Wayne State University Alumni Association

The seatbelt sign comes on during the annual Travel Preview and Reunion on Sunday, Sept. 14, and this issue of Green & Gold Getaways gives you a glimpse at what's ahead in 2009.

At the Travel Preview, an open house at noon, followed by tour presentations at 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., will have you dreaming of places to go with the alumni association. Snacks provided, too. And it's all free. Who would have thought a whirlwind tour could cost nothing?

The event begins at noon at the Wayne State University Oakland Center in Farmington Hills. To make a reservation, click here or call (313) 577-2300. Can't make it? See below the 2009 tours. For more information, call (313) 577-2300.

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Tour:

Italian Favorites – Rome & Florence
Dates:
March 7-15, 2009
Details:
Rome will fascinate you with its wealth of ancient monuments from almost every era of history. Discover legendary sights, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City with the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, or journey to the long-buried city of Pompeii. Florence, the undisputed artistic and cultural capital of Europe, is known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” with architectural treasures around virtually every corner. Famous sights include the colorful Duomo (cathedral), the medieval Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and Michelangelo’s David. Experience the scenic Tuscan countryside as you travel to the classic Italian city of Pisa, home of the famous leaning tower, and Lucca, a town rich in art and Roman history. Click here to download a brochure.

Cost:

$2,024 plus airfare - Book by Nov. 15 and save $100 per person!

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Tour:

Grand Tour of Egypt
Dates:

March 9-20, 2009

Details:

Sail through 5,000 years of history on this 12-day adventure. After guided sightseeing in Cairo, you’ll visit the Sphinx, Great Pyramids, and the seaport of Alexandria. Travel to Memphis to see the statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx before flying to Luxor, where you’ll board the Royal Lotus for a three-night Nile River cruise. Highlights include the monuments of Luxor and Karnak, Temple of Amon Ra, Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens and the Temple of Horus. In Aswan, take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis and enjoy a felucca ride across the Nile. End in Cairo, with time for an optional Nile River dinner cruise. Click here to download a brochure.

Cost:

$2,774 plus airfare Book by Sept. 15 and save $100 per person!

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Tour:

South America Cruise
Dates:

March 15-29, 2009
Details:

Visit exotic ports of call in Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Uruguay. Cruise the ruggedly beautiful Patagonic Channels and Chilean Fjords, the historic Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel, as well Cape Horn, the Western Hemisphere’s southernmost point. Enjoy the utmost in freedom and flexibility with Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Freestyle Cruise experience on this 14-night cruise with unusual ports-of-call and remarkable days at sea.

Cost:

From $3,469 - Includes airfare!

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Tour:

Paris & the French Riviera
Dates:
March 14-22, 2009
Details:

Discover beauty, culture and glamor in two of France’s most dazzling cities - Paris, France’s capital, and Cannes on the French Riviera. Paris, known as the “City of Lights,” is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. The world-famous Eiffel Tower, the Gothic cathedral Notre Dame, the Louvre and magnificent Palace of Versailles are just a few of its treasures. Experience the rich atmosphere and Mediterranean landscapes of the French Riviera in cosmopolitan Cannes. From here, follow the scenic coast to dazzling Monte Carlo and the sun-kissed towns of Nice, St-Paul-de-Vence and Eze. Click here to download a brochure.

Cost:

$2,124 plus airfare - Book by Nov. 15 and save $100 per person!

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Tour:

Essence of India
Dates:

April 17-26, 2009
Details:

India is a land of timeless spirituality and contrasts. Experience the world’s largest democracy amid a history of emperors and maharajas. Travel India’s Golden Triangle through exotic Indian landscapes rich with history and tradition. The captivating combination of intriguing Delhi, the majestic Taj Mahal and enchanting Jaipur is bound to make you gaze in awe and take the romance of India into your heart.

Cost:

$2,399 plus airfare

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Tour:

Tulip Time in Holland and Belgium

Dates:

April 25-May 3, 2009

Details:

Discover picturesque Holland and Belgium in the spring during this seven-night cruise. Begin in Amsterdam, Holland, where you’ll board your ship. See the sights in Arnhem, Dordrecht, Middelburg and Rotterdam, as well as Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium. Take pictures of the windmills at Kinderdijk and learn about Holland’s complex flood controls when you visit the Delta Works. Enjoy excursions to Keukenhof Gardens, famous for spectacular displays of bulb flowers in bloom; the quaint fishing village of Volendam; and Edam, known for its cheeses. Return to Amsterdam to enjoy a canal cruise and a final night on your ship.

Cost:

$2,151 plus airfare

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Tour:

Treasures of China and the Yangtze River Cruise

Dates:

May 6-18, 2009

Details:

Explore the “Magical East,” a land of tradition, ancient treasures and infinite variety. Visit Shanghai, China’s largest city, and Beijing, its capital for most of the last seven centuries and home to the spectacular Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the magnificent Great Wall. Tour historic Xi’an and the amazing Terracotta Warriors of the Qin dynasty. Marvel at the sheer cliffs and natural beauty of the spectacular Three Gorges and view the world’s largest dam as you sail on an exciting three-day cruise on the mighty Yangtze River.

Cost:

From $2,599 plus airfare

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Tour:

Poland and Prague
Dates:

May 8-17, 2009
Details:

Explore the majesty of old-world castles and cathedrals and experience centuries of history during this 10-day tour. Visit Warsaw, Poland’s capital for more than 400 years. In Czestochowa, see Poland’s holiest icon, the Black Madonna Shrine. Tour Krakow, the country’s center of culture and science, and the only major city in Poland to remain unscathed by World War II. Then journey to the Czech Republic, where in Prague you’ll tour the vast complex of the 9th century Hradcany Castle, with its regal palaces, gardens and churches, still used by the government today. Click here to download a brochure.

Cost:

$1,689 plus airfare

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Tour:

Alaska, the Great Land
Dates:

July 15-23, 2009

Details:
A tour of Alaska is perfect for nature lovers and travelers with an appetite for adventure. Covering nearly 600,000 square miles, Alaska is the largest state in the union. The adventure begins in Anchorage, where you’ll board the Alaska Railroad and take in the scenic beauty of crystal-clear lakes, towering mountains, dense forests and enormous glaciers. Sights you’ll see along the way include Denali National Park, the 20,000-foot peak of Mount McKinley, and the Iditarod Headquarters in the city of Wasilla. A cruise on the Glacier Spirit will take you through the glacier-carved fjords and passageways of Prince William Sound. Get a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular wilderness with an optional “flightseeing” tour by helicopter.
Cost:
$2,499 plus airfare

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Tour:

Trains across Colorado
Dates:

Aug. 5-12, 2009
Details:
Discover miles and miles of magnificent country and learn about the rich heritage of American railroads as you travel through Colorado by train. Your adventure begins in Denver, where you’ll board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Take in majestic mountain views as you travel the same routes that gold miners followed more than 100 years ago. The adventure continues on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Royal Gorge Scenic Railway and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Visit Colorado National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park, an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Park.
Cost:

$1,699 plus airfare

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Tour:

Dubai
Dates:

Sept. 5-12, 2009
Details:

Originally a trading post for pearl fishermen, ultra-modern Dubai has now become the pearl of the Persian Gulf. A city that sparkles with cutting-edge skyscrapers, glamorous shopping malls, and sandy white beaches, Dubai has become one of the top tourist destinations. It’s home to the largest man-made harbor in the world and shopping malls overflowing with designer boutiques. Tucked amid the modernity, a slower and more traditional Dubai still can be found. Explore the extensive bazaars and markets along the winding Dubai Creek. With its combination of new-world luxury and old-world charm, Dubai will exceed any traveler’s expectations.

Cost:

$1,999 plus airfare

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Tour:

Italy’s Lake Garda and the French Alps

Dates:

Sept. 9-17, 2009
Details:

The legendary beauty of the Italian lakes is combined with the glorious landscapes of the French Alps on this remarkable holiday. Be enchanted by the magnificent natural beauty of Italy’s Lake Garda with its deep blue waters fringed with emerald green Mediterranean flora, and stylish Chamonix at the foot of spectacular Mount Blanc in France. Journey through Switzerland to the beautiful town of Montreux, whose sumptuous palaces and hotels are reminiscent of the French Riviera; marvel at Switzerland’s largest and most beautiful castle, Château de Chillon; and visit Zermatt, nestled at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn.

Cost:

$1,499 plus airfare

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Tour:

Best of Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

Dates:

Sept. 18-26, 2009
Details:

Step back in time as you wander the ancient winding streets of Tuscany’s quaint hillside towns and savor the atmosphere of enchanting coastal cities along the sparkling Mediterranean. The best known of all Italian spas, delightful Montecatini is located in the heart of Tuscany. Experience the exquisite beauty of the surrounding Tuscan landscapes with visits to charming Siena and beautiful Florence, a living museum of Renaissance art and architecture. The seaside resort town of San Remo basks in the wonderful climate of the sun-drenched Italian Riviera and is ideally situated for visiting the glamorous cities of Monte Carlo and Nice.

Cost:

$1,499 plus airfare

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Tour:

Majestic Swiss Alps & the Glacier Express
Dates:

Sept. 19-27, 2009
Details:

Explore breathtaking alpine landscapes, fairytale cities and incredible mountain resorts aboard the world’s most famous rails during this nine-day tour. Visit Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, before boarding the Glacier Express. Journey through the beautiful countryside of the Swiss Alps from the comfort of a premium panoramic viewing car. Stops include Zermatt, home of the world’s premier mountain resort; fashionable Montreaux on the shores of Lake Geneva; picturesque Interlaken; and the charming city of Lucerne. Click here to download a brochure.

Cost:

$1,899

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Tour:

Bordeaux Wine Country, Lourdes & Provence

Dates:

Sept. 23-Oct. 4, 2009

Details:

Travel through Paris and the romantic French countryside on this 12-day journey. Start with two nights in Paris, immersing yourself in the conviviality that only Paris can deliver. Then continue by high-speed train to Bordeaux, where you’ll spend the next two nights and enjoy an excursion to St. Emilion, which includes wine tasting with a local expert. From Biarritz we make our way to Lourdes, where two nights offer enough time to follow the pilgrims to St. Bernadette’s Grotto. Stop in the beautifully preserved medieval walled city of Carcassonne on your way to Nîmes, and enjoy an orientation walk through the city center. Visit Pont du Gard, the 2,000-year-old Roman Aquaduct, and Avignon. A full morning is dedicated to Aix-en-Provence, one of France’s most elegant cities, and then on to Cannes before arriving in the Principality of Monaco, for two nights and the possibility to visit the Monte Carlo Casino and to join an optional excursion to explore the famous artist town of St. Paul de Vence and Nice with its flower market.

Cost:

$2,494 plus airfare

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Tour:

Enchanting Ireland

Dates:

Oct. 3-11, 2009
Details:

Ireland is a country unlike any other in the world, a land of changing colors, varied landscapes, folklore and legend. Experience it for yourself from the colorful Camelot-like town of Killarney, and Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s loveliest medieval cities. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Dingle Peninsula; visit historic Blarney Castle; explore Dublin, Ireland’s capital; and tour the famous Waterford Crystal Factory. Discover this beautiful land where a hundred-thousand welcomes await you.

Cost:

$1,699 plus airfare

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Tour:
Polar Bear Discovery
Dates:
Oct. 4-10, 2009
Details:
Journey to the land of the polar bear. Get up close and personal with the amazing 1,000-pound wonders in their natural environment in Churchill, Manitoba. See the Northern Lights dance across the Arctic sky. Take in the magnificent scenery, natural beauty and rare wildlife from the comfort of a heated tundra bus ride along Hudson Bay. The buses are designed to safely travel over the fragile ecosystem while providing a warm, comfortable ride through the tundra, home to other creatures such as Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, caribou and ringed seals. Experience the adventure of a lifetime in the Canadian wilderness. Click here to download a brochure.
Cost:
$3,699 plus airfare
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Tour:

Dynamic Beijing
Dates:

Nov. 5-12, 2009

Details:

China’s capital for seven centuries and well over 3,000 years old, Beijing is now a modern, flourishing city and host of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, yet its ancient monuments remain among the great wonders of the world. Stroll around the impressive Tiananmen Square, explore the imposing Forbidden City and be spellbound by the magnificent Great Wall. Visit the giant pandas at Beijing Zoo; admire the ancient Temple of Heaven; or travel to Xi’an to view the archaeological site of more than 6,000 terracotta soldiers and horses. Its concentration of ancient sites makes this one of the world’s truly great destinations.

Cost:

$1,499 plus airfare