Alumni

Alumni Travel Programs

TravelWhether you are planning a trip of a lifetime, a return to a favorite destination, or simply looking for your next adventure, the WIU Alumni Travel Abroad Program is a great place to start your journey. WIU Alumni & Friends are invited to join your Alumni Association and other Western alumni in traveling and learning opportunities worldwide on an Alumni Travel Abroad Program.

We will happily send you information including features, itineraries, and pricing. Questions or desire a reservation? We're just a phone call away!  Call (309) 298-1914, or email a-association@wiu.edu.

See the world with your WIU Alumni Association!

If you have traveled with us recently, please fill out our online evaluation form HERE.

We OFFER Travel Protection for all types of travel

Whether you decide to travel with WIU or even for trips you take on your own, the WIU Alumni Association offers protection for all types of trips. Whenever you travel, we strongly recommend you protect your travel investment with trip insurance. A travel protection plan can cover you for many unexpected disruptions you may encounter as specified in the plan, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delays, baggage loss or delay, emergency medical expense, emergency medical evacuation, and more.

There are many plans on the market from which to choose. One plan option is the Travel Insurance Select plan available to our travelers from USI Travel Insurance Services. For more than a decade, USI Travel Insurance Services has provided travel protection plans for alumni and friends. Every year, the Travel Insurance Select plan provides coverage to thousands of alumni travelers just like you. Be sure you are insured for your next trip – whether participating in a WIU Travel Abroad Program or traveling on your own.

If you buy your plan early, you also have the option to add the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)* upgrade, which affords you more flexibility if you decide to cancel your trip. Click here for more information or to quote and enroll before you hit the road, sea or ocean. Or call 800-937-1387 for more information or to enroll by phone. (When calling, be sure to mention that you are with the WIU Alumni Association.)

*CFAR is offered at an additional premium. In order to be eligible for CFAR, you must buy your plan within 21 days of the date in which your initial trip deposit is received. Additional conditions apply. Not available to residents of NY. Read plan documents for terms, conditions and exclusions .

NOTE: The itinerary(ies) outlined below is preliminary and is subject to change due to operational conditions.

insurance

Upcoming Trips

2024

2025

       **Please note that all trip dates are subject to change.


2024 WIU Alumni Travel Program

Holiday Markets Cruise ~ The Festive Rhine River
 December 3 – 11, 2024
from $2,995 if booked by 4/9/24 + port + air

marketFeel the magic of the holidays in Germany and France on a seven-night Rhine River cruise! Celebrate centuries-old traditions in festive markets aglow with twinkling lights and good cheer and overflowing with handmade decorations and other treasures. Savor the sounds of carolers and bells and the scent of nutmeg, cinnamon and fresh pine in the air. Visit Heidelberg’s castle and enjoy an exclusive musical performance in the romantic old town. You’ll also stroll through Freiburg, a vibrant university city, and admire the details of Cologne’s spectacular cathedral. In the ports of Breisach, Strasbourg, Rüdesheim and Düsseldorf, choose excursions that fit your interests, such as wine tastings, culinary tours or cultural experiences. Aboard your exclusively chartered, first-class ship, revel in the beauty of the Rhine Gorge and sip warm, spicy Glühwein. This heartwarming journey includes an ample meal plan, plus wine and beer with lunch and dinner. There is no supplement for solo travelers.

(For more information or to make a reservation for this Alumni Holidays trip, call 800-323-7373 or CLICK HERE.)

SAVE THE DATE for these 2025 trips!!

Greece: Athens & Crete
 May 16 – 27, 2025
from $5,295 if booked by 12/23/24 + VAT + air

greeceDelight in authentic Greek island life on this enriching, 10-night journey featuring seven nights on Crete! Take in charming Cretan villages, tranquil beaches, olive groves and the breathtaking Aegean Sea over five nights in Heraklion and two nights in Chania. Revel in picturesque old towns and beautiful, 16th-century Venetian harbors in each locale, plus feast on Greek olives, seafood and wine! Enjoy guided tours of Knossos and Phaistos, major centers of the Minoan civilization, and view exquisite Greek and Minoan artifacts, including the mysterious Phaistos Disc. You’ll also set off to the stunning island of Santorini and delve into the intriguing history of Spinalonga Island. Learn how to make traditional Cretan dishes at a fun cooking class, marvel at one of the world’s oldest olive trees, and cruise on Chania Bay at sunset. During three nights in Athens, take in the glorious Parthenon on the Acropolis and admire the Acropolis Museum’s treasures. This remarkable, small-group program includes a round-trip flight to Crete, deluxe and first-class hotels, and illuminating insights from expert guides and lecturers.

(For more information or to make a reservation for this Alumni Holidays trip, call 800-323-7373 or CLICK HERE.)

Italy ~ Tuscany & Emilia-Romagna
 June 10 – 19, 2025
from $4,295 if booked by 8/13/24 + VAT + air

tuscanyAstounding beauty and cuisine await on this eight-night Italian adventure! During stays in Parma and Cortona, you’ll be immersed in the alluring spirit, culture and heritage of Italy’s delightful Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions. From Bologna’s storied university and arched arcades to Parma’s lauded Pilotta Palace, charming medieval villages to beautiful country farms, these wondrous destinations will seduce your senses. Get a taste of local life while strolling through Vigoleno and Castell’Arquato, and visit Orvieto, perched atop a stunning cliff. Savor culinary favorites beloved around the world, including parmesan cheese, pasta and traditional balsamic vinegar. In Cortona, gaze at incredible artifacts in the celebrated Etruscan Museum. Along the way, sip locally made wines at a Tuscan winery and hone your cooking skills while learning to make typical regional dishes. Plus, ample free time allows you to linger in pretty piazzas or shop like a local in neighborhood markets. This small-group journey features an exclusive lecture series, first-class hotels and an extensive meal plan with wine at dinner. Get ready for unforgettable moments in Italy!

(For more information or to make a reservation for this Alumni Holidays trip, call 800-323-7373 or CLICK HERE.)

Spain ~ Andalucia in a Parador
August 28 – September 5, 2025
from $3,095 if booked by 1/14/25 + port + air

spainRevel in captivating southern Spain on a wonderful journey to Andalucía! Settle in for seven nights at a first-class, modern parador in Antequera, a medieval town in the picturesque heartland. From there, encounter Andalucía’s spectacular treasures as you learn how its heritage has been shaped by a fascinating mix of cultures and religions. Marvel at some of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in Spain, including the exquisite Alhambra in Granada and La Mezquita, Córdoba’s glorious mosque-cathedral. Take in the stunning Real Alcázar palace in Sevilla, Spain’s cultural heart, and step inside remarkable prehistoric tombs near Antequera. In Ronda, a charming hilltop town, savor breathtaking views high over El Tajo Gorge. From a countryside wine tasting to a passionate flamenco performance, this small-group program offers an engaging line-up of memorable moments! Enjoy the services of a professional Travel Director, insightful lectures and a generous meal plan featuring wine with dinner. Solo-friendly with no single supplement!

(For more information or to make a reservation for this Alumni Holidays trip, call 800-323-7373 or CLICK HERE.)

France ~ Pleasures of Provence
September 23 – October 1, 2025
from $4,495 if booked by 1/14/25 + VAT + air

franceDiscover the irresistible allure of southeastern France during this quintessential Provençal experience. Unpack once and enjoy first-class accommodations for seven nights in the heart of magical Aix-en-Provence. Walk in the footsteps of great painters, savor immersive cultural experiences and visit picturesque French villages. In Aix, stroll the storied Cours Mirabeau and relish a tour of Paul Cézanne’s atelier. Then, tour the medieval Papal Palace in Avignon and witness the engineering marvel of UNESCO-inscribed Pont du Gard. Along the way, behold France’s “most beautiful village,” Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, tour van Gogh’s Arles and captivating Les Baux and St. Remy, admire the lovely towns of Lourmarin and Cucuron, and explore France’s oldest city of Marseille. Join truffle hunters as you search for the elusive “black gold,” sample a tasting and learn to play the local game of pétanque . Plus, savor fresh seafood in a Cassis fishing village, and enjoy a tour and tasting at an olive oil mill and a Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard. This small-group itinerary features engaging lectures and a generous meal plan, including wine with dinner.

(For more information or to make a reservation for this Alumni Holidays trip, call 800-323-7373 or CLICK HERE.)

Alumni Holidays

AHI Travel is a creative, family-owned travel company that has been providing the best in deluxe educational travel experiences since 1962. Recognized around the world the for their expertly planned and operated programs, they are the premier operator of travel for university alumni associations. They are proud that many of our travelers have chosen to travel with us on 15, 20 and even 30 trips because of their attention to detail, excellent service and innovative travel programs.

In addition to the featured Western Illinois University travel programs sponsored for alumni and friends, the Alumni Association also provides you the opportunity to travel independently on all AHI programs and dates .

AHI Health and Safety Protocols

AHI health and safety protocols

Go Next

For nearly 40 years, Go Next has made the world more accessible to the sophisticated traveler. Offering unique and fascinating itineraries on land, at sea and by river, Go Next programs are designed to provide the maximum experience at an affordable price. With the ideal balance of exploration, education and relaxation, our trips provide the savings and conveniences of a group program, while presenting opportunities for independent exploration. Go Next is committed to providing quality travel programs and excellent customer service for professional associations and college alumni groups. Accompanied by an experienced and dedicated staff, Go Next travelers have journeyed the globe.

Insurance benefits in the plans are subject to exclusions and limitations, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

The plan contains insurance benefits underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company as well as non-insurance Travel Assistance Services that are provided by On Call International. Coverages may vary and not all coverage is available in all jurisdictions. Individuals looking to obtain additional information regarding the features and pricing of each travel plan component, please contact USI Insurance Services, LLC d/b/a USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services with its principal place of business at 3805 West Chester Pike, Suite 200, Newtown Square, PA, 19073; 1-800-937-1387; info@travelinsure.com. CA license #OG11911. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-4357.  MD Insurance Administration: 800-492-6116.

* The insurance benefits that are part of the plans are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.  As a travel retailer, Western Illinois University Alumni Association and its employees may transact Travel Insurance on TIS’s behalf and under TIS’s direction, including offering/disseminating information on their behalf, including brochures, buyer guides, descriptions of coverage, and price, referring specific coverage/feature/benefit questions to TIS, disseminating/processing applications for coverage, coverage selection forms, or other similar forms, collecting premiums on TIS’s behalf, and receiving/recording information to share with TIS. Purchasing a travel plan is not required in order to purchase any other products or services offered by Western Illinois University Alumni Association.