The Tailor-Made Experience

Now, perhaps more than ever, you may wish to travel with just those close to you—your spouse or your extended family, a favorite travel partner, or a group of close friends. We invite you to discover a place you’ve always dreamed about on a trip designed just for you and the traveling companions you choose.

Each Itinerary is One of a Kind

You’ll be paired with a country specialist with fi rsthand knowledge of the region you’d like to visit. Simply share your travel aspirations and we’ll curate a dayby-day itinerary that matches your interests, your pace, and your budget. We’ll hand select every route, hotel, and guide; choose accommodations based on your preferences; and arrange activities and excursions that will be meaningful to you. You’ll fi nd sample itineraries throughout this catalog, but remember, your trip will be a true refl ection of you.

Knowledgeable Country Specialists

Our country specialists are passionate about the regions in which they specialize and have traveled in them extensively. Often, they have lived and worked in these destinations. Plus, they return to explore further, meet local experts and guides, visit hotel properties, and stay on top of exciting changes—all to provide you with the best advice to create your trip.

Pace of Your Trip

The pace of your trip is up to you. If you prefer your trip with some spontaneity and time at leisure, we can build in free time so that you can linger in a historic district, catch an impromptu concert, or just sit at a café and people-watch.

Hassle

Free

From transportation to guides, we’ll take care of all the logistics. And for peace of mind, you’ll have access to a 24-hour phone number so you can reach us anytime.

The Smithsonian & Audley Difference — Names You Can Trust

Smithsonian has worked hard over the past 175 years to earn its reputation as one of America’s most trusted institutions. And, as you would expect from Smithsonian, our journeys are known for itineraries, service, and on-tour experts and guides of the highest quality. Audley Travel has been a leader in planning handcrafted trips for curious and savvy travelers for more than 25 years. When you travel with Smithsonian and Audley, you can be assured that your experience will be top-notch.

Supporting the Smithsonian Mission

When you travel with Smithsonian Journeys, your participation supports Smithsonian’s mission to preserve natural and cultural heritage, drive research, and engage and inspire people on critical issues affecting our nation and world.

Planning Your Tailor-Made Journey

1

It all starts with a conversation. Simply pick up the phone 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 ideal trip.

2

You’ll receive an itinerary designed to reflect your travel style and your passions—handcrafted just for you. If it’s not perfect, we will fine-tune the details until your trip is just right. Feel free to call whenever you wish with any questions or adjustments.

3

Once you love your itinerary, simply leave it to us. We’ll take care of all the details, from booking your transport to choosing excellent local guides.

4

Leading up to your departure, we will provide helpful information about your destination to make sure you are prepared for your journey.

5

Let the journey begin! You’ll experience the world worry-free, enjoying 24/7 service during your entire trip.

Start

Unique Experiences

We don’t want you to simply see a new place, we want you to be immersed in its culture. The excursions and experiences that we suggest for your handcrafted itinerary are based on your interests, but also designed to ignite your curiosity. We’ll make suggestions that you may have never even considered. 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 are the types of experiences that bring a place to life and instill new understanding. We have a vast yet carefully curated portfolio of experiences that can be tailored to match your passions and interests.

Regional Cuisine

Cuisine is a delightful gateway into local culture—and we make sure it’s a highlight of your journey. You’ll follow our guides into markets on tasting tours, join chefs for private cooking classes, and cook meals with families in their homes. You’ll sample wines with the vintner and chocolates with the chocolatier; and on some trips, you’ll even help procure local specialties, from hunting for truffl es with an expert and his dog to harvesting oysters and tasting them straight from the sea.

Expert Guides

Our guides are imbued with local knowledge. They may be scholars, esteemed artists, renowned naturalists, or critically acclaimed chefs. Their backgrounds may be diverse, but they all share a passion for the land they call home, a specifi c area of expertise, and the desire to share their knowledge and passion for their home with you.