All upcoming Travel programs

Meet in Arizona and embark on a springtime exploration of some of the Grand Canyon State’s best-known sites (as well as hidden gems) that highlight its rich ecology, geology, stunning landscapes, and architectural masterworks. Wayne Ranney, a geologic educator, author, lecturer, and trail and river guide, leads the outdoor adventure.

Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Beverly Gage made 13 trips throughout the country to visit museums, historic sites, roadside attractions, reenactments, and souvenir shops where Americans learn and argue about our history. Gage shares her experiences at locations such as Mound Bayou, Mississippi; Medora, North Dakota; and Dearborn, Michigan. She also examines key moments that define America’s greatest successes and challenges.

Newport, Rhode Island, is one of America’s earliest colonial seaports and a cradle of both freedom and fortune. Founded in 1639, Newport flourished as a center of trade, religious tolerance, and revolutionary thought before transforming into the summer playground of America’s elite during the Gilded Age. Participants in a 5-day tour led by historian Fred Zilian discover Newport’s layered history, from its cobblestone colonial streets and harbor-front wharves to its grand seaside mansions.

Alcatraz, America’s most notorious island, holds a complex and often misunderstood past. Historian John Martini traces its journey from European discovery in 1769 to its present as San Francisco’s leading tourist attraction. Martini highlights its history, hidden tunnels, resurgent natural life, and the challenges of preserving an aging infrastructure, drawing on decades as a National Park Service ranger and author of two books on Alcatraz.

Art historian Sophia D’Addio surveys Umbria, known for hill towns, majestic landscapes, and the legacy of Saint Francis. Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, and Orvieto hold medieval and Renaissance treasures. Umbria’s culinary specialties focus on prized local ingredients such as black truffles, wild boar, lentils, and olive oil. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Celebrate the height of spring blooms with two full days devoted to the artistry of garden design. The highlight of this program: visits to three private gardens, offering meticulously curated collections, outdoor living spaces, and rare opportunities to engage with visionary gardeners. Led by horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey, the tour also explores stunning public gardens including Chanticleer, a vibrant garden masterpiece of bold color and inventive design; Stoneleigh, a reimagined Gilded Age estate showcasing native plants, historic trees, and stonework; and the Jenkins Arboretum’s 48-acre woodland sanctuary of seasonal blooms.

Explore the intersection of architecture and design on a three-day journey through New York and Connecticut led by architecture and urban studies specialist Bill Keene. The itinerary features the High Line, Hudson Yards, an AIA-led harbor tour, Yale’s celebrated campus, and an in-depth visit to Philip Johnson’s iconic Glass House, a modernist masterpiece that anchors his visionary architectural compound. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Frederick County, Maryland, established in 1748, played a pivotal role in early American history. Nestled at the crossroads of major colonial roads, it became a hub for trade, agriculture, and settlement. The county saw action during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, providing troops, supplies, and refuge. Today, Frederick County and its biggest city, Frederick, are known for well-preserved architecture, historic charm, and a vibrant cultural and artistic community. Join local guides as you spend the day exploring some of the county’s highlights.

The borough of Staten Island is a place that’s often overlooked by visitors—and fellow New Yorkers. On a two-day excursion led by arts journalist Richard Selden, discover an array of cultural and historic treasures that prove this island deserves to shed its underdog reputation. Stops include Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden; the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art; and Clear Comfort, the waterfront home of pioneering photographer Alice Austen. And, of course, there’s a trip aboard the Staten Island Ferry.

Art historian Sophia D’Addio surveys Le Marche, along the Adriatic east of Umbria, which features beaches, Apennine peaks, and rolling hills with towns. Urbino, Raphael’s hometown, shines as an artistic hub, while Loreto has drawn pilgrims since the 14th century. Beyond these marvels, D’Addio highlights more off-the-beaten-path destinations. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)