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Geneva
Swiss Timepiece
CERN Hardon Collider
Lausanne
Lavaux
Starting at $7,995 per person
Discover the dynamic intersection of science, innovation, and diplomacy on an immersive journey to Geneva, Switzerland. Switzerland’s legacy of precision and curiosity has long influenced the greatest minds in science. In fact, Albert Einstein’s exploration of time and space was inspired by his work as a patent clerk in Switzerland—ultimately leading to the Theory of Relativity.
Explore global cooperation at the Palais des Nations and examine the science behind elite athletic performance at Lausanne’s Olympic Museum. Explore Swiss ingenuity in engineering and horology (the study and measurement of time) with visits to the Swiss Plasma Center, Lausanne’s Olympic Museum, and Patek Philippe Museum. Dive into the world of particle physics at CERN (subject to confirmation), home of the Large Hadron Collider and groundbreaking discoveries like the Higgs boson. Throughout, indulge in Swiss culture and cuisine, including wine tasting in the iconic terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
with Chad Orzel
Swiss Legacy: Science, Precision, Beauty
DEPATURE 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
Tour the Observatoire de Genève, where the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995. (subject to confirmation)
Explore the historic vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage vineyard region shaped by centuries of winemaking tradition and soil science.
Learn why Swiss innovation, precision craftmanship, and leadership in the use of advanced materials have led Switzerland to be a global leader in watchmaking with a guided visit to the Patek Philippe Museum.
Explore the Olympic Museum through a scientific lens, uncovering how physics, materials science, and precision timing shape elite athletic performance.
Visit the CERN facilities and learn about the Large Hadron Collider and other projects. (subject to confirmation)
Tour the Observatoire de Genève, where the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995. (subject to confirmation)
Explore the historic vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage vineyard region shaped by centuries of winemaking tradition and soil science.
Learn why Swiss innovation, precision craftmanship, and leadership in the use of advanced materials have led Switzerland to be a global leader in watchmaking with a guided visit to the Patek Philippe Museum.
Explore the Olympic Museum through a scientific lens, uncovering how physics, materials science, and precision timing shape elite athletic performance.
Visit the CERN facilities and learn about the Large Hadron Collider and other projects. (subject to confirmation)
Highlights
Chad Orzel
Dr. Chad Orzel is the R. Gordon Gould Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and department chair, at Union College. He earned his PhD in Chemical Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Professor Orzel is a passionate public science communicator as both a speaker and writer and is the author of several books explaining physics to nonscientists. His first book, How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog, has been translated into more than a dozen languages. Subsequent books include How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog; Eureka: Discovering Your Inner Scientist; Breakfast with Einstein: The Exotic Physics of Everyday Objects; and A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks. Professor Orzel also maintains a blog about science (among other topics) at ChadOrzel.com, contributes to Forbes online, and writes on Substack. In 2021, he was named a fellow of the American Physical Society. Professor Orzel teaches the Great Course Einstein’s Legacy: Modern Physics All Around You.
Journey Expert
Chad Orzel
Flower Clock
Arrive in Geneva today and transfer independently to your centrally located hotel. Take a guided walking tour of the historical center, including the Flower Clock and Jet d’Eau. Then, join your Great Courses Journeys expert and fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner.
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Bristol
UN Geneva
Visit the Geneva headquarters of CERN (subject to confirmation), the world’s leading particle physics lab. For over 75 years, CERN has fostered international collaboration among scientists from 25 nations (including the United States), contributing to major discoveries and multiple Nobel Prizes. Explore interactive exhibits on the universe and quantum physics at CERN’s Science Gateway and learn about the largest machine ever constructed, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)—a 27-kilometer underground accelerator that recreates conditions just after the Big Bang to study fundamental particles and forces. Continue to explore the principles of scientific collaboration, diplomacy, and international cooperation with a visit to the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations. Then, enjoy dinner as a group.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Bristol
Olympic Museum
Take a scenic journey along the shores of Lac Leman for a day trip to Lausanne. Visit the Swiss Plasma Center, where you’ll learn about efforts to develop fusion as a clean energy source. Next, visit the Olympic Museum,, where a specially curated tour reveals the scientific foundations of elite sport. Learn how materials science enhances athletic gear, how precision timing technologies shape competition outcomes, and how physics explains the mechanics behind throwing a football or shooting a basketball. Return to Geneva for dinner as a group this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Bristol
Carouge
Begin your day with a morning lecture from your Great Courses Journeys expert, setting the stage for Swiss scientific heritage and innovation. Visit the Patek Philippe Museum, where horology meets precision engineering with over 2,500 timepieces dating back to 1839 and a library of over 8,000 works dedicated to the art and science of timekeeping. Continue to the Musee d’histoire des Sciences, home to centuries-old instruments that trace the evolution of astronomy, microscopy, and meteorology, revealing the progression of scientific research. Then, visit the Observatoire de Genève (subject to confirmation), where the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995 using Doppler spectroscopy. Learn how the Leonhard Euler Telescope detects unseen planets by measuring shifts in starlight. Conclude the day with a guided walk through Carouge, Geneva’s bohemian quarter, which served as a refuge for religious minorities that were persecuted elsewhere in the 18th century. Return to Geneva for an evening at leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Bristol
Lavaux
Immerse yourself in Swiss culture with a full-day excursion to the stunning Lavaux region, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its terraced vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva. Begin with a scenic drive through the vine-covered slopes, followed by a guided tour that explores the region’s winemaking traditions dating back to the 11th century. Learn how geography, climate, and soil science contribute to the unique character of Lavaux wines. Enjoy a light lunch and wine tasting at a local winery. Return to Geneva in the late afternoon and join your Great Courses Journeys expert and fellow travelers for a festive farewell dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Bristol
Valparaiso
Travel back in time as you learn about 1916 Easter Rising Rebellion, one of the most dramatic events in the history of Ireland’s struggle for independence from the British Empire. See the bullet holes marking the exterior of the General Post Office, hear stories about revolutionary figures such as James Connolly and Michael Collins, and pay your respects at the Garden of Remembrance, where your expert will offer thoughtful commentary on the nation’s path to freedom. Then visit Kilmainham Gaol, whose somber walls tell the story of Ireland’s struggle for self-determination. In the evening, say sláinte as you raise a toast to your travels through Ireland during a festive farewell dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Iveagh Garden Hotel
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
Hotel Bristol
Geneva, Switzerland
Opened in 1851, Hotel Bristol Geneva blends timeless elegance with modern comfort on Mont-Blanc Square in the heart of Geneva. Housed in a beautifully restored building near Lac Léman, this boutique hotel features spacious rooms designed in an art deco style. Guests enjoy access to a full-service spa with a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, and fitness center, as well as a lively piano bar and the award-winning Côté Square restaurant, known for its inventive French cuisine. (5 nights)
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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.