Alumni & Family Travel

Alumni & Family Travel
Overview

WELCOME TRAVELERS!

Whether you’re an Ole, parent of a current, former, or graduated student, friend of the college, or just stumbled upon us, we welcome you on St. Olaf Alumni & Family Travel.

Click on the interactive map, scroll down to see all our destinations, or use the menu to the right to view by time of year. We also invite you to take a look at a variety of resources (like travel insurance, a bunch of travel tips, and a Bucket List feature for you to see how St. Olaf can help you experience the world). Peruse Look Who’s Coming to see if any one you know is already on board.

Click on a region!

World Map

Europe

With its scenic beauty, epic history, and dazzling artistic and culinary diversity, Europe is ready for you to explore.

Italy, ocean cruise

Oct. 27–Nov. 4, 2019

Explore ancient cities and alluring architecture as we set sail across the Ionian Sea.

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Holland and Belgium, river cruise

April 14–22, 2020

All inclusive river cruise led by David R. Anderson ’74 and Priscilla Paton

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Greece

Led by Jim May, Professor Emeritus of Classics, and Donna May, Retired Teacher

April 23-May 8, 2020

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Spain, walking the Camino

June 13–28, 2020
Led by Gwen Barnes-Karol, Professor of Spanish

Walk the Camino de Santiago while learning about Spanish history, religions, culture, cuisine, and more.

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Norway: Multi-generational

July 5–16, 2020
For grandparents, parents, and kids

Featuring trolls, vikings, St. Olaf (the martyr) and the land of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf (the snowman!)

See why family vacations have a long lasting impact on kids’ happiness

Learn more about the program

Germany

Sept. 1–14, 2020

We’ll traverse Germany as we search out the distinctive aspects of its history and culture and take in the once-every-10-years Passion Play.

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Theater in London

Sept 11–20, 2020

This popular program returns for another run!

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Beautiful panoramic view of Tbilisi at sunset

Georgia

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Provence

10–12 days in either late April 2021 or late Sept/early Oct 2021

Provence is known for some of the most picturesque villages in all of Europe. We’ll explore several of them at a leisurely pace, while also looking at the history, cuisine, and wine of the region. Details are in the works, so please check back.

Hiking in Scotland

13 days in June 2021

John Barbour and Meg Ojala return to lead their third hiking in Scotland program, this time in the northern islands, Orkney and Shetland. We’re working on the details, so check back frequently.

Italy & Slovenia

August 29–September 5, 2021

Let’s walk the trails (all of them EASY), visit villages, sample wine, meet the locals, enjoy the food, marvel at the incredible views, and experience these less-oft visited places at 3 mph. Details are in the works, so please check back.

Recently Completed Programs

Browse these recently completed programs for a sense of the breadth of our offerings. To see all recently completed programs, no matter the geographic region, go to the Calendar View.

France
Prague/Vienna/Budapest
Croatia
Scotland
Norway
Baltics

North and Central America

In addition to Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this region also includes Central America through Panama and contains an incredible variety of landscapes and people.

Costa Rica

November 7–16, 2019

We invite you to explore glorious national parks and private reserves, and learn from the naturalists and conservationists who are stewards of these remarkable lands.

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Mississippi River Cruise

December 6-14, 2020

A cruise with the American Queen Steamboat Company

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Civil Rights in the American South

7-10 days in April 2021

Visit sites important to the Civil Rights movement and discuss the issues, then and now. This program is in the works — check back again soon.

Recently Completed Programs

Browse these recently completed programs for a sense of the breadth of our offerings. To see all recently completed programs, no matter the geographic region, go to the Calendar View.

Baja California expedition cruise

Boundary Waters active adventure

Hawaii

Alaska

Africa

A vast continent with many bustling cities and tremendous biological, geographical, and human diversity.

Morocco

Jan. 11–28, 2020

Morocco is a beautiful country with an amazing landscape and diverse population. Experience this geographic diversity and the wonderful people that live there.

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Tanzania, safari

February 18–29, 2020 and February 28–Mar 10, 2020

Combine traditional wildlife viewing in 4-wheel drive vehicles and walking safaris with cultural interactions.

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Islands of the Indian Ocean, cruise

February 22–March 4, 2021

Optional pre-cruise program: February 20–23

From the evolutionarily isolated island of Madagascar, to the enchanting islands of the Seychelles, we’ll explore both culture and nature. More info coming soon!

Pacific / Oceania

Unlike the continents, this region has a unique character because it’s bound by the ocean rather than land.

Recently Completed Programs

Browse these recently completed programs for a sense of the breadth of our offerings. To see all recently completed programs, no matter the geographic region, go to the Calendar View.

New Zealand active adventure

Hawaii

Asia

The largest and most populous continent, Asia is well known for its bustling diverse metropolitan megacities as well as its sparse regions.

Borobudur and Bali

January 10-22, 2020
Optional extension Jan 22-25

Explore breathtaking landscapes, historic temples and the fascinating day-to-day culture of this less-traveled area of Asia.

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Israel & Palestine

June 5–18, 2020

Visit important biblical sites, engage in conversations with local scholars, and explore a variety of religious expressions.

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Japan

June 11–25, 2020

Join this farm and sea-to-table tour to understand why Japanese cuisine captivates chefs and food lovers around the world.

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Recently Completed Programs

Browse these recently completed programs for a sense of the breadth of our offerings. To see all recently completed programs, no matter the geographic region, go to the Calendar View.

Thailand and Laos

South America

A continent rich with cultural legacies and beautiful landscapes, South America is sure to impress.

Argentina

March 7 –20, 2021

Dave and Pat Van Wylen custom-designed this adventure program, including hiking, kayaking, optional horseback riding, glaciers, urban centers, small villages, authentic Patagonian experiences, and local food and drink. We’re working on the details, so check back soon.

Recently Completed Programs

Browse these recently completed programs for a sense of the breadth of our offerings. To see all recently completed programs, no matter the geographic region, go to the Calendar View.

Chile and Argentina