When you travel with Smithsonian Journeys, you will explore the world with experts who are masters at bringing our destinations to life.  These inspiring scholars are compelling storytellers and charming travel companions who will be with you throughout your tour.   In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Smithsonian Journeys has come up with two wonderful tours that take you deep into the history of the Civil War through both visits of historical landmarks as well as lectures about important battles and campaigns.

In our tour Civil War Cruise: Echoing Past, A cruise to Richmond, Charleston and Savannah you will explore Civil War sites from Richmond to Savannah aboard the 130-guest Yorktown, while attending presentations by a team of Extraordinary Speakers. Bruce Chadwick has written extensively on the Civil War and its legacy; his dual biography on Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis was a finalist for the prestigious Lincoln Prize. Amanda Claybaugh, a professor of English at Harvard University, is an expert on the relationship between literature and history, with specific focus on the Civil War.

Among the historic sites you will visit are Fort Sumter, site of the 1861 beginning of the Civil War, Fort Fisher, a Confederate stronghold that fell to the Union in January 13-15, 1865, after a massive assault by a force of 9,000 men and 56 ships and Petersburg National Battlefield, the site of the last major battle of the Civil War and the longest siege in American history.  You will also get a chance to visit Hampton Roads, home to some of the Civil War's most monumental events, including the first battle between Ironclads, the establishment of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and the Hampton Roads Peace Conference aboard the Union Ship River Queen.


 For a change of pace, join us in Chautauqua for a special survey of a significant epoch in our nation's history. The trip Smithsonian at Chautauqua: The Civil War 1863 is led by popular historian A. Wilson Greene, who provides exclusive, in-depth discussions that examine the pivotal campaigns of 1863. Learn more about Grant's siege of Vicksburg; the Gettysburg Campaign, considered the high-water mark of the Confederacy; and the battles at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. You'll also attend lectures and discussions with noted Civil War experts through the Chautauqua Main Stage Events, and enjoy a full package of performing arts events, along with accommodations and meals at the Hotel Athenaeum. 

To learn more about Smithsonian Journeys and where else we travel in the world, check out our website at www.smithsonianjourneys.org.  Inspiring generations through learning and discovery, the Smithsonian museums have exhilarated visitors with unique and authentic experiences for more than 160 years. That same sense of awe and wonder can be yours, anywhere you travel in the world with Smithsonian Journeys.