Alumni Travel Program
Do U want to C the world? Traveling with the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association allows you to see the world with fellow Bearcats in an exclusive and worry-free environment. Our trusted travel partners take care of all the details, so you can relax, meet fellow Bearcats, and enjoy the sights.
All UC alumni trips include enhanced travel services:
- All excursions and visits, as outlined in brochure, with experienced local guides.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
- The services of experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Directors throughout the program.
- Pre-departure concierge service such as a travel document wallet, name badge and pre-departure brochures.
- Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy for each participant ticketed on flights by Gohagan & Company.
- Transfers and luggage handling abroad for participants whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
All itineraries subject to change.
Autumn in Provence: Burgundy and Beaujolais
September 6 – 14, 2023
From approximately $3,985 plus air
Discover the world-famous Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions of Provence at the height of the harvest season. Cruise round-trip from historic Lyon, France, along the storied Rhôneand Saône rivers. Dock in the heart of each port and visit the historical HOTEL-DIEU in Beaune; the medieval Papal Palace of Avignon; the Roman Amphitheater in Arles; the Roman city of Orange and the ancient Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Beaujolais wine region’s Château Montmelas, guided by a member of the family, with a specially arranged fortepiano concert and wine tasting. Enhance your experience with the Geneva Pre-Program Option.
Contact us to receive a brochure in the mail. For more information, you may call our travel partner Thomas P. Gohagan & Company at 800-922-3088.
| Day | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 | Depart the U.S. or Canada |
| 2 | Lyon, France/ Embark AMADEUS PROVENCE |
| 3 | Tournus for Beaune/ Mâcon for Beaujolais |
| 4 | Lyon |
| 5 | Avignon |
| 6 | Arles |
| 7 | Châteauneuf-du-Pape for Orange/Pont du Gard |
| 8 | Vienne |
| 9 | Lyon/Depart to the U.S or Canada |
Highlights
- Excursion to the town of Beaune, known for its Burgundy wines, with a tour of the magnificent HÔTEL-DIEU.
- Walking tour of historic Old Lyon.
- Walking tour of Avignon, featuring the vast Gothic papal palace and the iconic Pont d’Avignon.
- Walking tour of Arles, highlighted by visits to the Roman Amphitheater and Église Saint‑Trophime.
- Visit to the Roman city of Orange including its Triumphal Arch and well‑preserved, ancient Roman Theater.
- Walking tour of Vienne, featuring the Temple of Augustus and the medieval Cathédrale de Saint‑Maurice.
Amazon River Expedition
January 19 – 27, 2024
From approximately $5,575, plus air
Discover the natural wonder of the Amazon River Basin, Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystem. Your journey begins with 2 nights in Lima and continues with a 5-night, guided river cruise through the tributaries of the Peruvian Amazon and the Pacaya‑Samiria National Reserve—the world’s largest wetlands refuge. Enhance your voyage with the Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Post-Program Option.
For more information, you may call our travel partner Gohagan & Company at 1-800-922-3088.
| Day | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 | Depart home city/Lima, Peru |
| 2 | Lima |
| 3 | Iquitos/Nauta/Río Amazonas/Embark Zafiro (5:00 p.m.) |
| 4 | Río Amazonas/Río Ucayali |
| 5 | Río Amazonas/Río Ucayali/Río Marañón/Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve |
| 6 | Río Marañón/Río Pucate/Río Ucayali |
| 7 | Río Marañón/Nauta |
| 8 | Nauta/Iquitos/Lima/Return to home city |
| 9 | Arrive in home city |
Highlights
- Tour the historical center of Peru’s capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and vibrant Iquitos, an important rubber boom city in the 19th century.
- Wake up in the heart of the Amazon Basin, where the jungle teems with the greatest diversity of plant and animal life on Earth.
- Enjoy a picnic breakfast and participate in a tree-planting ceremony dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of the rainforest.
- Catch red-bellied piranha during a fishing expedition.
Northern Lights and Iceland
February 24 – March 3, 2024
From approximately $3,495 plus air
Experience the otherworldly beauty of the naturally occurring Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, on this unique, 7-night land program. Discover Iceland’s “Big Three” wonders, known as the Golden Circle—the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park; the two-tiered “Golden Waterfall” of Gullfoss; and Strokkur, an active geyser that erupts every few minutes. Experience an excursion to the Bridge Between Continents, the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates—where rifts have formed as the land gradually drifts apart—and join guides as you chase the iconic lights at the optimum time of year.
For more information, you may call our travel partner Gohagan & Company at 1-800-922-3088.
| Day | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 | Depart home city |
| 2 | Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland |
| 3 | Reykjavík |
| 4 | Reykjavík/Golden Circle |
| 5 | Reykjavík/Reykjanes Peninsula |
| 6 | Reykjavík to Akureyri |
| 7 | Akureyri/Dimmuborgir/Mývatn/Námaskarð/Goðafoss |
| 8 | Akureyri/Siglufjörður |
| 9 | Akureyri/Reykjavík/Return to home city |
Highlights
- Enjoy surreal views of lava fields surrounding the thermal waters in the Blue Lagoon.
- Discover Iceland’s first permanent settlement in Reykjavík, which is today the most northern national capital city in the world and the most western capital city of Europe.
- Explore The Reykjanes Peninsula with a visit to the Geldingadalur Volcano.
- Embark on a city tour of Akureyri, nicknamed the "Capital of North Iceland" and an important port and fishing center.
- Walk among the surreal “dark castle” lava formations of Dimmuborgir and drive along the shores of Lake Mývatn.
- See Siglufjörður, one of Iceland’s most dramatically sited towns, and visit its Herring Era Museum, which recreates the history of fish salting and oil processing during the early 20th century.
European Coastal Civilizations
May 12 – 21, 2024
From approximately $6,295 plus air
Explore the storied legacies and dynamic cultures of coastal Portugal, Spain, France, and England and commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on this 8-night cruise itinerary. Discover Portugal’s renowned wine country, walk in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela, visit Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum, and see UNESCO-inscribed Mont-Saint-Michel’s impressive abbey. Meet guest speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as he joins us on a special anniversary tour of the hallowed Normandy beaches. Extend your journey with the Lisbon Pre-Program and London Post-Program options.
For more information, you may call our travel partner Gohagan & Company at 1-800-922-3088.
| Day | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 | Depart home city |
| 2 | Lisbon, Portugal/Embark the LE CHAMPLAIN or LE DUMONT D’URVILLE (at 4:30 pm) |
| 3 | Leixões for Oporto |
| 4 | A Coruña, Spain for Santiago de Compostela |
| 5 | Bilbao |
| 6 | Cruising the Bay of Biscay |
| 7 | Saint-Malo, France for Mont-Saint-Michel |
| 8 | Caen for Normandy Beaches |
| 9 | Cruising the English Channel/River Thames to London’s Tower Bridge, England |
| 10 | London/Disembark ship/Return to home city |
Highlights
- Meet special guest speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as he joins us on a tour of the hallowed Normandy beaches during the 80th anniversary year of D-Day.
- Excursion to visit Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery.
- Tour historical Oporto, the remarkable Santiago de Compostela, Bilbao’s avant-garde Guggenheim Museum, and the UNESCO World Heritage-inscribed Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime cruise up the River Thames, where you will spend the night on board within sight of the iconic Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Celtic Lands
May 28 – June 7, 2024
From approximately $7,495 plus air
Discover the legacy of the Celts in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, England, and France on this carefully curated 9-night itinerary. Enjoy two full-day excursions to the hallowed beaches of Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day—each accompanied by acclaimed historians Dwight David Eisenhower II and Allen Packwood OBE. Your Celtic journey begins in Glasgow, Scotland, before continuing to the Isles of Iona and Tobermory and then onward to Wales. From there, you will cruise to Dublin, Ireland, and then on to England before arriving at the shore of France to visit Utah Beach in Cherbourg and Omaha Beach in Caen. Complement your tour with the Edinburgh and Glasgow Pre-Program and/or the London Post-Program options.
For more information, you may call our travel partner Gohagan & Company at 1-800-922-3088.
| Day | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 | Depart home city |
| 2 | Arrive in Glasgow/Embark LE BELLOT |
| 3 | Fort William for Scottish Highlands |
| 4 | Isle of Iona/Tobermory, Isle of Mull |
| 5 | Holyhead, Wales for Caernarfon |
| 6 | Dublin, Ireland |
| 7 | Tresco, Isle of Scilly, England |
| 8 | Cherbourg for Utah Beach |
| 9 | Caen for Omaha Beach and Arromanches |
| 10 | Portsmouth/Disembark/London, England |
| 11 | London/Return to home city |
Highlights
- Excursion from Fort William through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, featuring Glencoe, Scotland's most scenic glen.
- Leisure time in the charming 18th-century port town of Tobermory, Isle of Mull.
- Visit to the inner Hebridean Isle of Iona featuring the historic Iona Abbey.
- City tour of Dublin to see St. Patrick's and Christ Church cathedrals and visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.
- Two full-day excursions to the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy, with lunch.
Island Life in Ancient Greece and Turkey Pillars of Pride Cruise
October 14 – 22, 2024
From approximately $5,295 plus air
Call on the islands of Volos, Delos, Mykonos, Pátmos, Rhodes, and Santorini on this epic, 7-night voyage. Enjoy excursions to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora; Delos’ classical ruins, including the Sanctuary of Apollo and the theater quarter; the archaeological site and ancient ruins of Ephesus; and Santorini, believed to be the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Discuss life on the islands with local residents during the ISLAND LIFE® forum. Extend your journey with the Athens Pre-Program and/or Delphi Post-Program Options.
For more information, you may call our travel partner Gohagan & Company at 1-800-922-3088.
| Day | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 | Depart home city |
| 2 | Arrive in Athens, Greece/Embark LE BOUGAINVILLE |
| 3 | Volos/Meteora |
| 4 | Delos/Mykonos |
| 5 | Kusadasi, Turkey/Ephesus |
| 6 | Patmos, Greece |
| 7 | Rhodes/Lindos |
| 8 | Santorini |
| 9 | Athens/Disembark ship/Return to home city |
Highlights
- Visit up to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing the culture and architecture of ancient Greece and Turkey.
- Call on islands steeped in myth and history—Delos, Mykonos, Pátmos, Santorini, and Rhodes.
- Walk through legendary ruins of Ephesus, Turkey, and the UNESCO-inscribed Meteora.
- Exclusive ISLAND LIFE® forum with local residents who will discuss contemporary living.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos—the legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo— and walk along the Sacred Way to the Sanctuary of Apollo. Also see the legendary Terrace of the Lions, where hand-carved marble statues have guarded the island for nearly 2,600 years.
- Arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, and drive to Ephesus, a vast archaeological site of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins.
- In Pátmos, visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John and see the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John the Apostle most likely wrote the Book of Revelation in A.D. 95.
- Dock in Rhodes at the wall of Rhodes Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters.
- Be on deck as the ship cruises into the port of Santorini, beneath which some believe to be the legendary lost city of Atlantis, to tour the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri.
Singapore, Bali, & the Islands of Indonesia
October 17 – November 1, 2024
From approximately $6,745 plus air
Spend 2 nights in Singapore, 2 nights in Bali, and 8 nights cruising the islands of Indonesia, including Bali, Java, and Komodo Island on a luxury itinerary that blends nature, culture, and history. Visit the UNESCO-inscribed Borobudur Temple, one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world, and Prambanan Temple, the largest complex of Hindu temples in Indonesia. Enjoy a guided walking safari of UNESCO-designated Komodo National Park, home to the largest lizard on Earth, the Komodo dragon. Enhance your tour with the Siem Reap Pre-Program and/or the Bali Post-Program options.
For more information, you may call our travel partner Gohagan & Company at 1-800-922-3088.
| Day | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1 - 2 | Depart home city/Cross the International Date Line |
| 3 | Arrive in Singapore |
| 4 | Singapore |
| 5 | Singapore/Bali, Indonesia |
| 6 | Denpasar, Bali |
| 7 | Ubud/Benoa/Embark Le Jacques Cartier (4:00 pm) |
| 8 | Cruising the Bali Sea |
| 9 | Semarang, Java |
| 10 | Cruising the Java Sea |
| 11 | Kumai, Borneo/Tanjung Puting National Park |
| 12 | Cruising the Java Sea |
| 13 | Badas, Sumbawa |
| 14 | Loh Liang, Komodo Island |
| 15 | Benoa, Bali/Disembark ship/Depart Bali/Cross the International Date Line |
| 16 | Arrive in home city |
Highlights
- Tour the dynamic city-state of Singapore and visit the National Museum and the vibrant neighborhoods of Chinatown and Little India.
- Cruise the Singapore River by Bumboat and enjoy stunning views of Marina Bay from the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands.
- Explore Bali’s capital city of Denpasar and visit the Government Art Center for a performance of the traditional Barong dance depicting the eternal battle between good and evil.
- Visit picturesque Ubud, a city that has inspired European artists for over a century, and visit the studios and galleries of several prominent pioneering artists.
- Embark on a Zodiac excursion of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Tanjung Putting National Park, where orangutans and proboscis monkeys thrive among the magnificent tropical rainforests.
- Visit Pamulang Village to experience first‑hand the local traditions of rice‑pounding and weaving, as well as a wedding procession and Sumbawa buffalo race.
- Explore UNESCO-inscribed Komodo National Park with expert naturalist guides.
Protect your vacation investment with a Travel Protection Plan
Plan for the unexpected. Protect your travel investment against trip cancellation, travel delay, baggage loss and more. Plus, make sure you’re covered while you’re away from home for emergency medical care and emergency medical evacuation, if needed. The UC Alumni Association has partnered with USI Travel Insurance Services to offer a plan designed with our travelers in mind. Visit http://my.travelinsure.com/ucaa to learn more, get a quote and enroll.
More Information
Join our travel mailing list and we'll send you brochures for all upcoming trips. Call us at 513-556-4344 or join our travel mailing list.
Kelly Grant, A&S '08
Associate Director of Annual Giving and Member Services