Thank you to all UC retirees, friends and families who have made our trips so popular. Some of our 2024 trips are already almost half full. Here's a short list of escorts on the 2024 trips - maybe someone you know?

• Costa Rica in January, escort Dolores Dyer, UCLA.
• Australia/New Zealand in March, escort Frank Trueba, UC Santa Cruz.
• Morocco in April, escort Sue Barnes, UCLA and UC Davis.
• Croatia in June, escort Sandra Norbert, UC San Francisco.
• Memorials of WWII in August, escort Vicky Leow, UC San Francisco.
• Alpine Lakes and Scenic Trains in September, escort Dolores Dyer or Sandra Norberg.
• Kingdoms of Southeast Asia in November, escort Dolores Dyer or Sandra Norberg.

April 2024: Turkey's Magical Hideaways is a small group adventure with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). Highlights of this 18-day trip include Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Fethiye, 4-Night Turquoise Coast private gulet cruise, Marmaris, Kusadasi and more. There are 17 guided tours and cultural experiences, such as a day in the life of a Cappadocian village and a craft demo at a rug-weaving cooperative. For more information see: UC Retirees Travel. Or read the flyer. 

A huge giant thank you to all the UC Retirees, friends and family that have made UC Travel such a success. When you participate in UC Retirees Travel trips, you help to support CUCRA (Council of University of California Retirees Associations), a systemwide consortium of volunteer representatives from all of the UC retiree associations. CUCRA represents retiree interests and advocates for retiree benefits in regular meetings with UC leadership.

Our  trips have been so popular we sometimes have had to plan two trips to the same location because of overwhelming popularity.  We want to accommodate every single one of you! It is  a chance to meet up with old friends and meet new ones. Please if you see a a trip you would like to go on (CUCRA Travel) , sign up right away.  If you register before final payment is due you can confirm your space with just a deposit and optional travel insurance. We don’t want to disappoint any of our retirees friends or family by having them go on a waiting list. Our trips have become so popular that many  months prior to a trip you may be on a waiting list. You all have made UC Travel a fun group  to join and we are getting more travelers all the time.  We have gotten great feedback on all of our adventures.  Please book early and be part of the UC Travel adventures

Your UC Travel Group 

 Dolores Dyer. ddyer44@verizon.net

Travel Zoom at 1 pm Friday, June 16. Register now. Hear about 2024 trips and maybe 2025. If this meeting weren't on Zoom, it would be Standing Room Only! All aboard. 

Did you miss the March 17 meeting? Did you attend, but need to refresh your memory? The March 17 Travel group meeting is now on YouTube, see it here. 

Coming soon! Zoom travel meeting at 1 pm on Friday, March 17 with Jay of Collette. Find out more about 2023 trips and plans for 2024. Register here. 

Exploring Greece and Its Islands, Oct. 9-24, 2023. Discover the magnificent ruins of ancient Greece and bask in the brilliance of the Mediterranean. This comprehensive journey explores Greece's most important ancient monuments, including the famed Temple of Zeus, the archaeological site of Olympia and ancient artifacts of Delphi. Explore Athens on a comprehensive tour of the incredible Acropolis. Visit a local farm in the countryside to see how olive oil and wine are produced. Learn how to cook traditional Mediterranean cuisine during a cooking demonstration. Wander the winding streets, vineyards, marketplaces and beaches of Mykonos and Santorini. Explore the excavations of the ancient city at Akrotiri, the most important prehistoric settlement found anywhere in the Eastern Mediterranean. Learn the history of this fascinating country from local experts on guided tours of Athens, Meteora, Delphi, and Olympia. Throughout your journey, experience the iconic sights of Greece's Classical age with ample time to explore on your own. 

Cool breezes, sandals and sandy beaches. I'm going, are you? https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1125159 

From medieval architecture to ethereal waterfalls, coast along the sparkling Adriatic Sea and experience the best of Croatia. Jumping off a yacht into the sea - how bad can that be? Enjoy a memorable 7-night cruise on the Adriatic Sea along Croatia’s coast aboard a privately chartered ship. Tour the Old City of Dubrovnik and walk along the picturesque cobblestone streets. Visit the island of Biševo, home to the mystical Blue Cave. On Brac Island, take in the “Golden Cape” of Bol. Discover the ancient palace of Emperor Diocletian in Split. Stand in awe before the cascading waterfalls of Krka National Park. Get to know Zagreb, the illustrious capital of Croatia. See the country’s immaculate beauty as you cruise its vibrant waters and step into its rich history. Still working on a date, let me know what you think!

South Africa. 2/2-2/15.  Summary 

This was a terrific, wonderful trip.  22 travelers (20 UC, 2 from Florida). Two travelers did the pre trip to Dubai.  8 returned to the US  on 2/15 ( myself included), 12 continued on to Victoria.  

Itinerary:  Johannesburg, Sandton, Soweto. Kruger National Park Safari Game Drive. George, Knysna, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Cape Town

The Safari Drive was outstanding terrific once in a life time. All type of animals were like up close and personal. We had wake up calls for 3:30 am on the safari drives. Everyone got there on time no one was ever late. 

Tour Guide: Chris Macwilliams

The Positives:  Chris was absolutely outstanding. He knew everything about South Africa. We even got on-bus lectures. Our first nite he arranged a welcoming dinner where we all introduced our selves. I gave a short speech about Covid: wearing your mask and using  sanitizer.  He put together his own itinerary, which was written down to the exact time we would meet, and depart, eat dinner etc.  It was like "the bible” we all carried around.  One of our UC travelers had a birthday on the trip and Chris arranged for her to have a special ice cream sundae and he got a card for all of us to sign for her.  She was thrilled!

Hotels:  all 5 star hotels. All the travelers were very impressed with the hotels where we stayed

Buses:  we had buses that were for about 30 people. The driver cleaned the busses every nite the busses had a bathroom and we had bottles of cold water daily.

Lunches:   Were provided on the safari drives and they were impressive. Sandwiches, cold drinks, snacks, dessert and fruit.

Everyone got along great, no problems. We were all becoming good friends, and wanted to travel with each other again.  The couple from Florida asked if they could join our travel group.

Trip idea for 2024: Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trains. Ride three legendary train routes – the Golden Pass Panoramic Train, the Glacier Express, and the Bernina Pass Train. Explore Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Relax in some of Europe’s most stunning and exclusive resort villages, including Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lake Maggiore, Italy. Spend time at a family-owned farm where you sample their handmade cheeses paired with local wine. Let me know if that appeals to you!