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The ship was beautiful, the service was incredible, the speakers were very interesting, our cabin was very comfortable with plenty of room, and the food was delicious! — Nicola N., SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS/PONANT EXPLORATIONS TRAVELER

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2026–2028 OCEAN CRUISE COLLECTION 4 5 Reasons to Travel with Us 6 Travel with Our Experts 8 Life on Board

EUROPE

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

10 Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca

34 Treasures of Japan and South Korea by Sea

12 Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba

35 Voyage to Indonesia: Dragons, Reefs, and the Spice Islands

13 Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea 14 Sailing the Adriatic: Treasures of Eastern Italy and Sicily NEW! 16 A Circumnavigation of Sicily 18 Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily: Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights 19 Cruising the Aegean: Turkey and the Greek Isles 20 Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean 22 Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast by Sea 23 Cruising the Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea 24 Cruising from Morocco to Spain’s Andalusian Coast 25 Lisbon to the Canary Islands by Sea: Spain, Morocco, and the Atlantic Isles 26 Cruising Southern Spain and Portugal 28 Lisbon to London: Cruising Europe’s Western Shores 29 Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage

AFRICA 36 Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean 37 South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope

THE AMERICAS 38 A Voyage Along the Great Lakes 39 Fall Foliage on the St. Lawrence: Québec to the Canadian Maritimes 40 Baja and the Sea of Cortez 42 Cruising the Caribbean’s Windward Islands 43 Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America

ANTARCTICA 44 Antarctica: The White Continent

MORE RESOURCES

30 Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea

46 The PONANT EXPLORATIONS Fleet

31 Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice

50 Quick Reference

32 Cruising the Norwegian Fjords 33 Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea

SUPPORTING THE SMITHSONIAN MISSION When you travel with Smithsonian Journeys, your participation supports Smithsonian’s mission to preserve natural and cultural heritage, advance research, and share our resources with the world. 3

5 REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH US 1. TRAVEL WITH NAMES YOU CAN TRUST

3. SUSTAINABILITY

For more than 55 years, Smithsonian Journeys has offered travelers opportunities to immerse themselves in other cultures and discover the world’s natural history through diverse itineraries led by top-notch experts and guides. With PONANT EXPLORATIONS, we’ve taken the Smithsonian travel experience to the seas, offering voyages that are enriching, deeply rewarding, and designed to suit a range of interests.

Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT share a deep commitment to sustaining the character and biodiversity of the places we visit. This commitment is reflected in the design of the ships as well as the day-to-day operations. In 2024, PONANT became the first cruise line to achieve certification for the Green Globe International Standard for Sustainable Travel and Tourism.

2. SMALL SHIPS, BIG EXPERIENCES

4. WORLD-CLASS EXPERTS

The PONANT EXPLORATIONS ships accommodate just 184 to 264 guests—large enough to provide comfort on the open sea, but nimble enough to access small harbors that typical cruise ships cannot reach. In many ports of call, you’ll have a range of excursions to choose from, so you can tailor your experience to your own interests. You’ll explore in small groups with excellent local guides, allowing for a close-up look at important sites and more meaningful exchanges with local culture. See the fleet on pages 46–49.

Two Smithsonian Journeys Experts join every voyage. They offer enriching lectures while on board, and also share their insights during informal conversations throughout the trip. You might discuss the formation of Norway’s dramatic fjords with a geologist, or learn about the rich diversity of Komodo National Park from a marine biologist. Our travelers tell us that our experts are one of the reasons they come back to Smithsonian Journeys again and again. Meet a few of our experts on the following page. 5. ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING Our all-inclusive pricing covers many services and amenities that are often an added cost on other cruise lines, such as: • A shore excursion or activity in each port of call—often with a choice of excursions • Airport transfers to and from the ship on cruise embarkation and disembarkation days • All meals aboard ship, as well as welcome and farewell cocktail receptions • Complimentary open bar and Wi-Fi aboard ship • Gratuities to ship personnel, porters, guides, and drivers

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SMALL-SHIP OCEAN CRUISES

TRAVEL WITH OUR EXPERTS On each of these voyages, you’ll travel in the company of two Smithsonian Journeys Experts— scholars from around the world who have an in-depth understanding of their fields, whether it’s history and culture, the fine arts, or the natural world. They are eager to share their passion, knowledge, and insights about the places you visit together during engaging lectures in the ship’s theater or perhaps over dinner or a cocktail. Meet some of them on these pages, and find many more on our website.

Mar Stiles Marine biologist Mar Stiles has worked for more than 10 years supporting local leaders in ocean conservation in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. She has interviewed coastal communities in central Indonesia about climate change resilience and helped provide technical support to government agencies across the region. Mar has also worked for Global Fishing Watch and Oceana, an advocacy organization focused on ocean conservation. She is an experienced diver, snorkeler, and has volunteered as a docent for the Scripps Aquarium and Seattle Aquarium. Mar will join Voyage to Indonesia: Dragons, Reefs, and the Spice Islands (see page 35).

See biographies of all our Smithsonian Journeys Experts at SmithsonianJourneys.org/Experts

Tom Dawson Tom Dawson is an archaeologist and principal research fellow at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He started his archaeological career in London, excavating trenches up to 20 feet deep in the heart of the city. He then conducted excavations in Japan, Italy, Ireland, and France, and spent three years in Sri Lanka, training archaeologists at World Heritage sites and doing underwater archaeology on the south coast. Tom will join Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea (see page 30).

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Felicity Aston Felicity Aston is a British polar explorer, climate scientist, and expedition leader. With more than 20 years of challenging expeditions under her belt, she is both the only woman in the world to have skied across Antarctica alone and the first person in the world to have traversed the continent purely by muscle power. Her research is now based at the National Oceanography Centre and University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, investigating airborne microplastic pollution on polar sea ice. Felicity will join Antarctica: The White Continent (see page 44).

Nwabisa Mayema Nwabisa Mayema is a South African entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to building connections and partnerships to solve global issues and create sustainable jobs. As an advocate for female entrepreneurship, she facilitated at DreamGirls Academy, implementing the American embassy’s Academy of Women Entrepreneurs initiative. Over her career, she has been selected as one of the 100 Brightest Young Minds in South Africa and as one of Independent Media Group’s Top 100 Young Independents in Innovation. She holds a degree in political science and public administration from the University of Cape Town. Nwabisa will join South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope (see page 37).

SMALL-SHIP OCEAN CRUISES

LIFE ON BOARD Aboard the PONANT EXPLORATIONS fleet, you’ll experience the refined elegance of an intimate ship with a relaxed, informal ambiance. Accommodating just 184 to 264 guests, these nimble ships can access small ports, narrow waterways, and remote destinations, while providing guests attentive and personalized service. The French ambiance is palpable on board, from the decor of the inviting lounges and common spaces to the delicious cuisine. You’ll unpack once and set off on an unforgettable adventure with like-minded travelers, enjoying a range of amenities, enlightening lectures, and discussions that give you ample food for thought. FINE DINING Dining is an art form aboard the fleet. The chefs draw from French culinary heritage as well as traditions in your destination to create inspired dishes using fresh ingredients procured at your ports of call. French favorites such as traditional macarons, butter made in Brittany, and a superb list of wines can be enjoyed in gracious dining rooms or alfresco on deck. ACCOMMODATIONS The staterooms and suites aboard the ships are spacious, bright, and tastefully decorated. Large windows offer panoramic sea views and most staterooms feature balconies, as well as king-size or twin beds, stylish en suite bathrooms, and amenities including 24-hour room service. LEISURE AND WELLNESS You’ll have many choices for places to unwind on board. From cozy nooks to expansive lounges that open to the outdoors, and from the well-stocked library to the theater, each ship has a variety of welcoming common spaces. An onboard spa and a salon offer a range of treatments and services, and a well-equipped fitness center is at your disposal. And, depending on the ship, you can relax even more deeply in a sauna or hammam.

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SMALL-SHIP OCEAN CRUISES

Mallorca

CRUISING THE MEDITERRANEAN:

SICILY, SARDINIA, AND MALLORCA

Aboard the 264-guest Le Boréal or L’Austral, or the 184-guest Le Bougainville HIGHLIGHTS • Meander the medieval lanes of hilltop Erice, overlooking Sicily’s western coast. • Delve into one of Palermo’s centuries-old markets and sample local specialties or encounter the city’s Arab-Norman architecture. • Experience Cagliari, Sardinia from its baroque palazzi to its hilltop fortress, or explore the remarkable ruins of ancient Nora. • Step into history amid Bronze Age ruins on Menorca and the medieval monuments of Palma de Mallorca. ITINERARY Day 1 Valletta, Malta: Arrive in Valletta, a World Heritage site known for its golden-hued baroque architecture. Settle into your cabin and take in the view as the ship cruises out of the beautiful harbor. (Meals: D) Day 2 Trapani, Sicily, Italy: On Sicily’s western coast, dock in Trapani and set out on one of four excursions. Journey to the medieval hilltop village of Erice, once a retreat for Trapani’s wealthy families. On a guided walk, admire picturesque homes, castles, and gardens, and take in views of the Sicilian coast far below. Alternatively, drive to the ancient city of Segesta to see a hillside Greek theater and a magnificent Doric temple that stands alone amid grassy slopes. Or delve into Trapani’s 2,000-year-old tradition of sea salt production, following the Via del Sale to saltworks, windmills, and wetlands. Later, discover Marsala on a walking tour and sample its namesake dessert wine during a tasting at a local winery. Instead, choose to visit Selinunte, a vast archaeological site with an acropolis that affords incredible views. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Palermo: Spend today in Palermo, a city that still bears the vestiges of its many rulers, including the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Arabs, and the Normans. Discover its unique Arab-Norman architecture, built at the height of the city’s prosperity in the 12th century and recognized as a World Heritage site. Then set off on your choice of excursion. Follow a guide through the mosaic-clad Cappella Palatina, then travel to the spectacular Norman cathedral of Monreale. Or stroll Piazza Bellini to the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio before delving into

Palermo’s celebrated gastronomy at one of the city’s oldest food markets. Tour the Palazzo Conte Federico, where you’re hosted by Countess Federico herself, and enjoy a tasting of Palermo’s renowned street food. Or travel to the medieval port of Cefalù for a walking tour including its cathedral and the Osterio Magno, a Norman palace where ancient Roman artifacts have been discovered. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Cagliari, Sardinia: Part of the same Mediterranean mountain chain as Corsica, Sardinia is an island of granite peaks, arid grasslands, and salt marshes. It is known for its unusual prehistoric towers, called nuraghes, built of volcanic basalt and positioned all over the island. Sail into the harbor at Cagliari at midday and set out to tour Sardinia’s rose-colored capital city. Stroll through wide piazzas bordered by baroque palazzi and churches, ascend to the impressive hilltop fortress, and visit the Archaeological Museum. Or take in views of the city from the lofty parklands of Monte Urpino, then journey to ancient Nora, once a thriving port under the Carthaginians and the Romans. On a tour of the remarkable ruins here, some of which are now submerged, learn about the innovative waterworks and drainage system designed thousands of years ago. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 At Sea: Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you make your way across the western Mediterranean, taking advantage of the ship’s superb amenities and joining your Smithsonian Journeys Experts for lectures and informal discussions. Opt for a treatment in the spa or a workout at the fitness center. Meet new friends for coffee or a drink in the lounge, and, if the weather permits, go for a swim in the pool or read a book on the sundeck. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Menorca, Spain: The easternmost of Spain’s autonomous Balearic Islands, Menorca is edged in beautiful beaches and rocky coves. Take a walking tour of the lovely capital, Mahón, and learn about the island’s history under many different rulers—from the Moors to the British Empire—at the Menorca Museum. Less developed than much of the archipelago, Menorca harbors the 4,000-year-old ruins of a Bronze Age Talayotic civilization, now recognized as a World Heritage site. Venture to Torralba d’en Salord to see some of the best-preserved of these megalithic ruins, including unusual t-shaped stone monuments known as taulas. Gain insight into their purpose and cosmological significance as you explore the site. (Meals: B,L,D)

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Cagliari

Cathedral of Monreale, Palermo

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $6,810* per person Limited singles available on select departures and categories at no extra charge. Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: Oct. 10–17, 2026 & Aug. 12–19, 2027† & Apr. 26–May 4, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. † The August 2027 and April 2028 departures run in the reverse direction; additionally the April 2028 departure is 9 days long and follows a slightly modiﬁed itinerary--see website for details.

SPAIN

Mahon Balearic Islands

Palma de Mallorca

Valletta

ITALY

Barcelona

S ARDINIA Cagliari

Palermo

Trapani

S ICILY Valletta

Day 7 Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca: Your next stop is Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands. Here, limestone cliffs plunge into the sea and almond orchards and vineyards blanket the plains. See the intersection of history and modern-day charms on a tour of Palma de Mallorca, the cosmopolitan capital of the archipelago. Admire the Catalan Gothic architecture of the magnificent sandstone Palma Cathedral, constructed over 300 years beginning in 1230; and stroll along the seaside promenade, soaking up the lively ambiance of the town. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Tarragona/Barcelona: Disembark in Tarragona and transfer to Barcelona to extend your stay or depart for the airport. (Meals: B)

Port of Call

MALTA

Featured Site Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the October 2026 departure are historian Fabien Montcher and archaeologist Alex Smith. Visit our website to see additional experts.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Malta or Barcelona. See website for details.

EUROPE

Bonifacio, Corsica

MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND VOYAGE:

SICILY, SARDINIA, CORSICA, AND ELBA

Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville or the 264-guest L’Austral HIGHLIGHTS • Discover spectacular Greco-Roman ruins in ancient Syracuse and Taormina, or enjoy a Sicilian lunch and wine tasting at a winery near Mount Etna. • Ride a local boat into stunning grottoes along the limestone sea cliffs of Corsica, or set off into medieval Bonifacio on a walking tour. • Admire the Arab-Norman architecture of Palermo or visit medieval Cefalù. • Tour the baroque treasures of Cagliari, Sardinia, and visit Napoleon’s villa in exile on rugged Elba.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $7,920* per person Single from $11,670* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: May 18–26,† June 7–14,† 2027 & May 4–11, May 14–21, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. † The May 2027 departure is 9 days long, with an additional day spent in Gozo, Malta. The June 2027 departure runs in the reverse direction.

ITINERARY Day 1 Valletta, Malta: Arrive in Valletta, the capital of Malta and a World Heritage site. Transfer to the ship and settle in to your cabin before setting sail. (Meals: D) Day 2 Syracuse, Sicily, Italy: Cruise to the once-powerful ancient city of Syracuse and tour its Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters. Venture into the Ear of Dionysius cave and visit the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Or discover Noto, known for its Sicilian baroque architecture. Later, delve into the mythology of the island of Ortigia. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Taormina: Experience charming Taormina on a guided walking tour that includes the Greek theater. Or journey to Mount Etna to see its inactive volcanic craters and enjoy a Sicilian lunch and a tasting at a winery. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Palermo: In Palermo, discover the city’s unique Arab-Norman architecture. Admire the mosaics in the Cappella Palatina, then travel into the countryside to see the spectacular Norman cathedral of Monreale. Alternatively, visit the Palazzo Conte Federico before a tasting of local specialties, or travel to the medieval port of Cefalù. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy: Sail into the harbor at Cagliari and set out to tour Sardinia’s capital city from its baroque palazzi to its hilltop fortress. Or take in views from Monte Urpinu, then explore the ancient port of Nora and learn about the innovative waterworks designed here thousands of years ago. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Bonifacio, Corsica, France: Drop anchor in Bonifacio, perched on cliffs above the sea. Set off into the labyrinthine streets of the medieval Citadel, visiting historic landmarks by foot and by mini train. Or ride a local boat along the coast to Lavezzi Island, venturing into magnificent grottoes and coves. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Portoferraio, Elba, Italy: Dock in Portoferraio and visit one of Napoleon’s residences during his brief exile on the island. Continue to the charming fishing village of Porto Azzurro, and then travel to a traditional wine farm to sample local wines, cheeses, and charcuterie. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Nice, France: Arrive in Nice and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Malta or Provence. See website for details.

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FRANCE Nice Corsica

Portoferraio Elba

Bonifacio Sardinia

Cagliari

Adriatic Sea

ITALY

Tyrrhenian Sea

Sicily Port of Call Ship

Ionian Sea

Palermo

MALTA

Taormina Syracuse Valletta

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are architectural historian Gail Cornell and geologist Allen Glazner. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Lucca

Nice

SOUTHERN FRANCE AND THE ITALIAN RIVIERA BY SEA

Aboard the 264-guest Le Boréal or the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville HIGHLIGHTS • Spend a day discovering turrets and ramparts of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, a World Heritage site that seems straight out of a fairy tale. • Explore the French and Italian Rivieras, and ride a local boat to the villages of Cinque Terre. • Discover the World Heritage sites of Arles and Avignon, or soak up the charms of Aix-en-Provence, the home of Paul Cézanne. • Trace the legacy of great artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh in Provence and Michelangelo in Florence.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $6,080* per person Single from $9,540* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: Sept. 1–8, 2027 & Oct. 21–29,† 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The October 2028 departure is 9 days long, runs in the reverse direction, and follows a slightly modiﬁed itinerary—see website for details.

ITINERARY Days 1–2 Barcelona, Spain and Carcassonne, France: Arrive in Barcelona and embark the ship. Sail to Sète, France, and travel inland to explore the fortified medieval city of Carcassonne. Discover this enchanting World Heritage site and learn about its restoration. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Day 3 Marseille and Provence: Anchor in Marseille, France’s oldest city, and journey into Provence on your choice of excursions. Tour the elegant university town of Aix-en-Provence, home of Émile Zola and Paul Cézanne. Alternatively, visit Roman sites and trace the steps of Vincent van Gogh in Arles, or continue along the Rhône to Avignon to explore the extraordinary Papal Palace. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Nice, Èze, or Monte Carlo, Monaco: Sail along the Côte d’Azur to Nice and enjoy a city tour and a wine tasting. Alternatively, head to Monaco for a tour of chic Monte Carlo, or journey to the picturesque hilltop town of Èze for a stroll along its medieval streets. Or travel to St. Paul de Vence and view the renowned art collection at the Maeght Foundation. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Portoﬁno, Italy and the Italian Riviera: Cruise past the resort towns that dot the shores of the Italian Riviera. Stop in the picturesque fishing village of Portofino, and take a walking tour of its winding lanes, lined with houses painted in warm hues. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Cinque Terre or Lucca and Pisa: Take in views of the five tiny villages known as the Cinque Terre on a local boat ride from Portovenere and visit two of the villages; or travel into Tuscany to discover the walled town of Lucca and explore Pisa, known for its famously leaning tower. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Florence or Volterra: From Livorno, travel to Florence and immerse yourself in this spectacular Renaissance city, encountering its most iconic artistic treasures from Brunelleschi’s dome to Michelangelo’s David. Or ascend to Volterra and visit Roman ruins and the excellent Etruscan Museum. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Livorno/Florence: Disembark the ship in Livorno after breakfast and transfer to the airport in Florence for flights home. (Meals: B)

FRANCE Portofino Sète

Nice

Carcassonne

SPAIN

Cinque Terre

Marseille

Portovenere Ligurian Sea Corsica

Florence Livorno

ITALY

Barcelona Tyrrhenian Sea Port of Call Featured Site Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the September 2027 departure are Dianne Konz, a scholar who specializes in Iberia and the western Mediterranean, and David Scott Silverberg, an expert in earth sciences, geography, and conservation biology. Visit our website to see additional experts.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Barcelona or Rome. See website for details.

EUROPE

Urbino

NEW

SAILING THE ADRIATIC:

TREASURES OF EASTERN ITALY AND SICILY Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville HIGHLIGHTS • Dock overnight in Venice’s World Heritage-listed lagoon, and enjoy a full day to explore the city and its canals. • Marvel at Ravenna’s extraordinary mosaic-filled churches and explore the Renaissance gems of Urbino. • Encounter unusual architecture, from the conical trulli cottages of Alberobello to Lecce’s elegant baroque center. • Trace the eastern coast of Sicily, venturing to the Greco-Roman ruins of Ancient Syracuse and the charming seaside resort of Taormina. ITINERARY Days 1–2 Venice, Italy: Embark the ship in Venice, and spend a full day discovering this fairy-tale city on your choice of excursion. Tour the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a 16th-century religious institution whose walls are covered with more than 50 paintings by Tintoretto, and view works by Titian and Donatello at the Frari Church. Or gain insight into unique Venetian crafts, learning about the maskmaking traditions that sprung from the city’s famous annual Carnival celebrations and discovering how gondolas are built. Alternatively, set off on a guided tour of Venice’s hidden gardens. Sail out of the Venice lagoon tonight and follow the western shores of the Adriatic. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Day 3 Ravenna: Drop anchor in Ravenna, the seat of the Roman Empire in the fifth century and later a hub of Byzantine power in Italy. In the fifth and sixth centuries, early Christians filled the town with churches, and filled the churches with exquisite mosaics that draw on eastern and western artistic traditions. On a guided tour, step into some of these religious monuments—collectively designated a World Heritage site—and admire vaulted ceilings and walls that shimmer with beautifully rendered scenes and stories. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Ancona: From the port city of Ancona, discover Italy’s less-visited Le Marche region today. Venture inside the 14th-century walls of Jesi, the birthplace

of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and find treasures of art and architecture. Or spend the day in the university town of Urbino, the hometown of artist Raphael, which experienced a flourishing of art and literature during the Renaissance and still harbors an impressive collection of Renaissance art. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Bari: Step ashore in the lively seaport of Bari, the capital of the Apulia region. Travel inland to the World Heritage site of Alberobello to visit its unusual, cone-shaped trulli houses. Learn about their unique mortarless stone architecture style and their mythological symbolism. Or stay in Bari for a walking tour of the Old Town that features tastings of the city’s famous street food such as focaccia, panzerotto, and a fried polenta snack called scagliozze. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Otranto and Lecce: Awaken in Otranto and head to nearby Lecce, best known for its unique baroque architecture sculpted out of the region’s soft, golden limestone. Explore its stunning palaces and churches on a guided tour, and discover vestiges of the ancient Romans scattered through the heart of town— including a partially excavated amphitheater. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Taormina, Sicily: Your first port of call in Sicily is beautiful Taormina, a longtime retreat of Europe’s literati built against a backdrop of craggy headlands. View the town’s cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja on a guided walking tour, and ascend to the Greek theater, poised in the hills above town and affording spectacular views. Alternatively, explore Mount Etna, a World Heritage site and one of Europe’s most active volcanoes. View its inactive craters before heading to a mountainside winery for a tasting tour and a typical Sicilian lunch. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Syracuse: Your final stop is Syracuse, a powerful Greek city that was besieged first by the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War and again by the Romans during the Punic Wars 200 years later. Explore the archaeological park, which includes a Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters, and hear the legendary acoustics inside the Ear of Dionysius cave. Later, view artifacts from the site at the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Or discover the fifth-century town of Noto, a gem of Sicilian baroque architecture and

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Byzantine mosaic, Ravenna

Lecce

TRIP DETAILS Price: Visit our website to see pricing. 9 days | Dates: Sept. 27–Oct. 5, 2028

Venice Ancona

Ravenna Urbino Jesi

Bari

ITALY Alberobello

Tyrrhenian Sea

Trulli houses in Alberobello

Taormina Port of Call Featured Site

a World Heritage site. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the charms of Ortigia, a World Heritage-listed island steeped in history and mythology. Explore its temples and piazzas and stroll through the local market for a glimpse of everyday life. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 9 Valletta, Malta: Disembark in Valletta after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in the Veneto region or Malta. See website for details.

EUROPE

Ship

Sicily

Syracuse Valletta

Otranto Lecce

Ortigia

MALTA

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on this departure are geologist, educator, and author Allen Glazner and art historian Ross King.

Taormina

A CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SICILY

Aboard the 184-guest Le Lapérouse or Le Dumont d’Urville HIGHLIGHTS • Sail out of the spectacular harbor of Valletta, and visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. • Explore superb archaeological sites such as Carthage, the ruins at Segesta and Selinunte, and ancient Syracuse. • Discover the World Heritage-listed Arab-Norman sites of Palermo or sample the city’s renowned street food. • Taste volcanic wines on Mount Etna and on Lipari, and watch for glowing lava on a night cruise past Stromboli. ITINERARY Day 1 Valletta, Malta: Embark the ship in Valletta, and take in views of the golden-hued city as the ship cruises out of one of Europe’s loveliest harbors. (Meals: D) Day 2 Agrigento, Sicily, Italy: Dock in Porto Empedocle, on Sicily’s southern coast, and travel inland to the World Heritage site of Agrigento. Here, seven remarkably preserved temples built in the fifth and sixth centuries BC line a picturesque ridge in the Valley of the Temples—a testament to the powerful city that once stood here. On a guided tour, learn about the purpose and mythology behind each temple; then visit the Museum of Agrigento, which houses one of the best collections of ancient artifacts in Sicily. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Tunis, Tunisia: Sail south to Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and head out on an excursion to the ancient ruins of Carthage, a seaside city founded by the Phoenicians in the ninth century BC and now a World Heritage site. Later, meander the picturesque lanes of Sidi Bou Said, a blue-and-white fishing village that has long drawn artists and writers. Or tour the excellent Bardo Museum,* home to a fabulous collection of Roman mosaics. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 4 Trapani, Sicily, Italy: Anchor in Trapani and choose from three excursions. Ascend into the hills to the beautiful medieval village of Erice, once a retreat for Trapani’s wealthy families, and stroll its medieval lanes, taking in stunning views of the coast. Continue to the ancient city of Segesta to see its Doric temple, standing alone amid grassy slopes, and its hillside amphitheater. Or delve into Trapani’s 2,000-year-old tradition of salt production, following the Via del Sale to saltworks,

windmills, and wetlands, and visiting the Salt Museum. Later discover the dramatic history of Marsala on a walking tour, and sample its namesake dessert wine during lunch at a local winery. Alternatively, venture to Selinunte, a vast archaeological site with an Acropolis that affords incredible views. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Palermo: Palermo still bears the vestiges of its many rulers, including the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Arabs, and the Normans. On a panoramic city tour, discover its unique Arab-Norman architecture, built at the height of the city’s prosperity in the 12th century and recognized as a World Heritage site. Then set off on one of three excursions. Follow a guide through the mosaic-clad Cappella Palatina and travel into nearby hills to see the spectacular Norman cathedral of Monreale. Or visit the ornate Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio before delving into Palermo’s celebrated gastronomy at one of the city’s oldest food markets. Tour the Palazzo Conte Federico, where you’re hosted by Countess Federico herself, and enjoy a tasting of typical local street food. Or travel to the medieval port of Cefalù for a walking tour that includes its Arab-Norman cathedral, filled with gold mosaics, and the Osterio Magno, a Norman palace where Roman artifacts have been uncovered. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Lipari and Stromboli: Just north of Sicily lie the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago where evidence of human habitation goes back to the Neolithic era. Go ashore on the main island of Lipari, admiring volcanic vistas from a variety of viewpoints. Take a walking tour of the town of Lipari and visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum. Or experience the island’s long winemaking traditions on a tour of the Tenuta di Castellarro vineyards, where excellent vintages are produced using ancient techniques. Enjoy a tasting accompanied by charcuterie and cheeses. In the evening, glide by the island of Stromboli where glowing lava can often be seen sliding down the slopes of an active volcano. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Taormina, Sicily: Poised on the Ionian Sea against a backdrop of craggy headlands, beautiful Taormina has long drawn writers and philosophers to its piazzas and winding lanes. Discover the town’s cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja on a guided walking tour and visit the Greek theater, where live performances still take place today. Alternatively, travel to the slopes of Mount Etna, another World Heritage site, passing through historic towns and villages. See Etna’s inactive volcanic craters before heading to a mountainside winery with extraordinary coastal views for a tasting tour and a typical Sicilian lunch. (Meals: B,L,D)

*Please note that the May 6, 2028 departure will not visit the Bardo Museum as it is closed on Mondays.

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Ortigia

Agrigento

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $9,150* per person Single from $13,350* per person Airfare not included 9 days | Dates: May 10–18, Oct. 15–23, 2027 & May 6–14, Oct. 5–13, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

Port of Call

Stromboli

Featured Site Ship

Palermo

ITALY

Lipari Aeolian Islands

Trapani

Taormina Mt. Etna

Monreale Segesta Sicily Agrigento

Greek theater, Syracuse

Tunis

Syracuse

Porto Empedocle Mediterranean Sea

Day 8 Syracuse: Your final stop is Syracuse, an ancient city once so powerful it rivaled Athens and Rome. Follow in the steps of Aeschylus and Archimedes as you explore the archaeological park, which includes a Greek theater and one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheaters. Enter the Ear of Dionysius cave and see the extraordinary collections of the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Instead, choose to discover stunning churches and palaces in the fifth-century town of Noto, a gem of Sicilian baroque architecture and a World Heritage site. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the temples and piazzas of charming Ortigia, a World Heritage-listed island steeped in history and mythology. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 9 Valletta, Malta: Return to Valletta and disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B)

TUNISIA

MALTA

Valletta

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are archaeologist Janet Duncan Jones and art historian Ross King. Visit our website to see additional experts.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Malta. See website for details.

EUROPE

Pompeii

Mozzarella making

CRUISING SOUTHERN ITALY AND SICILY:

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $9,340* per person Single from $13,560* per person Airfare not included

ANCIENT WONDERS AND CULINARY DELIGHTS

Aboard the 184-guest Le Lapérouse or Le Dumont d’Urville

HIGHLIGHTS • Trace history in ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum, stunningly preserved in volcanic ash. • Anchor in Naples and opt for a tour of the city’s famous street food, or head for the hills above Sorrento for a lunch and a cooking lesson at a working farm. • Tour the remarkable archaeological sites of Ancient Syracuse and Taormina. • Discover the region of Calabria, exploring seaside villages and sampling Calabrian specialties like tartufo.

9 days | Dates: Oct. 7–15, 2027 & Oct. 13–21, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The October 2028 departure runs in the reverse direction.

ITINERARY Day 1 Rome, Italy: Arrive in Rome and transfer to the port in Civitavecchia where your ship awaits. Settle into your stateroom and set sail this evening. (Meals: D) Day 2 Gaeta: Your first port of call is the charming medieval town of Gaeta. Examine impressive sculptures and take a guided walk to an unusual 17th-century tower. Alternatively, visit the fascinating Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata, a pilgrimage site tucked deep in a rocky promontory. Return to Gaeta for a walking tour of its historic center. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 3–4 Naples or Pompeii/Salerno: Drop anchor in Naples and explore its historic center or discover its famous street food. Or choose to discover the haunting ruins of Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Tour Herculaneum, or enjoy lunch paired with volcanic wines at a vineyard on Mount Vesuvius. The next day, meander along the narrow lanes of Salerno’s medieval center then stop by a historic pastry shop to try scazzetta, a local specialty. Alternatively, venture to the picturesque Amalfi Coast. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 5–6 Agropoli and Paestum/Calabria: Sail to Agropoli and travel to the World Heritage site of Paestum, home to three well-preserved Greek temples. Choose to combine a tour of the site with a visit to a traditional dairy farm and sample the farm’s world-renowned mozzarella. The next day, anchor in Reggio Calabria to admire the Riace Bronzes. Visit ancient Scilla and the seaside village of Chianalea, or learn about the cultural significance of the bergamot fruit and participate in a cooking workshop. Enjoy wine tasting and Calabrian dishes, or venture to historic Pizzo to try its world-famous tartufo. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 7–8 Taormina, Sicily/Syracuse: Take a guided walking tour of Taormina, or travel to Mount Etna to see its inactive volcanic craters and enjoy a tasting tour and lunch at a mountainside winery. The next day, visit the World Heritage-listed archaeological park of ancient Syracuse, and hear the acoustics in the Ear of Dionysius cave. Then visit an archaeological museum or enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch at a family-owned agriturismo. Alternatively, spend the day at a winery or visit Noto, a gem of Sicilian baroque architecture. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 9 Valletta, Malta: Disembark after breakfast in the World Heritage site of Valletta and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Rome or Malta. See website for details. 18

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Gaeta

Rome

Pompeii Salerno Paestum

Naples Tyrrhenian Sea

Agropoli Taormina Sicily

Port of Call Featured Site Ship

Adriatic Sea

Ortigia

MALTA

ITALY

Reggio Calabria Ionian Sea

Syracuse Valletta

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the October 2027 departure are geologist Wayne Ranney and Robert Stephan, a classical archaeologist. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Naousa, Paros

Library of Celsus, Ephesus

CRUISING THE AEGEAN: TURKEY AND THE GREEK ISLES

Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville or Le Champlain

HIGHLIGHTS • Tour sacred Delos and the ancient city of Mycenae, and visit the legendary theater at the World Heritage site of Epidaurus. • Step back in time in storied ancient cities along the Turkish coast, from Ephesus to the 5,000-year-old ruins in Troy. • Venture to the World Heritage site of Patmos and discover the delights of Mykonos during a free afternoon. • Enjoy a wine tasting in the picturesque port of Nafplio and spend a day on charming Paros.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $7,520* per person Single from $14,410* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: Oct. 14–21, 2027 & Oct. 28–Nov. 4, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

ITINERARY Days 1–2 Athens, Greece/Nafplio or Mycenae and Epidaurus: Board the ship in Athens and sail to the lovely Peloponnese port of Nafplio. The next day, tour Mycenae, the Bronze Age capital of King Agamemnon, and see the fabled theater of Epidaurus. Or stay in Nafplio for a walking tour that includes the Folkloric Foundation, the Komboloi Museum, and a wine tasting. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Day 3 Paros: Cruise to Paros, where beautiful white and translucent marble has been extracted since the sixth century BC. Explore the unique archaeological museum of Parikia and discover the picturesque fishing village of Naousa. Alternatively, take a guided hike on the Byzantine Way, a gentle path through the scenic countryside to the traditional Cycladic village of Prodromos. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Delos and Mykonos: Venture to the World Heritage site of Delos, one of the most sacred places in the ancient Greek world. View the magnificent Terrace of the Lions and tour the 5,500-seat theater. Enjoy an afternoon on Mykonos, with free time to explore the island’s iconic windmills and whitewashed houses. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Kusadasi, Turkey and Ephesus: Dock in Kusadasi and drive to the World Heritage site of Ephesus. Tour the beautifully preserved Library of Celsus and the working theater, known for its excellent acoustics. Walk the Sacred Way, where traces of an innovative water and sewer system are still visible, and visit the Terrace Houses, decorated with frescoes and mosaics. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Patmos, Greece: Drop anchor in Patmos, the rugged island to which St. John the Theologian was banished. Tour the Monastery of St. John and view its collection of Byzantine art. Venture into the Cave of the Apocalypse, where the saint is said to have received visions of the apocalypse. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 7–8 Canakkale, Turkey/Istanbul: Go ashore at Canakkale to explore the ruins of ancient Troy, site of the famous siege that was finally broken by the Trojan Horse. Alternatively, travel to Gallipoli National Park, once a World War I battlefield where Atatürk’s forces defeated the Allies in 1915. Visit Allied and Turkish cemeteries and tour the Gallipoli War Museum. Disembark in Istanbul the next morning and transfer to the airport. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D)

Port of Call

Istanbul

Featured Site Ship

Canakkale

GREECE Mycenae

Troy

Aegean Sea

TURKEY

Epidaurus Athens Mykonos Delos

Nafplio

Ephesus Kusadasi

Patmos

Paros

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the October 2027 departure are ecologist Neeti Bathala and Gillian Hovell, a historian and archaeologist. Visit our website to see additional experts.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Athens or Istanbul. See website for details.

EUROPE

Mykonos

CRUISING THE GREEK ISLANDS OF THE SOUTHERN AEGEAN

Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville, Le Lapérouse, or Le Champlain HIGHLIGHTS • Explore the World Heritage-listed island of Patmos and see artifacts from ancient shipwrecks in beautiful Bodrum, Turkey. • Venture to a cliffside monastery on Amorgos or experience island life on visits to a typical Cycladic home and a local olive oil producer. • Visit the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae and the ancient theater of Epidaurus. • Gain insight into Greek mythology on the sacred island of Delos, and enjoy free time to experience the Cycladic charms of Mykonos.

at the 11th-century Monastery of Hozoviotissa, which clings to a cliff some 900 feet above the sea. Meander among the whitewashed houses, chapels, and windmills of picturesque Chora, and visit its three small museums. Or take a walk in the olive groves of Lagada, and watch how olive oil is made using a traditional press as well as more modern methods. Continue to the village of Tholaria to tour a typical Cycladic home, and visit a distillery where an herbalist produces essential oils from the island’s native herbs—an age-old Greek tradition. Sample local delicacies with a stunning view of the sea. This evening, take in a breathtaking panorama of 900foot cliffs as we sail through Santorini’s volcanic caldera. (Meals: B,L,D)

ITINERARY

Day 5 Milos: From the ship’s deck, take in the wild beauty of coastal Milos, which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. It is also a geological treasure, with its volcanic origins on display in dramatic landscapes and multihued cliffs that range from chalk white to deep red. On an island tour, visit the Roman theater that overlooks the bay and see the site where the Venus de Milo was discovered, in pieces, in 1820. Drive along the northern coast to Plaka, a classic Cycladic chora with whitewashed houses framed by bright bougainvillea. Admire a stunning view of the sea from the veranda of the 19th-century church of Panagia Korfiatissa. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 1 Athens, Greece: Arrive in the birthplace of democracy. Home to many of history’s greatest philosophers and poets from Socrates to Herodotus, Athens is unmatched in its contributions to early Western civilization. Embark the ship and enjoy dinner as you set sail on the Aegean Sea. (Meals: D) Day 2 Patmos: The Dodecanese island of Patmos looms large in the history of Christianity: it was to this rugged island that St. John the Theologian was banished during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. Set out on a tour of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John, still an active place of religious study and a pilgrimage site, and discover its incredible collection of Byzantine art, including countless frescoes, icons, gold and silver liturgical objects, rare manuscripts, and antiquities. Continue to the Cave of the Apocalypse and its whitewashed chapel, and see the grotto where St. John is said to have received the visions of the apocalypse that later became the Book of Revelation. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Bodrum, Turkey: Cruise by local boat along the Bodrum Peninsula to the 15th-century Castle of St. Peter, built by the Knights of St. John. Explore the ramparts and the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology within, where you’ll find treasures from legendary ancient shipwrecks. Meander among the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, or linger in lovely Bodrum. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Amorgos, Greece: The most easterly island in the Cyclades, rugged and beautiful Amorgos remains off the beaten path and largely unchanged by tourism. Get acquainted with island traditions on visits to its timeless villages. Meet monks

Day 6 Delos and Mykonos: The mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, Delos is one of the most sacred places in the Greek world—as central to ancient spiritual life as Olympia and Delphi. Your visit to this World Heritage site begins at the hilltop Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens, where sweeping views of the site give a sense of its grandeur when it was the center of the Delian League. Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, a rich archaeological site with remains of three separate temples from the fifth and sixth centuries BC. See the magnificent Terrace of the Lions, where five marble lions have guarded the island for nearly 2,600 years. Walk through a district once filled with mansions to the 5,500-seat theater, the site of choral competitions during the quadrennial Delian festival. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon on charming Mykonos, where iconic windmills, sugar-cube houses, and azure bays epitomize the spectacular beauty of the Greek Isles. During your free time on the island, meander through the Little Venice neighborhood or stop in an ouzeri to nibble mezethes and sip ouzo, the quintessentially Greek aperitif. (Meals: B,L,D)

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Theater at Epidaurus

Typical Cycladic island home

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $7,040* per person Single from $10,240* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: July 6–13, Sept. 8–15,† 2027 & June 24–July 1, Sept. 20–27,† 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The September 2027 and 2028 departures follow a modiﬁed itinerary. See website for details.

GREECE TURKEY Epidaurus

Athens

Mycenae

Amorgos

Aegean Sea

Mykonos Patmos

Nafplio

Bodrum

Delos Milos

Day 7 Nafplio or Mycenae and Epidaurus: Dock in the historic port town of Nafplio, set on a turquoise bay on the coast of the Peloponnese. From this beautiful base, set out to visit the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, home to the legendary Lion Gate and the beehive tomb known as the Tomb of Agamemnon. Continue to Epidaurus to explore the site and its renowned theater—one of the most well-preserved and acoustically perfect ancient theaters in Greece. Instead, choose to stay in Nafplio and take a walking tour that includes the Folkloric Foundation and the Komboloi Museum. Later, visit a wine shop for a sampling of local specialties and ouzo. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Athens: Disembark in Athens this morning and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Athens. See website for details.

EUROPE

Amorgos

Port of Call Featured Site Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the July 2027 departure are religious studies scholar and archaeologist Jodi Magness and professor of ancient Mediterranean studies and archaeology Joanne Murphy. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Photo Caption Rovinj

Lavender ﬁeld, Hvar

CROATIA’S DALMATIAN COAST BY SEA

Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville

HIGHLIGHTS • Sample trufﬂes or local wines in Istria, a region renowned for its cuisine. • Enjoy free time to explore the World Heritage site of Diocletian’s Palace in Split and tour medieval towns of Zadar and Korčula. • Take a walking tour of Hvar Town; or view the island’s lavender fields and tour a lavender distillery. • Sail into Montenegro’s spectacular Bay of Kotor, surrounded by towering peaks, and tour the picturesque town of Kotor.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $6,810* per person Single from $9,760* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: July 28–Aug. 4, 2027 & July 26–Aug. 2, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

ITINERARY Day 1 Venice, Italy: Arrive in Venice and embark the ship this afternoon. (Meals: D) Day 2 Rovinj, Croatia: Sail into Rovinj, once a seat of the Venetian Empire on Croatia’s Istrian peninsula. Visit the medieval town of Motovun, then hunt for truffles and savor lunch at a family farm. Or explore the town of Poreč and sample wines at a family-run wine cellar in Krunčići. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Zadar: Set on a narrow peninsula, Zadar’s Old Town is scattered with medieval churches and Roman ruins. Uncover layers of history on a guided walk, listen to the chords of its fascinating Sea Organ, and taste Croatia’s signature maraschino liqueur. Alternatively, seek out unique flora and fauna on the uninhabited Kornati Archipelago. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Krka National Park/Split: Encounter the spectacular travertine waterfalls of Krka National Park before meeting your ship in Split. Or, journey along the scenic Croatian coast, visiting small towns and tasting delicacies before returning to Split, where Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman complex, encompasses the entire medieval town. Explore this 2,000-year-old city on your own as the ship stays anchored late into the night. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Hvar: Known for its fields of rosemary, lavender, and laurel, the fertile island of Hvar has produced olives and wine since the ancient Greeks. Step into history in Hvar Town on a walking tour that includes highlights such as the 15th-century Franciscan monastery and a Benedictine monastery where nuns craft Hvar lace out of agave fibers. Visit a traditional farm for a tour of their lavender distillery, or kayak and swim around coastal islands. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Korčula/Mljet Island: On a tour of the walled town of Korčula, once home to Marco Polo, witness a Moreška sword dance. Later sail to Mljet Island and explore the village of Pomena and the lovely trails of Mljet National Park. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Kotor, Montenegro: Enter the spectacular Bay of Kotor and experience the World Heritage site of Kotor, known for its remarkable Venetian and baroque architecture. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely day at a nearby beach club—relaxing, strolling the beach, and swimming, or take a cooking class in the charming village of Klinci. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Dubrovnik, Croatia: Arrive in Dubrovnik and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Venice or Dubrovnik. See website for details. 22

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Venice

CROATIA Rovinj Hvar

Zadar

ITALY

Primosten & Split

Korcula & Pomena

Dubrovnik Kotor

Adriatic Sea Port of Call

MONTENEGRO

Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the July 2027 departure are art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine and Florin Curta, a professor of medieval history and archaeology. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Dubrovnik

CRUISING THE DALMATIAN COAST AND THE IONIAN SEA

Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville or Le Bougainville

HIGHLIGHTS • Explore Split and Hvar, and enjoy a full day in the walled city of Dubrovnik. • Sail beneath towering peaks in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, and tour the Ottoman outpost of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. • Encounter Albanian sites long cut off from the world at the World Heritage-listed Butrint or ancient Sarandë. • Cruise through the narrow Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $8,860* per person Single from $12,810* per person Airfare not included 9 days | Dates: Sept. 29–Oct. 7, 2027 & June 14–22, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The 2028 itinerary follows a slightly different itinerary. See website for details.

ITINERARY Day 1 Venice, Italy: Arrive in Venice, once the center of an empire that ruled over the eastern Adriatic for more than a thousand years. Embark the ship in the afternoon. (Meals: D) Day 2 Split, Croatia: Enjoy a walking tour of Split’s historic city center, a World Heritage site built on the foundation of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace. Today, people live and work in this thriving, nearly 2,000-yearold complex. Or venture to the medieval town of Trogir for a walking tour and time to explore. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Hvar: Since the fourth century BC, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians have all left their mark on the island of Hvar. Enjoy a walking tour and learn about Hvar lace, crafted by local nuns. Or take a drive to the Hora Estate. Tour a lavender distillery and learn about the history of lavender cultivation on Hvar. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Ston, Croatia: From Ploce, head inland to Mostar in the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Venture into the World Heritage-listed Old Town, and see the storied Stari Most, a graceful Ottoman bridge that was famously destroyed during the Bosnian War. Alternatively, head to the walled town of Ston and visit the 13th-century saltworks and sample local specialties and wine. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Dubrovnik, Croatia: Set on a rocky spur on the Adriatic Sea, the walled city of Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities. Discover the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and pass by Sponza Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption. Or choose to follow the coastline to the ancient seaside resort of Cavtat and traditional village of Ljuta. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Kotor, Montenegro: Enter Montenegro’s spectacular Bay of Kotor and explore the World Heritage-listed old town of Kotor. Take a walking tour, admiring 14th-century frescoes at the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and exploring the town’s seafaring and naval traditions at the Maritime Museum. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Sarandë, Albania: Arrive in the port of Sarandë and choose one of two excursions. Visit the World Heritage site of Butrint, where the vestiges of Byzantine and Venetian rule intermingle with ancient Greek and Roman ruins. Or explore Sarandë, visiting Lekursi Castle and a winery before a walking tour. (Meals: B,L,D)

CROATIA Venice

ITALY

Split Hvar Ploče

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Mostar

MONTENEGRO

Dubrovnik Kotor

ALBANIA GREECE

Port of Call Featured Site

Sarande

Delphi Itea

Ship

Athens

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the September 2027 departure are historian Cynthia Paces and art and architectural historian Allan Langdale. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Days 8–9 Itea and Delphi, Greece/Athens: Venture to the World Heritage site of Delphi, once considered the sacred center of the Greek world. Back on board the ship, cruise the narrow Corinth Canal, a rare and thrilling highlight. The next day, disembark in Athens and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Venice or Athens. See website for details. EUROPE

Corinth Canal

Ionian Sea

Alhambra, Granada

Tétouan

CRUISING FROM MOROCCO TO SPAIN’S ANDALUSIAN COAST

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $5,520* per person Single from $8,500* per person Airfare not included

Aboard the 264-guest Le Boréal or the 184-guest Le Champlain

HIGHLIGHTS • In Morocco, explore the ancient medina of Tétouan, a World Heritage site, or delve into the museums and monuments of historic Tangier. • Sail the Strait of Gibraltar and discover the dramatic cliffs and caves of Portugal’s Algarve region. • Take a tour of the Alhambra, Granada’s stunning Moorish palace; and visit the ancient town of Ronda, built dramatically on a cliff top. • Tour the captivating sites of Seville, or enjoy a ﬂamenco performance in Cádiz.

8 days | Dates: Apr. 18–25, 2027 & Apr. 3–10, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

ITINERARY Day 1 Casablanca, Morocco: Arrive in Casablanca and settle into your cabin aboard the ship. (Meals: D) Days 2–3 Tangier or Tétouan: Sail to Tangier, an ancient city on the Strait of Gibraltar. Visit the Tangier American Legation Museum, a tribute to the long relationship between the U.S. and Morocco, and learn about local heritage at the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures. Alternatively, choose an excursion to Tétouan and tour its World Heritage-listed medina. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 4 Málaga, Spain and Granada: Spend the morning discovering Granada, seat of the last Moorish kingdom in Spain. Visit the Royal Chapel, the final resting place of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, and explore the incomparable palaces and courtyards of the Alhambra. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Marbella or Ronda: Arrive this morning in Marbella. Visit its whitewashed old town and a see a collection of sculptures by Salvador Dalí, or travel to Ronda, an ancient town built atop a deep gorge. Uncover layers of history amid the twisting streets of its Moorish-influenced center, and see the Plaza de Toros, Spain’s oldest bullfighting ring and one of its most beautiful. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Seville or Cádiz: Dock in Cádiz and continue overland to Seville. Stroll through the Murillo Gardens and visit the Real Alcázar, see the Gothic cathedral, and view La Giralda bell tower—together designated a World Heritage site. Meander through the charming, cobbled lanes of the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the city’s former Jewish quarter. Alternatively, set out on a walking tour of Cádiz’s Old Town, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Europe, and enjoy a thrilling flamenco performance and a traditional tapas lunch. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 7–8 Portimão, Portugal/Lisbon: From the fishing port of Portimão, travel inland to the town of Silves, once the seat of the Moors in Portugal. Visit the Castelo de Silves, a Moorish fortress with imposing red stone walls, and meander along cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses. Continue to the picturesque mountain village of Monchique before heading back to Portimão for free time to explore the stunning Algarve coast. Disembark in Lisbon after breakfast the next morning. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Morocco or Lisbon. See website for details.

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SPAIN

Lisbon

PORTUGAL

Seville Málaga

Marbella Portimão

Cádiz

Atlantic Ocean

Granada

Alboran Sea

Tangier Port of Call

Casablanca

MOROCCO

Featured Site Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the April 2027 departure are anthropologist Kerri Lesh and Alia Kate, an expert in North African culture and trade. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Granada

La Palma

LISBON TO THE CANARY ISLANDS BY SEA:

SPAIN, MOROCCO, AND THE ATLANTIC ISLES Aboard the 184-guest Le Champlain or Le Lapérouse HIGHLIGHTS • Explore the cliffs and fantastic rock formations of Portugal’s Algarve coast. • Venture into the enchanting medinas in Morocco, and tour Granada’s magnificent Alhambra. • Dock in Madeira and discover the island’s lush valleys, fishing villages, and terraced vineyards. • Visit the Canary Islands, encountering massive craters and soaring peaks, landscapes recently forged by lava, as well as charming towns. ITINERARY

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $9,010* per person Limited singles available on select departures and categories at no extra charge. Airfare not included 14 days | Dates: Oct. 19–Nov. 1, 2027 & Oct. 30–Nov. 12, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

Port of Call

Days 1–3 Lisbon and Portimão, Portugal: Arrive in Lisbon and embark the ship. Tour the Tower of Belém and the Monument to the Discoveries. Sail south to the stunning Algarve to visit the cliff-top Fortress of Henry the Navigator, or tour Lagos and stop for a wine tasting. (Meals: 2B,2L,3D)

Day 6 Granada: Dock in Málaga and spend the day in Granada. Walk through the city center to the cathedral’s Royal Chapel, and tour the magnificent Alhambra, a World Heritage site. Admire the exquisite architectural details of its palaces and courtyards, and visit the beautiful Generalife Palace and Gardens. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Tangier or Tétouan, Morocco: Sail to Tangier, an ancient city on the Strait of Gibraltar. Visit the Tangier American Legation Museum and learn about local heritage at the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures. Or travel to Tétouan to tour its World Heritage-listed medina. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Casablanca or Rabat: In Casablanca, see the new medina (or Habous district) and the impressive Hassan II Mosque. Or spend the day in the World Heritage site of Rabat, exploring the Royal Palace, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, and the picturesque kasbah. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 9–11 At Sea/Funchal, Madeira, Portugal: Spend a day at sea enjoying the ship’s amenities. In Funchal, ride a cable car and visit the Botanical Gardens; follow the coast to fishing villages and Europe’s highest cape; or walk through lush valleys along 19th-century irrigation channels. (Meals: 3B,3L,3D)

Lisbon

Ship

Cádiz

Funchal

La Palma

Canary Islands

SPAIN

Marbella Seville Granada

Portimão

Atlantic Ocean

Day 4 Cádiz and Seville, Spain: Dock in Cádiz and continue overland to Seville. Visit the Real Alcázar and see the Gothic cathedral—both part of a World Heritage site—and enjoy an Andalusian tapas lunch. Or stay in Cádiz for a guided walk followed by a flamenco performance and a tapas lunch. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Marbella or Ronda: Venture into Marbella’s whitewashed Old Town on a walking tour, then enjoy an Andalusian lunch featuring traditional flamenco music and dance. Or travel overland to Ronda, an ancient town built above deep gorges, and tour the twisting streets of its Moorish-influenced center. (Meals: B,L,D)

PORTUGAL

Featured Site

Málaga Tangier Casablanca

Madeira

Tenerife

MOROCCO

Gran Canaria

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the October 2027 departure are Peter Bobrowsky, an archaeologist and engineering geologist, and Hugh Neighbour, a foreign affairs specialist. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Days 12–14 Canary Islands, Spain: On La Palma, choose from a variety of excursions that showcase the landscape and local culture. Explore natural treasures in Tenerife or tour San Cristóbal de La Laguna and learn about local wine-making traditions. Disembark the next day in Las Palmas. (Meals: 3B,2L,2D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Lisbon or Las Palmas. See website for details. EUROPE

Lisbon

CRUISING SOUTHERN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

Aboard the 264-guest Le Boréal or L’Austral

HIGHLIGHTS • Admire the architecture of Seville, from the Gothic cathedral to the 14thcentury Mudéjar Alcázar to the charming homes of the old Jewish quarter. • Take a tour of the Alhambra in Granada, and meander through Generalife Palace and Gardens. • Immerse yourself in the beauty of Mallorca, an island of idyllic coves, soaring limestone cliffs, and almond orchards; and delve into history in Palma de Mallorca. • Savor paella at a local restaurant in Valencia and traditional tapas in Cádiz. ITINERARY Day 1 Barcelona, Spain: Arrive in Barcelona, a city filled with the artistic treasures of Antoni Gaudí, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí. Embark the ship and enjoy dinner onboard this evening as you sail east toward Spain’s Balearic Islands. (Meals: D) Day 2 Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands: Immerse yourself in the beauty of Mallorca, where idyllic coves scallop the coast, limestone cliffs plunge into turquoise waters, and almond orchards and vineyards blanket the plains. See the intersection of history and modern-day charms on a tour of Palma de Mallorca, the cosmopolitan capital of the archipelago. Admire the Catalan Gothic architecture of the magnificent sandstone Palma Cathedral, constructed over 300 years beginning in 1230; and stroll along the seaside promenade, soaking up the lively ambiance of the town. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Valencia: Return to mainland Spain and anchor in Valencia, an avant-garde city with history and tradition at its heart. Take a walking tour of this architectural hub, beginning in the heart of the Old Town at La Plaza de la Reina. Visit the 13thcentury cathedral, built on the site of a Roman temple that had been converted to a mosque. This Gothic structure is home to what is said to be the Holy Grail, as well as paintings by Goya and Maella. Continue to the World Heritage-listed La Lonja de la Seda, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture that was originally used in the silk trade. End at the modernist Mercado Central, a gastronomic hub of seasonal produce, fresh fish, meats, cheeses, baked goods, olives, and wines. After a paella

lunch, set off on a tour of the City of Arts and Sciences, a vast cultural complex designed by renowned Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. Visit the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia to see how architecture, engineering, and state-of-the-art technology combine to make an unparalleled performance spaces. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Cruising the Mediterranean Sea: As the ship makes its way along the southern coast of Spain, enjoy a day to relax at sea, taking advantage of the ship’s superb amenities. Opt for a treatment in the spa or a workout at the fitness center. If the weather permits, go for a swim in the pool or read a book on the sundeck. Visit the ship’s upper deck to take in views of the open sea and perhaps spot seabirds or marine species. Gather for lectures on the region presented by your Smithsonian Journeys Experts. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Málaga and Granada: Dock in Málaga, birthplace of Picasso, and travel to Granada, set at the foot of the lofty peaks of the Sierra Nevada. For centuries, Granada was the center of a civilization in which the three great monotheistic faiths worked side by side to build a society of tolerance, dialogue, and coexistence. From here, the monarchs of the Nasrid Dynasty ruled for 250 years over the last Moorish kingdom in Spain, leaving a priceless architectural legacy—the magnificent Alhambra. Begin your tour of Granada at the Royal Chapel, the final resting place of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic monarchs who brought an end to Islamic rule in Iberia. Then explore the exquisite palaces and courtyards of the Alhambra, now a World Heritage site. Continue with a visit to the beautifully landscaped Generalife Palace and Gardens, built as the summer palace for the Nasrid royalty. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Cádiz and Seville: Your last port of call in Spain is Cádiz, founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC and one of the oldest cities in Europe. From here, travel through olive and orange groves to Seville, the captivating capital of Andalusia. Shaped by a succession of often-clashing civilizations—Roman, Moorish, Jewish, Christian—Seville is a vibrant melting pot of cultures with a fascinating history. Visit the Real Alcázar, the former residence of Seville’s Moorish and Spanish rulers, and see the world’s largest Gothic cathedral—both part of a World Heritage site. Enjoy a lunch of Andalusian tapas and time to stroll through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the city’s former Jewish quarter. Alternatively, set off on a walking tour of Cádiz followed by a flamenco performance and a tapas lunch. (Meals: B,L,D)

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Real Alcázar, Seville

Algarve Coast

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $5,850* per person Single from $9,090* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: Oct. 17–24, 2026 & May 1–8, 2027† & Oct. 12–19, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The May 2027 and October 2028 departures embark the ship in Tarragona, Spain, rather than Barcelona.

Port of Call Featured Site Ship

SPAIN

Barcelona Palma de Mallorca

PORTUGAL Valencia Lisbon

Cathedral, Palma de Mallorca

Portimão Cádiz

Day 7 Portimão, Portugal and the Algarve: Arrive in the port town of Portimão, set on Portugal’s Algarve coast. Visit the stunning rock formations and caves of Ponta da Piedade, or tour the cobbled streets and charming squares of the walled Old Town of Lagos and enjoy a tasting of local wines. Alternatively, travel to Sagres on Cape St. Vincent to learn about the legacy of Prince Henry the Navigator. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Lisbon: Disembark in Lisbon after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Barcelona or Lisbon. See website for details.

EUROPE

Balearic Islands

Seville Granada

Malaga

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are art and architectural historian Stephen Clancy and anthropologist Kerri Lesh. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Saint-Malo

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

LISBON TO LONDON: CRUISING EUROPE’S WESTERN SHORES

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $6,570* per person Single from $10,360* per person Airfare not included

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot

HIGHLIGHTS • Discover historic Porto on a walking tour, and visit a port cellar to sample the city’s renowned fortified wine. • Explore Santiago de Compostela, and enjoy lunch in the 16th-century Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos. • Admire the architecture of Bilbao, from Gothic and baroque buildings to Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Museum. • Venture to the World Heritage site of Mont St. Michel or the walled city of Saint-Malo, and visit the D-Day beaches of Normandy.

10 days | Dates: Apr. 30–May 9, 2027 & May 5–14, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

ITINERARY Day 1 Lisbon, Portugal: Arrive in Lisbon and settle into your cabin before setting sail. (Meals: D) Day 2 Porto: Dock in Leixões and transfer to nearby Porto. See stunning azulejos (painted tiles) at the medieval cathedral, stroll through historic Ribeira to Dom Luis I Bridge, and enjoy a tasting at a traditional port cellar. (Meals: B,L,D)

London

ENGLAND English Channel

Caen

Atlantic Ocean

Santiago de Compostela

Day 3 Vigo, Spain/Santiago de Compostela: Journey through Galicia to its World Heritage-listed capital of Santiago de Compostela. Take a walking tour and enjoy free time in this pilgrimage site before lunch at the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos, commissioned in 1501 to welcome pilgrims. (Meals: B,L,D)

A Coruña

Day 4 A Coruña: Go ashore at A Coruña, a major shipping port that dates back to the age of the Phoenicians. Here, encounter the Tower of Hercules, the only Roman lighthouse still in use—built by Emperor Trajan and now a World Heritage site. (Meals: B,L,D)

Leixões

Day 5 Bilbao: Dock in dynamic Bilbao. Explore the avant-garde Guggenheim Museum Bilbao or the Old Town, where Renaissance and baroque buildings coexist with modernist architecture. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 6–7 At Sea/Saint-Malo or Mont St. Michel, France: Enjoy the ship’s amenities and onboard lectures during a day at sea. Arrive in Saint-Malo and discover its dramatic history on a tour of the walled city before enjoying a tasting of local cider. Or visit the World Heritage site of Mont St. Michel, a fortified abbey perched on a tidal island. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 8 Caen or the Normandy Beaches: Delve into the medieval history of Caen on a guided tour, or set out on an excursion to the Normandy beaches where Allied soldiers made their dramatic landing on D-Day. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 9–10 At Sea/London, England: Enjoy a day at sea as the ship plies the English Channel toward London. Disembark in London and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Lisbon or London. See website for details.

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St. Malo

Vigo

Bilbao

SPAIN

PORTUGAL Lisbon

Mont St. Michel

FRANCE

Bay of Biscay

Porto

Normandy Beaches

Port of Call Featured Site Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the April 2027 departure are Florin Curta, a professor of medieval history and archaeology, and Paul Glenshaw, a writer, artist, and historian. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Portree, Isle of Skye

Briksdal Glacier

SCOTTISH ISLES AND NORWEGIAN FJORDS VOYAGE

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $7,020* per person Single from $12,230* per person Airfare not included

Aboard the 184-guest Le Lapérouse or Le Champlain

HIGHLIGHTS • Experience the mystique of the Isle of Skye, exploring Armadale Castle or the Trotternish Peninsula; and cruise legendary Loch Ness. • Discover ancient sites in the Orkneys, from the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae to the Ring of Brodgar. • Venture to the remote Shetland Islands and discover the 5,000-year-old ruins of Jarlshof, delve into local culture, or hike the Island of Mousa. • Cruise through Norwegian fjords to the glaciers of continental Europe’s largest ice cap, and take a spectacular train journey on the Flåm Railway. ITINERARY

8 days | Dates: May 24–31, Aug. 27–Sept. 3,† 2027 & May 19–26,† Aug. 26–Sept. 2,† 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The August 2027 and 2028 departures run in the reverse direction; the May 2028 departure visits the Isle of Mull instead of the Scottish Highlands—see website for details.

Olden

Port of Call

Day 1 Glasgow, Scotland: Arrive in Glasgow and set sail along the western coast of Scotland. (Meals: D) Day 2 Scottish Highlands: Spend the day immersed in the beauty of the legendary Scottish Highlands. Take a scenic drive along lovely lochs, passing beneath Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the United Kingdom. Then cruise the fabled Loch Ness. Alternatively, visit the Glenfinnan monument, view the locks of Neptune’s Staircase, and enjoy a tour and tasting at the Ben Nevis Distillery. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Isle of Skye: Discover this enchanting island on your choice of excursions. Visit Armadale Castle and its award-winning Museum of the Isles; explore Skye from the Trotternish Peninsula to Dunvegan Castle; or visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Orkney Islands: Set out to explore the archaeological treasures of the Orkneys, including the Ring of Brodgar, the third largest stone circle in the British Isles, raised 5,000 years ago to chart the seasons. See the ceremonial Stones of Stenness and visit the settlement of Skara Brae, the best-preserved Neolithic village in Northern Europe. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Shetland Islands: Visit the site of Jarlshof, which reveals 5,000 years of human history. Alternatively, take a walking tour of Lerwick, including the award-winning Shetland Museum and Archives, or ferry to the wildlife-rich Island of Mousa for a hike. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Olden, Norway: Arrive in picturesque Olden, perched at the end of a fjord. Take a walk along Stryn Lake and then ride a cable car to the top of Mount Hoven for stunning views. Or enjoy a scenic drive to Briksdal glacier, and ride an electric “troll car” to the ice. Approach the blue-hued face of the glacier on foot and learn about the geological forces that keep the ice in constant motion. (Meals: B,L,D)

Sognefjord

Ship Shetland Islands

Flåm

Bergen

Orkney Islands

NORWAY North Sea

SCOTLAND Isle of Skye

Fort William Glasgow

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are geologist Marcia Bjornerud and Elisabeth Ida Ward, an expert in Scandinavian languages and literature. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Day 7 Flåm: Board the Flåm Railway for a magnificent journey on the steepest standard-gauge railway track in Europe. Navigate tunnels and switchbacks with ever-changing views of waterfalls, mountain hamlets, and snowcapped mountains; and make a brief stop at Kjosfossen waterfall. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Bergen: Disembark in Bergen and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Edinburgh or Bergen. See website for details. EUROPE

Duart Castle, Isle of Mull

CELTIC VOYAGE: THE HEBRIDES AND THE IRISH SEA

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot

HIGHLIGHTS • Delve into the lively Old Town of Cork, or take a tasting tour of the nearby Jameson Distillery. • Visit Tresco Abbey Gardens on the Isles of Scilly, or watch for rare Atlantic gray seals and sea birds on a wildlife cruise. • Trace history in Belfast at the Titanic Belfast Museum, or venture to Giant’s Causeway and the ruins of Dunluce Castle. • Explore the Inner Hebrides from charming Tobermory on the Isle of Mull to Iona’s early Christian sites.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $7,360* per person Single from $10,500* per person Airfare not included 9 days | Dates: May 9–17, 2027 & May 14–22, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The 2028 itinerary follows a slightly different itinerary. See website for details.

ITINERARY Day 1 London, England: Board the ship in London and sail out of the city on the River Thames. (Meals: D) Day 2 Dover: Take a tour of Dover Castle, whose underground tunnels were used during World War II. Alternatively, set out on an excursion to the medieval pilgrimage town of Canterbury, made famous by Chaucer’s tales. Or go for a walk atop the famous White Cliffs of Dover. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Isle of Wight: Just off the southern coast of England lies the Isle of Wight, once the haunt of Charles Dickens and other literary greats. Go ashore and visit the Osborne House, an opulent mansion left much as it was when Queen Victoria passed away here in 1901. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Isles of Scilly: Cruise to the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off the southwest tip of Cornwall. Visit Tresco Abbey Gardens to see some of the rare plants and flowers that flourish on these islands, or set off on a wildlife cruise, on the lookout for rare Atlantic gray seals and sea birds. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Kinsale, Ireland: From the charming fishing village of Kinsale, embark on one of three excursions. Explore the dynamic university town of Cork or enjoy a tasting tour of the Jameson Distillery. Alternatively, remain in Kinsale and see Charles Fort and the Old Head. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Holyhead, Wales: Arrive in Holyhead and travel to North Wales. Choose to visit Bodnant Garden and admire a collection of rare plants, or learn about the Menai suspension bridge and explore Caernarfon Castle, one of four northern Welsh castles that have been collectively designated a World Heritage site. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Belfast, Northern Ireland: In intriguing Belfast, see the stately buildings of the city center and cross Queens University to the celebrated Botanic Gardens. Then tour the state-of-the-art Titanic Belfast Museum, situated on the spot where the ship was built. Enjoy a pint and traditional dance, stories, and songs in a local pub; or follow Northern Ireland’s coast to Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 8–9 Isle of Mull and Iona, Scotland/Glasgow: On the Isle of Mull, delve into the fascinating history of Clan Maclean at Duart Castle and explore the charming port of Tobermory. Then visit the island of Iona, where Christianity was established in Scotland in AD 563, and tour Iona Abbey. The next day, disembark in Greenock and transfer to the Glasgow airport for your flight home. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in London or the Scottish Highlands. See website for details. 30

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Tobermory

Iona

N ORTHERN I RELAND

S COTLAND

Glasgow Greenock

Belfast Irish Sea

Port of Call Ship

E NGLAND

Holyhead

IRELAND Kinsale

North Sea

W ALES

London

Isles of Scilly Isle of Wight

Dover

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are Irish-born historian Darragh Gannon and Tom Dawson, an archaeologist and a professorial research fellow at the University of St Andrews. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Godafoss

Pufﬁns

ICELAND VOYAGE: LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $9,530* per person Single from $12,160* per person Airfare not included

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot

HIGHLIGHTS • Encounter spectacular waterfalls, vast glaciers, and the steaming geothermal landscapes of Lake Mývatn. • Explore the mystical Snaefellsnes Peninsula, from its black-pebble beaches to the iconic peak of Kirkjufell. • Cross the Arctic Circle on a visit to the birdwatcher’s paradise of Grimsey, and in the Westman Islands, see puffin colonies and watch for beluga whales. • Discover a unique way of life in the remote villages and towns of the rugged Westfjords Peninsula.

8 days | Dates: June 3–10, 2027 & June 1–8, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

Arctic Circle

ITINERARY Day 1 Reykjavík, Iceland: Board the ship in Reykjavík and enjoy the scenery as you cruise south. (Meals: D) Day 2 Heimaey: Arrive in the Westman Islands and tour Heimaey, observing the millions of seabirds that summer on the cliffs here—including puffins, fulmars, and guillemots. View Viking farmhouses in Herjólfsdalur Valley and see the World Heritage site of Surtsey, the Earth’s youngest island. Stop at a puffin nesting ground and visit the fascinating Eldheimar Museum. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Take in views of the iconic Kirkjufell peak as you arrive in tiny Grundarfjördur. Discover the natural wonders of the peninsula, from a black-pebble beach to a mystical glacier made famous by Jules Verne in A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Admire multicolored lava formations, abundant birdlife, and black lava fields. Or choose to embark on a whale-watching excursion for a chance to see humpback, minke, sperm, and pilot whales. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Grimsey: Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, Grimsey is bisected by the Arctic Circle. From its only village, Grímseyjarhreppur, set out to explore its lush, emerald hills and encounter thriving populations of seabirds, including puffins that come to nest on the island’s basalt cliffs from April to August. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Akureyri and Lake Mývatn: Dock in Akureyri and travel to Lake Mývatn. Visit the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of bubbling mud pots, steam vents, boiling springs, and fumaroles. Stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall of the gods,” or enjoy the Icelandic tradition of soaking in natural thermal baths. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Isafjördur: In the stunning Westfjords region, explore the tiny town of Bolungarvik. Tour the Osvör Maritime Museum, a cluster of restored turf-and-stone fishing shacks, and hear a performance of traditional Icelandic folk songs. Later, visit the Isafjördur Maritime Museum and enjoy a tasting of local specialties. Alternatively, ride a boat to the abandoned village of Hesteyri, a 19th-century whaling community near Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 7–8 Golden Circle and Reykjavík: Begin your tour of the Golden Circle at the World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park, where the world’s oldest legislative body first convened in AD 930. Marvel at the double cascade of Gullfoss, and visit Geysir, a geothermal area that gave rise to the word “geyser.” Or enjoy a whale-watching cruise in search of humpback, minke, and sei whales. Disembark the next morning. (2B,1L,1D)

Arctic Circle

Grímsey

Godafoss

Ísafjördur

Westfjords

Akureyri

Grundarfjördur

Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Reykjavík

Gullfoss

Lake Myvatn

ICELAND

Thingviller Nat’l Park Port of Call Heimaey

Featured Site Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the June 2027 departure are Elisabeth Ida Ward, who specializes in Scandinavian languages and literature, and Katryn Wiese, a professor of geology, paleontology, and oceanography. Visit our website to see additional experts.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Iceland. See website for details. EUROPE

Bergen

Norwegian fjordlands

CRUISING THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $8,510* per person Single from $19,740* per person Airfare not included

HIGHLIGHTS • Venture into the fjord lands to spectacular Geirangerfjorden, and sail Lysefjorden to see Pulpit Rock. • Step into history at the Viking site of Ullandhaug, the oil town of Stavanger, and the 17th-century ironworks at Arendal. • Admire art nouveau architecture in Ålesund, and meander among the wooden houses of picturesque Tvedestrand. • Spend a day in Gothenburg, Sweden, visiting the renowned Museum of Fine Art or the World of Volvo.

8 days | Dates: May 31–June 7, 2027 & Aug. 12–19, 2028†

Aboard the 184-guest Le Lapérouse

*Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The August 2028 departure will follow a slightly different itinerary—see website for details.

ITINERARY Day 1 Bergen, Norway: Arrive in Bergen, and embark the ship this afternoon. Enjoy dinner as the ship makes its way north along Norway’s coast. (Meals: D) Day 2 Ålesund: Picturesque Ålesund was rebuilt after a fire in the early 20th century and is now a showcase of art nouveau architecture. Take a walking tour and enjoy views from Mount Aksla or see marine life at the unique Atlantic Ocean Park. Alternatively, set off on an energetic hike up Sugarlump Mountain to enjoy superb views of the town and its remarkable surroundings. (Meals: B,L,D)

Ålesund

Day 5 Lysefjorden and Stavanger: Sail the Lysefjorden to view the breathtaking 2,000-foot-tall Pulpit Rock. Go ashore at Stavanger to visit the Viking site of Ullandhaug. Alternatively, join a guided Nordic walking excursion along a fjord, or hear a recital at the 13th-century Utstein Monastery. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Arendal: In Arendal, where iron was produced beginning in 1665, take a guided tour of the fascinating Naes Ironworks Museum. Stroll through charming Tvedestrand, where there is a bookshop on nearly every corner. Alternatively, hike along the coast in Raet National Park. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Gothenburg, Sweden: Take a panoramic tour of this lively Swedish city, and join a guide for a tour of the world-renowned Museum of Fine Arts and the Fürstenberg Gallery. Or visit the World of Volvo to see their latest concept cars and a life-sized Volvo constructed with LEGO bricks—a marriage of two of Scandinavia’s most famous brands. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Fredriksad, Norway/Oslo: Disembark this ship after breakfast and transfer to the airport in Oslo for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Bergen or Oslo. See website for details.

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Ship

Geiranger and Hellesylt

Olden

Day 3 Geiranger and Hellesylt: Cruise into the World Heritage site of Geirangerfjorden, a landscape of snowcapped mountains and emerald-blue lakes. Learn about continental Europe’s largest glacier at the Jostedal Glacier National Park Centre. Or visit a traditional farm and sample the goat cheese produced here. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Olden: Arrive in Olden, located near Jostedalsbreen National Park—home to mainland Europe’s largest ice cap. Drive a winding road along the fjord to breathtaking Stryn Lake, and ride a cable car up Mount Hoven for spectacular views and a short walk. Or take a scenic drive to Briksdal Glacier and approach the ice by electric “troll car” before walking to the edge of the glacier. (Meals: B,L,D)

Port of Call Geirangerfjorden

Motorcoach

NORWAY

Bergen

Alesund

SWEDEN

Oslo Stavanger

Lysefjorden

Arendal

Fredrikstad

Gothenburg

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are archaeologist and geologist Peter Bobrowsky, and Randolph Ford, an assistant professor of ancient studies. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Stockholm

CRUISING THE HISTORIC CITIES OF THE BALTIC SEA

Aboard the 184-guest Le Champlain or Le Lapérouse

HIGHLIGHTS • Discover the cliff-top Hammershus Castle on the Danish island of Bornholm. • Meet Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa and take a walking tour of historic Gdańsk, where he led Poland’s Solidarity movement. • Stroll among half-timbered houses in seaside Klaipeda and enjoy a performance of Lithuanian songs. • Tour the medieval old towns of Tallinn, Estonia, and Visby, on the Swedish island of Gotland—both World Heritage sites.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $9,810* per person Single from $14,260* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: June 11–18, Aug. 5–12,† 2027 & June 22–30, July 12–20, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The August 2027 departure runs in the reverse direction. The 2028 departures are 9 days long and include an overnight in port and additional day of touring in Stockholm.

ITINERARY Day 1 Copenhagen, Denmark: Arrive in Copenhagen and embark the ship. Set sail this evening. (Meals: D) Day 2 Bornholm, Denmark: Spend the day on the island of Bornholm, once a Viking stronghold. Explore charming Svaneke before an island tour, or venture to the cliff-top ruins of Hammershus castle. In the fishing village of Allinge, visit a smokehouse to sample smoked herring with a cold beer. Watch glassblowers at work and visit the unusual round church of Østerlars. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Gdańsk, Poland: Take a walking tour of the charming Old City of Gdańsk. Visit the European Solidarity Centre, dedicated to Poland’s civil resistance movement, and see the historic Gdańsk Shipyards. Or enjoy a private concert at the Polish Baltic Philharmonic. Meet with former Polish president and Nobel laureate Lech Walesa for a personal perspective on the Solidarity movement. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Klaipeda, Lithuania: Discover the Lithuanian coast on your choice of three excursions. Stroll among the Old Town of Klaipeda and enjoy a performance of traditional songs and a tasting of Lithuanian dishes. Venture to the Curonian Spit, a World Heritage site, and explore its oldest fishing village. Or learn about Lithuania’s 20thcentury history and visit a family-owned bee farm. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Visby, Gotland: On the Swedish island of Gotland, venture to the medieval walled city of Visby. Set off into the cobblestoned streets of this World Heritage site, lined with original merchants’ dwellings and warehouses. Visit the renowned Gotland Museum and the rose-filled botanical gardens. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Stockholm, Sweden: Arrive in Sweden’s magnificent “Venice of the North.” Stroll the narrow lanes of the enchanting Old Town on a guided walking tour and choose from two ways to explore the city. Head out on an excursion that includes the renowned Vasa Museum, dedicated to a 17th-century warship that sunk on its maiden voyage; or choose to visit Drottningholm Palace, the preferred residence of Sweden’s royal family. (Meals: B,L,D)

FINLAND

Port of Call Ship

Helsinki

SWEDEN Stockholm Gotland

DENMARK

Tallinn

ESTONIA

Visby

LATVIA

Baltic Copenhagen Bornholm Sea

Klaipeda

LITHUANIA

Gudhjem

Gdansk

POLAND

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the August 2027 departure are historian Laurie Koloski and JJ Green, a national security correspondent. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Day 7 Tallinn, Estonia: Delve into Tallinn’s World Heritage-designated Old Town on a walking tour. See Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the Gothic town hall; step back in time at a medieval apothecary; and visit a craft market. Alternatively, explore Estonia’s turbulent 20th-century history with a tour of Maarjamäe Palace. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Helsinki, Finland: Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Copenhagen or Helsinki. See website for details. EUROPE

Torii gate of Miyajima Island

TREASURES OF JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA BY SEA

Aboard the 264-guest Le Soléal

HIGHLIGHTS • Tour the lively South Korean port city of Busan or the World Heritage site of Gyeongju, cradle of the ancient Silla Kingdom. • Experience two traditional Japanese gardens—Korakuen and Yushien—and experience the steaming spa city of Beppu, home to thousands of hot springs. • Venture into merchant houses and samurai districts in the castle town of Hagi, and witness the traditional art of papermaking in Matsue. • Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and see the iconic torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. ITINERARY Days 1–2 Busan, South Korea: Arrive in Busan and embark the ship late this afternoon. The next day, tour the seaside Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and the Jagalchi Fish Market. Alternatively, visit Hongbeopsa Temple or choose a day trip to the World Heritage site of Gyeongju, the cradle of the ancient Silla kingdom. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Day 3 Sakaiminato, Japan/Matsue and Yasugi: Dock in Sakaiminato and tour the Adachi Museum of Art and Yushien Garden; see samurai swords and armor at the 17th-century Matsue Castle and try the ancient art of washi papermaking; or sail along the canals of Matsue on a Horikawa boat ride. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 Hagi: Trace the history of the Edo Period and the Meiji Restoration in Hagi Castle Town. Visit Toko-ji temple and take a walking tour of the samurai district, then see merchant-style architecture at the Kikuya Residence. Or learn about the city’s signature pottery at the Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 5 Mojiko: Travel to the samurai stronghold of Chofu, the center of the uprising that led to the Meiji Restoration. Tour the Chofu Mori residence and the Kozan-ji, Japan’s oldest Zen temple; and see Akama Shrine. Or tour the teahouse and gardens at Kokura Castle and meander through the Mojiko Retro district. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Beppu: Sail next to Beppu, a spa town set on the island of Kyushu that harbors almost 3,000 natural hot springs. Choose to visit Chinoike Jigoku, one of the oldest onsens in Japan, unique for its deep red color, or discover a steaming blue pond and bubbling mud pond at Kamado Jigoku. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Miyajima Island and Hiroshima: On Miyajima Island, tour the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine, originally established in 593. Continue to Hiroshima and take a walk through the Peace Memorial Park, a World Heritage site, and see the Genbaku Dome, the only structure to survive the explosion of the atomic bomb. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Tamano/Kurashiki: Dock in Tamano and spend today in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area. Gain insight into everyday life during the Edo period at the Museum of Folk Craft. Experience the splendor of Korakuen Garden, considered one of the three great gardens of Japan. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 9 Osaka: Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in South Korea or in Tokyo and Kyoto. See website for details. 34

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TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $8,840* per person Single from $18,550* per person Airfare not included 9 days | Dates: May 1–9, 2027 & Apr. 2–10, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

SOUTH KOREA

Busan

Hagi

Sea of Japan (East Sea)

Sakaiminato

Tamano Hiroshima Osaka

Mojiko Beppu

Miyajima Island

JAPAN Port of Call Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are Asian studies expert John Freedman and Morgan Pitelka, a historian of medieval and early modern Japan. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Komodo Photo Caption dragon

Triton Bay, West Papua

VOYAGE TO INDONESIA: DRAGONS, REEFS, AND THE SPICE ISLANDS

Aboard the 184-guest Le Jacques Cartier

HIGHLIGHTS • Encounter dramatic volcanic islands, and Komodo dragons in the World Heritage site of Komodo National Park. • Visit island communities and gain insight into everyday life and indigenous traditions of music and art. • Retrace a tumultuous history of traders and colonial powers as you explore the spice-trading hub of Banda Neira. • Snorkel or dive some of the world’s most pristine reefs with experienced guides. (Diving is available for certified divers at an additional cost.)

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $11,870* per person Single from $22,420* per person Airfare not included 12 days | Dates: May 15–26, 2027 & May 27–June 8, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

ITINERARY Days 1–2 Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia/Sumbawa: Arrive in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, and board the ship. Your first port of call is the Lesser Sunda island of Sumbawa, where rice farms and thatched villages are tucked amid volcanic ridges and jungle-edged beaches. Here, you’ll be welcomed by a local community and learn firsthand about their traditions and way of life. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Day 3 Komodo National Park: Komodo National Park encompasses 700 square miles of craggy volcanic slopes, pink-sand beaches, and reefs that teem with life. Explore this World Heritage site on walks, hikes, and snorkeling excursions, and observe the legendary Komodo dragon, an endemic lizard species that can grow up to 10 feet long. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 4–5 Flores and Alor: The islands of Flores and Alor offer postcard-perfect beaches and access to remarkable marine biodiversity, spanning from brightly colored reef fish and five sea turtle species to elusive creatures such as seahorses and dugongs. During two days docked at these islands, you’ll also spend time with the indigenous Takpala people and witness their traditions. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 6–7 Maluku: Arrive in the Barat Daya Islands, part of the Maluku Archipelago, famously called the Spice Islands by European traders on the hunt for nutmeg and cloves. Stroll pristine beaches, visit fishing communities, and look for some of the 162 bird species that have been spotted here. Then delve into the history of the spice trade on the tiny island of Banda Neira, once fought over by the Portuguese, the British, and the Dutch East India Company. As you tour the town, discover an eclectic mix of colonial architecture. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 8–9 West Papua: Savor two days of snorkeling, swimming, diving, and Zodiac cruising along the gorgeous coast of West Papua, an epicenter of marine biodiversity. Surround yourself with an astonishing range of vibrant corals and fish species, and, above the water, venture to stunning natural sites such as Kitikiti Waterfall and Triton Bay. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D)

West Papua

INDONESIA

Maluku

Denpasar Komodo National Park

Flores & Alor Kai Islands Arafura Sea

Sumbawa Timor Sea Port of Call Ship

Darwin

AUSTRALIA

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the May 2027 departure are marine biologist Mar Stiles and historian Craig Benjamin. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Days 10–12 Kai Islands/At Sea/Darwin, Australia: Cap off your adventure on the Kai Islands, home to long stretches of white-sand beaches. Then enjoy a day to relax on board as you cruise toward Australia’s northern coast. Disembark in Darwin the next day, and transfer to the airport for your return flight. (Meals: 3B,2L,2D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Bali or Sydney. See website for details. ASIA & THE PACIFIC

La Digue

Traditional village, Nosy Komba

MADAGASCAR AND SEYCHELLES:

NATURAL TREASURES OF THE INDIAN OCEAN Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville

HIGHLIGHTS • Discover the stunning bays and lush volcanic islands of Madagascar’s northern coast. • Explore the diverse islands of Seychelles, from the boulder-edged beaches of La Digue to the unspoiled coral atoll of Saint François. • Snorkel or dive amid brightly colored fish and corals at remote reefs and marine preserves. (Diving is available for certified divers at an additional cost.) • Encounter incredible biodiversity and unique species, including endemic birds, coco-de-mer palms, black lemurs, and miniature chameleons. ITINERARY

11 days | Dates: Jan. 31–Feb. 10, 2027 & Feb. 10–20, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

Port of Call

Days 1–2 Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles/La Digue: Arrive in the Seychellois capital of Victoria and embark the ship in the afternoon. Your first port of call is the iconic island of La Digue, where rounded granite boulders rise out of the jungle and the white sands. Experience the island from its rustic interior to its world-renowned beach, l’Anse Source d’Argent. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Day 3 Aride/Curieuse: Your next port of call is Aride Island, a nature reserve that is home to sea turtles and breeding seabirds. From there, discover the unique flora and fauna of Curieuse Island, from the World Heritagelisted coco-de-mer palm to the beaches where giant Aldabra tortoises roam free. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 4–6 Rémire/Saint-François Atoll/Farquhar Atoll: Sail to the far-flung outer islands of western Seychelles. On Rémire Island, explore lush jungles and snorkel or dive its renowned reefs. At Saint François Atoll, relax on the beach, observe birds and other wildlife, or go snorkeling. Spend a final day in Seychelles discovering the dunes and wildlife of Farquhar Atoll, and learn about the green and hawksbill sea turtles that nest here. (Meals: 3B,3L,3D) Days 7–8 Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Madagascar: Arrive in the port of Antsiranana and spend two days exploring this magnificent region of Madagascar, including the Emerald Sea and its karst islands. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 9–11 Islands of the Mozambique Channel/Nosy Be/Port Louis, Mauritius: Set out to explore the gem-like islands of the Mozambique Channel. Encounter unusual limestone columns and impressive biodiversity on Nosy Hara. On Nosy Komba, visit small villages to get acquainted with local life and observe black lemurs in the island’s tropical forests. Swim and snorkel in the protected marine habitats surrounding Nosy Tanikely, or hike to a lighthouse for sweeping views. Drop anchor in beautiful Nosy Be, and celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner. After breakfast, disembark the ship and take a charter flight to Port Louis to connect to your flight home. (Meals: 3B,2L,2D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Mahé or Port Louis. See website for details.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $11,880* per person Single from $21,230* per person Airfare not included (except charter flight from Nosy Be to Port Louis)

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Ship Air

Nosy Hara Nosy Be

SEYCHELLES Rémire Island

Saint François Atoll

Aride Island Farquhar Atoll Curieuse Island

Antsiranana

La Digue Island

Mahé

MADAGASCAR

Victoria

MAURITIUS Port Louis

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the January 2027 departure are naturalist and educator Dennis Wille Sáenz and Peter Nicholls, a historian of mixed British and Seychellois Creole heritage. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Addo Elephant Park

Table Mountain, Cape Town

SOUTH AFRICA AND NAMIBIA BY SEA:

AROUND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Aboard the 184-guest Le Dumont d’Urville

HIGHLIGHTS • Set out on safari in a variety of private game reserves, with a chance to spot Addo elephants and rare white lions and walk alongside giraffes. • See prehistoric fossils from the Wild Coast, or get to know Xhosa culture at an open-air museum. • Dock in Cape Town and explore the Cape Peninsula, visit Robben Island, or taste wines in Stellenbosch. • Venture to the historic Namibian port of Lüderitz or the ghost town of Kolmanskop.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $8,180* per person Single from $15,410* per person Airfare not included 11 days | Dates: Feb. 21–Mar. 3, 2027 & Mar. 2–12, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

ITINERARY Days 1–2 Durban, South Africa/At Sea: Arrive in Durban and board the ship. Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you cruise along South Africa’s Wild Coast. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Day 3 Eastern Cape: From East London, travel inland for a morning safari in one of two malaria-free wildlife areas: Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve or Mpongo Private Game Reserve. Both are home to diverse landscapes that harbor buffalo, giraffes, and numerous antelope and bird species. Alternatively, tour the East London Museum to see cultural artifacts and prehistoric specimens, and visit the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve. Or head to the Khaya La Bantu open-air museum to learn about life in a traditional Xhosa village. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 4–5 Port Elizabeth: During two days in Port Elizabeth, enjoy your choice of wildlife experiences. Seek out rare, reddish Addo elephants in Addo Elephant Park or go on safari in Pumba Private Game Reserve, home to the “big five”—lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhinos. Learn about conservation efforts at Amakhala Private Game Reserve, or set out on a game drive in Sibuya Private Game Reserve, followed by a river cruise. You’ll also have the opportunity for a walk alongside giraffes in the Bellevue Forest Reserve. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 6–8 At Sea/Cape Town: Spend a leisurely day at sea. In Cape Town, the ship remains overnight, allowing you to take part in a variety of excursions. Explore the magnificent Cape Peninsula from the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve—Africa’s southwesternmost point—to Boulders Beach, known for its African penguins, to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. In the Cape Winelands, admire the Cape Dutch architecture of Stellenbosch and enjoy a wine tasting. Tour Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years as a political prisoner, or delve into South Africa’s history on a city tour. Ride a cable car up Table Mountain for incredible views, or experience the breathtaking scenery along Chapman’s Peak Drive. (Meals: 3B,3L,3D) Days 9–11 At Sea/Lüderitz, Namibia/Walvis Bay: Arrive in the Namibian port town of Lüderitz, founded by a German merchant in the 1880s. On a walking tour, see the town’s German architecture and visit the Lüderitz Museum. Alternatively, venture to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, a thriving center of the diamond rush in the 1920s, or take a local boat to Halifax Island to observe African penguins in their natural habitat. Sail on to Walvis Bay and disembark the next morning. (3B,2L,2D)

Walvis Bay

NAMIBIA Luderitz Durban

SOUTH AFRICA East London

Cape Town Port Elizabeth

Port of Call Ship

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the February 2027 departure are ornithologist Pepper Trail and Nwabisa Mayema, a South African entrepreneur. Visit our website to see additional experts.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add a safari extension in South Africa or Namibia. See website for details.

AFRICA

Niagara Falls

Lake Michigan shoreline

A VOYAGE ALONG THE GREAT LAKES

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $9,750* per person Single from $12,480* per person Airfare not included

HIGHLIGHTS • Cruise four of the Great Lakes, exploring historic sites in Canada and the U.S. • Transit the impressive locks of Welland Canal, and ride a boat into the spray of Niagara Falls. • Go hiking on Manitoulin Island, kayak through wetlands on Kagawong River, or visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation. • Tour the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum or Museum Ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie, and explore timeless Mackinac Island.

9 days | Dates: Aug. 13–21, Aug. 21–29,† 2027 & Aug. 26–Sept. 3,† 2028

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot

*Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The August 21, 2027 and August 26, 2028 departures run in the reverse direction.

ITINERARY Days 1–2 Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Welland Canal/Port Colborne: Arrive in Toronto and board the ship. Set sail on Lake Ontario in the evening. Spend the next day on board and watch as the ship is raised 326 feet through the seven locks of the Welland Canal. Arrive at Port Colborne in the early evening. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D) Days 3–4 Niagara Falls/Detroit, Michigan and the St. Clair River, U.S.: From Port Colborne, continue overland to Niagara Falls, which straddles the border between Ontario and New York. Board a specially designed vessel for an exhilarating ride to within feet of Horseshoe Falls. Enjoy a relaxing evening as the ship cruises Lake Erie. Stop in Detroit and visit the Henry Ford Museum, then admire the mile-long Ambassador Bridge, a suspension bridge that spans two countries. Cruise the St. Clair River to Lake Huron. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 5 Lake Huron: One of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, Lake Huron separates Michigan from Ontario. It offers a variety of landscapes, from lush woodlands and rocky crags to spectacular cliffs, as well as some 30,000 islands. Take in this stunning scenery during a day of sailing amid lush, wooded islets; rugged coastlines; and the dramatic cliffs of the Bruce Peninsula. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Manitoulin Island, Canada: Spend the day exploring Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island. Choose from three excursions: At the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, learn about traditional crafts and watch a powwow demonstration. Hike the Cup and Saucer Trail to the highest point on the island and sample local specialties. Or kayak the upper Kagawong River through wetlands, view Bridal Veil Falls, and enjoy a chocolate tasting. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, U.S.: Take a scenic drive on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Tahquamenon Falls State Park to view the falls and take a forest walk. Visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and the historic Whitefish Point Light Station. Alternatively, learn about the maritime history of Lake Superior at the Valley Camp Museum Ship, then cruise through the Soo Locks on a local boat, transiting the Canadian Lock on the return to Sault Ste. Marie. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 8–9 Mackinac Island/Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Step back in time on Mackinac Island, a former fur trading center that was originally inhabited by American Indians and later settled by French and British colonists. Ride a horsedrawn carriage past Victorian houses and the iconic Grand Hotel, and enjoy breathtaking views from Arch Rock. Visit the living museum of Fort Mackinac, and sail Lake Michigan this afternoon. Disembark in Milwaukee the next day. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Toronto or Milwaukee. See website for details. 38

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Port of Call

O NTARIO

Featured Site Ship Lake Superior

Manitoulin Island

Mackinac Island

W ISCONSIN

CANADA

Sault Ste. Marie

Lake Michigan

Lake Huron Toronto

Milwaukee

Detroit

Lake Ontario

N EW Y ORK

M ICHIGAN Lake Erie

UNITED STATES

Niagara Falls Welland Canal

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the August 13, 2027 departure are archaeologist Carrie Sowden and David Catlin, a naturalist and educator. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Montréal across the St. Lawrence

FALL FOLIAGE ON THE ST. LAWRENCE:

QUÉBEC TO THE CANADIAN MARITIMES Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot

HIGHLIGHTS • Experience the Old World ambiance of Montréal and the elegant cobbled streets of Québec City set off by the stunning hues of autumn. • Go on a whale-watching excursion around Tadoussac and look for humpbacks, belugas, minkes, and more. • Get acquainted with French-derived Acadian culture on the remote Îles de la Madeleine. • Spend a day in the charming fishing village of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $13,360* per person Limited singles available on select departures and categories at no extra charge. Airfare not included 14 days | Dates: Sept. 26–Oct. 9, 2027 & Oct. 1–13, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The October 2028 departure is 13 days long and follows a slightly modiﬁed itinerary—see website for details.

ITINERARY Days 1–2 Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the St. Lawrence River: Arrive in Toronto and board the ship. Spend the next day enjoying the ship’s amenities and attending talks by your Smithsonian Journeys Experts as you cross Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River. (Meals: 1B,1L,2D)

Port of Call Ship

Days 3–4 Montréal and Québec City, Québec: See the ornate Notre Dame Basilica on a walking tour of Old Montréal, or take in the views from the Parc du Mont-Royal. Sail on to Québec City to stroll cobbled lanes steeped in Old World charm and explore Battlefields Park, site of the decisive Battle of Québec. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 5–6 Tadoussac/At Sea: The salty, rich waters around Tadoussac draw 13 cetacean species, including minkes, belugas, humpbacks, and blue whales. Visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Center, then set out in Zodiacs to spot some of these impressive creatures. Enjoy a day at sea. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 7 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: Savor the bucolic beauty and vibrant fall colors of Prince Edward Island. Tour the Green Gables Heritage Place, which inspired the setting for L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, or meet a Mi’kmaw knowledge keeper—an individual entrusted with preserving and sharing the island’s First Nations cultural traditions. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Îles de la Madeleine, Québec: Enjoy a cider tasting at an apple orchard, discover the islands’ Acadian roots at the Musée de la Mer, and take in coastal views from Cap Hérissé Lighthouse. Or hike amid dunes in Pointe de l’Est National Wildlife Area, an important stopover for migratory birds. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 9–10 Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia/Lunenburg: At the Sydney Mines Heritage Museum & Fossil Centre, learn about Sydney’s steel-making and coal-mining history. Or hike a gentle coastal trail, taking in views of the rugged shores of Cape Breton. Spend a day in the charming fishing village of Lunenburg. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Days 11–12 Yarmouth/Eastport, Maine, U.S.: Tour Yarmouth, known for its quiet coastal charm, Acadian culture, and rich history of seafaring and shipbuilding. The next day, choose between a historic walking tour through Eastport, a hands-on lobster boat experience, or an excursion to nearby Shackford Head State Park. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D)

CANADA

Cap-aux-Meules

Tadoussac

Sydney

Québec City

Toronto

Saint Lawrence River

Montréal

Eastport

Charlottetown

Lake Ontario

Boston

Yarmouth

Lunenburg

Provincetown Atlantic

UNITED STATES

Ocean

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the September 2027 departure are Wren Montgomery, an environment and sustainability specialist, and historian Keith Edgerton. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Days 13–14 Provincetown, Massachusetts/Boston: Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea before arriving in Provincetown, located at the tip of Cape Cod. Explore the town on your own before a farewell dinner on board. Disembark in Boston the following morning. (Meals: 3B,2L,2D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Toronto. See website for details. THE AMERICAS

Land’s End, near Cabo San Lucas

BAJA AND THE SEA OF CORTEZ

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bellot

HIGHLIGHTS • Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of Baja California Sur, cruising from the wildlife-rich Pacific coast to the desert islands and reefs of the Sea of Cortez. • Look for gray whales in a remote coastal lagoon and, with luck, interact with these gentle giants that often seek out human contact. • Snorkel or dive amid tropical fish and dramatic underwater terrain at Cabo Pulmo and Los Islotes. (Diving is available at many locations for certified divers at an additional cost.) • Swim with sea lions, go birding and snorkeling, and watch for enormous blue whales during two days in Loreto Bay National Park, then explore the historic mission town of Loreto. ITINERARY Day 1 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: Arrive in Cabo San Lucas and settle into your stateroom aboard the ship. Take in views of Cabo’s famous rock arches as the ship rounds Land’s End and heads toward the Pacific coast. (Meals: D) Day 2 At Sea: During a leisurely day at sea, get acquainted with the ship and your fellow travelers as you sail along Baja’s western coast. Attend talks by your Smithsonian Journeys Experts and relax on the sundeck to take in the views. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Bahía Tortugas: From the town of Bahía Tortugas, travel to Guerrero Negro for a whale-watching excursion in a remote lagoon protected by sand dunes. Weighing about 40 tons, Pacific gray whales migrate some 12,000 miles from the Arctic every winter, arriving by the thousands to calve in the salty lagoons along Baja’s western coast. Board a small local boat for a chance to observe these majestic creatures up close. Gray whales are naturally curious and sometimes seek out interaction with humans. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 4 At Sea: As the ship turns south, you’ll have another relaxing day on board to take advantage of the ship’s amenities. You might indulge in a spa treatment or meet with new friends for lunch alfresco or an afternoon cappuccino. Your Smithsonian Journeys Experts will share their insights, and there may be opportunities for wildlife watching with naturalists on deck. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 5 Bahía Magdalena: This morning finds you in Bahía Magdalena, a nutrient-rich bay fringed with mangroves and dunes that is renowned for its high concentration of cetaceans. Look for gray whales as well as humpbacks and dolphins on a whale-watching tour, and seek out seabird species such as pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, and albatross on Bird Island. Then set out to explore the dunes on a gentle walk or an invigorating hike. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Cabo Pulmo: Your first destination in the Sea of Cortez is Cabo Pulmo, a marine sanctuary whose diverse reefs inspired Jacques Cousteau to call it “the aquarium of the world.” Enjoy more whale watching, searching for humpbacks, orcas, and mobula rays. Alternatively, snorkel or dive the coral reefs amid shimmering schools of jacks, brightly colored tropical fish, and possibly sea turtles—five species can be found in these waters. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 7 Loreto Bay National Park: Loreto Bay National Park is known for its dramatic sea cliffs, volcanic peaks, and underwater canyons as well as stunning beaches. On a morning excursion by local boat, watch for humpbacks, dolphins, and blue whales—the planet’s largest animal, averaging nearly 100 feet in length and some 130 tons. Learn about the region’s terrestrial flora and fauna on an afternoon walk with a naturalist. Later, tour the fishing town of Loreto, the first Spanish mission in the Californias. With the ship docked here overnight, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this charming port on your own. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 8 Isla Coronado: Among the islands that dot Loreto Bay is Isla Coronado, a stratovolcano surrounded by secluded beaches. Unspoiled by development, the island harbors a California sea lion colony and the surrounding waters are rich with marine life. Enjoy a thrilling opportunity to snorkel or dive with sea lions, witnessing their underwater antics up close. Take the afternoon to swim and relax on the beach, or join a naturalist on a bird walk or a hike to the volcano’s summit. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 9 Pichilingue and La Paz: From the port at Pichilingue, head to Balandra Beach, one of Baja’s most beautiful beaches. You’ll have the morning to swim and take walks with naturalists. Shuttles to La Paz will be available for those who wish to explore its historic center or stroll the seaside malecón. (Meals: B,L,D)

SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/PONANT | 877.338.8687

Loreto Mission

Sea lions

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $9,320* per person Single from $13,520* per person Airfare not included 11 days | Dates: Feb. 14–24, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

Guerrero Negro Bahía Tortugas

MEXICO Isla Coronado Loreto

Loreto Bay National Park

Pacific Ocean

San Carlos

Sea of Cortez

Los Islotes

Bahía Magdalena

La Paz Port of Call

Gray whale breaching

Ship

Day 10 Los Islotes: Set off by local boat for Los Islotes, tiny islets in the spectacular Espiritu Santo archipelago that are home to a sea lion rookery. Here, immerse yourself in Baja’s extraordinary marine world, with options to swim, snorkel, or dive in these calm waters. With the rookery nearby, you’ll swim with curious sea lions, and you may catch sight of blue- or brown-footed boobies diving for fish. The surrounding reefs—as well as dramatic underwater terrain of caves and ravines—harbor all manner of marine species, from parrotfish to rays and sea turtles. (Meals: B,L,D)

Cabo Pulmo Cabo San Lucas

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on this departure are volcanologist and geologist Kirt Kempter and Madalena Patacho, a naturalist with special expertise in marine biology.

Day 11 Cabo San Lucas: Disembark in Cabo San Lucas and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (Meals: B)

THE AMERICAS

Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe

CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN’S WINDWARD ISLANDS

Aboard the 184-guest Le Bougainville or Le Champlain

HIGHLIGHTS • Experience Dominica, the “Nature Island,” on a hike to spectacular viewpoints, on a boat ride through mangrove forests, or on a tour of a family-owned chocolate factory. • Go island-hopping in the mostly uninhabited archipelago of Les Saintes, watching for wildlife and swimming or snorkeling. • Take a jeep tour of Bequia in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, or sail on a catamaran to nearby islands. • Snorkel or dive off the tiny island of Mayreau and in Tobago Cays Marine Park. (Diving is available for certified divers at an additional cost.) ITINERARY Day 1 Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia: Arrive in St. Lucia and board the ship in Vieux Fort, where two pointed volcanic peaks—the Gros and Petit Pitons—jut majestically out of the sea. (Meals: D) Day 2 Portsmouth, Dominica: Explore the Caribbean’s “Nature Island” on a variety of excursions. Hike through a bird sanctuary, view cacao farms and enjoy a tour and tasting at a sustainable chocolate factory, or watch for wildlife as you cruise among the mangroves of the enchanting Indian River. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 3 Les Saintes, Guadeloupe: Ride on a local speed boat amid the French islands known as Les Saintes, watching for turtles and seabirds and stopping to swim and snorkel. Alternatively, take a guided tour of Fort Napoléon, situated on a promontory some 300 feet above the exquisite Baie des Saintes. Then see how traditional boats are made at the shipyards of Marigot Bay and enjoy a local pastry. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 4–5 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Discover the island of Bequia on a jeep tour, exploring Port Elizabeth and admiring the view from the ruins of 18th-century Hamilton Fort. Or relax on a catamaran cruise, stopping to snorkel and swim. During a full day on Mayreau, swim, stroll the beach, and snorkel or scuba dive among the reefs. Gather on a private beach for a barbecue lunch featuring a local steel band. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 6 Tobago Cays: The Tobago Cays are five uninhabited isles that comprise a protected marine park whose turquoise lagoons provide a haven for a wide range of marine life, including green turtles, colorful sponges, conchs, sea turtles, and tropical fish. The fringing reef makes for calm waters and vibrant marine life, which you’ll encounter during a day of snorkeling, swimming, or scuba diving. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 7–8 Bridgetown, Barbados and Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia: Arrive in Bridgetown, the World Heritagelisted capital of Barbados, known for its colonial architecture. Go snorkeling and swimming among sea turtles or tour the island’s historic sites. Toast your Caribbean adventure with a glass of the island’s famous rum. The next day, disembark in Saint Lucia and transfer to the airport. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Saint Lucia. See website for details.

SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/PONANT | 877.338.8687

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $5,980* per person Single from $7,510* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: Feb. 17–24, 2027 & Feb. 23–Mar. 1, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

GUADELOUPE

Port of Call Ship

Les Saintes

Windward Islands

Portsmouth

DOMINICA

ST. LUCIA Vieux Fort

Caribbean Sea

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Bequia Mayreau

BARBADOS Bridgetown

Tobago Cays

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the February 2027 departure are foreign affairs specialist Hugh Neighbour and geologist Brent Garry. Visit our website to see additional experts.

Squirrel Monkey, Manuel Antonio National Park

Panama Canal lock

PANAMA AND COSTA RICA BY SEA:

THE NATURAL WONDERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA Aboard the 184-guest Le Lapérouse or Le Bougainville HIGHLIGHTS • Make a full daylight transit of the Panama Canal, one of the greatest wonders of engineering in history. • Visit the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Punta Culebra Nature Center on a specially arranged tour guided by Smithsonian staff. • Explore World Heritage-listed Darién National Park, and visit a village of the indigenous Emberá people to learn about their rich culture. • Go swimming and snorkeling in Panama’s remote San Blas Islands.

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $6,760* per person Single from $8,550* per person Airfare not included 8 days | Dates: Feb. 19–26, 2027 & Jan. 12–19, 2028† *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing. † The January 2028 departure runs in the reverse direction.

ITINERARY Day 1 San José, Costa Rica/Puntarenas: Arrive in San José and embark the ship in Puntarenas. (Meals: D) Day 2 Quepos: Dock in Quepos and transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park. Set out with a naturalist on the lookout for sloths, several species of monkey, toucans, terns, and more. Alternatively, choose a rafting adventure on the Savegre River or a riverboat cruise among the mangroves. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 3–4 At Sea/Darién National Park: Spend a day at sea, enjoying the ship’s amenities and lectures by your Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The next day, venture into the World Heritage site of Darién National Park, where indigenous peoples live among extraordinary biodiversity. Ride Zodiacs to Playa Muerto, a small coastal village of the Emberá people, and meet the chief to learn more about this culture, which has changed little over the centuries. Witness everyday customs and traditional dances, and opt for a short hike to a nearby waterfall. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 5 Panama City, Panama: Discover this attractive capital city, founded in 1519 by Spanish explorers and rebuilt in the late 17th century by the French. Tour the Biomuseo, designed by architect Frank Gehry, and view its exhibition on Panama’s ecology—executed by scientists from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Panama. Then take a specially arranged tour of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Punta Culebra Nature Center, an open-air museum dedicated to marine science and conservation. (Meals: B,L,D) Day 6 Panama Canal: This morning, begin your daytime transit of the Panama Canal. This marvel of engineering was begun by the French in 1881 but completed by the United States and opened in 1914. Delve into the dramatic history of its construction and engineering as you pass through three levels of locks. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 7–8 San Blas Islands/Colón: Enjoy a day to explore the San Blas Islands, a string of more than 300 islands and cays governed by the indigenous Guna people. Stroll the long white sand beaches, and go swimming and snorkeling. Meet members of the Guna community and browse their handicrafts. The next day, disembark in Colón and transfer to the airport. (Meals: 2B,1L,1D)

Port of Call Featured Site

COSTA RICA

Puntarenas

Caribbean Sea

Ship

San José Quepos

Colón

Manuel Antonio National Park

Panama Canal

San Blas Islands

Panama City

STRI

Gulf of PANAMA Panama

Playa Muerto Pacific Ocean

Darién National Park

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the February 2027 departure are historian and author Ralph DeFalco and naturalist and educator Dennis Wille Sáenz. Visit our website to see additional experts.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Costa Rica or Panama. See website for details.

THE AMERICAS

Smithsonian group in Antarctica

ANTARCTICA: THE WHITE CONTINENT

Aboard the 264-guest L’Austral or Le Boréal

HIGHLIGHTS • Travel to Antarctica with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts and a team of naturalist guides, enjoying a range of lectures and information along the way. • Encounter spectacular polar panoramas, navigating among towering glaciers, lava-sculpted mountains, and immense icebergs. • Walk among large colonies of penguins, including gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie; and watch for breaching whales, orcas, and leopard seals. • Enjoy excursions by Zodiac with expert naturalists, getting a closer look at icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife, and, conditions permitting, stepping onto the continent itself.

Days 5–9 Discovering the Antarctic Peninsula: Spend five days exploring the outer shores and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula, ethereal landscapes defined by lava and ice. Here, abrupt mountains create precipitous coastlines and massive glaciers calve icebergs of all shapes and sizes into the sea. In this seemingly harsh environment, a vast array of wildlife flourishes, including millions of penguins and seabirds, as well as numerous species of seals and whales. Keep an eye out for elephant seals and leopard seals, giant petrels, and great skuas, and with luck, humpback or minke whales and orcas. Go ashore on volcanic islands to walk among fur seals and gentoo and chinstrap penguins—and their newly hatched chicks. As the ship navigates deeper into the realm of ice, encounter playful Adélie penguins and unusual marine life.

ITINERARY

In this hushed and magical atmosphere, you may find yourself cruising past tabular icebergs that dwarf the ship, ice floes where Weddell seals loll after their meal, and sculpted ice that glows ethereal shades of turquoise and teal. Along the way, attend talks about polar wildlife and geology, and learn about the history of Antarctic exploration, from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to the ventures of explorers such as Jean-Baptiste Charcot and Adrien de Gerlache. Time and conditions permitting, you may have the chance to visit a research station. Keep in mind that you are privileged guests in these extreme lands, and the ship’s course is dependent on weather, sea, and ice conditions. Every cruise is unique, and your seasoned captain and crew are expert at making the most of the conditions at hand. (Meals: 5B,5L,5D)

Day 1 Buenos Aires, Argentina: Arrive in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires and check into the Hotel Madero (or similar). Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Day 2 Ushuaia: Fly to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and the gateway to Antarctica. Embark the ship and set sail on the Beagle Channel, named after the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his South American voyages. (Meals: B,L,D) Days 3–4 Drake Passage: Cross the legendary Drake Passage, enjoying time to get familiar with the ship and deepen your knowledge of Antarctica. Your Smithsonian Journeys Experts and the team of naturalist guides on board will present insightful lectures on the history and wildlife of the world’s oldest continent. Watch the crew navigate on the ship’s bridge, and spend time on deck with naturalists observing seabirds such as albatross and cape petrels. Indulge in a spa treatment or a visit to the onboard hammam, or relax with a book in one of the ship’s lounges. Once the ship reaches the Antarctic Convergence, where cold Antarctic currents merge with warmer waters of the South Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, look for orcas and fin, humpback, and minke whales as well as seabirds feeding on plankton and krill. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D)

Days 10–11 Drake Passage: Relax and reflect on board as the ship turns north and makes its way back across the Drake Passage. Enjoy lively, informative discussions with our Smithsonian Journeys Experts and the ship’s naturalists. Watch for albatross, many different species of petrels, and marine life as the ship cruises across the Antarctic Convergence making its way to the Beagle Channel. (Meals: 2B,2L,2D) Day 12 Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, Argentina: Disembark in Ushuaia and fly to Buenos Aires to catch your flight home. (Meals: B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Add an extension in Patagonia or Buenos Aires. See website for details.

SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/PONANT | 877.338.8687

Gentoo penguins

Observing on deck

TRIP DETAILS Price: Double from $15,170* per person Single from $20,240* per person Includes airfare between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, but airfare to/from Buenos Aires is not included. 12 days | Dates: Jan. 16–27, 2027 & Feb. 13–24, 2028 *Pricing reﬂects early booking savings from 5% to 30% at time of printing. See website for current pricing.

South America

ARGENTINA Buenos Aires Drake Passage

Ushuaia Drake Passage

Exploring by Zodiac

Port of Call

ANTARCTICA

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime expedition trip. The arrangements and execution of all facets of our Antarctica journey were rewarding and memorable.” — Charles L., TRAVELER

ANTARCTICA

Ship Air

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS EXPERTS Each cruise will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. The experts on the January 2027 departure include geologist, educator, and author Allen Glazner and Felicity Aston, a British polar explorer and climate scientist. Visit our website to see additional experts.

SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/PONANT | 877.338.8687

THE PONANT EXPLORATIONS FLEET In keeping with the shared travel philosophy of Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS, each voyage is curated to foster enriching experiences, cultural discovery, and camaraderie. The small, elegant ships of the fleet provide the ideal setting for these immersive programs. The fleet includes the PONANT Explorers (184 guests each) and the Sisterships (264* guests each). Each ship shares an elegantly understated aesthetic, as well as European sensibility and craftsmanship. The staterooms and suites feature panoramic sea views, and almost all feature a private balcony. Life aboard is relaxed and refined, and an air of casual sophistication enhances the feeling that you are aboard a private yacht. The Explorer ships feature a world exclusive: an underwater panoramic lounge—the Blue Eye—located within the hull, beneath the waterline. Two large porthole windows offer mesmerizing views of the swirling currents as the ship sails. The Blue Eye lounge bar provides a cozy and intimate ambiance, inspired by the underwater world.

SHIP AMENITIES

STATEROOM AMENITIES

• Two restaurants

• Private balconies (except Superior Staterooms on Sisterships)

• Theater • Two lounges with bars • Four spacious deck spaces for passengers • Fitness center, spa, and pool • Shop • Infirmary • Elevators • Marina • Blue Eye underwater lounge (exclusive to Explorer ships)

• A king bed or two twin-size beds • Individually controlled air conditioning • En suite bathroom with bath products, hair dryer, and bathrobes • Direct-dial satellite telephone • Free Wi-Fi • Flat-screen satellite TV • Movies on demand • Bose™ Bluetooth Speaker, desk, minibar, and safe • 24-hour room service • Butler service for specific suites on Sisterships and PONANT Explorers • Connecting staterooms available

*Le Lyrial accommodates 244 guests.

SMALL-SHIP OCEAN CRUISES

THE PONANT EXPLORERS

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS

Le Bellot, Le Bougainville, Le Champlain, Le Dumont d’Urville, Le Jacques Cartier, and Le Lapérouse Owner’s Suite Deck 5

Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3

Deluxe Suite Deck 3-4-5-6

Privilege Suite Deck 5-6

Prestige Stateroom Deck 4-5-6

Prestige Suite Deck 5-6

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6

DECK 6

620 618

616

619

617

614 612 610

621

615

534 532 530

528

533 531

529

DECK 4 535

611 609 607 605 603

601

526 524 522 520 518 516 514 512 510 508 506

504 502

Bridge

527 525 523 521 519 517 515 511 509 507 505 503 501

418 416 414 412 410 408

406 404 402

Restaurant

DECK 3

431 429 427 425 423 421 419 417 415 411 409 407 405 403 401

Grill

Marina

Boutique Main Lounge

Pool

Bar

Observatory Lounge

608 606 604 602

Library

DECK 5

Art Gallery, Studio Ponant

• Guest capacity: Up to 184 passengers • Crew size: 118 • Length: 430 ft/Beam: 59 ft/Draft: 15 ft • Cruising speed: 12.5 knots • Guest decks: 5 • Registry: France • Launched: 2018 (Le Champlain & Le Lapérouse), 2019 (Le Bougainville & Le Dumont d’Urville), 2020 (Le Bellot & Le Jacques Cartier)

Excursions Desk

312 310 308 306 304

302

Reception Medical Desk 317 315 311 309 307 305 303 301 Center

SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/PONANT | 877.338.8687

Theatre

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS

THE SISTERSHIPS

• Guest capacity: Up to 264 passengers • Crew size: 145 • Length: 466 ft/Beam: 59 ft/Draft: 15.3 ft • Cruising speed: 14 knots • Guest decks: 6 • Registry: France • Launched: 2010 (Le Boréal), 2011 (L’Austral), 2013 (Le Soléal), 2015 (Le Lyrial)

L’Austral, Le Boréal, Le Lyrial, and Le Soléal

Owner’s Suite Deck 6

Deluxe Suites Deck 6

Deluxe Staterooms Deck 3

Prestige Suites Deck 5-6

Prestige Staterooms Deck 4-5-6

Superior Staterooms Deck 3

626 624

622 620

604

Bar

602

Observatory Lounge 625 623 621

DECK 5 Fitness Studio Ponant

Spa

536 534 532 530

619 617

615 611 609 607 605

528 526 524 522 520

603

Panoramic Terrace

Library

601

518 516 514 512 510

508 506 504 502

Bridge

539 537 535 533

614 612 610 608

Grill

Pool

618 616

531 529 527 525 523

521 519 517 515 511

509 507 505 503 501

434 432 430 428 426 424 422 420 418 416 414 412 410 408

Theatre

437 435 433 431 429 427 425 423 421 419 417 415 411 400 407 405 403 401

Excursions Desk

Bar Main Lounge

334 332 330 328 326 324 322 320 318 316 314 312 310 308

Reception Desk

306 304 302

Medical Center 337 335 333 331 329 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 311 309

307

305

303

301

300

NOTE: Le Lyrial features one Owner’s Suite, one Grand Privilege Suite, three Deluxe Suites, one Grand Deluxe Suite, eight Privilege Suites, and one Prestige Stateroom on Deck 6. SMALL-SHIP OCEAN CRUISES

QUICK REFERENCE PAGE

VOYAGE

SHIP

DATES

EUROPE 10

Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca

Le Boréal Le Bougainville L’Austral

Oct. 10–17, 2026 Aug. 12–19, 2027 Apr. 26–May 4, 2028

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba

Le Dumont d’Urville L’Austral

May 18–26, June 7–14, 2027; May 14–21, 2028 May 4–11, 2028

Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea

Le Boréal Le Dumont d’Urville

Sept. 1–8, 2027 Oct. 21–29, 2028

Sailing the Adriatic: Treasures of Eastern Italy and Sicily NEW

Le Dumont d’Urville

Sept. 27–Oct. 5, 2028

A Circumnavigation of Sicily

Le Dumont d’Urville Le Lapérouse

May 10–18, 2027; May 6–14, Oct. 5–13, 2028 Oct. 15–23, 2027

Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily: Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights

Le Lapérouse Le Dumont d’Urville

Oct. 7–15, 2027 Oct. 13–21, 2028

Cruising the Aegean: Turkey and the Greek Isles

Le Dumont d’Urville Le Champlain

Oct. 14–21, 2027 Oct. 28–Nov. 4, 2028

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean

Le Dumont d’Urville Le Lapérouse Le Champlain

July 6–13, 2027; June 24–July 1, 2028 Sept. 8–15, 2027 Sept. 20–27, 2028

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea

Le Dumont d’Urville

July 28–Aug. 4, 2027; July 26–Aug. 2, 2028

Cruising the Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea

Le Dumont d’Urville Le Bougainville

Sept. 29–Oct. 7, 2027 June 14–22, 2028

Cruising from Morocco to Spain’s Andalusian Coast

Le Boréal Le Champlain

Apr. 18–25, 2027 Apr. 3–10, 2028

Lisbon to the Canary Islands by Sea: Spain, Morocco, and the Atlantic Isles

Le Champlain Le Lapérouse

Oct. 19–Nov. 1, 2027 Oct. 30–Nov. 12, 2028

Cruising Southern Spain and Portugal

Le Boréal L’Austral

Oct. 17–24, 2026 May 1–8, 2027; Oct. 12–19, 2028

Lisbon to London: Cruising Europe's Western Shores

Le Bellot

Apr. 30–May 9, 2027; May 5–14, 2028

Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage

Le Lapérouse Le Champlain

May 24–31, 2027; Aug. 26–Sept. 2, 2028 Aug. 27–Sept. 3, 2027; May 19–26, 2028

Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea

Le Bellot

May 9–17, 2027; May 14–22, 2028

Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice

Le Bellot

June 3–10, 2027; June 1–8, 2028

Cruising the Norwegian Fjords

Le Lapérouse

May 31–June 7, 2027; Aug. 12–19, 2028

Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea

Le Champlain Le Lapérouse

June 11–18, Aug. 5–12, 2027 June 22–30, July 12–20, 2028

Treasures of Japan and South Korea by Sea

Le Soléal

May 1–9, 2027; Apr. 2–10, 2028

Voyage to Indonesia: Dragons, Reefs, and the Spice Islands

Le Jacques Cartier

May 15–26, 2027; May 27–June 8, 2028

Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean

Le Dumont d’Urville

Jan. 31–Feb. 10, 2027; Feb. 10–20, 2028

South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope

Le Dumont d’Urville

Feb. 21–Mar. 3, 2027; Mar. 2–12, 2028

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

AFRICA

THE AMERICAS 38

A Voyage Along the Great Lakes

Le Bellot

Aug. 13–21, Aug. 21–29, 2027; Aug. 26–Sept. 3, 2028

Fall Foliage on the St. Lawrence: Québec to the Canadian Maritimes

Le Bellot

Sept. 26–Oct. 9, 2027; Oct. 1–13, 2028

Baja and the Sea of Cortez

Le Bellot

Feb. 14–24, 2028

Cruising the Caribbean's Windward Islands

Le Bougainville Le Champlain

Feb. 17–24, 2027 Feb. 23–Mar. 1, 2028

Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America

Le Lapérouse Le Bougainville

Feb. 19–26, 2027 Jan. 12–19, 2028

L’Austral Le Boréal

Jan. 16–27, 2027 Feb. 13–24, 2028

ANTARCTICA 44

Antarctica: The White Continent

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Pricing in this catalog is subject to change, and will vary depending on availability at the time of your reservation. Airfare is not included in the price unless specified on the itinerary page. Please see full Terms and Conditions online at SmithsonianJourneys.org/ponant-terms-conditions.

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PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS: iStock, Getty, Dreamstime, Shutterstock, Studio PONANT. Front Covers: A PONANT EXPLORATIONS ship near Lipari, Sicily/Studio PONANT, Olivier Blaud; A PONANT EXPLORATIONS ship near La Digue, Seychelles/Studio PONANT, Alexandre Herbrecht; Back Covers: The Caryatids of the Erechtheion, Athens/iStock-Charalambos Andronos; Giraffes, South Africa/iStock-Selim Kaya. Additional Studio PONANT images: p.2/ Clement Louineau; p.4/Julien Fabro; p.5/Sue Flood; p.8 upper left/LifeStyle Prod; p.8 middle and lower left/Julien Fabro; p.9 upper left/Mike Louagie; p.9 upper left/ Aurélie Court; p.9 upper right/Vutheara Kham; p.9 middle/Clement Louineau; p.9 lower left/Roger Paperno; p.9 lower right/Julien Fabro; p.46 top/Barbaresco Marc; p.46 bottom left /Nicolas Matheus; p.46 bottom right/Vutheara Kham; p.47 top/Julien Fabro; p.47 top middle/Emmy Apoux; p.47 bottom middle/Alexis Harnichard; p.47 bottom/Antoine Le Guen; p.48 left/Mike Louagie; p.48 right/Nicolas Matheus; p.49 left/Nathalie Michel; p.49 right/Tamar Sarkissian. Additional photos: pp.6–7/Smithsonian Journeys Experts. Printed in June 2026.

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COVER: A PONANT EXPLORATIONS ship near La Digue, Seychelles BACK COVER: Giraffes, South Africa

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