Smithsonian Journeys

03/21/2025

Are you still looking for your perfect summer adventure?

Experience two of South America’s most celebrated destinations with Smithsonian Journeys this July!

Explore Peru’s Inca treasures and World Heritage sites in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Then spend three magical days in the Galápagos, discovering unique endemic wildlife including giant tortoises, blue-footed bo***es, marine iguanas, and much more on nature walks, yacht cruises, and snorkeling excursions.

Check out the full itinerary and book now to ensure your space: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/machu-picchu-galapagos/itinerary/

03/17/2025

Does Saint Patrick's Day have you inspired to explore the Emerald Isle?

Visit Ireland with Smithsonian Journeys and enjoy these unique Irish experiences:

🇮🇪 In the Gaeltacht of western Ireland, Irish (Gaelic) is still widely spoken and traditional ways of life endure. Our classic Emerald Isle journey visits several Gaeltacht regions, including the enchanting boglands of Connemara and the Aran Island of Inishmore.

🛳️ Our Celtic Voyage calls at the Northern Irish port of Belfast, where the RMS Titanic set sail in 1912. Here, you’ll have the chance to embark on a fascinating journey at the Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art experiential museum.

🎶 During a one-week stay in Western Ireland, make yourself at home in Ennis, a stronghold of Irish music. You’ll have many opportunities to enjoy live music, and you’ll also be invited into the home of a local musician in Doolin for an evening of songs and storytelling around the fire.

See all Smithsonian Journeys trips to Ireland on our website: https://s.si.edu/4hpa14I

03/11/2025

Just back! Travelers on our Patagonia Hiking Adventure recently took to the trails of both the Chilean and Argentinian sides of Patagonia.

Traveler Pam LeBlanc had this to say about her experience: "The hike to Mount Fitz Roy and Piedras Blancas glacier at [Argentina’s] Los Glaciares National Park ranked as one of the highlights of my Smithsonian Journeys trip. The trail took us up a mountain slope, through scrubland, and over a boardwalk made of split logs. We soaked up incredible views of snowcapped peaks and a beautiful hanging glacier, and got buffeted by terrifically strong winds. Nature is beautiful!"

Learn more about the trip and see the itinerary on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/patagonia-hiking-adventure/itinerary/

Photos by Pam LeBlanc Adventures

03/08/2025

This International Women’s Day, we’re tipping our hats to Josephine Baker, who famously took Paris by storm in the 1920s and 30s, becoming one of the city’s top-billed entertainers.

When World War II broke out, she joined the Free French movement against Germany and gathered intelligence for the French Resistance, later earning a Croix de Guerre and a Legion of Honor for her war efforts. In 2021, she was inducted into the Panthéon—France’s highest honor–joining the likes of Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, and Voltaire. Her legacy comes to life at the 15th-century Chateau de Milandes in the Dordogne region, where Baker raised her 12 adopted children.

Learn more about Smithsonian Journeys trip Paris: The African American Experience and how you can explore the legacy of Josephine Baker: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/paris-african-american-experience/itinerary/

📸: “Josephine Baker” by Stanislaw Julian Ignacy Ostroróg, 1926. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

02/26/2025

Enjoy a fresh perspective on Europe when you explore from the trail on an Active Journey.

Hike to storybook villages in Italy’s beloved Cinque Terre, or walk through myth-infused Irish landscapes. You’ll soak up the region’s cuisine and culture in the company of a local guide, whether you’re sampling whisky at a historic distillery in Scotland or tasting wines and local specialities in Spain.

And new in 2026: Croatian Islands and Trails and Iceland in Winter! Island-hop through the glorious Dalmatian Archipelago, staying on stunning isles such as Hvar, Korčula, and Brač. Or seek out the splendor of the northern lights in the dark skies over Iceland as you explore local culture and waterfalls, glaciers, and intriguing geological formations along the southern coast.

Our Active Journeys combine physical activity—walking hiking, biking, and more—with authentic engagement with local culture. Check out all our Active Journeys on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/active/

02/26/2025

Pam is a travel photographer and writer who recently returned from our Patagonia Hiking Adventure, ranking it in her top 10 trips of all time! She sat down with FOX 7 Austin to talk about it on their "Good Day Austin" program. We're glad you had a wonderful time and enjoyed the benefits of group travel 😀

Check out the full itinerary on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/patagonia-hiking-adventure/itinerary/

Hear more about Pam LeBlanc's two-week trip to Patagonia with Smithsonian Journeys on today's segment on FOX 7 Austin's "Good Day Austin" program at https://www.fox7austin.com/video/1599537.

02/23/2025

Experience the enchantment of some of Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets on one of our two Christmas Markets river cruises with AmaWaterways.

Choose to cruise along the Rhine or Danube, savoring timeless holidays traditions and charming towns that sparkle with holiday spirit.

See these two cruises and more of our alliance with AmaWaterways on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/amawaterways/

02/22/2025

Don’t mind if we do cruise Bordeaux!

Embark on an enchanting voyage through Bordeaux and its picturesque wine regions. Venture into historic fortresses and châteaux and explore the renowned vineyards of Saint Émilion and Médoc. From Cadillac to Dordogne to the majestic heart of Bordeaux, savor exquisite local wines and cuisine.

Join Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways! See the full itinerary on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/bordeaux-cruising-waterways-southwest-france/itinerary/

02/21/2025

Experience three of Europe’s grand rivers—the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube—on an unforgettable cruise from the canals of Amsterdam to the majestic heart of Budapest. Along the way, encounter local cuisine, history, and a host of World Heritage sites.

Join Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways May 30-June 13, 2026. See the itinerary on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/europe-waterways-cruising-the-rhine-main-and-danube-river/itinerary/

02/20/2025

Experience Provence from the unique perspective of the Rhône River with Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways.

Cruise south from the historic center of Lyon to the picturesque towns of Avignon and Arles. Along the way, enjoy magnificent historic sites from the Roman Pont Du Gard to the Papal Palace, culinary tours, and visits to renowned wine regions and the stunning gorges of Ardêche.

See the itinerary and departure dates on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/rhone-river-cruise-colors-of-provence/itinerary/

02/19/2025

The River Seine is the lifeblood of Paris, famously curving past iconic monuments from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower.

Cruise this storied waterway with Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways out of the heart of Paris, winding through the glorious countryside of Normandy to the English Channel. Along the way, explore historic sites such as Rouen and Omaha Beach, savor the region’s proud culinary traditions, and trace the footsteps of great artists from Claude Monet to Josephine Baker.

See the full itinerary and reserve your space: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/along-the-seine-river-cruise-paris-normandy/itinerary/

02/17/2025

Cruise with Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways along the Douro River as it carves through the mountains of northern Portugal.

Set sail from the World Heritage-listed city of Porto to discover the spectacular landscapes of Portugal’s Douro River Valley, where wines have been produced for some 2,000 years. Visit picturesque villages and palaces; spend a day in beautiful Salamanca, Spain; and enjoy tastings at historic wine estates.

See the full itinerary and reserve your river cruise: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/cruising-portugal-douro-river-valley/itinerary/

02/15/2025

Are the gardens of Keukenhof on your must-see list?

Experience the brilliant colors of spring as you glide through the enchanting canals and waterways of Holland and Belgium aboard an upscale AmaWaterways river ship.

Beginning and ending in Amsterdam, cruise to ports that illustrate the region’s history and culture. With a range of excursions to choose from at each port of call, you might watch porcelain artisans at work in Delft, view iconic paintings at world-renowned museums, make chocolate with a chocolatier in Ghent, and ride a bike to the windmills of Kinderdijk or the tulip fields in the Dutch countryside.

Cap off your experience at the breathtaking gardens of Keukenhof, immersed in a sea of millions of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils.

See the full itinerary and reserve your river cruise: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/holland-belgium-spring-river-cruise-tulip-time/itinerary/

02/14/2025

Celebrate traditions of love from about the globe with Smithsonian Journeys!

💛 For thousands of years, women in Egypt—and across many Islamic societies—gather the night before the wedding to decorate the bride’s hands and feet with henna. Their russet designs, often in elaborate botanical or geometric patterns, last for several weeks and are said to bring the couple good fortune. Learn more about Egyptian culture of the past and present as you explore temples, pyramids, tombs, and modern-day life on our journey to Ancient Egypt and the Nile. https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/ancient-egypt-and-nile/itinerary/

💙 When the indigenous people of the Peruvian Andes get hitched, they call on the spirits of the mountains to protect their union and pay tribute to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. Wearing locally woven ponchos and hats, they exchange a chumpi, or a woolen engagement sash, which symbolizes their two lives merging onto a single path. Spend time in Andean villages on our Active Journey Walking the Inca Trails, or combine Peru’s archaeological wonders with an incredible wildlife experience on our Machu Picchu and the Galápagos tour. https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/machu-picchu-galapagos/itinerary/

Check out these tours and more on our website: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/tripfinder/

02/12/2025

Join Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways on the mighty Rhine River, cruising from one fascinating city to the next.

Marvel at the hilltop castles of the Rhine Gorge; explore charming medieval towns like Colmar and Heidelberg; and delve into history and architecture in Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Strasbourg.

Along the way, enjoy your choice of excursions: see Dutch masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum, discover the Roman relics in historic Cologne, tour the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, and go for a hike in Germany’s Black Forest.

See the full itinerary and reserve your river cruise: https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/rhine-river-cruise-amsterdam-basel/

02/07/2025

Introducing a rewarding way to explore Europe’s rivers with Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways!

We invite you to experience a new collection of river cruises that embody the enriching exploration and spirit of discovery that define the Smithsonian. Beginning in 2026—and available to book now—our river cruises will set sail on legendary rivers from the Danube and the Rhine to the Seine, bringing travelers to breathtaking landscapes and history-making sites in the company of two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.

Let the Journey Begin with and : https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/amawaterways/