2023 USC TOURS Small Group Journeys with Odysseys Unlimited Just 12 to 24 Guests - Guaranteed | International Airfare Included
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HONOREE
2021
2023 USC TOURS
Small Group Journeys with Odysseys Unlimited
Just 12 to 24 Guests - Guaranteed | International Airfare Included
USC_C4-C1_2023_#1.indd 1 7/6/22 2:21 PM
Welcome to the Beauty of Small Group
HONOREE
2021
Dear USC Alumni and Friends,
Odysseys Unlimited is
I’m delighted to introduce our 2023 USC-sponsored Odysseys Unlimited tours. For a seven-time honoree
close to 20 years, USC alumni and friends have experienced the world through exciting Travel + Leisure’s
and high-quality travel opportunities carefully crafted by Odysseys Unlimited. World’s Best Tour
Operators award
From alluring locations to new experiences to longtime favorites, you’re sure to
discover a trip that will intrigue you! Our travelers have come to rely on Odysseys
Unlimited for consistent quality on tours around the world. Space on each of these
USC Trojan Travel programs is limited to just 24 guests in total, or fewer, and our
programs often fill very quickly
International travel is on the rebound and we are so excited to explore the world with
you, just like we’ve been able to with many alumni this year. Since travel regulations
continue to change with time, we are excited to announce that the risk-free booking
policy from 2022 has been extended! This cancellation policy offers travelers a full
refund of your deposit up to 95 days before the tour’s departure. Be assured that
travel safety and peace of mind remain the highest priorities for both the USC Alumni
Association and Odysseys Unlimited.
More details about these itineraries and our entire travel program are available at
TrojanTravel.usc.edu. If you would like to make a reservation on one of these exciting
tours, or would like more information, please call Odysseys Unlimited toll-free at
(888) 370-6765.
We hope you will join us soon and rediscover the joys of travel!
Flight on and Travel on!
Linda J. Ball ’83
Associate Director, USC Trojan Travel
Cover: We visit India’s awe-inspiring Taj Mahal on Mystical India (pages 10-11). Above: The
beautiful landscape of Tuscany, which we see on Portrait of Italy (pages 12-13).
We may enjoy free time at Plaza Major in Madrid Paradores & Pousadas (pages 16-17).
2 VISIT US AT TROJANTRAVEL.USC.EDU
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Travel ... Just 12-24 Guests – Guaranteed
2023 USC Trojan Travel
Table of Contents
About USC Trojan Travel Europe
USC Alumni Small Group Tours 4 Portrait of Italy 12
May 23-June 7, 2023
Central America
Ancient Greece 14
Costa Rica’s Natural Heritage 6
June 1-14, 2023
January 26-February 5, 2023
Paradores & Pousadas 16
Africa October 21-November 4, 2023
Moroccan Discovery 8 Legendary Turkey 18
February 19-March 4, 2023 November 3-17, 2023
Asia
Mystical India 10
We explore Ephesus on Legendary Turkey (pages 18-19). February 23-March 11, 2023
For reservations, call Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. toll-free (888) 370-6765 m-f, 9:00am-7:00pm, eastern time 3
USC_Front_2-5_2023_#1.indd 3 7/6/22 2:23 PM
Trojan Travel Small Group Tours
Designed for People Accustomed to Independent Travel
We climb to the ancient theater of Delphi on Ancient Greece (pages 14-15). We traverse the High Atlas in Morocco (Moroccan Discovery, pages 8-9).
USC Trojan Travel and we set aside time for you to explore on your own or THIS WAS OUR THIRD TOUR
Odysseys Unlimited simply to relax. With USC Trojan Travel and
WITH O DYSSEYS AND WE LOOK
Odysseys Unlimited, you’re assured of seeing the
USC Trojan Travel is committed to educating highlights – and also the unexpected. And because FORWARD TO MANY MORE .”
and delighting alumni, family and friends through we generally spend at least two nights in most places
quality, worldwide travel opportunities. Our pro- – NANCY & IRA BAUMEL
and in some cases as many as four, you won’t be run NEW YORK, NY
gram offers travelers many exciting and enriching ragged by changing hotels every day. In addition
ways to stay connected to USC and to each other, to the freedom, flexibility, and camaraderie that
and our small group tour collection with Odysseys our small groups engender, you’ll enjoy more per- These small group tours include a great deal of
Unlimited offers particular advantages. Here are sonal, authentic encounters while traveling. Rather thoughtful and engaging sightseeing and activities,
some of the many reasons to travel with USC and than descending en masse upon an ancient ruin or such as museum tours, river cruises, and UNESCO
Odysseys Unlimited. provincial village, we make a minimum of impact – site visits. As you’ll see on the following pages, we
so we have maximum opportunity for enjoyment, include all the highlights, and much more.
Tours Designed Specifically and for responsible travel. Many of our tours include
for Small Groups visits with local families in their homes or villages, High Quality and Outstanding Value
Each of these tours is custom-designed specifically and excursions to schools and marketplaces. Simply Traveling is an investment, and we make sure you
for small groups, with a balanced mix of traveling, because of our small size, we can move around faster get the best value for your money. Our trips allow
sightseeing, and cultural encounters. We make sure and easier – leaving more time for seeing and doing. you to stretch your travel dollar so that you can
experience a wide variety of cultural, educational and
recreational activities without any surprise charges.
For USC Trojan Travel and Odysseys Unlimited,
What Our Tours are Like ... a note on physical activities
“value” doesn’t mean the lowest price around. We
Odysseys Unlimited does not offer “adventure” or “walking” tours; however, walking is an essential element believe it’s a ratio of quality and service to price; of
of most of our trips. The amount of walking varies, but you should be in relatively good health to enjoy our expectations met or exceeded based on what was
promised – and what is delivered. We strive to
tours to the fullest. If you need assistance in getting around, our tours may not be appropriate for you. Tours
provide excellent value by securing the best
with visits to ancient sites and archaeological ruins typically include considerable walking, and the use of stairs possible rates and including many meals, compre-
without handrails. In many places, motorcoaches are prohibited from entering historical city centers, which hensive sightseeing, and most gratuities, while always
means walks to and from the coach. In addition, some of our small hotels do not have elevators. If you have being mindful of quality and service. Of course, the
any concerns about your ability to participate in a tour, please discuss them with one of our Travel Counselors. best value of all is indeed priceless: the privilege of
traveling in a small group of just 12 to 24 guests.
4 VISIT US AT TROJANTRAVEL.USC.EDU
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Knowledgeable Tour Directors contribute to a memorable trip. Our hotels in major
cities are usually centrally located so guests can get
We are dedicated to educational travel. Odysseys
around easier. Our other “unique lodgings” are often
Unlimited tour directors rank among the best in the
out of the way, offering our small groups a local
business; their love of travel is equaled only by their
ambiance that larger groups never experience.
desire to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with
others. Most trips also feature lectures given by local Assisted Hearing Devices
experts.
We’re continually seeking new ways to enhance our
Distinctive Hotels Enhance Your Small tours, and many of our tours include the use of hearing
Group Travel Experience devices that enable you to hear the tour guide from
up to 30 feet away. No more crowding around the
Hotels aren’t the main reason for traveling. But it tour guide.
happens that good accommodations can enhance your
overall experience – and great accommodations can About USC Trojan Travel
You don’t have to be a University of Southern
THE HOTELS WERE EXCEPTIONAL California graduate to join one of our tours. We invite
IN EVERY WAY , ESPECIALLY
the entire Trojan Family - alumni, family, parents, and
friends - to Travel with USC. For more information
LOCATION , LOCATION , LOCATION .” on USC Alumni Association travel opportunities, visit
– RICHARD & KAREN ALEXANDER TrojanTravel.usc.edu or contact the Trojan Travel
ROCHESTER, IL office at 213-821-6005. We look forward to exploring
the world with you!
Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur, India
The Odysseys Unlimited
Small Group Difference
What You Receive on Every Tour
• Travel in a small group of just 12 to 24 guests
– guaranteed
• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities;
plus all flights within your tour
• Accommodations in distinctive lodgings –
those that offer the best combination of quality,
Hotel Sahrai, Fez, Morocco atmosphere, and value for a particular location
Lomas del Volcan, Arenal Region, Costa Rica • Most meals: all breakfasts, many lunches and
dinners – and you’ll also have the opportunity
to dine on your own, without the group
• Extensive sightseeing (plus all entrance fees
and admissions) – you don’t have to spend
extra money to visit the sights you traveled
so far to see
• Singular activities and more intimate cultural
encounters possible only with a small group
• The services of an experienced, professional
Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers,
airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
Villa San Filippo, Tuscany, Italy Parador de Ronda, Ronda, Spain
FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL ODYSSEYS UNLIMITED, INC. TOLL-FREE (888) 370-6765 M-F, 9:00AM-7:00PM, EASTERN TIME 5
USC_Front_2-5_2023_#1.indd 5 7/6/22 2:26 PM
Exclusive USC Trojan Travel departure – January 26-February 5, 2023
Costa Rica’s Natural Heritage
11 days for $4,281 total price
from Los Angeles
($4,095 air & land inclusive plus $186
airline taxes and fees)
In this small Central American democracy
kissed by nature, our small group discovers
a nation’s wealth in four distinct regions,
from cloud forest to rainforest, Central Valley
to Pacific Coast. As Costa Rica presents its
staggering display of biodiversity – pristine
landscapes, unique microclimates, exotic flora
and fauna – we enjoy a relaxed yet comprehensive
exploration that celebrates Costa Rica’s wide-
ranging natural resources.
Arenal Region
Tortuguero
Liberia National Park
Monteverde
Tamarindo Caribbean Sea
(Guanacaste San Jose
Region)
COSTA
RICA
Destination
Pacific Ocean We see Arenal, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, from a safe distance.
Motorcoach
Pre-Tour Option
(van and boat) Day 1: Depart for San Jose, Costa Rica We arrive Day 4: Arenal Region This morning we visit a
Entry/Departure in the Costa Rican capital and transfer to our hotel local elementary school to enjoy a cultural exchange
located in the Escazu area outside the city. This with the children and learn about Costa Rica’s vaunted
Avg. High (°F) Jan Feb
San Jose 75 76 afternoon and evening are at leisure. educational s ystem – the country boasts a literacy rate
Guanacaste 88 89 of more than 95%. We continue on to Ecocentro
Day 2: San Jose After meeting our Odysseys Danaus, a biological reserve focused on conservation,
Unlimited Tour Director and fellow travelers at this environmental education, and sustainability. A series
morning’s breakfast briefing, we embark on an excur- of trails winds through the secondary forest, where we
Your Small Group Tour Highlights sion to Irazú National Park, whose active volcano see diverse flora, including orchids, bromelia, and
last erupted in 1994. At 11,260 feet, Irazú stands heliconia, along with some of the preserve’s 150 species
Irazú Volcano excursion • Doka Coffee Estate • Carrizal’s
as Costa Rica’s tallest volcano, as well as its largest; of birds, sloths, and bats, among other fauna. High-
Botanical Orchid Garden • Visit with schoolchildren • Eco-
centro Danaus Biological Reserve • Arenal hanging bridges
and presents a spectacle of nature, as it rises from lights include a butterfly farm with 30 different species
Sky Walk • Night viewing of Arenal Volcano • Monteverde a flat, bare landscape coated in ash. We return and a natural water spring that attracts waterfowl, al-
Cloud Forest biological reserve • Tempisque River float safari to our hotel late this afternoon; tonight we enjoy a ligators, and iguana. Later today there’s time for more
• Three-night Guanacaste stay at a beachfront resort welcome dinner there. B,L,D volcano viewing before and after dinner (at a local rest-
aurant) from a comfortable perch at our hotel. B,L,D
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating Day 3: San Jose/Arenal Region We leave this
Depart U.S.InterContinental Sup. First
morning for the Arenal region, passing picturesque Day 5: Arenal Region On this morning’s visit to
1 villages along the way. We stop at the Doka Coffee Arenal’s hanging bridges Sky Walk, we have the special
for San Jose
Costa Rica Class
InterContinental Sup. First Estate, located on the fertile slopes of Poas Volcano, opportunity to experience the rainforest from the
2 San Jose
Costa Rica Class where we learn about coffee-making and Costa Rica’s canopy level as we traverse a series of five suspension
3-5 Arenal Region Lomas del Volcan First Class coffee crop, one of the country’s largest exports. bridges high above the forest floor. While we observe
6-7 Monteverde El Establo Continuing on, we stop in Carrizal at the family- the rainforest from a unique perspective, our naturalist
First Class
Cloud Forest Mountain Hotel
owned Botanical Orchid Garden, with tropical guide will point out some of the flora and fauna that
JW Marriott Guanacaste Sup. First
8-10 Guanacaste
Resort & Spa Class trails, exhibits, nurseries, and gardens all dedicated thrive here. Then we return to our hotel, where the
11 Depart Guanacaste for U.S. to the wondrous orchid plant. After time to explore remainder of the day is at leisure to relax amidst the
here, we travel on to Arenal and our hotel, which beautiful grounds and thermal waters. Lunch and
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel
industry standard reference. offers magnificent views of Arenal Volcano and dinner today are on our own. B
where we dine tonight. B,L,D
6 Visit us at trojantravel.usc.edu B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 6 7/6/22 2:33 PM
Tour membership limited to 18 alumni and friends
Day 6: Arenal Region/Monteverde Cloud Forest HE WHO GOES THE WRONG ROAD
We travel today to the “green cathedral” of Monte-
MUST GO THE JOURNEY
verde. En route we stop to visit a non-profit handicrafts
cooperative dedicated to enhancing the economic TWICE OVER .”
and social well-being of local women artists. After – COSTA RICAN PROVERB
lunch on our own in Santa Elena, we continue on to
our hotel, arriving late afternoon. We dine tonight at
a local restaurant in Monteverde. B,D Day 9: Guanacaste A float safari on the Tempisque
River highlights this morning’s excursion to the Palo
Day 7: Monteverde This morning we embark on Verde region, which is both an extraordinary wetland
a guided walk through Monteverde’s biological and also one of the world’s last tropical dry forests.
reserve, learning about the amazing biodiversity in In this unique ecosystem, we can expect to see abun-
this relatively small area. After lunch together we dant bird- and wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas,
visit the Monteverde Bat Jungle to learn about Costa and crocodiles. After lunch together we return to our
Rica’s diverse – and important – bat population. Late hotel mid-afternoon, with the remainder of the day
this afternoon we return to our hotel for time at at leisure along one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful
leisure before we dine together this evening. B,L,D Pacific Coast settings. B,L
Day 8: Monteverde/Guanacaste We depart by Day 10: Guanacaste Today is at leisure to enjoy the
coach this morning for Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s beautiful beach and other amenities of our hotel, includ-
stunning north- ing an outdoor infinity pool. Optional activities
west Pacific coastal include kayaking, hiking, or visiting the lively town
region. Along the of Tamarindo. This evening we gather at a farewell
way we visit Mon- dinner to celebrate our Costa Rican adventure. B,D
teverde’s delightful
Butterfly Garden, Day 11: Depart for U.S. We transfer to the airport
with a variety of this morning for our return flights to the U.S. B
species including
the stunning blue
morpho and the
virtually trans-
parent glasswing.
After a stop for
lunch, we reach
our resort hotel Local birdlife includes the Great Green Macaw.
overlooking the
Pacific mid-
Arenal’s Sky Walk afternoon. B,L,D Tour Departs: January 26, 2023
Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Miami $3,981
Pre-Tour Option Boston, New York,
$4,181
Tampa, Washington, DC
January 23-26, 2023 Atlanta, Charlotte,
Tortuguero Chicago, Cleveland,
$4,281
National Park Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles,
Orlando, San Francisco
4 days/3 nights for $795 total price
Single Supplement: $145 Baltimore, Cincinnati,
Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis,
Encounter exceptional biodiversity, from rainforest to $4,381
Philadelphia, Phoenix,
marsh, where fresh water meets the sea to form canals,
We explore Tortuguero’s canals on the pre-tour option. Portland (OR), Seattle
lagoons, and wetlands; and also to provide an important
Land Only (transfers not included) $3,495
turtle nesting reserve. An ecological tour de force!
Your Tour Price Includes Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person
based on double occupancy and include airline taxes,
Your Tour Price Includes • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
surcharges, and fees of $186, which are subject to change
• 10 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class and First
• Round-trip transfers San Jose/Tortuguero by van and boat until final payment is made.
Class hotels
• 3 nights’ accommodations: 1 night in San Jose at InterConti-
• 23 meals: 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners Single travelers please add $1,195. Your $500 deposit is
nental Costa Rica (Superior First Class); 2 nights in Tortuguero
National Park at Mawamba Lodge (First Class) • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2023
• 8 meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners • Services of an expert Costa Rica naturalist as your Odysseys tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and
• Included sightseeing: Tortuguero town and Caribbean Con- Unlimited Tour Director fees) are guaranteed.
servation Center; two boat safaris along the Tortuguero canals
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip Please note: This trip includes nature walks and lengthy
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Luggage handling for one bag per person coach rides over bumpy dirt roads. You should be in
• Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters,
and all drivers • Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
and all drivers
FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL ODYSSEYS UNLIMITED, INC. TOLL-FREE (888) 370-6765 M-F, 9:00AM-7:00PM, EASTERN TIME 7
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 7 7/6/22 2:34 PM
Special USC Trojan Travel departure – February 19-March 4, 2023
Moroccan Discovery from the Imperial Cities to the Sahara
14 days for $5,779 total price
from Los Angeles
($4,995 air & land inclusive plus $784
airline taxes and fees)
This land of dramatic contrasts invites us
to encounter its ancient ruins and sacred
mosques, endless desert and storied mountains,
imposing kasbahs and spirited souks. As we
travel from the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez,
and Marrakech to the High Atlas and vast
Sahara, we open our eyes, and hearts, to a truly
foreign land, an age-old culture, and genuinely
hospitable people.
Destination Mediterranean Sea
Motorcoach
Entry/Departure
Rabat Fez
Casablanca
Atlantic Ocean
Marrakech
Erfoud/Sahara Desert
Ouarzazate
We encounter many of Morocco's age-old kasbahs on our journey.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Casablanca, Morocco and colorful mosaics. Late afternoon we reach Fez
Avg. High (°F) Feb Mar and our elegant hotel overlooking the medina. B,L,D
Rabat 65 68
Marrakech 68 74 Day 2: Arrive Casablanca/Rabat Upon arrival this
afternoon in Casablanca, the commercial center of Day 5: Fez Today we explore Morocco’s oldest im-
Morocco, we transfer by coach to Rabat and our hotel perial city, considered the “Athens of Africa” for its
located near famed Hassan Tower. We have time to wealth of cultural, educational, and religious institutions.
Your Small Group Tour Highlights relax and refresh before dinner tonight at the hotel. D We begin with a comfortable walk through the Fez
medina, where we see some hidden treasures, including
Private Sahara sunset excursion and camel ride on the dunes
Day 3: Rabat One of Morocco’s four ancient capitals, the Blue Gate, the most picturesque of the Old City’s
• Visits to five UNESCO World Heritage sites • Ancient
ruins of Volubilis • Scenic “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs”
or imperial cities, Rabat is again the country’s capital, historic gates; the medieval school of Bouanania; the
• Dramatic Todra Gorge and Atlas Mountain scenery • at once historic and contemporary, as we discover on 12th-century home of Jewish scholar Maimonides; and
Kasbah of Ait ben-Haddou • Fez touring • Marrakech’s today’s tour. We visit the necropolis of Chellah, built the authentic food market. We also visit the traditional
medina and Djemaa el Fna Square • Storied Casablanca on ancient Roman ruins, and the Mohammed VI quarter where we watch artisans craft the acclaimed
and Hassan II mosque • Outstanding accommodations contemporary art museum then have lunch in a private Fez pottery and ceramics. After lunch together in the
home. On tap this afternoon: the 12th-century Kasbah medina, we tour the old Mellah (Jewish quarter) and its
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating of the Oudaias, the peaceful Andalusian Gardens, and 17th-century synagogue and the royal gates. B,L,D
1 Depart U.S. for Casablanca Rabat's medina, a UNESCO site. Tonight we enjoy
2-3 Rabat La Tour Hassan Sup. First Class a welcome dinner of traditional Moroccan fare at Day 6: Fez We begin today with a visit to the Al-
4-6 Fez Hotel Sahrai Deluxe acclaimed Dinarjat in Rabat’s Old Town. B,L,D Attarine Madrasa, whose highlight is a small courtyard
Le Palais showcasing intricately detailed tilework and carving
7-8 Erfoud First Class Day 4: Rabat/Meknes/Volubilis/Fez This morning decorations dating to the early 1300s. We then con-
du Désert
9 Ouarzazate Le Berbere Palace Sup. First Class we depart Rabat for Fez, stopping along the way tinue our discovery on a walking tour of the medina
10-12 Marrakech Sofitel Marrakech Deluxe in Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city (and focusing on the artisans’ quarters, the 14th-century
UNESCO World Heritage site). We visit the Bab Koranic schools, and Al Karaouine, the medieval
13 Casablanca Hyatt Regency Deluxe
Casablanca el Mansour gateway and the ruins of the imperial theological university. The remainder of the after-
14 Depart Casablanca for U.S. stables before lunch in a local restaurant. Then noon is free for independent exploration and lunch
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel we continue on to the ancient Roman ruins at the on our own. Tonight, we enjoy a private dinner at an
industry standard reference. UNESCO site of Volubilis, known for its intricate intimate family-run riad in Fez. B,D
8 Visit us at trojantravel.usc.edu B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 8 7/6/22 2:34 PM
Tour membership limited to 24 alumni and friends
Day 7: Fez/Midelt/Erfoud Traveling inland today, IF LIFE GETS TIGHT,
we cross the fertile plains beyond Fez and continue
LOOSEN IT BY TRAVEL.”
through the Middle Atlas mountain range. We stop
in the small town of Midelt for lunch. Continuing – BEDOUIN PROVERB
on we cross the Ziz River, passing rows of sky-scraping
palm trees and fortified villages before reaching our
kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud late in the day. Dinner Day 11: Marrakech Once the capital of southern
tonight is at our hotel. B,L,D Morocco, the imperial city of Marrakech is an alluring
oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm, and
Day 8: Erfoud/Rissani/Merzouga This morning fascinating sights. Our day-long tour includes the
we visit the city of Rissani, with its 18th-century ksar, beautifully proportioned Koutoubia Mosque with
a virtually impenetrable warren of alleys. We enjoy a its distinctive 282-foot minaret visible from miles
tour highlight this afternoon as we set out on a sunset away; the lovely Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace
excursion to the breathtakingly beautiful sand dunes (part of which is still used by the royal family);
at Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara. In the enor- and the ruins of 16th-century Palais El Badii. After
mous silence we watch the sun set over the desert as lunch at our hotel, mid-afternoon we embark on a
we take a camel ride along the erg. Following this walking tour of the medina, ending at Djemaa el Fna
experience, we’ll have dinner together in this desert Square, a UNESCO site and the heart of Marrakech,
setting before returning to our hotel tonight. B,L,D crowded with snake charmers, entertainers, story-
tellers, musicians, barbers, and sellers of fruit, water,
Day 9: and spices. Dinner tonight is on our own in this
Erfoud/Tinehir/ exotic city. B,L
Todra Gorge/
Ouarzazate Day 12: Marrakech This morning we travel by
Our destination horse-drawn carriage from Menara Park to Major-
today is in the elle Gardens, a private botanical garden with some
snow-topped 15 species of birds native to North Africa and known
High Atlas. The for its cobalt blue accents. Following a tour of the
day features one gardens we visit the nearby Yves St. Laurent Museum,
beautiful scene housing a vast collection of the designer's haute cou-
after another, ture and design works. The afternoon is at leisure
including the vil- before dinner tonight at a local restaurant in the
lage of Tinehir, a city’s Old Town. B,D
stunning moun- We ride camels in the Sahara on Day 8.
tain oasis rising Day 13: Marrakech/Casablanca We leave Marra-
on a series of kech this morning by coach for storied Casablanca,
riverside terraces Morocco’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. After Tour Departs: February 19, 2023
lush with palm a brief orientation tour of the city, we visit the magnif- Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Rabat's Kasbah des Oudaias
trees; and the icent Hassan II Mosque, Morocco’s only functioning Boston, New York,
$5,479
spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorge, home to a variety mosque open to non-Muslims. Sitting on the Atlantic Washington, DC
of rare bird and plant species. Following lunch here shoreline, the mosque boasts a prayer hall the size of Atlanta, Chicago $5,679
we visit El Kelaa des Mgouna, known for its roses, London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tonight we celebrate
Baltimore, Charlotte,
then set out on the fabled “Route of a Thousand our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner at a
Detroit, Los Angeles, $5,779
Kasbahs” ancient caravan route, a region of fortresses local restaurant. B,D
Miami, Philadelphia
with elaborately decorated façades. Late afternoon
we reach the town of Ouarzazate (the “door of the Day 14: Depart for U.S. After breakfast this morn- Cincinnati, Cleveland,
desert”) where we spend the night. B,L,D ing we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Dallas, Denver, Houston,
the U.S. B Minneapolis, Orlando, $5,879
Day 10: Ouarzazate/Ait ben-Haddou/Marrakech Phoenix, Portland (OR),
En route to Marrakech today, we stop first at unin- San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa
habited Ait ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Land Only (transfers not included) $4,595
site and one of southern Morocco’s most scenic villages
that is often used as a location for fashion and film
Your Tour Price Includes Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person
based on double occupancy and include airline taxes,
shoots. Its old section consists of deep red kasbahs • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
surcharges, and fees of $784, which are subject to change
packed together so tightly they appear to be a single • 12 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class,
until final payment is made.
unit. Then as we begin our descent from the High and First Class hotels
Atlas, we pass through typical villages with fortified • 31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 11 dinners Single travelers please add $1,495. Your $500 deposit is
walls and stone houses with earthen roofs. In Tizi • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2023
N’Tichka, we traverse the Pass of the Pastures (alt. • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and
7,415 feet), where life is much as it was centuries ago: • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip fees) are guaranteed.
shepherds bring their flocks to the high pastures every • Luggage handling for one bag per person Airline upgrades on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:
summer, then return with them to their villages in • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy –
autumn. We arrive in Marrakech late this afternoon hotel porters, and all drivers $1,195 per person (upgrade is subject to availability and
and dine tonight at our hotel. B,L,D • We are pleased to share this departure with alumni from pricing is subject to change).
the University of Alabama
FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL ODYSSEYS UNLIMITED, INC. TOLL-FREE (888) 370-6765 M-F, 9:00AM-7:00PM, EASTERN TIME 9
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 9 7/6/22 2:34 PM
Special USC Trojan Travel departure – February 23-March 11, 2023
Mystical India with Ranthambore Tiger Preserve
17 days for $5,087 total price
from Los Angeles
($4,295 air & land inclusive plus $792
airline taxes and fees)
Mystical and spiritual, chaotic and confounding,
India overflows with riches. While staying at
excellent hotels, we travel the classic Golden
Triangle: bustling Delhi; Agra, home of the
sublime Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, great city of
the Rajput. We also search for elusive Bengals
at Ranthambore Tiger Preserve, and absorb the
holiness of Varanasi.
NEPAL
Delhi Kathmandu/
Nagarkot
Agra
Jaipur Varanasi
Gadoli
Ranthambore
National Park INDIA
Arabian Sea
Destination
Air
Indian Ocean Motorcoach
Extension (air)
Entry/Departure
On Day 12 we visit the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO site considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings.
Avg. High (°F) Feb Mar
Delhi 75 83 Day 1: Depart U.S. for Delhi, India Day 5: Delhi/Jaipur Today we travel by coach to
Agra 77 88
the “pink city” of Jaipur, one of the great cities of the
Day 2: Arrive Delhi We arrive in India’s hyperactive Rajput, with historic forts, palaces, and gardens. We
capital late evening and transfer to our hotel. reach our hotel late afternoon. B,L,D
Your Small Group Tour Highlights
Day 3: Delhi After a morning at leisure followed by Day 6: Jaipur Our first stop is the stunning Hawa
Tours of Old and New Delhi • Home-hosted dinner with
Jaipur family • Magnificent Taj Mahal • Two-night stay at
a briefing about the journey ahead, we set out to dis- Mahal, the elaborately carved pink sandstone “Palace
Ranthambore Tiger Preserve • Meena tribal home visit • cover Old Delhi. Our first stop is Qutb Minar, the of the Winds.” We continue on to Amber Fort, built
“Pink City” of Jaipur • Holy city of Varanasi • Pilgrimage 379-step tower dating to 1192. We continue on to by the Kachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037
site of Sarnath temple and museum Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to the Indian icon; to 1728; Jantar Mantar, the open-air observatory;
and pass by India Gate, the majestic arch honoring and City Palace Museum, housing the magnificent
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting along- art collections of the Maharajahs of Jaipur. B,L
1 Depart U.S. for Delhi
side the British in World War I. Late this afternoon
2-4 Delhi Taj Palace, New Delhi Deluxe
we return to our hotel, where tonight we enjoy a Day 7: Jaipur/Sanganer This morning we visit
5-7 Jaipur Jai Mahal Palace Deluxe
welcome dinner together. B,D the village of Sanganer to see traditional block print-
Taj Sawai
ing and handmade paper industries. Later we see
8-9 Ranthambore First Class Day 4: Delhi We encounter more of this pulsating local life up close as we explore an outdoor market.
Madhopur Lodge
The Clement city today, beginning at Raj Ghat, the simple black Tonight we are dinner guests in the home of a multi-
10 Kalakho Not rated
Village Retreat marble slab honoring Mahatma Gandhi. After stop- generational Rajasthan family. B,D
11-12 Agra Courtyard Sup. First ping for photos at Lal Qila, the Red Fort complex of
Marriott Agra Class
palaces, we visit a Sikh temple followed by lunch at a Day 8: Jaipur/Ranthambore We travel today to
Sup. First
13-15 Varanasi Taj Gateway Ganges
Class local restaurant. This afternoon’s sights include the Ranthambore National Park, the former hunt-
Hotel Pullman red sandstone and marble Jama Masjid, India’s largest ing ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur and now a
16 Delhi Deluxe mosque; and the colorful Chandni Chowk market, 512-square-mile natural preserve that is home to
New Delhi Aerocity
17 Depart Delhi for U.S. where we ride rickshaws. Then the remainder of the hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals,
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel day is free for further exploration and dinner on our and of course, Bengal tigers. This afternoon we
industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too own. B,L take our first game drive through the park. B,L,D
small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
10 VISIT US AT TROJANTRAVEL.USC.EDU B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 10 7/6/22 2:35 PMTour membership limited to 24 alumni and friends
Day 9: Ranthambore We take both morning and T HE BUTTERFLY COUNTS
afternoon game drives today to see not only game
NOT MONTHS BUT MOMENTS ,
(though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed),
but also picturesque ruins of forts and palaces. B,L,D AND HAS TIME ENOUGH .”
– RABINDRANATH TAGORE
Day 10: Ranthambore/Kalakho We depart early for
Kalakho, where we set out on a village walk to meet
local Meena tribespeople in their homes. Tonight we Day 14: Varanasi/Sarnath Before breakfast today,
enjoy a traditional folk dance performance. B,L,D those who wish can join in a private yoga session. Then
we visit nearby Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught
Day 11: Kalakho/Agra En route to Agra, we stop after achieving enlightenment. One of Buddhism’s
in the ancient village of Abhaneri to see the fortified four holiest sites, Sarnath draws pilgrims from the
Chand Baori step well (c. 800 CE), whose 3,500 steps world over. We see some of the temples and stupas
descend some 13 stories into the ground. Continuing then tour Sarnath Museum, housing a superb col-
on, we reach the ancient Mughal stronghold of Agra, lection of Buddhist artifacts from excavations here.
where this afternoon Late afternoon we attend a traditional aarti ceremony:
we visit Itimad-ud- as we cruise along the Ganges, we watch as devout
Daulah, the two-story Hindus offer their lit lamps to the deities. B,D
marble “Baby Taj”
that inspired the Taj Day 15: Varanasi Early this morning we return to
Mahal. B,D the Ganges where Hindu pilgrims perform their rituals
along the ghats (steps) leading to the river. We visit
Day 12: Agra This
several ghats by boat as we experience for ourselves
morning we visit the We explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort on Day 6.
the spiritual aura of the hallowed Ganges waters.
Taj Mahal, the mag-
Then we return to our hotel with time to rest before
nificent tomb built by
this afternoon’s walking tour and private performance Day 16: Varanasi/Delhi We fly this afternoon to
Emperor Shah Jahan
of classical sitar. Tonight we celebrate our journey at Delhi, where the evening is at leisure. B
in memory of his be-
a farewell dinner at our hotel. B,D
loved wife Mumtaz.
Day 17: Return to U.S. Very early this morning we
Then we take an
Bengal tiger rests in Ranthambore. Indian cuisine cooking transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
lesson and enjoy the results for lunch. Later: imposing
Agra Fort. B,L
Tour Departs: February 23, 2023
Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Day 13: Agra/Delhi/Varanasi We depart by coach
this morning for Delhi, where we board a late after- Boston, New York $4,887
noon flight to Varanasi, Hinduism’s holiest city. B,L,D Chicago, Dallas,
Houston, Los Angeles,
$5,087
Post-Tour Extension San Francisco, Seattle,
Washington, DC
March 11-16, 2023 Atlanta, Baltimore,
Nepal Charlotte, Cincinnati,
Cleveland, Miami, $5,287
6 days/4 nights for $1,395 total price
Minneapolis, Orlando,
Single Supplement: $375
Philadelphia,Tampa
Absorb the beauty of the Himalayan
Denver, Detroit,
kingdom – and the warmth of its people – on this $5,387
Phoenix, Portland (OR)
special journey featuring sacred shrines, royal cities, and
indigenous lifestyles. We see the “Palace of the Winds” in Jaipur on Day 6. Land Only (transfers not included) $3,895
Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person
Your Tour Price Includes Your Tour Price Includes based on double occupancy and include airline taxes,
surcharges, and fees of $792, which are subject to change
• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights
• Round-trip air transportation Delhi/Kathmandu, inclusive of until final payment is made.
airline taxes and fees within India
Single travelers please add $1,495. Your $500 deposit is
• 4 nights’ accommodations: 2 nights in Nagarkot at Club Himalaya • 15 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class,
Nagarkot (Superior First Class); 2 nights in Kathmandu at fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2023
First Class, and unrated hotels
Soaltee Kathmandu (Superior First Class); day room in Delhi tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and
• 32 meals: 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 10 dinners
• 8 meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners fees) are guaranteed.
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Extensive sightseeing, including Pashupatinath shrine
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:
(UNESCO site); Boudhanath monument; colorful Bhaktapur,
“City of Devotees;” Swayambhunath Temple; royal city of • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip $4,195 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrades
Patan; and Kathmandu and environs • Luggage handling for one bag per person are subject to availability and pricing is subject to change).
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and Please note: This trip involves considerable walking,
• Private motorcoach transportation
hotel porters, and all drivers as well as some lengthy coach rides. You should be in
• Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters,
and all drivers • We are pleased to share this departure with alumni from good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
the University of Minnesota
FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL ODYSSEYS UNLIMITED, INC. TOLL-FREE (888) 370-6765 M-F, 9:00AM-7:00PM, EASTERN TIME 11
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 11 7/6/22 2:35 PMSpecial USC Trojan Travel departure – May 23-June 7, 2023
Portrait of Italy from the Amalfi Coast to Venice
16 days for $5,774 total price
from Los Angeles
($5,195 air & land inclusive plus $579
airline taxes and fees)
From the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to eternal
Rome, through the gentle Umbrian and Tuscan
countryside to timeless Venice, this wide-ranging
tour showcases ancient sites, contemporary life,
priceless art, and beautiful natural scenery.
You’ll especially appreciate the small size of your
group as you stay in unique accommodations in
the Tuscan countryside and in a medieval village.
Ad
Barberino ria
Val d’Elsa tic
Se
a
Orvieto
Mediterranean
Sea
We spend three nights on the stunning Amalfi Coast, with its sheer cliffs, turquoise seas, and classic Mediterranean landscape.
Avg. High (°F) May Jun
Amalfi Coast 72 79 Day 1: Depart U.S. for Naples, Italy order and a center of medieval art. A German strong-
Rome 74 82
Venice 70 76 hold during World War II, the hilltop Abbey was
Day 2: Arrive Naples/Amalfi Coast After arriving destroyed by Allied bombing then rebuilt as a replica
in Naples this morning, we travel to the storied Amalfi of the 17th-century original. We tour the Abbey, then
Coast, a popular resort and our base for exploring continue on to the Eternal City. We arrive at our
Your Small Group Tour Highlights
Italy’s Campania region. We dine at our hotel well-located hotel mid-afternoon; our tour director
Stunning Amalfi Coast • Ruins at Pompeii • Amalfi Coast tonight, as we will throughout our stay here. D will lead an informal walk of the nearby area. B
cruise • Rome sightseeing, including St. Peter’s Square,
Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Forum • Pastoral Umbria, the Day 3: Ravello This morning we experience this Day 6: Rome This morning we tour the heart of
“green heart” of Italy • Italian cooking demonstration • breathtaking coast by sea as we cruise from our hotel ancient Rome: the 55,000-seat Colosseum, built in
Visit to the walled city of Assisi • Comprehensive Tuscany to Amalfi Center (weather permitting). Here we 72 ce to stage gladiator spectacles; and the temples of
sightseeing: San Gimignano, Siena, Florence • Local wine enjoy a brief tour of the region’s largest town then the Forum, ancient Rome’s political and legal center.
tasting • Timeless Venice • Three-night stays in intimate have lunch on our own. Next we ascend to moun- The afternoon is free to explore on our own; the
small hotels in Amalfi, Tuscany, and Umbria
taintop Ravello, with its spectacular gardens and possibilities endless: shopping along the fashionable
coastal views. B,D Via Veneto; sipping espresso in beautiful Piazza Navona;
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating seeing the Pantheon, the city’s best preserved ancient
1 Depart U.S. for Naples Day 4: Pompeii/Amalfi Coast/Sorrento Our full- building; tossing a coin into Trevi Fountain; or visiting
2-4 Amalfi Hotel San Francesco First Class day excursion begins in Pompeii, the city frozen in any number of renowned museums and churches. B
5-7 Rome Monti Palace Hotel Sup. First time by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 ce but not
Class
excavated until 1748. After a tour and lunch on our Day 7: Rome Another morning of touring followed
8-10 Orvieto Grand Hotel Italia First Class own here we embark on a breathtaking drive along the by a free afternoon. Today we visit the Vatican for
(Umbria)
winding Amalfi Coast road high above the azure Medi- a tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the
11-13 Barberino Val Villa San Filippo First Class
d’Elsa (Tuscany) terranean – with stops for photos and in Sorrento along Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums. Highlights
14-15 Venice Carnival Palace Sup. First the way. We return to our hotel late afternoon. B,D include Michelangelo’s Pieta in St. Peter’s, considered
Hotel Class one of the greatest sculptures of all time; his frescoed
16 Depart Venice for U.S. Day 5: Amalfi Coast/Montecassino/Rome En ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, now restored to its
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel route to Rome today we visit the town of Montecassino, original glory; and art-filled St. Peter’s itself, the
industry standard reference. whose Abbey is the mother church of the Benedictine most important church in all Christendom. B
12 Visit us at trojantravel.usc.edu B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 12 7/6/22 2:35 PMTour membership limited to 24 alumni and friends
Day 8: Rome/Orvieto Leaving Rome, we travel OUR HOMELAND
north through a pastoral landscape of gentle agri-
IS THE WHOLE WORLD .”
cultural land bounded by mountain wilderness and
dotted with traditional villages and medieval hill – DARIO FO
towns. Mid-afternoon we reach Orvieto, perched
high on a plateau above a vineyard-clad plain. After
we check in at our hotel in the heart of the city’s colored buildings and ancient ramparts evoke the city’s
medieval quarter, our tour director leads us on an medieval past. Fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is one
informal walking tour. Tonight we attend a simple of Europe’s greatest public squares; its Duomo, one
cooking demonstration followed by dinner at Zep- of Italy’s finest. We set out on a guided walking tour
pelin Restaurant. B,D that includes an inside visit to the Duomo, housing
masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello, then
Day 9: Orvieto This morning we embark on a have free time for lunch on our own and to explore
guided walking tour of this dramatically set city. We as we wish. B,D
visit the medieval Duomo featuring a frescoed chapel
by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli’s masterpiece, Day 12: Florence A living monument to the Renais-
The Last Judgment. Next we explore the formerly sance, Florence is the crown jewel of Tuscany. We
secret passages of Parco delle Grotte, a labyrinth of discover this splendid city on a full-day excursion
underground caves used since Etruscan times. The that includes a morning walking tour. Then we visit
remainder of the day is at leisure. B the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s
sublime David, as well as his pieces for the papal
Day 10: Orvieto/Assisi Today’s excursion is to tombs; and the revered Duomo, with its stupendous
Assisi, considered a gem of an Umbrian town with dome by Brunelleschi. This afternoon is free to enjoy
inviting plazas, abundant flowers, buildings of white Florence as we wish. Tonight we enjoy dinner to-
marble, and a pervasive medieval air. We visit St. gether at our hotel. B,D
Clare Church
and the renowned Day 13: San Gimignano We encounter classic
Basilica di San Tuscany today as we visit the hill town of San Gimi-
Francesco, the gnano, known for the 13 watchtowers that have left
burial place of its skyline virtually unchanged since medieval times. The Roman Forum dates to the 7th century BCE.
St. Francis and a Later we visit a local winery and enjoy a tasting before
sacred pilgrimage returning mid-afternoon to our lodgings, where we
site. Inside are have time to relax before tonight’s dinner at a local Tour Departs: May 23, 2023
Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Giotto’s priceless restaurant. B,D
frescoes, The Life New York $5,374
of St. Francis. Day 14: Tuscany/Venice Leaving Tuscany today, Boston, Philadelphia,
we travel through the Veneto region to Venice, which, $5,574
There’s time on Washington, DC
our own to stroll along with its lagoon, is a UNESCO site. We arrive Atlanta, Charlotte,
the fountain- early this afternoon; the remainder of the day is free Chicago, Cincinnati,
splashed piazzas to explore this wondrous city on our own. B Cleveland, Detroit,
$5,674
and to enjoy Miami, Orlando, Tampa
Timeless Venice
local specialties Day 15: Venice This morning we take a guided
Dallas, Denver, Houston,
for lunch. We also visit Deruta, known for its prized walk through vast St. Mark’s Square and surround-
Los Angeles, Minneapolis,
hand-painted Majolica ceramics. B ings. Our afternoon is free to explore Venice $5,774
Phoenix, Portland (OR),
independently; tonight we bid “arrivederci” to Italy
and our fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. B,D San Francisco, Seattle
Day 11: Orvieto/Siena/Tuscany Continuing our
journey, today we visit walled Siena, whose ochre- Land Only (transfers not included) $4,595
Day 16: Depart for U.S. We depart early this Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person
morning for our connecting flights to the U.S. B based on double occupancy and include airline taxes,
Post-Tour Extension
surcharges, and fees of $579, which are subject to change
until final payment is made.
June 7-9, 2023
Your Tour Price Includes Single travelers please add $1,095. Your $500 deposit is
Venice – On Your Own fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2023
• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
3 days/2 nights for $395 total price tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and
• 14 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class and First
Single Supplement: $325 fees) are guaranteed.
Class hotels
Enjoy time on your own • 22 meals: 14 breakfasts, 8 dinners Airline upgrades on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:
in this most timeless of cities. • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy –
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director $1,595 per person (upgrade is subject to availability and
Your Tour Price Includes • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip pricing is subject to change).
• Luggage handling for one bag per person Please note: This trip involves considerable walking up
• 2 nights’ accommodations at Carnival Palace Hotel
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hills or stairs, and on uneven or cobblestone streets.
(Superior First Class)
hotel porters, and all drivers You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the
• 2 meals: 2 breakfasts
• Transfer to airport • We are pleased to share this departure with alumni from tour to its fullest.
the University of Kentucky
FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL ODYSSEYS UNLIMITED, INC. TOLL-FREE (888) 370-6765 M-F, 9:00AM-7:00PM, EASTERN TIME 13
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 13 7/6/22 2:36 PMSpecial USC Trojan Travel departure – June 1-14, 2023
Ancient Greece with Santorini and Crete
14 days for $6,692 total price
from Los Angeles
($6,095 air & land inclusive plus $597
airline taxes and fees)
Unearth the grandeur of the ancient world
on this singular journey combining premier
archaeological sites with the beauty and lore of
the Aegean and her isles. As the ancient world
comes alive in Athens and the Peloponnese, Crete
and Santorini, we celebrate the glory that was
Greece – and still is today.
GREECE
Athens
Nafplion
Peloponnese
Aegean Sea
Santorini
Destination
Air
Motorcoach
High Speed Ferry Crete
Entry/Departure
Heraklion
Avg. High (°F) May Jun On Day 4, we tour the ruins of Delphi, believed by the ancients to be the “navel [center] of the world.”
Athens 77 86
Santorini 73 81
Heraklion 74 81 Day 1: Depart U.S. for Athens, Greece Day 5: Athens/Corinth/Nafplion This morning we
visit the National Archaeological Museum, home to
Day 2: Athens After our arrival in the Greek capital, the world’s most significant collections of Greek
there’s time to relax at our hotel. As guests’ arrival artifacts. We then depart by coach to the Peloponnesian
Your Small Group Tour Highlights times may vary greatly, we have no group activities Peninsula, Greece’s southernmost region separated
Athens sightseeing, including Acropolis and Parthenon •
or meals planned for today. from the mainland by the Corinth Canal. En route
Excursion to ancient Delphi • Tour of National Archaeological
we visit the ruins and museum of Ancient Corinth,
Museum, Athens • Visits to archaeological sites of Corinth, Day 3: Athens On this morning’s tour we visit the one of the country’s largest cities in antiquity that was
Mycenae, and Epidaurus • Half-day excursion to Hydra • city’s most important sites, including the 5th-century demolished by the Romans (146 bce), who then rebuilt
Heraklion’s Minoan Palace of Knossos and Archaeological Acropolis and Parthenon, and the renowned Acropolis it a century later. Today, only low stone walls, foun-
Museum • Private cruise to Spinalonga • Tour and tasting Museum. We also take a walking tour of Hadrian dations, and several Corinthian columns remain as
at olive oil farm • Two-night stay on island of Santorini • Street and the Plaka district. Then the afternoon is testimony to the mighty city that once flourished here.
Winery tour and tasting • Archaeological site of Akrotiri at leisure for independent exploration; ancient sights, The site boasts a strong connection to Christianity:
monuments, and museums abound. Tonight we Paul wrote his two letters, First and Second Corin-
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. B,D thians, here; and we see the altar where he preached.
1 Depart U.S. for Athens This afternoon we reach our hotel in Nafplion and
Athens Capital Center Day 4: Delphi Today’s excursion takes us to central dine there tonight. B,L,D
2-4 Athens Deluxe
Hotel-MGallery Greece to explore Delphi, one of the most beautiful
5-7 Nafplion Amphitryon Hotel Sup. First and celebrated ancient sites. Nestled between twin Day 6: Epidaurus/Mycenae Among the highlights
(Peloponnese) Class
cliffs on a slope of Mount Parnassus and spilling out of this morning’s visit to the vast archaeological site
8-10 Heraklion Aquila Atlantis Hotel First Class onto the Sacred Plain, Delphi is where the oracle and museum of Epidaurus: the 2,300-year-old the-
(Crete)
representing the revered god Apollo presided over the ater, a masterpiece of Greek architecture known for
11-12 Thira Santorini Palace Hotel First Class
(Santorini) ancient world. We see the ruins of the Sanctuary of its perfect acoustics and still in use today. Long
13 Athens Athens Capital Center Deluxe
Apollo; walk the marble Sacred Way; and climb to the associated with healing and medicine, Epidaurus
Hotel-MGallery 4th-century bce theater still in use today. We also visit comprises one of the most complete sanctuaries
14 Depart Athens for U.S. Delphi’s museum that houses the bronze “Charioteer,” remaining from antiquity. This afternoon we tour
Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel one of antiquity’s greatest statues. After lunch in a local the imposing ruins at Mycenae, a UNESCO site
industry standard reference. restaurant, we return to Athens late afternoon. B,L that represented the pinnacle of civilization from
14 Visit us at trojantravel.usc.edu B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner
USC_Spreads_2023_#1.indd 14 7/6/22 2:36 PMTour membership limited to 24 alumni and friends
the 15th to the 12th centuries BCE. A key influence GO AS FAR AS YOU CAN .
on the development of classic Greek culture (and
hence Western civilization), Mycenae also is linked
GO FURTHER THAN YOU CAN !”
to Homer’s epics, Iliad and The Odyssey. We see the – NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
Tomb of Agamemnon, with what was the world’s
highest and widest dome for more than a thousand
years; and the Lion’s Gate, the only known Bronze to Spinalonga, a former Venetian island fortress later
Age monumental sculpture in Greece. Then we occupied by the Ottomans then used as a leper colony
return to Nafplion to explore this gem of a Venetian/ from 1903 to 1957. From here we travel to the colorful
Byzantine town with picturesque narrow streets, for- harborside town of Agios Nikolaos, with its galleries,
tifications, and a bounty of waterfront cafés. We shops, cafés, tavernas, and tiny Lake Voulismeni, where,
enjoy an afternoon at leisure before we dine together legend has it, the goddess Athena once bathed. Next:
tonight at a local taverna. B,L,D a visit to a Cretan olive oil farm to learn about the
history of olive oil production – Greece consumes
Day 7: Nafplion/Hydra This morning we travel to more olive oil than any other country – and to enjoy
the port of Ermioni, where we board a private boat for a tour and tasting. B
the ride to Hydra, the car-free Saronic island where
donkeys provide the transportation. After lunch Day 11: Crete/Santorini We depart this morning by
together at a local taverna, we have free time to enjoy high-speed ferry for Santorini, southernmost of the
this picturesque island as we wish. Late afternoon we Cycladic islands. Once believed to have been the leg-
return to Nafplion for an evening at leisure. B,L endary lost island of Atlantis, Santorini today attracts
both Greeks and visitors alike with its stupendous
Day 8: Nafplion/ setting of cubiform whitewashed houses sitting atop
Heraklion, Crete the jagged cliffs of a crescent-shaped caldera. Upon
En route to Ath- arrival we visit a local winery for a tour and tasting
ens this morning then have free time in the town of Firostefani for
we stop to see the lunch and to explore on our own. B,D
Corinth Canal,
cutting at sea Day 12: Santorini Today we tour Santorini’s archaeo-
level through the logical site of Akrotiri, a Bronze Age Minoan location
narrow Isthmus that was abandoned in the 17th century BCE following a We spend two nights in idyllic Santorini.
of Corinth to volcanic eruption – whose ash also preserved the exca-
the Saronic Gulf vations that we now see. Late this afternoon we head
in the Aegean. We to the town of Oia, known for its iconic whitewashed Tour Departs: June 1, 2023
Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
continue on to architecture and stunning views. B,D
the Athens airport New York $6,292
for the 50-minute Day 13: Santorini/Athens After a late morning Boston, Philadelphia $6,492
flight to Crete, flight to Athens, we check in at our hotel then have Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago,
arriving mid- free time for lunch on our own and an afternoon Cincinnati, Cleveland,
Old ways endure ... afternoon in at leisure, perhaps to visit the Plaka for last-minute $6,592
Detroit, Miami, Orlando,
Heraklion, the Cretan capital. After checking in shopping or to stroll the broad plaza of lively Syn-
Tampa, Washington, DC
at our hotel, we enjoy an afternoon at leisure; this tagma Square. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner
at our hotel. B,D Dallas, Denver, Houston,
evening we take a walking tour of the Venetian/
Los Angeles, Minneapolis,
Ottoman-influenced town center prior to dinner $6,692
Day 14: Depart for U.S. We transfer to Athens’ inter- Phoenix, Portland (OR),
at a local restaurant. B,D
national airport this morning, where we connect with San Francisco, Seattle
Day 9: Heraklion/Knossos This morning we tour our return flight home. B Land Only (transfers not included) $5,295
the ruins of the palace of Knossos, once the political Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person
center of Minoan civilization and legendary home based on double occupancy and include airline taxes,
of King Minos, the Labyrinth, and the Minotaur. surcharges, and fees of $597, which are subject to change
Considered Europe’s “oldest city,” Knossos is the
largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete.
Your Tour Price Includes until final payment is made.
Single travelers please add $1,395. Your $500 deposit is
After lunch, we visit one of the greatest museums in • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights
fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2023
all of Greece: Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum within itinerary
tour prices above (excluding airlines taxes, surcharges,
housing artifacts from 5,500 years of Cretan his- • 12 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class,
and fees) are guaranteed.
tory, from the Neolithic period to Roman times. and First Class hotels
The museum is especially renowned for its Minoan • 24 meals: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners Airline upgrades on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:
collection, much of which was excavated from the • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees Business Class – $3,795 per person; Premium Economy –
palace of Knossos. Then we return to our hotel, • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director $1,495 per person (upgrade is subject to availability and
where the rest of the day is at leisure, with dinner • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip pricing is subject to change).
on our own. B,L • Luggage handling for one bag per person Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and uneven or cobblestone streets and at sites of ancient
Day 10: Heraklion/Spinalonga/Agios Nikolaos hotel porters, and all drivers ruins. You should be in good physical condition to
After an hour’s drive this morning, we board a pri- • We are pleased to share this departure with alumni from enjoy the tour to the fullest.
vate boat for a cruise through the Bay of Elounda North Carolina State University
FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL ODYSSEYS UNLIMITED, INC. TOLL-FREE (888) 370-6765 M-F, 9:00AM-7:00PM, EASTERN TIME 15
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