2023 & 2024 Inspired Expeditions
It’s time to get out there!
Join us on one of our Inspired Expeditions! We have some amazing destinations in 2023 and 2024.
Pearls of Dalmatia with Dubrovnik and the Island of Hvar
September 2–16, 2023
Independent, democratic Croatia welcomes visitors eager to absorb its remarkable history and culture—and its beautiful and unspoiled Dalmatian coastline. As our small group travels from historic Zagreb and beautiful Lake Bled to the Habsburg resort of Opatija, the island of Hvar, and beloved Dubrovnik, we see why this cherished region lays such a claim on the hearts of all who visit.
Ancient Treasures of Egypt with Elaine Sullivan
October 3–14, 2023
Join us on a tour of Egypt, where monumental pyramids rise out of the desert and the River Nile weaves through the land, providing the country with its extraordinary history. Shifting sands and arid conditions have preserved thousands of years of a remarkable civilization in fascinating detail. Led by UCSC Egyptologist and Associate Professor of History Elaine Sullivan, our trip begins with three nights in Cairo, exploring the Giza plateau where the Great Pyramids and Sphinx have stood for thousands of years, and the newly opened Egyptian Grand Museum. Fly to Luxor for two nights to discover the world’s largest open-air museum before boarding your ship for a four-night cruise “up” the Nile to Aswan, stopping at isolated temples en route. Fly to Abu Simbel and marvel at its grandeur and architecture.
Botswana and Namibia—Desert Sunrise, Delta Dawn, Chobe Midday with Paul Koch
March 1–13, 2024
Adventure is wrapped in luxury in Botswana, where you wing your way from camp to camp on small planes. First stop, the Kalahari Desert and the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where a glowing, white expanse of natural salt deposits creates glittering mirages that seem to reach out into the horizon endlessly. Nearby the Nxai Pans are home to an array of animal and plant life, including the giant “upside down” baobab trees that make the African skyline so spectacular. Then back on the plane for the most spectacular view over the Okavango Delta. A wetland wilderness of looping channels, islands forested with palms, and wide, grassy floodplains, the delta is home to a magnificent array of iconic birds and animals, from lion and elephant to the “spirit of the delta,” Pel’s fishing owl. End your adventure in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, across from Chobe National Park, where your activities will be boating to see the abundant wildlife, visiting native villages, and discovering the wildlife of Chobe.
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Portrait of Italy from the Amalfi Coast to Venice
April 2–17, 2024
From the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to eternal Rome, through the gentle Umbrian and Tuscan countryside to timeless Venice, this wide-ranging tour showcases ancient sites, contemporary life, priceless art, and beautiful natural scenery. You’ll especially appreciate the small size of your group as you stay in unique accommodations in the Tuscan countryside and in a medieval village.
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Galapagos Northern Islands with Roxanne Beltran and Patrick Robinson
June 8–15, 2024
Feel the thrill of encountering the flora and fauna that famously inspired Darwin—and in his footsteps, generations of nature lovers.
The Galapagos Islands hold a central position in modern scientific and evolutionary history. In a place where human presence is relatively minimal, take the opportunity to observe and photograph the remarkable species here up close—either sitting quietly to watch blue-footed boobies or snorkeling with inquisitive and playful sea lions.
Roxanne Beltran (Stevenson ’13, marine biology) is an assistant professor in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UC Santa Cruz. Patrick Robinson (Rachel Carson ’03, marine biology; Ph.D. ’09, ecology and evolutionary biology) is the director of Año Nuevo Reserve at UC Santa Cruz.
Enchanting Ireland—A Tour of the Emerald Isle
August 18–30, 2024
It’s a beautiful, magical land, where the gentle green landscape dazzles and the people delight; where warmth and hospitality are national traits and poets are national heroes. From Dublin to Galway, Killarney to Kilkenny, this full yet well-paced tour showcases Ireland’s many charms—both old and new—to our small band of travelers.
Moroccan Discovery from the Imperial Cities to the Sahara
November 19–December 2, 2024
This land of dramatic contrasts invites us to encounter its ancient ruins and sacred mosques, endless desert and storied mountains, imposing kasbahs and spirited souks. As we travel from the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech to the High Atlas and vast Sahara, we open our eyes, and hearts, to a truly foreign land, an age-old culture, and genuinely hospitable people.
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For more information or reservations, please contact Nichole Silva (Stevenson ’95, politics) at Inspired Expeditions | 831.459.3689 | ietravel@ucsc.edu