Smithsonian Journeys has announced a special booking incentive for travel advisors to promote its limited-availability 2026 Solar Eclipse programs in Spain.
For each new booking made between May 20 and June 19, 2026, travel advisors will receive a $500 Visa gift card in addition to their standard commission.
“Solar eclipse travel has become one of the fastest‑growing and most lucrative segments in experiential travel,” said Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys, in a press release statement. “With demand surging and space limited, this is an opportunity to offer an extraordinary, once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience, and we want to reward our valued travel partners for introducing these trips to their clients.”
The path of totality for this year’s solar eclipse follows an arc down from the Arctic and across northern Spain. Travel advisors have two distinct curated programs to offer: one that highlights the World Heritage sites and wine country of Old Castile and another that travels west from Basque Country to the vineyards of Léon.
The 8-day Solar Eclipse Over Spain: Basque Country to Léon itinerary will take place from August 8–15, 2026, starting at $7,995. The voyage will begin with two nights in Bilbao, followed by a day in the coastal city of San Sebastián. The itinerary will then visit sites along the route of the Camino de Santiago, visiting stops such as Burgos and Léon, and discovering links to astronomy along the famous pilgrimage route. Eclipse day will feature a visit to a winery in the heart of Spain’s León region—perfectly positioned within the path of totality.
A private eclipse-watching event will feature wine tastings, winery tours, a live flamenco performance, a panel discussion with astronomers, access to solar telescopes and a festive dinner. The itinerary will then conclude with two nights in Madrid, featuring activities such as an astronomy‑themed tour of the Prado Museum and a private visit to the Royal Observatory of Madrid, home to Spain’s National Astronomical Observatory and Central Geophysical Observatory.
The 7-day Solar Eclipse Over Spain: Madrid and Old Castile itinerary will take place from August 8–14, 2026, starting at $7,195. With a focus on history, astronomy and Spanish flavors, the itinerary will begin in the heart of Madrid’s museum district, where highlights will include a curated astronomy tour at the Prado Museum, a traditional tapas lunch and a private, astronomer‑led visit to the Royal Observatory of Madrid.
From their base in the city of Valladolid, travelers will experience the historic region of Old Castile through the lens of astronomy. Along with a planetarium tour and a stargazing party, they will explore two World Heritage sites: Segovia, known for its iconic Roman aqueduct, and the fortified medieval town of Àvila. On eclipse day, they head for the renowned Ribera del Duero wine region. Here they will enjoy wine tastings, a panel discussion with astronomy experts, access to solar telescopes and a dinner with live music at the 100-year-old Torremilanos wine estate.
Each departure is accompanied by a Smithsonian expert in astronomy or a related field, who offers lectures, informal discussions and unique enrichment opportunities that deepen travelers’ understanding of both the cosmos and local culture.
For more information, visit SmithsonianJourneys.org.
