Next month, we journey to Northern England & Wales, Sept 19-October 1, 2025 (click here) Our itinerary includes several stunning World Heritage Sites including Conwy and Caernarfon Castles in Wales; Lakes District National Park and a portion of Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria; and the magnificent Gothic cathedral of York Minster. Other highlights will include: Windsor Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Snowdonia National Park in Wales, Oxford and Cambridge University towns; and the Yorkshire countryside.
OUR 2026 TOUR SCHEDULE
We are pleased to share next year's Tour Schedule and to sadly announce that 2026 will be the final season for South Mountain Expeditions. After much reflection, I have decided it's time to retire. The decision was both difficult and bittersweet after 46 years of designing and leading educational tours around the world. Next year will mark 20 years since Edwin C. Bearss encouraged me to launch my own company and it's hard to imagine stepping away. But I had an idea of how members of the So. Mt. family might continue to travel together without me at the helm....
July 20-27, 2026 we are partnering with Road Scholar to offer a private tour Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, exclusively for South Mountain Expeditions travelers. The 8-day itinerary explores the breathtaking landscapes of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Parks, beginning in Banff and ending in Calgary. There will also be optional extensions - including extra nights in Calgary and/or a ride aboard the scenic Rocky Mountaineer Railway to Vancouver. Road Scholar requires a minimum of 18 participants to reserve it exclusively for our group. The maximum number is 24. All arrangements - lodging, guides, motor coach, and speakers - will be handled by Road Scholar. The deadline for enrollment as a private group is September 30, 2025. If we don't reach that number, it will likely still run, but they will open enrollment to the public.
October 2026: The final tour for South Mountain Expeditions - yes, Marty Gane plans to retire in 2027! - is a New England Sampler. Beginning and ending in Boston, this tour will take us through charming corners of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Highlights include Martha's Vineyard; the opulent mansions of Newport, Rhode Island; Sturbridge Village, MA; the historic homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe in Hartford, CT; Mystic Seaport; the Submarine Museum in Groton; and Lowell National Historic Park. Sound enticing? Click here to see a draft of the program. A detailed itinerary and dates for 2026 will be posted shortly. If you would like more information, please email us at tours@smountainexpeditions.com.
We hope to see you soon on one of our tours!
Marty Gane South Mountain Expeditions P.O. Box 204, Keedysville, MD 21756 Tel: 301-491-0225 email: tours@smountainexpeditions.com
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"The tour was superb. It was a great learning experience that was also great fun. Your attention to detail, your ability to assemble a cast of experts and your knowledge of the dynamics of touring make South Mountain Expeditions the best." --- Gail Stephens
"Kudos to Marty Gane and South Mountain Expeditions for EVERYTHING that they did to make our trip so outstanding. We have toured with many companies but Marty stands out head and shoulders for the many, many ways that she made the trip not only more informative but also more fun!"
---Ken and Linda O'Bannon
"Traveling with South Mountain Expeditions is like going to a family reuinion except with people you like!" -- Cindy Houpt
