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Upcoming Trips
Check below for up-to-date descriptions and details. At any point, feel free to email Jim Booth with inquiries!
2013 Trips
Gateway to the Black Sea
May 25 – June 6, 2013
Our first international trip of 2013 will be a spectacular river cruise from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania. We will be among the first to travel aboard Vantage’s brand new ship, the River Splendor, which features all of the most modern comforts for European river travel. From ship wide wireless internet and free computer availability to flat screen TV with access to some US channels, the Splendor will provide us state- of-the-art river cruising convenience to go with the most spacious rooms available…and don’t forget you only unpack once!
The itinerary takes us to five Eastern European countries and includes eight sightseeing tours, lunch with Bulgarian university students, a home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family, and four cultural lectures. Also included are visits to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the fantastic sail through the Iron Gates gorges of the Danube and, of course, the opportunity to wade in the Black Sea.
Your bucket list trip can be expanded with a pre-trip extension to Vienna, Austria for four days and/or a three night post extension to the fabled city of Istanbul, Turkey. With the extensions, you could actually visit seven countries in 20 days! Contact the Alumni Office for more information, or to reserve your space now.
- Cost begins at $2,899 per person double occupancy (does NOT include air). Add $154 for port charges. All inclusive air (including airport transfers) from West Coast cities is $1,599.
- Deposit: $500 per person (can pay by check or credit card directly to Vantage Deluxe World Travel)
- Final payment due: February 25, 2013
- Activity level: Light
- Group size: 24
- Trip host: Jim Booth ‘64
Deschutes River Rafting
July 5-7, 2013
This incredible journey down the Deschutes River will cover approx. 50 river miles over three days. Rafters will experience exciting rapids, beautiful scenery and great company along the way -- all while being taken care of by seasoned guides.
Aside from plenty of on-water time, you'll also have chances to relax, go on a hike, try your luck at fishing, read a book by the river, or catch up with old friends. Our guides will take care of all the cooking, too, which means that you'll wake up to the smell of coffee in the morning and be treated to some fairly high-caliber meals throughout each day.
The group will meet at 9 a.m. the first morning in Maupin, Ore., which is just two hours from Portland.
About the river
The Deschutes River originates high in the Cascade mountains from Little Lava Lake, stretching 250 miles through central/easter Oregon before flowing into the Columbia. The 'Lower Deschutes' refers to the hundred-mile section from the mouth of the Deschutes to Pelton Dam (near Lake Billy Chinook). This is our section of the river, and it offers beautiful scenes through a desert canyon filled with sage brush, osprey, and incredible basalt rock formations. Naturally, it boasts plenty of rapids fit for beginners and experienced river rafters alike.
River Drifters will be leading this trip, and bookings can be made online. Willamette has negotiated a special price of $310 per person. Children 12 and older are welcome.
French Waterways
Oct. 8 - 20, 2013 
Our fall, 2013 trip will be a wonderful opportunity to experience the Burgundy and Provence areas of France by ship! The trip will be book-ended with hotel stays in Monaco and Paris, with the 9 nights in between spent aboard the brand new River Discovery II featuring luxurious cabins and gourmet meals. 3-night pre and post trips to Barcelona and Paris are available for those who want to get more out of their trip.
Vantage Deluxe World Travel will once again be our tour operator. They have earned this opportunity by doing an outstanding job on our previous trips to Egypt, South Africa and SE Asia. Their combination of itinerary, price and local program managers is as good as it gets for group travel. In addition, if you have traveled with Vantage in the last two years, you are eligible for a 3-5% discount on this trip.
Our tour will include 11 sightseeing tours, including visits to three UNESCO World Heritage sights. In addition, there will be numerous cultural connections that will assure you a genuine opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the French way of life. If you have been wanting to go to this part of France and/ or return to Monaco and Paris, this will is an especially well-planned opportunity.
Contact Kim Burris in the Alumni Office at kburris@willamette.edu or 503-375-5304 for more information or to reserve your space now. You may also contact Vantage directly at 800-994-6321 for Cheryl (ext. 7147) or Patrick (ext. 7011) who are there just for group customer service.
- Cost: Begins at $3989 land only, which includes a $100 Early Booking Discount if you deposit by March 31, 2013. Air from Vantage ranges from $999 (JFK) to $1549 (PDX) and includes transfers, government fees and taxes and surcharges. Business class is available. Discounts are available for pre-payment.
- Deposit: $500 per person (can pay by check made out to Vantage Travel or by credit card)
- Final payment due: July 8, 2013
- Activity level: Light
- Group size: 30
- Trip host: Jim Booth ‘64