Alumni Travel Experiences

The chance to be in Provence and Burgundy in late summer days, gliding up the Rhone and Saône rivers on the elegant Viva Voyage ship while dining on fabulous French cuisine was incomparable. Each day the shores boasted new attractions—ranging from the deeply historic town of Arles, which both ancient Romans and Vincent Van Gogh once called home, to the wineries and châteaux gracing the villages along the rivers, to the magnificence of what remains of the vast medieval Benedictine monastery of Cluny. Our cohort of lively alumni and alumnae, hailing from many regions of the US and representing nearly every school at WashU, made each discovery an adventure. Their questions, observations, passions, and good humor made the trip a grand pleasure for all, and we all enjoyed also taking up conversations with the alumni of the many other universities who were also on the trip. We were fortunate indeed to co-host, to travel, to lecture, and to debate ideas of history and culture amid the multi-layered heritage of this region of France on a sparkling ship with superb accommodations and a friendly and attentive staff. Don’t miss this trip! Elizabeth Childs, WashU Etta and Mark Steinberg Professor of Art History and John Klein, WashU Professor of Art History and Archaeology,
Provence, 2025

The Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea trip was absolutely extraordinary! We visited seven countries we had never been to and learned about them through interesting lectures and exceptional onsite guides, who took us on both walking and bus tours. Plus, it was amazing to meet and connect with WashU alumni and others on this stunning small cruise ship. The historic sights and the educational elements of this trip made it an incredible experience. We have never before taken group trips or cruises but now we look forward to future trips as part of this program. Lisa Cooper, AB ’84,
Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, 2024

We have always felt that experiences are way more important than stuff, and travel is a great way to honor that approach to life. The fact that all the logistics are organized by WashU is a strong plus … On the trip, we got to meet a number of alumni, none of which we had met in the past, and they were all wonderful travel companions. Roger and Tracy Chamberlain,
Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, 2024

… Dennis [Abelson, AB ’73] and I had the opportunity to travel with a WashU alumni group to Greece … we yearned to be within the confines of temples, see the Aegean (would it really be wine dark?) and imagine the ancient tragedies performed, while sitting on the stone seats of an actual theatron. And that was exactly what this wonderful trip allowed us to do, under the ever-watchful eye of our guide, Sophia, and accompanied by the chair of our Classics department, Tim Moore. Barbara Abelson,
Ancient Greece, 2024

It was wonderful to share such an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience with fellow WashU alums from across the U.S.! Professors from four different universities, including WashU, offered talks daily in their area of expertise, deepening our understanding of the seventh continent. They — along with naturalists who accompanied each of our twice-daily zodiac landings — provided a truly incredible learning experience throughout the expedition! Ilene Follman, BA ’65, MA ’93,
Antarctica, 2023

The program far exceeded my expectations. The accommodations were first rate. The logistics were handled well. The excursions were fantastic. Food was excellent. I would highly recommend the program. WashU Traveler,
Legends of the Nile, 2024

It was a great trip … traveling with a group the caliber of WashU graduates was wonderful. WashU Traveler,
Insider’s Japan, 2023

I thoroughly enjoyed the small group experience. The guides were excellent and [our WashU host] was a very helpful asset to the trip. WashU Traveler,
Cuba and its People, 2025

Overall, it was a great trip. We had a wonderful group of alumni that really got along and enjoyed being together. WashU Traveler,
Panama Canal and Costa Rica, 2024

This was a most memorable trip. The animal life that we saw was astonishing, but our experiences with the wolves were beyond expectations. WashU Traveler,
Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone, 2024

We found all of the local guides to be helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. The included excursions and the lectures were enjoyable and gave us a better understanding of the history and culture of Chile. WashU Traveler,
Chilean Wonders, 2025