what others say about yale educational travel

Yale Faculty Lectures and Discussions

"Professor Goldblatt was great at making sense for us of the places we visited. His lectures and materials help me to tie together a lot of formerly disconnected facts."
--Benson Cohn '85 MPPM, Treasures of the Baltic States (2007)

"Beyond David Sensabaugh's erudition and clear love for his subject, he made a consistent point of friendliness and collegiality with the travel group. This was a real plus."
--Mary and Andrew Gerber '57 LLB, Springtime in Japan (2005)

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Educational Experience

"I liked the complete absorption, for three days, with excellent plays and the theater, taking the time to think about them, to discuss and to hear reactions from many serious theater-goers."
--Sally Barnes Sonne, New York Theater Weekend (2008)

"I particularly liked the educational aspect as well as the family orientation with three generations. Everyone felt they could be a part of it in a different way. Lectures were excellent."
--Judith Ann Tickner '60 MA, Family Galapagos Cruise (2009)

"Yale Educational Travel adventures are an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the world, not just to see it."
--Ira Lechner '58 LLB, Jewels of the South Pacific (2008)

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Superb Itineraries

"The itinerary was wonderful and included many museums and visits to spots that we may have otherwise missed on our own."
--Erin and Nathan Cortright '77, Historic Normandy and the Seine River (2007)

"Wonderful experience, a blend of learning and vacation that will remain with us."
--Judith S. Inker, South Africa by Sea (2008)

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Interesting Traveling Companions

"So many congenial people were a pleasant surprise. The sites we visited were fascinating, and yet it was great to get back to the boat at the end of the day for a drink and conversation."
--Peter Greeman '54, In Search of Alexander the Great (2006)

"My wife and I always look forward to our travels with Yale alumni. They are both stimulating and enjoyable, and we end up enriched by new friends and new insights."
--Alec Purves, Yale Professor of Architecture, Theater and Architecture in the Twin Cities (2010)

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Personal Attention

"A high level of very personal service. I did not feel like I was traveling with strangers, but with friends."
--Joe Bannon, New Year's in the Galapagos (2008)

"Day-to-day planning and management of our trip was outstanding. The high ratio of tour directors/guides to participants was very beneficial."
--Frances and Bill Conkling '54E, '59 MEng, Jewels of India (2006)

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Access to Special Sites and Activities

"The extras: meeting with Lech Walesa, the Finnish VIPs for dinner, the musicians, the pre- or after-hours tours of the Hermitage, St. Isaac's and Catherine's Palace…put it over the top."
--George Meiling '60, The Baltic's Amber Coast (2006)

"We had several interesting surprises! Tombs seen that are seldom seen, or had been recently opened, an evening at the U.S. Embassy, a delightful dinner with Jehan Sadat, Anwar Sadat's widow."
--Dotty and Sandy Greer '50, Treasures of the Pharaohs (2005)

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Excellent Guides and Leaders

"Smara, our Athenian guide for almost the whole trip, was the best professional guide I've met in decades of travel with and without Yale: smart, fun, articulate, engaging, and broadly informed."
--Richard Quaintance '62 PhD, Islands of the Gods (2007)

"Best in class! I continue to marvel at the caliber of faculty and staff support that Yale sends on these trips."
--Alfred K. White, Jr. '57 JD, Walks in England's Cotswolds (2006)

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Fine Ships and Hotels

"The whole Sea Cloud II experience [was] deluxe and unforgettable."
--Jenifer Flynn '75, Romantic Shores of the Mediterranean (2006)

"The ship [Corinthian II] is perfect for this kind of trip... very comfortable, and with fine spaces for all activities."
--Mary Foote Rounsavall, Mediterranean Odyssey (2006)

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Surpassing Expectations

"Have traveled throughout the world but this was my first Yale sponsored tour. It was professional in every aspect. First class accommodations, lectures, and sites, and aides to assist with all needs. Recommend it!"
--Sal Nuzzo '53E, Waterways of Russia (2008)

"This trip was off-the-page, better than excellent. A very memorable experience; equaled or exceeded our imagination."
--Morgan Porter ‘58E and daughter Alicia Porter, Argentina, Chile & Patagonia (2008)

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Overall Excellence

"It is impossible for me to single out any one aspect of the trip as the best or strongest. From the visits to townships, to orphanages, to geological sites, to game reserves, to wineries, to time to talk with fellow travelers, it was all one amazing experience."
--Bill Werner '59 MArch, Southern Africa (2007)

"Our trip to Egypt was one of the most outstanding of about almost 20 Yale trips we have taken. Professor Colleen Manassa, who was not only extremely knowledgable about Egypt, but excellent in the delivery of her lectures, as well as a great help to us personally in solving various minor problems, as were both of the Egyptian guides, one of whom had a final night dinner party at his magnificent Cairo home. All the logistics of the trip (the airline, the boat and the buses) worked perfectly and the hotels were extremely comfortable. The AYA and the travel agents also did an excellent job in handling the details."
--Frank Berrall '50, '55 JD, Egypt of the Pharaohs (2009)

"Best trip I have ever taken."
--Larry Gibbs '60, Athens and the Cyclades Islands (2008)

"I have enjoyed several Yale Educational trips. They are far superior to others I have taken with non-Yale travel companies."
--Barbara Phillips, Jordan (2009)