March 20-May 4, 2010
Desert Crossroads and the Himalayas by Private Jet
March 20-April 3, 2010
$34,940 per person (based on double occupancy)
plus airfare to connect with private jet

Sacred Places of Asia by Private Jet
April 4-19, 2010
$29,950 per person (based on double occupancy)
plus airfare to connect with private jet

The Ancient Silk Road by Private Jet
April 19-May 4, 2010
$29,950 per person (based on double occupancy)
plus airfare to connect with private jet

Arrangements: Starquest Expeditions

These trips offer three unique opportunities to visit remote places of the world and experience their legendary cultures. We invite you to join one, two or all three of these exciting journeys. You will travel aboard a specially outfitted Boeing 757 that accommodates only 72 travelers and will be accompanied by a team of renowned experts who will share their insights into the wondrous arts, architecture and vanishing traditions of these regions.

The first itinerary — "Desert Crossroads and the Himalayas" — is a journey to the majestic oases, outposts and ancient trade centers of Mali, Egypt, Jordan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. Physicians on this trip may participate in special activities to earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits focusing on global health topics. This is followed by a sublime journey titled "Sacred Places of Asia," where travelers will discover the treasured cultures and legendary architecture of the ancient kingdoms of Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Japan and South Korea. "The Ancient Silk Road," the third itinerary, follows in the footsteps of nomads, monks, merchants and kings to China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Turkey.

Travelers who wish to participate in more than one Hidden Corners journey will save 5 percent off the total cost per person for the trips.

Feb. 9-23, 2010
Starts at $3,999 per person (based on double occupancy)
Includes airfare from 20 major cities in the U.S. and Canada
Arrangements: Go Next

There is currently a waiting list for this trip.

The 2010 travel program takes adventurers to South America with an exceptional 12-night cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires. In Brazil, ports of call include the peninsula of Búzios, famous for its unique combination of rustic charm, architectural harmony and incredible natural beauty; the beautiful island of Ilha Grande; the historic town of Parati with its beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, charming narrow streets, imposing fort and exquisite churches; São Paulo and charming Santos; and Itajaí. In Uruguay, you will visit the chic beach resort of Punta Del Este and Montevideo, a city of parks and colonial architecture. The ship will be docked in Buenos Aires for the final two nights of your cruise. A variety of optional shore excursions will be offered in each port.

You will travel aboard Oceania Cruises' Insignia, a luxurious midsize ship with an immensely hospitable and casual atmosphere, extraordinary cuisine, impeccable service and the desirable amenities found on larger ships, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, large heated pool and Internet center. Staterooms are handsomely appointed, with most featuring teak verandas. In addition to multiple dining venues, 24-hour room service is available.

May 10-24, 2010
Approximately $3,195 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Arrangements: Odysseys Unlimited
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Turkey is a spectacularly beautiful nation with dramatic mountain ranges, splendid archaeological sites and more than 4,200 miles of rugged coastline. This in-depth tour of Turkey begins with a three-night stay in the city of Istanbul, founded in A.D. 350 by the Roman Emperor Constantine. During your time here, you will visit its many famous sites, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Next you will travel south for several days along the Aegean Coast to the battlefields of Gallipoli and across the Dardanelles to Troy, followed by Pergamum, Kusadasi and Ephesus before arriving in Göcek. Here you will board a 14-guest gulet, a replica of a traditional Turkish fishing boat, built with modern comforts in mind. For the next five days, you will travel along the Turquoise Coast, named for the brilliant color of its waters. It is said that Mark Antony gave this coastline to Cleopatra as a wedding gift. Your days will be spent exploring islands, swimming, hiking, traveling inland to tour historic sites and simply relaxing on board. You will disembark the gulet in Fethiye and board a bus for the drive to the resort city of Antalya, where you will spend the last three nights of your trip.

To complete your tour of Turkey, an optional extension to Cappadocia and Ankara is available.

June 1-16, 2010
Starts at $3,999 per person (based on double occupancy)
Includes airfare from some cities
Arrangements: Alumni Travel Group
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Our second Oceania trip of 2010 is considered one of the best itineraries offered by the cruise line. The first port you will visit on your 14-day voyage after boarding the Regatta in Dover is medieval Zeebrugge, Belgium. From here you will have the option of traveling to the Belgian cities of Bruges, Brussels or Antwerp. Next you will continue to the Netherlands to experience a day in Amsterdam, where you can visit museums, take a ride along the canals, or journey into the countryside to see historic windmills or the fascinating porcelain works in Delft. After a day cruising the Kiel Canal, you will arrive in charming Warnemünde, Germany, where you can spend the day or enjoy a scenic drive to the German capital of Berlin. Your itinerary continues with a day in Copenhagen, followed by visits to Visby, Sweden; Riga, Latvia; and the beautifully preserved medieval town of Tallinn, Estonia. You will have three full days to explore breathtaking St. Petersburg, Russia, before continuing to Helsinki, Finland, and finally, lovely Stockholm, Sweden.
A variety of optional shore excursions will be offered in each port, and pre- and postcruise hotel stays will be available.

June 19-26, 2010
$3,290 per person for adults (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
$2,890 per child or young adult, ages 6-17, plus airfare
Arrangements: Thomson Family Adventures
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The tropical nation of Costa Rica is a living, breathing science lesson as well as an adventure-lover's paradise. From verdant rain forests and volcanoes to pristine beaches, Costa Rica is a place children, parents and grandparents can enjoy. You will spend two days in the area around Arenal Volcano, considered one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world. Activities include a visit to a coffee plantation, lunch with a local family and the opportunity to soak and relax in natural hot springs with waters warmed by geothermic activity beneath the earth's crust. Also, you can walk in the treetops along hanging bridges for a bird's-eye view of the forest on an exhilarating canopy tour. Those who want to keep their feet on the ground might opt for a visit with the indigenous Maleku Tribe. On the way to your next destination, you will check out Palo Verde National Park and cross the Tempisque River by boat to get a close look at native birds, monkeys and crocodiles.
In the community of Potero, your family will spend time volunteering with local community members on various projects. Your final day will be an opportunity to enjoy the white sand beaches of Guanacaste, some of the best places for snorkeling and enjoying a wide variety of coral reef and marine life.

NEW DATE: July 14-24, 2010
Approximately $3,995 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Faculty host: John Boles, Rice University's William Pettus Hobby Professor of History
Arrangements: High Country Passage
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Alumni and friends who have previously traveled with Professor John Boles have spread the word. In response to continuing requests, we are once again offering this Lewis and Clark adventure — a perfect opportunity to celebrate the history and beauty of the American West. This customized itinerary retraces one of the most interesting and challenging parts of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Your 10-day trip begins with a leisurely two-and-a-half day canoe journey through the heart of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Picnic lunches are served on shore, and each evening, a prepared tented camp with refreshing drinks and hors d'oeuvres awaits your arrival. After a sumptuous dinner prepared by camp chefs, you will enjoy lively discussions based on readings from the expedition journals. On other days, you will retrace by private bus the arduous month-long, 18-mile portage around the Great Falls of the Missouri; follow the expedition's route upriver to the famous Gates of the Mountains and take a motorboat tour; travel by bus along the Jefferson River to Beaverhead Rock, a landmark associated with Sacagawea, the legendary Shoshone woman who was a central figure on the expedition; trek in four-wheel drive vehicles up and over Lemhi Pass, which straddles the Continental Divide, and walk a portion of the trail; raft down the scenic and gentle Salmon River; and walk or ride horses along the Lolo Trail.

NEW DATE: July 21 – 29, 2010
Starts at approximately $3,195 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Faculty host: William P. Leeman, Rice University Professor Emeritus of Earth Science
Arrangements: Thomas P. Gohagan & Co.
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Join this nine-day journey of exploration to the magnificent island nation of Iceland, a country endowed with massive glaciers, bubbling geysers and cascading waterfalls. Watch for whales and abundant bird life as you cruise by pristine arctic landscapes of rocky coastlines and flowing fjords. Immerse yourself in ancient Viking heritage and observe traditional Icelandic life in old Norse fishing ports. In Reykjavik, you will embark on the newly launched deluxe M.S. Le Boreal for a seven-night round-trip cruise, calling at the charming fishing village of Ísafjörur, a bastion of traditional Icelandic culture; Grímsey island, located directly on the Arctic Circle and known for its lush vegetation, spectacular cliff-lined shores and diverse bird life; the charming seaside town of Akureyri and its impeccably landscaped botanical gardens, which are the northernmost in the world; the fishing town of Grundarfjördur; the volcanically formed island of Heimaey with its world-renowned bird life and ruins of centuries-old Viking villages; and finally an evening circumnavigation of Surtsey island, Iceland's most active volcanic island.

The Le Boreal has spacious and elegant accommodations, most of which have private balconies. The price of the trip includes your accommodations and meals aboard the ship and all shore excursions. An optional precruise program in Reykjavik will be offered.

Aug. 11-22, 2010
Approximately $5,655 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Arrangements: Global Adrenaline
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This trip to Africa offers a unique combination of the best of Tanzania's safari excursions and several days of relaxation on the white sand beaches of the exotic spice island of Zanzibar. Your itinerary includes visits to some of the richest and most unspoiled wildlife areas in the world, including Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, where you will see the raw exuberance of Tanzania's wildlife amid an incredible diversity of landscapes. The extraordinary concentration of animals includes lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, Cape buffalo and more. You will finish up the tour with several days on the island of Zanzibar, home to ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses, and miles of palm-fringed beaches and coves. Travelers can spend the final days of the trip visiting spice plantations, bargaining for carvings in the Central Market, snorkeling or relaxing on the beach.

Adventurous explorers can travel to Africa early and experience the exhilaration of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on an optional pretrip extension. At 19,340 feet, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the highest stand-alone mountain in the world. Your support team will include guides, porters and cooks as you climb to the "roof of Africa."

Aug. 30-Sept. 10, 2010
Starts at approximately $7,495 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Arrangements: Travel Dynamics International
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On a voyage forged by the poetry of Virgil, you will retrace Aeneas' epic journey. En route, investigate the many layers of history and myth in the Trojan wanderer's legendary ports of call. This trip begins in Istanbul, where you will board the Corinthian II, your home for the next 10 nights. The first stop will be Çanakkale, the gateway to Troy, the ancient city where Aeneas, son of Anchises and the goddess Venus, began his journey. Next you will visit the Greek islands of Delos, Syros and Crete. Cruise north along the Greek shoreline before continuing to Syracuse on the island of Sicily, a city that once rivaled Athens as the most important city of the ancient world. The Corinthian II then sails to Tunis, Carthage and northern Sicily, with visits to Trapani, Segesta and Erice, where, according to legend, the parents of Aeneas were married. After sailing into the glorious Bay of Naples, you will disembark for a day of exploration, including a visit to legendary Pompeii, before returning to the ship and your last night on board before flying home from Rome.

The deluxe Corinthian II offers a classic yachtlike atmosphere and fine accommodations for 114 guests in suites that afford sea views and feature a sitting area. The ship offers many amenities, including an exercise room, a library with Internet access, elevators and several suites with private balconies.

Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2010
Starts at approximately $2,745 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Arrangements: Avalon Waterways

Discover the history, culture and beauty of northern France's Seine River valley on the newest ship in Avalon Waterways' fleet, the 138-passenger Avalon Creativity. Your journey begins in Paris with guided sightseeing of its famous landmarks, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. A six-night cruise down the Seine begins with a stop at the charming village of Conflans and an excursion to Giverny to visit the farmhouse and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked. Next, visit the well-preserved city of Rouen and its beautiful Romanesque cathedral. From here, an excursion to Normandy will take you back in time to the site of the D-Day Invasion. You'll visit the American Cemetery at Colleville, allied landing sites at Omaha Beach, the battlefield of Pointe du Hoc and the Mulberry harbor at Arromanches. The voyage continues to Les Andelys, where you will see Richard the Lionheart's Château Gaillard and the Nicholas Poussin Museum, after which the ship returns to Paris for your flight home.

The Avalon Creativity, launched in 2009, has spacious and well-appointed staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks. In addition, there is an elevator, a fitness center and complimentary wine with all onboard dinners. Audio headsets are provided for all guided shore excursions.

Oct. 11-22, 2010
Starts at approximately $3,135 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Faculty Host: Paula Sanders, Rice University's professor of history and dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies
Arrangements: Avalon Waterways

Travel through 5,000 years of history on this 12-day adventure. The trip begins with a three-night stay in Cairo, where sightseeing will include Tutankhamun's Tomb in the Egyptian Museum, the Great Sphinx of Giza and the pyramids; the seaport of Alexandria with a visit to the Graeco-Roman Museum and the catacombs; and Memphis to see the statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. The group will then fly to Luxor to board the Royal Lotus for a three-night Nile River cruise. Highlights include the monuments of Luxor and Karnak, Temple of Amon, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and Temple of Horus. You will disembark in Aswan and spend two nights at the Elephantine Island Resort. From here you will take several excursions, including traveling to the sandstone temples of Abu Simbel, sailing by felucca to Kitchener's Island and touring the botanical gardens, visiting the Aswan Low Dam and the Aswan High Dam, and viewing the Temple of Isis. You will return to Cairo for the last night of your trip and an optional Nile River dinner cruise.
The 124-passenger Royal Lotus is a new modern river vessel offering spacious accommodations and a range of public areas from which you can absorb the ever-changing panoramic views between Luxor and Aswan.

Oct. 20-28, 2010
Approximately $2,295 per person (based on double occupancy) plus airfare
Arrangements: AHI International
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Experience firsthand the charm and romance of Italian living on a special travel program that combines guided sightseeing tours with immersion in community life. This year's "Campus Abroad" program in Tuscany is a repeat of the first one we offered 10 years ago. That year, our trip filled quickly, and Rice travelers became hooked on this type of itinerary: a stay in a centrally located town with daily tours and educational programs presented by local experts.

You will spend seven nights in the ancient Etruscan city of Cortona, perfectly situated in the heart of Tuscany and the inspiration for the book "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes. During the daily excursions, you will explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Assisi and Siena; experience medieval history in Perugia, the well-preserved jewel of Umbria; visit a winery in the Montalcino area for a private wine tasting; marvel at the architectural wonders of Florence; and learn the essence of Tuscan cooking at a demonstration by the chef of the award-winning Restaurant Tonino. Join your fellow Rice alumni and friends and discover the art, architecture, cuisine and culture of one of Italy's most enchanting regions.
The price of this trip includes accommodations, most meals, scheduled excursions, and tipping of all guides and drivers.