Destinations

 Welcome to Alumni & Family Travel at St. Olaf.
Click on a region to start exploring!

or click here to select an adventure by time of year

World Map

North America South America Europe Africa Asia Oceania Antarctica

Europe [Anchor]

Europe

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

Ireland Dublin Temple Bar.jpg

Ireland

Led by Jon Naito, Associate Professor of English, and Mina Kinukawa, Scenic Designer

July 12–24, 2023

We invite you to join us as we circle the dazzling island of Ireland to explore literature, history, and culture.

Learn more
walking italy

France, Italy & Switzerland

A Ramble Around Mont Blanc
July 12–21, 2023

Join us for a moderate walking program in three distinct countries surrounding one majestic mountain.

Learn more
Italy south Tyrol walking.jpg

Italy & Slovenia

Choose from August 26–September 3, 2023 or September 4–12, 2023

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.

Learn more
Spain Asturias

Spain

Led by Dave and Pat Van Wylen

September 8–23, 2023

An active program with an overview of history, culture, art, architecture, cuisine, and more

Learn more
General women soccer sport.jpg

Soccer in London

Led by Ryan Bowles, Athletic Director

April 1-8, 2024

Take in three Premier League matches and go behind the sports scene in London.

Learn more

st-olaf-v-macalester-football-9-25-2021-27_51517315670_o

Norway Football

A companion tour to the Football team trip

8-10 days in late May and early June 2024

Learn more

Europe Iceland Waterfall person

Iceland

Led by Linda Mokdad, Associate Professor of English, and Björn Nordfjörd, Associate Professor of English and Director of Film and Media Studies

June 2024

Let’s get off-the-beaten path on a trek across a dramatic landscape of volcanoes, geysers, and lava fields.

Learn more

france lisle-sur-la-sorgue

Paris

A Literary and Arts Tour of Gay Paris

Led by Juliet Patterson, Professor of English, and Rachel Moritz, Writer and Exhibit Developer

June 22–29, 2024

Learn more

Europe Norway Trondheim Nidaros.jpg

Norway

Norway: A Thousand Years of Migration

Led by Amy Boxrud, Director of Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA), and Kari Lie Dorer, Professor of Norwegian and King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian-American Studies

August 4–13, 2024

Learn more
9A1CE5A2-0433-48F9-B1DE-8D99AB3BC8BA

Theater in London

Led by Diana Postlethwaite and Paul Thiboutot

September 6–15, 2024

Learn more
Europe Mediterranean Malta.jpg

Sicily and Malta

Led by Karen and Gary Wilkerson

Featuring a variety of music performances

10-12 days in September or October 2024

Details should be ready by late spring 2023. Please check back!

world-map

Europe: 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.

Scotland
Germany
Theater in London
Georgia
Mediterranean
Greece

North and Central America

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.

Belize sign.jpg

Belize

November 5–11, 2023

Experience both cultural and natural temples, from towering Mayan pyramids, to the barrier reef that runs the length of the country’s coast, second only Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in size and diversity.

Learn more

Playing pickleball

Pickleball and Pinot

Led by Jane Becker Nelson ‘04, Director of Flaten Art Museum, and Peter B. Nelson ‘04, Associate Professor of Art and Art History

March 23-28, 2024

Learn more

Boundary Waters

Led by Judy Tegtmeyer, Adjunct Instructor in Kinesiology; Director of Campus Recreation, and Wes Braker, Natural Lands Manager

July 14–20, 2024

Check back for more details!

world-map

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.

Monarchs in Mexico

America’s Struggle for Civil Rights

Boundary Waters

Golf at Kiawah Island

Third Chapter Retreat

Africa

Africa

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

Africa madagascar lemur peek tree

Madagascar

October 6–22, 2023.

Join us to experience flora and fauna seen nowhere else on the planet – including the endangered lemurs – and to connect to local culture.

Learn more

St. Olaf Choir 7

South Africa

A companion tour to The St. Olaf Choir trip

12–14 days in late May and early June 2024

Learn more

6CE91C0C-7A0F-4653-9274-EB3CADC5010B

Tanzania

Led by Kaethe Schwehn, Associate Professor of Practice in English and Peder Jothen, Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion

June 2025

Not just a safari … we’re working on the details; check back in a few months.

world-map

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.

Morocco

Tanzania

Islands of the Indian Ocean

Pacific / Oceania

Pacific / Oceania

This region has a unique character because it’s bound — even the island continent of Australia — by the ocean rather than land.

New Zealand etnyre don mcintyre walk.jpg

Pacific/Oceania Trips

We don’t currently have any trips on offer in this area of the world, but check back again, as we’re constantly adding new adventures.

Asia

Asia

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

israel palestine ein gev kibbutz

Israel & Palestine

Journey to the Holy Land
Led by Matthew Marohl and Katherine Fick
June 9–21, 2023, Optional extension June 21–24

Visit important biblical sites, engage in conversations with local scholars, and to explore a variety of religious expressions all staking their claim to this small place on earth.

Learn more
Vietnam woman cooking street.jpg

Vietnam and Cambodia

Led by Dave and Pat Van Wylen
14-16 days in February 2024

Join us for an overview of Vietnamese culture, history, art, architecture, cuisine, and more, plus visits to some lesser-known temples in Siem Reap.

Learn more

Asia Taiwan Taipei.jpg

South Korea and Taiwan

Led by Karil Kucera and Daniel Jones

13-15 days in late October or early November 2024

Details should be ready by late Summer 2023. Please check back!

Asia Sri Lanka tea harvest

Sri Lanka

Led by Karil Kucera, Professor of Art and Art History and Asian Studies

January 2025

We’re working on the details – check back soon!

world-map

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.

Vietnam
Japan

South America

South America

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

Peru Machu Picchu Llama.jpg

Peru

April 13–20, 2024

Explore the land of the Incas, including Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Ollantaytambo.

Learn more
Colombia woman traditional dress.jpg

Colombia

March 1–13, 2024

Get to know Colombia’s history, religions, foods, cultures, traditions, and more.

Learn more

ecuador galapagos blue footed booby and baby

Galapagos & Amazon

Led by Dave and Pat Van Wylen

February or March 2025

Please check back – more information is coming soon!

Holbrook Costa Rica Sloth

Costa Rica

Led by Donna McMillan, Professor of Psychology, and Steve Bayne, Retired Professor of Political Science, Century College

March 28–April 7, 2025

We’re working on the details — please check back soon!

world-map

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.

Argentina

Antarctica

Antarctica

Inspiring. Exhilarating. Remote and spectacular. Your Antarctica adventure awaits.

Antarctica Lindblad zodiac in front of iceberg.jpg

Antarctica

Led by Bob Jacobel, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Environmental Science, and Allison Jacobel, Assistant Professor of Earth and Climate Sciences at Middlebury College

January 6–19, 2024

Experience one of the most exhilarating adventures on Earth.

Learn more