Travel Programs
Whether you are planning the trip of a lifetime, a return to a favorite vacation spot, or simply looking for your next adventure, the Lamar University Cardinal Adventures Travel Program is a great place to start your journey.
The Lamar University Office of Alumni Affairs works alongside several travel partners to provide the best travel experience possible for our alumni and friends. Your safety is most important to us.
Ottawa & French Canada (9 days land tour)
July 12-July 21, 2026
- Delight in exploring a trio of remarkable Canadian cities, spending 3 nights each in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
- History, art, and culinary gems await you through expertly guided walking tours of old town neighborhoods and majestic historical sites.
- View the remarkable Montmorency Falls from a cable car, and taste fine local wines on a unique winery tour.
- Float along the 19th-century waterway on a Rideau Canal Cruise, a lovely centerpiece of the city of Ottawa, one of two UNESCO World Heritage sites on this trip.
- This adventure is offered by LU’s travel partner, AHI.
Pacific Northwest Discovery (6 day land tour)
July 13-18, 2026
- This memorable, close-to-home itinerary includes 2 nights hotel accommodations in Seattle and 3 nights in Friday Harbor during your exploration of these serene and stunning islands.
- Stroll through the picturesque town of La Conner, with its historic waterfront, vibrant arts scene and charming shops, all set against the backdrop of the Swinomish Channel.
- Sail through the islands with numerous opportunities to spot orcas, seals and breathtaking coastal landscapes.
- Optional post-tour of Olympic National Park also available.
- This adventure is offered through LU's travel partner, Orbridge.
African Expedition by Private Train (16 day land/train adventure)
August 2-16, 2026
- Journey through stunning landscapes with 9 nights aboard a private train - your haven on the rails featuring well-appointed sleeping compartments with private baths, fine dining, and inviting social spaces.
- Experience the thundering beauty of Victoria Falls where a spectrum of dancing colors create mesmerizing photo opportunities.
- Immerse yourself in this historic region through visits to notable landmarks including the Nelson Mandela Statue and ruins of Great Zimbabwe.
- Along with four nights on safari in prime properties for wildlife viewing, take in riveting game drives through reserves and national parks alongside knowledgeable guides and opportunities to see the Big Five.
- Optional Cape Town pre-tour also available.
- This adventure is offered through LU's travel partner, Orbridge.
Bordeaux and Basque Country: Wine & Culture (10 day land journey)
September 10-20, 2026
- Enjoy 4 nights in Bordeaux, France, and 5 nights in northern Spain on this memorable itinerary including the autonomous community known as Basque Country.
- Take in three UNESCO World Heritage sites, cultural gems such as stately Bordeaux and charming Saint-Emilion.
- Delight in exclusive winery tours in France’s Bordeaux region and Spain’s Rioja Alavesa region.
- Explore the fashionable French seaside resort of Biarritz as well as admiring the art collection of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
- Optional excursion available to experience Pamplona’s colorful streets where throngs gather for the Running of the Bulls each July.
- This adventure is offered by LU’s travel partner, AHI.
Umbria-The Green Heart of Italy (8 day land tour)
September 22-30, 2026
- Unpack once and immerse yourself in the old world charm of scenic Umbria.
- Spend time exploring the Etruscan city of Cortona in Tuscany with its historic palazzos and archeological treasures.
- Marvel at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with the sweeping views of the Umbrian valley’s natural serene beauty.
- Romantic old villas and medieval pageantry await you amid the 14th-century piazzas and cobblestone streets of this cultural treasure.
- Ideal for solo travelers with no single supplement on this itinerary!
- This adventure is offered by LU’s travel partner, AHI.
Wales: Land & Legend (9 day land tour)
May 12-20, 2027
- Embrace Wales’ Celtic heritage, melodic language and warm hospitality, and experience two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Discover storybook mountain village Betws-y-Coed and the elegant Victorian seaside resort town Llandudno.
- Be awed by the rugged natural grandeur of Snowdonia National Park featuring lush valleys, rushing rivers, and grand mountain ranges.
- Explore the Town of Books and sacred monastic ruins in Brecon Beacons, a small literary haven boasting 20 independent bookshops.
- Marvel at dramatic Conwy Castle in all its medieval glory as well as the formidable Caernarfon Castle, built by King Edward I in the late 13th century.
Southwest National Parks (9 day land tour)
May 12-20, 2027
- Journey with us into the awe-inspiring realm of the American Southwest, unveiling the mesmerizing geological marvels tucked within our treasured national parks.
- Traverse the timeless landscapes of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion, where the intricate dance of uplift and erosion has etched a permanent tapestry into the heart of this land.
- While in the Grand Canyon, opt for a guided touring or join an optional once-in-a-lifetime flight seeing excursion to tour the park by helicopter.
- Admire the radiant colors displayed on the walls of Antelope Canyon, raft down the Colorado River, and stand in awe before the magnificent hoodoos.
- This adventure is offered through our travel partner, Orbridge.
Grand Seine River & Normandy Passage (9 day river cruise)
October 9-17, 2027
- Unpack once and cruise for 7 nights aboard the first-class MS Renoir (roundtrip to Paris with a 2-night extension tour available).
- Honor the sacrifice and valor of the Allied Forces at the D-Day beaches.
- Explore the Palace of Versailles, a decadent symbol of royal power and seat of the royal court from 1682 to 1789, with free time to explore the extensive gardens at your own pace.
- Step into the life of painter Claude Monet at his home in Giverny and see the tranquil Japanese garden and pond filled with floating lilies which inspired many of his paintings.
- Encounter the incredible ruins of the Abbey of Jumieges, one of medieval France’s most powerful abbeys from the 11th century.
- There is no single supplement for solo travelers on this tour being offered through our travel partner, AHI Travel.
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun (13 day journey)
October 21-November 2, 2027
- Uncover the history, culture and modern evolution of Japan. The dazzling cityscapes, tranquil gardens, and mountain sanctuaries are waiting to be explored.
- Set off from Osaka to Imperial Kyoto and on to Hakone at the foot of Mount Fuji, concluding in the capital city of Tokyo.
- Experience a day trip to Hiroshima including Peace Memorial Park & Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
- Savor guided tours of four UNESCO listed sites including the former Imperial Nijo-jo Castle, and Todai-ji Temple with its 50 foot tall bronze Great Buddha statue.
- Stroll the breathtaking Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, with its soaring bamboo stalks inviting memorable photographs.
- Peruse the comprehensive collection of artwork and cultural object at the Tokyo National Museum.
- This experience is offered through our travel partner, Orbridge, with an optional post tour of the Japanese Alps also available.
Check Back Often
If you would like to be notified when trip dates become available, please let us know by contacting our Travel Coordinator. Let's explore the world together!
Contact Laurie Ritchel, Travel Programs Coordinator, for more information or to answer any questions you may have about our program. laurie.ritchel@lamar.edu 409-880-8922 voicemail, 409-790-4307 cell.
What People are Saying
The combination of touring a beautiful and historic part of Europe; first class / well planned / well executed tour programs; and a group of awesome, friendly, fun-loving LU Alumni made this a fantastic trip for us. We definitely hope to go on some more of these Alumni trips in the future. The trip was A+ all the way.
Susan (Terry) '64 and Bob '64 McLendon
Richardson, Texas
Lamar's first Alumni trip abroad could not have been better! AHI was terrific to work with and we all loved our Campus Director, Enrique Trave', who met us at the Paris airport and was with us the entire trip. Our tour guides were terrific, especially William Jordan at the Normandy beaches, who has written books on D-Day! It was an educational and fun-filled trip....and a great group of travelers. We look forward to many more trips abroad with alumni and friends!
Camille Mouton
Former Vice President for University Advancement
AHI was an excellent choice for Lamar's first alumni educational tour, and we are interested in being included in the future. I think, everything considered, we couldn't have had a better experience.
Sue and John '56 Morrison
Lees Summit, MO
The trip was perfectly splendid from start to finish—accommodations, food, scheduling—all went flawlessly, and we enjoyed every minute of it. I also want particularly to commend our Campus Director, Enrique Trave'—I lack the words to describe just how capable he was in every way.
Ellen (Walker) Rienstra '62
Beaumont, TX
We are thankful to Lamar University for initiating these educational Alumni Travel Programs. The use of AHI Travel was an excellent choice and of course, we can't say enough about our AHI Campus Director. The planned itinerary certainly took us to many significant places and was a nice balance between historical, cultural and fun!!
Marilyn and Charlie '56 Radaz
Lompoc, CA
We really had a fantastic trip and enjoyed the group so much - I would not have imagined that traveling with a group would have turned out so well! A large part of the success of the trip was due to Lamar University and our Campus Director Enrique!
Charlette (Prothro) '88 and Randy Sandell
Spring, Texas
What a wonderful trip. We loved it!
Michael Ann (Agee) ' 64 and Grady '64 Crawford
Baton Rouge, LA
Life Long Learning
The Mission of Lamar University encourages life-long learning in a multicultural world. One of the ways in which Lamar University seeks to fulfill that mission is through the establishment of an educationally-based travel program for alumni and friends of the university. For full information about future trips offered through the Lamar University Travel Program, please visit this site regularly.