HSU Traveling Range Riders
EXCITING TRIPS AHEAD!
Planning the trip of a lifetime?
Simply looking for your next adventure?
Start your journey to some of the most historic and scenic locations on earth with HSU’s Traveling Range Riders.
Graduates, former students, family, friends — all are welcome!
Explore the World with HSU’s Traveling Range Riders
§ TRIP CATALOG §
Istanbul to Barcelona (10 Nights) aboard Oceania Sirena
April 7 to 18, 2021 • From $2,849 including airfare.*
Encounter some of the most historic cities of the Mediterranean on this incredible ten-night journey aboard Oceania Cruises’ Sirena.
Highlights: Explore the ruins of the ancient city of Troy, see the Library of Celsus in Ephesus, and witness Minoan architecture in Heraklion. Indulge in upscale dining in Naples and see Michelangelo’s frescoes in Rome. See the Leaning Tower in Pisa, take a chance at the Monte Carlo Casino, and discover idyllic countryside of Provence.
Your adventure begins in Istanbul, a city astride two continents. From there, sail to Bozcaada and sample local Turkish flavor, or travel to the mainland to discover the ruins of the ancient city of Troy, a key city in Homer’s epic poem The Iliad. Cruise to Kuşadasi and lounge on the beach or voyage to nearby Ephesus, an important archaeological site and home to the famed Library of Celsus. In Heraklion, the capital of Crete, take in impressive monuments and remnants of civilizations past.
Sail the Mediterranean to Naples and admire breathtaking frescoes and artistic treasures, or perhaps journey to the ruins of Pompeii, one of the most spellbinding archaeological sites in the world. Your next stop is Rome—the “Eternal City.” Revel in the dizzying array of historic architecture and art, from the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica to the Pantheon and the Sistine Chapel.
Next, head to Florence, where the UNESCO-listed city center offers up extraordinary testaments to the Renaissance wherever you look. Or, venture into the picturesque Tuscan countryside. In glamorous Monte Carlo, play a hand at the famed casino or visit the world-renowned Circuit de Monaco. Your travels will end in sunny Barcelona, but before that, stop in Marseille to wander through the ancient Le Panier neighborhood with its historic Haussmannian buildings, or meander through the idyllic Provençal countryside.
Next, stop in Santorini and see its breathtaking rock formations climbing from the volcanic floor. In Mytilene—the “Garden of the Aegean”—see an ancient Roman theater and Byzantine castle.
*Price is per person, double occupancy. Airfare is included from select cities. Date, price, and itinerary are subject to change.
April 24 to May 2, 2021 • 7 nights from $2,595 plus airfare.*
An acclaimed program, operating for more than 30 years and still selling out!
Celebrate the beauty of Holland and old-world Flanders in springtime, the best time of year to visit, when the vibrant, abundant Dutch tulip fields are in bloom.
Join us for this comprehensive nine-day travel program and cruise for seven nights along the Dutch waterways aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe, small river ship Amadeus Brilliant.
Meet local residents during the exclusive River Life® Forum for a personal perspective of daily life and cultural heritage in the Low Countries. Enjoy a private cruise along the enchanting canals of Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Expert-led excursions include the storybook city of Bruges, the world-renowned Kröller-Müller Museum, famous Keukenhof Gardens, the “Golden Age” trading town of Hoorn, ancient Maastricht and charming Antwerp.
The Delft, Kinderdijk and The Hague Pre-Cruise Option and the Golden Age of Amsterdam Post-Cruise Option are offered.
This delightful itinerary is an exceptional value including all accommodations, excursions and meals. It sells quickly year after year and is continually praised by our past travelers as the ideal Dutch and Flemish experience.
Itinerary*
Amsterdam, Hoorn, Kampen, Kröller-Müller Museum,
Maastricht, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent
Day Destination
- Depart the U.S. or Canada
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands/Embark Amadeus Brilliant
- Amsterdam for the Keukenhof Gardens/Hoorn
- Kampen
- Nijmegen for the Kröller-Müller Museum
- Maastricht for the Netherlands American Military Cemetery
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Ghent for Bruges
- Ghent/Disembark ship/Brussels/Return to the U.S. or Canada
*Cruise itinerary is subject to change.
Activity Level: Easy
June 11 to 21, 2021 • from $3,995 plus airfare on the Exclusively Chartered, Deluxe, New, Small River Ship Amadeus Imperial
Extraordinary, specially-designed European tour. Experience three of the world’s greatest railways—the panoramic Glacier Express, the scenic cogwheel Gornergrat Bahn and the dramatic Pilatus Railway.
This extraordinary 11-day “Grand Tour” of Europe features an incredible combination of river, rail, lake and mountain travel including five nights aboard the new deluxe Amadeus Imperial.
Journey through the western center of the Continent through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands, cruising the fabled Rhine River. This program features five UNESCO World Heritage sites: Cologne’s Gothic cathedral; the Middle Rhine Valley; the Alsatian city of Strasbourg; Bern’s Old Town; and the Jungfrau-Aletsch region of the Swiss Alps.
Visit medieval Rüdesheim in the heart of Germany’s wine country and the historical treasures of romantic Heidelberg. Spend two nights each in Zermatt and Lucerne, Switzerland; ride aboard three legendary railways—the Gornergrat Bahn for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Andermatt and the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway; and enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne. 
This is the trip of a lifetime at an exceptional value. Complement your journey with the two-night Amsterdam Post-Program Option.
Itinerary:* Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands
Day Destination
- Depart the U.S. or Canada
- Geneva, Switzerland/Zermatt
- Zermatt for Matterhorn
- Zermatt/Glacier Express to Andermatt/Lucerne
- Lucerne for Mount Pilatus
- Lucerne/Bern/Basel/Embark Amadeus Imperial
- Strasbourg, France
- Mannheim, Germany for Heidelberg
- Rüdesheim/Koblenz
- Cologne
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands/Disembark ship/Return to the U.S. or Canada
Activity Level: Moderately Active
*Itinerary subject to change. The Travel Program outlined here is subject to the features, final pricing and terms and conditions set forth in the published Travel Program brochure.
Discover the lush landscape and fascinating heritage of England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland on this spectacular 10-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Sirena.
June 22 – July 3, 2021 • from $4,399 including airfare.*
Embark in London, where the variety of historic and cultural diversions sets the mood for an enriching adventure. Cruise to Falmouth, showcasing a beachy, bohemian spirit. Spend a day in Waterford, home to the famed crystal maker. Founded by Vikings in the ninth century, Ireland’s oldest city retains its medieval character.
Stop in Holyhead, where St. Cybi’s Church and the celebrated Welsh countryside invite exploration. Then take a day in Liverpool. Discover eye-catching cathedrals, The Beatles’ history, and the eclectic waterfront district. Discover Douglas on the quirky Isle of Man, home to the Manx Museum and its display of Viking gold. And stop in Glasgow to explore the stylish galleries and restaurants, stately Victorian homes, and stunning modern architecture fronting the banks of the River Clyde.
Sail on to the Shetland and Orkney islands to experience Scottish island life: walk the moors and meadows outside of Lerwick and ramble Kirkwall’s craggy palace ruins. In Stornoway, take in Neo-Gothic Lews Castle and the An Lanntair arts center.
Port overnight in Edinburgh—before journey’s end, tour the looming Edinburgh Castle, or hike to Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views.
*Price is per person, double occupancy. Airfare is included from select cities. Date, price, and itinerary are subject to change.
August 16 to 26, 2021 • from $5,199 plus airfare.*
Span the majestic Great Lakes aboard Victory Cruise Lines’ M/V Victory II on this incredible ten-night adventure.
Your adventure begins with an included one-night hotel stay in Toronto. The next day, embark the M/V Victory II and sail to Niagara Falls—witness the thunderous power of the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls.
In Cleveland, perhaps browse the West Side Market, which offers fares from over 100 unique local vendors. Stop in Windsor en route to Detroit, a city on the rise. Seek out attractive parks, plazas, and public spaces of the RiverWalk.
Take a scenic sailing of Lake Huron and head to Little Current—tour Manitoulin Island, which thrives with Ojibwe culture. In Sault Ste. Marie, check out New Fort Brady or visit the Soo Locks, one of the world’s largest and busiest set of locks.
Your journey will end in the cultural hub of Chicago, but first, sail to Mackinac Island where you can take in the history of the island aboard a horse-drawn carriage.
*Price is per person, double occupancy. Date, price, and itinerary are subject to change.
Lago Como ♦ Lago Maggiore ♦ Lago Orta
October 9 to 12, 2021 | From approximately $3895* plus air
Northern Italy’s fabled Lake District beckons with its sublime landscapes of shimmering glacial waters, soaring Alpine peaks and bijou towns. Immerse yourself in the distinct bella figura Italian style that has inspired poets, composers, artists and philosophers for centuries.
Stay for one week in the heart of the quintessentially Italian città di Como, at the lakeside, belle-époque Palace Hotel, just steps from the local market. Cruise by private boat on Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.
During expert-guided excursions, explore authentic villages and cultural treasures. Visit Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, Stresa, Isola Bella, San Giulio and Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Milan, visit the Duomo and Teatro alla Scala, and enjoy a specially arranged viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Enriching lectures and the exclusive Village Life® Forum with local Lombardy residents provide personal perspectives of daily life and cultural heritage. 
This intimate and comprehensive soggiorno, at just the right pace, includes exceptional accommodations, specially arranged meals and all excursions.
Verona and Venice Post-Program Option available.
Palace Hotel – The ideally located, classic belle‑époque Palace Hotel is a delightful establishment with an ideal setting on the lungolago (lakefront promenade) overlooking Lake Como, just steps away from Como’s beautiful marble Duomo and the medieval, pedestrian-only town center. Venetian stucco artistry, Italian marble and antique furniture provide subtle touches of 19th‑century elegance throughout the hotel.
*The Travel Program outlined here is subject to the features, final pricing and terms and conditions set forth in the published Travel Program brochure.
BOOK NOW! SPACE IS LIMITED AND WILL SELL QUICKLY.
June 16 to 26, 2022 • From $4295 plus airfare
Budapest • Bratislava • Vienna • Salzburg• Munich
Experience one of the world’s greatest dramatic spectacles amid the storybook landscapes of the Bavarian Alps—the extravagant Passion Play staged once a decade by residents of the quaint village of Oberammergau.
With a cast of thousands and a legacy that encompasses nearly four centuries, Oberammergau’s rare tradition is made even more exceptional with this program’s specially reserved seating and thoughtfully arranged cultural enrichments.
This custom itinerary, effortlessly blending remarkable history with stunning scenery, features an exclusively chartered, five-night deluxe cruise along the fabled Danube River, two nights in the idyllic Bavarian Alps and two nights in Munich. Visit four countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany—and enjoy excursions to medieval Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and scenic backdrop for The Sound of Music, and Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Walt Disney’s iconic Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. 
Experience five UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tour Budapest’s most historic landmarks, the world-class city of Vienna, 11th-century Melk Abbey and medieval Bratislava. Budapest Pre-Program and Munich Post-Program Options offered.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the highly anticipated, world-renowned Oberammergau Passion Play.
- In 1634, the villagers of Oberammergau sought deliverance from the despair of the Plague and the Thirty Years War by performing a modest Passion Play, which they vowed to repeat every 10 years in perpetuity. The tradition has been preserved throughout the centuries and has grown in prestige. Today, it is regarded as the most important Passion Play internationally, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world. Over 2000 village residents now reenact the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ on one of the world’s largest stages, a dramatic spectacle like no other.
- Extraordinary, custom-designed, 11-day itinerary offered exclusively by Gohagan & Company, combining the 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play and the fabled Danube River.
- Guaranteed unobstructed seating for the Passion Play, the 42nd decennial production since the 1600s.
- Two nights in the majestic Bavarian Alps, where the charming village of Oberammergau is known for intricate woodcarving and elaborate murals depicting fairy tales and religious scenes.
- Five-night cruise through the heart of Europe on an exclusively chartered, deluxe, small
river ship. - Two nights in Munich, including a city tour and a visit to the splendid Palace of Nymphenburg.
- Visit four countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany—and experience five UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Tour Budapest, “Pearl of the Danube,” including its 13th-century Castle District and the Fisherman’s Bastion.
- Tour picturesque medieval Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and filming location for many
The Sound of Music - See the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Walt Disney’s iconic
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Itinerary*: Prague, Passau, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
Day Destination
- Depart the U.S. or Canada
- Arrive in Budapest, Hungary/Embark ship
- Budapest
- Bratislava, Slovakia
- Vienna, Austria
- Melk
- Passau, Germany/Disembark ship/Salzburg, Austria/Oberammergau, Germany
- Oberammergau Passion Play
- Oberammergau/Neuschwanstein Castle/Munich
- Munich
- Munich/Return to the U.S. or Canada
*Cruise itinerary subject to change.
Activity Level: Moderately Active
Why Travel With HSU?
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 talented faculty. 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 including alumni, family members and friends of graduates, as well as friends of the university who want to take part in educational travel opportunities, ensuring a richer, more diverse experience for all!
§ PHOTO GALLERY §
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Keep up with HSU's Traveling Range Riders
325.670.1377 | 325.670.5831 | travel@hsutx.edu
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