Leisure Travel with the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association
Beginning in 2015 the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association will offer leisure travel opportunities with Go Next, on Oceania Cruises and the American Queen Steamboat Company. Your response to these offerings will help us determine additional offerings we may add in future. Note that there is no Continuing Medical Education component with these offerings. Mayo Alumni will have a dedicated service desk on board for each of these offerings. For a brochure or more information contact the Alumni Center for more information, or contact our travel partner Go Next directly.
March 15-25, 2015 – Polynesian Paradise – Oceania Cruises
Papeete to Papeete (Polynesian Paradise Brochure)
From luxurious white-sand beaches fringed by gently swaying palms and sweet-scented vanilla groves to velvety emerald mountains towering over translucent lagoons that dazzle in every hue of electric blue, indulge your senses with the wonders of French Polynesia. Cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ intimate, mid-sized Marina, an award-winning masterpiece at sea that shines with outstanding personalized service, elegant designer details and world-class cuisine. Admire kaleidoscopic lagoons surrounding Moorea and discover local legends and ancient marae(temples) amid gorgeous scenery on Raiatea. Be engulfed by endless tropical beauty on sun-kissed Bora Bora and experience a blend of black-sand beaches and sparkling waterfalls on Nuku Hiva. Explore Rangiroa, the second largest atoll in the world boasting a crystalline underwater playground teeming with multi-hued fish, before returning to Papeete on the lovely island of Tahiti. Set adrift, catch the breeze and watch scenes of incomparable beauty unfold one-by-one on this 10-night Polynesian odyssey.
May 14-23, 2015 – SOUTHERN CULTURE & CIVIL WAR – AMERICAN QUEEN
Memphis to New Orleans (Southern Culture Brochure)
Delve into the rich history and splendid architecture of the South as you discover the legends, glory and magnitude of the American Civil War. Cruise along the shores of the Mississippi River aboard the luxury riverboat American Queen, stopping in Mississippi and Louisiana, where you’ll find grand antebellum mansions, memorials from the momentous War Between the States, and a wealth of living history. Begin with a stay in Memphis, home to many American icons, and explore the renowned battlefields of Shiloh National Military Park. Cruise south to Vicksburg, Mississippi, the “Red Carpet City of the South,” where you’ll find another historic battlefield at the Vicksburg National Military Park, which commemorates the 47-day siege of the city in 1863. Revel in the antebellum splendor of Natchez, a glorious city sprinkled with restored mansions, and take in the many charming 19th-century homes found amid the scenic countryside in St. Francisville. Visit Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital, rich with historic treasures both in and outside of the city, including the celebrated Plantation Country. Stroll paths fringed by marvelous greenery and view the plush interior of Houmas House Plantation, the “Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road,” before ending your riverboat adventure in New Orleans. This unique river cruise encompasses both the fascinating culture of the South and a pivotal time in America’s history.
September 21-October 4, 2015 – SEA OF ANTIQUITY – OCEANIA CRUISES Rome to Istanbul (Sea of Antiquity brochure)
Explore riveting ancient ruins, picture-perfect villages and incredible landscapes as you cruise to Italy, Malta, Greece and Turkey aboard Oceania Cruises’ intimate Nautica. Depart Rome for Sorrento, a delightful seaside resort with its fragrant lemon groves, winding cobblestone streets and majestic mountain vistas, or visit nearby Capri. Experience dramatic Italian beauty in Amalfi and Positano, colorful towns set on stunning seaside slopes, and visit Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari, home to extensive archaeological treasures that reflect its 2,000 years of history. Sail to Sicily’s western coast and explore the maze of narrow streets in Trapani’s medieval core. Next, sail to Malta’s charming capital, Valletta, sprinkled with 16th-century limestone buildings and longstanding fortifications. Then behold the picturesque, windmill-dotted landscapes of Crete and the stunning, whitewashed villages of Santorini. Continue to Turkey and visit the vibrant port of Kusadasi,a gateway to Ephesus—one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved archaeological sites. Relax on the lovely Greek isle of Skiathos, where aqua seas lap secluded, pine-fringed beaches and quaint churches grace gentle hillsides. Conclude your 12-day journey in the magnificent city astride two continents, Istanbul, featuring a captivating fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
October 3–11, 2015 – AUTUMN IN AMERICA’S HEARTLAND – AMERICAN QUEEN
St. Paul to St. Louis (brochure coming soon)
Experience the breathtaking beauty of autumn from Minnesota to Missouri along the Mississippi River: the foliage beginning to turn to brilliant shades of red, orange and gold, and the one-of-a-kind communities of classic riverside America. Begin with a one-night stay in St. Paul, a culturally rich city replete with fascinating museums and lovely parks, before boarding the grand American Queen, the largest and most opulent riverboat in the world. Cruise south to the picturesque town of Red Wing, and let the past come to life on a walking tour of its many historic sites. Visit La Crosse, a Victorian architectural gem highlighted by towering bluffs and a scenic river walk. Take in a three-state fall vista in Dubuque, “The Masterpiece of the Mississippi,” home to a vibrant revitalized riverfront, and revel in Davenport’s elegant parks and dynamic downtown on the banks of the Mississippi. Savor more river town charm in Burlington, Iowa, home to Snake Alley, “The Crookedest Street in the World.” Continue to Mark Twain’s boyhood home, Hannibal, Missouri, a bountiful source of American lore, before your voyage concludes in St. Louis.