Connecticut College - Alumni & Parent Travel Program
We don’t stop learning once we leave CONN - the world is one big classroom, let’s explore it together!
Started in 2024, Connecticut College has partnered with the world renown Collette Travel and Expeditioner Travel to bring the world to Connecticut College alumni and parents. Travel together to explore new cultures and continue learning about the world around us.
UPCOMING TRIPS WITH COLLETTE TRAVEL:
Including airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation, select meals and special guided experiences, these expertly planned trips will introduce travelers to must-see iconic sights while immersing them into the culture of each destination. These guided trips also allow for independent exploration and free time to customize your itinerary.
Iceland's Magical Northern Lights
October 24 — October 30, 2025
7 Days • 11 Meals
Book by April 25, 2025 to save $250 per person off your trip experience!
Experience the “land of fire and ice” and chase the aurora borealis across an ethereal wonderland. In the dark of the night, search for the northern lights as you drift along on an evening starlit cruise. Travel the “Golden Circle,” home to renowned natural wonders, and spend time at Thingvellir National Park, gaze at Gullfoss waterfall, and see the explosive geothermal fields at Geysir. Explore Skógar Museum and see traditional turf-built homes. Walk on a black volcanic sand beach. See Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Relax in the warm, mineral-rich water of the Blue Lagoon. Spend your days surrounded by natural wonders and your nights in search of the elusive dancing lights.
Greece Island Hopper featuring Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
April 24 — May 4, 2026
11 Days • 14 Meals
FIND OUT MORE - Join our virtual info session on July 23, 2025 at 7 p.m. Register here.
Book by August 25, 2025 to save $1050 per person off your trip experience!
Begin your journey in Athens, the immortalized capital of Greece. See the best of Athens with a local expert who highlights the city’s ancient roots on a comprehensive panoramic tour. Make your way along the world-renowned monuments, including the Temple of Zeus, the Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium and the legendary Acropolis to visit the illustrious Parthenon. Then head to Mykonos which offers limitless opportunities to kick back and enjoy the island’s irresistible lifestyle. Your journey continues to Santorini, the Eden-like island where blue-domed rooftops and gentle ocean waves complement the bright white buildings and rocky hillsides. A picturesque landscape and iconic destination, Santorini’s charms reveal themselves during your 3-night stay.
Costa Rica: A World of Nature
October 17 — October 28, 2026
12 Days • 23 Meals
From thrilling water journeys to ethereal jungle expeditions, discover what pura vida means to you when you explore the essence of Costa Rica. Encounter an emerald wonderland, where trees climb high and animals roam free. Immerse yourself in nature when you spend 2 nights at a remote resort in San Carlos and 3 nights in the region of Arenal National Park. Sample fresh cacao during a visit to a local plantation. Give back to preservation efforts at a sea turtle research station in Tortuguero National Park. Embark on a crocodile safari in the jungle and a bird-watching cruise in the rainforest. Stand suspended over the rainforest floor as you journey across a network of hanging bridges. Hike the lava fields of Arenal Volcano or soar over jungle canopies on a zip line. It’s time to experience a world of nature.
NEW! OUR FIRST CRUISE with Expeditioner Travel:
Cruising the Aegean Sea with Professor Darryl Phillips
Silver Nova, Silversea's newest flagship
August 9-16, 2026
Embark on an unforgettable voyage with Professor Darryl Phillips, Professor of Classics at Connecticut College, through the cradle of Greek and Roman civilization. Sail from the iconic Acropolis of Athens to the magnificent center of Greek civilization of the island of Delos, the medieval lanes of Rhodes, and the sun-kissed shores of the Aegean. Along the way, delve into ancient history with a renowned scholar as your guide, all while indulging in the ultra-luxury amenities of Silversea’s Silver Nova. Join us for a journey that promises inspiration, enrichment, and relaxation in equal measure.
Overview: A Journey of Discovery with Expert Leadership
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Experience the Greek Isles in depth on a one-of-a-kind luxury educational cruise designed for culturally curious, discerning travelers.
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This program is a collaboration between the Connecticut College Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Expeditioner Travel and Professor Darryl Phillips of Connecticut College, uniting sumptuous travel with scholarly insight.
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Over seven nights, you’ll travel in the company of an expert who brings the ancient world to life through engaging talks and guided excursions.
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Professor Phillips –Professor of Classics (Ph.D., Duke University) and an award-winning teacher – specializes in Ancient Greek and Roman history. For more than three decades he has been teaching popular courses that explore the monuments and history of the ancient Mediterranean world, and his passion for classical civilization is infectious.
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Whether you’re one of his alumni from Connecticut College or an avid history enthusiast, you’ll find his stories and expertise add immeasurable depth to each site we visit.
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This journey isn’t just a cruise – it’s a moving classroom under the Mediterranean sun, inviting you to learn, reflect, and be inspired by our shared cultural heritage.
This exclusive opportunity for Connecticut College alumni and parents includes special benefits at no additional cost—simply for being part of our group. It’s a testament to the College’s continued commitment to its community, with a current professor personally leading the experience.
Click here to join the Virtual Info Session - August 19th at 6 p.m.
Join Us for a Greek Isles Cruise Info Session! Connecticut College alumni, parents, and friends are invited to a Zoom session introducing our August 2026 Greek Isles Cruise, hosted in collaboration with Expeditioner Travel and featuring Professor Darryl Phillips. Learn about the itinerary, travel details, and what makes this journey so special—plus, get your questions answered live!
PAST TRIPS:
Tuscany & the Italian Riviera - 2024
Thoughts from Betsey Schmidt '64 and Carl Schmidt
"Carl and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Tuscany and the Italian Riviera offered by the Connecticut College Alumni Office in conjunction with Collette Tours. The trip was well-organized and paced. We were very fortunate to have had an excellent tour guide, a native of Italy, whose enthusiasm and good humor brought the group together and made for many memorable and fun times. Our bus driver was excellent, very friendly and helpful, and negotiated the narrow winding roads of Tuscany effortlessly. The local guides in Turin, Lucca, and Florence were excellent! They were very knowledgeable, spoke English fluently, mixed facts with colorful stories, and made helpful suggestions for shopping and dining. Our guide to Cinque Terre was with us for the entire day as we traveled by ferry to see the whole area and visit two of the villages, returning to La Spezia by train. This day was definitely the highlight of the trip for us."
British Landscapes featuring England, Scotland and Wales - 2025
A few reasons you will love traveling with Collette:
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star accommodations
- Attraction entrance fees with preferential access
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Many meals full of local flavor
