Alumni Travel

Travel Diary

McMaster travellers and hosts share their photos and impressions of past trips.

Alumni Campus Abroad – Tuscany, Cortona
September, 2007

McMaster alumni participated in three separate departures for this popular trip with AHI. Based in either Cortona or Pienza in the heart of Tuscany, travellers explored the tranquility of Assisi, the graceful gothic ambience of Siena and marveled at the architectural wonders of Renaissance Florence. Travellers learned about the history, the art, enjoyed a Tuscan cooking demonstration, had a private wine tasting in Montalcino area and savoured the flavours of beautiful Tuscany!

“I loved Tuscany and the excellent educational presentations, variety, balancing of free & occupied time.” 

Cruise the Passage of Peter the Great
July, 2007

Making its way from Moscow to St. Petersburg, the MS Repin carried an enthusiastic group of McMaster alumni on a cultural odyssey from palaces to onion domes of these legendary cities. Along the way, the hidden treasures of the Russian countryside were a delight to discover mediaval villages and charming wooden dachas, or wooden houses of national heroes.

 “What a journey! It’s been a fabulous trip – not a drop of rain, good food, great tours, the lectures and entertainment were top-notch. Good food, lovely ship and beautiful vistas as we cruised. Of course, I’ll take another AHI holiday soon! Martha Kennedy ’66

The Grand Canyon and the American Southwest
March, 2007

Our first big-hike for MACPack Adventures, we toured five canyons, met a Navajo chief hike, sang our way along the trails and enjoyed the company of a great group!

“I'm grateful to have seen so much, including the Navajo (Dene) country, and to have hiked in five canyons (Grand, Antelope, Zion, Bryce, and Kolab). Getting right down into the canyons, of course, was the best, and they are all very different. I'm still exhilarated from coming over the edge of the rim at the end of the six hours down and up on the Grandview Trail, and wouldn't forget any of that memorable and demanding day. The gift of snow during our last couple of hours on the trails and rim of Bryce Canyon caused wonderful effects of light and colour, as every shade of red, orange, yellow, and brown rock formations of all size from small to huge got silhouetted through the snow, with the winter sky above and beyond the whole scene. Unforgettable.” Dr. Alvin Lee, President & Vice-Chancellor Emeritus