We are excited to share the UWL Alumni Association is bringing back our Travel Programs for 2023 & 2024!
We are headed with a small group of UWL alumni & friends to Iceland this October and we're busy planning our 2024 trip season!
In 2024 we are partnering with Collette on 2 trips and would love to see fellow UWL alumni take advantage of some once in a lifetime trips! We are excited to explore --
Tropical Costa Rica: January 25 - February 2, 2024
Rome & The Amalfi Coast: April 13-22, 2024
Learn more specific information about each trip below. To request full trip itineraries and registration information email UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation at alumni@uwlax.edu.
January 25, 2024 - February 2, 2024
with OPTIONAL 3- Night Jungle Adventure Pre-Tour Extension!
Itinerary
Day 1: Your trip to Costa Rica opens in the colorful capital city of
San Jose, the perfect place to relax and soak up the sights as your
adventure begins. Arrive to San Jose, Cota Rica & Explore
Day 2: Welcome to the Central Valley. Begin with a tour of a local
coffee plantation highlighting the history and cultivation of this driver
of the Costa Rican economy. This afternoon, check in for a leisurely
3-night stay at a lodge overlooking the majestic Arenal Volcano. Get
to know the Costa Rican culture this evening.
Day 3: Embark on a Cano Negro guided riverboat trip in a covered canoe
known as a panga. These 20,000 acres are home to the largest
viewable collection of indigenous wildlife in all of Costa Rica. Go in
search of caimans, river otters, sloths, monkeys, river turtles, exotic
birds and rare butterflies. Later, return to Arenal for the chance to
relax during an optional spa visit.
Day 4: Today, explore a family owned farm, getting a peek into the daily lives of the locals. During a tour of the gardens, learn how the plants are organically grown through the concept of sustainability. The farm considers itself a “classroom without borders.” Taste the exotic fruit harvest and
experience the traditional way to process sugar cane. Enjoy a sip of
cane liquor before engaging in a culinary demonstration and a farm to-table lunch.
Day 5: Enjoy a delightful cruise on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s
largest and most important lake. Then, it’s off to the secluded
Monteverde Cloud Forest, a place you have to see to believe, where
trees grow to heights of 100 feet! Set off on a nature walk through
this spectacular ecosystem, where you’re sure to encounter many
incredible species of flora and fauna.
Day 6: Explore one of the world’s largest butterfly gardens. Then, join an
expert for a leisurely paced “Hanging Bridges” walking tour to gain a
different perspective of the cloud forest’s lush ecosystem -OR- take
an exhilarating ride on one of the longest canopy zip line tours in
Costa Rica. If you would like to do both the hanging bridges and the
zip line tour, you may purchase the second as an option on tour.
Day 7: Today we make our way to breathtaking Guanacaste, known for its
fine sandy beaches. Settle in for a relaxing 2-night stay at your resort
and take in the mesmerizing ocean views.
Day 8: Fun in the sun is in store today as you explore the nearby beaches, or simply relax by the pool and take advantage of your resort’s lovely amenities. This afternoon, visit the delightful beach town of Samara, one of the top
sunset spots in Costa Rica. Soak in the spectacular colors as the sun
illuminates the natural landscape.
Day 9: Today you depart for home with fabulous memories of your Costa Rican adventure.
Inclusions
- Roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis
- 8 nights in First Class Hotels
- 14 meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, & 5 dinners
- Professional tour director
Tour Rates
Double: $3,099 --- $2,999 with discount
Single: $3,799 --- $3,699 with discount
Triple: $3,069 --- $2,969 with discount
Bookings made after July 25, 2023 must call for rates.
Inquire for more information by emailing alumni@uwlax.edu.
April 13, 2024 - April 22, 2024 with OPTIONAL 3-Night Florence Pre Tour Extension OR OPTIONAL 2-Night Matera Post Tour Extension
Itinerary
Day 1: Your adventure begins with an overnight flight to Italy. Journey
through southern Italy and experience its rich scenery, art,
culture, food and wine.
Day 2: Your tour opens in the “Eternal City” of Rome! Tonight, join
your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring wines and
local delicacies.
Day 3: On a locally guided tour of Classical Rome, walk over cobblestone streets and weathered passageways to discover famous sights such as the
Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Recount the
rich history of the Colosseum on an in-depth visit with a guide,
walking in the footsteps of former gladiators. The evening is
yours. Perhaps you will join an optional food tour dinner and
taste your way around Rome’s bohemian Trastevere district.
Day 4: Make the most of a free day in Italy’s capital city. Perhaps you will join an optional tour* in the morning to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's
Basilica, taking in world-renowned wonders such as the Sistine
Chapel and Michelangelo’s mural of the Last Judgment. In the
afternoon, consider strolling through the Borghese Gardens for
views of the city’s skyline or meander through Rome’s
medieval Campo de' Fiori district.
Day 5: Journey to the Amalfi Coast, an iconic coastline
of rocky beaches and towering cliffs. En route, make a stop at
the Benedictine monastery of Montecassino, perched on a
mountaintop that played a pivotal role in World War II.
Discover its history while exploring the monastery’s ornate
chapel, courtyards, and museum. In the afternoon, settle into
the Amalfi Coast,** your new home for the next 5 nights.
Day 6: Begin your day exploring the popular and charming resort town of Sorrento. Wander through the narrow streets of the city center, perhaps exploring the peaceful courtyard of St. Francis Church or sampling some
gelato made with local lemons. Visit a local farm and see how
traditional mozzarella cheese is made by hand. Get a taste of
the product at a farm-to-table lunch before returning to your
hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 7: Begin your day with a visit to a pasta factory artfully producing this national staple with traditional techniques. Then, it’s on to the charming resort town of Sorrento. Wander through its narrow streets, peaking
into the peaceful cloister of St. Francis church or sampling
some gelato made with local lemons. This afternoon, visit a
local farm and see how mozzarella cheese is still made by
hand. Get a taste of the product at a farm-to-table dinner
capped with homemade limoncello before returning to your
hotel in the late evening.
Day 8: Enjoy a day at leisure to take in the relaxing beauty of the Amalfi Coast.
Perhaps you will embark on an optional boat trip (weather permitting) to the Mediterranean isle of Capri, where you’ll enjoy a scenic island cruise*** and a locally guided tour before setting out on your own adventure.
Day 9: This morning experience the eerily
preserved ruins of Pompeii your way, because it’s your
choice! Join a local guide for an in-depth tour of Pompeii’s
best-known monuments: the excavated ruins of the Forum, the
thermal baths and the Sanctuary of Apollo -OR- venture
further to discover the hidden corners of this vast archeological
site, such as the vibrant frescoes of the Suburban Baths and the
once bustling thermopoli (taverns). At the foothills of Mount
Vesuvius, stop at a local winery to savor the famous Lacryma
Christi wines and enjoy a typical Neapolitan lunch. After some
free time, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and
bid salute to the end of your Italian getaway.
Day 10: Your tour comes to a close today.
Inclusions
- Roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis
- 10 days; 9 nights
- 14 Meals: 8 - Breakfasts, 2- Lunches, 4- Dinners
- Professional Tour Director
Tour Rates
Double $4,549 ---- $4,399 with discount
Single $5,349 ------- $5,199 with discount
Triple $4,499 ------ $4,349 with discount
Inquire for more information by emailing alumni@uwlax.edu.