Infinite adventures

Launched in 1991, the MIT Alumni Travel Program organizes 15 to 20 trips every year for the MIT community. It partners with professional tour operators to make sure travel experiences are sophisticated and enriching—whatever the destination.

Over the years, travelers have enjoyed riding the rails through the Colorado Rockies, transiting the Panama Canal, watching a total solar eclipse from a prime viewing spot in Idaho, and getting a private tour of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research facility in Switzerland. 

Here’s a look at a few of last year’s expeditions. Learn about upcoming MIT Alumni Travel Program trips at alum.mit.edu/travel.

A planetary scientist explains the northern lights

For this journey to the wilds of the Arctic frontier, trip participants got the chance to dogsled, meet reindeer herders, and join a “king crab safari” in which guests pulled crabs from the river and then enjoyed a special crab lunch. The travelers spent time in the charming city of Bergen, in western Norway, and then cruised along the country’s coastline and fjords and witnessed the northern lights.

ELIZABETH GEISMAR/CRITERION TRAVEL

As a bonus, astronomer Richard Binzel served as faculty leader, or “enrichment lecturer,” for this trip. An MIT professor of planetary science and aerospace engineering, Binzel shared insights on how the interaction of solar wind with Earth’s magnetic field affects one of nature’s most spectacular light shows. “Even to a seasoned observer, the northern lights are endlessly eerie, fascinating, and breathtaking,” Binzel says.

Travelers reported being delighted by the excursions and the local guides who shared insights into life in the Arctic and the culture of local Sami people. “These are the best tour guides we have ever had, and we have traveled on many non-MIT trips,” says Jacob Jorgensen ’73.

Learning traditional crafts and visiting palaces in Japan

The travel program’s tour of Japan included Tokyo—where the group visited the Imperial Palace and explored the gallery of the acclaimed calligrapher Koshun Masunaga—as well as Kyoto, the country’s cultural and artistic center. 

ASHLEY MAC

Highlights included visits to the historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa as well as a tour of Nijō Castle, the imperial residence and fortifications of the shoguns who ruled Japan for more than 250 years. At Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, participants gained insight into the conservation efforts undertaken to protect the country’s iconic volcano, Mount Fuji.

Ruth Lufkin, who took this trip with her husband, Rick Lufkin ’68, says one experience that made the expedition special was learning traditional Japanese crafts. “We especially appreciated time in the calligraphy studio, and the opportunity to experience papermaking and play with gold leaf,” she says. “Each of these activities also provided extraordinary mementos of our trip, a real plus.”

World War II sites from an airman’s perspective

This trip to Normandy, France, featured visits to the beaches, memorials, and landmarks of D-Day—the Allied invasion, code-named Operation Overlord, that changed the course of World War II. Phil Haun, PhD ’10, a research affiliate with MIT’s Security Studies Program, was on hand to provide alums and friends with deep historical perspective on these events.

“Operation Overlord was the largest joint and coalition amphibious operation in the history of warfare,” says Haun, who was able to provide an airman’s perspective on events as a retired US Air Force colonel. “It was the culmination of years of extensive planning, technological development, and air and sea combat in preparation for establishing a beachhead in Western Europe.”

Travelers also visited the fortress city of Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site; sampled world-class cheese and brandy; visited one of France’s largest collections of Impressionist paintings; and learned—from its current owners—a little bit about what it’s like to own a 10th-century castle. 

A rich taste of American food, wine, and history

Cultural and culinary experiences were on the top of the menu for this trip, which highlighted fresh, locally sourced cuisine and gave travelers the opportunity to try 40 regional wines personally selected by Food & Wine magazine’s executive wine editor, Ray Isle.

Following in the historic path of explorers Lewis and Clark, MIT travelers cruised along the mighty Columbia and Snake Rivers aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird—taking in waterfalls, rocky shores, and canyons carved over time by floods and volcanic eruptions.

KIM HUNTER ’86

Travelers were able to hop into kayaks and inflatable boats to explore the wild reaches at close range. They also heard from experts who illuminated the history of the local Nez Perce people and provided perspective on the geology of the region—including the impacts of the Missoula floods of 15,000 years ago. A National Geographic–certified instructor in photography gave participants tips on how to best capture their experiences on camera. 

“After a day exploring off-ship, we really enjoyed getting more detailed information about the geology of the region through the talks in the lounge,” says Robert Gill, OceanE ’72, SM ’72. “I think the seamless way food and wine was incorporated into this trip—with so many experts sharing their knowledge—was the magic that put it all together for me.”