Our Travel Styles

Discover a journey that speaks to your aspirations and interests! All Smithsonian Journeys trips feature a unique blend of enriching insights, exceptional quality, engaging experts and travel companions, and personal attention.

Narrow your search—from 130 different itineraries—by using our online Trip Finder. You can discover your perfect trip in just seconds by fi ltering your interests by travel style (featured here!), special interests, activity level, destination, dates, and trip duration.

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 often include airfare for even more value. 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 12 to 24 travelers.

Our one-week Cultural Stays allow you to unpack once and enjoy time to discover a destination’s unique sense of place in more depth. Choose from a single European cultural capital or a smaller town that showcases the intrinsic character of the region. Whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy an insightful experience that features both highlights and lesser-known sites, and opportunities to meet with local people.

Join travelers who share your interest in art to astronomy or military history. Become a student at Oxford, delve into art and science in Switzerland, or learn about the lives of African Americans in Paris. You can also go behind the scenes at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center to understand the challenges of NASA astronauts! Whatever your interest, Smithsonian Journeys ensures a unique and top-notch learning experience.

There’s a magical quality to traveling by train as you watch your destination unfold from the comfort of your train car. Whether you are a true train buff or simply enjoy the “romance of the rails,” you will fi nd several fascinating train trips to fulfi ll your dreams.

Unpack once and wake up to a brand-new world every day on an ocean or river voyage aboard a fl eet of ideal ships that range from a river boat of just 36 guests to small vessels that accommodate up to 264 guests (with only a few that are larger). All of our small upscale cruises share the same hallmark qualities of superb amenities, excellent cuisine, an informal ambiance, and top-notch Smithsonian Journeys Experts who travel with you. Read more about our alliance with PONANT on the next page.

Having knowledgeable leaders and an overall theme provided focus and made the selection of sights and cultural experiences relevant. We saw sights and gained insights that you just don’t get on the average tour. – Wayne B.

Be engaged, energized, and inspired on an Active Journey that combines long walks, hiking, or rafting with educational enrichment. Stay in top-notch accommodations, travel with experienced Adventure Guides, and learn from local experts along the way.

These days, you may wish to travel with just those close to you—your spouse or your extended family, a favorite travel partner, or a group of close friends. Now you can experience the world your way on a Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey, custom designed just for you and your favorite traveling companions. You decide where and when you want to go, and with whom, and we’ll work with you to build your ideal journey.

For the ultimate trip of a lifetime, join one of our spectacular Private Jet Journeys. You can visit an incredible array of destinations in one itinerary and in style, made possible by the convenience and comfort of a custom-confi gured jet. Our knowledgeable experts share their insights during action-packed days fi lled with iconic sites and engaging activities that allow you to experience fi rsthand the people, customs, and natural world of each destination.