Travel booklet 2015

EXPAND YOUR POND // TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH DUCKS Trips for University of Oregon Alumni 2015

Dear Fellow Ducks and Friends: The UO Alumni Association Travel Program is happy to announce our 2015 lineup of fascinating destinations! Please join us as we journey around the world and discover new places in the company of fellow alumni and friends.

We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to explore something new or to revisit our favorite destinations. We also included more domestic destinations this year, including exploring Alaska by small ship, a cruise down our own Columbia River, and a fall journey to New England and Canada to experience the magnificent fall foliage. We return to Africa on our first Kenyan safari to explore the unique, rolling grassland of the Serengeti ecosystem; as well as return to the amazing Galapagos Islands for up-close encounters with the islands’ endemic inhabitants.

And of course, we will explore all our favorite European destinations, including the Amalfi coast, Normandy, Turkey, and the Danube River.

The UOAA Travel Program offers a variety of trip formats and destinations so you can select a trip

that is right for you. We continue to add some exclusive features, including the opportunity for you to meet UO alumni living abroad at UO hosted receptions, and also recommended reading material specifically prepared for each trip by the UO Libraries team.

Look inside for more great travel opportunities.

From the waterways of Holland and Belgium to the stunning scenery of New Zealand, we offer an array of tours to amaze and delight. Where would you like to go?

Bon Voyage and Go Ducks!

Shannon Rose Executive Assistant & Constituency Manager

2015 TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES FEBRUARY

JUNE

SEPTEMBER

Kenya.................................................................................. 4 Discover Down Under.......................................................... 6

Galapagos Islands.............................................................. 18 Baltic and Scandinavian Treasures..................................... 20

MARCH

JULY

Polynesian Paradise............................................................. 8

Great Pacific Northwest...................................................... 22

Grand Danube Passage Featuring Sofia and Prague................................ 26 Rivieras and Islands of France, Italy, and Spain....................................... 28 Normandy............................................................................................... 30 Jewels of the Aegean: Historic Holy Lands............................................... 32 Colors of Fall: Canada & New England..................................................... 34

APRIL

AUGUST

OCTOBER

River Life: Waterways of Holland and Belgium.................... 10 Turkey............................................................................... 12 European Coastal Civilizations............................................ 14

Discover Southeast Alaska by Small Ship............................ 24

Almalfi: The Divine Coast......................................................................... 36

MAY Exotic Mediterranean......................................................... 16

uoalumni.com/travel

FEB 6–16 2015

“All I wanted to do… was get back to Africa,” said Ernest Hemingway in Green Hills of Africa, and you will feel the same way too after 10 days in Kenya!

Kenya 4

Join the vibrant club of those intoxicated with Africa’s magic, from its beautiful landscapes and sunsets, to the majestic wildlife that captivates travelers.

Watch an endless parade of animals drink at the waterhole of your tree hotel while surrounded by dense rain forest. Experience wildlife drives through the bush, all in plain view of the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kenya, then continue your wildlife viewing at Sweetwaters, where all of the members of Africa’s “big five”—elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard—can be seen.

Enjoy the flamingo-lined shores of Lake Nakuru, before culminating your trip on the plains of the Maasai Mara, where the Maasai people share their reserve with cheetah, gazelles, wildebeest and hippopotamuses. This is the original safari destination in Africa, one that is sure to delight all of the senses!

From: $4,295 per person Provider: Classic Escapes

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Discover Down Under: Sydney to Auckland

FEB 10–28 2015

Depart Sydney, home of the world famous Opera House, for Melbourne, where you can take in its splendid Victorian architecture, enjoy the exceptional museums, or meet the koalas and kangaroos at Australia’s oldest zoo. Drink in extraordinary vistas in Tasmania—the “Island of Inspiration”— before crossing the Tasman Sea to reach New Zealand’s majestic West Coast.

Watch scenes of dramatic beauty unfold as you cruise the Milford Sound fjord, named the top travel destination in the world by Trip Advisor and described as the eighth wonder of the world by Rudyard Kipling. Visit the quaint French village of Akaroa, where the world’s rarest dolphins playfully entertain swimmers in the harbor; and enjoy the view of both whales and the towering Southern Alps as you head north up the coast.

Relax on board Oceanic Cruises’ Marina and discover rugged, glorious scenery; magnetic, cosmopolitan cities; unique, wondrous wildlife; and captivating cultural heritage in the lands Down Under.

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From Napier, explore the Hawkes Bay wine country or enjoy the city’s Art Deco architecture; and discover Tauranga, near the geothermic and Maori cultural haven of Rotorua. Savor tranquility in the Bay of Islands—an idyllic setting of lush islands and sparkling sapphire waters—before cruising to Auckland, where natural wonders complement its modern, urban spirit.

From $6,999 per person, including airfare Provider: Go Next

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MAR 15–25 2015

Polynesian Paradise From white sand beaches fringed by palm trees and vanilla groves, to emerald mountains towering over blue lagoons, indulge your senses with the wonders of French Polynesia.

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The islands of French Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean offer unparalleled opportunities for rest and relaxation. Be engulfed by endless tropical beauty on sun-kissed Bora Bora and experience a blend of black sand beaches and sparkling waterfalls on Nuku Hiva.

Explore Rangiroa, the second largest atoll in the world, boasting a crystalline underwater playground teeming with multi-hued fish.

Lastly, return to Papeete on the lovely island of Tahiti—the black pearl capital of the world—where the scent of the vanilla groves and the gentle swaying of the palm trees soothe the mind and body.

Set adrift, catch the breeze, and watch scenes of incomparable beauty unfold one by one on this 10-night Polynesian odyssey.

From $3,999 per person, including airfare Provider: Go Next

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River Life: Waterways of Holland and Belgium

APR 6–14 2015

Join us in Holland and Belgium for nine days while Holland’s breathtaking tulip fields are in bloom!

Meet local residents during the exclusive River Life Forum for a personal perspective of the Low Countries’ modern life and cultural heritage. Expertled excursions include private canal cruises in Amsterdam and Bruges; the windmills of Kinderdijk; the prestigious Rijksmuseum, with works by Rembrandt and Vermeer on display; the world-class Kröller-Müller Museum, with the world’s second-largest collection of Van Gogh paintings alongside works by Picasso and Rodin; the famous Keukenhof Gardens; medieval Antwerp; and the impressive Delta Works, declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

A pre-cruise option in Amsterdam is also offered. This comprehensive, all-inclusive itinerary—an exceptional value—is continually praised as the ideal Holland and Belgium experience.

From: $3,395 per person Provider: Gohagan

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APR 21–MAY 3 2015

Turkey

Visit legendary palaces in Istanbul; watch history come alive as you view the Byzantine-era Hippodrome, where 100,000 people once cheered during chariot races; and marvel at Ephesus, the most complete ancient city to be excavated and the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Centuries of powerful empires, natural forces, and industrious people have shaped these lands of scenic beauty, colorful traditions, and majestic structures. Experience a modern day version of the age-old ritual of the “whirling dervishes,” and learn about the religious diversity of Turkey—from the stunning Blue Mosque, to Haghia Sophia, a museum that was once a Greek Orthodox church and later a mosque, to the city of Perge, where St. Paul preached. Explore Konya, one of the world’s most ancient cities and Turkey’s most religious site, then marvel at the Greco-Roman monuments at Aspendos.

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Bridge the gap between Europe and Asia on this unmatched historical and cultural journey through the ancient land of Turkey.

From: $3,595 per person Provider: Classic Escapes

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European Coastal Civilizations

APR 23–MAY 1 2015

Join this seven-night cruise aboard a deluxe small ship and capture the history and culture of coastal Portugal, Spain, France, and Guernsey, one of the United Kingdom’s Channel Islands.

Travel to Porto in Portugal’s renowned port wine country, walk in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims traveling to see the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, cruise along Spain’s Costa Verde, and visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

From there, visit the hallowed beaches of Normandy, where in 1944 the allied forces made their historic D-Day landings. Acclaimed historian David Eisenhower, grandson of US general and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, will give an onboard lecture and accompany you to the site where approximately 160,000 allied soldiers landed and launched the beginning of the end of World War II. Lisbon pre-cruise and Paris/Giverny postcruise options are available.

From: $4395 per person Provider: Gohagan

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MAY 19–31 2015

Exotic Mediterranean: Istanbul to Lisbon Experience an exotic kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and cultures as you sail from Turkey to Greece, Malta, Tunisia, Spain, and Portugal.

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Cruise the Mediterranean, where every port of call is an exotic haven of history.

Depart Istanbul for Turkey’s third-largest metropolis, Izmir, featuring a dazzling bayside promenade studded with chic boutiques and cafes. After stops in the picturesque islands of Santorini and Malta, visit Tunis and explore its historic medina laced with narrow, twisting lanes and colorful markets, known as “souks.”

On the Spanish island of Mallorca, marvel at Palma’s massive Gothic cathedral and circular castle overlooking the harbor, relax amid its windmill-dotted countryside, or stroll the cobbled streets of Old Palma. Absorb more Spanish culture in Cartagena and Málaga, which abound with fascinating archaeological monuments. Conclude your unforgettable voyage in Europe’s second

oldest capital, Lisbon, where its golden age is reflected in the ornate Belem Tower and incredibly beautiful 500-yearold Jeronimos Monastery, both listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. From: $3,999 per person, including airfare Provider: Go Next

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Galapagos Islands

JUNE 3–10 2015

Follow in the footsteps of naturalist Charles Darwin and explore the Galapagos Islands, one of the most biologically unique places on earth and the birthplace of the theory of evolution.

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A trip to the famous Galapagos Islands—a volcanic archipelago, undiscovered by Europeans until the 16th century, that straddles the equator 500 miles west of Ecuador—allows you to appreciate the diversity of life firsthand while observing endemic species such as the giant tortoise, flightless cormorant, the Galapagos penguin, Bluefooted Booby, marine and land iguanas,

and the famous “Darwin’s finches.”

Indeed, approximately 80 percent of the land birds and 97 percent of the reptiles and mammals are found nowhere else on earth.

Because the human presence is still relatively minimal, many of the animals are remarkably unafraid of visitors. This will allow you to observe and photograph

them at very close range, either while sitting quietly in the midst of a colony of tropical penguins, or by snorkeling with inquisitive and playful sea lions.

From $3,995 per person Provider: Orbridge

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Baltic and Scandinavian Treasures Baltic treasures abound on this voyage to some of Northern Europe’s most legendary ports. Cruise the Baltic Sea to Estonia, Russia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, and Denmark.

JUNE 16–27 2015

Set sail from Stockholm for Tallinn, a beautifully preserved city that radiates old-world charm, then savor almost three full days in St. Petersburg, a Russian city exuding a European essence. Admire its onion-domed cathedrals and legendary palaces, including the immense Winter Palace and lavish Catherine Palace; visit the famous Tikhvin Cemetery, where Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Nikolai RimskyKorsakov are buried; and enjoy the city’s numerous ornate memorials and monuments.

Take in more architectural gems in Helsinki, a renowned design mecca where ultra-modern masterpieces coexist

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with stunning medieval and neoclassical structures. Explore the Latvian capital Riga, the “Paris of the East,” and stroll past charming timber-framed buildings in the Old Town of Klaipeda in Lithuania. Then sail to Germany and visit the delightful port of Warnemünde, home to Gothic churches and a seaside promenade, or head inland to Berlin, a city brimming with legendary landmarks, including the poignant Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall. Your voyage concludes in Copenhagen, where you can see the famous Little Mermaid statue or visit the nearby Viking Ship Museum.

From $4,299 per person including airfare Provider: Go Next

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Great Pacific Northwest

Relax on elegant riverboat as you take in some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery on the planet—all within a few hours of the University of Oregon campus.

JUL 25–AUG 2 2015

Incredibly beautiful and wildly bountiful, our Pacific Northwest presents a miraculous geological masterpiece where lush, unspoiled forests blanket dramatic slopes; imposing mountains cradle deep, mighty rivers; and sparkling waterfalls cascade into breathtaking gorges.

Experience this spectacular region that captivated intrepid explorers as you cruise the Columbia and Snake Rivers aboard the American Empress, the largest and most elegant riverboat west of the Mississippi. From Portland to Clarkston, Washington, cruise to charming towns and historic sites with stops in Astoria, Stevenson, The Dalles, and Sacajawea State Park.

From: $3,795 per person Provider: Go Next

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Discover Southeast Alaska by Small Ship

Explore “the last frontier,” where grizzly bears and caribou traverse the land, bald eagles patrol the skies, and orca and blue whales roam the sea.

AUG 21–28 2015

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; and 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, and witness wildlife up close from kayaks and skiffs. Learn about Alaska’s culture at a traditional Tlingit dance performance, and industry while exploring the Alaska State Museum and visiting a salmon hatchery. With skilled naturalists by your side, encounter the last frontier’s abundant wildlife, magnificent peaks and fjords, and ice-blue glaciers of unfathomable proportions—all while learning about the traditions of Alaska’s ancient cultures.

From: $2,495 per person Provider: Orbridge

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Great Danube Passage

Featuring Sofia and Prague Experience the Eastern European culture, marvelous old-world capitals, ornate cathedrals, and picturesque villages along the Danube.

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AUG 31–SEPT 15 2015

Discover enthralling scenery in eight countries and 13 cities and towns as you cruise the Danube, described by Napoleon as the “king of Europe’s rivers.” See ancient capitals, Roman ruins, magnificent churches, ornate palaces and medieval castles in Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna, among others.

Sail through the Iron Gate Gorge, the Carpathian Mountains’ dramatic cliffs, the twisting, narrow Danube Bend, and the breathtaking vineyard-clad Wachau Valley. Begin this program of unparalleled

beauty with two nights in fashionable Sofia, Bulgaria, and conclude your adventure with a three-night stay in Prague.

This program features included excursions, lectures by local experts to enhance your insight into the region, luxury hotel accommodations, an extensive meal plan, wine with dinner, and time for independent exploration.

From $4,595 per person. No Single Supplement for Solo Travelers.

Provider: AHI

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Rivieras and Islands of France, Italy, and Spain Travel the northern Mediterranean rivieras from Rome, where the Coliseum and the Vatican are mere miles apart, to the Catalonian coastal city of Barcelona.

SEPT 4–12 2015

This unique, comprehensive itinerary from Rome to Barcelona immerses you in the dynamic history, inimitable art and culture, and sun-drenched landscapes of the French and Italian rivieras and islands.

Visit up to five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Carcassone, a walled medieval fortress on a site that has been occupied since Neolithic times. Explore Corsica’s fortified town of Bonifacio and Sardinia’s dazzling Costa Smeralda. Visit Florence, dubbed “the birthplace of the Renaissance,” the home of Michaelangelo’s “David,” and birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, and Botticelli; and Cinque Terre, the five coastal towns on the Italian Riviera. Along the enchanting Côte d’Azur, enjoy specially arranged excursions in Monte Carlo, Cannes, and Nice.

Rome pre-cruise and Barcelona post-cruise options are also available.

From: $5,195 per person Provider: Gohagan

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Normandy

Step back into history on this comprehensive tour of Normandy, site of the D-Day invasion in World War II.

SEPT 16–24 2015

On June 6, 1944, a heroic formation of Allied troops achieved the largest coordinated military invasion in world history on the beaches of Normandy, triggering the beginning of the end of World War II. Walk through history on this exclusive journey through Normandy. From your base in the charming 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

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commune of Sainte Mére Église, one of the first towns liberated on D-Day. Stop at the German cemetery at La Cambe.

In addition, you will travel to Monet’s home and studio in Giverny, indulge in a special tasting of Normandy’s famous Calvados brandy, and visit the majestic Mont-Saint-Michel.

From: $2,895 per person.

Provider: AHI

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Jewels of the Aegean: Historic Holy Lands

Immerse yourself in the ancient civilizations and beautiful sights of historic cities and holy lands in Greece, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey.

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SEPT 16–27 2015

Depart Istanbul, a fascinating fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in a magnificent city astride two continents, for the beautiful and serene Greek island of Patmos, where magnificent frescoes adorn the Monastery of St. John.

Continue to Haifa, Israel, and then on to Jerusalem, the holiest city on earth for three major religions.

ruins of Ephesus, an ancient Roman city that is now one of the bestpreserved archaeological sites on the Mediterranean, before returning to Istanbul, where your spectacular 10-night journey concludes.

From: $4,299 per person including airfare Provider: Go Next

Visit cosmopolitan Limassol, a gateway to the timeless riches of Cyprus; and sail to the island of Rhodes, world famous for its 3rd-century BC Acropolis, and savor its picturesque fusion of medieval walls and archaeological sites with sweeping white-sand beaches. Take in Crete’s windmill-dotted landscapes, and get a glimpse of the bygone Minoan civilization at the reconstructed Bronze Age Palace of Knossos.

Finally, explore Turkey’s vibrant port city of Kusadasi or visit the amazing

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Colors of fall: Canada and New England

Invigorate your autumn with a lively splash of color as you sail North America’s Northeast coast.

SEPT 20–30 2015

Depart New York for Newport, Rhode Island, whose palatial mansions hearken back to a golden age of lavish architecture enjoyed by America’s rich and famous. Sail to Boston, one of America’s oldest and most influential cities, and on to Maine’s beautiful resort of Bar Harbor, a seaside paradise boasting stunning vistas of sparkling blue waters edging towering granite cliffs.

Your voyage then continues to Canada: first to the picturesque harbor town of Saint John, New Brunswick; then to Halifax, Nova Scotia, a beautiful, modern port city with a rich heritage, and on to charming Sydney, home to a historic waterfront.

The breathtaking beauty of nature reveals itself as you travel the scenic waterways of the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City.

Stroll the city’s historic unmistakably French streets and take in the grand Château Frontenac, before sailing on to Montreal, a city bursting with European charisma and home to Mount Royal—the three-peaked mountain from which the city takes its name. Though your cruise concludes in Montreal, the memories of all of these captivating port cities will remain as striking as autumn’s brilliant colors.

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From $3,799 per person including airfare Provider: Go Next

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OCT 6–14 2015

Almalfi: The Divine Coast

An idyllic paradise of stately mountains adorned with pastel-painted buildings, rising majestically over the Mediterranean Sea, the Almalfi Coast has drawn royalty and celebrities for decades.

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Marvel at the Villa Rufolo and its colorful gardens. Delight in the town of Amalfi and be amazed at Positano, built on the side of a steep hill and described by John Steinbeck as “… a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”

This Alumni Campus Abroad program includes deluxe accommodations in Vietri sul Mare, all excursions, presentations about local history and culture, and an extensive meal plan with wine at dinner.

From $3,295 per person. No Single Supplement for Solo Travelers.

Provider: AHI

Visit a farm famous for buffalo mozzarella, the regional specialty. See the Greek ruins in Paestum, and view the treasures at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples, one of the most important archaeological museums in the world and home to the Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun in Pompeii, the Farnese Hercules, and the Herculaneum papyri. Walk through history during visits to Herculaneum and Pompeii, and marvel at their well-preserved ruins. Explore the idyllic town of Sorrento, and Capri, the Isle of Dreams.

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Information Request Form 2015

For more information about any of the University of Oregon Alumni Association travel opportunities, please visit uoalumni.com/travel, e-mail shannonr@uoregon.edu, or select your vacations of interest on the form below and mail to UO Alumni Association, 1204 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403-1204.

Discover Down Under

Kenya

Polynesian Paradise Waterways of Holland and Belgium Turkey

European Coastal Civilizations

Exotic Mediterranean

Galapagos Islands

Baltic and Scandinavian Treasures

Great Pacific Northwest

Discover Southeast Alaska

Grand Danube Passage

France, Italy and Spain

Normandy

Jewels of the Aegean

Colors of Fall: Canada & New England

Almalfi: The Divine Coast NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP HOME PHONE

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E-MAIL ADDRESS

Trips, prices, and dates are subject to change. Please visit uoalumni.com/travel for current information.

University of Oregon Alumni Association 1204 University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1204

UO Alumni Association 1204 University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1204 541-346-5656 800-245-2586 An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This publication will be made available in accessible formats upon request. Š2014 University of Oregon DES122fm-XXXX.

uoalumni.com