As University of Rochester students know from the first moments they step onto campus, our world is wondrous place. As we strive to better understand and appreciate our planet and its people, travel is the ultimate, lifelong educator. Join fellow alumni, parents, friends, and our University hosts to explore the world as a part of the University of Rochester Travel Club!
Antarctica Discovery
January 11-22, 2024
Join this truly life-changing adventure to experience the boundless beauty and pristine vastness of Antarctica. This remote continent and its precarious waterways have hosted some of the most courageous explorers in history, and have been the scenes of both triumph and tragedy since Captain Cook first sailed the region in 1773. Cruise through the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands amid the Antarctic Peninsula—exploring the dramatic landscapes and remarkable wildlife that call this continent home.
Activity Level: Moderate (3/5) – This program offers a variety of activities, including shore excursions, open-air, inflatable Zodiac raft cruises, hikes on uneven, slippery terrain, boarding and disembarking watercraft of various sizes, and unpredictable motion from the movement of the ship.
Registration Full
Havana: The Afro-Cuban Experience | February 23 – March 1, 2024
February 23 – March 1, 2024
Discover the profound influence of the African diaspora on Cuban culture! Go beyond Havana’s striking grandeur to discover the heart of the local people and gain perspective on Cuba’s ever-changing landscape. Enjoy Cuba’s art scene, learn about rural life and discover the storied Afro-Cuban roots of Matanzas, Guanabacoa and Regla. During intimate educational exchanges, experience life through the eyes of community leaders, business owners and farmers and learn how dancers and artists express their passions.
This AHI Travel program is operated in accordance with a People-to-People general license established be the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Activity Level: Mild-Moderate (2/5) – Excursions on this trip require walking on cobblestones, unpaved paths and/or uneven surfaces; and getting on/off motor coaches.
Registration Full
Flavors of Northern Italy
May 10-18, 2024
Join our small group for a nine-day journey to the culinary and cultural heart of Northern Italy—a region brimming with exquisite local wines, specialty ingredients, soul-satisfying signature dishes. Settle into a beautiful wine estate outside Verona. Within reach is a connoisseur’s pick of centuries-old wineries, artisan producers, and extraordinary historic sites. With each day highlighted by exclusive experiences, access authentic Italy, learn from local Italians and, most of all, revel in la dolce vita—the joyful celebration of food, friends and life!
Activity Level: Mild-Moderate (2/5) – Activities will not be very strenuous, however, travelers can generally expect two hours or more of walking, including on cobbled surfaces and multiple flights of stairs.
Waitlisted
Discover the Canadian Rockies by Rail
June 12-18, 2024
Head north to experience the humbling proportions and famed beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Journey through awe-inspiring mountain landscapes, and revel in the opulence, history, and hospitality of Canada’s most iconic destinations with two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service and visits to the stunning areas of Banff and Lake Louise. Exceptional lodging awaits at the end of each exciting day.
Activity Level: Moderate (3/5) – uests should be comfortable boarding and disembarking trains and motor coaches without assistance, walking and moving between coaches while the train is in motion, and navigating stairs. Guests should also be able to enjoy outdoor walking with sure-footing on uneven terrain.
Insider’s Japan
October 16-28, 2024
Journey off the beaten path to natural wonders and engage in the bustling local life of Japan’s busiest cities — this well-crafted, 13-day, small group tour features urban and pastoral highlights across Japan. Experience Tokyo, Japan’s largest city, take in the iconic beauty of Mt. Fuji, cruise on scenic Ashi Lake, unwind overnight in a traditional ryokan inn, travel by express train to Takayama in the Japanese Alps, and get hands-on cultural experiences with traditional tea ceremonies and cooking classes. Japan’s breathtaking blend of modernity and tradition offers experiences that are hard to find anywhere else in the world.
Activity Level: Moderate-Active (4/5) – This trip involves full days of sightseeing and significant amounts of walking on stairs, uneven surfaces, and uphill, and boarding and disembarking a motorcoach.
FAQs
Do you have to be a University of Rochester graduate to travel with the UR Travel Club?
We welcome anyone interested in traveling with us, not just alumni! While most travelers are alumni, many are friends of the University, faculty/staff, parents, and guests.
How do I make a trip reservation?
Contact the travel company listed on the trip page registration link. Please remember to notify the travel company that you are with the University of Rochester Travel Club.
Antarctica + Italy: Orbridge (866) 639-0079
Havana: AHI Travel (800) 323-7373
Japan: Odysseys Unlimited (888) 370-6765
What if there is a wait list?
We recommend that you add your name to a wait list – cancellations happen! To add your name to the list, follow the reservation process listed for the tour.
How do I cancel my reservation?
To cancel your trip reservation, please contact the tour operator directly. The tour operator will confirm your cancellation and process your refund if a refund is due to you, and notify the UR Travel Club.
What is included in the price?
Trip prices are per person, usually based on double occupancy. Airfare is sometimes included, and is indicated in the tour price listing. Single supplements may apply for single travelers. Many tour prices include some or all necessary tipping and baggage handling, but be sure to check the materials and terms and conditions supplied by the tour operator when making a reservation.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance to ensure coverage in case of illness, injury, medical evacuation, delay, or unforeseen emergency. For your convenience, University of Rochester has a partnership with Meyer & Associates to provide travel insurance to our travelers. Learn more about individual protection plans and travel medical insurance available through Meyer & Associates before you take your next trip with us, or on your own. After making a reservation for a trip, you will receive insurance information with your confirmation materials. Please note that travel insurance is open to all University of Rochester community members including alumni, parents, faculty/staff, and friends.
What is the typical tour group size?
This varies based on the tour’s abilities and requirements. Most are capped at 20-24 passengers, with some special tours for smaller groups.
What are the physical requirements for trips?
UR Travel Club trips are designed for people in good health who are comfortable participating in physical activities as part of a group. Many of the sites we visit have very limited access for those with impaired mobility. The each tour webpage contains activity level and accessibility information.
Will we have free time within the itinerary?
The tours we schedule are planned with busy itineraries of group experiences, with some free time to explore the area on your own, or to rest in your accommodations. Tour directors and local guides are usually ready to offer suggestions of places to dine or do some sight-seeing.
Questions?
Please contact Lindsay Chassé, associate director of lifelong learning at lindsay.chasse@rochester.edu.