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Travel with Insight, Explore with Passion
Travel with Insight, Explore with Passion
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2026 Solar Eclipse Cruise:
Totality in The Mediterraneanwith Sarah Rugheimer
FRANCE & SPAIN
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Great Music Masters of Italy: Verdi and Italian Opera
with Robert Greenberg
ITALY
ENGLAND & FRANCE
D-Day: Courage, Conflict, and History in England and France with Ed Lengel
Great Music Masters of Vienna: The Romantics
with Robert Greenberg
Enchanted England: Folklore, Fairy Tales, and Wonder
with Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman
Revisiting World War 1 in France
with Keith Huxen
Exploring Cuba: From Trinidad
to Havana
with Joyce Salisbury
Great British Mysteries: Conan Doyle, Christie, and More
ENGLAND
ENGLAND
FRANCE
CUBA
AUSTRIA
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Milky Way over the Atacama Desert
Tatio Geysers
Santiago Skyline
Atacama Salt Flats
Yerbas Buenas
Starting at $8,495 per person
Join your Great Courses Journeys expert on an eye-opening and jaw-dropping exploration of the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. With more than 300 cloud-free days each year and virtually no light pollution, the Atacama is one of the few places on earth where you can observe the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye. Watch a spectacular sunset in the Valley of the Moon before immersing yourself in the beauty of the desert sky in a private session with a local astronomer and astrobiologist.
Explore the otherworldly desert terrain where scientists tested the first prototypes of the Mars rover. Visit the Tatio geyser field, where more than 80 active geysers erupt against a backdrop of volcanic peaks, and view wildlife at the National Flamingo Reserve. (Note that while flamingos are present year-round, they are most abundant December through February.)
with Sarah Rugheimer or Ed Murphy
Astronomer’s Alley: Chile’s Atacama Desert
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICING
Highlights
Stand in the ruins of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and imagine the excitement of ancient athletes competing in honor of Zeus, king of the gods.
Discover the stunning mosaics of Hosios Loukas, a hidden Byzantine monastery, where centuries of devotion are etched in golden tiles, revealing Greece’s transition from antiquity to medieval splendor.
Immerse yourself in the myth and majesty of the Acropolis and explore the Parthenon and its surrounding temples with Professor Cyrino, uncovering the divine power of Athena and the artistic mastery that shaped classical Greece.
Travel in the footsteps of Agamemnon as you walk through the Lion Gate of Mycenae and visit the Tomb of Agamemnon, learning how Homer’s epics immortalized the kings and warriors of this ancient civilization.
Explore the sacred center of Delphi as you ascend the slopes of Mount Parnassus to the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle once delivered cryptic prophecies that shaped the course of Greek and Mediterranean history.
Highlights
Stand in the ruins of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and imagine the excitement of ancient athletes competing in honor of Zeus, king of the gods.
Discover the stunning mosaics of Hosios Loukas, a hidden Byzantine monastery, where centuries of devotion are etched in golden tiles, revealing Greece’s transition from antiquity to medieval splendor.
Immerse yourself in the myth and majesty of the Acropolis and explore the Parthenon and its surrounding temples with Professor Cyrino, uncovering the divine power of Athena and the artistic mastery that shaped classical Greece.
Travel in the footsteps of Agamemnon as you walk through the Lion Gate of Mycenae and visit the Tomb of Agamemnon, learning how Homer’s epics immortalized the kings and warriors of this ancient civilization.
Explore the sacred center of Delphi as you ascend the slopes of Mount Parnassus to the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle once delivered cryptic prophecies that shaped the course of Greek and Mediterranean history.
Highlights
Catch a glimpse of the cosmos as you explore the moonlike landscape of dunes, rugged mountains, and distinctive rock formations of the Valley of the Moon, the testing grounds for the first prototype of the Mars rover.
Immerse yourself in the colors of the Atacama, from the multihued mineral deposits in the Rainbow Valley to a flock of pink flamingos taking flight.
Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch in Chile’s Casablanca Valley.
Join your expert in exploring the otherworldly landscape of the Atacama Desert to glean insights into life on other planets.
Visit the largest collection of telescopes of any public observatory in South America—in perfect darkness—when the stars are showing off their brightness and colors.
Explore the lagoons, hot springs, mountains, and salt flats of the Atacama Desert, recognized by many as the best stargazing spot in the world.
Catch a glimpse of the cosmos as you explore the moonlike landscape of dunes, rugged mountains, and distinctive rock formations of the Valley of the Moon, the testing grounds for the first prototype of the Mars rover.
Immerse yourself in the colors of the Atacama, from the multihued mineral deposits in the Rainbow Valley to a flock of pink flamingos taking flight.
Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch in Chile’s Casablanca Valley.
Join your expert in exploring the otherworldly landscape of the Atacama Desert to glean insights into life on other planets.
Visit the largest collection of telescopes of any public observatory in South America—in perfect darkness—when the stars are showing off their brightness and colors.
Explore the lagoons, hot springs, mountains, and salt flats of the Atacama Desert, recognized by many as the best stargazing spot in the world.
Highlights
Ed Murphy
Dr. Edward Murphy is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Virginia, where he also earned his PhD. In addition to his university teaching duties, Professor Murphy is particularly dedicated to public outreach and teaching the wonders of astronomy to adults and children alike. He was a postdoctoral fellow and an associate research scientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he worked on NASA’s Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). In 2000, he joined the faculty at the University of Virginia, where he used FUSE, along with radio telescopes, in his research on the interstellar medium. Professor Murphy was named a University of Virginia Office of Engagement Outstanding Faculty Speaker in 2012, and was awarded the University of Virginia Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award in 2014. He has taught one Great Course: Our Night Sky.
Sarah Rugheimer
Sarah Rugheimer
She earned her bachelor’s degree in physics at the University of Calgary, and her MA and PhD at Harvard University in Astrophysics. She then took the Simons Origins of Life Research Fellowship to St. Andrews, followed by a Glasstone Research Fellowship at Oxford. In addition to research, Sarah is interested public outreach. Her TED talk “The Search for Microscopic Aliens” has 1.8 million views on TED.com. She previously has been awarded the Barrie Jones Award and the BSA Rosalind Franklin Lectureship in 2019, as well as the Caroline Herschel Lectureship Prize in 2018. She previously produced an Audible Original titled Searching for Extraterrestrial Life. Her new Great Course, Experiencing James Webb: Invisible Galaxies Unveiled, is set to be released in March 2026.
Journey Expert
Plaza de Armas
Arrive in Santiago and meet your Great Courses Journeys expert for a welcome talk. Then, begin your Chilean adventure with a half-day city tour showcasing Santiago’s vibrant urban landscape set against the Andes. Visit the civic center, La Moneda Art Center, and stroll through Plaza de Armas. Explore the bohemian neighborhoods of Bellavista and Lastarria, then ascend San Cristóbal Hill for panoramic views. End the day in the upscale Las Condes and Vitacura districts, followed by a welcome dinner featuring Chilean cuisine and stunning skyline views.
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodations: Pullman Vitacura
Valley of the Moon
Fly to the Atacama Desert, a desert plateau nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. The Atacama is one of the driest places on Earth and a haven for stargazers. After lunch, explore the Valley of the Moon, a surreal landscape where NASA tested Mars rover prototypes. Return to the hotel for insights from your expert. Enjoy an apertif as the sunset transforms the terrain, then enjoy dinner at the hotel. Later, join a local astronomer for a private stargazing session under one of the clearest skies on the planet, where the Milky Way and countless stars shine brilliantly.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Reception, Dinner
Accommodations: Cumbres Atacama Hotel
Toconao Village
Begin with a visit to Toconao Village, a charming village known for its colonial architecture and stone craftsmanship. Continue to the vast Atacama salt flats, Chile’s largest salt deposit and home to flamingos and other wildlife that gather around shimmering lagoons. These surreal landscapes offer a glimpse into the region’s unique ecology. After lunch, head to the Cejar Lagoon, where you can float effortlessly in its mineral-rich, hyper-saline waters while surrounded by breathtaking views of the desert and mountains.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Cumbres Atacama Hotel
SPACE Observatory
Rise early for an excursion to view the Tatio Geysers, located near the Bolivian border, at sunrise. This geothermal field—the largest in the Southern Hemisphere—is alive with bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs. Learn about extremophiles—resilient organisms that thrive in harsh conditions—and offer clues to life on Mars. After lunch and a talk with your expert, enjoy free time at the hotel. In the evening, visit the SPACE Observatory for a guided stargazing session in perfect darkness. View nebulae and constellations through South America’s largest public telescope park.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Cumbres Atacama Hotel
Rainbow Valley
Travel west to the Domeyko Mountains to explore Yerbas Buenas, an open-air gallery of ancient petroglyphs etched by the Likan-Antay people, the desert’s earliest inhabitants. Continue to the Rainbow Valley, named for its mineral-rich mountains, striped in shades of red, green, and yellow. End the afternoon with a visit to the remote village of Rio Grande, nestled among rivers and mountains and known for its adobe architecture and scenic location.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Cumbres Atacama Hotel
Likan Antay Viewpoint
Begin your final morning in the desert with a sunrise excursion to the Likan Antay viewpoint, offering sweeping views of the salt mountains in early light. Then, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Santiago. Here, you can enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the capital city on your own.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch
Accommodations: Pullman Vitacura
Valparaiso
Depart Santiago for a scenic drive to Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage port city known for its colorful hillside homes and poetic charm. En route, stop in Casablanca Valley for a wine tasting and a final lunch as a group. Explore Valparaíso’s vibrant streets, historic funiculars, and panoramic harbor views. Then, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Izamal
Depart Chichén Itzá this morning for the colorful and charming Yellow City of Izamal, painted yellow in honor of the Maya sun god. Tour the city’s rich history, which includes pre-Columbian, colonial, and modern threads. View the 10-story pyramid in the city center and walk through the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua, constructed in 1561 atop a destroyed Maya temple. The Convent is one of the oldest Catholic monasteries in the Americas and its vast outdoor atrium—designed as a Christian teaching tool for the Maya—is the second largest in the world after the Vatican. Return to Merida this afternoon where you will have time to explore the markets on your own before joining together for a final dinner and reception.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Reception
Accommodations: Villa Mercedes Curio
Temple of Poseidon
The morning begins with a ferry to Aegina, a maritime power and home to the Temple of Aphaea, a local goddess linked to Athena and Artemis. Admire this well-preserved Doric temple, part of the “sacred triangle” with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon. Savor lunch in a private farmhouse on the island, overlooking pistachio and olive trees. Then, return by ferry to Athens and freshen up before a final celebratory dinner. Toast your journey with a final reception and dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Acropolis.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Fresh Hotel
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama is a serene desert retreat nestled in Chile’s High Andes at 2,500 meters above sea level, just minutes from the town center. Inspired by indigenous Atacameño architecture, the hotel features stone masonry, winding streams, and native gardens across its expansive 20-acre property. Guests enjoy access to a world-class spa with three pools, two heated outdoor pools, wet and dry saunas, and a fully equipped gym. Spacious rooms feature a private terrace and are decorated in soft desert tones and minimalist style, blending elegance with rustic charm. (4 nights)
Santiago, Chile
The Pullman Santiago Vitacura is a stylish 5-star hotel located in Santiago’s sought-out design district, known for its proximity to luxury shopping and fine dining. The hotel offers beautifully appointed and spacious rooms, an outdoor pool and fitness center, open terraces and elegant lounges, and stunning views of the Andes Mountains. (2 nights)
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January 8–15, 2028
November 2–8, 2026
February 5–11, 2027
November 28–December 4, 2027
with Ed Murphy
Questions? Call
1-855-476-5080
Sign up to receive the latest trip updates and instant access to a digital version of our full-color 2025–2027 travel catalog. You will also have the option to share your mailing address and we’ll send a printed copy of our next catalog to your door.
Stay Updated and Receive a FREE Catalog
Request your copy of our full color travel catalog
Highlights
Uncover the dynastic ambitions and historical significance of monuments like Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat.
Experience the stony landscape of the Agafay Desert on a camel trek, culminating in a breathtaking sunset over the High Atlas Mountains.
Admire the Islamic architecture in Marrakesh, from the grand Koutoubia Mosque and intricate Bahia Palace to the serene beauty of the Ben Youssef Madrasa.
Discover the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest continuously operating university, and engage in a discussion on its profound influence on global scholarship.
Wander through the labyrinthine alleyways of the UNESCO-listed Medina in Fes, where vibrant stalls overflow with textiles, spices, and artisanal crafts.