Designed for those with a passion for lifelong learning and exploration, UCSD Alumni Travel provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of destinations around the globe in an environment that is conducive to learning, recreation and fun. Through a series of sightseeing excursions, travelers learn about the local community and enjoy the camaraderie and spirit of traveling with UC San Diego alumni.

Check out our exciting and affordable group tours below.

Building Bridges

Guatemala Trip:  March 21 - March 28, 2010 EVENT LINK
Alumni, staff and students are invited to experience international "voluntourism" . As the name implies, these short three day trips to Baja California, Mexico and beyond, combine vacation travel with realistic, hands-on volunteering as participants will work on public service projects in a foreign country. Daily tasks may include working with programs that host deportees, supporting a community garden, retro-fitting a building for handicapped children and visiting with micro credit participants. Evening activities allow travelers to experience the unique culture of the region. Browse the facebook group, visit Extension's website or contact Emily Loui at (858) 964-1011 or by email at eloui@ucsd.edu for more information.

Panama Canal Crystal Symphony Cruise

January 23 - February 3, 2010

Relax aboard the Six-Star Crystal Symphony as you chart a course to fascinating ports of call. Admire the verdant rain forests and impressive architecture in St. Lucia, Windward Islands, before arriving in cultural Aruba, Kingdom of the Netherlands. Marvel at one of the world's most impressive feats of engineering as the ship travels through the six locks of the Panama Canal. Finally, cruise the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean to Caldera, Costa Rica. Be captivated by the beauty, elegance and attention to every detail that has earned the Crystal Symphony a worldwide reputation for excellence!  PDF
Website

Italy's Lake District

May 25 - August 1, 2010

Discover the beauty and magic of Italy's Lake District. A region where Italy kisses Switzerland, each turquoise lake has its own unique character, reflected in the charming towns, majestic Renaissance villas and lush gardens that adorn their shores. Witness the baroque splendor of the Borromean Islands, and see the 18th- and 19thcentury villas of Bellagio, built by the town's noble families. Visit the cosmopolitan city of Milan, the cultural and economic hub of Italy. Embrace it all in Italy's Magnificent Lake District.  PDF
Website

Cruise the Passage of Peter the Great

July 5 – 17, 2010

In the early 1700s, Peter the Great pursued his vision of transforming Russia into the greatest nation in Europe at the time. Follow in his footsteps as you cruise aboard the MS Repin. Trace scenic waterways lined with medieval villages and the charming wooden dachas, or country houses, of national heroes. In Moscow, admire the Kremlin and stroll the bustling Red Square. Delight in St. Petersburg's beauty, from the State Hermitage Museum, once the Winter Palace of the czars, to fortresses and avenues. Don't miss this chance to experience the "new" Russia firsthand.  PDF
Website

Canadian Maritimes

September 4 - 13, 2010

Experience the maritime magic of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, where a magnificent, rolling landscape of green meets the brilliant blue of sky and sea. Delight in wild and rugged coastal scenery, spectacular bays, lush river valleys, scenic drives, blazing sunsets, and beautiful lighthouses, the sentinels of the sea.

Stroll along the history-lined streets of charming fishing villages, bustling ports, and cosmopolitan cities. Immerse yourself in the unique cultures that thrive in the Canadian Maritimes: the First Nation people, French Acadians, Highland Scotsmen and Irishmen.   PDF   Website

Tuscany Travel

September 30 - October 7, 2010

In her book Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes captures the charm and romance of Italian living. Experience this idyllic world firsthand, on a special travel program combining expertly guided sightseeing tours with total immersion in community life. A morning walk through the cobbled streets of Etruscan Cortona is vibrant with scents and sounds of an awakening town-the aroma of cappuccino and warm baked goods wafting from little shops and the bustle of the main square. Like Mayes' enchanting story, Tuscany weaves its way into your heart and mind. Discover the art, architecture, cuisine and culture of one of Italy's most beloved regions.  PDF
Website

Bruin Woods Family Resort

UCLA Conference Center, Lake Arrowhead, California

Escape the everyday and make your holiday destination the Bruin Woods Family Resort.  Spend Thanksgiving, the Winter Holiday, New Year's Eve, or Spring Break enjoying mountaintop hospitality.  Bring your family and experience a real change of scenery at lakefront property, and enjoy the scenic alpine forest, clear air, and the beauty of fall, winter and spring seasons. Comfortable lodging in condolets, gourmet meals, helpful housekeeping and lodge service are here for your every need. Bruin Woods features activities for all, and time where parents can relax while the kids are entertained by our UCLA student counselors.

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UC Family and Friends Getaway

UCSB Family Vacation Center

Enjoy the vacation of a lifetime on the beach at the UC Santa Barbara Family Vacation Center. This family retreat package includes meals and lodging and offers a variety of programs and activities that aim to entertain each and every member of your family. Let college-age students entertain your toddlers while your older kids enjoy exciting, age-appropriate activites and you relax. For more information, call (805)893-3123 or review camp details and book your trip, with a $50 member-only disount, online.

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Lair of the Golden Bear Summer Camp

Nestled deep in the Stanislaus National Forest at Pinecrest, California, you'll find the Lair of the Golden Bear, an unforgettable family Summer vacation spot—owned and operated by the California Alumni Association since 1949. UCSD Alumni Association members are invited to enjoy this beautiful mountain retreat that allows campers to unwind in the spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains without worrying about cooking, cleaning, or what to do with the kids. To book your tent cabin or request a brochure, contact the Lair Reservations: toll-free (888)225-2586(CAL-ALUM); direct (510)642-0221; e-mail lair@alumni.berkeley.edu.

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Alternative Breaks

Alternative Breaks @ UCSD are national or international service and learning trips that cultivate lifelong socially active and globally conscious leaders through direct service, education, diversity, reflection, investigation of social justice issues, and reorientation.

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ALUMNI ADVISOR FORM (PDF)