It's easy—you can book online, call us toll-free 1-877-338-8687, send us a fax, or reserve by mail. Please see the
Contact Us page for full details.
You can pay by check or with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Typically our programs require a deposit, with final payment due later.
All Smithsonian Journeys demonstrate our commitment to educational excellence with the unparalleled expertise of our
Study Leaders and local guest speakers. These exceptional leaders make the difference between you being a tourist and you being a prepared, informed traveler. On our Signature Tours, our Study Leaders are not only experts in their fields, but also personable traveling companions who genuinely care that you enjoy yourself to the fullest. On our Travel Adventures tours, educational lectures given by local guest speakers enrich and enhance your travel.
In addition, all Smithsonian Journeys are accompanied by professional tour managers, who handle all the logistics and brief you thoroughly each day—leaving you worry-free and ready to enjoy what you see along the way.
We believe that no one else can match the depth of experience and level of professionalism of our Smithsonian leadership.
Click here to learn why Smithsonian Journeys is unmatched in offering exceptional travel experiences.
You do, but if you're not already a member, it's easy to join. We make it a part of the tour registration process. It costs just $29, and only one membership is required per household. With your membership, you also get a 12-month subscription to Smithsonian magazine, discounts on shopping and dining when you visit the Smithsonian Institution, and discounts on all purchases from
SmithsonianStore.com and the Smithsonian Catalogue. And there's much more. Learn more about the benefits of
Membership.
Smithsonian Journeys offer an incomparable travel value! Every program includes the finest Study Leaders, Local Experts, and Tour Managers. Each custom-designed itinerary features exclusive excursions and behind-the-scenes tours. Pre-departure planning packages include customized travel tips and a comprehensive, annotated reading list. Plus each Journey features excellent accommodations; most meals, including delightful welcome and farewell events; emergency evacuation insurance (up to $50,000) and access to emergency assistance service; most service charges, administrative fees, and on-tour transportation; and all gratuities (except for some cruise programs).
See the itinerary and Terms and Conditions page for the program you are interested in for specific information.
Because we have so many members, we offer an enormous variety of journeys to fit every taste and budget. There are longer and shorter travel programs, ship-based offerings, and land programs. Only you can decide what's most appropriate for you, but chances are we have something that will be just right.
Every page of this website lets you search by departure date, tour type, interest, and destination. Search by destination to peruse the full listings for the year. In addition to the offerings you'll find on this site, we also offer a series of value-priced learning vacations called
Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures in association with Collette Vacations.
Trip size varies depending on whether the Journey is a cruise, land tour, performing arts, culinary, or outdoor program. Our land-based tours range from 20-30 participants and cruises range from 30-100, depending on ship size.
Smithsonian Journeys are perfect for people traveling alone, since you can share the fun with so many like-minded people. If you prefer a single room, you can reserve one on most journeys by paying the single room supplement (which reflects the additional costs charged by hotels and cruise lines). Please note that there may be a limited availability of singles. If you would like to share a room, we will do our best to arrange it for you, but if we're unable to do so, you'll need to pay the single supplement.
Because we offer a wide range of travel options worldwide—from weekends to two- to three-week journeys—our age range is quite broad. Our outdoor, more active journeys attract travelers from 45-75 years of age. Our special interest tours, including performing arts, typically attract 50-80 years of age. There is no typical age profile; however, overall average age is 55-65 on any of our Journeys. Our family programs attract parents, grandparents, and children as young as 8 years of age. For all of our tours, we encourage that travelers be physically able to participate in all activities so that they may enjoy all aspects of the journey.
Details of what to expect on each journey are available online within the information provided for individual tours. Each program includes health and medical recommendations which are sent to confirmed participants prior to departure.
Smithsonian Journeys offers $50,000 coverage for emergency evacuation and worldwide emergency assistance service included in the price of your tour. But we strongly recommend that you purchase additional insurance to cover you in the case of a medical emergency. Our Travelers. Protection Plan is specifically designed for Smithsonian travelers to offer a simple, convenient means of purchasing supplemental coverage, at reasonable rates, against a wide array of unforeseen incidents. Details about our Travelers. Protection policies are sent with your tour confirmation packet.
We offer many journeys appropriate for children (usually age 8+). Travel is a superb way for children to learn about the world and for families to spend "quality time" together. We offer a series of family-friendly journeys to be shared by adults and children, and our past travelers have told us these have been among the best experiences they've ever enjoyed as a family. For journeys not specifically designated as family programs, check with us before booking. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
All of our Journeys are featured on our website, and we print color catalogs and brochures for most of our tours. To receive our FREE catalogs featuring over 250 journeys worldwide, submit a
request online, call us toll-free at 877-338-8687, or write to:
Smithsonian Journeys
P.O. Box 23182
Washington, DC 20026
To keep up on our newest Journeys and travel specials,
sign up today for our weekly email updates including Vistas, our monthly newsletter featuring fascinating interviews with some of our expert Study Leaders. To receive our weekly travel specials and updates and monthly newsletter,
click here.
Not all of our brochures are automatically mailed to everyone. Brochures are generally printed six to nine months in advance of a tour. If you request a brochure before it is printed, you will automatically receive it once it is available.
Yes, but only if you notify us in advance of the departure so that we can arrange for your special dietary needs. There is a specific place to note this information on our Personal Information Forms that you will receive with your confirmation packet.
Airfare varies on a tour-by-tour basis. Some tours do offer air-inclusive packages, but typically airfare is not included in the tour cost. However, many of our partner tour operators are happy to assist you in arranging your flights. When purchasing tickets independently of the tour, please pay special attention to cancellation policies before purchasing tickets as international flight times and departures may change.
Although your trip cost is not tax deductible, your participations supports the Smithsonian Institution’s mission for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge."
