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Imagine the best vacation you ever had. Exotic locales, cosmopolitan elegance, breathtaking countryside. Now you can make that great experience unforgettable, when you partner with the Boston College Alumni Travel Program. We offer comprehensive trips that provide a savvy traveler's take on your favorite locales. Taste fine wine in Tuscany, encounter Irish history firsthand, or experience China’s rare antiquities. With almost all excursions, expert local guides or Boston College professors will introduce you to the very heart of your destination’s history, culture, and cuisine. It's a chance to learn, a chance to challenge yourself, a chance to relax, and, best of all, a chance to travel with other BC alumni and friends. |
 London & Paris: June 14 – 26, 2008There is never enough time to explore all the wonders of Europe's largest cities. But you can savor every moment in London and Paris during a nine-day excursion enjoyed at your own pace. Your trip to two of Europe's grand capitals begins with a four-night stay in London, and continues with a Eurostar high-speed train journey to Paris and a three-night stay in the "City of Light." Many optional excursions are offered, including guided sightseeing and day-trips. This value-priced holiday includes round-trip air transportation, airport transfers and escorts, tour director services, seven-nights' accommodations in comfortable, well-located hotels with private baths, hotel service charges, luggage handling, daily buffet breakfast, and the Eurostar train journey. From $2,249, air inclusive from Boston Tour Operator: Go Ahead Tours, 800-590-1170 View the brochure and registration form |
 Normandy & Brittany: July 8 – 19, 2008Academic Campus Abroad France's Atlantic coast is steeped in a long and distinguished history, which you can discover through daily educational presentations by local experts and Boston College Professor Marc Landy. Today, Normandy remains synonymous with the valiant Allied invasion to liberate France during World War II, and you'll have the opportunity to journey to the historic battlefield. Then visit beautiful Bayeux and view the ancient Bayeux tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. Explore ancient Carnac and the prehistoric monuments that predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Discover delightful Dinan and stunning St. Malo, and enjoy a cruise on the Rhine River. Visit historic and charming Chartres with its magnificent cathedral. Neighboring Brittany boasts a very different history and tradition—revealed amid stunning landscapes and beautiful seascapes. You'll conclude your trip in elegant Paris. This excursion also features an extensive meal program of regional specialties. Don't miss out on this unforgettable travel and study program! From $2,795, plus air Tour Operator: Alumni Holidays International, 800-323-7373 Register Online |
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The Wonders of Iceland, A Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventure: July 20 – 27, 2008 |
 County Clare & Ennis, Ireland: July 31 – August 8, 2008Academic Campus Abroad The beauty and the mystery of the Emerald Isle are yours to discover in historic County Clare and Ennis, its vibrant and charming capital. This medieval town of meandering lanes and bustling markets is ideally located close to many of Ireland's famous attractions. It will be your base from which to explore this captivating land of legend and history, lively villages and peaceful countryside. See the Craggaunowen Project, with its exhibits on early human settlement in Ireland, medieval Bunratty Castle, and Bunratty Folk Park, a re-creation of a 19th-century Irish village. Discover the untamed landscape of the Burren National Park and the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Celebrate Ireland's literary heritage with a journey to W.B. Yeats' home at Thoor Ballylee, and a visit to Coole Park, former home of the author’s lifelong friend Lady Gregory. Later explore the timeless Aran Islands, where the ancient language and traditions of Ireland have been preserved for centuries. An extensive meal program is included, as well as local guides who will enhance your insight into the region's culture and history. From $2,195, plus air Tour Operator: Alumni Holidays International, 800-323-7373 Register Online |
 China & the Yangtze River: September 10 – 22, 2008Described by Napoleon as a "sleeping giant," China has amassed nearly 6,000 years of epic history. In this tour, you can discover this nation’s ancient past and its newfound progressive spirit. Best of all, you can experience legendary wonders not easily accessible independently at an exceptional value. This comprehensive program reveals the secrets of China's intrinsic mystique and highlights its finest cities and breathtaking interior countryside. In Beijing, admire the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Marvel at the legions of terra-cotta warriors in Xi'an. Cruise the Yangtze River and view the spectacular Three Gorges—often called the world’s most scenic wonder. Then stroll along the elegant Bund in Shanghai. Post-Olympic China promises to be a fascinating experience! From $2,595, plus air Tour Operator: Alumni Holidays International, 800-323-7373 Register Online |
| Village Life in Burgundy & Provence: October 10 – 18, 2008 Join us on an enchanting seven-night cruise along the Rhone and Saone rivers through the legendary French regions of Burgundy and Provence, rich in cultural and architectural treasures. Embark the deluxe MS Princesse de Provence in the ancient city of Arles, where the legacy of imperial Rome survives to the present, and set out on a leisurely voyage on the waterways of southern France to Lyon. Walk in the footsteps of 14th-century popes in Avignon, step back into the Middle Ages in the untouched villages of Boucieu-le-Roi and Perouges, and admire the stately remains of the medieval Abbey of Cluny. Enjoy a private wine tasting in the hills of Burgundy and savor the world-renowned cuisine of Provence and Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France. Specially arranged presentations on regional cuisine and culture, along with meetings with local residents, will enhance your understanding of everyday life in the French countryside. Boston College Professor Ourida Mostefai will join the group and offer expert informal commentary throughout the excursion. From $2,395, plus air Tour Operator: Gohagan & Company, 800-922-3088 View Brochure (pdf) |
 Chianti in a Tuscan Villa: October 26 – November 3, 2008Academic Campus Abroad Infused with a luxuriously temperate climate and a wealth of artistic treasures, the undulating hills of Tuscany are blanketed with verdant vineyards and silvery olive groves—the legacy of a 3,000-year history of great food and extraordinary wine. Consummately Italian, yet uniquely Tuscan, Chianti is a land of bucolic farmsteads, dreamy castles, and towering cypress trees. Learn about its tradition of viticulture during a wine tasting. Travel through history to ancient times with a visit to Lucca and marvel at the architectural gems in Siena. Admire the Chianti countryside during a scenic drive that also showcases some of the region's charming towns. Journey to the Renaissance capital of Florence to explore its priceless art, stately palaces, and gorgeous cathedrals. Marvel at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, see the bronze doors of the baptistery, and stroll over the famed Arno River on the Ponte Vecchio. An extensive meal program featuring the culinary specialties of the region is included, as well as the expertise of local guides. From $2,195, plus air Tour Operator: Alumni Holidays International, 800-323-7373 Register Online |
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February 13 – 21
Discover the most magnificent parts of France and Italy on this amazing itinerary. In Paris, see the sights in the City of Lights. Then travel to southern France to sample the best cuisine in Provence and Nice. In Italy, climb to the top of Florence's historic Duomo for a view of the entire city, make your way through Tuscany's glorious hill towns, and finally end this incredible journey in Rome, where you'll be captivated by history.
May 19 – 27
June 1 – 11
June 27 – July 6 Tour Operator: Education First From $2,954, including air Take to the footpaths for an intimate discovery of Ireland's legendary landscapes. Mythical tales of Celtic fairies and heaven-like realms come to mind as you amble through a patchwork of valleys and mystic lakes. As you walk, absorb the very essence of Ireland. Whether you're trekking through the rugged countryside of Western Ireland, kissing the Blarney Stone, or exploring resort life on Kinsale, this walking tour of Ireland will bring Celtic legends to life.
September 19 – 27
More travel opportunities may be added. For more information or if you have questions, contact Gail Darnell, director of travel and special projects, at 617-552-8035 or gail.darnell@bc.edu. |
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Boston College faculty and an Alumni Association host will accompany most tours. Questions? |
May 5 – 17
June 15 – 25
September 24 – October 2