Travel
Discover somewhere new or visit your favorite location with fellow Terps. As a member of the Alumni Association, you, your friends and your family have access to a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. With land, river, and cruise programs available the opportunities to explore the world are endless. Our excursions are packed with fun, fascinating experiences created by professional tour operators that provide superior service at an excellent value.
Wondering if it is now safe to travel? See below for commonly asked questions and resoucres available.
2021 Travel
On-your-own day trips to tour and support your local area and communities in Baltimore, D.C. and Frederick. Each trip comes with a pack to help you make the most of your day, including goodies like a cozy blanket, Terp swag and coupons to local restaurants and drinkeries.
Click here for more details on trip locations.
If Marrakesh is not on your wish list of travel destinations, you have not paid attention to social media trends. While the ‘Red City’ soared to the top of the world’s bucket list, it has retained its original character. Castle ruins sink into the sand where ocean waters wrap around historic embankments.
For more information, click here.
Encounter Portuguese traditions in Porto’s beautiful historic old town and cross the bridge into Vila Nova de Gaia for a tasting of the famous port wine. Go biking in the Douro Valley wine country and discover lush river valley vineyards that lie beneath the hilltop castles.
For more information, click here.
Be transported back to medieval Spain on this incredible, seven-night adventure in the enchanting Castile and León region! Marvel at the beauty and history of fabled cities and towns including Salamanca, Madrid, Ávila, Toledo and your home base of Segovia. See grand palaces, a walled city, a Roman aqueduct, plus the Prado’s world-class art!
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Enjoy hotel accommodations and free time in Old Town Albuquerque, exploring museums, shops and galleries. Sit front and center at the Chasers’ Club hospitality patio for two morning and one evening session featuring Dawn Patrol and Evening Glow. Join us for special access to experience the world-renowned attraction, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!
For more information, click here
See the Roman palace in Split and treat yourself to Italian cuisine in Syracuse. Explore ancient ruins in Pompeii, discover Rome’s relics, and see the Duomo in Florence. Drive along the Grand Corniche in Monte Carlo, wander the countryside of Provence, and stroll the beach in Palma de Mallorca.
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Take in the frescoes in Naples and wander the old town in Trapani. See Caravaggio’s masterpiece in Valetta. Journey through an ancient fortress in Monemvasia, visit the capital city of Crete, and lounge on the beaches of Rhodes. Explore the ruins of Ephesus and discover Istanbul—a city that spans two continents.
For more information, click here
2022 Travel
Join us for this spectacular 14-day journey featuring a nine-night, exclusively chartered cruise to Antarctica, Earth’s last frontier, aboard the intimate L’Austral. Experience “The White Continent” in its unspoiled state, accompanied by the ship’s expert team of naturalists. Spend two nights in vibrant Buenos Aires. Iguazú Falls Post-Program Option.
Delight in the best of New Zealand on this 13-night adventure packed with dazzling natural beauty. Cruise through a pristine fiord, hike to a glacier, watch whales up close and see spectacular locations from the “The Lord of the Rings” movies. Experience Kiwi culture in Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch and the vineyard-lined valleys of the Marlborough wine region!
For more information, click here
Join this incomparable nine-day journey from the Costa Rican rainforest through the mighty locks of the Panama Canal. Cruise aboard the exclusively chartered, Five-Star Le Champlain to experience a daylight passage through the Panama Canal and call at remote island paradises. Explore Costa Rica’s terrestrial wonders and tour Panama City.
This nine-day journey features the Galápagos Islands, where the unique wildlife engages in up-close human interaction like nowhere else. Accompanied by certified naturalists, cruise for four nights and visit six islands, each with its own ecosystem. Enjoy three nights in UNESCO-designated Quito. Six-night Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Lima Post-Program Option.
Experience Africa’s premier safari destination during the Great Migration. This 12-day journey includes one privately chartered flight and daily game drives in Tanzania’s finest game parks—Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Tarangire—featuring the UNESCO-designated Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Deluxe accommodations are in Serena Safari Lodges and an authentic tented camp.
Join a 7-night Cuban adventure like no other! Learn about the lives of local residents during meaningful encounters. Meet entrepreneurs, artists and dancers! Explore Old Havana, Matanzas, an organic farm and much more! You’ll come away with a broader perspective of Cuba’s culture and citizens while benefiting and supporting the Cuban people.
For more information, click here
Explore the fascinating United Arab Emirates on this eight-night, first-class journey! Tour glittering Dubai and Abu Dhabi, meet Emiratis during cultural exchanges and visit a falcon hospital. In the Arabian desert, drive across the dunes and celebrate under the stars. Spend an exciting day at the World Expo Dubai, a global gathering of 190+ countries! Solo-friendly — no single supplement!
For more information, click here
Join us for a seven-night cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium aboard a first-class river ship! Discover Amsterdam, Bruges, Antwerp and one of the world’s best gardening events, Floriade Expo 2022, wonderfully abloom with green ideas! Enjoy excursions that speak to you. Stroll through a sea of cheerful tulips, behold paintings by Dutch masters, visit a Belgian chocolaterie or bike through quaint villages.
For more information, click here
Immerse yourself in gorgeous Tuscany on a 7-night stay in Lucca! From its irresistible cuisine to cliffside villages and storied landmarks, indulge in the riches of the region! Sip local wines, linger in Pisa, Carrara and the unforgettable Cinque Terre, and feast your eyes on inspiring relics and beauty!
For more information, click here
The land that gave birth to the first great civilization needs little introduction. The pyramids, the minarets, the Nile - the scope of Egypt is magnificent. Cairo's core has remained unchanged since the founding days of Islam. Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes is lined with warrens of lavish burial chambers and boasts some of the most impressive monuments in all antiquity.
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Experience the rich, proud culture and striking beauty of Basque Spain and France on this seven-night, first-class trip. Explore Basque villages, Bayonne’s Gothic cathedral and the renowned seaside resorts of Biarritz and San Sebastián, your home base. Learn about everyday life over dinner with local Basques, journey to Hemingway’s Pamplona and visit the Guggenheim in Bilbao!
For more information, click here
Learn the meanings of Ketchikan's totem poles, and explore the wildlife-rich bays and inlets near Juneau by kayak or Zodiac raft. Explore the sights of Haines, where totem poles are sprinkled around a town with rich history and plentiful nature. Spy whales at Icy Strait Point and seek out mountain lakes and waterfalls in the old-growth rain forest near Sitka.
For more information, click here
This extraordinary 11-day “Grand Tour” of Europe combines river, rail, lake and mountain travel and features Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Cruise aboard the deluxe Amadeus Imperial along the Rhine River. Ride aboard three legendary railways—the Gornergrat Bahn, the Glacier Express and the Pilatus Railway. Amsterdam Post-Program Option.
Be charmed by captivating Latvia nestled by the Baltic Sea on this seven-night exploration! Revel in Riga’s vibrant culture and stunning architecture plus explore medieval castles, a baroque palace and picturesque Old-World towns! Delight in Latvia’s celebrated natural beauty and traditions on visits to seaside Jurmala, a working farm and a winery! A deluxe hotel in the heart of Riga’s Old Town is included.
For more information, click here
Experience a rare performance of the extravagant Passion Play, staged once a decade for nearly four centuries in storybook Oberammergau. Enjoy a five-night deluxe cruise along the Danube River, spend two nights each in the Bavarian Alps and Munich, and visit four countries. Budapest Pre-Program and Berlin Post-Program Options offered.
Tour the maze of medieval ruins in Visby, paddle a kayak on the tranquil Minija River in Klaipėda, and see the UNESCO-listed buildings of Riga. Enjoy a nature reserve walk in Tallinn and spend two days in St. Petersburg, where you can tour the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. In Helsinki, take a scenic harbor cruise around charming bays and inlets.
For more information, click here
Explore Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance and a city packed with extraordinary art and architecture. Then discover the Italian Riviera with its breathtaking coastal scenery and hike along paths through charming fishing villages of Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally, dip into the magic of Italy’s Tuscan countryside with its rolling hills of olive groves and vineyards crowned by castles and ancient abbeys.
For more information, click here
Explore Split’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, take a tuk-tuk ride around the Bay of Kotor, and snorkel in Chania. Sample vintage wine in Santorini and tour a 16th-century monastery in Mykonos. Visit the Acropolis in Athens, see the ruins of Ephesus, and make a stop at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
For more information, click here
Explore all five Great Lakes during this seven-night, exclusively chartered cruise aboard the Five-Star Le Dumont-d’Urville, visiting islands and towns rich in maritime history and natural splendor. Visit charming Mackinac Island, historic Sault Sainte Marie’s Soo Locks, revitalized Detroit and awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. Milwaukee Pre-Program and Toronto Post-Program Options.
Immerse yourself in Japan’s authenticity and incredible history on this 10-night journey. Enjoy stays in Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa and Kyoto, and connect with Japan’s distinctive heritage, timeless landmarks and enriching traditions. See Mt. Fuji, visit a colorful geisha district, cruise Lake Ashi and much more!
For more information, click here
This seven-night voyage showcases the Iberian Peninsula’s coast between Lisbon and Barcelona and features Spain’s legendary Guadalquivir River. Cruise aboard the exclusively chartered, Five-Star Le Champlain. Visit Portugal’s Algarve region, Spain’s Granada and Seville, the Rock of Gibraltar and the Balearic Island of Mallorca. Lisbon Pre-Program and Barcelona Post-Program Options.
Discover the beauty and sophistication of the French and Italian Rivieras on a 9-night journey with stays in Nice and Sestri Levante! Experience the best of these coveted destinations, from swanky Monte Carlo and medieval Èze to the colorful Cinque Terre and historic Genoa!
For more information, click here
Discover the incredible wildlife and wonders of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe on this 12-night journey! Visit Cape Town and Soweto, Victoria Falls and Robben Island, and search for exotic animals in Thornybush Nature Reserve, Hwange National Park and Chobe National Park. Plus, ride in elegance on a three-night Rovos Rail journey!
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Sip vintage wine in Tuscany and visit the childhood home of Napoleon in Ajaccio. Sample locally caught fish in Palma de Mallorca, visit Park Güell in Barcelona, and spend a day on the beach near Toulon.
For more information, click here
QUESTIONS & RESOURCES (COVID-19 TRAVEL)
Q: Will I be required to have a vaccine before traveling?
A: Depends on the country. The countries that are open are working on a policy which will ask for proof of vaccination.
Q: Is there flexibility if I make a deposit and then decide I am hesistant to travel?
A: Yes. Speak directly with the tour operator on their exact policies.
Q: Will there be enhanced health and safety protocols?
A: Yes, certainly. Ultimately, these are positive changes for the travel industry. Practices and policies have been added covering all aspects, from ships, hotel accommodations, touring vehicles, restaurants, public areas. More frequent and intensive cleaning, disinfection, sanitation, hygiene applications. More direct medical resources and training for accommodation and tour staff. Smaller group sizes in touring.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
ELIGIBILITY AND MEMBERSHIP
We invite you, your family and friends to participate in our travel program. To participate, one member of the group must be a current member of the University of Maryland Alumni Association.
Not a member? Join today!
Call 301.405.4678/800.336.8627 or click here for membership information and online registration.
RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS
Reservations will be honored on a first-come, first served basis. A deposit indicated on the reservation form will hold your space. If the program of your choice is full when we receive your application, we will put your name on a waiting list and notify you in writing. We will call you if a space becomes available. If you choose to withdraw from the waiting list, please notify us by mail or phone, and your deposit will be returned.
TOUR COSTS
Dates, schedules, program details and costs are given in good faith but may be subject to change and revision. All trip prices are per person based upon double occupancy, current exchange rates and tariffs, a minimum number of participants and current airfare from your gateway city. Single occupancy is available on a limited basis for each program at a single supplement charge.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
To enjoy the alumni travel experience, participants must be in good physical and mental health and be able to keep pace with the group. Program participants requiring extraordinary help must be accompanied by an assistant who will provide all required aid.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
Tour participants are subject to cancellation policies governing the particular trip in which they are enrolled. There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations or other included features. For further information regarding the cancellation policy for a particular trip, please call Angela Dimopoulos at 301.405.7938/800.336.8627.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
The University of Maryland Alumni Association has made arrangements with an insurance provider to offer protection for our travelers. Details will be sent with your confirmation letter. We strongly urge you to consider this or other travel insurance in addition to your own health insurance policy. The plan provides help with lost, delayed or damaged baggage and/or a medical problem that may suddenly arise, causing you to cancel your trip. Since most medical policies, including Medicare, do not provide full coverage for medical expenses incurred outside of the U.S., this plan provides important coverage for international travelers. Purchase travel insurance here.
