HSU Traveling Range Riders
Ready, Set, Go!
Explore the world together with HSU’s Traveling Range Riders!
Read about all our upcoming adventures in our Full Trip Catalog below.
Also below: • Why Travel with HSU and other questions • Travel Resources & Helpful Hints

EXCITING TRIPS AHEAD!
Journey to some of the most historic and scenic locations on earth with HSU’s Traveling Range Riders. Explore famous sites and little-known gems. Revel in enriching cultural experiences.
Leave the planning to us and fully enjoy the journey. The Traveling Range Riders program is dedicated to giving travelers enriching cultural experiences to enhance lifelong education.
Our trips, which offer an exciting blend of destinations both abroad and in the U.S., are led by experienced guides and, whenever possible, an HSU host. We partner with trusted tour operators who understand alumni travel. Our tours are open to everyone, so invite your friends and family to come along, too!
For upcoming trip information, continue reading, call or email Program Director Britt Jones ’84 (brittj@hsutx.edu 325-670-1377), click here to request a brochure about any (or all) upcoming trip, or click here to be added to our mailing list.
Explore the World with HSU’s Traveling Range Riders
§ TRIP CATALOG §
FALL COLORS ON MARK TWAIN’S MISSISSIPPI
Sep. 24-Oct. 2, 2023 • St. Louis to Red Wing • from $2,399
Discover the beauty of the Mississippi River in autumn! Join us for this eight-night adventure on Mark Twain’s Mississippi.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@hsutx.edu, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
Click here for Complete Trip Information!
While the leaves turn yellows and reds, travel with HSU from St. Louis to Minneapolis.
Begin with a complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay in St. Louis, famous for its soaring arch. Your cruise begins in Alton, a city whose charming monuments dot the historic streets.
Embark the American Queen and cruise to Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, famously known as the setting for many of his writings.
In Bettendorf, get a glimpse of Iowa— explore the history of this fascinating river town. Then head to Dubuque, where you can pay a visit to the Dubuque Museum of Art, Iowa’s oldest cultural institution.
In La Crosse, seek out a local brew pub to get a taste of the city’s long and storied history in the brewing industry. Before journey’s end, spend a day in Red Wing, a city whose pioneering story lives on in its many galleries and museums.
October 26-29, 2023
$1,399 per person, double; $1,699 single; family rates available
Click here for the complete trip brochure!
Click here to claim your place!
Explore, remember, and reflect on World War II through exclusive access to the #1 Attraction in New Orleans with HSU Alumni and Friends at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience HSU’s custom program at this world-class institution!
INCLUDED WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE…
National World War II Museum
- The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
- Through exhibits, multimedia experiences, and thousands of personal accounts, the Museum takes visitors on an immersive tour of World War II in every theater of war. Explore our vast campus: the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, Solomon Victory Theater, Campaigns Of Courage: European And Pacific Theaters, and more. For more information, visit https://www.nationalww2museum.org.
Early Access Tour of the Museum: Begin your immersive journey into World War II on the exclusive Early Access Tour! Join us for a preopening tour accompanied by an expert guide, who will provide an overview of each major pavilion you’ll tour later at your own pace. From the awesome macro-artifacts and warbirds on view in the STEM Innovation Gallery and US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, the Early Access Tour will give you a great jump-start on your day at the Museum—as well as insight into how we tell the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world.
Campaigns of Courage Guided Tour: Follow American citizen soldiers through World War II in this exclusive small-group guided tour of the immersive, interactive Campaigns of Courage: European and PacificTheaters pavilion. During the two-hour experience through the Museum’s signature exhibits, an official Museum guide will walk you through the chronological narrative of each theater of combat, bringing to life the drama, sacrifices, personal stories, and strategies of America’s campaign to defeat the Axis powers and preserve freedom. Your guide will also highlight several artifacts, displays, and exhibit panels during the tour, which explores how the Allies secured victory in the 20th century’s titanic struggle—a fight for civilization itself.
Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience places visitors aboard the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol on October 25, 1944. Guests relive the last epic battle of the USS Tang and feel a deeper appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in the intense, confined world of underwater warfare.
Curator’s Collection Museum Experience: Step inside The National WWII Museum’s private Center for Collections & Archives and take an intimate two-hour journey into WWII history through rarely-seen artifacts that give voice to the American experience in World War II. Through this unique opportunity, guests will get to see Museum artifacts currently not on display or seen by the public. A Museum curator will be your guide on this exclusive experience, which will include detailed descriptions of the processes used to preserve and store the Center’s priceless items, as well as backstage insight into the work that goes into developing the Museum’s exhibits and programs.
Beyond All Boundaries, showing exclusively in The National WWII Museum’s Solomon Victory Theater, is a 4D journey through the war that changed the world. This Museum-produced experience is narrated by executive producer Tom Hanks, with Phil Hettema serving as show producer and creative director. Beyond All Boundaries features dazzling effects, CGI animation, multilayered environments, and first-person accounts from the trenches to the Home Front read by Brad Pitt, Tobey Maguire, Gary Sinise, Patricia Clarkson, Wendell Pierce, and more.
3-day Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus tour access: City Sightseeing New Orleans is the most entertaining, informative, and fun City Tour you can find that offers transportation right from the campus of The National World War II Museum in an exhilarating open-top, double-decker bus. HOP-ON! and in a single 1-hour 45-minute loop, experience a complete City Tour — 3 centuries of history, architecture, and culture narrated live in English by your very own Tour Host – see the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. HOP-OFF! at any stop along the way and spend time in New Orleans’ most popular neighborhoods, attractions, and shopping districts. Explore the heart of New Orleans’ most beloved and historic neighborhoods – the French Quarter and the Garden District – with 45-minute escorted walking tours included in your ticket.
Higgins Hotel: Conveniently located directly across the street from The National WWII Museum, the Higgins Hotel offers era-inspired guest rooms and specialty suites, premium amenities, a full-service restaurant, a lounge, and a rooftop bar. Located in the heart of the Arts & Warehouse District, it’s a home away from home replete with era-inspired guest rooms and suites, exceptional dining, and state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces. For more information, visit https://www.higginshotelnola.com.
CHRISTKINDLMÄRKTE ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER
Seven-night river cruise from Vienna, Austria, to Nuremberg, Germany, featuring traditional Christmas Markets during the Advent Season. You’ll travel with “The Travel Detective” Peter Greenberg, America’s most recognized, honored & respected front-line travel news journalist.
December 9 to 17, 2023 | from $2,995 + air
Click here for the complete trip brochure
Itinerary Overview
Celebrate the enduring charm of the Yuletide season on an enchanting 9-day journey to Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets. Discover magnificent settings where cobblestoned streets strung with colorful lights meet festive market stalls of handcrafted ornaments, fine wooden toys, and irresistible holiday treats.
This unique itinerary brings the old-world ambiance of the holidays to life in a vivid celebration of history and culture. Be inspired by some of Europe’s most noteworthy landmarks—Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, the 900-year-old Abbey of Melk in the legendary Wachau Valley, and the glamorous imperial monuments of Hapsburg Vienna.
Your “home” for the trip is the elegant and meticulously crafted Amadeus Star, a deluxe small river boat with 84 stylish staterooms and all the comforts of a refined and traditional hotel.
You’ll also get to know special guest speaker Peter Greenberg. A multiple Emmy-winning investigative reporter and producer known in the travel industry as “The Travel Detective,” Greenberg broadcasts breaking news and investigative reports from around the world each week as Travel Editor for CBS News.
Join HSU alumni and friends, plus host Britt (Yates) Jones ’84, for this exciting trip!
Enhance your expedition with the Vienna Pre-Program and Munich Post-Program Options (see below).
1 Depart home city
2 Vienna, Austria/Embark Amadeus Star
3 Vienna
4 Dürnstein/Melk
5 Linz for Salzburg
6 Passau, Germany
7 Regensburg
8 Nuremberg
9 Nuremberg/Disembark river boat/Return to home city
Itinerary Highlights
- Nine-day, 7-night river cruise along the Danube to holiday markets in Germany and Austria, where Christmas folklore and traditions come to life.
- Explore the authentic Old-World ambiance of Germany’s most famous Christkindlmärkt in historic Nuremberg.
- Delight in the holiday pageantry of Salzburg, Passau, and Regensburg.
- Browse the intricately crafted ornaments hanging in wooden kiosks festooned with colorful lights, sip Glühwein; and savor irresistible holiday treats like roasted chestnuts and freshly baked gingerbread.
- Immerse yourself in the nostalgia and romance of Vienna’s classic open-air Christmas markets.
All-Inclusive
- Transfers and luggage handling abroad if you made your air arrangements through Gohagan & Company. (If you made your own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling is not included.)
- Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
- Complimentary bottled water in your Suite or Stateroom and on excursions.
- Hospitality desk aboard ship.
- Experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Directors at your service.
- Complimentary use of an audio headset during guided excursions.
- Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy for each participant ticketed on flights by Gohagan & Company.
Amadeus Star | Exclusively Chartered Small River Boat The elegant and meticulously crafted Amadeus Star features all the comforts of a refined and traditional hotel. The 84 stylish staterooms and suites are among the most spacious of any European river boat (172 to 284 square feet). Suites include a private balcony, and select staterooms feature a unique floor-to-ceiling window that lowers to French-balcony height at the touch of a button. Accommodations have two twin beds or one queen bed, individual climate control, sitting area, and private bathroom with shower. Most have a minibar.
Vienna Pre-Program Option Renowned for its architecture and walkable city center, discover layers of history and Christmas traditions in Austria’s capital city of Vienna. Visit the Hofburg Palace in Old Town, the former winter residence of the Hapsburgs, and Belvedere Palace—built by Prince Eugene of Savoy as a summer home. Tour the Austrian Gallery, filled with collections from the Middle Ages to the present day. Explore the traditional Christmas Market in front of Vienna’s City Hall, the Spittelberg Christmas Market in the revitalized heritage district, and the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace. Accommodations are for two nights.
Munich Post-Program Option Our post‑cruise extension begins in Nuremberg with a leisurely drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber—known for its classical half‑timbered medieval houses and a picturesque Reiterlesmarkt Christmas market. Enjoy lunch in this charming town before continuing to Bavaria’s capital city of Munich, straddling the banks of the River Isar. Enjoy excursions to the Baroque Nyphenburg Palace and the magical town of Neuschwanstein. Accommodations are for three nights.
LAND OF THE RISING SUN | An Epic Journey in Japan
March 20-April 1, 2024 | 12-night cruise aboard Oceania’s Rivera
from $6199 with flight included! Limited availability.
Let the harmony of Japanese culture surround you as you immerse yourself in the deeply-rooted customs and traditions of this majestic island on a 12-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ luxurious ship Riviera.
From the simplest pleasures of a tea ceremony to the excitement of sumo spectating, this voyage offers a unique insight into the Japanese way of life.
Begin your journey in metropolitan Tokyo and set sail for Nagoya. Explore the industrial side of Japan as you take in the newly reconstructed palace and visit the many museums of Nagoya before heading to the surfer’s paradise—quaint Kochi. Here, visit traditional markets, peruse Kochi castle, and take in the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
Enjoy the volcanoes and offshore islands of Nagasaki and see the flourishing art scene, renowned Buddha statues, and beautiful beaches of Busan, South Korea. Sail down the Kanmon Strait to Hiroshima and stroll through the beautifully landscaped Hiroshima Gardens or visit Hiroshima Castle.
End your trip with the views of the majestic Mount Fuji from the seaport Shimizu.
Join HSU alumni and friends for this exciting trip!
Enhance your expedition with a 3-night or 2-night Tokyo pre0-program!
Click here for FULL TRIP INFO!
Click here for the trip brochure
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@hsutx.edu, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
DISCOVER DENALI NATIONAL PARK BY COACH & TRAIN
June 9-14, 2024 | from $3995 + air
Click here to learn more and to reserve your place today!
Journey into the scenic wilds of America’s most northern state through Alaska’s rugged forests and wildlife. Your destination: the magnificent six-million-acre Denali National Park and Reserve.
Familiarize yourself with the park, walking its trails with a guide, and choose from optional excursions to personalize your adventure.
Keep binoculars close at hand: this dazzling and vast wilderness is home to Dall sheep, eagles, wolves, migrating caribou, and grizzly bears—and catching sight of them is a thrill not soon forgotten.
A final highlight of this adventure includes an afternoon traveling aboard the historic Alaska Railroad with superior viewing from your upgraded glass-dome seat.
Reserve today online, by calling 866-639-0079, or by contacting program host Britt Yates Jones ’84 at 325-670-1377 / travel@hsutx.edu.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Reservations made 121+ days prior to the departure date may be cancelled within 30 days from the reservation date for a full refund.
12-day, 10-night “Grand Tour” of Europe featuring an incredible combination of river, rail, lake, and mountain travel from Amsterdam to Zermatt.
July 10-21, 2024 | from approximately $4,295 plus air
Visit our Partner Site for all Details and to Sign Up!
Journey through the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, cruising the Moselle and Rhine rivers on this 10-night itinerary, which includes a 6‑night river cruise and 4 nights in the Swiss Alps—featuring the Matterhorn and Mount Pilatus. Ride aboard 3 legendary railways—the Gornegrat Bahn for views of the Matterhorn; the Glacier Express from Andermatt to Zermatt; and the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Also enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne. Enhance your “Grand Tour” with the Amsterdam Pre-Program Option. We are proud to partner with professional alumni travel company Gohagan to bring you this experience.
1 Depart home city
2 Amsterdam, the Netherlands/ Embark Amadeus Queen
3 Cologne, Germany
4 Cochem
5 Koblenz/Rüdesheim
6 Mannheim for Heidelberg
7 Strasbourg, France
8 Basel, Switzerland/Disembark Amadeus Queen/Bern/Lucerne
9 Lucerne
10 Lucerne/Zermatt
11 Zermatt
12 Zermatt/Geneva/Return to home city
Itinerary Highlights
- Retrace the “Grand Tour,” a traditional European holiday taken by aristocratic young ladies and gentlemen of the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries.
- Explore Cologne’s Old Town and see the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Kölner Dom.
- Enjoy a walking tour of charming Cochem with a visit to the Imperial Reichsburg castle.
- Cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Middle Rhine Valley to see Lorelei Rock.
- Travel from Mannheim to Heidelberg, a highlight of the historical “Grand Tours.”
- Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-designated La Petite France in Strasbourg.
- Tour Switzerland’s capital city of Bern, including its beautifully preserved, UNESCO-inscribed Old Town.
- Reach Mount Pilatus’ 7,000‑foot summit by panoramic gondola for a 360-degree vista.
- Transfers and luggage handling abroad if you made your air arrangements through
Gohagan & Company. (If you made your own air arrangements, transfers and luggage
handling are not included.) - Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions.
- Hospitality desk.
- Experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Directors at your service.
Amadeus Queen Exclusively Chartered Deluxe River Boat
- 84 spacious river-view suites and staterooms.
- Deluxe amenities of a luxury hotel.
- Complimentary house wine and beer served with lunch and dinner.
The Legendary Railways of the Swiss Alps
- The Gornergrat Bahn is Switzerland’s oldest electrified cog railway where—in the span of 5 miles—you will climb nearly 5,000 feet from Zermatt to lofty Gornergrat.
- Lucerne’s Pilatus Railway offers breathtaking views of Swiss farms and forests along its 3-mile route from the summit of Mount Pilatus to the shores of Lake Lucerne.
- The Glacier Express is an engineering marvel that penetrates the mountain barrier separating the cantons of Valais and Uri.
Click here for full Trip brochure.
Amsterdam Pre-Program Option Lined with iconic canals and stately 16th- and 17th‑century merchant houses, Amsterdam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the quintessential conclusion to your “grand tour” of Europe. Take a full‑day excursion to quaint Edam and historic Hoorn. Enjoy accommodations for 2 nights in an ideally located luxury hotel. Click here for Pre-Program Details.
The Pre-Program Option is available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
IN THE PATH OF CARTIER FALL CRUISE
Boston to Montreal • September 25 – October 6, 2024
11 nights aboard Nautica | Oceania Cruises
Starting price $4,799 | includes roundtrip airfare and a stateroom choice of 6 free shore excursions or $600 shipboard credit.
Click here for complete Cruise information and to view availability!
Click to review the Cruise brochure!
Immerse yourself in wild and natural wonders on this 11-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Nautica.
Embark in Boston and set sail for Bar Harbor. Cruise to Saint John where you can catch a glimpse of Reversing Falls—a mesmerizing tidal phenomenon. Get a taste of Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney with local fare.

Old Quebec is a historic neighborhood of Quebec City, the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec.
Explore the charm of Bar Harbor as you meander through its lively downtown area or enjoy the lovely waterfront and parks.
Bask in the natural beauty of Havre Saint Pierre and the astonishing rock formations of the Mingan Archipelago.
Continue your journey through wild wonders in Sept-Iles and hike to the lookout point of Grand Basque Island before visiting Baie Comeau.
See the famous Reversing Falls in Saint John and participate in a fudge-making class in Sydney.
In Saguenay, indulge your flair for the French—enjoy a flamboyant performance at the Théâtre Palais Municipal depicting the founding of the area.
Before completing your tour in Montréal, stop in Quebec City for high tea at the iconic Château Frontenac.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact trip Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@hsutx.edu, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
Click here for Cruise information and to view availability.
Bar Harbor is a popular tourist destination in the Down East region of Maine
RENAISSANCE TRIUMPHS CRUISE – ROME TO BARCELONA
November 4-14, 2024
11-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Nautica.
Great starting price of $2,799 | includes roundtrip airfare and a stateroom choice of 6 free shore excursions or $600 shipboard credit.
Click here for full trip information and to view availability!
Take in art, architecture, history, and romance inspired by the Renaissance and the Enlightenment periods on this 10-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Riviera. Begin in timeless Rome and set sail along the sunny Mediterranean.
Escape to Naples to see Pompeii, a preserved ancient Roman city once buried under the ashes of nearby Mt. Vesuvius.
Cruise the terracotta cliff-lined waters of the Amalfi Coast and visit Valletta to see the celebrated St. John’s Co-Cathedral.
Take in Italian Renaissance masterpieces in Florence and Pisa.
Experience the culture and history of Genoa as you meander the twisting caruggi (narrow streets) before relaxing amidst the stunning views and sophisticated architecture of Nice.
Immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes of Provence as the aroma of lavender fields and breathtaking views of the coastlines and mountainous areas sweep you away.
Before journey’s end in beautiful Barcelona, pop into Palma de Mallorca’s plentiful art galleries and admire the fascinating exhibits on display.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE! Receive a complete refund for cancellations made 121+ days before departure. Contact Britt Jones at (325) 670-1377 | travel@hsutx.edu, or call our tour operator Go Next Travel at (800) 842-9023.
Click here for full trip information and to view availability!
Catalog of Past Traveling Range Riders Adventures
Find our past HSU Traveling Range Riders experiences at this link. As offerings change, our archive and galleries are a great way to know what you may see again in the future!
Traveling Range Riders FAQs & Resources
Questions or brochure requests can be sent directly to Britt Jones at brittj@hsutx.edu or by calling 325-670-1377.
Leave the planning to us and fully enjoy the journey. The Traveling Range Riders program is dedicated to giving travelers enriching cultural experiences to enhance lifelong education while strengthening their connection with each other and Hardin-Simmons University.
With HSU, you’ll have the opportunity to explore regions in every corner of the world. Our itineraries offer an exciting blend of exotic destinations and traditional locales and are led by experienced guides and, whenever possible, an HSU host. We work with the most respected travel vendors in the industry to bring you high-quality opportunities to broaden your travel and intellectual horizons.
While the HSU connection is an important component of our program, our trips are open to all travel enthusiasts – alumni, family members, and friends alike – who want to take part in educational travel opportunities, ensuring a richer, more diverse experience for all!
The opportunity to travel with the Traveling Range Riders and the HSU Alumni Association is open to all HSU alumni and friends.
A minimum number of participants is required to secure the services of an HSU host. We make every effort to send a host from HSU on as many departures as possible as we know this greatly enhances the travelers’ experience and makes the trip unique. If this is important to you in making your decision to travel with our program, please call us to confirm our faculty/staff hosted tours and for more information.
Brochures or other available information may be requested from the HSU Traveling Range Riders office (travel@hsutx.edu, 325-670-1377). You can also request information through our form: Traveling Range Riders Information Request (wufoo.com)
Brochures for each trip will be mailed by the tour operator approximately 6-9 months prior to departure. However, each tour operator makes their own decision about how many brochures to mail, so not everyone in our travel pool receives every brochure. In most cases, there is no need to wait for a brochure to reserve space on a tour. Many tours fill quickly, and we encourage you to call the tour operator to help you make your decision.
For upcoming trip information, call or email Program Director Britt Jones ’84 (brittj@hsutx.edu 325-670-1377), click here to request a brochure about any (or all) upcoming trip, or click here to be added to our mailing list.
Most of our travel partners offer special discounts throughout the year. In many cases, these special discounts are an Early Booking Discount price. Book early to get the best price and to take advantage of special amenities (see each trip brochure for more details).
To register for the various travel opportunities listed on our website, you can either contact the respective tour operator for that program. or contact Program Director Britt Jones ’84 (brittj@hsutx.edu 325-670-1377). Contact information for the tour operators will be outlined in individual trip brochures.
All trip pricing is per person based on double occupancy, or two people sharing a room or cabin, unless specified by the “no single supplement” text and icon. Many of the trips offered will require a single supplement for those who wish to travel alone. On most tours, a limited number of single rooms are available.
To lock in low airfares, our tour operators have negotiated special rates with major airlines that may require you to take non-direct flights. Please feel free to discuss “land only” options with the tour operator should you desire a more direct flight or want to use frequent flyer miles. HSU’s Traveling Range Riders program has no control over air travel and sometimes challenging airport infrastructures. Important to remember: If you book your own flights, you are responsible for making connections with the main group.
While we are optimistic that all of our tours will receive high reservation numbers, there is no way to predict the response to a particular tour. Our group sizes could range from as small as 2 people to as large as 50. If it’s one of our HSU exclusive, faculty-led tours, the group size will be kept to a maximum size of 24. You can always call the HSU Traveling Range Riders office to check the status of a trip’s group size before or after you book a tour.
Tour participants are subject to cancellation penalties as outlined in the individual trip brochures. Cancellation penalties are structured to coincide with advance payments that our tour operators must make to their suppliers, and the penalties are strictly enforced due to these contractual commitments.
Because our tour operators have different cancellation policies, please make sure that you understand all cancellation penalties prior to making your trip deposit. Each tour operator has a unique cancellation and refund policy.
Please review each trip brochure carefully prior to reserving space on a tour.
We also strongly encourage purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to ensure coverage in case of illness, injury, medical evacuation, delay or unforeseen emergency. We also strongly encourage purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
Americans will need a visa to visit Europe starting in 2024.
Before you secure your flights to your European destination, visit the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The earlier you apply and are approved for the visa, the sooner it will arrive, providing peace of mind. Keep in mind that the new rules will be enforced starting in January 2024. Once approved, your visa will be valid for three years, and you can spend up to 90 days in that country. https://news.yahoo.com/americans-need-visa-visit-europe…
Real ID – Are You Ready
On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. More Information.
U.S. Dept of State
U.S. Customs & Border Patrol
Know Before You Go Video
Information for Returning Travelers
Travel Tips Ensure Smooth CBP Processing Experience
TSA Pre-Check vs Global ID
Global Entry vs TSA Pre-Check – what are the differences?
Travel Insurance Coverage
Hardin-Simmons highly recommends each traveler consider travel insurance. Our tour operators have relationships with certain insurance providers, which they will share with travelers, and an internet search will reveal other possible providers.
Avoiding Jet Lag
There is no singular cure for jet lag. Before departure, get ample rest, as being well-rested when you depart will allow you to better ward off jet lag symptoms. During your flight(s), be certain to drink plenty of water to counteract the dehydrating effects of air travel.
The goal is to adjust to your new time zone as quickly as possible, so follow this simple rule of thumb: if you are arriving in the morning, sleep on the plane so you will have energy for the day; if you are arriving in the evening, stay awake during the flight so you can sleep soundly at your destination.
Britt’s favorite app for helping avoid jet lag: Timeshifter® | Apps for Jet Lag & Shift Work
Keep your data safe while traveling!
When Your Flight is Delayed or Cancelled…
§ PHOTO GALLERY §
Enjoy Images from Past Adventures: Click Here

Keep up with HSU's Traveling Range Riders
325.670.1377 |
travel@hsutx.edu