Transport yourself to another place—and often another time—as you travel the world with unparalleled insider experts who provide unique perspectives, invaluable travel tips, and in-depth insights. Gain historical and cultural context for the places you want to visit from award-winning historians and travel experts who breathe life into each lesson. Make the most of any trip you are taking—even if it’s from your couch.
Start with a high-level look at the world around you in order to become a more confident, savvy, and considerate world citizen.
- Understanding Cultural and Human Geography
From climate change and population growth to the global economy and geopolitical strife, tackle the world’s biggest questions in this one-of-a-kind course. - Customs of the World: Using Cultural Intelligence to Adapt, Wherever You Are
Avoid costly mistakes and faux pas when traveling abroad with this course that helps anyone—businesspersons, tourists, and more—navigate other cultures. - The Big History of Civilizations
Use a cutting-edge historical approach to trace the story of human civilizations from our emergence as a species.
Embark on a Great Tour without the baggage. Enjoy enthralling and beautiful video journeys, learn in-depth history and cultural lessons, and gain invaluable advice from experienced insiders.
- The Guide to Essential Italy
Let The Great Courses and Smithsonian Journeys take you on a rich and diverse tour that explores the crown jewels of Italian civilization. - The Great Tours: Washington DC
Take a detailed look at the fascinating history and culture of Washington DC in this Smithsonian-sponsored, insider’s tour. - The Great Tours: England, Scotland and Wales
Get an insider’s take on the real Great Britain: where to go, where to avoid, and what are the must-see sites you’ve never heard of. - The Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul
Tour of one of the world's most exciting and interesting destinations in this course that goes on location in Greece and Turkey with a brilliant archaeologist as your guide. - The Great Tours: Experiencing Medieval Europe
Go on a fascinating expedition to 12 spectacular examples of medieval European cities, including Prague, Siena, Barcelona, Bruges, and more, in this eye-popping course. - The Great Tours: African Safari
Learn everything you need to know to plan the safari that’s right for you with a seasoned guide.
Discover new things and understand the hidden history and culture behind new places, as you take a deep dive into fascinating locations.
- The Wonders of America's State Parks
Embark on unforgettable experiences through America’s state parks with best-selling travel writer and globe-trotting journalist Joe Yogerst. - The Everyday Guide to Wines of California
Discover one of the most important and influential wine-growing regions in the world—California! - Understanding Japan: A Cultural History
Embark on an unforgettable tour of Japanese history and culture in this engrossing course made in partnership with the Smithsonian. - Wonders of the National Parks: A Geology of North America
From Yellowstone to the Everglades, join geologist and National Geographic director Ford Cochran on a fascinating scientific tour of all of America's national parks. - The Holy Land Revealed
Visit the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity in this comprehensive tour, taught by an archaeologist, that will take you deep beneath the pages of the Bible. - Food: A Cultural Culinary History
Learn how the entirety of human civilization—war, trade, politics, art, religion, and more—has been shaped by our interaction with food in this delicious course. - The World's Greatest Churches
Discover sublime masterpieces of architecture, art, and faith in this enthralling journey to the greatest Christian churches, basilicas, and cathedrals around the world. - Cities of the Ancient World
From Uruk and Jericho to Athens and Rome, explore ancient urban landscapes and draw connections between the cities of centuries past and those of our modern world. - Lost Worlds of South America
Trek through the lost worlds of South America and discover exotic civilizations in this course on the culture, architecture, and history of these ancient peoples. - Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed
Uncover the fascinating rise and fall of the Maya and Aztec civilizations in this comprehensive course taught by the Director of the Maya Exploration Center.
