All upcoming Travel programs

The Yellowstone Caldera, formed 630,000 years ago, anchors America’s first national park, yet Yellowstone’s volcanic story stretches back 17 million years and continues today, notes volcanologist Kirt Kempter. He guides participants through the park’s geology, from unique rocks to hydrothermal features, using Google Earth views, diagrams, maps, and field photos to reveal how ongoing volcanic and geothermal forces shape Yellowstone’s dramatic landscape.

Art historian and author Laura Morelli leads an immersive virtual tour of Siena, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful and historic cities. Exploring the Gothic cathedral, the Palazzo Pubblico, and the distinctive Piazza del Campo, she reveals the artistic treasures that define Siena’s medieval legacy. Along the way, Morelli examines masterpieces by Duccio, Simone Martini, and the Lorenzetti brothers, highlighting the art, architecture, and history that make Siena a jewel of Tuscany. (World Art History Certificate elective, ½ credit)

Journey virtually through California’s Sierra Nevada with naturalist Keith Tomlinson, traveling from the dramatic Eastern Sierra to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Explore the geology surrounding Mount Whitney and visit a remote alpine desert home to ancient trees. Continue to Mono Lake, then cross Tioga Pass into Yosemite’s high country before descending into Yosemite Valley. Conclude among Sequoia’s giant trees and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Warsaw stands at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe, a dynamic center of business, politics, and culture. Its landscape blends the remnants of the historic city that narrowly survived World War II, the monumental architecture of the communist era, and a striking modern skyline. Guide Christopher Skutela takes you on a virtual journey through the places and stories that bring the city to life, including the Royal Castle, the site of the former largest Jewish ghetto in Europe, the prisons of the communist regime, and the Praga district.

In the late 18th century, Philadelphia was a thriving center of commerce and culture, and many of its wealthiest citizens built elegant country retreats along the banks of the Schuylkill River to escape the bustle of city life. Six mansions known as the “Charms” are among the few remaining from the dozens of villas that once lined what is now Fairmount Park. Join historian Tom Keels to explore the architectural, social, and cultural history of this remarkable landscape. Experience the enchanting appeal of three “Charms,” transformed with period-inspired holiday decorations, on this tour.

South Florida’s warm tropical climate creates the perfect environment for an extraordinary diversity of plants from around the world. Blending travelogue, horticulture, and history, master gardener and speaker Kris Bonner leads a visually stunning journey through some of the region’s most beautiful gardens and natural landscapes. Highlights include Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the Kampong, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Naples Botanical Garden, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and Everglades National Park.

Explore the evolution of modern and contemporary art on a weekend in New York City led by modern art historian Nancy Hirshbein. From groundbreaking American artists to the international masters who transformed the visual language of the 20th century, discover how modern art challenged tradition as you visit the Whitney Museum of American Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and MoMA. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)