EXPERIENCE THE WORLD YOUR WAY
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.
We invite you to discover a place you’ve always dreamed about on a trip that is designed for you. On a Tailor-Made Journey with Audley Travel, you choose your travel companions and decide where and when you want to go. We’ll work with you to build your ideal journey.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR TAILOR-MADE JOURNEY
1. Give us a call or visit our website to share your travel goals and your interests with us. We’ll connect you with a country specialist who will work with you to create your trip.
2. You’ll receive an itinerary designed to reflect your travel style and your passions—crafted just for you. We’ll fine-tune your trip until it is just right.
3. Once you love your itinerary, simply leave it to us. We’ll take care of all the details, from booking your transport and accommodations to choosing excellent local guides.
4. Before your departure, we’ll provide useful information and suggested reading about your destination to help you prepare for your journey.
5. Let the journey begin! You’ll experience the world worry-free, enjoying 24/7 service during your entire trip
your conversation with
THE TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCE
Perhaps you’re seeking to celebrate a milestone anniversary, plan a memorable family reunion, or set off on a dream trip with a group of old friends. Each Tailor-Made Journey is one of a kind—custom-designed by a travel expert with a wealth of firsthand knowledge about your destination. They’ll hand-select every route, hotel, and guide based on your preferences, and arrange experiences and activities that will be meaningful to you. We take care of all the logistics, so you can make the most of the experience and explore at your own pace.
EXPERT PRIVATE GUIDES
The private guides who join you throughout your journey may be scholars, renowned artists, seasoned naturalists, or critically acclaimed chefs. They are steeped in knowledge about your destination and eager to share their passion for the land they call home. Not only do they offer an insider’s view of cultural and natural history and everyday life, they are deeply resourceful and can provide recommendations for your meals and free time.
REGIONAL CUISINE
Cuisine is a delightful gateway into local culture—and we make sure it’s a highlight of your journey. You might follow a guide into the market on a tasting tours, join a chef for a private cooking class, or concoct a meal with a family in their home. On some trips, you’ll go straight to the source, hunting for truffles with an expert and their dog or visiting an oyster farm.
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES
Your accommodations can set the tone of your experience, which is why we have personally visited every property we recommend and have insights that can’t be found online. From fabulous views to congenial staff, excellent location to an authentic sense of place, these accommodations reflect the character of your destination. Our country specialists draw upon their firsthand knowledge to make recommendations that match your style.
A TRAVEL ADVENTURE UNIQUE TO YOU
Our recommendations are based on your interests, but also designed to ignite your curiosity. We’ll make suggestions that you may have never even considered, such as eating dinner with a local artisan in their home, visiting a museum after hours with a curator, or talking with a geologist at the crater of a volcano. From journeys by rail to culinary trips, we can plan unique experiences to fit most any passion.
We’ve included 10 sample itineraries in this brochure, but you’ll find many more on our website. We can design trips to more than 70 countries, and we can also convert many of the land-based tours on our website into Tailor-Made Journeys. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, give us a call, and we’ll create a custom-made trip that fits your vision.
JAPAN PAST AND PRESENT
Experience Japan’s captivating blend of the ancient and the ultramodern, from centuries-old temples where timeless rituals take place to the bullet trains that zip between cities. Delve into Tokyo’s culinary scene, follow a local expert through Kyoto’s geisha district, and enjoy free time in each city to explore what interests you most. Then head to beautiful Hakone to discover a national park set in the shadow of iconic Mount Fuji.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–3 Tokyo, Japan
Day 4 Kyoto
Day 5 Kyoto
Days 6–7 Shiga/Kyoto
Day 8 Hakone
Day 9 Hakone
Days 10–11 Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo and enjoy an evening at leisure. Join your private guide for a morning tour of the historic Asakusa neighborhood and the Buddhist temple of Senso-ji. Stroll the Hama Rikyu gardens before a tasting tour in the vibrant Ebisu district. During a free day, consider an excursion to seaside Kamakura.
Take the high-speed bullet train to Kyoto and explore the Higashiyama district on your own. Experience Kyoto’s culinary traditions on an evening food tour.
Discover Kyoto’s World Heritage-listed temples and gardens during a free morning. Later, stroll the cobblestoned streets of Gion, the geisha district, gaining insight from your private guide into the role of geisha in Japanese culture.
Travel to the nearby Shiga prefecture, on the shores of Lake Biwa, for a cooking lesson and a sukiyaki hot pot lunch in a family home. Attend a Kabuki theater performance back in Kyoto tonight. Enjoy a free day in Kyoto to explore as you wish.
Ride the bullet train to Hakone, set beneath the conical peak of Mount Fuji. Settle into your contemporary ryokan and opt for an onsen hot springs experience.
Explore Hakone and its national park from many perspectives. Ride a gondola on the Hakone Ropeway for aerial views, and meander through the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Ride a mountain train to the village of Gōra, or cruise the lake by ferry.
Return to Tokyo by rail and enjoy free time in Japan’s effervescent capital city. Depart the next day.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
WHERE TO STAY
Park Hotel Tokyo: A modern hotel infused with Japanese art that begins at the 25th floor of the Shiodome Media Tower
KAI Sengokuhara: A serene hot spring ryokan where art, nature, and relaxation create a sense of harmony and inspiration
FROM OUR TRAVELERS
“After you take a Tailor-Made trip with Smithsonian Journeys, you won’t want to travel any other way. Our mother-daughter trip was nothing short of spectacular!”
–Malia J.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $7,185 per person 11 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you. Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Tea ceremony
Tokyo
SOUTHEAST ASIA: VIETNAM, LAOS, AND CAMBODIA
Brimming with ancient mystique and pulsing with contemporary life, Southeast Asia is a true feast for the senses. Start off by tracing history in Hanoi, then sail among karst islands on Ha Long Bay. Explore the spiritual center of Luang Prabang, where tranquil temples contrast with lively markets. Relax in seaside Hoi An, meandering its medieval streets, and in Cambodia, immerse yourself in the Khmer masterpiece of Angkor Wat.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–2 Hanoi, Vietnam
Day 3 Ha Long Bay
Days 4–6 Luang Prabang, Laos
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Embark on a street food tour and visit highlights such as Ho Chi Minh’s stilt home, the Temple of Literature, and the Fine Arts Museum.
Transfer to Haiphong and board a traditional-style junk boat for an overnight cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay, gliding among thousands of karst islets and gumdrop mountains.
Return to Hanoi and catch a flight to Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Xieng Thong temple with a private guide and learn about Laos’s ethnic minorities at the TEAC Centre. Ride a tuk-tuk to a ceramics village and make your own pot. Rise early to watch monks collecting morning alms. At Kuang Si Falls, enjoy a picnic breakfast and a swim, then take an afternoon cooking class.
Days 7–8 Siem Reap and Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the ancient Khmer city of Angkor. See the Angkor, Cambodia temples of Ta Prohm, engulfed by vegetation, and explore Angkor Wat in depth with your private guide.
Day 9 Tonle Sap and
Learn about rural life in a traditional village, then cruise the Tonle Sap lake Siem Reap and walk or bike through community farms.
Days 10–12 Hoi An and My Son, Fly to Hoi An and tour this historic trading post with your private guide. Vietnam Enjoy a full free day to explore more of the region or relax on the beach. Journey to My Son, the capital of the ancient Champa kingdom.
Days 13–15 Ho Chi Minh City Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and set out on a Vespa tour for a local perspective, (Saigon) sampling street food along the way. Venture to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of Viet Cong tunnels, bunkers, and field hospitals. Depart the final day.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
WHERE TO STAY
Orchid Cruise: A traditional-style Vietnamese junk boat equipped with kayaks and bamboo boats
Montra Nivesha: A serene Khmer-style retreat near Angkor Wat with a focus on sustainability
La Siesta Premium Saigon: An elegant boutique hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City with a rooftop pool and fine dining
TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Take part in a cooking class in Luang Prabang and a street food tour in Hoi An.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $6,425 per person
15 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you.
Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Ta Prohm
Ha Long Bay
COSTA RICA FOR FAMILIES
Venture into the wilds of Costa Rica with your family, encountering incredible biodiversity on adventures in four distinct habitats. Start at Arenal Volcano, spotting monkeys and macaws as you zip line, bike, and hike. In Monteverde Cloud Forest, follow hanging bridges through misty treetops. Then unwind on the Pacific Coast’s tranquil beaches with horseback riding, snorkeling, and free time for surfing lessons, quad rides, and other fun family activities.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1 San José, Costa Rica Arrive in San José and meet your private driver for the transfer to your hotel.
Days 2–3 Arenal Travel by private car to Arenal, and explore this dormant volcano and the surrounding jungles, lakes, and lava fields during a variety of excursions. Get an up-close view of the rainforest canopy by sky tram and zip line, and learn about the tropical flora and fauna on a guided rainforest trek. Pedal through the jungle and nearby farms on a mountain bike tour suitable for the whole family, and enjoy a free afternoon to discover more of the region’s many secrets.
Days 4–5 Monteverde Cloud A scenic drive with your private guide brings you to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Forest where you’ll have time at leisure. Rise early for a cloud forest walk with a naturalist, observing birds and other animals as they prepare for the day. Follow trails and rope bridges strung through the canopy, learning about the forest’s biodiversity.
Days 6–7
Days 8–9
Tamarindo Bay Journey to the Pacific coast with your driver and settle into your hotel on Tamarindo Bay. Set off on a guided horseback ride and stop for a swim along the way. Join a sunrise surfing class the next morning, then enjoy the remainder of your day to take part in one of many activities or simply relax on the beach.
Tamarindo Bay
Set sail on a family catamaran cruise, stopping to snorkel among underwater volcanic rocks, watching for angelfish, sea turtles, and perhaps even a manta ray. Spend your final afternoon at leisure. Return to San José with your private driver and catch your flight home.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
CUSTOM FAMILY TRIPS
Let us plan an unforgettable family adventure for you! Our collection of sample family itineraries are full of rewarding experiences for all ages and can be custom-designed to fit your family’s pace and interests. You can also turn other itineraries into a family trip. We’ll work with you to create an experience that will be engaging for everyone. Visit our website to find all our Tailor-Made Family Journeys.
FROM OUR TRAVELERS
“We had three generations of family on our trip. Each was treated to unique activities, and some activities could be enjoyed by all. A wonderful experience!”
–Glenn F.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $3,945 per person
9 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you. Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Hanging bridge, Monteverde Cloud Forest
Red-eyed tree frog
SAILING THE GALÁPAGOS BY YACHT
Set sail aboard an intimate, 16-person yacht to experience the incomparable Galápagos Islands. Explore a variety of pristine islands and bays with a naturalist, encountering unusual wildlife that have no instinctive fear of humans. Discover Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas scampering across lava flows; observe the mating dances of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds; visit a giant tortoise breeding center; and snorkel with penguins, sea lions, and dazzling tropical fish.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–2 Quito, Ecuador
Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel. The next day, discover the city’s World Heritage-listed Old Town on a walking tour with your private guide. The remainder of the day is yours to explore as you wish.
Day 3 Baltra and Española Fly to Baltra Island and board the Archipel I, your home in the Galápagos. Sail Islands, the Galápagos to Española Island to see giant tortoises at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center.
Day 4 Isabela Island Hike, snorkel, and boat amid the lava landscapes and crystal waters of Moreno Point, then head for Urbina Bay to spot land iguanas, sea turtles, rays, and more.
Day 5 Fernandina and On Fernandina, seek out flightless cormorants, which evolved to swim Isabela Islands instead of fly. Snorkel off Isabela Island, watching for penguins, seahorses, and perhaps a giant mola-mola.
Day 6 Santiago and
Observe rare Galápagos fur seals at Puerto Egas, then land on the Rábida Islands remarkable red beach of Rábida, home to a large bachelor colony of Galápagos sea lions.
Day 7 Santa Cruz Island Snorkel from a Zodiac off Santa Cruz Island and go ashore to find sea turtles and flamingos on a nearby beach.
Day 8 Genovesa Island
Days 9–10
Explore this collapsed volcano, home to large populations of frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Keep an eye out for the rare red-footed booby, and snorkel in the sunken caldera.
Bartolomé and Hike to the island’s summit for views of Pinnacle Rock and find sea lions Santa Cruz Islands on coral sands of Sullivan Bay. Encounter lumbering giant tortoises in El Chato Reserve before transferring to the airport.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Snorkel the volcanic caldera on remote Genovesa Island, and see huge colonies of boobies and frigatebirds.
WHERE TO STAY
La Casona de la Ronda: An 18th-century mansion with a leafy courtyard, set at the edge of Quito's Old Town
Archipel I : A first-class power catamaran designed to offer a comfortable and intimate yacht experience for just 16 passengers
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $8,665 per person 10 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you.
Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Bartolomé Island
Galápagos sea lions
EGYPT:
CAIRO AND THE TEMPLES OF THE NILE
Step into an ancient world of temples and royal tombs, towering pyramids and mummified pharaohs, where the wonders of the past still reveal their secrets. Discover historic Cairo and iconic pyramids from Saqqara to Giza. Then set off on a four-night Nile cruise, sailing to temples that dot the riverbanks and exploring Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. End your adventure soaking up the gentle rhythms of life in Aswan.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1
Cairo and Giza, Egypt
Arrive in Cairo and transfer to your hotel in Giza. Enjoy the rest of the day to settle in.
Day 2 Dahshur, Saqqara, Set out to discover pyramids of many shapes and sizes with a private guide. and Giza Visit the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur and the Step Pyramid of Saqqara—Egypt’s oldest—then explore the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
Day 3 Cairo
Day 4 Luxor
Day 5
Luxor’s West Bank/
Immerse yourself in the treasures of the extraordinary Grand Egyptian Museum. Then delve into Cairo with a private guide, exploring the Citadel and Coptic Cairo.
Fly to Luxor and take a guided tour of the spectacular temples of Karnak and Luxor before boarding the Sonesta St. George I Nile Cruise
In the Valley of the Kings, descend into tombs decorated with bas-reliefs and Cruising the Nile hieroglyphics, then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Set sail on your Nile cruise after lunch.
Day 6 Cruising the Nile
Days 7–8 Aswan
Days 9–10 Abu Simbel and Aswan
Explore the Temple of Horus in Edfu, then sail on to Kom Ombo, home to an unusual double temple. Continue south to Aswan for the night.
Visit the Aswan High Dam and ride a boat to the Temple of Philae. Disembark the next morning and enjoy the day to explore Aswan on your own.
Set off on a full-day excursion to extraordinary Abu Simbel with your private guide. Pass between four 66-foot statues of Ramses II and discover elaborate carvings and massive statues inside. Return to Aswan and depart the next day.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
WHERE TO STAY
Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence:
A contemporary hotel on the banks of the Nile in Giza, with views of the Pyramids
Sonesta St. George I Nile Cruise: An elegant vessel featuring 57 richly appointed cabins and suites, gourmet dining, a full-service spa, and nightly entertainment
IDEAS TO EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Explore the highlights of Jordan, including the stunning ruins of Petra.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $5,582 per person
10 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you.
Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Karnak Temple
Pyramids of Giza
SOUTH AFRICA AND VICTORIA FALLS
Immerse yourself in the natural majesty of southern Africa, from the sweeping slopes of the Cape Peninsula to wildlife-rich grasslands to the plunging waters of Victoria Falls. Delve into history and culture in Cape Town and discover the flora and fauna atop Table Mountain. Encounter a wide range of wildlife on safari in a private game reserve, and travel to Zambia to witness the drama of Victoria Falls.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–2 Cape Town, Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to your hotel. The next morning, ascend South Africa Table Mountain in a rotating cable car and explore the mountaintop, discovering its abundant flora and fauna. Later, take the ferry to Robben Island for a shared tour of the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years.
Day 3 Cape Peninsula On a full-day excursion to the Cape Peninsula, visit the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, see the resident penguins of Boulders Bay, and ride the funicular to the lighthouse at Cape Point.
Day 4 Cape Winelands Spend a day exploring the Cape Winelands region, stopping for tasting tours at wineries in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl.
Days 5–7 Sabi Sands Game Fly to Greater Kruger National Park and transfer to your lodge in the Sabi Sands Reserve Game Reserve. Spend two full days on safari, setting out on morning and afternoon game drives with fellow guests and a knowledgeable tracker and guide. Seek out an array of species from lions and rhinos to wild dogs and vibrant birdlife, and opt for a guided bush walk. Stop for sundowner cocktails and seek out nocturnal species after dark.
Days 8–10 Livingstone and Catch a flight to Livingstone, on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Here, the Victoria Falls, Zambia/ Zambezi River plummets some 350 feet into a narrow chasm. Settle into Johannesburg, your riverside hotel and consider joining a sunset wildlife cruise. Enjoy a full South Africa free day to experience Victoria Falls as you wish, perhaps on a guided walk into the chasm, a canoeing or white-water rafting adventure, or a hike in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. On your final day, fly back to Johannesburg and depart for home.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
WHERE TO STAY
Victoria & Alfred Hotel: A stylish hotel set within a century-old warehouse on the elegant V&A Waterfront, with spacious rooms and expansive views of Table Mountain and the marina
Arathusa Safari Lodge: An elegant safari lodge with thatched suites at the edge of a watering hole where wildlife comes to drink, located in a private reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park
FROM OUR TRAVELERS
“A once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable adventure. We did and saw things that we never would have managed to plan on our own.”
–Valli T.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $9,200 per person
10 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you.
Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Vineyard in Stellenbosch
Victoria Falls
HIGHLIGHTS OF AUSTRALIA
From the Sydney Opera House to the Outback, experience some of Australia’s most beloved landmarks. Snorkel vibrant reefs, witness a penguin parade, and gain insight into the spiritual significance of the massive sandstone monolith of Uluru. Wander Sydney’s lively quays and enjoy time to explore deserts, beaches, and rainforests. Along the way, discover the stories of Australia’s Aboriginal peoples and experience the natural and cultural bounty of this extraordinary continent.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–3 Sydney, Australia
Days 4–5
Days 6–7
Arrive in Sydney and transfer to your hotel. The next day, embark on a shared catamaran cruise on Sydney Harbour, sailing past the Sydney Opera House and other landmarks. Enjoy a free day to explore the city as you wish, or take a day trip to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Fly to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where you’ll have free time to explore. National Park Sit down to an outback dining experience and stargaze with an astronomer. Catch the sunrise over the rock domes of Kata Tjuta the next day, and join a small-group tour of sacred Uluru.
Cairns/Port Douglas and Fly to Cairns and transfer to beachfront Port Douglas. Board a reef cruiser the Great Barrier Reef and spend a full day snorkeling or diving the Great Barrier Reef. Gain insights into this natural wonder from a marine biologist and enjoy lunch on board.
Days 8–9 Port Douglas and the Venture into the ancient Daintree Rainforest on a full-day small-group tour. Daintree Rainforest Learn about its ecology and the unique relationship between the Daintree and the Aboriginal people who call it home. You’ll have a full day to explore the beaches and hiking trails of Port Douglas.
Days 10–13 Melbourne Fly to Melbourne and enjoy a free afternoon. Get a local view of the city’s laneways, street art, and café culture on a guided walking tour. Set out along the coast to French and Phillip Islands, and take prime seats to watch the famous fairy penguin parade. Depart the next day.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Spend a full day diving or snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, learning about this natural wonder from a marine biologist.
WHERE TO STAY
Harbour Rocks Hotel: A historic property within walking distance from the Sydney Opera House
Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat: A familyoperated retreat featuring treehouse rooms set in the Atherton Tablelands amid rainforests, wildlife, and 160 bird species
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $9,450 per person
13 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you.
Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Kata Tjuta
Sydney Opera House
CULTURE, ART, AND CUISINE OF ITALY
Experience Italy in depth, from its world-famous cuisine to its phenomenal art and architecture. Take a Tuscan cooking class and enjoy private guided tours of Siena and the legendary museums of Florence. Stay in a former monastery in the Chianti hills, and enjoy family-style Tuscan meals and a truffle-hunting adventure. Then head to magnificent Rome, where you’ll gain an insider perspective on art and history from the Colosseum to the Sistine Chapel.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–2 Florence, Italy
Day 3 Florence
Day 4 Florence
Day 5 Tuscan Countryside
Day 6 Siena and
Arrive in Florence and transfer to your hotel by private car. The next day, take part in a private cooking class with an acclaimed chef. Make a local specialty from scratch and feast on your creations.
Embark on a full-day private tour with an art expert, seeing iconic works by the likes of Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli in the Accademia and Uffizi Galleries.
Venture into the woodlands outside Florence to hunt for truffles on a private excursion with an expert and their truffle dog. End the expedition with a lunch that features your truffle bounty.
Travel into the heart of Tuscany to an agriturismo set within a beautiful monastery. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the gardens and historic grounds.
Join a private guide to discover the World Heritage site of Siena, home to San Gimignano a magnificent cathedral and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. Savor a Tuscan farmhouse lunch and visit the hilltop town of San Gimignano.
Days 7–8 Rome
Days 9–10 Rome
Head south by train to Rome and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. The next morning, delve into history and archaeology with your private guide on tours of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Join your private guide in Vatican City and view important artwork in the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Cap off your time in Rome on a Vespa tour, discovering the Eternal City from a local point of view. Depart the next day.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Bernini Palace: A luxury hotel and former 15th-century palazzo just steps from the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio
Badia a Coltibuono: A former monastery that has served as an organic farm and winery for centuries
Donna Camilla Savelli: A serene luxury hotel in a former monastery nestled in Rome’s charming Trastevere district
FROM OUR TRAVELERS
“The trip of a lifetime customized to us perfectly. We will remember this trip to Italy forever.”
–Iris G.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $9,320 per person
10 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you.
Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Colosseum, Rome
Tuscan countryside
ACROSS THE HEART OF SPAIN BY TRAIN
Journey from Madrid to Andalusia aboard Al Andalus, an elegant, belle epoquestyle train. Take in ever-changing views of the Spanish countryside as you travel to the World Heritage site of Toledo, the Roman ruins of Mérida, Córdoba’s extraordinary Mezquita, and beyond. Savor local cheese and wines, and cap off the journey with two nights in Seville, where a flamenco performance brings Andalusia’s spirit vividly to life.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–2 Madrid, Spain
Day 3 Aboard Al Andalus
Day 4 Toledo
Day 5 La Mancha
Day 6
Cáceres and Mérida
Day 7 Jerez
Day 8 Cádiz and Córdoba
Arrive in Madrid and transfer to your hotel. Meet your private guide the next morning for a walking tour of lively plazas as well as lesser-known corners and hidden gems.
Gain insight into Madrid’s history and artistic heritage before lunch with fellow Al Andalus passengers. Then settle in aboard the splendid train, styled after those used by British royalty.
Spend the day in the World Heritage site of Toledo, shaped by centuries of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influence. Discover its extraordinary architecture on a walking tour.
Get acquainted with the rural traditions of La Mancha, visiting a cheese producer and winery. View the windmills of Campo de Criptana, famously associated with Don Quixote.
Explore the remarkably preserved medieval town of Cáceres, and continue to Mérida for lunch and a visit to its World Heritage-listed Roman ruins.
Experience one of Andalusia’s most celebrated traditions: the renowned equestrian ballet. After a local lunch, visit a prestigious winery in Jerez for a tour and tasting.
Travel by road to coastal Cádiz to explore one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Enjoy lunch on the train as you continue toward Córdoba for a tour of the Mezquita, a breathtaking mosque-cathedral.
Days 9–11 Seville
Immerse yourself in the splendor of historic Seville during an introductory morning tour, then disembark the train and take the afternoon to explore as you wish. The following morning, delve deeper into the city’s monuments and neighborhoods with a private guide, and cap off your journey with a flamenco performance. Depart the next day.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
TAILOR-MADE JOURNEYS BY RAIL
Settle in aboard one of the world’s premier railways and experience the romance of train travel, gaining an intimate perspective of vast landscapes and enjoying the comfort and nostalgia of a bygone era of travel. Whether you’re traveling across Spain or Scotland, you’ll enjoy a unique train journey along with guided tours and experiences that you can customize any way you wish. Find all our rail journeys on our website.
TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Spend six nights aboard the elegant Al Andalus train, enjoying ever-changing views of Spain between destinations.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $17,500 per person
11 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you. Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Toledo
Spanish cheese and wine
PRAGUE, VIENNA, AND BUDAPEST
The capitals of Central Europe tell a fascinating history of Bohemian kings and Habsburg emperors—and of stunning achievements in the arts. Discover the unique characters of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, exploring their historic centers with private guides and enjoying a culinary tour and a classical concert. Admire the art nouveau masterpieces of Prague and the imperial palaces of Vienna, and take in views of Budapest from Castle Hill.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Days 1–2 Prague, Czech Republic
Day 3 Prague
Day 4 Vienna, Austria
Days 5–6 Vienna
Days 7–8 Budapest, Hungary
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel in the city center. Enjoy the remainder of the day to settle in. Meet your private guide the next morning for a walking tour of Prague's historic center, including Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. As evening falls, join a shared cruise on the Vltava River, taking in the enchantment of the city lit up at night.
Taste your way through Prague on a culinary tour, sampling a range of Czech specialties at eateries in different neighborhoods.
Travel by first-class rail to Vienna and check in to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before a classical concert at the majestic Vienna State Opera this evening.
Embark on a walking tour with your private guide, visiting important sites such as Hofburg and Belvedere Palaces, as well as the Imperial Treasury. Spend the next day pursuing your interests, perhaps visiting one of the city’s world-class museums and savoring Sacher torte in a historic coffee house. Later, meet an instructor for a private lesson in Viennese waltz.
Take the train to Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The next morning, set off on a private walking tour of the Castle District, visiting landmarks such as Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. Stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant or view a stunning collection at the National Gallery.
Days 9–10 Budapest
During a free day in Budapest, you might explore the historic thermal baths or the Grand Market, or take a walk along the Danube. Depart the next day.
This itinerary is a sample of what’s possible. Your Tailor-Made Journey will be crafted just for you. Visit our website or call for more ideas.
EXPERIENCE CENTRAL EUROPE’S CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Choose to travel at the end of November or in December to time your trip to coincide with the holidays, and experience Prague, Vienna, and Budapest transformed by the magic of the season. Soak up the unique character and spirit of each city’s Christmas markets, discovering the local culture through its holiday traditions, handicrafts, and treats.
TRIP HIGHLIGHT
Attend a classical music concert at the Vienna Opera House, and enjoy a Viennese waltz lesson with a private instructor.
TRIP DETAILS
Sample Price: Double from $6,530 per person
10 days | Dates: Choose the dates that work for you. Choose your travel companions and customize this journey any way you wish!
Budapest
Christmas market, Vienna
YOUR NEXT JOURNEY AWAITS
Santorini, Greece
Leopard, Tanzania
Northern Lights, Iceland
Andean weaving, Peru
This brochure is a sampling of the many destinations you can choose on a Tailor-Made Journey. If you are interested in a different travel experience, Smithsonian Journeys offers myriad ways to explore the world! With more than 150 thoughtfully crafted itineraries to all seven continents and a wide range of travel styles, there are trips for every kind of traveler. Use the trip finder on our website to find your next journey—then get inspired with detailed itineraries, information about the knowledgeable Smithsonian Journeys Experts who accompany many of our trips, photo galleries, hotel descriptions, and much more. Let the journey begin!
Visit SmithsonianJourneys.org or scan this QR code.
Mont St. Michel, France
