CURATED TRIPS INSPIRED BY SCIENCE AND WONDER
WITH THE MMA & TRAVEL SOMMELIER
Join the MMA and Travel Sommelier For:
- BIRDING IN CENTRAL PARK
- THE GREAT NANTUCKET SCALLOP HUNT
- SPAIN ECLIPSE 2026
- EGYPT ECLIPSE 2027
The Maria Mitchell Association announces their partnership with Travel Sommelier (TS), an award-winning boutique luxury travel company. Together, they will guide adventurers across the globe for rare naturalist experiences, starting in 2025. The travel offerings are built around a shared interest in the sciences of Astronomy and Ornithology - backbones of the educational and scientific programs at the Maria Mitchell Association (MMA).
THE GREAT NANTUCKET
SCALLOP HUNT
October 2 - 5, 2025 - SOLD OUT!
Experience Nantucket’s beloved autumn tradition: scalloping. Join Captain Bruce aboard his boat for a hands-on excursion, followed by a sea-to-table harvest dinner—a true celebration of the island’s flavors, traditions, and landscapes. Accommodations available at the iconic
Greydon House in the heart of historic downtown. For more information please e-mail Amy Young at
ayoung@mariamitchell.org.
CENTRAL PARK BIRDING WITH
RENOWNED ORNITHOLOGISTS
September 20, 2025
In late September, the Maria Mitchell Association and Travel Sommelier hosted a special birding adventure in New York City’s Central Park, led by MMA Field Ornithologist Ginger Andrews and wildlife expert James Currie. Beginning at dawn, participants were treated to the sights and sounds of the park alive with birdsong, spotting
over 30 species spanning warblers, thrushes, waterfowl, raptors, and other songbirds. The day also included a tour of the American Museum of Natural History, brunch at The Restaurant at Gilder, and an inspiring talk by Currie, creating a memorable blend of nature, science, and community.
If you are interested in the MMA's next Birding Field Trip, please e-mail Amy Young at
ayoung@mariamitchell.org.
SPAIN TOTAL ECLIPSE:
FRAMED BY CULINARY & CULTURAL RICHES
August 2026
Witness a total eclipse in near-perfect darkness as it passes over northern Spain, from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean, including the Balearic Islands. Two extraordinary week-long trips offer unique ways to experience this celestial event:
BARCELONA & MENORCA TRIP
Enjoy a week-long adventure celebrating Spain's cultural and gastronomic richness while viewing the eclipse in an area of almost zero ambient light. Savor the best Spanish food and wine in Barcelona, then unwind with wellness experiences on the serene island of Menorca.
BILBAO, LA RIOJA, & SAN SEBASTIÁN TRIP
Embark on a week-long journey from Bilbao’s striking architecture through La Rioja’s lush vineyards to San Sebastián’s sparkling coast, where day briefly turns to night and the Sun’s glowing corona ignites the sky. A once-in-a-lifetime blend of cosmic wonder and Spanish beauty awaits.
EGYPT TOTAL ECLIPSE:
AN ANCIENT VOYAGE ON THE NILE
August 2027
This luxury trip to Egypt will offer activities ranging from visiting the small temple of Horemheb, to walking through the sandstone quarries - where ancient Egyptians cut stone for many of their most famous temples, to sailing the picturesque riverbank for picnics and swimming. An accompanying total solar eclipse will be visible from Egypt, specifically within the path of totality, which will cross the country. With its rich history and ancient monuments, Egypt is a rarified location to witness the eclipse paired with world-class cuisine and cultural exploration.
Travel Sommelier is an elite travel design company based in North America. As a fully inclusive, bespoke travel concierge with deep expertise in high-touch luxury lifestyle, their destinations and experiences span the globe. With a cumulative 50 years of experience, they offer acute, first-hand knowledge, insider access, and an all-encompassing level of service. Their deep-rooted relationships around the world open doors to the kinds of moments that are not found online or anywhere else.
Sometimes described as "Where luxury meets local — the rarest kind of travel", Travel Sommelier's team has earned a reputation as visionaries
who deliver elusive and unparalleled experiences.
