserts, forests, rivers, canyons, buttes, and natural arches all greet you here, along with numerous plant and animal species. As with most of the Southwest, the area is dominated by red-rock bluffs that show eons of sediment buildup; indeed, the rock formations here represent about 150 million years of geological history. Take a guided hike and enjoy ample free time for exploration and lunch on your own. This evening enjoy dinner together at your hotel. (B,D) Day 9: Zion National Park, St. George, Las Vegas, Nevada En route to Las Vegas today, stop in St. George, Utah, site of the winter home of Mormon leader Brigham Young and where the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin converge in a stunning setting. Enjoy time to explore and have lunch on your own before continuing on to Las Vegas, arriving late this afternoon. This evening gather to toast your Southwestern adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 10: Depart Las Vegas This morning transfer to the Las Vegas airport for your flights home. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Wayne Ranney is a veteran of expedition travel, and has lectured on and journeyed to all seven of the Earth’s continents. With a lifelong interest in the natural and earth sciences, he specializes in making the fascinating story of our planet come alive for fellow travelers. Wayne is a retired professor of geology but still teaches occasionally at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. He is passionate about sharing his vast knowledge of earth history with others in an easy and informal style, and is a well-respected author of numerous award-winning books and articles. Wayne will lead the October 6 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities (or may be purchased as land only) • 9 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 17 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, dining room servers, hotel porters, rafting guides, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Sep 1 Oct 6*
2022 Apr 20 Oct 5
2022 Aug 31
Land Only
$4,395
$4,595
$4,695
Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco
$4,695
$4,895
$4,995
Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Seattle
$4,795
$4,995
$5,095
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington, DC
$4,895 $5,095 $5,195
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees for departures from above listed cities. Single travelers please add $1,195. All 2021/2022 tour prices above are guaranteed. *Accommodations in Springdale: Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain in a natural environment. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. While not severe, elevations at some hotel locations (Grand Canyon at 6,800 ft. and Bryce Canyon at 8,000 ft.) could pose problems for guests with certain health conditions. You should consult your personal physician if you have concerns.
51
NORTH AMERICA
The Northern Rockies
Featuring Glacier, Banff, and Jasper National Parks
11 days from $5,991 total price from Seattle ($5,895 air & land inclusive plus $96 airline taxes and fees)
Discover some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Northern Rocky Mountains during leisurely hikes and drives in three World Heritage site parks. Glacier, Banff, and Jasper are renowned for their snowcapped mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, and lush forests, plus plentiful wildlife. Jasper
CANADA
Jasper National Park Columbia Icefields Parkway
Alberta Banff
Lake Louise
Calgary
Banff National Park
British Columbia
UNITED STATES
Whitefish
Montana Avg. High (°F) Whitefish (MT) Jasper Banff
Jun 72 68 67
Going to the Sun
St. Mary
Glacier National Park
Jul 82 73 72
Overnight Motorcoach
Aug 81 73 72
Sep 72 63 64
Highlights Include Take in the breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery and stunning Glacier National Park • Ride in “Red Jammers” along Glacier’s scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road and hike Whitefish Trail with its lake views • Explore Canada’s Banff and Jasper National Parks • Experience an Ice Explorer ride and walk on Athabasca Glacier • Enjoy time in Maligne Canyon and take a lake cruise • Be awed by the dramatic scenery from Glacier Skywalk • Take the Banff Gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Rating
1
Hyatt Regency Calgary
Deluxe
Depart U.S. for Calgary 2-3 Glacier Nat’l Park (St. Mary) 4-5 Whitefish 6 Lake Louise 7-8 Jasper 9-10 Banff 11 Depart for U.S.
St. Mary Village
Not rated
Grouse Mountain Lodge Lake Louise Inn Whistler’s Inn Rimrock Resort
Superior First Class First Class Not rated Deluxe
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
52
Canada’s flagship national park, Banff, features soaring Rockies peaks, pristine lakes, primeval forests, and abundant wildlife.
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Calgary, Canada Depart the United States today for your flight to Calgary. Upon arrival, check in to your centrally located hotel, then have time to explore this cosmopolitan Canadian city on your own. Tonight gather for a briefing on the journey ahead followed by dinner at your hotel. (D) Day 2: Calgary, Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S. Leave Calgary by coach this morning for the scenic drive to Glacier National Park in northern Montana. Stop for lunch at the famed Prince of Wales Hotel along the shores of Upper Waterton Lake, where the prairie meets the mountains. After taking in the splendid lake views, cross the 49th parallel and enter the United States. Arrive at your lodge late this afternoon and enjoy dinner there tonight. (B,L,D) Day 3: Glacier National Park Today get your first look at Glacier National Park, a 1,583-square-mile swath of wilderness in Montana’s Rocky Mountains encompassing rugged mountains, thunderous waterfalls, still lakes, and glacial valleys stretching to the Canadian border. Begin with a morning hike along St. Mary Lake, the park’s second largest lake and the clear divide between the Great Plains to the east and the Rocky Mountains to the west. Then embark on a cruise featuring panoramic views of the lake and its
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687 / BOOK YOUR TRIP
surroundings. This afternoon is at leisure amid the majesty of America’s 10th national park followed by dinner together at the lodge. (B,D) Day 4: Glacier National Park and Whitefish Enjoy a travel highlight today as you step back in time and board one of Glacier National Park’s legendary sightseeing buses: the Red Jammers, in use here since the 1930s. With roll-back canvas convertible tops, these buses take their name from the sound of the early drivers jamming the manual transmission into low gear to negotiate steep roads. Your ride takes you along the fabled Going-to-the-Sun Road, a winding mountain pass that offers breathtaking views and hair-raising turns. After time for lunch on your own, meet up with your motorcoach and continue southwest across the Continental Divide. Arrive late this afternoon in the resort town of Whitefish, Montana, and dine together tonight. (B,D) Day 5: Whitefish, Montana Head into the forest this morning for a leisurely three-mile hike along the Whitefish Trail, starting at Swift Creek Trailhead. The trail is an outdoor lover’s dream with its network of paths through forests, prime wildlife habitats, and pristine lakes. Your trek ends at a lookout over postcard-worthy Skyles Lake. Then continue to the popular ski area of Whitefish Mountain Resort, where you board chairlifts bound for the mountain’s
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
summit. After taking time to enjoy the 360-degree views and crisp summit air, visit the Summit Nature Center to learn more about the mountain and its local environment. Return to the hotel in time for lunch on your own and an afternoon and evening at leisure. An authentic mountain town, Whitefish boasts an abundance of restaurants and activities. (B) Day 6: Whitefish and Lake Louise – Banff National Park Today’s full day of travel presents some of the most striking scenery of your tour. Begin the day passing through forests, by lakes, and across high plains before crossing from the U.S. back into Canada – this time into British Columbia. After a stop for lunch and a drive along the western edge of the Canadian Rockies, enter world-famous Banff National Park and ascend to Lake Louise and your hotel late this afternoon. Before dinner here, take an easy hike for your first view of the photogenic lake. (B,L,D) Day 7: Lake Louise and Jasper This morning visit the lake in the early morning light. Then depart via the Columbia Icefields Parkway for the drive to 125-square-mile Columbia Icefields in Banff National Park, a World Heritage site. Here, bundle up for a tour highlight as you board the Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle for the ride to Athabasca Glacier, the most visited glacier in North America. Equipped to drive right onto the glacier itself, the massive Ice Explorer boasts super-sized tires specially designed for glacier travel. Upon reachA bull moose enjoys a dip. ing Athabasca, disembark to explore, take photos, and fill your water bottles with the pure water from the glacier. Then descend to the base station for lunch. Afterward, begin your drive north again, arriving at your hotel, which is centrally located in the town of Jasper within Jasper National Park (also a World Heritage site). Enjoy dinner together at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 8: Jasper The scenery on display today is nothing short of breathtaking. First view Maligne Canyon, a geological marvel where the limestone bedrock has been eroded by an underground river to a depth of 160 feet. Only six feet wide at some points, the plunging canyon offers a dramatic view from the top. Continue to cerulean Maligne Lake, the largest glacially formed lake in the Canadian Rockies. Board a boat for a morning cruise that showcases the sky-scraping mountain peaks, dark green forests, and three glaciers all visible from the lake. Cruise by Spirit Island, a tiny yet acclaimed islet of a few trees which makes for a wonderful – and uniquely Canadian – photo opportunity. This afternoon take in the amazing views on the Jasper SkyTram. (B)
Day 9: Jasper and Banff Return today to the Columbia Icefields Parkway for more scenic views, and a thrilling excursion. This dramatic road parallels the Continental Divide running down the spine of both Jasper and Banff national parks. Mid-day enjoy an exhilarating experience as you tiptoe across the Glacier Skywalk, a cliff-edge walkway that leads to a transparent-bottomed observation deck suspended nearly 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Here the vast glaciers, snow-capped mountain peaks, and thundering waterfalls seem close enough to touch. Enjoy a picnic lunch amid this jaw-dropping scenery, then continue to your hotel in lower Banff National Park. (B,L,D) Day 10: Banff Your last full day in the Canadian Rockies begins with a ride aboard the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, named for the hot springs on its lower flank. This 8,000-foot peak overlooking the town of Banff affords stunning mountain views in every direction; indeed, you can see six mountain ranges during this excursion. Then travel Tunnel Mountain Road to visit two more natural wonders: the Hoodoos, a collection of eroded limestone spires strung along a wooded hillside; and Bow Falls, a wide waterfall just outside Banff. This afternoon tour the Whyte Museum then celebrate your outdoor adventures with a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,D) Day 11: Depart for the U.S. Transfer this morning to the Calgary airport for flights home. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Martin Magne recently retired from the position of Director of the Archaeology and History Branch for Parks Canada, where he guided the archaeology and history teams across the country. He completed his B.Sc. at the University of Toronto, his M.A. at the University of Manitoba, and his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. Martin has academic, government, and private consulting experience in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia and is presently adjunct professor in the department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. He has received the Public Service Award of Excellence, as well as the Parks Canada Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Resource Management and Commemorative Integrity. Martin will lead the August 23 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 10 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels • 22 meals: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Five national parks sit within the Canadian Rockies.
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2021 Jun 20 2022 Aug 23 Aug 24 Jul 4 Seattle
$5,991
$6,391
$6,491
Los Angeles, Portland (OR), San Francisco
$6,291
$6,691
$6,791
Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix
$6,491
$6,891
$6,991
Boston, Dallas, Miami, New York, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, DC
$6,591
$6,991
$7,091
Charlotte
$6,691
$7,091
$7,191
Land Only
$5,695
$6,095
$6,195
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $96, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,495 Jun, Aug 23; $1,695 all other dates. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain in a natural environment. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. Elevations at hotel locations are not severe, ranging from 3,400 ft. to 5,200 ft. The relatively high altitude reached on two excursions – Columbia Icefields (9,800 ft.) and Going-to-the-Sun Road (6,700 ft.) – could pose problems for guests with certain health conditions. You should consult your personal physician if you have concerns.
53
SOUTH AMERICA
Machu Picchu and the Galápagos 16 days from $9,293 total price from Miami
You’re sure to encounter plenty of wildlife in the Galapagos, like this handsome marine iguana.
($8,595 air, land & cruise inclusive plus $698 airline taxes and departure fees)
They rank as two of South America’s greatest treasures, and a small group tour is the natural selection for both: the enigmatic ruins at Machu Picchu, where you spend the night at an intimate on-site hotel, and the fascinating Galápagos Islands, Darwin’s “living laboratory,” for a three-night, island-based adventure. Overnight/Featured Site
Quito
Air Train
ECUADOR
Extension (Air)
Iquitos (Amazon)
Pacific Ocean
PERU G ALÁPAGOS I SLANDS
North Seymour Baltra
Lima
Santa Cruz Santa Fé
Avg. High (°F) Lima Cusco Quito
Machu Picchu Cusco/Sacred Valley
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 83 83 83 80 68 67 66 68 71 64 65 65 66 66 66 66 71 68 66 66 66 66 67 67 67 68 67
Highlights Include Tour historic Cusco and the magnificent Sacred Valley • Lunch in the home of a Cusco family • Discover Machu Picchu during two guided visits • Visit the Museum of PreColombian Art • Explore the Galápagos with day cruises on a privately chartered yacht plus island-based exploration • Take part in a “Plant a Tree” program on Santa Cruz Island
Day Itinerary Hotel 1 2
Depart U.S. for Lima Lima
Rating
Westin Lima Hotel Sup. First Class
Westin Lima Hotel Sup. First Class 3-4 Sacred Valley Aranwa Sacred Sup. First Class Valley Hotel Machu Belmond 5 Sup. First Class Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Belmond Hotel Deluxe 6-7 Cusco Monasterio 8-9 Quito Swissotel Quito Deluxe Galápagos Royal Palm Hotel Sup. First Class 10-12 Islands Galápagos 13-14 Quito Swissotel Quito Deluxe 15-16 Depart Quito (overnight flight)/Arrive U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
54
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Lima, Peru Depart today for the Peruvian capital. Upon arrival tonight transfer directly to your hotel. The next morning, visit a prominent art museum in Lima. Then, encounter colonial Lima on an afternoon tour, followed by a welcome dinner at your hotel. (1B,1D) Day 3: Cusco and Sacred Valley This morning fly to Cusco and stop at the Incan site of Koricancha, dedicated to the Sun God, before continuing to the beautiful Sacred Valley, a region of Inca sites and traditional villages. After visiting the Indian market at Pisac, reach your hotel late this afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 4: Sacred Valley Explore Ollantaytambo, known for its massive Incan ruins that continue to inspire wonder. Then visit the Incan farming town of Chinchero, where residents live much as their ancestors did, keeping ancient Inca traditions alive. Attend a native “Offering to the Earth” ceremony before dinner this evening. (B,L,D) Day 5: Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Early this morning travel by train for the 1½-hour journey to Aguas Calientes, where you board a bus for Machu Picchu. Enjoy your first guided visit of the stunning “Lost City of the Incas” late this morning. Due to its small size, your group will move nimbly through the ruins and have the leisure to absorb the beauty and
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mystery of this site. With an afternoon at leisure and an overnight stay here, you have the rare privilege of seeing the ruins after the tourists have left. (B,L,D) Days 6-7: Machu Picchu and Cusco Today before the day-trippers arrive, begin your second guided tour of this World Heritage site. Following lunch at the lodge, return to Aguas Calientes for some free time before your mid-afternoon train to Cusco. The next morning, tour this World Heritage site, including a special visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Stop at the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an Incan masterpiece, then enjoy lunch in the home of a gracious Cusco family. (2B,2L) Day 8-9: Quito Early today fly via Lima to Quito, arriving late afternoon. This evening enjoy a briefing and dinner at your hotel. Nestled in the Andes foothills, Quito boasts a well-preserved historic center, as you see on a city tour that includes the Intiñan Museum and the Middle of the World Monument. (2B,1L,1D) Day 10: Quito, Baltra, Santa Cruz Island Fly to the island of Baltra then transfer to Santa Cruz, your island-based home for your Galápagos exploration. En route to the hotel, stop to see Los Gamelos, the huge twin craters formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Arrive at your beautiful hotel in the highlands adjacent to Galápagos National Park
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 15-19 16-24 Smithsonian guests per departure
in time for lunch. This afternoon set off to see the giant Galápagos tortoises in the wild, and get an up-close look at how the locals live and work at El Trapiche. End the day with a chance to explore the “lava tunnels” at your hotel: to literally walk through the naturally-formed tube through which lava flowed eons ago. (B,L,D) Day 11: North Seymour Island and Bachas Beach This morning embark on your first excursion aboard the Santa Fe, your privately chartered yacht. Set out for North Seymour, a flat, low-lying island with ample opportunities for close encounters with the magnificent Frigate bird, land iguanas, and lava lizards on your naturalist-led walk. After lunch, head back to Santa Cruz island, weighing anchor off Bachas Beach. Highlights of your nature walk here include flamingos, nesting sea turtles, and Darwin’s finches. Later this-
Your Island-Based Galápagos Experience: Royal Palm Hotel
fromafternoon take part in a “Plant a Tree” program at your hotel. (B,L,D) Day 12: Santa Fé Island and Punta Carrion Today’s destination is small in size but rich in flora and fauna: Santa Fé Island. During your nature walk, you could see such local residents as the Galápagos snake, rice rats, the Santa Fé land iguana, the smaller lava lizards, Blue-footed Boobies, and perhaps even the Galápagos hawk. Then cruise to Punta Carrion, where you have the opportunity to snorkel in the calm waters of a shallow cove teeming with colorful reef fish. (B,L,D) Day 13: Santa Cruz Island, Baltra, Quito After a morning at leisure, transfer to Baltra for the return flight to Quito, arriving mid-afternoon. (B,D) Day 14: Quito Enjoy a full-day excursion to a rose plantation outside the city and enjoy lunch before returning to Quito. Tonight celebrate your adventure at a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B,L,D) Days 15-16: Quito and Return to the U.S. This morning enjoy a tour of Quito’s Botanical Gardens then move on to the Iñaquito Market, a covered market spanning an entire city block. Return to the hotel for lunch on your own and an afternoon at leisure. Later this evening transfer to the airport for your overnight flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert
Stay in comfortable, spacious rooms for three nights at the Royal Palm Hotel, set in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island, and enjoy day cruises aboard the Santa Fe, your privately chartered yacht.
Pre-Tour Option
Amazon Rainforest
4 days/4 nights from $1,295 total price Single Supplement: $235
Discover the Amazon’s amazing flora, fauna, and villages on this exceptional – and comfortable – tour.
Your Pre-Tour Option Price Includes
• Round-trip air transportation Lima/Iquitos • 4 nights accommodations: 1 night in Lima at Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport (First Class); 3 nights in the jungle at Ceiba Tops (Superior First Class) • 10 meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners • Extensive sightseeing included: guided Canopy Walkway tour and visit with ribereños (Amazon river people) • Fully escorted by an Amazon-born naturalist guide as your professional tour representative • Private vehicle transportation • Gratuities for tour representative, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers Land only guests: from $1,395 total price per person
Explore the amazing ruins at Machu Picchu
Jim Reynolds is a professor of geology at Brevard College, teaching all geology courses and a section of introductory environmental science. He received his Bachelor’s degree in earth science and Master’s degree in volcanology from Dartmouth College, and then worked in the minerals and energy industries, government, and academia for six years before returning to Dartmouth for a Ph.D. Jim was awarded two Fulbright Scholarships to teach at Argentine universities, and in 2006 he was inducted into the fellowship of the Geological Society of America. He will lead the Sep. 25, Feb. 26, and Aug. 27 departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 14 nights accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels • 34 meals: 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees; Galápagos National Park fee of $100 • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of local professional Tour Directors; experienced naturalist guides while in the Galápagos • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Directors, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2021 2021 Feb 26 Oct 9 Sep 25 Sep 24
2022 Apr 2 May 7 Jun 4 Jul 16 Aug 27
Miami
$9,293 $9,493 $9,693 $9,793
Orlando, Tampa
$9,693 $9,893 $10,093 $10,193
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, $9,793 $9,993 $10,193 $10,293 Cleveland, Houston, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Phoenix, $9,893 $10,093 $10,293 $10,393 Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle Land Only
$8,995 $9,195 $9,395 $9,495
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a Casita at the Royal Palm Hotel and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $698, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $2,695. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Upgrade to a Highland Villa at the Royal Palm Hotel: $295 ($495 single). Please note: Availability of all room categories is limited. Pre-Tour Amazon Extension: $1,295 2021 dates; $1,495 2022 dates. Land only guests: $1,395 2021 dates; $1,595 2022 dates. Single Supplement: $235 all dates Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain. Also, there are both wet and dry landings in the Galápagos. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. In addition, Cusco’s high altitude (11,150 feet) could pose problems for travelers with certain health conditions. Please consult your physician if you have concerns.
55
SOUTH AMERICA
Patagonian Explorer
Argentina and Chile by Land and Sea
16 days from $9,282 total price from Miami ($8,495 air, land & cruise inclusive plus $787 airline taxes and fees)
Follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorers as you travel to the southernmost tip of South America. From the bustling cities of Buenos Aires and Santiago to the dramatic vistas of Torres del Paine, this journey offers educational, natural, and cultural elements as diverse as the destinations. Iguazu Falls
CHILE Pacific Ocean Santiago
Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA Atlantic Ocean
Overnight/Featured Site Air
Torres del Paine
Motorcoach
Punta Arenas Cape Horn
Avg. High (°F) Buenos Aires Ushuaia Santiago
Jan 85 58 85
Ship
Ushuaia
Feb 83 56 84
Extension (Air)
Mar 79 54 80
Oct 73 51 73
Nov 78 54 79
Dec 83 57 83
Highlights Include Enjoy an Argentine dinner and tango show in Buenos Aires • Tour the legendary Teatro Colon Opera House • Discover Southern Patagonia on a four-night cruise • Visit the penguin colony on Magdalena Island • Explore Torres del Paine National Park during a three-night stay • Enjoy a homehosted dinner with Santiago families • Learn about wine blending in Santiago’s wine country
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1
Depart U.S. for Buenos Aires 2-4 Buenos Aires Emperador Hotel Deluxe Buenos Aires Sup. First 5-8 Patagonia Australis ship cruise Class 9-11 Torres Hotel Rio Serrano First Class del Paine 12 Punta Arenas Hotel Cabo First Class de Hornos Pullman Santiago Sup. First 13-14 Santiago Vitacura Class 15 Santiago/Depart for U.S. (overnight flight) 16 Arrive U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
56
Spend two days exploring unspoiled Torres del Paine National Park.
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Buenos Aires, Argentina Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, where rooms are ready for your early arrival to rest before this afternoon’s welcome briefing. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner. (1B,1D) Days 3-4: Buenos Aires This morning’s city tour features lovely Palermo, the colorful bohemian district of La Boca, picturesque San Telmo, elegant Recoleta Cemetery, and historic Government House. Tonight visit the legendary Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the city’s premier tango houses, for dinner and a performance. The next day enjoy a guided tour of Teatro Colón, the famed opera house. (2B,1D) Day 5: Buenos Aires and Ushuaia Fly today to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost urban center. After lunch on your own in this windswept city, embark on your ship in the late afternoon, then set sail through the Beagle Channel. (B,D) Day 6: Cruising – Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay, Chile See one of the world’s last unspoiled frontiers up close as you sail through Murray Channel and Nassau Bay. Watch for sea lions and Antarctic fur seals as you cruise to Cape Horn National Park. Later encounter sheltered Wulaia Bay on a guided walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 7: Cruising – Pia Glacier and Garibaldi Glacier Awaken this morning in Pia Fjord, home of the stunning Pia Glacier. Later board inflatable Zodiacs and go ashore for an up-close look at the glacier, a tumbling wall of ice that extends from the mountaintops down to sea level. After lunch on board, drop anchor in a nearby fjord for a shore excursion to Garibaldi Glacier, one of only three glaciers in Patagonia gaining mass. Here enjoy the opportunity to hike through the Magellanic forest, passing glacial waterfalls and viewpoints that overlook the glacier and fjord. (B,L,D) Day 8: Cruising – Agostini Sound and Aguila Glacier This morning cruise through several channels to enter the spectacular Agostini Sound, where you see massive glaciers flowing down the mountainside. Later take inflatable Zodiacs to Aguila Glacier. (B,L,D) Day 9: Cruising – Magdalena Island, Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine Early this morning, visit Magdalena Island to observe an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins. End your cruise at Punta Arenas, and board your motorcoach for the journey to Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
Days 10-11: Torres del Paine National Park Today you encounter breathtaking Torres del Paine, a 700-square-mile World Biosphere Reserve and one of the most unspoiled and beautiful nature preserves on Earth. Spend the day exploring this unparalleled landscape of jagged peaks, ice-blue glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing rivers, and thundering waterfalls, and enjoy lunch at magnificent Lago Grey. The next day take an excursion that features Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul, and Cascade Rio Paine. You’re sure to see some of the park’s only permanent residents: 106 species of birds and 26 species of mammals, including the beloved guanaco. (2B,2L,2D) Day 12: Punta Arenas Travel by coach today to Punta Arenas and your hotel in the city center. (B,L,D) Day 13: Santiago Fly today to the sophisticated Chilean capital. This afternoon take a city tour featuring the Plaza de Armas and the traditional city
M/V Ventus Australis
Ventus Australis Launched: 2018 Cabins: 100 (all outside)
Decks: 5 Length: 292 ft Width: 48 ft
The tour includes a four-night cruise aboard the M/V Ventus Australis. Amenities include a restaurant, lounges, Zodiac expedition boats, on-board lectures, open bridge, and panoramic open deck.
center. Tonight you are dinner guests in the homes of gracious Santiago families. (B,D) Day 14: Valparaiso Today encounter the old port of Valparaiso, a one-time fishing village marked by colorful wooden houses and narrow streets, now Chile’s third largest city and cultural heart. En route visit a local winery for a private tour and tasting. Tonight celebrate your adventure at a farewell dinner at a local Santiago restaurant. (B,D) Days 15-16: Santiago and return to the U.S. After a morning at leisure, enjoy an afternoon visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, known for its art and artifacts from Chile and across the Americas. Then have time to explore on your own. From here, transfer to the airport for your overnight flights to the U.S. Arrive the next morning and connect with your return flights home. (1B) Buenos Aires’ colorful La Boca district
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Don Wilson is Curator Emeritus of Mammals at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and was named senior scientist in January 2000. A distinguished mammalogist and an internationally recognized authority on bats, he earned his Ph.D. in biology from the University of New Mexico. Don is the author of over 240 scientific publications and 25 books. His work has taken him around the world conducting field work and research, and he has led tours for Smithsonian Journeys to most of the world’s greatest natural history destinations, from Antarctica to Africa. Don will lead the November departure. Carola Stearns (see page 6) will lead the March departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Pre-Tour Option
Iguazu Falls
2 days/2 nights from $1,095 total price Single Supplement: $295
Discover the magnificence of one of the world’s iconic landmarks and great natural wonders.
Your Pre-Tour Option Price Includes
• Round-trip air transportation Buenos Aires/Iguazu Falls inclusive of airline taxes and departure fees • 2 nights accommodations at Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel (Superior First Class) • 3 meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner • Services of a professional tour representative • Private motorcoach/van transportation • Sightseeing included: Iguazu Falls National Park (Argentine side of the falls) with viewing opportunities • Gratuities for tour representative, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within Argentina and Chile • 13 nights accommodations: 4 nights aboard M/V Stella Australis or M/V Ventus Australis (Superior First Class); 9 nights in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 33 meals: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 12 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Open bar service (wine and select liquors) on board ship • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout the trip • All port taxes and national park fees • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2022 2021 2021 2022 Jan 7 Oct 19 Nov 28 Mar 12 Feb 8 Miami
$9,282 $9,582 $9,782 $10,182
Orlando, Tampa
$9,582
$9,882 $10,082 $10,482
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, $9,682 $9,982 $10,182 $10,582 Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, DC Denver, Detroit, Phoenix, Portland (OR), Seattle
$9,782 $10,082 $10,282 $10,682
Land Only
$8,295
$8,595 $8,795 $9,195
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a Category B outside forward cabin on Deck 2 (Magellan) and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $787 which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $3,695. All 2021/2022 prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Upgrade to Category A outside cabin on Deck 2 (Magellan): $795; Category AA outside cabin on Deck 3 (Tierra del Fuego): $995; Category AAA outside cabin on Deck 4 (Cape Horn): $1,195. Please note: Availability of all cabin categories is limited. Iguazu Falls Option: $1,095 Oct, Nov; $1,195 Mar; $1,445 all other dates. Single Supplement: $295 all dates. Business Class upgrade on round-trip international flight: $3,195 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
57
SOUTH AMERICA
Legendary Peru
World of the Inca and Machu Picchu
11 days from $5,187 total price from Miami ($4,595 air & land inclusive plus $592 airline taxes and fees)
A land of archaeological, cultural, and natural treasures, Peru draws those eager to learn about the distant past and encounter a fascinating present. Explore the legacy of the Inca and other ancient peoples as you view spectacular ruins and artifacts that still bear silent testimony to the power of their civilizations. Iquitos (Amazon)
PERU
Pacific Ocean Machu Picchu
Lima
Cusco/Sacred Valley
Overnight/Featured Site
Lake Titicaca
Air Motorcoach
Puno
Train
Just 50 miles from Cusco, Machu Picchu (ca. 1450) was unknown to the outside world until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911.
Extension (Air)
Avg. High (°F) Lima Cusco
Mar 83 65
May 74 67
Sep 68 67
Oct 71 68
Nov 74 67
Dec 78 66
Highlights Include See the following World Heritage sites: the historic center of Lima; the city of Cusco; the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu • Tour Lima’s oldest colonial home • Explore Machu Picchu before the day crowds arrive • Enjoy hospitality and a midday meal in the home of a gracious Cusco family • Attend a native ceremony in Cusco’s Sacred Valley • Tour the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art • Take a full-day tour of Lake Titicaca
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1
Sup. First Class Sup. First Class
Depart U.S. for Lima 2 Lima
AC Hotel Lima Miraflores AC Hotel Lima Miraflores 3-4 Sacred Valley Sonesta Posada del Inca Inkaterra 5 Machu Picchu Machu Picchu 6-7 Cusco Palacio de Inka Puno GHL Hotel Lago 8-9 (Lake Titicaca) Titicaca 10 Lima/Depart for U.S. (overnight flight) 11 Arrive U.S.
First Class Sup. First Class Deluxe First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
58
Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Lima, Peru Upon arrival tonight transfer directly to the hotel. Day 2: Lima Learn about the journey ahead at a briefing with your tour director, then embark on a tour of colonial Lima. Highlights of the tour include a special inside visit to one of the oldest colonial homes in South America, Casa Aliaga, built in 1535 and still owned by the same family; and the Larco Herrera Museum, whose ceramics collection features renowned Moche pottery from the north coast of Peru dating to the first millennium A.D. Enjoy a welcome lunch at the museum and an evening at leisure. (B,L)
Here residents live much as their ancestors did, wearing traditional clothing and conducting business and local government by time-honored means. Return to your hotel late this afternoon and dine there tonight. (B,L,D) Day 5: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes Early this morning board a train for the 1½-hour journey to Aguas Calientes. After lunch, board a bus for Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, enjoy your first guided visit of the stunning “Lost City of the Incas.” Due to its small size, your group will move nimbly through the ruins and have the leisure to absorb the beauty of this site whose original purpose remains a mystery. Spend the night at a hotel near the archaeological site. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Cusco and Sacred Valley Early this morning, transfer to the airport for the brief flight to Cusco. Upon arrival visit the sacred sites of Koricancha and Santo Domingo then continue to the beautiful Sacred Valley, a region of Inca sites and traditional villages. After visiting the colorful Indian market at Pisac, reach your hotel in the mid-afternoon and begin to acclimate to the elevation. Dinner is at the hotel this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Machu Picchu and Cusco When the early morning sun bathes the stones in a haunting, evocative light and before the crowds of day-trippers arrive, take your second guided tour of this amazing World Heritage site. After lunch in Aguas Calientes, return to Cusco by train, arriving early evening. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B,L)
Day 4: Sacred Valley This morning attend a native ceremony at the hotel then set out for Ollantaytambo, known for its awe-inspiring Inca ruins. Continue to the Inca farming town of Chinchero, set on a broad plateau overshadowed by a snowcapped mountain.
Day 7: Cusco Cusco is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city, an archaeological hub of the Americas, and a World Heritage site. Enjoy a morning tour of this dynamic and historic city, including a visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Explore the
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687 / BOOK YOUR TRIP
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
The Legendary Peru tour was an educational experience and exposed me to many cultures, practices, great ruins, and a history of the country. – Al A.
ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the timeless “Temple of the Sun,” an Inca masterpiece, then experience warm hospitality and a traditional meal in the home of a gracious Cusco family. The afternoon is at leisure. (B,L) Day 8: Puno This morning depart for the day-long journey by coach to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Travel through the rugged snowcapped Andes, dotted with small villages and herds of llama and alpaca. Stops along the way include Andahuaylillas, an attractive village known for its lovely 17th-century church; the ruins at Raqchi, once the holiest site in the Incan empire; Plaza de Armas, Cusco La Raya, perched on Peru’s altiplano and home to the Llama and Alpaca Research Center; and the ceramics center of Pucara. Late this afternoon, arrive at your hotel, on the shores of Esteves Island on Lake Titicaca, near the town of Puno. (B,L) Day 9: Puno and Lake Titicaca Spend the day exploring the fascinating area of Lake Titicaca; at 12,500 feet above sea level, it is among the world’s highest navigable lakes. Bolivia’s snowcapped Cordillera range is a striking backdrop to the deep blue of Lake
Post-Tour Extension
Amazon Rain Forest
4 days/4 nights from $1,195 total price Single Supplement: $235
Discover the Amazon’s amazing flora, fauna, and villages on this exceptional tour with comfortable accommodations.
Titicaca. Board a boat to visit the Floating Islands of Los Uros, where the top-hatted Uros people live on islands made of reeds that grow in the lake’s shallows. Continue to Taquile Island, known for the high quality textiles crafted by local artisans. Tonight celebrate your Peruvian adventure at a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 10: Puno and Lima This morning visit the mysterious chullpas, or burial towers, at Sillustani overlooking Lake Umayo. Then, fly to Lima and check into a day room at an airport hotel. Late this evening depart for the airport for return flights to the U.S. (B,L) Day 11: Return to the U.S. Arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with return flights home.
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Bill Sapp is an archaeologist with special expertise in the Andes. He has been leading archaeological and cultural tours of Peru for more than a decade and is an expert in the Inca sites of Machu Picchu and the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, the Sacred Valley, and other sites located in and around Cuzco. Bill serves as a director for the non-profit corporation Conservation Volunteers International Program, where he organizes and leads groups of volunteers who work with the Peruvian Cultural Ministry to maintain and preserve Inca ruins in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. He received his Ph.D. in anthropology from UCLA, where his doctoral dissertation documented his excavations at Cabur, a country palace located on Peru’s north coast. Bill teaches part-time at California State University San Bernardino and also serves as an archaeologist for the U.S. Forest Service and as a tribal liaison between the U.S. government and 11 federally recognized Indian tribes. He will lead the November 3, March, and September 21 departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
• Round-trip air transportation Lima/Iquitos • 4 nights accommodations: 1 night in Lima at Costa del Sol Wyndham Airport (First Class); 3 nights in the jungle at Ceiba Tops Lodge & Resort (Superior First Class) • 11 meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners • Extensive sightseeing included: guided Canopy Walkway tour and visit with ribereños (Amazon river people) • Fully escorted by an Amazon-born naturalist guide as your professional tour representative • Private vehicle transportation • Gratuities for tour representative, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers Please note that guests on extension will overnight in Lima on Day 10. Land only guests: from $1,295 total price
Uros residents Lake Titicaca Explore theIsland amazing ruins atonMachu Picchu.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 9 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 22 meals: 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 4 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 2021 Sep 6 Nov 3 Oct 20 2022 2022 2022 May 16 Nov 28 Mar 21 Sep 21 Miami
$5,187 $5,387 $5,587
Orlando, Tampa
$5,487
$5,687
$5,887
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, $5,587 $5,787 $5,987 Cleveland, Houston, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$5,687 $5,887 $6,087
Land Only
$4,595
$4,795
$4,995
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $592, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,195. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Amazon Extension: $1,195 2021 dates; $1,495 2022 dates. Land only guests: $1,295 2021 dates; $1,595 2022 dates. Single Supplement: $235 all dates Business Class upgrade on round-trip international flight from Miami: $995 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves considerable walking uphill, on uneven terrain, and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. In addition, the high altitude of Lake Titicaca (12,500 feet) and Cusco (11,150 feet) could pose problems for travelers with certain health conditions. You should consult with your physician if you have concerns.
59
AUSTRALIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Splendors of Australia and New Zealand 22 days from $10,184 total price from Los Angeles
Serene Milford Sound ranks as New Zealand’s most popular destination.
($9,795 air & land inclusive plus $389 airline taxes and fees)
Venture “Down Under” for an exploration of some of the world’s most stunning landscapes— from Australia’s spectacular Great Barrier Reef to the storied Outback and sophisticated Sydney. In New Zealand, discover Christchurch, Mt. Cook, Milford Sound, Queenstown, and Auckland. Great Cairns Barrier Reef
Coral Sea
Alice Springs Ayers Rock
AUSTRALIA Sydney
Auckland Rotorua
Overnight Featured Site Air Motorcoach
Tasman Sea
Mount Cook National Park Milford Sound Queenstown
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Avg. High (°F) Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Sydney 78 78 76 71 67 71 74 Alice Springs 97 95 90 81 81 88 93 Queenstown 71 70 67 60 56 60 64
Highlights Include Ride the Kuranda steam train and Skyrail gondolas • Explore the Great Barrier Reef and visit the Cairns Wildlife Dome • Visit an Aboriginal tribal camp and experience their “Dreamtime” legend • Watch the sunset at Ayers Rock • Cruise Milford Sound past breathtaking scenery • Visit Rotorua, spiritual center of the Maori culture
Day Itinerary Hotel 1-2 3-5
Depart U.S. for Cairns Cairns Pullman Reef Casino DoubleTree 6-7 Alice Springs by Hilton 8 Ayers Rock Sails in the Desert 9-11 Sydney Sir Stamford Rydges Latimer 12 Christchurch Christchurch 13-14 Mt. Cook Hermitage Hotel 15-17 Queenstown Hotel St. Moritz 18-19 Rotorua Regent of Rotorua Grand Millenium 20-21 Auckland Auckland 22 Depart Auckland for U.S.
Rating Deluxe Sup. First Class Sup. First Class Deluxe Sup. First Class First Class First Class First Class Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
60
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Cairns, Australia Fly to Australia, losing a day as you cross the International Date Line. Days 3-5: Australia’s Far North—Cairns, Kuranda, the Great Barrier Reef Arrive in Cairns, transfer to your hotel, and enjoy a special welcome dinner. The next day, tour Cairns, then take a thrilling journey aboard the historic Kuranda Railway. Explore Kuranda before traveling through the rainforest canopy on the world’s longest gondola cableway. During an all-day excursion, cruise from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living organism and richest marine resource, with more than 2,800 coral reefs. At Michaelmas Cay swim, snorkel, view the reef from a semi-submersible vessel, or enjoy a guided birding tour. (2B,1L,1D) Days 6-8: The Outback—Alice Springs and Ayers Rock Fly to Alice Springs, the capital of the Outback. At Anzac Hill, enjoy a panoramic view and see the monument to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in both World Wars. Visit the Royal Flying Doctors Service, the first comprehensive aerial medical organization in the world, then tour the School of the Air, which provides education to the widely scattered Outback children. Relax around a campfire, enjoy musical entertainment, and look for the Southern Cross and other constellations at a
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traditional “bush” dinner. Spend the next day exploring more rugged terrain as you visit the camp of the Walpiri Aboriginal people and learn about their ancient culture on a “Dreamtime” tour. Explore Simpsons Gap, an Aboriginal spiritual site, and Standley Chasm. The next morning, depart by coach for Ayers Rock. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a World Heritage site and home to the Anangu Aboriginal peoples. Take a walking tour of the Olgas rock formations and watch the sun set over Uluru (Ayers Rock), the fabled sandstone monolith that rises 1,114 feet above the flat plain. (3B,1L,2D) Day 9: Ayers Rock and Sydney This morning explore the base of Uluru before visiting the archaeological museum there. Fly to Sydney, arriving late in the afternoon. (B,D) Days 10-11: Sydney Experience Sydney for two fascinating days. Highlights include a visit to the Rocks historic neighborhood, Darling Harbour and Mrs. Macquarie’s Point, Rose and Watson Bays, and popular Bondi Beach. Then enjoy a luncheon cruise around Sydney Harbour. You’ll also spend time at the Featherdale Wildlife Park, featuring ten acres of rain forest, eucalyptus, and garden habitat where koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and dingoes roam freely. Enjoy time for individual pursuits in Sydney this afternoon, then dine together this evening at a local restaurant. (2B,1L,1D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
This was the only tour we found that went to every place we wanted to visit in Australia and New Zealand (including the outback!). – Richard S.
Day 12: Sydney and Christchurch, New Zealand After a late morning tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House, this afternoon is free for independent exploration. This evening board a flight to Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City.” (B) Day 13: Christchurch and Mount Cook National Park This morning’s orientation tour features the acclaimed Botanic Gardens and Cathedral Square, the beating heart of Christchurch and site of Christchurch Cathedral. Then board a motorcoach for the journey south to Mount Cook National Park. Dine together tonight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
breathtaking high country. Depart the next morning for Rotorua, with its geysers, bubbling mud pools, hot thermal springs, and a center of Maori culture. Upon arrival, take a panoramic tour of this city on the shores of Lake Rotorua. This evening visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Cultural Centre for a traditional hangi dinner and Maori performance. (2B,1D) Day 19: Rotorua This morning visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park, a popular showcase of native flora, fauna, and birdlife, and where you tour the National Kiwi Trust, which rehabilitates injured kiwis, the national bird. (B)
Day 14: Mount Cook This morning’s tour of alpine Mount Cook Village and environs includes a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center. Also visit the Hillary Gallery commemorating Sir Edmund’s achievements, including the first ascent of Mount Cook’s difficult South face. After time in the village for lunch on your own, this afternoon is at leisure to relax amid the breathtaking scenery, hike, or take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). (B,D)
Days 20-21: Rotorua and Auckland On your way to Auckland stop at Ruakuri Caves to see the unique glowworms illuminate underground grottoes. Late this afternoon arrive in Auckland, the “City of Sails,” in a beautiful natural setting atop 48 volcanic hills. Take a half-day city tour featuring the War Memorial Museum, Auckland Harbour, and the America’s Cup Village. Tonight celebrate your adventure at a farewell dinner. (2B,1D)
Day 15: Mount Cook and Queenstown Travel through New Zealand’s lush fruit-growing region to Queenstown, stopping in the former gold mining town of Arrowtown. Enjoy a wine tasting and savory lunch before continuing to the famed Kawarau Bridge, where in 1988 AJ Hackett invented Bungee jumping. Mid-afternoon reach the “adventure capital” of Queenstown. (B,L,D)
Day 22: Depart for the U.S. Early this morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Los Angeles (via Sydney) where you connect with your return flights home. (B)
Day 16: Milford Sound The day-long excursion to Milford Sound includes a nature cruise through the breathtaking fjords. Have lunch on board then later have the opportunity to return to Queenstown on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). (B,L) Days 17-18: Queenstown and Rotorua Board the Spirit of Queenstown this morning for a scenic cruise to Mt. Nicholas High Country Farm. At this working ranch, watch a sheepdog demonstration and learn about the wool industry. Then, explore on foot and take a four-wheel drive excursion into the
Post-Tour Extension
Auckland – On Your Own
3 days/2 nights from $325 total price Single Supplement: $245
Enjoy the sparkling “City of Sails” at your own pace.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • 2 nights accommodations at Grand Millenium Auckland (Superior First Class) • 2 meals: 2 breakfasts • Transfer to airport
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Brent Garry is a geologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center where he studies lava flows and volcanoes on Earth and compares them to similar features on the Moon and Mars. He earned degrees in geology from The College of William and Mary (B.S.), the University of Kentucky (M.S.), and the University at Buffalo (Ph.D.). He then held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, after which he worked at the Planetary Science Institute before moving to NASA. Brent will lead the Oct. departure. Peter Bobrowsky (see page 6) will lead the Feb. departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 19 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels • 35 meals: 19 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 10 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Tour Sydney’s Iconic Opera House
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2022 2021 2021 Feb 16 2022 Sep 25* Oct 30 Mar 16 Jan 8 Los Angeles
$10,184 $10,484 $10,584 $10,684
Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$10,484 $10,784 $10,884 $10,984
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, $10,584 $10,884 $10,984 $11,084 Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, New York, $10,684 $10,984 $11,084 $11,184 Philadelphia, Washington, DC Land Only
$9,095 $9,395 $9,495 $9,595
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $389 which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $2,195 Sep; $2,395 all other dates. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. *Itinerary Days 6-9: Day 6: Cairns/Ayers Rock; Day 7: Ayers Rock/Alice Springs; Day 8: Alice Springs; Day 9: Alice Springs/Sydney Post-Tour Auckland Extension: $325 Sep, Oct; $395 all other dates. Single Supplement: $245 all dates Airline upgrades on round-trip transpacific flight: Business Class – $5,995 per person; Premium Economy – $2,795 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves full days of sightseeing and significant amounts of walking on stairs and uneven surfaces. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
61
AUSTRALIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Journey through New Zealand 16 days from $7,874 total price from Los Angeles
From Auckland to Queenstown
See 7.5-mile-long Franz Josef Glacier up close on a guided walk through Glacial Valley.
($7,595 air & land inclusive plus $279 airline taxes and fees)
Explore the natural and cultural highlights of New Zealand’s North and South Islands, including magnificent landscapes and geological features, meetings with the “Kiwi” people, and visits to museums and wineries. Overnight Featured Site Air
Auckland
Motorcoach Train
Rotorua Napier
NEW ZEALAND Tasman Sea
Wellington
Franz Josef
Christchurch
Queenstown Doubtful Sound/ Fiordland National Park
Avg. High (°F) Auckland Wellington Queenstown
Pacific Ocean
Feb Mar Apr Oct Nov Dec 74 72 68 64 67 70 67 65 61 59 62 65 70 67 60 60 64 69
Highlights Include Enjoy New Zealand’s unspoiled natural scenery • Explore Auckland, including the distinguished Auckland Museum • Discover Geothermal Rotorua • Take an Art Deco walking tour in Napier • Visit Wellington’s Te Papa national museum • Take a guided walk through the Glacial Valley in Franz Josef • Explore Lake Wakatipu on an Earnslaw Steamship cruise
Day Itinerary Hotel Depart U.S. for Auckland Grand Millenium 3-4 Auckland Auckland Millennium 5-6 Rotorua Hotel Rotorua Scenic Hotel 7 Napier Te Pania Grand Mercure 8-9 Wellington Wellington Rydges 10 Christchurch Latimer Square Franz Josef Scenic Hotel 11-12 Glacier FJ Glacier 13-15 Queenstown Millennium Hotel Queenstown 16 Depart Queenstown for U.S.
Rating
1-2
Sup. First Class Sup. First Class First Class Sup. First Class Sup. First Class First Class Sup. First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
62
Days 1-3: Depart the U.S. for Auckland, New Zealand Arrive in New Zealand’s largest city early on Day 3 and transfer to your hotel. After time to relax and freshen up, take a casual walking tour of the area around the hotel. This evening attend a briefing on the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner. (1D) Day 4: Auckland This morning tour cosmopolitan Auckland, an eminently livable city. One of only a few world cities straddling two harbors on separate bodies of water, Auckland offers an abundance of natural beauty. A highlight of your tour is the visit to the Auckland Museum, with its prized collections of Maori and Pacific Islander art and artifacts (Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world). After lunch at a local restaurant, embark on a cruise around glittering Auckland Harbour. Return to your hotel early this afternoon; the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L) Day 5: Auckland and Rotorua En route to Rotorua today, stop at Ruakuri Caves to see the unique glowworms that illuminate the underground grottoes and caves. Late this afternoon visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Cultural Center for a traditional hangi dinner and performance. (B,D)
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Day 6: Rotorua With its geysers, bubbling mud pools, and hot thermal springs, Rotorua ranks as a geothermal wonder. It is also a center of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture since Maoris comprise 40% of Rotorua’s population. Encounter this intriguing town on a morning tour that includes a guided visit to the Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Your guided tour here includes a visit to the National Kiwi Trust, dedicated to rehabilitating injured kiwis, housed on the park’s grounds. (B) Day 7: Rotorua and Napier Today set out for one of New Zealand’s celebrated wine regions: Hawke’s Bay and the seaside city of Napier. Sample the local wine during a tasting and lunch at Church Road Winery, one of the country’s oldest and most acclaimed. Reaching Napier after lunch, embark on a guided walking tour of the city’s 1930s Art Deco architecture. After an earthquake leveled the city in 1931, it was rebuilt in “Deco” style; today, Napier, along with Miami Beach, rank as the most authentically Art Deco cities in the world. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L) Day 8: Napier and Wellington Travel to New Zealand’s capital of Wellington, stopping en route at a private farm to learn about the country’s vital sheep farming industry. See the sheep dogs at work and watch a sheep-shearing demonstration, then enjoy
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
If you want to quench your thirst for knowledge along with a fascinating tour of historical places, Smithsonian tours are the answer. – Kenneth F.
a barbecue lunch. Reach Wellington late afternoon; dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L) Day 9: Wellington Explore this genial waterfront city located on the southern end of the North Island. A morning tour features a ride on the historic Wellington Cable Car with panoramic views of the city and harbor. Also visit acclaimed Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum with interactive exhibits spanning art, history, native cultures, and the natural environment. This afternoon tour the Parliament building, then the remainder of the day is free to explore as you wish, perhaps to stroll along Bohemian Cuba Street, see the kangaroos and wallabies at Wellington Zoo, or visit the lively waterfront Cosmopolitan Auckland, “City of Sails” area. Dine together tonight at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 10: Wellington and Christchurch Today fly south to Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City.” Highlights of our city tour include the Botanic Gardens, the “green heart” of Christchurch dating to 1863; and Cathedral Square. This afternoon is at leisure. (B,D) Day 11: Christchurch and Franz Josef Early today embark on one of the world’s great rail journeys aboard the TranzAlpine train. Travel along the open farmland of the Canterbury Plain, through the foothills of the Southern Alps, then into the snow-capped peaks themselves. Cross steel girder bridges above deep gorges and through tunnels on your journey to Arthur’s Pass, where you board a motorcoach for the scenic drive to the village of Franz Josef, reaching the hotel this afternoon and dining there tonight. (B,D) Day 12: Franz Josef In Westland National Park this morning, encounter one of New Zealand’s most spectacular sights: Franz Josef Glacier. The mass of ice descends the frigid upper reaches of the Southern Alps to a rainforest at sea level. With a local guide take a walk through the Glacial Valley, and enjoy spectacular views of this natural wonder. Then visit the West Coast Wildlife Center with its rare Kiwi birds, an animal linked so closely to New Zealand that its residents are known colloquially as “Kiwis.” This afternoon is free to enjoy the splendid surroundings as you wish. (B,D) Day 13: Franz Josef and Queenstown Traveling to Queenstown today, stop in the lakeside resort of Wanaka for lunch on your own. Continue to the Central
Visit the Botanic Gardens of Christchurch
Otago region and visit a local winery for a private tasting and tour of the wine cave. Late this afternoon reach Queenstown and your hotel. (B,D) Day 14: Queenstown and Doubtful Sound More scenic overload is in store on your full-day excursion to Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound, one of New Zealand’s top attractions. Travel by boat across Lake Manapouri then by coach over Wilmot Pass to reach the “Sound of Silence,” as Doubtful is called for the remarkable serenity that prevails here. Among the wildlife you may see on your three-hour catamaran cruise are dolphins, Fiordland crested penguins, fur seals, and even whales. Return to Queenstown early this evening. (B,L) Day 15: Queenstown Enjoy a morning at leisure and choose from the many activities of this outdoor mecca. This afternoon, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the iconic century-old coal fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. Tonight celebrate your New Zealand adventure over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 16: Depart for the U.S. Depart this morning for the airport and your return flights home. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Geoffrey Cox was a lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology teaching environmental science, zoology, botany, and marine biology. He is a leading author and illustrator of New Zealand natural history books for the general public having written more than 15, including Prehistoric Animals of New Zealand and Fountains of Fire: the Story of Auckland’s Volcanoes. In addition, Geoff has illustrated over 70 books for other authors, designed three sets of New Zealand Post stamps, and produced posters for several clients, including New Zealand Geographic magazine and the World Wildlife Fund. He will lead the Nov. departure. Peter Bobrowsky (see page 6) will lead the Oct. and Mar. departures. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 13 nights accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels • 25 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Oct 21 2022 2021 Feb 17 Nov 18 Mar 24 Los Angeles, San Francisco
$7,874 $8,074
Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Portland (OR), Seattle
$8,174
$8,374
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa
$8,274
$8,474
Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC
$8,374 $8,574
Land Only
$6,595
$6,795
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $279, which are subject to change until final payment has been made. Single travelers please add $1,595. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Airline upgrades on round-trip transpacific flight: Business Class – $5,995 per person; Premium Economy – $2,495 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves full days of sightseeing and significant amounts of walking on stairs and uneven surfaces. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
63
ASIA
Eternal Japan
From Tokyo to Kyoto
13 days from $7,184 total price from Los Angeles, San Francisco ($6,795 air & land inclusive plus $389 airline taxes and fees)
Historically a land of delicate art and rich traditions, Japan is also known for its bustling commerce and dizzying modernity. Experience fascinating aspects of Japanese culture, from a traditional tea ceremony to a stay in a ryokan, as well as historic and modern sites and the stunning scenery of Mt. Fuji. See the highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, and go off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa.
Sea of Japan Kanazawa
JAPAN Shirakawago
Takayama Kyoto Hiroshima
Osaka
Lake Biwa
Mt. Fuji
Tokyo Hakone
Nara
Overnight
Pacific Ocean
Motorcoach Train Extension (Train)
Avg. High (°F) Tokyo Kyoto
Apr May Aug Sep Oct Nov 62 72 86 78 70 60 65 75 89 82 74 62
Highlights Include Learn about Tokyo’s past during a special visit to the EdoTokyo Museum • Visit the gallery of preeminent calligrapher Koshun Masunaga in Tokyo • Experience an overnight stay in a traditional ryokan • Tour the famed Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa • Enjoy a full day excursion to Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, featuring many World Heritage sites
Day Itinerary Hotel
Rating
1 2-4
Deluxe
Depart U.S. for Tokyo Tokyo Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo Hakone Setsugetsuka 5 Hakone (ryokan) 6-7 Takayama Hida Hotel Plaza 8-9 Kanazawa Hotel Nikko Kanazawa 10-12 Kyoto The Thousand Kyoto 13 Depart Kyoto for U.S.
Not rated First Class First Class First Class
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
64
A World Heritage site and “Special Place of Scenic Beauty,” beloved Mount Fuji has drawn visitors for centuries.
Featured Site
Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Tokyo, Japan Upon arrival this evening, transfer to your hotel where you learn about the journey ahead at a briefing with your tour director. Day 3: Tokyo Spend the morning touring this amazing city that comprises 23 wards and covers a staggering 840 miles. Focus on a smaller area visiting some of Tokyo’s top sights, including Shinto Meiji Shrine, a peaceful enclave of temples and gardens; the Edo-Tokyo Museum, a historical presentation of Edo (the city from c. 1600 until 1868) and Tokyo (the new Edo from 1868 until the present); and a visit to the gallery of preeminent calligrapher Koshun Masunaga, where you learn about this ancient art and browse the collection. The tour ends in Ginza, Tokyo’s famed shopping, dining, and entertainment district, where you can stay to explore as you wish or return to the hotel. Tonight gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 4: Tokyo Your tour of Tokyo continues at the Imperial Palace, surrounded by moats and ramparts, and home of the Imperial family. Visit the East Gardens, part of the innermost circle of defense of the historic Edo Castle that once stood here. Continue to the Buddhist Asakusa Kannon, Tokyo’s oldest temple, followed by the Nakamise Shopping arcade. Last, visit the Tokyo National Museum, housing an extensive
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG / 877.338.8687 / BOOK YOUR TRIP
collection of art and antiquities from Japan and other Asian countries. This afternoon is at leisure. (B) Day 5: Mt. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Hakone Depart Tokyo this morning for Mt. FujiHakone-Izu National Park. Here sits imposing Mt. Fuji, a dormant volcano (it last erupted in 1707) with a perfectly symmetrical cone that rises to 12,388 feet. The mountain’s majesty is breathtaking, as artists and writers have attested for centuries. Learn about environmental and conservation efforts on the mountain at the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center then enjoy a relaxing cruise on Ashi Lake, with Mt. Fuji in the background. Leaving the park, travel to the town of Hakone where you spend the night at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn where you take off your shoes upon entering and sleep on a futon. (B,D) Day 6: Takayama Today, travel to lovely Takayama in the Japanese Alps, considered one of the country’s most attractive towns with its 16th-century castle and old-style buildings. Your explorations center on three narrow streets in the San-machi-suji district where, in feudal times, merchants lived amidst the authentically preserved small inns, teahouses, and sake breweries that you see here. This afternoon attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony: a historic, ritualized ceremony of form, grace, and spirituality. (B,D)
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
‘Eternal Japan’ is a fabulous overview of Japanese culture, with plenty of hands-on experiences and marvelous experts and guides from Smithsonian. – Kathy A.
Day 7: Takayama Pay an early visit to the riverside Miyagawa Morning Market, a blaze of dazzling colors and provisions. Here meet a local chef to gather ingredients for the lunch you will prepare together. After enjoying the fruits of your labors, embark on a walking tour, visiting Takayama Jinya, a historic government house; the local sake brewery; and Takayama’s old town, whose well-preserved buildings and homes date to the Edo Period (1600–1868). (B,L) Day 8: Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa Leave Takayama this morning for the World Heritage site of Shirakawago Gassho-zukuri Village. Comprising buildings relocated from authentic villages nearby that were razed for a dam, the village is also a vibrant community whose residents work together to preserve the unique traditional architecture here known as Gassho style. Then visit Gokayama Village to see how traditional Japanese washi paper is made. Late afternoon reach the castle town of Kanazawa, an alluring coastal city that survived the ravages of World War II. (B,L) Day 9: Kanazawa Today’s tour of this culturally rich city features renowned Kenrokuen Garden, a national landmark whose origins date to 1676. Also see Ishikawa Gate, the only remaining section of the town’s original castle; Hakukokan, a museum celebrating the art and craft of gold leaf technology; and the Higashi Chayagai teahouse and geisha area. Your last stop is at the Kutani Kosen Kiln, where artists fashion the prized, highly decorated pottery. (B,D) Day 10: Kanazawa and Kyoto This morning board the train for Kyoto, once Japan’s Imperial Capital and now the country’s cultural and artistic center. Upon arrival, visit Kinkaku-ji, the lakeside Temple of the Golden Pavilion, and Ryoan-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple
Post-Tour Extension
Hiroshima: City of Peace
3 days/2 nights from $1,095 total price Single Supplement: $155
Discover the city reborn from the atomic destruction of World War II, a modern and cosmopolitan urban center whose residents warmly welcome American visitors.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes • Rail transportation Kyoto/Hiroshima; Hiroshima/Osaka • 2 nights accommodations at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima (First Class) • 3 Meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch • Extensive sightseeing included: Miyajima Island and Isukushima Shrine; Hiroshima touring by local “Hiroden” train; visit to Peace Memorial Park and Museum; Atomic Bomb Dome • Services of a professional Tour Director • Gratuities to Tour Director, dining room servers, hotel porters, and drivers
Visit Kyoto’s Temple of the Golden Pavilion
whose acclaimed dry garden epitomizes the simplicity of Zen meditation. (B,D) Day 11: Kyoto and Nara Today travel to Nara, Japan’s 8th-century capital renowned for its shrines and temples. First visit Todaiji (c. A.D. 752) whose main hall (c. 1692) is the world’s largest wooden building. Also visit historic Kasugataisha, the Shinto shrine and World Heritage site surrounded by parkland where deer roam free, and Kofukuji, a Buddhist temple established in the year 669. (B) Day 12: Kyoto This morning’s tour reveals more of this city that was spared destruction during World War II. Highlights include Nijo-jo Castle (c. 1603), the extravagant residence and fortifications of the shoguns who ruled Japan for more than 250 years; and Sanjyusangendo Hall (c. 1266), an important Buddhist temple housing 1,000 statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon deity. From here venture to Nishiki Market, “Kyoto’s Kitchen” of restaurants, stores, and stalls selling everything food-related. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Day 13: Depart Kyoto for the U.S. Travel by coach to Osaka, to board return flights to the U.S. (B)
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Lee Makela is Associate Professor of East Asian History, Emeritus, at Cleveland State University. His academic interests include traditional urban architecture, garden design, and contemporary popular culture. Beginning while a Fulbright Scholar in Japan in 1979, Lee amassed an extensive image collection which allowed him to develop a wide range of illustrated online educational materials. His “Teaching and Learning About Japan” web site was honored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and he received an Excellence in Teaching Award from CSU in 2001. Lee will lead the October 4 departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities • 11 nights accommodations: 10 nights in Deluxe and First Class hotels; 1 night in traditional Japanese ryokan • 19 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Train transportation as described • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
2021 Aug 28 2021 2021 Oct 23 Sep 11 Oct 4
Los Angeles
$7,184 $7,284 $7,384 $7,884
Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$7,484 $7,584
$7,684
2022 Apr 4 Apr 27
$8,184
Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, $7,684 $7,784 $7,884 $8,384 Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, $7,784 $7,884 $7,984 $8,484 Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, DC Land Only
$6,295 $6,395 $6,495 $6,995
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $389, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,495 Aug-Oct; $1,595 Apr. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Post-Tour Hiroshima Extension: $1,095 Aug-Oct; $1,295 Apr. Single Supplement: $155 all dates Business Class upgrade on round-trip transpacific flight: $4,695 per person from San Francisco (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves full days of sightseeing and significant amounts of walking on stairs and uneven surfaces. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
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ASIA
Discovering Vietnam
From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
15 days from $4,997 total price from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle ($4,695 air & land inclusive plus $302 airline taxes and fees)
In a land of breathtaking natural beauty and abiding tradition, rewards abound for the thoughtful traveler. From imperial Hue, to the villages and rice paddies of Da Nang, to Ho Chi Minh City, so prominent in recent history, everywhere you go you’ll be welcomed by gracious, hospitable people. Red River
Ha Long Bay
Hanoi
Gulf of Tonkin
Hue Da Nang/ Hoi An
Mekong River
VIETNAM
Siem Reap
CAMBODIA Can Tho/ Cai Rang
Overnight
Ho Chi Minh City Mekong Delta
Featured Site Air
Visit the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and view the limestone cliffs up close during a day cruise.
Motorcoach Extension (Air)
Avg. High (°F) Hanoi Da Nang Ho Chi Minh City
Jan 68 75 89
Feb 69 78 91
Oct 84 83 88
Nov 78 80 87
Dec 72 77 87
Highlights Include Enjoy Hanoi sightseeing, including a visit to the “Hanoi Hilton” • Marvel at the ethereal landscape of Ha Long Bay • Visit Hoi An • Tour the acclaimed Cham Museum • Take part in a private cooking class of local cuisine • Enjoy a home-hosted lunch in Hue • See the Mekong Delta • Visit the floating markets at Cai Be and Cai Rang • Tour Ho Chi Minh City • Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels • Savor lunch at Dong Thein Buddhist Nunnery
Day Itinerary
Hotel
Rating
1
Depart U.S. for Hanoi InterContinental 2-4 Hanoi Deluxe Hanoi Westlake 5-7 Da Nang Hyatt Regency Danang Deluxe Sup. First 8-9 Hue Saigon Morin Hotel Class Can Tho Victoria Can Sup. First 10-11 (Mekong Delta) Tho Resort Class 12-14 Ho Chi Sofitel Saigon Plaza Deluxe Minh City 15 Depart Ho Chi Minh City for U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
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Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. for Hanoi, Vietnam Arrive in the Vietnamese capital today then transfer to the hotel.
collection of sculpture and artifacts dating from the 7th to 15th centuries. Arrive at your beachfront hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,D)
Day 3: Hanoi This morning take a walking tour of the Ba Dinh Square complex of sites, including the marble and granite mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, and thousand-year-old One Pillar Pagoda. Following lunch on your own, embark on an orientation tour of this French-accented city. Pass Hoan Kiem Lake; visit the marvelous Temple of Literature (c. 1070); and tour infamous Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. Walk the narrow streets of the diverse Ancient Quarter, where you dine tonight at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 6: Da Nang and Hoi An Visit nearby Hoi An, where a succession of Dutch, Chinese, Portuguese, and Japanese traders helped to build an architecturally diverse and colorful village where many ancient traditions still hold sway. A World Heritage site, Hoi An’s Old Town is a charming, car-free pedestrian zone lined with tailors, shops, and art galleries. After an afternoon at leisure, tonight enjoy a cooking lesson and dinner in Hoi An. (B,D)
Day 4: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay This morning depart on a full-day excursion to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage site. This is Vietnam’s legendary waterway sprinkled with 3,000 islands and islets, and surrounded by a fairytale landscape of limestone cliffs, secret grottoes, and hidden caves. Your tour includes a boat ride and seafood lunch. (B,L) Day 5: Da Nang Fly to Da Nang, Vietnam’s third largest city situated on the south central coast. Upon arrival, tour the acclaimed Cham Museum, which celebrates the Cham people’s Hindu legacy with a fine
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Day 7: Da Nang A morning walking tour of a local farming settlement reveals the daily life of a local community up close. Nestled amidst seemingly endless rice paddies, the village represents the Vietnam of fable and film, where villagers engage in threshing and harvesting, water buffaloes plow the fields, and local residents ride to market with produce piled high on their bicycles. (B,L) Day 8: Hue Depart for the ancient imperial city of Hue, whose palaces, temples, and tombs evoke its past grandeur as home to emperors and mandarins. Explore the Imperial City, now a World Heritage site, and visit the Central Market where locals shop. Enjoy lunch in the home of a local historian. Tonight’s dinner
GUARANTEED SMALL GROUP
Just 16–24 Smithsonian guests per departure
This tour was everything we had hoped for and then some. Fascinating country that we developed a great appreciation for. – Cindy B.
is accompanied by a performance of traditional music. (B,L,D) Day 9: Hue This morning cruise along Hue’s Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, a Buddhist monastery, then visit the palatial Tomb of Ming Mang (c. 1804). Enjoy lunch in the home of a local historian. See the tombs of Tu Doc, a gem of royal architecture; and Khai Dinh, an elaborate mix of ancient and modern, European and Asian. Finish the day with a visit and lunch at the Dong Thein Buddhist Nunnery. (B,L) Day 10: Mekong Delta and Can Tho Fly early to Saigon. Upon arrival transfer to a motorcoach for the three-hour drive south to the Mekong Temple at Angkor Wat, Cambodia River town of Cai Be. Travel by coach and ferry to the busy river port and provincial capital of Can Tho. (B,D) Day 11: Can Tho and Mekong Delta Rise early for today’s journey by boat to the bustling floating market at Cai Rang on the Mekong’s lower reaches. After lunch together at a local restaurant, the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L)
Post-Tour Extension
Cambodia: Angkor Wat & Phnom Penh
5 days/3 nights from $1,495 total price Single Supplement: $325
Day 12: Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City Travel by motorcoach to the upper reaches of the storied Mekong. Here board motorized sampans for an up-close look at river life. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue by coach to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving late afternoon. Dinner is on your own in this vibrant city. (B,L) Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City A morning tour includes the Reunification Palace and the History Museum, where you’ll learn about the indigenous peoples of Vietnam. Later, attend a traditional water puppet performance. (B,D) Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City This morning experience the Cu Chi Tunnels, the infamous underground network from which North Vietnamese forces operated in wartime. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 15: Depart for the U.S. Transfer to the airport for your return flights to the U.S. (B)
• Air transportation Ho Chi Minh City/Siem Reap; Siem Reap/ Phnom Penh inclusive of airline taxes and fees • 3 nights accommodations: 2 nights in Siem Reap at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra (Deluxe); 1 night in Phnom Penh at Sofitel Phnom Penh (Deluxe); rooms reserved for late check-out in Phnom Penh • 6 meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners • Three days of sightseeing at Angkor complex (World Heritage site), including all entrance fees • Phnom Penh sightseeing • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation • Gratuities for Tour Director, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
2021/2022 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Highlighted Smithsonian Journeys Expert Elvira Masson is an associate professor of history and U.S. Director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University. She holds a Master’s degree in Chinese language and literature from Stanford University, has traveled widely in Asia, and worked for many years in Beijing. Elvira returns often to Asia, especially China, Korea, and Vietnam, as you will recognize when she discusses contemporary issues and invites you for morning walks through the local neighborhoods. She will lead the January departure. See our website for the full list of experts.
2021 Oct 21 Dec 2
2022 Jan 10 Feb 10
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
$4,997
$5,297
Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, Portland (OR)
$5,297
$5,597
Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, Washington, DC
$5,397
$5,697
Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa
$5,497
$5,797
Land Only
$4,095
$4,395
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $302, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
A special opportunity to discover the amazing temples and statuary from the Angkorian Empire and the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
Your Post-Tour Extension Price Includes
Local produce and flowers at Hoi An market
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 13 nights accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels • 26 meals: 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners • Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert • Services of a professional Tour Director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Single travelers please add $1,595. All 2021/2022 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. cities may require an evening flight from Ho Chi Minh City on Day 15, arriving in the U.S. on Day 16. In this case, hotel rooms will be reserved for late check-out on Day 15. Post-Tour Cambodia Extension: $1,495 Oct, Dec; $1,595 all other dates. Single Supplement: $325 all dates Business Class upgrade on round-trip international flight: $4,395 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).
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