Past Trips Taken by HSU's Traveling Range Riders
Find our past HSU Traveling Range Riders experiences on this page. As current offerings change, our archive and galleries are a great way to know what you may see again in the future!
Relaxing and Immersive Exploration
SUNNY MEDITERRANEAN FALL CRUISE
“RENAISSANCE TRIUMPHS”
Rome-Tuscany-Provence-Barcelona
November 4-14, 2024
11-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Nautica.
Great starting price of $3,099 | includes roundtrip airfare and a stateroom choice of 6 free shore excursions or $600 shipboard credit.
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Take in art, architecture, history, and romance inspired by the Renaissance and the Enlightenment periods on this 10-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Riviera. Begin in timeless Rome and set sail along the sunny Mediterranean.
Escape to Naples to see Pompeii, a preserved ancient Roman city once buried under the ashes of nearby Mt. Vesuvius.
French Riviera city street
Cruise the terracotta cliff-lined waters of the Amalfi Coast and visit Valletta to see the celebrated St. John’s Co-Cathedral.
Take in Italian Renaissance masterpieces in Florence and Pisa.
Experience the culture and history of Genoa as you meander the twisting caruggi (narrow streets) before relaxing amidst the stunning views and sophisticated architecture of Nice.
Immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes of Provence as the aroma of lavender fields and breathtaking views of the coastlines and mountainous areas sweep you away.
Before journey’s end in beautiful Barcelona, pop into Palma de Mallorca’s plentiful art galleries and admire the fascinating exhibits on display.
Rome Pre-Cruise Tour | Barcelona Post-Cruise Tour Don’t just wave at your port city from the deck—extend your trip with an overnight land stay and city exploration. Spend more time with your feet on the ground and immerse yourself in local culture with engaging tours led by an expert travel guide. Click HERE for the optional pre-cruise extension to ROME. HERE is info about the post-cruise extension to BARCELONA.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Cancellations made 121+ days before departure may be made for $150pp. Contact trip Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@35buy.net, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@35buy.net, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
Real-Time Cruise Info | Sign Up Here!
Cruise Brochure!
View of Florence at sunset with the Ponte Vecchio Bridge and the Arno River
The Leaning Tower in a sunny day in Pisa, Italy.
A Vibrant Encounter with Magnificent Nature
NORTHEAST COAST COLORFUL FALL CRUISE
“In the Path of Cartier”
Boston-Nova Scotia-Quebec-Montreal
September 25 – October 6, 2024
11 nights aboard Nautica | Oceania Cruises
Starting price $4,799 | includes roundtrip airfare and a stateroom choice of 6 free shore excursions or $600 shipboard credit.
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Immerse yourself in wild and natural wonders on this 11-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Nautica.
Embark in Boston then explore the charm of Portland as you meander through its lively downtown area or enjoy the lovely waterfront and parks.
Cruise to Saint John where you can catch a glimpse of Reversing Falls—a mesmerizing tidal phenomenon. Get a taste of Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney with local fare.
Old Quebec is a historic neighborhood of Quebec City, the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec.
Bask in the natural beauty of Havre Saint Pierre and the astonishing rock formations of the Mingan Archipelago.
Continue your journey through wild wonders in Sept-Iles and hike to the lookout point of Grand Basque Island before visiting Baie Comeau.
In Saguenay, indulge your flair for the French—enjoy a flamboyant performance at the Théâtre Palais Municipal depicting the founding of the area.
Before completing your tour in Montréal, stop in Quebec City for high tea at the iconic Château Frontenac.
Montreal Post-Program Tour Don’t just wave at your port city from the deck—extend your trip with an overnight land stay and city exploration. Spend more time with your feet on the ground and immerse yourself in local culture with engaging tours led by an expert travel guide.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Cancellations made 121+ days before departure may be made for $150pp. Contact trip Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@35buy.net, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
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Everything a River Cruise Adventure Should Be
GREAT EUROPEAN JOURNEY
12-day, 10-night “Grand Tour” of Europe featuring an incredible combination of river, rail, lake, and mountain travel from Amsterdam to Zermatt.
July 10-21, 2024 | from approximately $4,295 plus air
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Journey through the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, cruising the Moselle and Rhine rivers on this 10-night itinerary, which includes a 6‑night river cruise and 4 nights in the Swiss Alps—featuring the Matterhorn and Mount Pilatus. Ride aboard 3 legendary railways—the Gornegrat Bahn for views of the Matterhorn; the Glacier Express from Andermatt to Zermatt; and the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Also enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne. Enhance your “Grand Tour” with the Amsterdam Pre-Program Option. We are proud to partner with professional alumni travel company Gohagan to bring you this experience.
12 Day Itinerary
1 Depart home city
2 Amsterdam, the Netherlands/ Embark Amadeus Queen
3 Cologne, Germany
4 Cochem
5 Koblenz/Rüdesheim
6 Mannheim for Heidelberg
7 Strasbourg, France
8 Basel, Switzerland/Disembark Amadeus Queen/Bern/Lucerne
9 Lucerne
10 Lucerne/Zermatt
11 Zermatt
12 Zermatt/Geneva/Return to home city
Itinerary Highlights
- Retrace the “Grand Tour,” a traditional European holiday taken by aristocratic young ladies and gentlemen of the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries.
- Explore Cologne’s Old Town and see the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Kölner Dom.
- Enjoy a walking tour of charming Cochem with a visit to the Imperial Reichsburg castle.
- Cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Middle Rhine Valley to see Lorelei Rock.
- Travel from Mannheim to Heidelberg, a highlight of the historical “Grand Tours.”
- Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-designated La Petite France in Strasbourg.
- Tour Switzerland’s capital city of Bern, including its beautifully preserved, UNESCO-inscribed Old Town.
- Reach Mount Pilatus’ 7,000‑foot summit by panoramic gondola for a 360-degree vista.
All-Inclusive
- Transfers and luggage handling abroad if you made your air arrangements through
Gohagan & Company. (If you made your own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling are not included.) - Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions.
- Hospitality desk.
- Experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Directors at your service.
Amadeus Queen Exclusively Chartered Deluxe River Boat
- 84 spacious river-view suites and staterooms.
- Deluxe amenities of a luxury hotel.
- Complimentary house wine and beer served with lunch and dinner.
The Legendary Railways of the Swiss Alps
- The Gornergrat Bahn is Switzerland’s oldest electrified cog railway where—in the span of 5 miles—you will climb nearly 5,000 feet from Zermatt to lofty Gornergrat.
- Lucerne’s Pilatus Railway offers breathtaking views of Swiss farms and forests along its 3-mile route from the summit of Mount Pilatus to the shores of Lake Lucerne.
- The Glacier Express is an engineering marvel that penetrates the mountain barrier separating the cantons of Valais and Uri.
Real-Time Trip Details | Claim Your Spot!
Trip Brochure
Amsterdam Pre-Program Option Lined with iconic canals and stately 16th- and 17th‑century merchant houses, Amsterdam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the quintessential conclusion to your “grand tour” of Europe. Take a full‑day excursion to quaint Edam and historic Hoorn. Enjoy accommodations for 2 nights in an ideally located luxury hotel. Click here for Pre-Program Details.
The Pre-Program Option is available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
An Exciting Experiential Adventure
DISCOVER DENALI NATIONAL PARK BY COACH AND TRAIN
June 9-14, 2024 | from $3995 + air
Click here for trip brochure. And here for optional excursions.
Click here to learn more and to reserve your place today!
Journey into the scenic wilds of America’s most northern state through Alaska’s rugged forests and wildlife. Your destination: the magnificent six-million-acre Denali National Park and Reserve.
Familiarize yourself with the park, walking its trails with a guide, and choose from optional excursions to personalize your adventure.
Keep binoculars close at hand: this dazzling and vast wilderness is home to Dall sheep, eagles, wolves, migrating caribou, and grizzly bears—and catching sight of them is a thrill not soon forgotten.
A final highlight of this adventure includes an afternoon traveling aboard the historic Alaska Railroad with superior viewing from your upgraded glass-dome seat.
Click to see optional excursions.
Reserve today online, by calling 866-639-0079, or by contacting program host Britt Yates Jones ’84 at 325-670-1377 / travel@35buy.net.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Reservations made 121+ days prior to the departure date may be cancelled within 30 days from the reservation date for a full refund. 
LAND OF THE RISING SUN | An Epic Journey in Japan
March 20-April 1, 2024 | 12-night cruise aboard Oceania’s Rivera
from $6199 with flight included! Limited availability.
Let the harmony of Japanese culture surround you as you immerse yourself in the deeply-rooted customs and traditions of this majestic island on a 12-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ luxurious ship Riviera.
From the simplest pleasures of a tea ceremony to the excitement of sumo spectating, this voyage offers a unique insight into the Japanese way of life.
Begin your journey in metropolitan Tokyo and set sail for Nagoya. Explore the industrial side of Japan as you take in the newly reconstructed palace and visit the many museums of Nagoya before heading to the surfer’s paradise—quaint Kochi. Here, visit traditional markets, peruse Kochi castle, and take in the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
Enjoy the volcanoes and offshore islands of Nagasaki and see the flourishing art scene, renowned Buddha statues, and beautiful beaches of Busan, South Korea. Sail down the Kanmon Strait to Hiroshima and stroll through the beautifully landscaped Hiroshima Gardens or visit Hiroshima Castle.
End your trip with the views of the majestic Mount Fuji from the seaport Shimizu.
Join HSU alumni and friends for this exciting trip!
Enhance your expedition with a 3-night or 2-night Tokyo pre0-program!
Click here for FULL TRIP INFO!
Click here for the trip brochure
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@35buy.net, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
CHRISTKINDLMÄRKTE ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER
Seven-night river cruise from Vienna, Austria, to Nuremberg, Germany, featuring traditional Christmas Markets during the Advent Season. You’ll travel with “The Travel Detective” Peter Greenberg, America’s most recognized, honored & respected front-line travel news journalist.
December 9 to 17, 2023 | from $2,995 + air
Click here for the complete trip brochure
Itinerary Overview
Celebrate the enduring charm of the Yuletide season on an enchanting 9-day journey to Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets. Discover magnificent settings where cobblestoned streets strung with colorful lights meet festive market stalls of handcrafted ornaments, fine wooden toys, and irresistible holiday treats.
This unique itinerary brings the old-world ambiance of the holidays to life in a vivid celebration of history and culture. Be inspired by some of Europe’s most noteworthy landmarks—Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, the 900-year-old Abbey of Melk in the legendary Wachau Valley, and the glamorous imperial monuments of Hapsburg Vienna.
Your “home” for the trip is the elegant and meticulously crafted Amadeus Star, a deluxe small river boat with 84 stylish staterooms and all the comforts of a refined and traditional hotel.
You’ll also get to know special guest speaker Peter Greenberg. A multiple Emmy-winning investigative reporter and producer known in the travel industry as “The Travel Detective,” Greenberg broadcasts breaking news and investigative reports from around the world each week as Travel Editor for CBS News.
Join HSU alumni and friends, plus host Britt (Yates) Jones ’84, for this exciting trip!
Enhance your expedition with the Vienna Pre-Program and Munich Post-Program Options (see below).
9 Day Itinerary
1 Depart home city
2 Vienna, Austria/Embark Amadeus Star
3 Vienna
4 Dürnstein/Melk
5 Linz for Salzburg
6 Passau, Germany
7 Regensburg
8 Nuremberg
9 Nuremberg/Disembark river boat/Return to home city
Itinerary Highlights
- Nine-day, 7-night river cruise along the Danube to holiday markets in Germany and Austria, where Christmas folklore and traditions come to life.
- Explore the authentic Old-World ambiance of Germany’s most famous Christkindlmärkt in historic Nuremberg.
- Delight in the holiday pageantry of Salzburg, Passau, and Regensburg.
- Browse the intricately crafted ornaments hanging in wooden kiosks festooned with colorful lights, sip Glühwein; and savor irresistible holiday treats like roasted chestnuts and freshly baked gingerbread.
- Immerse yourself in the nostalgia and romance of Vienna’s classic open-air Christmas markets.
All-Inclusive
- Transfers and luggage handling abroad if you made your air arrangements through Gohagan & Company. (If you made your own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling is not included.)
- Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
- Complimentary bottled water in your Suite or Stateroom and on excursions.
- Hospitality desk aboard ship.
- Experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Directors at your service.
- Complimentary use of an audio headset during guided excursions.
- Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy for each participant ticketed on flights by Gohagan & Company.
Amadeus Star | Exclusively Chartered Small River Boat The elegant and meticulously crafted Amadeus Star features all the comforts of a refined and traditional hotel. The 84 stylish staterooms and suites are among the most spacious of any European river boat (172 to 284 square feet). Suites include a private balcony, and select staterooms feature a unique floor-to-ceiling window that lowers to French-balcony height at the touch of a button. Accommodations have two twin beds or one queen bed, individual climate control, sitting area, and private bathroom with shower. Most have a minibar.
Vienna Pre-Program Option Renowned for its architecture and walkable city center, discover layers of history and Christmas traditions in Austria’s capital city of Vienna. Visit the Hofburg Palace in Old Town, the former winter residence of the Hapsburgs, and Belvedere Palace—built by Prince Eugene of Savoy as a summer home. Tour the Austrian Gallery, filled with collections from the Middle Ages to the present day. Explore the traditional Christmas Market in front of Vienna’s City Hall, the Spittelberg Christmas Market in the revitalized heritage district, and the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace. Accommodations are for two nights.
Munich Post-Program Option Our post‑cruise extension begins in Nuremberg with a leisurely drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber—known for its classical half‑timbered medieval houses and a picturesque Reiterlesmarkt Christmas market. Enjoy lunch in this charming town before continuing to Bavaria’s capital city of Munich, straddling the banks of the River Isar. Enjoy excursions to the Baroque Nyphenburg Palace and the magical town of Neuschwanstein. Accommodations are for three nights.
EXPERIENCE THE VICTORY
October 26-29, 2023
$1,399 per person, double; $1,699 single; family rates available
Click here for the complete trip brochure!
Click here to claim your place!
Explore, remember, and reflect on World War II through exclusive access to the #1 Attraction in New Orleans with HSU Alumni and Friends at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience HSU’s custom program at this world-class institution!
INCLUDED WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE…
National World War II Museum
- The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
- Through exhibits, multimedia experiences, and thousands of personal accounts, the Museum takes visitors on an immersive tour of World War II in every theater of war. Explore our vast campus: the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, Solomon Victory Theater, Campaigns Of Courage: European And Pacific Theaters, and more. For more information, visit http://www.nationalww2museum.org.
Early Access Tour of the Museum: Begin your immersive journey into World War II on the exclusive Early Access Tour! Join us for a preopening tour accompanied by an expert guide, who will provide an overview of each major pavilion you’ll tour later at your own pace. 
From the awesome macro-artifacts and warbirds on view in the STEM Innovation Gallery and US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, the Early Access Tour will give you a great jump-start on your day at the Museum—as well as insight into how we tell the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world.
Campaigns of Courage Guided Tour: Follow American citizen soldiers through World War II in this exclusive small-group guided tour of the immersive, interactive Campaigns of Courage: European and PacificTheaters pavilion. During the two-hour experience through the Museum’s signature exhibits, an official Museum guide will walk you through the chronological narrative of each theater of combat, bringing to life the drama, sacrifices, personal stories, and strategies of America’s campaign to defeat the Axis powers and preserve freedom. Your guide will also highlight several artifacts, displays, and exhibit panels during the tour, which explores how the Allies secured victory in the 20th century’s titanic struggle—a fight for civilization itself.
Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on October 25, 1944. Guests relive the last epic battle of the USS Tang and feel a deeper appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in the intense, confined world of underwater warfare.
Curator’s Collection Museum Experience: Step inside The National WWII Museum’s private Center for Collections & Archives and take an intimate two-hour journey into WWII history through rarely-seen artifacts that give voice to the American experience in World War II. Through this unique opportunity, guests will get to see Museum artifacts currently not on display or seen by the public. A Museum curator will be your guide on this exclusive experience, which will include detailed descriptions of the processes used to preserve and store the Center’s priceless items, as well as backstage insight into the work that goes into developing the Museum’s exhibits and programs.
The National World War II Museum
Beyond All Boundaries, showing exclusively in The National WWII Museum’s Solomon Victory Theater, is a 4D journey through the war that changed the world. This Museum-produced experience is narrated by executive producer Tom Hanks, with Phil Hettema serving as show producer and creative director. Beyond All Boundaries features dazzling effects, CGI animation, multilayered environments, and first-person accounts from the trenches to the Home Front read by Brad Pitt, Tobey Maguire, Gary Sinise, Patricia Clarkson, Wendell Pierce, and more.
3-day Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus tour access: City Sightseeing New Orleans is the most entertaining, informative, and fun City Tour you can find that offers transportation right from the campus of The National World War II Museum in an exhilarating open-top, double-decker bus. HOP-ON! and in a single 1-hour 45-minute loop, experience a complete City Tour — 3 centuries of history, architecture, and culture narrated live in English by your very own Tour Host – see the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. HOP-OFF! at any stop along the way and spend time in New Orleans’ most popular neighborhoods, attractions, and shopping districts. Explore the heart of New Orleans’ most beloved and historic neighborhoods – the French Quarter and the Garden District – with 45-minute escorted walking tours included in your ticket.
Higgins Hotel Lobby
Higgins Hotel: Conveniently located directly across the street from The National WWII Museum, the Higgins Hotel offers era-inspired guest rooms and specialty suites, premium amenities, a full-service restaurant, a lounge, and a rooftop bar. Located in the heart of the Arts & Warehouse District, it’s a home away from home replete with era-inspired guest rooms and suites, exceptional dining, and state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces. For more information, visit http://www.higginshotelnola.com.
FALL COLORS ON MARK TWAIN’S MISSISSIPPI
Sep. 24-Oct. 2, 2023 • St. Louis to Red Wing • from $2,399
Discover the beauty of the Mississippi River in autumn! Join us for this eight-night adventure on Mark Twain’s Mississippi.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@35buy.net, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
Grass, water and autumn trees surround the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Click here for Complete Trip Information!
While the leaves turn yellows and reds, travel with HSU from St. Louis to Minneapolis.
Begin with a complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay in St. Louis, famous for its soaring arch. Your cruise begins in Alton, a city whose charming monuments dot the historic streets.
Embark the American Queen and cruise to Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, famously known as the setting for many of his writings.
In Bettendorf, get a glimpse of Iowa— explore the history of this fascinating river town. Then head to Dubuque, where you can pay a visit to the Dubuque Museum of Art, Iowa’s oldest cultural institution.
In La Crosse, seek out a local brew pub to get a taste of the city’s long and storied history in the brewing industry. Before journey’s end, spend a day in Red Wing, a city whose pioneering story lives on in its many galleries and museums.
KENYA SAFARI: THE BIG 5
August 16 to 26, 2023 • From $4295 plus airfare
Spot for the “Big 5” during this 11-day journey featuring unparalleled access to Kenya’s national parks, reserves, and conservancies.
Along with the guidance of an Orbridge Expedition Leader and remarkable accommodations, this adventure provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the spectacular array of wildlife in this part of the world.
Click here for Complete Trip Information!
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore extraordinary national parks and reserves in Kenya—each featuring unrivaled wildlife and habitat diversity—with opportunities to observe the “Big 5” (endangered black rhino, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, and lion).
- Retreat to luxurious lodges and tented camps, each uniquely beautiful and authentic in décor.
- Enjoy daily game drives—accompanied by an Orbridge Expedition Leader and expert naturalist safari guides—aboard customized 4×4 vehicles.
- Visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, an organization dedicated to wildlife preservation and the economic growth and improvement of surrounding rural communities. Ol Pejeta is home to the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, which also houses the only two remaining northern white rhinos in the world.
- Observe land and avian wildlife during game drives through Lake Nakuru National Park, described as the greatest ornithological spectacle in the world.
- Discover the Maasai Mara National Reserve—where approximately 95 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, and over 400 bird species have been recorded.
- Join an optional hot-air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara (additional fee).
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 120+ days before departure. Reserve today online, by calling 866-639-0079, or by contacting Britt Yates Jones ’84 at 325-670-1377 / travel@35buy.net.
IRISH INSPIRATION CRUISE
June 21-29, 2023 • 8 nights from $3,799 with airfare.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@35buy.net, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
Click here for Complete Trip Information!
Join us as we explore the gorgeous green coasts of Ireland on an 8-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Riviera. Begin your journey in Belfast and set sail for Dublin (Dún Laoghaire), the birthplace to some of the world’s greatest literary figures. Stroll through Waterford, a 1,110-year-old Viking town and the oldest city in Ireland.
Explore storied castles outside of Cork and Bantry Bay, a region where fishing villages and Irish pubs uphold strong traditions. Venture to the countryside of Galway to take in the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Explore the town history of Killybegs and see the world’s largest knotted loom. Before making your way back to Belfast, visit Derry, known for the intact 17th century walls surrounding the city center.
Itinerary
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June 20:Depart for Belfast, Northern Ireland
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June 21:Belfast, Northern Ireland
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June 22:Dublin (Dún Laoghaire), Ireland
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June 23:Waterford, Ireland
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June 24:Cork (Cobh), Ireland
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June 25:Bantry, Ireland
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June 26:Galway, Ireland
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June 27:Killybegs, Ireland
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June 28:Derry, Northern Ireland
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June 29:Belfast, Northern Ireland
Anchor Port*Cruise itinerary is subject to change.
2nd in our National Parks Series!
SOUTHWEST NATIONAL PARKS
May 10-18, 2023 • from $4,695 plus airfare
Click here for Trip Information from our Trusted Tour Operator!
Click here for the Trip Brochure!
Join fellow travelers on a journey to the exceptional national parks and monuments of the Southwest. Travel to Grand Canyon National Park for awe-inspiring views from the park’s rim. Admire the beauty of light striking Antelope Canyon’s narrow sandstone walls. Share a peaceful evening with Navajo storytellers, and ponder cultures past and present at a petroglyph site during a river raft ride down Glen Canyon.
Continue to Utah where you’ll spend enjoyable time at Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks—viewing rock formations and otherworldly landscapes that must be seen to be believed.
With the guidance of an expert Orbridge Expedition Leader and the comforts of a private motor coach, there is no better way to visit our national parks.
PLUS: Kick off your adventure in the Southwest by joining the optional pre-tour, Denver to Moab aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Enjoy nature’s wondrous scenery in comfort and style during two days of rail travel in premium SilverLeaf class. After arriving in Moab, delight in guided touring at Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park for two additional areas to explore.
Highlights:
- Stay at lodges inside Grand Canyon National Park and other properties carefully selected for their rich histories, beautiful locations, and superb service and accommodations.
- Spend additional time in Grand Canyon National Park or choose to join an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion over the Grand Canyon (additional fee).
- Discover the sunbaked natural structures and sacred lands of Monument Valley.
- Witness the towering red rock cliffs lining the Colorado River during a rafting excursion in Glen Canyon.
- Behold the radiant colors and fluid-like patterns inside the walls of Antelope Canyon.
- Visit a traditional Navajo hogan, and set out on a 4-wheel drive tour through Monument Valley.
- Observe the monolithic hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Follow the paths of Ancestral Puebloans and pioneers at Zion National Park.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 90+ days before departure. Reserve today online, by calling 866-639-0079, or by contacting Britt Yates Jones ’84 at 325-670-1377 / travel@35buy.net.
GREEK & TURKISH SPLENDOR: Eastern Mediterranean Cruise | September 3-14, 2022 • 10 nights from $3,699 including airfare | • BONUS $250 Shipboard Credit
Sign up today for this popular and captivating 10-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Riviera with HSU’s Traveling Range Riders and host Britt (Yates) Jones ’84.
Click here for the Trip Brochure.
Click here for More Trip Information from our Tour Operator!
Tour the classic treasures of the eastern Mediterranean on this 10-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Riviera.
Voyage through terracotta-lined seashores and see St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Appreciate Byzantine icons, artifacts, and frescoes on display in Igoumenitsa, and in Argostoli see the sun-bleached ramparts of the St. George Castle ruins. Swim, snorkel, or stretch out in the sun in Chania.
Stop in Santorini, where the house-dotted cliffs are the perfect backdrop for a moment of reflection. In Athens and Ephesus, indulge your historic side as you make your way through ruins and relics. And take in the pleasures of Istanbul—meander the spice markets or make a stop at the Blue Mosque.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@35buy.net, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (952) 918-8950.
Valletta pre-program option available.
NATIONAL PARKS & LODGES of the OLD WEST | July 14-22, 2022 • 8 nights from $4,995 plus airfare.
Free Expedition Library for all who reserve by December 17. RESERVE WITH CONFIDENCE! Full refunds for cancellations made at least 91 days before departure.
An acclaimed program, operating for more than 30 years and still selling out!
Click here for the Trip Brochure.
Click here for more Trip Information from our Tour Operator
Join fellow alumni and friends on a journey that celebrates the American West’s magnificent National Parks, tracing legends and storied monuments along the way.
From Mount Rushmore to Old Faithful and from Spearfish Canyon to the Snake River, you will see the best of the Old West, and traverse its beautiful vistas in style and comfort. Wonderfully historic hotels and lodges are a highlight of this program, including landmark lodging within the parks themselves.
Indulge in the geological phenomena of hot springs in South Dakota, and journey through Badlands National Park, known as nature’s surreal masterpiece, where impressive herds of bison roam, and dazzling, dramatic pinnacles rise over the largest undisturbed mixed-grass prairie in the United States.
BOOK TODAY WITH CONFIDENCE – full refunds are guaranteed for cancellations made at least 91 days before departure. Sign up online or by calling our tour partner at 866-639-0079 (Orbridge). Or contact trip host Britt (Yates) Jones ’84 at 325-670-1377 | travel@35buy.net.
Program Highlights:
Experience the diverse wonders of our national parks accompanied by an Orbridge Expedition Leader.
Overnight in landmark lodges that are national treasures themselves.
Enjoy a Jeep safari tour at Custer State Park—a wildlife reserve with scenic lakes, dramatic granite spires, and lush grasslands where bison herds roam.
Visit the world’s largest mammoth site, where scientists are excavating remains of Columbian and woolly mammoths from 26,000 years ago.
Marvel at the grandeur of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial.
See the dramatic effects of Yellowstone’s volcanically active caldera and visit otherworldly geothermal sites, including Old Faithful Geyser.
Explore Grand Teton National Park—host to flora and fauna that date back to prehistoric times.
What’s included: 8 nights accommodations; 8 breakfasts and 7 dinners, including special welcome and farewell dinners.
Lago Como ♦ Lago Maggiore ♦ Lago Orta
September 18-26, 2021 | From approximately $3895* plus air
Join HSU’s Britt Jones ’84 in Italy this September. Click here for Trip Brochure with details!
Northern Italy’s fabled Lake District beckons with its sublime landscapes of shimmering glacial waters, soaring Alpine peaks and bijou towns. Immerse yourself in the distinct bella figura Italian style that has inspired poets, composers, artists and philosophers for centuries.
Stay for one week in the heart of the quintessentially Italian città di Como, at the lakeside, belle-époque Palace Hotel, just steps from the local market. Cruise by private boat on Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.
During expert-guided excursions, explore authentic villages and cultural treasures. Visit Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, Stresa, Isola Bella, San Giulio and Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Milan, visit the Duomo and Teatro alla Scala, and enjoy a specially arranged viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Enriching lectures and the exclusive Village Life® Forum with local Lombardy residents provide personal perspectives of daily life and cultural heritage. 
This intimate and comprehensive soggiorno, at just the right pace, includes exceptional accommodations, specially arranged meals and all excursions.
Verona and Venice Post-Program Option available.
Palace Hotel – The ideally located, classic belle‑époque Palace Hotel is a delightful establishment with an ideal setting on the lungolago (lakefront promenade) overlooking Lake Como, just steps away from Como’s beautiful marble Duomo and the medieval, pedestrian-only town center. Venetian stucco artistry, Italian marble and antique furniture provide subtle touches of 19th‑century elegance throughout the hotel.
*The Travel Program outlined here is subject to the features, final pricing and terms and conditions set forth in the published Travel Program brochure.
With Pastor Stan Allcorn of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene
March 3-12, 2020 • $3,746 per person. Includes round-trip air from DFW; $300 deposit per person required. Final Payment due 11/19/19. Space is limited.
If you have ever had the desire to see Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and many of the places you have read about all your life in God’s word, then please consider joining us for this incredible trip. It’s entirely possible that your life will never be the same!
Travel with HSU’s World Famous Cowboy Band to New Orleans for a lively memorable adventure!
February 21-24, 2020 • from $700 per person
Click here for Trip Flyer & Registration How-To
Perform with the Band or simply applaud with the audience for these popular HSU ambassadors as they take part in two Mardi Gras parades plus two other exciting performances during this high-energy four-day trip.
Included in the cost is admission to the WWII Museum and Mardi Gras World, a Jazz Cruise on the Natchez, a swamp boat tour of the bayou, six meals, and three nights in an interior-corridor hotel. You also receive basic traveler’s insurance to cover medical expenses and trip delays
Two packages are available! Ride the bus with the band from Abilene OR meet up with the band in New Orleans and shadow them using your own vehicle. Rates start at $700 per person for double occupancy and $1000 for a single room.
Registration closes after December 31, 2019.
- Create your account and register at: trips.TourOpsPro.com
- When prompted, enter the Trip Registration Code: HSAFF20NOLA **Registration Code is cAsE SenSiTiVE)
- There are two packages available, one riding the bus with the band from Abilene and a second that is just the ground package in New Orleans with transportation on own.
- You have the choice of making payments online through your checking account for no fee OR you can choose to use a credit card and that incurs a 4% convenience fee. Your choice.
- The system does not automatically bill travelers for the second installment. You will get payment reminder emails, but must log in to authorize the second payment.
September 30-October 7, 2019
$3,659 per person
Price includes 8 days • 10 meals • 4 lodges/hotels • Roundtrip airfare!
Join the Hardin-Simmons Traveling Range Riders as we journey through New England, soaking up the magnificent fall landscape and experiencing hallmarks of the area on this 8-day tour that brings you from the heart of Boston to the farms, coast, and mountains of the north.
Visit our trip-specific web page by clicking here.
“God blows on the leaves, they turn to gold, and we call it autumn.” ― Joyce Rachelle
Click image for full brochure.
10-Night Luxury Cruise to Alaska from Seattle
Aboard Oceania’s Regatta
July 16-26, 2019 • from $3,340 per person, double occupancy. Includes airfare!
Special pricing offers extended.
Call For Availability! 325-670-1377 or 800-460-3908.
Join HSU President Eric and Elise Bruntmyer as you sail the stunning islands of the Inside Passage; sample fresh-caught salmon in Ketchikan; explore contemporary Alaska in the capital city of Juneau; strike gold in Skagway; stand in awe of the Hubbard Glacier; immerse yourself in native cultures in Sitka; and celebrate British heritage in Victoria.
CALL FOR AVAILABILITY! 325-670-1377
Branson with the Band
A Travel with Students opportunity
April 11-14, 2019 $600-$1200, depending on package options
Join the World Famous HSU Cowboy Band in Branson, MO, where, over four days, they will perform eight times. Many of these venues are not on the usual tourist route. You will have the option of attending all, most, or several of the band’s concerts.
Two variants of Branson with the Band are being offered to Alumni & Friends:
~ Ground-Only: Make your own way to Branson and “shadow” the band using your own vehicle.
~ Travel-with-the-Band: This immersive experience includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation from Abilene.
Both packages include three nights’ lodging, entrance to Cowboy Band performance venues including Silver Dollar City Theme Park, Titanic Museum, Branson Belle; admission to The Haygoods show; breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 2 dinners. HSU and Green Light Group Tours provide liability and emergency medical insurance. When booking use registration code, HSU19ALUMNI
Helps:
How to Register: http://youtu.be/hnzJ-r9NyXY
How to Make a Payment: http://youtu.be/-ql4jAYoFI4
help@greenlightgrouptours.com
Florence • Verona • Lake Garda • Venice
May 30 – June 9, 2019 • price from $2,500, land only
Registration Deadline: November 1, 2018
Experience Italy alongside HSU students during a choral festival in Florence, Italy, and surrounding areas. HSU’s Dr. Clell Wright is directing the festival choir in a performance of the Schubert Mass in G. The trip is open to any and all who want to go. You are welcome to sing in the chorus or simply tag along. Either way, you’ll have a wonderful experience touring Florence, Verona, Lake Garda, and Venice.
If you chose to sing the Schubert, no prior rehearsals are required – familiarize yourself with the piece on your own, then participate in rehearsals after arriving in Italy. Purchase your copy of the score here: Schubert Mass in G. The HSU choir will also present a concert in Verona with a repertoire different from the Schubert. You may join the choir for this performance, provided you attend three days of rehearsals in Abilene immediately prior to departure.
Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the historic D-Day Invasions aboard the exclusively chartered, Five-Star, small ship Le Boréal
Lisbon • Oporto • Santiago de Compostela • Bilbao • Mont-St-Michel • Normandy Beaches • London’s Tower Bridge
May 5- 14, 2019 • from $6,195 per person, double occupancy, land/cruise only
Discount Deadline Extended! Reserve soon to save $2,000 per couple (refundable deposit).
Explore the historical legacies and dynamic cultures of coastal Portugal, Spain, France and England, and commemorate the 75th anniversary of the historic D-Day landings. Visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites and conclude with a memorable cruise up the storied River Thames to London’s illustrious Tower Bridge. Special guest speaker Dwight D. Eisenhower II accompanies you to the hallowed beaches of Normandy. Find detailed itinerary notes by clicking here.
Click image for full brochure.
Aboard Oceana Sirena
Miami to Miami, Featuring: Havana • Cienfuegos • Santiago de Cuba • Punta Cana • Nassau
January 2–13, 2019 • from $2,949 per person with free airfare*
Just the name of Cuba conjures images of sugar-white beaches, salsa music, and 1950s-era cars. Sail the warm waters of the Caribbean with HSU during this fantastic trip aboard Oceania’s Sirena. Although Cuba is not fully open to Americans, by traveling with Hardin-Simmons, you will gain privileged access. Developing deeper friendships and encouraging one another while enjoying exceptional opportunities to learn and grow are central to HSU’s Traveling Range Riders trips. Don’t miss this chance to explore the with us!
Click image for full brochure.
October 21–29, 2018 • from $1,699 per person
Aboard the Luxurious American Queen®
From moss-draped oak trees and fragrant idyllic gardens to stately pillared mansions and storybook downtown districts, the American South conjures up an array of enchanting images.
Celebrate the region’s intriguing history and architectural elegance on a relaxing Lower Mississippi River cruise aboard the magnificent American Queen, the largest, most opulent steamboat in the world. Sit in on daily lectures by the Riverlorian, your onboard history and culture expert, and enjoy listening to professional vocalist and Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient Deanna Julian ’00, a member of the on-board troupe.