Life in the tropics calls to mind cool ocean breezes, sparkling sunlight, and hearty seafood dinners. But there can be more than simple relaxation in the tropics. With Notre Dame Alumni Travel’s Cruise of the Panama Canal and the Exploration of Vietnam and Cambodia, you can explore the center of the earth, both from the east and the west.

Panama Canal

The Crystal Cruise of the Panama Canal, Feb. 3-14, 2010, stops at iconic locations such as lush Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and the pristine beaches of St. Lucia.

Additionally you will be able to watch the locks as you travel the Panama Canal and discover the hundreds of bird species on Antigua. In Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba, you can stroll between the charming Dutch-style buildings, and take advantage of duty-free shopping.

Charles F. Lennon Jr. ’61, ’62 M.A., executive director of the Alumni Association and associate vice president of University Relations, will be the host on this exquisite trip.

Vietnam and Cambodia

Join host Professor Lee Tavis ’53 for a journey along to the tropics of the east, Vietnam and Cambodia, Feb. 19–March 5, 2010. With stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Siem Reap, and Bangkok, you will explore these storied countries in depth.

Your odyssey takes you among the vaulting green mountains separated by narrow misty valleys. You will visit a local family’s home and enjoy their hospitality. Try the world-renowned food, known for its layered spices and fragrant aroma, and explore the spectacular temple ruins of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. The trip will end with a farewell dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River.

Professor Tavis is the C. R. Smith Professor of Finance Emeritus and the founding director of the Program on Multinational Managers and Developing Country Concerns. He is a fellow of the Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. 

Information on each of these tours, as well as the many others offered through the Notre Dame Alumni Association, is available on the ND Alumni Travel website.