Wondering if now is a good time to plan a global excursion? The Alumni Association thinks it is, and with good reason. For one thing, no one else is traveling, meaning you’ll avoid crowds at many destinations simply because many people are not traveling. Another good reason? Airlines are slashing their prices in the hopes of attracting more travelers. And now, the U.S. dollar is stronger, meaning you’ll get more bang for your buck.

Here are a few trips ND Alumni Travel offers in 2010:

Peru

Begin the New Year with a life-changing experience. From Jan. 25–Feb. 4, 2010, travel to Peru, known for its rich history, heartfelt hospitality, and heavenly mountain retreats. This is an Alumni Campus Abroad program, meaning you will enjoy the convenience and value of group travel, but still have opportunities for individual adventures.

Traveling with you will be Notre Dame Professor of Anthropology and archaeologist Ian Kujit, who will take you around the legendary Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, nestled high in the Andean Mountains. You will visit Lima and Cuzco, learn about Incan mummies from the archaeologist who discovered them, and taste the local flavor at excellent restaurants.

Waterways of Holland & Belgium

From April 13-21, 2010, step aboard the exclusively chartered MS Amadeus Diamond and experience the beauty, history, and culture along the Waterways of Holland and Belgium. You will have Rev. Christopher Kuhn, C.S.C., ’71 historian, theologian, and gardener, to guide you through what promises to be a rejuvenation of your aesthetic senses.

Not only will you be able to hear a special presentation on the Dutch and Belgian Masters, but you also can tour the environment and works of Rembrandt. Then, take a stroll through the famous Keukenhof Gardens, or journey beneath the shadows of medieval architecture in Bruges and Antwerp. There also will be an opportunity to see the Delta Project, which is Holland’s effort to battle the ravages of the sea.

European Mosaic

Join host Chuck Lennon, executive director of the Alumni Association, Aug. 23-Sept. 5, 2010 as you uncover the cultural and historical riches of the Mediterranean  while cruising aboard the luxurious and intimate Oceania Cruises’ Insignia. Depart Lisbon for Tangier, Morocco, where the Mendoubia Gardens contain a banyan tree over 800 years old. Explore Andalusian wine country outside Seville, stroll ancient cobblestone streets past trendy shops in Malaga, see the beautiful yacht harbor of Alicante, and embrace the culture of Barcelona. Leave Spain behind and sail on to St. Tropez, France, a city surrounded by exquisite Provencal countryside. Amble along the sun-kissed sidewalks of Cannes before sailing to Monte Carlo. Continue on to picturesque Portofino, Italy, before stopping in Livorno and a journey to Florence, a Renaissance town steeped in history, art, and architecture. Bustling markets, lush gardens, whitewashed houses, and world renowned museums create a colorful European mosaic you won’t soon forget.

These three trips promise a needed retreat from a hectic world. Take the time to travel with Notre Dame, and return to your core values of lifelong learning in a global community. For more information on these opportunities or others offered through ND Travel, visit the ND Alumni Travel website.