2024 CEU.indd

CLASSIC EUROPE

2024 GRADUATION TOUR

LAND PACKAGE FROM: $3,825

US DEPARTURE DATE: MAY 11, 2024

LAND TOUR START DATE: MAY 12, 2024

ROME RETURN DATE: MAY 21, 2024

ATHENS RETURN DATE: MAY 26, 2024

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

START YOUR ADVENTURE.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Visit our website www.aesu.com/osu-gradtrip for more details and to book.

Travel insurance is compulsory. You will receive insurance information directly from Ohio State.

For more information visit: http://my.travelinsure.com/ohiostate/

Graduation is approaching!

Celebrate this milestone and signiﬁ cant achievement with The Ohio State University Alumni Association’s trip

for graduating seniors, Classic Europe. It offers the chance to visit some of the country’s must-see destinations

with peers before settling down into a new job or graduate school.

The Alumni Association has been sponsoring this celebratory trip for over twenty years, and those who

have participated have returned with rave reviews. Don’t be left out - join other Buckeyes and tour Europe

together! Visit London, Paris, Nice and Rome, with an option to extend your trip and visit Southern Italy and

Greece. Experience amazing theater, see great works of art, walk through millennia-old landmarks, swim in the

Mediterranean, and bask in the Grecian sun.

Designed for traditional-aged graduates of The Ohio State University, this extensive program represents great

value.

It offers:

- The opportunity for fun, hassle-free travel with other graduates

- Insights into other people, places and cultures - a source of personal enrichment

- Experiences to broaden one’s worldview and provide an advantage in today’s global job market

- A vacation to remember and a reward for all of that hard work

Education is a lifelong process, and travel is a fantastic way to augment one’s knowledge. The details about this

fantastic European tour are included in this brochure.

After reviewing the information, we hope you’ll agree -- this exciting adventure is the perfect way to celebrate!

Best regards,

Debbie Vargo

Director, Alumni Tours

The Ohio State University Alumni Association

ADV-AlumniT[email protected]

CLASSIC EUROPE

11 DAYS PLUS AN OPTIONAL

5-DAY EXTENSION TO SOUTHERN ITALY & GREECE

COUNTRIES VISITED:

ENGLAND | FRANCE | ITALY | VATICAN CITY | GREECE

11-Day Land Package Transportation and Lodging

• 9 nights in superior tourist class hotels or better,

2-share rooms with private bath/shower

• Intra-Europe transportation by air-conditioned motor

coach as per itinerary

• Eurostar train from London to Paris

• High speed TGV train from Paris to Southern France

Meals

• 13 meals: 9 breakfasts, 4 three-course specialty dinners

Activities & Admissions

• London welcome orientation and pub crawl

• 1-day group tube pass in London

• Guided tours in London, Paris and Rome, all led by

local historians

• Seine River cruise in Paris

• Paris travel card with unlimited access to public

transportation system

• Paris Museum Pass (includes access to over 70

museums and monuments in Paris including

the Louvre, Musée Picasso and more...)

• The beaches of the French Riviera

• Tuscan experience

• Chianti wine tasting

• Roma Pass (includes access to the Roman Forum,

Colosseum, plus additional free or discounted

admissions to sights in Rome. Unlimited access

to public transportation.)

• See St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City

WHAT‘S INCLUDED?

5-Day Optional Extension Transportation and Lodging

• 5 nights in superior tourist class hotels or better,

2-share rooms with private bath/shower - including

overnight on ship from Italy to Greece (4-share cabins)

• All intra-Europe transportation by air-conditioned

motor coach and overnight ship as per itinerary

Meals

• 9 meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 three-course specialty dinners

Activities & Admissions

• Guided tours in Pompeii and Athens, led by local

historians

• Admission to Pompeii archeological site

• Bike rental on the Isle of Poros

• Greek Island stay

• Toga party

• Admission to Acropolis

Optional Excursions

(not included in land package price):

Paris, France - French Perfumery and Museum visit,

French cabaret show

French Riviera - Excursion to Monte Carlo & Cannes

(not offered during Grand Prix)

Poros, Greece - Watersports (16-day tour only)

TRAVEL TO ENGLAND

Embark on your overnight ight to London.

Meals: In-ight

LAND TOUR START DAY: LONDON

Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and unwind. In the evening, meet fellow travelers and

your tour director at our welcome orientation followed by a fun London pub crawl.

Meals: In-ight

Inclusions: Transfer from airport to hotel included with purchased AESU group airfare,

Welcome orientation, Welcome cocktail, Pub crawl

LONDON

Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey: These familiar names become

familiar places on our morning tour of London. During an afternoon at leisure,

browse the many food, craft and clothing stalls at popular Camden Market, walk in

the footsteps of Harry Potter at Leadenhall Market aka Diagon Alley or take a ride

on the London Eye for a birds-eye view of the city and the opportunity to take great

photographs. After dusk, consider taking in some Shakespeare at the Globe Theater

by the Thames River or attending a West End show.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions: 1-day group tube pass, Tour of London guided by a local historian,

Personal audio headset, See Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey,

Tower Bridge and more

LONDON - PARIS

Travel through the “Chunnel” below the English Channel to Paris. Our local art

historian shows us the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and

Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood. Tonight, dine on French

specialties at our bistro dinner. Afterward, we take a romantic cruise down the river

Seine.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: English Channel Eurostar train, Tour of Paris guided by a local historian,

See the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe

and more, See Paris-by-night illuminations, French bistro dinner, Seine River cruise

CLASSIC EUROPE ITINERARY

A B O U T T H E T R I P :

Reward yourself for all your hard work with this ultimate escape. The Classic Europe grad trip offers 16 days of exploration,

adventure, and insight into many of Europe’s most popular and stunning countries. This tour provides something for

everyone, from mingling with locals on a London pub crawl, and seeking adventure in the Greek isles to photographing the

majesty of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and venturing through the Roman Forum and the 2000-year-old Parthenon

in Athens. The beauty of this journey is the balance of fun excursions, time at leisure and fascinating looks into history,

architecture and breathtaking European landscapes. Unleash your inner adventurer and make memories and new friends to

last a lifetime.

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

PARIS

Enjoy a free day in Paris today. You can opt to join your tour director for a visit to a

French perfumery and museum this morning. Afterwards consider visiting the Palace

of Versailles, Louis XIV’s residence. The included museum pass gives you access to the

Hall of Mirrors and the King’s Grand Chambers. Marvel at the sheer size of the palace,

one of the most beautiful castles in the world with an astonishing 700 rooms. Later

check out another one of the 70 museums and monuments included in your pass in

and around Paris, such as the world-famous Louvre, housing the Mona Lisa, Musée

d’Orsay and Musée National Picasso. Your Paris travel card will provide unlimited public

transportation throughout the city. This evening you may consider seeing a can-can

cabaret show at the world-famous Moulin Rouge.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions: Paris travel card with unlimited access to public transportation system,

Paris Museum Pass (Note: most museums require reservations, when using the pass.

Book early to secure your spot.)

Optional Activities: Optional visit to French perfumery and museum,

French cabaret show

PARIS - FRENCH RIVIERA

This morning, the TGV high-speed train takes us from Paris to Nice, queen resort

of the Côte d’Azur. Enjoy your free afternoon on picturesque beaches along the

Mediterranean coastline, stroll promenades lined with chic boutiques, or unwind at a

sidewalk café. The thriving local art scene and buzzing nightlife is yours to discover

after tonight’s brasserie dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: High-speed train to Nice, See Promenade d’Anglais, Place Macena and

more, French brasserie dinner

FRENCH RIVIERA

Enjoy a free day on the dazzling French Riviera. Relax on the beach, paddle in the

azure sea, or sip on a smooth cocktail beneath swaying palms. Consider exploring

Nice to visit the magnicent Palais Lascaris, the Cathédrale de Sainte Réparate and

harbors lled with opulent yachts. Or, you may opt to join our excursion to Monaco,

where Prince Rainier married Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, and glitzy Cannes,

known for its famous International Film Festival.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions: French Riviera beaches and promenade

Optional Activities: Excursion to Monte Carlo & Cannes (not offered during Grand Prix)

FRENCH RIVIERA - PISA - TUSCANY

Our journey takes us along the scenic Côte d’Azur’s sun-splashed beaches. We cross

the border into Italy and arrive in Pisa with its stunning Piazza dei Miracoli. Take time

to admire the Baptistery, the Cathedral, and take seles in front of the famous Leaning

Tower. Now, immerse yourself in the magic of Tuscany. Travel along rolling hills of olive

groves and vineyards crowned by castles and ancient abbeys. Renaissance culture is

around every corner with hilltop towns unchanged from the Middle Ages. This region is

also known for its fabulous farm-to-table agritourism. Enjoy our Chianti wine tasting

and then savor regional dishes featuring produce and wines direct from the local farms.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: Private motor coach from the French Riviera to Tuscany, See the scenic Cote

D’Azur, Visit to Pisa with its Leaning Tower, Chianti wine tasting, Tuscan dinner, Tuscan

experience

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

TUSCANY - ROME - VATICAN CITY

This morning we continue our travels south to the capital of Italy. Get ready to soak

up Rome’s dolce vita lifestyle as we explore the city’s picturesque streets and piazzas

with our local historian. Ancient icons such as the Colosseum or Caesar’s Roman

Forum remind us of the city’s golden age as the capital of the world. Vatican City with

St. Peter’s Basilica towering over the square, and colossal cathedrals throughout the

city, tells stories of its history as seat of the Catholic Church. Use your included Roma

Pass to visit the Colosseum and take advantage of the included unlimited use of

public transportation.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions: Tour of Rome and Vatican City guided by a local historian, Personal audio

headset, See Caesar’s Forum, Circus Maximus, Pantheon and more, See St. Peter’s

Basilica in Vatican City, Roma Pass entrance to Colosseum and Forum, Special access

and discounts with Roma Pass, Unlimited access to local transportation with Roma

Pass

ROME - VATICAN CITY

A free day in Rome may nd you exploring Piazza Navona, climbing the famous

Spanish Steps and tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to

Rome. Try numerous avors of the fabulous gelato ice cream or nd yourself on Via

dei Condotti, one of Rome’s fashionable shopping streets. This evening, we cross

the Tiber River to Trastevere, one of Rome’s oldest neighborhoods, for our fun Italian

Pizza Party. Toppings range from a simple drizzle of olive oil, rosemary and salt, to

mushrooms, prosciutto ham and artichokes. Buon appetito!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: See Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and more, Special

access and discounts with Roma Pass, Unlimited access to local transportation with

Roma Pass, Pizza Party in Trastevere

For some of us the celebratory tour of Europe ends in Rome this morning. Bid

farewell to friends and “arrivederci” to Italy before jetting back home with memories

to last a lifetime. For the rest of us - sunny olive groves line the way south to Pompeii.

Under the shadow of Vesuvius, the volcano that buried this ancient city in 79 A.D.,

explore the excavated wonders including homes, markets and temples that remain

intact, and streets that still bear the marks of chariot wheels from 2,000 years ago.

Afterwards, we cross the Italian “boot” and board our overnight ship to Greece.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions: Tour of the Pompeii excavations guided by a local historian, Personal

audio headset, Scenic overnight ship from Italy to Greece, For those traveling home,

transfer from hotel to airport included with purchased AESU group airfare

ISLE OF POROS

After cruising through aquamarine waters, our ship docks at Patras. Motor along the

Corinthian Sea across the Peloponnese to Galatas and the island of Poros. Relax and

unwind with three days of living like a Greek god or goddess. Enjoy a welcome drink

at the pool bar before exploring this idyllic island.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: Relaxing pool and beach time, Enjoy iconic Greek sunsets, Traditional

Greek dinner

TRAVEL HOME - OR CONTINUE TO POMPEII & OVERNIGHT SHIP TO GREECE

DAY 9

DAY 10

DAY 11

DAY 12

TRAVEL HOME - OR CONTINUE TO POMPEII & OVERNIGHT SHIP TO GREECE

ISLE OF POROS

Today is free to enjoy at your leisure. Go for a swim, bask in the golden sun, or take

part in optional watersports such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing,

banana-boating or tubing. Dancing like Zorba at a local tavern is always a must-do

evening activity.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: Explore the white-washed village center of Poros, Traditional Greek

dinner, Beach and pool

Optional Activities: Watersports

ISLE OF POROS

Poros old town center has great shopping or the more adventurous can venture to

the 6th-century BC ruins of Poseidon’s Temple on the island’s highest peak. Bicycles

will be provided today, which offer an opportunity to further explore the island.

Tonight, we invite everyone to our fun toga party.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: Bike rental on the Isle of Poros, Beach and pool, Greek BBQ dinner, Greek

toga party

ISLE OF POROS - ATHENS

In the morning we board our ferry to Athens. See the 2,400-year-old Parthenon, the

Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square. A free afternoon may nd us

wandering the paths of Plato, Socrates and Sophocles or trying our bargaining skills

at the markets of Monastiraki. This evening follow the sounds of traditional bouzouki

music and join our farewell taverna dinner in the Plaka District – Athens’ oldest

neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Inclusions: Tour of Athens guided by a local historian, Acropolis admission, Greek

tavern farewell dinner, Greek music and dancing

TRAVEL HOME

Reluctantly we say farewell to Europe and new-found friends. Jet back home with

thoughts of planning your next alumni adventure!

Meals: Breakfast, In-ight

Inclusions: Transfer from hotel to airport included with purchased AESU group airfare

DAY 13

DAY 14

DAY 15

DAY 16

PROGRAM ACCOMMODATIONS

TOUR DIRECTORS

Your tour includes the services of a professional

tour director throughout the land package. We are

very proud of our tour directors. They are young

professionals; multi-lingual and carefully selected

graduates from major universities. They are eager

to show you the world through the eyes of an

adventurer. Our tour directors know this is a trip

of a lifetime for you and will share their knowledge

as well as interesting little-known facts. Our quali ed

tour directors and staff of local experts mean a

trouble-free journey with the added security of

group travel.

HOTELS

Our hotels and ships offer superior tourist class

accommodations, with private bathrooms. Hotels

are centrally located and many offer great extra

amenities such as pools, gyms or roof-top bars. All

land package rates are based on two people

sharing a room. If a single room is desired, a

supplement of $875 for the 11-day or $1,260 for the

16-day applies. If traveling solo and not wanting

to pay the single supplement, AESU will

attempt to arrange a share with a same-gender

traveler. If a share cannot be arranged the single

accommodations will be supplied free of charge.

”

NOT ONLY WAS THIS AN AMAZING TRIP, IT

WAS A WAKE UP CALL TO SEE THE WORLD.

“

- past grad trip traveler

ACTIVITY LEVEL: RELAXED

For more details, please visit: https://www.aesu.com/activity-levels-awt/

Hey College Grad!

From the pomp and pageantry of London to the glamour of Paris, from the ancient

Roman ruins to the sun-kissed beaches of Greece, Europe’s in nite variety of people,

places, and traditions are the perfect setting for a journey that celebrates and educates.

Get ready for a feast of all senses on this discovery of stunning world heritage sites,

exceptional museums, amazing local cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes. Enjoy leisure

time for explorations with new-found friends and return home with incredible memories.

This trip has been carefully designed and features fantastic inclusions and highlights.

For a glossary of these key aspects, visit: www.aesu.com/aspects-awt