glacier
Antarctica Discovery
January 9- 20, 2026

Embark on an unforgettable odyssey, where discovery and adventure converge on the vast canvas of the Last Continent. Immerse yourself in stark and surprising landscapes that define this breathtaking region. As you traverse Antarctica's icy expanse, witness the majestic beauty of untouched vistas—a true testament to the raw power of nature. This once-in-a-lifetime journey offers up-close encounters with a diverse array of wildlife—from penguins waddling along the snow to fur seals lounging on ice floes—that call this pristine environment home. Every moment exploring this polar wilderness defines a unique and awe-inspiring experience.

Please contact Orbridge at 866-639-0079 or guestservices@orbridge.com to reserve today!

Cruise Program
January
Antarctica
Trip Summary

Embark on an unforgettable odyssey, where discovery and adventure converge on the vast canvas of the Last Continent. Immerse yourself in stark and surprising landscapes that define this breathtaking region.

Italy Coast
Northern Italy
September 9-23, 2026

This leisurely exploration of Italy’s varied northern regions, from the romantic Lake District and dramatic Cinque Terre to beloved Tuscany, the majestic Dolomites, and canal-laced Venice, offers a refreshing perspective on a well-known land. In the company of a congenial small group, limited to 24 travelers, celebrate the Italian penchant for hospitality, good food, and good living, staying in outstanding accommodations. The 15-day journey begins in the Lake District with a relaxing three-night stay in Stresa on lovely Lake Maggiore. Visit charming lakeside Orta San Giulio and cruise to Isola Bella, the beautiful island in Lake Maggiore, touring its palace and flower-decked gardens. Stopping in Barolo, sample Barolo, the “king of wines,” at a premier winery. A three-night sojourn in the Italian Riviera resort town of Santa Margherita follows, with a boat trip to the renowned resort town of Portofino and an excursion to the spectacular Cinque Terre cliff-clinging villages. Journeying south to beloved Tuscany for a three-night stay in wondrous Florence, visit atmospheric Lucca. Explore Florence, Tuscany’s crown jewel, with its stupendous Duomo and famed Galleria dell’Accademia housing Michelangelo’s sublime David; then discover exquisite Siena, boasting one of Europe’s greatest public squares. Tour storied Verona, setting of several Shakespearean plays; and spend two nights in Bolzano, gateway to the magnificent Dolomites in the Italian Alps. Two nights in treasured Venice, with touring of iconic St. Mark’s Square and independent exploration, conclude the journey. Savor a longer stay in this most beautiful of cities with an optional 3-day/2-night post-tour extension.

Please contact Odysseys Unlimited at 888-370-6765 to reserve today!

Land Program
Rice Exclusive
September
Europe
Airfare Included
Trip Summary

This leisurely exploration of Italy’s varied northern regions, from the romantic Lake District and dramatic Cinque Terre to beloved Tuscany, the majestic Dolomites, and canal-laced Venice, offers a refreshing perspective on a well-known land.

National Park thumbnail
National Parks of the Southwest
April 22-May 2, 2026

It’s a land of scenes epic in scope, from the immense Grand Canyon and the sinuous Colorado to the sandstone spires of Bryce and the red-rock cliffs and chasms of Zion. It’s the Southwest, which your small group – limited to 24 travelers – celebrates at favorite national parks and preserves. Set out from Phoenix on this captivating 11-day journey, visiting the spectacular Desert Botanical Garden, followed by exploration in Scottsdale’s Old Town. Moving north to Sedona, we enjoy Pink Jeep tour before continuing on to Williams for one night. A tour highlight follows: a memorable day at the world-renowned Grand Canyon, with a guided tour and time at leisure to appreciate this awe-inspiring UNESCO site. Staying next at a hotel on Lake Powell’s shores in Page, Arizona, discover the spectacular Upper Antelope Canyon with its “flowing” rock walls – one of the world’s most photographed slot canyons. Embark on a rousing half-day Colorado River motorized rafting excursion starting at the massive Glen Canyon Dam. Journeying on to southern Utah for a two-night stay near stunning Bryce Canyon National Park, marvel at the park’s otherworldly hoodoo rock formations. Experience the wondrous natural world of one of America’s most ecologically diverse parks during a two-night stay in Zion National Park, enjoying a hike and ample free time. After this immersion in outdoor grandeur, stop in scenic St. George, Utah, en route to Las Vegas, where the group toasts the Southwestern adventure at a farewell dinner.

Please contact Odysseys Unlimited at 888-370-6765 to reserve today!

Land Program
Rice Exclusive
April
North America
May
Trip Summary

It’s a land of scenes epic in scope, from the immense Grand Canyon and the sinuous Colorado to the sandstone spires of Bryce and the red-rock cliffs and chasms of Zion. It’s the Southwest, which your small group – limited to 24 travelers – celebrates at favorite national parks and preserves.

Fishing boats
Journey through Vietnam
January 27-February 10, 2026

Encounter Vietnam’s breathtaking natural beauty, abiding tradition, and profoundly hospitable people on this comprehensive 15-day journey. Joining a small group limited to 24 travelers, see the country’s many highlights and spend two days in the beautiful, remote Mekong Delta. Get acquainted first with the French-accented capital, Hanoi, during a three-night stay, touring the Ancient Quarter and other historic sites and sampling local cuisine. On a full-day Ha Long Bay excursion, explore this stunning waterscape by boat. Traveling on to Da Nang, tour the acclaimed Cham Museum. Staying in a beachfront hotel here, enjoy a relaxing three-night interlude in this splendid setting. Visit Hoi An and its charming Old Town and take a cooking class. A walking tour of a farming settlement reveals its daily life up close. Journey next to Hue for exploration of the vast Imperial Citadel – a UNESCO site – and a cyclo ride, followed by dinner with traditional music. Cruise the Perfume River to peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda, an important Buddhist monastery; and to the palatial Tomb of Minh Mang. Spending the following two nights in a riverside hotel in Can Tho, experience river life in the storied Mekong Delta, visiting a lively floating market by boat then exploring the Mekong’s tributaries by sampan. With three final nights in vibrant Saigon, see the city’s sights, including the notorious Cu Chi Tunnels, attend a traditional water puppet performance, and enjoy independent exploration. Discover Angkor Wat’s amazing temples and Phnom Penh with an optional 5-day/3-night post-tour extension.

Please contact Odysseys Unlimited at 888-370-6765 to reserve today!

Airfare Included
Land Program
Rice Exclusive
January
Asia
February
Trip Summary

Encounter Vietnam’s breathtaking natural beauty, abiding tradition, and profoundly hospitable people on this comprehensive 15-day journey.

House on the lake
Patagonia Explorer
January 17-30, 2026

Experience Patagonia, the unspoiled wilderness at lands’ end, at two breathtaking national parks, along with the zest of a stay in Buenos Aires, on this exhilarating 14-day journey. Your small group limited to 24 travelers sets out from Punta Arenas on a day cruise through the storied Strait of Magellan to see Magdalena Island’s immense colony of Magellanic penguins. Next, get a close-up view of Patagonian Chile at an estancia (ranch), meeting cowboys and watching the amazing sheepdogs at work, then enjoying a traditional asado (barbecue) lunch. Heading north to Torres del Paine National Park for a three-night stay, explore this UNESCO reserve’s unparalleled landscape – jagged peaks, ice-blue glaciers, rushing rivers, and thunderous waterfalls – on two full-day excursions. Travel on to Argentine Patagonia and El Calafate, gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, for three nights. More jaw-dropping scenery awaits during a daylong park excursion with a boat cruise to spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier – one of Argentina’s top attractions – and guided walks through the pristine landscape. In El Calafate’s Glaciarium, learn more about the Patagonian Icefield. Exchanging natural for urban surroundings, spend two final nights in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s lively capital. A full-day city tour includes Palermo’s elegant mansions and lovely parks and the colorful bohemian La Boca district, followed by dinner and a show at a tango house. After touring the beloved Teatro Colón opera house, celebrate the Patagonian adventure over a farewell lunch. Discover revered and remote Easter Island and its enigmatic moai statues with a 4-day/4-night pre-tour option.

Please contact Odysseys Unlimited at 888-370-6765 to reserve today!

Airfare Included
Land Program
Rice Exclusive
January
South America
Landing Page
Trip Summary

Experience Patagonia, the unspoiled wilderness at lands’ end, at two breathtaking national parks, along with the zest of a stay in Buenos Aires, on this exhilarating 14-day journey.

Egypt
Egypt and the Eternal Nile
March 13-27, 2026

Featuring President Reginald DesRoches

Accompanied by an expert Egyptian guide, this singular journey through antiquity reveals a storied land’s many treasures. Your small group of no more than 24 travelers begins its 15-day immersion in Egypt’s unsurpassed historic atmosphere in Cairo and its environs. Tour the Grand Egyptian Museum, the astounding Pyramids of Giza guarded by their enigmatic Great Sphinx, and historic Old Cairo. Traveling to Aswan, tour the massive Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel, and visit the renowned Nubia Museum. Embark next on a fascinating four-night Lake Nasser cruise through ancient Nubia that includes exploration of the Temples of Philae and the outstanding temples at New Kalabsha, Wadi el-Seboua, Amada, and Abu Simbel – host to a dramatic sound-and-light show amid the statuary. Then depart from Aswan on a classic three-night Nile voyage, enjoying a leisurely sail aboard a traditional felucca along the way, and visiting Kom Ombo’s unusual temple and Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved temple. Sail on to Luxor, the world’s “greatest open-air museum.” Here, explore the East and West banks’ wonders: the awe-inspiring Karnak and Luxor temple complexes, the haunting Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, the dramatic Temple of Hatshepsut, and the massive Colossi of Memnon. Returning to Cairo for three nights, tour the exotic Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the open-air museum at Memphis, Egypt’s first capital. Continue on to splendid Sakkara, royalty’s burial site for 3,000 years. Discover fabled “rose-red” Petra, ancient Jerash, and Amman with an optional 5-day/4-night post-tour Jordan extension.

Please contact Odysseys Unlimited at 888-370-6765 to reserve today!

Airfare Included
March
Land Program
Rice Exclusive
Trip Summary

Featuring President Reginald DesRoches

Accompanied by an expert Egyptian guide, this singular journey through antiquity reveals a storied land’s many treasures. Your small group of no more than 24 travelers begins its 15-day immersion in Egypt’s unsurpassed historic atmosphere in Cairo and its environs.

Dubrovnik Harbor
https://alumni.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs3301/files/2025-03/Rice%20-%20Northern%20Adriatic%202025.pdf
Northern Adriatic: Gems of the Dalmatian Coast
July 28-August 5, 2025

Embark upon an unforgettable journey cruising the captivating northern Adriatic, weaving through a tapestry of enchanting destinations that span Croatia, Montenegro and the cultural gems of Northern Italy. On board your five-star vessel, enter a world where the delicate balance between modern luxury and responsible travel is seamlessly achieved.

Please contact Orbridge at 866-639-0079 or guestservices@orbridge.com to reserve today!

Europe
July
August
Cruise Program
Trip Summary

Embark upon an unforgettable journey cruising the captivating northern Adriatic, weaving through a tapestry of enchanting destinations that span Croatia, Montenegro and the cultural gems of Northern Italy.

New Zealand outdoors
https://alumni.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs3301/files/2025-02/Brochure_Rice%20NZ%202025.pdf
Discovering the Natural Wonders of New Zealand
December 4-18, 2025

Feat. Scott Solomon, Teaching Professor of BioSciences.

Perched in a gentle climate on the edge of the South Pacific, New Zealand is in many ways a world of its own. From an evolutionary standpoint, its topographical diversity and relative isolation kept it quite unique from other land masses. Still today, it has a remarkable environment that enchants visitors, complemented by its warm and welcoming people. Rice Traveling Owls has worked with study leader Scott Solomon to create this Rice exclusive adventure to New Zealand, covering a fascinating variety of landscapes, flora, and fauna on both the North and South Islands. From viewing rare bird life on Tirtiri Island to a memorable private whale watching cruise off Kaikoura to a trip inside the one-of-a-kind Waitomo glow worm caves, we will experience wildlife in memorable ways. Along the way, we’ll learn about Maori culture, be invited inside stunning private gardens, sample great New Zealand wines, and take in the otherworldly scenery of Queenstown and Milford Sound.

Please contact ISDI at 202-244-1448 for any questions!

 

 

Australia
December
Land Program
Featured
Trip Summary

Feat. Scott Solomon, Teaching Professor of BioSciences.

Perched in a gentle climate on the edge of the South Pacific, New Zealand is in many ways a world of its own. From an evolutionary standpoint, its topographical diversity and relative isolation kept it quite unique from other land masses.

Gothenburg
https://alumni.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs3301/files/2024-08/_NORDIC%20FJORDS%202025%20RICE%20U_SP.pdf
Cruise the Majestic Nordic Fjords
June 27-July 6, 2025

In the tradition of great French explorers, discover the essence of Norway during naturalist-led hikes and Zodiac excursions, with opportunities to kayak. See Sognefjord, one of the biggest fjords in Norway, covering 127 miles. It’s the longest fjord in Europe and the second longest in the world. Trace the paths of Vikings at centuries-old sites, including Stavanger and Ulandhaug. Accommodating 184 guests, the 430-foot Le Lapérouse sets a new standard in environmentally conscious luxury. More than a cruise ship, she’s a floating haven where elegance meets sustainability. The latest technology ensures smooth sailing, while state-of-the-art amenities cater to guests’ every need. Retire to luxurious staterooms designed for relaxation, each providing a sanctuary of tranquility amidst the voyage’s excitement. On board, indulge in delectable gourmet French cuisine crafted from the freshest local ingredients.

Please contact Orbridge at 866-639-0079 or guestservices@orbridge.com to reserve today!

Europe
July
June
Cruise Program
Trip Summary

In the tradition of great French explorers, discover the essence of Norway during naturalist-led hikes and Zodiac excursions, with opportunities to kayak.

Wild Alaska Escape
https://alumni.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs3301/files/2024-08/JUKE_Rice_080625.pdf
Wild Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell & Misty Fjords
August 6-11, 2025

Discover wild Alaska through an unrivaled experience. The 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird is nimble enough to navigate narrow channels and effortlessly trace the jagged coasts so you can experience massive glaciers up close. Glide past the soaring cliffs of Misty Fjords National Monument, and Zodiacs will take you to even more remote destinations like Hole in the Wall State Marine Park on Prince of Wales Island. Kayak or paddle board through salmon-studded waters to observe rich Alaskan wildlife such as humpbacks, killer whales, otters, and sea lions. The adventure continues on land with guided hikes through the moss-draped cedar forests of the Tongass National Forest and a visit to the quaint town of Wrangell, where you can choose to take a jet boat ride up the Stikine River. Round out your trip with a visit to a Saxman Native Village and crane your neck to take in the largest collection of standing Native American totem poles in the world. Your wild Alaska escape is calling.

Please contact Lindblad Expeditions at 888-773-9007 or groups@expeditions.com to reserve today!

North America
August
Land Program
Trip Summary

Discover wild Alaska through an unrivaled experience. The 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird is nimble enough to navigate narrow channels and effortlessly trace the jagged coasts so you can experience massive glaciers up close.

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