Events Calendar

Join us aboard the intimate 18-cabin Queen Eleganza in the Adriatic Sea for a cruise along the spectacular Dalmatian Coast. Throughout history, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, and Austrians have vied for control of this strategic coastline that is dotted with over 1,000 islands. In a region well worth exploring for its natural beauty alone, visit spellbinding archaeological sites, impressive castles, dramatic palaces, and ancient city centers.

Begin in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, a captivating city with history dating back to Roman times. Visit magical Lake Bled and its breath-taking scenery before continuing to Zadar, Croatia, to begin your seven-night Adriatic cruise calling at Trogir, Split, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet,and finally, at the magnificent walled city of Dubrovnik.
 

For centuries, Türkiye has stood at the crossroads of civilizations, shaped by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans who left behind some of the world’s most extraordinary artistic, religious, and architectural legacies. This immersive Yale Alumni Academy program explores that rich cultural tapestry through visits to legendary ancient cities, sacred sites, and vibrant modern communities. In Istanbul, trace the city’s evolution from Constantinople to the heart of the Ottoman Empire as you explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar. Along the Aegean coast, examine the intellectual and political influence of the classical world at Pergamum, Ephesus, Priene, Miletus, and Didyma — places that once shaped philosophy, medicine, urban planning, and early Christianity.

Complementing these historic explorations is time spent along Türkiye’s stunning Turquoise Coast aboard a privately chartered gulet, offering access to quieter harbors, ancient coastal settlements, and the striking natural beauty of the eastern Mediterranean. Days are balanced between archaeological discovery and opportunities to experience contemporary Turkish culture through local markets, regional cuisine, conversations with expert guides, and visits to seaside towns largely untouched by mass tourism. Throughout the program, travelers will engage deeply with Türkiye’s layered history and enduring cultural traditions while enjoying the camaraderie and intellectual exchange that define Yale Alumni Academy travel.

Discover the Scottish Highlands — with their mist-shrouded peaks, verdant glens and velvet moors — from the perspective of the Caledonian Canal aboard the classic, cozy Lord of the Glens. Immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery as your expedition ship cruises the canal — built in the early 1800s to connect the Great Glen’s four lochs — and navigates passages inaccessible to larger boats. On this unforgettable voyage, step inside ancient sacred abbeys and legendary castles; experience warm, welcoming cities, and glide alongside an untamable coastline. Stride across the battlefield at Culloden — where Bonnie Prince Charlie was dramatically defeated in 1746 — and discover Clava Cairns, a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery. Take a train over the renowned viaduct to beautiful Glenfinnan. Search for marine animals and birdlife — including seals, whales, dolphins and seabirds — at Eigg, one of the Small Isles in the Inner Hebrides. Delight to Scottish dancers and whisky tastings, marvel at impressive nautical engineering and savor gorgeous views. This exclusive travel program takes you to destinations of wild beauty you’ll never forget.

In Rwanda, trek into the volcanic highlands of Volcanoes National Park for a privately guided encounter with endangered mountain gorillas — one of the most exclusive wildlife experiences in the world. Track golden monkeys through bamboo forests and explore the work of leading conservation scientists who are redefining what species protection looks like in the 21st century. Kigali adds modern context: a dynamic capital that reflects both resilience and forward-thinking leadership.

Then shift to Tanzania, where the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater deliver safari at its most iconic. Vast plains, exceptional predator sightings, and one of the planet’s last great migratory systems create wildlife viewing of remarkable scale and consistency. A visit to Oldupai Gorge places you at one of the most important paleoanthropological sites on Earth — a powerful reminder that these landscapes are not only biologically significant, but foundational to our understanding of human origins.

Set out on an extraordinary voyage from Lisbon to the Azores aboard Le Boréal, a stylish small ship known for its intimate atmosphere, French elegance, and all-inclusive experience. Your journey begins in Lisbon, where you’ll settle into the storied Bairro Alto Hotel, ideally located between the charm of Chiado and the lively spirit of Bairro Alto, before gathering with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner.

After time to enjoy Portugal’s capital, including a guided walking tour of historic Lisbon, a group lunch, and a visit to iconic Belém Tower, you’ll embark Le Boréal. As you cruise westward, enjoy the serene sands and golden landscapes of Porto Santo Island, explore Funchal’s old town, markets, mosaics, and the cathedral on Madeira, and take in leisurely days at sea with time to relax and enjoy the ship’s many amenities. In the Azores, discover Vila do Porto’s historic streets, churches, and architectural heritage, then continue to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island, where Baroque arches, historic fortifications, and Atlantic views create a memorable finale.

Over the course of seventeen days, this program traces a deliberate arc across Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe—linking geology, ecology, and human history through direct experience on the ground (and, at times, from the air).
It is designed not simply to “see” wildlife, but to understand the systems that sustain it and the forces—tectonic, climatic, political—that have shaped this region over millennia.

One of the rarest celestial events of our lifetime will be experienced from an exceptional vantage point at sea. This 10-night private charter of Sea Cloud II positions travelers in one of the best locations on Earth to witness the “Eclipse of the Century,” offering the longest period of totality in more than 100 years—until a similar event occurs in 2114. From carefully selected coordinates, totality will last an extraordinary 6 minutes and 6 seconds, revealing the sun’s elusive corona as day briefly turns to night. Observing from the ship’s deck provides an unobstructed view, far from land-based crowds and summer heat.

Beyond the skies, this voyage sails through millennia of human history, visiting five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin with a night in Athens, the cradle of Western Civilization, before embarking in Piraeus to cruise through the Cyclades. Enjoy a stop at sacred Delos and volcanic Milos before calling on the Crete to explore the Bronze Age Minoan civilization. We then travel into the heart of the Mediterranean to get into position for the eclipse. Post-eclipse, your experience continues to the Neolithic temples and charm of Gozo, Malta, and Sicily’s ancient treasures—from Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples to Syracuse’s dramatic theaters and historic Ortygia, before disembarking in Valletta, Malta.

For first-time visitors to Greece, a pre-trip extension to Athens will be available and for those that want to extend their stay after the cruise, a two-night extension to Valletta will be offered.

On this once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the top of the world, venture deep into the Arctic Circle to experience some of the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes, illuminated by the ethereal glow of the midnight sun. Begin in Reykjavík, Iceland, where you’ll embark the deluxe small ship World Voyager for a luxurious nine-night expedition cruise through polar regions few travelers ever reach.

Sail to bird-rich Vigur Island before crossing the Denmark Strait to Greenland, navigating vast fjord systems carved by ancient glaciers and drifting among icebergs of every imaginable shape and hue. Continue north to the islands of Norway’s legendary Svalbard archipelago, where dramatic icy coastlines, towering mountains, and expansive glaciers create a breathtaking natural stage for extraordinary wildlife encounters. With expert guides and expedition staff, keep watch for polar bears, walrus colonies, Arctic foxes, and abundant birdlife, as well as marine species including six types of seals and up to 14 species of whales that frequent these nutrient-rich waters.

Throughout the program, enjoy the refined comforts of your ship, engaging onboard lectures, and ever-changing scenery that underscores the scale and beauty of the High Arctic. After disembarking in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, travel by included flight to Oslo, Norway, where the program concludes with an overnight stay at the first-class Grand Hotel Oslo.