Traveling Techsans: Your Passport to the World

The Texas Tech Alumni Association brings you a world of travel destinations and offers the best possible value in our tour packages. And, we'll take you to some of the most beautiful and interesting places on earth. Our tours offer you the security of traveling in a group and the camaraderie of fellow alumni who have a desire to see the world.

Be sure to take advantage of the early booking discounts available, and make your reservations early. Dates and prices are subject to change.

For more information on the Alumni Association's vacation travel programs, complete the online inquiry form or contact:
Jim Douglass
P.O. Box 45001
Lubbock, TX 79409-5001
806.742.3641 Ext. 228
806.742.0283 Fax

Schedule

2013

Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches (River Cruise)
June 3-June 12, 2013
Paris - Conflans - Rouen - Les Andelys (9 days)

We are pleased to offer you a very special trip from Paris to Normandy to discover the history, culture, and beauty of France's Seine River valley. With a deluxe river ship as your hotel, begin in glittering Paris, cruise to Conflans for a visit to Giverny and the lovely farmhouse and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked. From Rouen, an overland excursion will visit Normandy to remember the events of the D-Day invasion that changed the course of world history. Return to the river and a visit to Les Andelys for Richard the Lionheart's Chateau Gaillard and the Nicholas Poussin Museum before a final stop in Paris. 

Ancient Kingdoms of China (Cruise)
June 13-28, 2013
Shanghai to Chongqing (6 nights)
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We invite you to join fellow alumni on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Julie Nixon Eisenhower, who will share her perspectives and firsthand accounts on the pivotal role her late father, President Richard M. Nixon, played in bringing Communist China out of isolation and reopening U.S. relations for the first time since 1949. Visit six UNESCO World Heritage sites on this comprehensive journey, traveling half the width of China and allowing for in-depth appreciation of the juxtaposition of its ancient culture with 21st-century advancements, from the imperial dignity of Mandarin Beijing and Tiananmen Square to the dynastic treasures of the ancient capital of Xi'an and the Three Gorges Dam, to the historic neighborhoods of Old Shanghai and the contrasting 21st-century architecture of Pudong across the river.

A highlight of the journey will be a six-night Grand Cruise along the fabled Yangtze River, sailing all the way from Chongqing downstream into stunning Shanghai through the magnificent Yangtze River Gorges aboard the exclusively chartered M.V. Victoria Sophia. the finest river ship cruising the entire course of the Yangtze. Cruise the magnificent Three Gorges and Three Lesser Gorges, and visit the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. See regions seldom visited by Westerners—Wuhan, settled more than 3,000 years ago by the Han Dynasty; Huangshan, famous for its majestic Yellow Mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and Nánjing, former capital of Imperial China. 

Baltic Sea (Cruise)
June 13-24, 2013
Sweden-Finland-Russia-Estonia-Poland-Denmark-Norway (9 nights)
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We are delighted to offer this once-in-a-lifetime Baltic Sea travel program featuring, by special arrangement, the rare opportunity to hear enriching speeches by two historic world leaders—former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and former President of Poland Lech Walesa. This unique opportunity to experience one of the great cruises of the world starts in Norway, cruising through the spectacular Oslo Fjord, and includes visits to five Baltic capitals and six UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Join us aboard the exclusively chartered, Five-Star Small Ship M.S. Le Boréal to experience the cultural rebirth of the Baltic States and the imperial riches of St. Petersburg. In the tradition of ancient Viking mariners and medieval merchants, cruise under the glistening White Nights of summer from Norway's beautiful and sophisticated capital city of Oslo to the exceptionally "green" and cosmopolitan Stockholm, Sweden. Discover the stunning architecture of Helsinki, Finland; spend two days in regal St. Petersburg, including a tour of the world-acclaimed State Hermitage Museum and visits to the Peter and Paul Fortress and the spectacular czarist palaces at Petrodvorets and Pushkin; enjoy the well-preserved medieval Old Town of Tallinn; and immerse yourself in the historic epicenter of the Solidarity movement in Gdansk, Poland.

Baltic Rendezvous (Cruise)
June 22-July 3, 2013
Stockholm to Copenhagen (11 nights)
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Join your fellow Traveling Techsans on a Baltic Rendezvous with Kiel Fireworks. An overnight in Stockholm is followed by afternoon sailing through the beautiful archipelago. You'll also have a day in Helsinki, followed by two full days and an overnight in St. Petersburg before three days in German ports. From Warnemunde, join optional Land Discoveries® to Berlin and the site of the former Berlin Wall. Then it's on to Kiel for the brilliant fireworks celebration that caps off Kiel Week, an annual music and sailing festival. You'll be charmed by Travemunde, a German beach town set on the Baltic that features a charming riverfront, great beer, and the Old Town of Lubeck, a Hanseatic city famous for its Marzipan.

Don’t miss out on this amazing trip with your fellow alumni! Space is limited, so we strongly recommend that you make your reservations early! Call Alumni Travelers at 877-828-4735 or for pricing, reservations and information, click here.

July

Mississippi River (Cruise)
July

Scotland/Ireland (Cruise)
July 28-August 10, 2013

August

Alaskan Adventures (Cruise)
August 5-12, 2013
Seattle to Vancouver (7 nights)
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Travel to a place of stunning landscapes and unspoiled wilderness, a place where nature reigns supreme – amazing Alaska. Discover America’s Last Frontier from the elegant decks of Oceania Cruises’ Regatta, an intimate vessel with outstanding amenities, cuisine and service. Depart from Seattle and travel north along Canada’s coast to Wrangell, one of Alaska’s oldest towns and the only one in the state to be governed by four nations: Tlingit, Russian, Britain and the U.S. Continue cruising through Tracy Arm, a breathtaking fjord whose pristine waters reflect its icy-blue tidewater glaciers and soaring granite cliffs. Follow the Alaskan coast to Sitka, the former Russian capital of North America and an astoundingly picturesque city known for its many historic attractions, and visit the small wilderness outpost of Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Sail on through the scenic Inside Passage heading south to the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver where your voyage concludes. This Alaskan cruise is truly an unforgettable adventure.

Travel to Alaska, a place of stunning landscapes and unspoiled wilderness aboard the elegant Oceania Cruises’ Regatta. Depart Seattle and sail to the Alaskan ports of Wrangell, Sitka, Ketchikan, and through the stunningly scenic Tracy Arm Fjord and Inside Passage. Let Alaska’s rugged beauty captivate you.

British Isles & Norwegian Fjords (Cruise)
August 14-27, 2013
London to London (12 nights)
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Explore the legacies of legendary kings, queens and Vikings aboard Oceania Cruises’ elegant Nautica as you cruise to England, Scotland, Norway, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Depart England and head for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, one of Europe’s loveliest cities crowned by the cliffs and medieval ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. Stop in Invergordon and visit the famed Scottish Highlands with its ancient hillside castles and ruggedly beautiful landscapes. In the Shetland Islands, see the little ponies native to these islands or take in the intriguing Jarlshof prehistoric site. Then cross into Scandinavia for a stop in Alesund, a delightful Norwegian town full of Art Nouveau style. Next is Geiranger for a picture-postcard view of stunning Geirangerfjord, “the most beautiful fjord in the world.” See Norway’s oldest Viking port at Hellesylt, a small village nestled in a picturesque forest setting surrounded by dramatic cliffs and pristine lakes. Sail to Belfast, Northern Ireland, and see its Victorian architecture, and take in Dublin, where the 18th century meets cosmopolitan flair. Explore the Irish town of Cork – a friendly rival to Ireland’s capital, Dublin – before cruising to Portland on England’s dramatic Jurassic Coast. Here you will find one of Henry VIII’s best-preserved coastal fortresses, Portland Castle, before returning to the port of Dover at the conclusion of your cruise.

Explore the legacies of kings, queens and Viking warriors aboard the elegant Oceania Cruises Nautica. This cruise takes you to the British Isles and Norway, stopping in Edinburgh, Invergordon, the Shetland Islands, Alesund, Geiranger, Hellesylt, Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Portland. See captivating isles and fjords, castles and coasts.

September

Historic Reflections (Cruise)
September 5-16, 2013
Barcelona to Athens (10 nights)
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History comes to life aboard Nautica, an elegant 684-passenger gem in the Oceania Cruises fleet. Set sail on an experience that reflects the heart and soul of the Mediterranean as you visit France, Italy, Turkey and Greece. Depart Barcelona for the colorful French city of Marseille – the gateway to Provence, where you can explore villages such as Cassis, Aix or Avignon. Continue to Portofino, a modern playground of villas and yachts on the renowned Italian Riviera. Relax and prepare for the sheer amazement of world-class art and architecture in Florence; then majestic Rome offers up its stunning wealth of historical monuments. The wonders continue in Sorrento and Capri, where dramatic coastal scenery has attracted vacationers throughout the centuries, or visit nearby Pompeii, the city frozen in time. Stop at Taormina for a Sicilian blend of ancient ruins and modern comforts. Reward yourself with an exploration of Ephesus near Kusadasi, Turkey, and unwind on the Greek isle of Santorini with its spectacular volcano-carved landscapes, before concluding your voyage in Athens, Greece.

See the heart and soul of the Mediterranean come to life aboard Oceania Cruises’ luxurious Nautica. Explore the glamour of France, the village charm and world-class art of Italy, and the deep histories of Greece and Turkey as you cruise the sparkling Mediterranean coast from Barcelona to Athens.

Tuscany (Land)
September 9-17, 2013
Siena - Florence - San Gimignano - Chianti
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We invite you to join us on this exclusive TOWN & COUNTRY LIFE™ soggiorno to experience the treasures of the Tuscan cities of art and the true essence of its rich countryside. Our comprehensive itinerary includes accommodations in medieval Siena near the historic shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and in the heart of spectacular Florence.

Explore these two formerly independent city-states, where the influence of the wealthy Medici family led to a flourishing of the arts, sciences and engineering. Travel through Tuscany's classic Italian landscape to the rustic Chianti Classico wine region and the distinctive hill town of San Gimignano, known for its stunning 16^th-century skyline. Enjoy the robust cuisine that has gratified travelers for centuries, a specially arranged tasting of world-famous Chianti Classico wine and an exclusive presentation revealing the centuries-old secrets and flavors of Tuscany's prized olive oil. Learn more about the exquisite artistic and architectural legacy of great Italian Renaissance masters and 21^st-century effects of Tuscany's timeless way of life during the exclusive TOWN & COUNTRY FORUM™, where you'll meet local residents.

Symphony on the Blue Danube (Cruise)
September 29-October 11, 2013
Budapest to Kraków 
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 Visit six countries and up to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites with David Cho, the music director/conductor of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, on this 13-day journey showcasing the musical heritage of the European Masters. Embark on a five-night river cruise on the Blue Danube from Budapest, Hungary, to Passau, Germany, passing through the stunning Wachau Valley. Experience the exciting centers of music in some of Europe’s greatest cities and explore the cultural centers of the former Habsburg Empire that inspired the musical genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Enjoy a program of classical music-themed performances and tours. Budapest Pre-Program and Warsaw Post‑Program Options are offered.

October

Pearls of the Mediterranean - (Cruise)
October 10-18, 2013
Monte Carlo to Rome (7 nights)
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The elegance, excitement and rich cultures of the Mediterranean are yours to discover as you cruise to France and Italy aboard Riviera, Oceania Cruises’ newest vessel. Depart Monte Carlo and travel to St. Tropez for a sample of the high life on the French Riviera, where museums featuring the artwork of Matisse blend with upscale restaurants and shops. Cruise up the coast and explore historic old Marseille or experience the rich Provençal countryside near Aix, with its ornate 15th-century fountains, or Avignon, home to the spectacular Palace of the Popes. Next stop is Italy and the resort town of Portofino, where a magnificent 16th-century castle overlooks a modern playground of villas and yachts. Savor the superb Renaissance art and architecture of legendary Florence or see Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower amid the superb Field of Miracles. Arrive in Sorrento and explore its charming streets, perhaps visit Capri with its timeless island scenery, or take in the amazing ruins of Pompeii. Then relax in Amalfi or Positano, picturesque Italian villages featuring medieval cathedrals, Moorish-style houses and breathtaking seaside cliffs, before disembarking in Civitavecchia, the port of Rome.

Discover the upscale pearls of the Mediterranean aboard Oceania Cruises’ newest vessel, the elegant Riviera. Explore Provence from Marseille, experience the French Riviera in St. Tropez, and enrich yourself among renowned Italian art and natural beauty in Portofino, Florence, Capri and Amalfi.

December 

Christmas in the Heart of Germany (River Cruise)
December 6-14, 2013
Prague to Frankfurt (9 days)

We are pleased to offer you a wonderful holiday season cruise in Europe on this special river cruise. Enjoy bustling outdoor markets, glittering lights, carols in the crisp air, and half-timbered houses frosted with snow. Visit the cities and villages along the Main and Danube rivers aboard one of the newest vessels in Europe, plus enjoy the excitement and vitality of historic Prague during a stay after our river cruise.

Caribbean Island Escape (Cruise)
December 8-15, 2013
Galveston to Galveston (7 nights)
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When it comes to beautiful beaches and sparkling blue waters, the Caribbean is in a league of its own. Explore archaic ruins, sunny beaches, rainforests and incredible waterfalls. It’s a lot to pack for but definitely worth the trip. Relax surrounded by the white-sand beaches and resplendent turquoise waters of the most beautiful islands on earth. Beyond their tropical paradise settings, the Caribbean islands are home to rich culture and complex histories. A collection of British, French and Spanish settler nations, the Caribbean has been shaped
by waves of migration that have combined to form a unique blend of customs, cuisine, and traditions. Visit the islands of Jamaica, Grand Cayman and the coral reefs of Cozumel. An attraction in itself, the Navigator of the Seas is an oceangoing resort overflowing with amenities and services. 

2014

January

Tahitian Jewels (Cruise)
January 25 – February 4, 2014
Papeete to Papeete
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Savor the tropical splendor of emerald-green palms, white sand beaches and brilliant turquoise waters as you sail aboard the luxurious Oceania Cruises Marina to the most stunning destinations in the South Pacific, the gorgeous Polynesian islands. Experience a cruise with the finest service, accommodations and cuisine at sea, where every port of call is an island paradise. Admire multihued lagoons around Moorea and discover the region’s cultural heritage on beautiful Raiatea. Be engulfed by magnificent tropical beauty on romantic Bora Bora and wander the black sand beaches of Nuku Hiva. Sail to Hiva Oa, artist Paul Gauguin’s idyllic island home, and enchant your senses with colorful sea life at Rangiroa, before returning to Papeete on the lovely island of Tahiti. Set adrift, catch the breeze and discover Polynesia’s most beautiful gems on this exceptional voyage.

Imagine a cruise on one of the finest vessels afloat, Oceania Cruises Marina, where every port of call is a Polynesian paradise. Savor the tropical island splendor of Moorea, Bora Bora, Hiva Oa, and more as you sail the beautiful South Pacific. 

February 21 – March 11, 2014
Sydney to Auckland
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Discover captivating ports, scenic panoramas and unique wildlife in the land down under while cruising aboard the elegant Oceania Cruises Marina, a vessel that offers exceptional service, accommodations and cuisine. Your voyage sets out from Sydney, home to one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, the Sydney Opera House. Then it’s on to see marvelous architecture in Melbourne and exquisite landscapes in Tasmania. Admire the majestic beauty of the Milford Sound fjord on your way to Dunedin, New Zealand’s southern gem. Take in a fascinating blend of Maori culture and French influence in Akaroa, stroll past Gothic buildings in Wellington and enjoy Napier’s picturesque countryside. Next, discover Tauranga and its lovely parks, before cruising to New Zealand’s multicultural city of Auckland, an ideal place to learn about Maori culture or enjoy the natural volcanic formations that make up the landscape. From Australia’s treasured east coast to the legendary beauty of New Zealand, this voyage reveals the splendors down under.

Visit the land of koalas and kangaroos as you explore fascinating cities down under. Marvel at the stunning landscapes and exotic wildlife of Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand while cruising aboard the deluxe Oceania Cruises Marina.

Caribbean Pearls (Cruise)
February 22 – March 4, 2014
Miami to Miami

Cruise the turquoise waters of the radiant Caribbean aboard the exquisite Riviera, Oceania Cruises newest vessel offering unparalleled accommodations and service, with the finest cuisine at sea. Set sail from Miami and cruise the warm Caribbean waters to the idyllic islands of Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Barts, Tortola, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Surround yourself with serene beauty on Grand Turk, where colonial architecture mingles with Caribbean–style dwellings. In San Juan’s old town, meander cobblestone streets past centuries-old Spanish structures; admire the colorful Dutch-influenced buildings in Philipsburg; and explore gorgeous St. Barts, an unspoiled paradise. Sail to lush Tortola, home to the famous Cane Bay Garden Beach, relax among the swaying palm trees in La Romana and see elegant Victorian mansions in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.  Discover the pearls of the Caribbean on the cruise of a lifetime.

Sail the shimmering waters of the Caribbean to spectacular islands aboard the exquisite Oceania Cruises Riviera. Discover natural splendors and exciting ports as you cruise from Miami to Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Barts, Tortola, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.