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Join your fellow alums as we travel to exciting destinations around the world. Whether your interests run to the exotic (like an African safari), or destinations steeped in history (such as a trip exploring ancient Roman history or a cruise on the inland Russian waterways), or an Asian adventure to China and beyond, or even a week in our great National Parks out West, we have something for you. Take a look at our program and discover the joys of traveling with fellow alums. (Don’t just take our word for it – have a look at the trip reports from some of the alums that have traveled with us in the past – see below.)
A special offer for Rensselaer Alumni and Friends...
Around the World by Private Jet
An Exploration of the World's Greatest Treasures and Legendary Places
September 28 – October 19, 2010
A 22-day journey on a specially-outfitted Boeing 757
 Experience for yourself destinations such as: the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu; the moai statues of Easter Island; tropical Samoa; the Great Barrier Reef; Angkor Wat's temples; Africa's wildlife in Tanzania; the majestic Taj Mahal; the Sphinx and the Egyptian pyramid; and the exotic spices and foods in the souks of Marrakech.
Join us for this experience of a lifetime. To learn more call 1-800-454-4149. |
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This extraordinary journey will explore the places that have inspired the imagination of humankind for centuries. Journey to these enchanting lands on a specially-outfitted Boeing 757 private jet – newly designed and configured to seat 78 travelers in complete comfort and style. Experts from the Smithsonian and the American Museum of National History will accompany you, and a professional expedition staff, including a licensed physician, will travel with you.  |
Some of our past adventures have included:
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Alumni, friends, and family pose for a photo in Riomaggiore, one of the five towns that comprise the famed "Cinque Terre" region on the Italian Riviera. Pictured are (L to R): Stuart and Judy Teitelbaum; Debbie and Bob Kessler; Kay Henry; Al and Eileen Clark, Kit Wilson (Kay's mother); Michael Wellner, RAA Travel Director and his better half Sheryl Linen; Dr. Dick MacDowell and his wife Barbara. Click here for a trip report on the 2007 tour of the Italian Riviera.
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In April 2009, alumni enjoyed a trip to Holland and Belgium aboard the M/V Switzerland II. Click here for a trip report and photos.
Two trips to Italy in 2006: In April, 32 alumni, friends, and family spent a delightful week in Sestri Levante, a resort town in Liguria (click here for a full report) on the Adriatic Coast (just south of Genoa); then in June, 21 alumni and friends went to Tuscany for a fabulous week of cooking lessons, wine and balsamic vinegar tastings, sightseeing, and much more (read about it here).
In the Fall of ’05 fifty alums ventured to China for 3 weeks (click here for a fascinating travelogue about the trip written by Basil Whiting '60), and a dozen spent a week in Provence (click here for a Provence trip report).
We are always looking for new ideas and suggestions for future trips. If you have an idea that you’d like to share with us, please click here. |
...and don't forget these travel benefits available to all Rensselaer alums!
1. Travel insurance–just in case No matter where you are headed, travel insurance will give you peace of mind before you depart and while on tour. Our program covers:
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Medical expenses
- Medical evacuation
- Baggage loss and delay
- Accidental death
- 24-hour emergency assistance
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Remember, it is not only your own health that you should consider, but those of your loved ones as well. You may be completely healthy, but should a parent, child, or any family member become ill or be involved in an accident, and you need to cancel your trip to care for them, our insurance will cover you. Click here for complete information.
3. Customized Tour Programs: Are you are looking for a custom-tailored trip or tour for your group (fraternity brothers, family members, church group or friends)? We can help you plan for that special occasion! Contact Michael Wellner '64 at captmike46@alum.rpi.edu or call (212) 486-3064 with your request. |
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Trish and Rudy Bergfield '49 and William and Alice Lindsay '48 during the Antebellum South cruise. |
Here's the line up for our 2010 programs:
- A fabulous cruise on Oceania Cruise Line's Regatta through the Panama Canal (Feb 9 - 25). Here is one of the great bargains in cruising, to a destination that should appeal to all RPI Engineers (and the not-so-technical as well). Oceania Cruises specializes in up-scale small (only 684 passengers) ships, featuring superb service, an intimate convivial atmosphere, and staterooms that provide nearly all the comforts of home. Cuisine is under the supervision of the world-famous chef Jacques Pepin. There are six separate dining venues aboard, as well as 24-hour room service. You'll find that every aspect of your stay aboard is truly remarkable. We'll sail from the Port of Los Angeles, head down the west coast of Mexico, stopping at Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, and Puntarenas (Costa Rica), before heading through the Panama Canal, and then into Cartagena, before going on to Key West, and finally arriving in Miami. And prices start at just $2,799 per person, which includes a $1,000 per stateroom price reduction, a $500 per stateroom shipboard credit, and all shipboard gratuities --- if reservations are made before April 14, 2009. This is a fantastic opportunity on a great ship at an unbelievable price. Don't miss it! Visit www.gonext.com for further details.
- Italy’s magical Amalfi Coast (Alumni Campus Abroad) April 28 – May 6. Spend a week at our Alumni Campus Abroad in one of the most history-rich areas to be found anywhere in the world, Italy’s storied Amalfi Coast. We’ll spend seven nights in the deluxe Grand Hotel Excelsior in the town of Amalfi, and explore the so-called Divine Coast, including Herculaneum and Pompeii, the Greek ruins at Paestum, and the World War II landing beach in Salerno. We’ll cross the Gulf of Naples and spend a day on the resort island of Capri (take the opportunity to visit the famed Blue Grotto), and admire the spectacular cliffside towns of Positano, and Ravello. Italy never disappoints, and this trip is sure to please virtually everyone. Don’t miss it. Prices start at only $2,295 per person. Click here for more details. And watch for your brochure in the mail.
- The storied Greek Isles (Alumni Campus Abroad) May 10 – 20. Just the words “Greek Isles” conjures up images of jewel-like islands set in a sparkling blue sea, with historic towns and villages at every turn. Here is a great chance for you to join us as we spend four nights in Crete, three nights in Santorini, and two nights in Athens. We’ll have a chance to see the home of the Minoan civilzation; visit the ruins of the palace of Knossos, where King Minos once ruled; cruise the Sea of Crete to Santorini; and finally explore the Acropolis with its crowning glory, the Parthenon. The Greek Isles are truly spectacular, and there is no better way to explore and learn about them than with your fellow alumni. Prices start at just $3,195 per person. Click here for more details. And watch for your brochure in the mail.
- A Historic Reflections cruise, from Athens to Barcelona, on Oceania Cruise Line’s Nautica, featuring the very best Mediterranean ports, on your choice of two dates: (May 13 – 24, or June 29 – July 12) Join us as we journey where ancient cultures thrive, natural beauty astounds, and the reflections of historic ports glisten upon deep blue seas while cruising the coasts of Turkey, Greece, Italy, Monaco, France, and Spain. Visit the ruins of Ephesus in Kusadasi, see the beautiful whitewashed towns of Santorini and the pine-covered mountains of Zakynthos before cruising to legendary Sicily. Continue on to charming Amalfi, monumental Rome, Renaissance Florence, glamorous Monte Carlo, and on to colorful Marseilles, all captivating stops. A voyage on Oceania Cruise Lines is an exceptional experience that takes cruising to new heights. Look forward to unparalleled service and an in-depth travel adventure. Whether onboard or ashore, every detail is attended to; your only task is to enjoy every sublime moment. Enjoy smaller, more intimate ships (only 684 guests); impeccable service; open seating restaurants. a state-of-the-art fitness center, unlimited complimentary soft drinks and bottled water, and so much more. Rates begin at a fabulous $2,999 per person, and INCLUDE ROUND-TRIP AIRFARE from many cities (including Albany, NY). This is another fantastic opportunity on a great ship at an unbelievable price. And we also have an exclusive pre-cruise program in Athens: two nights at the Athens Plaza Hotel, including all transfers (from the airport and to the cruise ship), and a city sightseeing tour for only $699 per person. Don't miss it! Visit www.gonext.com for further details.
- Incomparable London (June 5 - 13 or September 29 - October 7): Britain is the most popular European destination for American travelers, and there are so many reasons why. Its capital, London, provides a colorful feast of history, beauty and culture. One of the friendliest cities in the world, London brims with regal historical sites, world-class museums, leafy parks, cozy pubs, and theatre to rival that of New York's Broadway. Joiun us as we see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace; walk the ancient halls at Westminster Abbey; listen for the chmis of Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament; and see the famed Tower of london where so many of England's royalty quite literally lost their heads. And don't forget the Crown Jewels. London truly has something for everyone. And now you can go at a price that is as amazing as the city itself. Only $1,599 per person, including airfare*, 5 nights in a first-class hotel, round-trip airport transfers, all hotel service charges and taxes, and more. (*Air departure taxes of approximtely $125 pp are extra; the Oct. 22nd departure is from Chicago, Dallas, Houston, or New York; the Oct 29th departure is from Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, or Detroit.) For additional information: www.gonext.com.
- The Italian Lakes and the Dalmatian Coast, aboard the elegant sailing ship Wind Surf, June 16 – 27. Here is a fabulous opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: Italy’s Lake District, and a cruise along Croatia’s rugged Dalmatian Coast. We’ll begin with three nights in historic Como, on the shores of its famous lake, and venture out to visit Tremezzo, Bellagio, Verona Venice, and Italy’s fashion capital Milano. Then we’ll embark on an epic adventure aboard the elegant five masted sailing ship Wind Surf, for a cruise on the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Here we’ll discover a wealth of offshore islands, lovely beaches, superb mountains and historic old-world towns. Highlights include the city of Split, with its fourth-century Diocletian Palace, and the virtually unchanged 13th-century walled city of Dubrovnik. If you have any interest in European history, this is a trip not to be missed. Prices begin at just $3,995 per person. Click here for more details. And watch for your brochure in the mail.
- A Mediterranean Reflections Cruisefrom Rome to Barcelona, on Oceania Cruise Lines Nautica (August 4 – 15). Here is another of the great bargains in cruising, to fabulous ports in the Mediterranean. Oceania Cruises specializes in up-scale, small (only 684 passengers) ships, featuring superb service, an intimate convivial atmosphere, and staterooms that provide nearly all the comforts of home. On this cruise we’ll call at all of the following prime European ports: Corsica, Cinque Terre, Marseille, Cannes, Portofino, Sardinia, Saint-Tropez, Sanary-sur-Mer and Sete (in France), and finally Barcelona. If you have ever wanted the perfect Mediterranean cruise, this may well be it. We’ll visit the south of France (what could be better), the prime spots of Portofino and Cinque Terre in Italy, and two less-visited spots, Corsica and Sardinia. Prices start at only $3,413 per person (which reflect a $2,000 per stateroom discount if booked before November 20th), and this includes free round-trip air transportation from many US cities (including Albany, NY). Visit www.gonext.com for further details. Sheryl & I have already reserved our places, and I urge you to join us. As always, space on these ships is limited, and I urge you to plan your trip as soon as possible.
- A Radiant Reflections Cruise from Barcelona to Istanbul, also on Oceania Cruise Lines Nautica (see above) (August 14 – 29) Spend a glorious two weeks on this ship, as we call at Marseille, Monte Carlo, La Spezia (Cinque Terre), Livorno (Florencde & Pisa), Bonifacio (Corsica), Rome, Amalfi/Positano, Taormina, Santorini, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Turkey), Lesbos, and Istabul. Here is a cruise that really covers all the prime spots in the Medierranean: the South of France, including the charming fishing port of Cassis, and the storied countryside of Provence; Monte Carlo (where Grace Kelly once ruled); Cinque Terre (the fiuve spectacular hill towns in Italy); the Tuscan countryside in Italy; the less-visited islands of Corsica and Lesbos; the spectacular Amalfi coast of Italy; the ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus, near Kusadasi, and so much more. And there can be no better way to visit all these sights than from your own cruise ship. Sit back and relax, as you are transported in luxury from place to place. Prices for this outstanding two week luxury cruise begin at only $4,727 per person, (which reflect a $2,000 per stateroom discount if booked before November 20th), and include free air transportation from many US cities (including Albany, NY). Visit www.gonext.com for more information. As always, space on these ships is limited, and I urge you to plan your trip as soon as possible.
- A Cruise on the blue Danube, including the cities of Prague, Budapest, Vienna & Bratislava, September 7 – 18. Winding its way through the heart of Europe, the Danube is a feast of unparalleled history, magnificent churches, bustling cities and peaceful villages. Come with us on this adventure as we spend three nights in Prague (at the Hotel Imperial), three nights aboard the Amadeus Royal as we cruise from Passau to Vienna, and three nights in Budapest (at the InterContinental Hotel). Our trip will include not only four of Europe’s most exciting capitals, but Melk Abbey as well, a stunning world-famous architectural masterpiece. Each of these cities is a gem unto itself, and should not be missed. Historic Prague remains essentially as it was four hundred years ago; Passau is home to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and Europe’s largest pipe organ; Vienna was the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and contains one of the most impressive boulevards in the world (the Ringstrasse); and Budapest is in reality the twin cities of Buda and Pest, straddling the beautiful Danube River. Prices start at only $2,995 per person for this spectacular experience. Click here for more details. And watch for your brochure in the mail.
- The Best of the Aegean & Greek Isles Luxury Cruise, aboard Oceania Cruise Lines Nautica (September 21 - October 4) If you have ever wanted to travel in luxury and visit the Greek Islands, this is the chance of a lifetime. Join us as we spend 12 nighta aboard Oceania Cruises 684-passenger ship Nautica, as we sail from Istanbul (where Europe and Asia literally meet), to Kusadasi, Turkey (where the highlight is the fabulously preserved Roman ruins at Ephesus), and on to the island of Delos, the legendary birthplace of Apollo, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes (where the Colossus once stood in the harbor), Crete, Monemvasia (ther Gibraltar of the East), Katakolon (where the Olympic Games began in 776 BC), Corfu, Zakynthos, and Nauplion, before we disembark in Piraeus, the port of Athens. Prices for this luxury cruise start at just $3,978 per person, and include free airfare from several US cities (including Albany, NY). These special prices include a $2,000 per stateroom discount if booked before December 11th. As always, space on these ships is limited, and I urge you to plan your trip as soon as possible. Click here for more information.
- The Treasures of Southern Africa, including Cape Town; the famed Rovos Rail from Cape Town to Johannesburg; Johannesburg; and the famed Thornybush Game Reserve, October 12 – 26. If you have ever fantasized about going on a safari, and visiting South Africa, this may just be the perfect opportunity. Join us as we travel to one of the most fascinating countries in the world, with sights unlike any other. We’ll spend four nights in Cape Town, literally at the southern tip of the African Continent, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet; then two nights on the ultra-luxurious Rovos Rail train traveling from Cape Town to Johannesburg, where we’ll spend two nights; and finally three nights at he Thornybush Game Reserve. Few destinations are as exciting and memorable as South Africa; anyone who has ever been will tell you that that is one trip that they will never forget! Seize this opportunity and join us for a trip that you will remember forever. Prices begin at $5,895 per person for this two-week adventure. Click here for more details. And watch for your brochure in the mail.
- China & The Yangtze River, including Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai and a Yangtze River cruise, October 24 – November 6. It is no exaggeration to say that China may be the second-most important country in the world today, and here is a chance to visit the world’s largest country with your fellow alums. If you have always wanted to visit China, this is a wonderful opportunity. Travel with us as we spend three nights in Beijing, two nights at Xi’an, two nights in Guilin, three nights aboard the MV President I, cruising the Yangtze River, and finally two nights in Shanghai. We’ll tour Beijing’s Imperial palaces; walk on the Great Wall; see first-hand Xi’an’s terra cotta warriors; watch the pandas resident at the Chongquing Zoo; cruise the Yangtze and marvel at the Three Gorges and the world’s largest construction project; and finally stay in the cosmopolitan city of Shaghai. By ane measure China is a country that should not be missed. Prices for this two-week trip begin at just $3,095 per person. Click here for more details. And watch for your brochure in the mail.
- Israel & Jordan, November 19 – December 1. History exudes from literally every place that we’ll visit on this trip to the heart of the Middle East. We’ll begin in Israel, which has been the focal point for three of the world’s great religions for literally thousands of years. Join us as we admire the architectural beauty of Tel Aviv; walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee; explore the winding streets and alleys in old Jerusalem; and descend into the spectacular Jordan Rift Valley and the Dead Sea. And then we’ll cross into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to visit the capital city of Amman and the spectacular stone city of Petra, listed as one of the New Seven Wonders Of The World. We’ll spend three nights in Tel Aviv, three in Tiberias (on a kibbutz), four nights in Jerusalem, and finally three nights in Amman, Jordan. Priced from $3,495 per person, this is one trip not to be missed. Click here for more details. And watch for your brochure in the mail.
- Oberammergau’s PASSION PLAY, August 29 – September 9. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity. The famous Passion Play is performed in Oberammergau, in Bavaria (Germany) only once every ten years, and we have tickets for the 2010 performance. But first, a bit of history. In 1632 the Black Plague ravaged Europe, killing fully one-third of the population. In 1633, the elders of the town of Oberammergau, in a desperate plea to stop the spread of the disease, vowed that they would reenact the “Passion of the Christ” every ten years forever, if the town was spared any further death. Miraculously, not another person in the town died, and the townspeople, making good on their promise, performed the “Passion” play the next year, in 1634. It was shifted to the even decennial years in 1700, and has been performed every ten years thereafter. It is a monumental effort, with over 2,000 local citizens participating, on the world’s largest open-air stage. In 2010 the play will be performed in the village for the 41st time. And we have guaranteed Section I tickets! Join us as we travel to Germany, where we’ll see the fabulous white-towered Neuschwanstein Castle; cruise on Lake Constance; spend time in the Bavarian capital of Munich, and so much more. But this journey is all about the PASSION PLAY, and I urge you to take advantage of this once-in-a-decade opportunity. Don Bunk, retired RPI Professor, and his wife Marge. are already booked. Why not join them for the trip of a lifetime? Prices begin at $3,745 per person. Click here for a Web page with more details, or click here for a PDF of a printed brochure.
For more information on any of the programs,
contact the alumni office at alumni@rpi.edu, call (518)-276-6205,
or e-mail Michael Wellner ’64 at captmike46@alum.rpi.edu or call 1-212-486-3064. |
