UA Alumni Association Offers 2001 Tour Program

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama National Alumni Association’s 2001 Tour Program will span the globe with a record 21 tour packages offered to sites including Switzerland, Paris, the ancient city of Rome, Mandarin China, Passage on the Elbe, Provence, Austria, Whales of the Sea of Cortez and the Baja Peninsula, and across the plains of Africa.

A “Travel Preview Dinner” highlighting these destinations will be held Friday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. in Sellers Auditorium of the Bryant Conference Center. A reception will be held prior to dinner in Alumni Hall at 5 p.m. The cost is $8 per person and includes the reception, dinner, slide presentation of tour destinations and door prizes.

Trips include:

Jan. 22-29, 2001 — “Swiss Winter Escapade.” Spend a fabulous week in the winter wonderland of Switzerland. Stay at Interlaken, the gateway to the Bernese Oberland, the magnificent heart of Alpine Switzerland. This trip offers snow-covered Alps, a stunning winter landscape, excellent skiing, great shopping and cultural opportunities in some of Switzerland’s most famous towns and cities.

Jan. 25- Feb. 7, 2001–”Australia/ New Zealand.” Experience the scenic pleasures and diverse cultures of New Zealand in Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown, and the majestic Australian cities of Sydney and Cairns. Take a boat excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, complimented by an optional, spectacular rail journey aboard the Great South Pacific Express Train from Brisbane to Cairns.

Feb. 7-14, 2001 — “Legends of the Nile.” See the reflections of Egypt’s fabled and colorful culture along the rural reed-lined riverbanks reflected in the gentle currents as you cruise the epic waters of the Nile River. Travel to the cities of Cairo, Aswan and Luxor.

Feb. 23- March 2, 2001–”London Escapade.” Discover London with its double- decker buses, debonair Beefeaters, smart Bobbies, quaint red call boxes, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens. Witness the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Be a part of London’s bustling activity!

March 3-10, 2001 — “The Whales of the Sea of Cortez and the Baja Peninsula.” An eight-day inclusive program in beautiful Mexico aboard the exclusively-chartered M.V. Wilderness Adventurer, offering an incomparable small-ship experience while cruising the tranquil blue waters of the Sea of Cortez and featuring an optional five-day excursion to spectacular Copper Canyon aboard the South Orient Express train.

March 15-22, 2001–”SEC Paris Escapade.” Enjoy a magical week in the “City of Light.” Paris, renowned for its romantic ambience, awaits to put its elaborate architecture, exquisite art and enthralling history on parade.

March 20- April 1, 2001 —”Across the Plains of Africa.” Enjoy a thrilling adventure exploring the wilderness and wildlife of Kenya, Africa. Kenya, a popular country to visit, is a land of great contrast. From lush jungles to dusty plains, to snow-capped mountains, Kenya is a land of power and beauty.

April 5-16, 2001 —”Waterways of Holland and Belgium.” Spend 12 days and 10 nights in Amsterdam, Dutch Waterways, Brussels and a canal ride in Bruges.

April 15- May 3, 2001–”Mandarin China.” A 17-day journey into the heart of China, featuring a five-day Yangtze River cruise though the incomparable Three Gorges aboard the M.S. Victoria. Visit the cities of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.

April 15-23, 2001–”Alumni College in Ireland.” Stay at Kinsdale, ideally located on the Brandon River. The city is a picturesque harbor town made up of crooked streets, bow-fronted shops and slate-hung houses. The quaint town is the perfect setting for this unique travel and study opportunity.

April 18- May 2, 2001–”Passage on the Elbe (Germany, Czech Republic & Poland). Visit the exciting capitals and historic treasures of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Like the Rhine, the Elbe’s banks have nourished countless cultures, city-states and traditions over centuries.

April 19-27, 2001–“Alumni College Abroad on the Legendary Rhine.” The Rhine flows 820 scenic miles through four countries from Switzerland to the North Sea. Enjoy an in-depth learning experience of legend, myth and medieval wonders.

May 1-12, 2001- “Historic Normandy and the Seine River.” A 12-day value- priced program featuring the beaches of Normandy and its D-Day beaches, the scenic Seine River, Paris and Deauville.

May 27- June 4, 2001–”Canadian Rockies Train Tour.” Visit the wonders of British Columbia, Vancouver, Rocky Mountaineer Train, Kamloops, Jasper, Columbia Icefields, Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary.

May 28- June 5, 2001–”Alumni College in Provence.” Visit Provence, the rugged countryside, lush vineyards, olive groves and passionate artistry of France.

June 25-July 3, 2001–”Alumni College in Sorrento.” Come to Italy’s southern province of Campania with its wealth of scenic delights and pathways to antiquity.

August 2001–”America’s National Parks.” Visit and discover America’s National Parks during this 15-day trip.

Sept. 10-18, 2001–”Grand Hotels of the East (NY, Canada, NH, Maine).” Stay in the grandest hotels the East Coast has to offer in New York, New Hampshire, Canada and Maine.

Sept. 27-Oct.5, 2001–”Alumni College in Austria.” Visit Salzburg, the stage of the world. The city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its beauty, traditions and history are enshrined in the gray stone of its ancient buildings.

Oct. 12-20, 2001–”Village Life on the Danube.” Discover village life as you travel on the Danube.