Alumni Travel 2014
ANCIENT MYSTERIES OF THE AMERICAS
16 JANUARY–3 FEBRUARY 2014
Experience the vibrant cultures and ancient civilizations of Central and South America as you weave your way from Miami to Lima aboard the Oceania Cruises Regatta. Depart Miami and cruise the Caribbean to the island of Grand Cayman, then on to the Mexican island of Cozumel. Explore temples in Belize, Mayan ruins in Guatemala and breathtaking landscapes in Honduras. Discover enchanting creatures in Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests, cruise the famous Panama Canal and visit cosmopolitan Panama City. Sail the Pacific to Ecuador and explore Manta or Quito, its capital and UNESCO cultural heritage site—and take in Guayaquil. Continue to Peru and stop in Salaverry, gateway to archaeological treasures from the pre-Inca era, and Peru’s capital, Lima, where you can meander its old colonial city or travel to mysterious Machu Picchu, the most spectacular archaeological Incan site in South America. GoNext. 19 days. From $3,999 per person, plus air.
EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA
31 JANUARY–13 FEBRUARY 2014
Join us for this spectacular 14-day journey featuring a nine-night cruise to Antarctica, Earth’s last frontier. Cruise aboard the exclusively chartered, intimate M.S. L’Austral, the finest vessel in Antarctic waters, featuring private balconies in 95 percent of the deluxe, ocean-view accommodations. Experience the White Continent in its unspoiled state with fantastically shaped icebergs, turquoise glaciers, bustling penguin rookeries and breaching whales. Board a sturdy Zodiac craft for excursions ashore with the ship’s expert team of naturalists, and observe Antarctica’s abundant wildlife. Also, spend two nights in vibrant Buenos Aires. Extend your journey with the exclusive three-night Iguazú Falls post-program option. This unique itinerary sells out every year. Gohagan & Company. 14 days. From $7,695 per person, plus air.
PASSAGE TO BURMA/MYANMAR
1-12 FEBRUARY 2014
Discover Myanmar, a country long isolated from the outside world. This is a land where frenzied, 21st-century ways have had little influence on the traditional routines. Explore Yangon, the former capital, where gilded stupas, ornate pagodas and 19th-century British colonial buildings form the cityscape. Discover Myanmar’s natural beauty at Inle Lake and life that is literally on the lake. Enjoy a private cruise and visit a floating farm. See a Burmese cooking demonstration, and savor a lunch of local specialties. Watch artisans at work as they make lacquer crafts, roll cigars, build boats and weave silk. Enjoy an overnight cruise on the Irrawaddy River, and marvel at the thousands of temples that adorn Bagan. Witness monks collecting their daily alms, and board a pony cart to explore Bagan’s remote environs. Alumni Holidays. 12 days. From $5,695 per person, plus air.
CARIBBEAN DISCOVERY
12-22 FEBRUARY 2014
Follow the sounds of waterfalls, steel drums and exotic birds as you cruise the Caribbean aboard an exquisite vessel with the finest service, accommodations and cuisine at sea, the elegant Oceania Cruises’ Riviera. Your adventure sets sail from Miami to the beautiful tropical islands of Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Barts. Experience spectacular vistas framed by swaying palm trees, hike through lush rainforests and beneath waterfalls, and snorkel vivid coral reefs teeming with colorful wildlife. Explore vibrant towns dotted with gingerbread architecture, meander exquisite gardens and stroll pristine beaches edged by crystalline blue waters as you discover the Caribbean, a world filled with cultural and natural marvels. GoNext. 11 days. From $2,699 per person, plus air.
ASIAN EXPLORATIONS
20 FEBRUARY–10 MARCH 2014
Find yourself in the legendary lands of East Asia while cruising in luxury aboard Oceania Cruises’ Nautica. After a day in exciting Hong Kong, a city of modern high-rise buildings dotted with timeless Chinese temples, depart for Taipei, Taiwan, a savvy metropolis whose colorful markets brim with flowers and jade. Continue north to the Japanese island of Okinawa, where the imposing 14th-century Shuri Castle awaits, experience Kyoto, an ancient imperial capital sprinkled with temples and shrines, and Hiroshima, home to Peace Memorial Park. Next is Shanghai, where bustling markets and distinct architecture line the Yangtze River, before a stop in Seoul, South Korea’s vivacious capital city that blends history and modernity. Sail to Dalian, China’s “most livable city” and conclude with a day in Beijing, China’s fascinating capital, home to remarkable sites such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the legendary Great Wall. GoNext. 19 days. From $6,399 per person, plus air.
HISTORIC REFLECTIONS
20 APRIL–1 MAY 2014
With Joint Academy Travel
5-15 OCTOBER 2014
Navy
Uncover the cultural and historical treasures of France, Monaco, Italy, Turkey and Greece aboard Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Riviera. Depart Barcelona for the colorful city of Marseille, then into the Provençal countryside to the lovely towns of Aix and Avignon. Visit Monte Carlo, on the renowned French Riviera, before continuing to the celebrated city of Florence, bursting with art and architecture. Majestic Rome offers up its wealth of historical monuments and then the colorfultowns of Amalfi and Positano. Stop at Taormina for a Sicilian blend of ancient ruins and modern comforts; and an exploration of ancient Ephesus near Kusadasi, Turkey; and the Greek isle of Santorini with its spectacular volcano-carved landscapes, before concluding your voyage in Athens, Greece. GoNext. 12 days. From $3,499 per person, plus air.
ANTEBELLUM SOUTH
9-18 MAY 2014
Celebrate authentic Americana aboard the luxury steamboat American Queen as you cruise along the Mississippi River, stopping in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. In the culturally rich city of New Orleans, board your paddlewheel steamboat bound for Memphis and discover the beauty of the mighty river as you delve into the history and grandeur of the antebellum South. Tour the plantation known as Oak Alley and walk beneath its amazing 300-year-old canopy of oak trees. Take in the many historic 19th-century homes found among the scenic countryside in St. Francisville and revel in the antebellum splendor of Natchez. Visit the “Red Carpet City of the South,” Vicksburg, renowned for its gracious Southern hospitality and National Military Park that commemorates the city’s famous Civil War siege. Savor Helena’s wonderfully preserved architecture that offers traces of its pre-Civil War past, before disembarking in Memphis. GoNext. 10 days. From $2,549 per person, plus air.
ITALIAN INSPIRATION
14-22 MAY 2014
Let Italian-influenced towns and islands inspire you from aboard the elegant and intimate Oceania Cruises Insignia as you cruise to captivating ports in Italy, Croatia and Greece. Set out from Rome’s port, Civitavecchia, and journey south along Italy’s sublime shores. Explore Sorrento, a trove of cobblestone streets and dramatic vistas, or travel to Capri, an island so beautiful it served as a vacation getaway for ancient Romans. Cruise further down the scenic Amalfi Coast and visit Amalfi or Positano before heading to Sicily’s northeastern tip. Here you’ll find Messina, a lovely medieval city that’s home to ancient churches and a cathedral where it is rumored Richard the Lionheart worshipped. Discover the verdant island of Corfu and then step back in time in Dubrovnik, Croatia’s red-tiled jewel, evolved from centuries of Roman and Venetian rule. Your voyage concludes in Venice, a romantic masterpiece built on water. GoNext. 9 days. From $2,299 per person, plus air.
SORRENTO—The Divine Amalfi Coast
21-29 may 2014
With Joint Academy Travel
Discover the natural wonders and wealth of antiquities in Italy’s famed region of Campania, home to writers, artists and emperors for more than 2,000 years. Stroll through sweet lemon groves and experience the beauty of Sorrento, an idyllic seaside town and your home for the duration of your stay. Drive along the Amalfi Coast and delight in the colorful architecture of the cliff-hugging town of Positano. Explore Amalfi, once the home of a powerful medieval maritime republic, but today a popular resort town. Travel back in time with a visit to Naples’ historic center and renowned Museo Archeologico Nazionale. Explore the well-preserved historic ruins in Paestum, Herculaneum and Pompeii. Then spend a day on the storied Isle of Capri. During this program, you will sample local delicacies and learn about life in Italy as you meet and talk with locals. Alumni Holidays. 9 days. From $2,995 per person, plus air.
FLAVORS OF NORTHERN ITALY
31 MAY–8 JUNE 2014
Amarone-infused Risotto amidst Valpolicella vineyards. Behind the scenes with a tortellini maker from Valeggio sul Mincio. A simple gelato in beautiful Borghetto.
This Orbridge specialty program offers intimate experiences with celebrated Italian makers, producers and chefs, showcasing age-old methods and ingredients of the Veneto and Emilia Romagna regions’ world-famous wine and cuisine. Make a beautiful, historic Italian wine estate outside Verona your base as you explore the region, visiting Verona’s Roman Arena and other ancient sites, and discovering Italy’s cultural connection from farm and table along the way. Touring centuries-old wineries, tasting rare handmade cheeses and dining in homes of chefs and producers are just some of the exclusive highlights of this journey. Orbridge. 9 days. From $4,499 per person, plus air.
NATIONAL PARKS AND LODGES
14-23 JUNE 2014
Inspiration, a connection to the past and nature’s beauty are the gifts of this American expedition. Amidst spectacular scenery and overnighting in extraordinary historic lodges that are destinations unto themselves, this journey traces the historic paths and natural splendors of the Old West. With an expert Orbridge expedition leader by your side, see and learn about the storied sights and monuments of four of our most magnificent national parks and enjoy the rustic luxury of unique lodging in the Custer State Park’s famed State Game Lodge, the Spearfish Canyon Lodge in the Black Hills of South Dakota and majestic Old Faithful Inn. Join us and experience the best of the West. Orbridge. 10 days. From $3,295 per person, plus air.
CANADIAN ROCKIES
24-30 july 2014
A sampling of world-class Canadian resorts combined with breathtaking scenery highlight this seven-day Canadian Rockies program. Adventure awaits in the vast lands of magnificent ranges of Banff and Jasper National Park, the crystal waters of Lake Louise and Maligne Lake and amidst the glacial masses of Icefields Parkway. Ride on top of the largest expanse of glaciers in the Rockies in a private ice explorer, cruise to world-famous Spirit Island and get a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges on a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain. Return to the region’s premier lodgings for activities of your own choosing, such as kayaking, horseback riding, fishing and golf, or simply relax and enjoy the comforts these first-class resorts have to offer. Orbridge. 7 days. From $3,995 per person, plus air.
RUSSIA
26 july–8 august 2014
An exciting cruise that takes you to cosmopolitan cities and pristine countrysides virtually untouched by tourism. In Moscow, enjoy specially arranged visits to the Kremlin, the Armory Museum and Red Square, dominated by colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral. See traditional Russian architecture in Uglich and Yaroslavl and discover the culture and folk arts of Goritsy, a town once closed to Western visitors. Marvel at the open-air museum of 18th-century wooden architecture on Kizhi Island, and roam through Mandrogi, a quaint village of handicraft shops and dachas (summer homes). Conclude your adventure in St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s capital. Attend a performance at the Alexandrinsky Theater, and take advantage of early entrance to the State Hermitage Museum to view its extensive art collections without the crush of large groups. Visit Catherine’s Palace and see the exquisite Amber Room. Alumni Holidays. 14 days. From $4,495 per person, plus air.
DISCOVER SOUTHEAST ALASKA
2-9 august 2014
The inexorable forces of nature are on full display in Alaska—mountains eroded by the crushing force of massive glaciers, icebergs crowding cold aquamarine seas, the cycles of plants and animals compressed into the scant weeks of an arctic summer. Spend eight days navigating in luxury the waterways of the Inside Passage aboard the66-passenger Admiralty Dream and witness wildlife up close from its kayaks and skiffs. Learn about Alaska’s culture at a traditional Tlingit dance performance, and industry exploring the Alaska State Museum and visiting a salmon hatchery. With skilled naturalists by your side, encounter its abundant wildlife, magnificent peaks and fjords and ice-blue glaciers of unfathomable proportions—while learning about the traditions of Alaska’s ancient cultures. Orbridge. 8 days. From $2,495 per person, plus air.
THE RHINE RIVER CRUISE
6-14 SEPTEMBER 2014
On this mesmerizing journey aboard the 361-foot Avalon Artistry II, cruise the ancient trade route along the scenic shores of Germany and France, dotted with wonderful small villages and fascinating historic towns like Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne and Amsterdam. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Koblenz and Heidelberg. Visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral in Strasbourg, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz and Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rudesheim. Admire Cologne’s “Kölner Dom,” Germany’s most renowned cathedral whose Gothic architecture took longer than 600 years to construct, and see legendary Lorelei rock along the canals of Amsterdam. With onboard lectures, activities and entertainment, the fun is only just beginning as you set sail. Orbridge. 9 days. From $3,295 per person, plus air.
EASTERN AND ORIENTAL EXPRESS—Bangkok to Bali
13-25 september 2014
An exciting journey to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Visit elaborate temples, palaces and shrines. Discover Bangkok in a tuk-tuk, marvel at the opulence of the Grand Palace, visit Wat Pho and more. Learn about endangered Asian elephants, cruise the Chao Phraya River and immerse yourself in the beauty of ancient Siam. Travel for three nights aboard the legendary Eastern & Oriental Express Train as it takes you through Thailand and Malaysia. Raft down the Kwai Yai River, and visit colonial Georgetown. Explore Singapore before flying to Bali. Observe daily life during a special excursion to a traditional Balinese housing compound and at the famous market in Ubud. Admire Bali’s breathtaking scenery, volcanoes, jungles and white-sand beaches. Alumni Holidays. 13 days. From $5,995 per person, plus air.
BARGING IN BURGUNDY
23 september–3 october 2014
Discover the bucolic countryside, luxuriant vineyards and picture postcard towns of Burgundy on a special program that explores the history and culture of this famous region. Discover the highlights of Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy. Marvel at the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, a former hospital that is now a museum showcasing priceless works of art. Explore Dijon, which grew from a fortified Roman settlement to a flourishing medieval provincial capital. Travel the legendary Route des Grands Crus and explore the Côte d’Or region, enjoying wine tastings in châteaux. Then embark on your three-night barge cruise of the Canal du Centre and the Saône River. Delight in the magnificent riverside scenery, and visit the charming town of Chalon-sur-Saône. Disembark in Lyon, where a three-night stay provides the opportunity to see its myriad architectural treasures, from Roman ruins to Renaissance masterpieces. Alumni Holidays. 11 days. From $4,995 per person, plus air.
TANZANIA MIGRATION SAFARI
3-14 october 2014
The annual movement of wildebeest and other grazing herbivores across the Serengeti Plains is one of the greatest spectacles of the natural world. This is a once-in-a-lifetime journey encompassing this and other incredible wildlife excursions to national parks and reserves: Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge and the Acacia-dotted savannas of the Serengeti National Park. Accompanied by expert Orbridge naturalists in outfitted Toyota Land Cruisers, venture with a small group of travelers into the vast and varied terrain of East Africa. View diverse and abundant bird and mammal species, while getting to know local people and learning about the tapestry of cultures around you. Then, restore your senses in extraordinary lodges and a beautiful tented safari camp. Orbridge. 12 days. From $5,999 per person, plus air.
70TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY IN NORMANDY
14-22 OCTOBER 2014
With Joint Academy Travel
On June 6, 1944, a heroic formation of Allied troops achieved the largest coordinated military invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, triggering the beginning of the end of World War II. Walk through history on this journey through Normandy, featuring two full days of exploration that highlight this important victory during the 70th anniversary of D-Day. From your base in the town of Honfleur, journey to the D-Day landing beaches, including Omaha Beach, led by a historian who will discuss D-Day’s events. Visit the American Military Cemetery, the Peace Memorial at Caen and the commune of Sainte Mère Église, one of the first towns liberated on D-Day. Stop at the German cemetery at La Cambe. Travel to Monet’s home and studio in Giverny, taste Normandy’s famous Calvados brandy and visit Mont Saint-Michel. Alumni Holidays. 9 days. From $2,795 per