Smithsonian Journeys’ New 2010 Tours Celebrate 40 Years of Travel
Smithsonian Journeys is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the release of its 2010 Preview Catalog that features dozens of new and fascinating itineraries. Below is a sampling of some of the latest and most fascinating additions to the 2010 lineup.
Tudor Tapestry (April 6-16, 2010)
Best-selling author and pre-eminent Tudor historian Alison Weir leads travelers to England’s most infamous sites and exhibitions marking the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s ascension to the throne. The tour starts in London and continues through the Cotswolds with excursions to Westminster Abbey, the resting place of several Tudor monarchs, and the Tower of London, where many of Henry’s foes met bloody ends. Day trips include visits to Winchester and its cathedral, the site of Mary I’s marriage to Philip of Spain, and Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Presentations and lectures are made throughout the trip by Weir and other guest speakers on the history of the period and its representation in modern culture.
Prices start at $5,695 per person, based on double occupancy, land only, including nine nights’ accommodation and all breakfasts.
Bali and Java: The Arts and Culture of Indonesia (April 30-May 10, 2010)
Travelers will gain an insider’s perspective into the timeless traditions of the Indonesia archipelago where they will meet a group of leading journalists, politicians and professionals in an exclusive panel discussion about modern Bali and Indonesia, visit master artisans and learn about Bali and Java’s dance traditions from prominent choreographers and performers. This tour offers both relaxed and active pursuits to travelers: visiting ancient temples where villagers make flower offerings to Hindu gods and ancestors, walking or bicycling along country paths and meeting local villagers and snorkeling offshore to enjoy the colorful marine life. A grand finale features Java’s Yogyakarta, a center of high Javanese culture for millennia, and Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist monument.
Prices start at $5,995 per person, based on double occupancy, land only, including nine nights’ accommodation and most meals.
The Iditarod (March 2-8, 2010)
Mushers and spectators alike congregate every year in Anchorage and Willow, Alaska, for the ceremonial and official starts of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, tracing some of the Bering Sea coast’s most beautiful and extreme landscapes. Participants can volunteer to be dog handlers or cheer on their favorite sled teams, and they will watch the teams pick their starting positions at the Musher’s Banquet. The first few days offer a chance to see the pristine Alaskan wilderness on a cruise around Resurrection Bay and the opportunity to go snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and even dog sledding at the Hotel Alyeska and Ski Resort.
Prices start at $2,895 per person, based on double occupancy, land only, including six nights’ accommodation and some meals.
About Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the Smithsonian Institution’s travel program, with over 39 years dedicated to life-enriching experiences worldwide. Annually, more than 200 expert-led international and domestic itineraries offer travelers exclusive access and unforgettable experiences. For more information, call 1 (877) EDU-TOUR (338-8687) or visit www.SmithsonianJourneys.org.
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