Session C - 6 weeks

Join UCLA Alumni Travel to view a total solar eclipse as it sweeps across a narrow path of the Iberian Peninsula – Europe’s first in 27 years. To experience this rare celestial event, we will be based in the heart of Spain in the Castile-León region – a sprawling land of ancient Spanish kingdoms, dotted with beautiful towns, each with its own castle and cathedral offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. The path of the 2026 eclipse will reach Spain after a long journey down through the North Atlantic, gradually changing its direction from south to east. This eclipse will occur low on the horizon 50 minutes before the sun sets and will provide a different experience from when totality is high overhead. Our carefully chosen base for two nights is Peñafiel which lies in the path of totality with a total eclipse time estimated to be 1 minute and 38 seconds and a predicted low chance of cloud coverage. The tour begins in Madrid and will include a visit to the Royal Observatory Museum which houses an important collection of antique instruments and a library, which conserves one of the most ancient and extensive collections of documents on astronomical subjects. Drive through the rolling hills, vineyards, and ancient olive groves of the Spanish countryside to Avila, a UNESCO-listed city which boasts a rich history of Romanesque churches, medieval convents, and Renaissance palaces with one of the best preserved medieval walled enclosures in Spain. After traversing through a landscape rich in wine and history, head to Peñafiel. Our home for the next two nights is a village whose streets reflect its past, with sites like the Jewish quarter and the Plaza del Coso, a popular square with traditional wooden balconies. Spend a day exploring the area before watching the eclipse from our exclusive event – the Tr3smano Winery. Founded by three seasoned wine visionariesTr3smano blends traditional viticulture and cutting-edge winemaking in an architecturally striking estate. Their wines have won international acclaim. Our final two nights are in San Sebastian known for beaches framed by a picturesque bayfront promenade, and world-renowned restaurants helmed by innovative chefs. Featuring Professor Jean-Luc Margot, Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences

A world of natural wonder awaits on this luxurious six-night Iceland expedition, round-trip Reykjavík, to witness the 2026 total solar eclipse. After cruising through the path of totality, behold unobstructed views of the moon’s shadow blocking the sun—a celestial phenomenon like no other. In the company of experts, learn more about this seldom-seen marvel on a journey that includes immersive excursions to this Nordic nation’s most thrilling sites. Our exclusively chartered expedition ship offers world-class comfort as you cruise amid pristine fjords and glaciers to centuries-old fishing towns, remote island coastlines, and black sand beaches. Other highlights include a visit to Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland - one of the most remote and isolated settlements on Earth located just inside the Arctic Circle, a Snæfellsnes Peninsula boat ride to taste Icelandic sushi, and a geothermal spa experience at Krauma, fed by Europe’s most powerful hot spring. With elegant accommodations and exquisite cuisine, this once-in-a-lifetime journey is where adventure and refinement align.

Join fellow alumni and friends on a journey that celebrates the American West’s magnificent National Parks, tracing legends and storied monuments along the way. From Mount Rushmore to Old Faithful and the Snake River, you will see the best of the Old West, and traverse its beautiful vistas in style and comfort. Wonderfully historic hotels and lodges are a highlight of this program, including landmark lodging within the parks themselves. Indulge in the geological phenomena of hot springs in South Dakota, and journey through Badlands National Park, known as nature’s surreal masterpiece, where impressive herds of bison roam, and dazzling, dramatic pinnacles rise over the largest undisturbed mixed-grass prairie in the United States.

Discover the irresistible allure of southeastern France during this quintessential seven-night Provençal experience. Unpack once and enjoy first-class accommodations in the heart of magical Aix-en-Provence. Walk in the footsteps of great painters, savor immersive cultural experiences and visit picturesque French villages. Stroll the storied Cours Mirabeau in Aix and relish a tour of Paul Cézanne’s atelier. Tour Avignon’s medieval Papal Palace and be awed by Pont du Gard, a Roman engineering feat. Behold Vincent van Gogh’s inspiration in the lush, perfumed valleys of Arles and Saint-Rémy. Explore France’s oldest city, Marseille, and cruise the steep-walled Calanques of Marseille. Witness the captivating French villages of Les Baux, Lourmarin and Cucuron. Visit a truffle and olive tree plantation to join the hunt and sample tastings with Champagne. Taste Rhone wines in the famed wine-making village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, savor fresh seafood in a Cassis fishing village and learn to play the local game of pétanque. This small-group itinerary features engaging lectures, a generous meal plan and no single supplement, limited availability.

Glimpse a world primeval on this singular 14-day journey that features exclusive safaris through some of Southern Africa’s great wildlife sanctuaries in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia. Our small group size - limited to 24 travelers – assures us an intimate experience as we encounter these unspoiled natural refuges. The adventure begins with sightseeing in Johannesburg’s renowned Soweto district, and visits to Nelson Mandela’s and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s homes. Leaving urban life behind, spend three nights near Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls. Experience the spectacular falls – among the world’s largest – up close on a guided walk and take a game drive in search of the elusive black rhino. A “Sundowner” Zambezi dinner cruise offers another opportunity to observe wildlife. For a window on local life, visit Victoria Falls town and a local grade school. Continuing on to Botswana’s Chobe National Park, which boasts one of Africa’s largest concentrations of wildlife, embark on sensational boat safaris and game drives with three nights here. Then take a privately chartered flight to Zambia for a small group tour highlight: unparalleled wildlife viewing at South Luangwa National Park, an untouched region of eastern Zambia along the meandering Luangwa River. During a relaxing three-night stay at the Mfuwe Lodge, enjoy a variety of activities, including open-vehicle game drives, walking safaris, a local school visit, and a visit to a borehole project which provides water for the local community. We transfer to Lusaka where we have hotel dayrooms before the flight home. Discover South Africa’s sparkling “Mother City,” Cape Town, with an optional 4-day/4-night post-tour extension, including a full-day Cape Peninsula tour and a full-day Cape Town and Winelands tour.

Discover northern Italy’s lake district, where sparkling lakes mirror emerald hills and craggy Alpine slopes. From your base in Stresa by Lake Maggiore, spend indulgent days exploring beautiful islands and elegant shores dusted with sunlight. Witness a Romanesque basilica on Isola San Giulio, and stroll through charming Bellagio, where poets and writers from around the world have found inspiration. Cruise aboard a private boat to the Borromean Islands, home to a lavish island estate and a quaint fishermen’s islet. Glide across Lake Como, passing fairy-tale villas and colorful villages, and learn the secrets of northern Italian cuisine during a cooking lesson and an indulgent lunch. In Milan, feast your eyes on Leonardo’s “The Last Supper” and visit the legendary La Scala, Italy’s opulent opera house. Handcrafted for your enjoyment, this small-group journey features a first-class hotel, an extensive meal plan and a series of lectures to enhance your understanding of the region.

This sensational 10-night journey reveals Croatia’s incredible bounty, including a seven-night Adriatic cruise. Spend three nights discovering vibrant Zagreb, home to extraordinary architecture and culture. Travel to the natural marvel of Plitvice Lakes National Park, then board your first-class ship to indulge in the treasured Dalmatian coast and its jewel-colored waters. Each day reveals sun-drenched islands, exquisite bays and new ports of call. Cruise to the enchanting islands of Rab, Hvar and Korčula, and discover the history and heritage of Split and Zadar. Explore the Ston salt pans along the Pelješac Peninsula and taste oysters fresh from the sea. Your adventure concludes in Dubrovnik, a medieval city with legendary ramparts and a proud old town. Along the way, traditional dishes and wines indulge your palate and expert lectures shed light on the region’s history. This program features an extensive meal plan. Join us and let Croatia steal your heart! _Featuring Professor Viktorija Lejko-Lacan, Department of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Languages and Cultures_

Lose yourself in the European wonder of this 9-night voyage promising a blend of cultural immersion, historic exploration, and local culinary delights aboard Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Allura. Your journey begins in beautiful Barcelona. Set sail for Marseille and venture to the pleasant Provencal countryside where fields of lavender and sunflowers are abundant. Try your hand at the famed Monte Carlo Casino. Take in Italian Renaissance masterpieces in Florence or taste an array of Tuscan wines as you relax in an ancient wine cellar in Livorno. In Ajaccio, explore the ancestral home of Napoleon Bonaparte, then make your way to Olbia and visit the Basilica of San Simplicio. As you reach Palermo, indulge in a gastronomic adventure, savoring the flavors of Sicilian cuisine. Cruise the terracotta cliff-lined waters of the Amalfi Coast and visit Valletta to see the celebrated St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Complete your journey in the iconic city of Rome, home to the iconic Colosseum.

UCLA Football is visiting Cal for the first time since 2022. Join Bay Area Bruins and other UCLA faithful at the game. Get your tickets now as this event is likely to sell out quickly! Use the RSVP link to choose your seat location and then share the link with friends and family so they can sit next to you. ($3/ticket will benefit Bay Area Bruins' scholarship endowment).

Walk in the footsteps of Josephine Baker, Langston Hughes and other African American luminaries on an active and immersive seven-night sojourn to Paris! During enriching excursions and talks, trace the journey of Black Americans who found acceptance and opportunities in the City of Light following World War I. Gain insight into why they moved to Paris and how they forever influenced French culture. On guided walks in Montmartre, the Latin Quarter and St-Germain-des-Prés, hear stories about the club owners and musicians that shaped Paris’ jazz fervor, and relish an evening of jazz at a local club. Stroll the Left Bank, where Black writers, intellectuals and artists of African descent flourished. View “Paris Noir,” and discuss the documentary with the filmmakers. Tour the premier cultural institution, Musée du Quai Branly. Plus, taste French specialties in the Champs-de-Mars and marvel at iconic Paris landmarks on a Seine cruise. Suited for active travelers, this small-group program features experienced guides, a first-class hotel and an extensive meal plan, including wine with dinner.