by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 4:20 PM ET, Thu January 29, 2026
PONANT Explorations is joining forces with The Great Courses Journeys to launch a series of expertly curated voyages that are designed around deep intellectual engagement, small-group access and immersive field experiences
Starting in 2026, travelers will be able to visit iconic destinations throughout Greece, Iceland, Italy and Croatia on trips hosted by educators and experts.
"The Great Courses Journeys was created to further serve our community of lifelong learners, extending the transformative power of learning to in-person travel experiences,” says Paul Sujik, president and chief executive officer of The Great Courses Journeys. "Our collaboration with PONANT Explorations complements our robust roster of trips with an exceptional expedition-style cruise offering, rooted in the joy of understanding the world firsthand."
Here are the upcoming departures, with more to be announced soon:
- Iceland in the Wake of the Vikings (July 26 - Aug. 3, 2026) on Le Lapérouse with Professor Jennifer Verdolin, starting at $10,995 per person.
- Adriatic Odyssey: Venice to Dubrovnik (Aug. 5 - 13, 2026) on Le Bougainville, in the company of distinguished Professor Thomas F. X. Noble, starting at $9,480 per person.
- The World of the Greeks: From Myth to Empire (Oct. 24 – Nov. 1, 2026 ) on Le Champlain with Dr. Sheila Hoffman, starting at $9,740 per person.
- Greek Odysseys: From Athens to Syracuse (Nov. 7 - 16, 2026) on Le Champlain with distinguished Professor Robert S.J. Garland, starting at $9,995 per person.
- Treasures of Central America: The Panama Canal and Marvels of Costa Rica (Jan. 14 - 22, 2027) on Le Lapérouse under the guidance of Professor Scott Solomon, starting at $8,800 per person
The Great Courses Journeys, which soft-launched in 2025 with seven departures, extends the legacy of The Great Courses—known for its university-level lectures taught by the world’s foremost educators—by creating immersive travel experiences that translate learning into lived exploration. Each journey is led by top experts in history, archaeology, music, literature and more.
This year, The Great Courses Journeys is offering more than 35 departures, a number that will increase to 60 in 2027. Trips are focused on history, archaeology, culture, music, literature, art, solar eclipses, nature, culinary traditions, train travel and more.
“While we have always crafted our courses to be as engaging as possible, when it comes to learning, we know there is nothing quite like ‘being there’ with a world-class expert,” says Suijk.
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