The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association is tapping into the wanderlust of its members by offering a slew of group travel opportunities that both satiate a desire to explore the world and foster Bearcat camaraderie, according to a recent article from the University of Cincinnati. From learning to make cheese ravioli in Rome to absorbing the history of Scotland's Ring of Broadnar, these curated excursions seem to cater to a wide array of interests. UC alumni Nancy Upchurch, Pam Popp, Dr. Frederick Kaskel, and others recount experiences whetting appetites for both adventure and communion, having ventured to locales as diverse as Malta and Iceland.
While easing back into the rhythm of travel in the post-Covid era, alumni like Upchurch have found comfort in the organized and enriching experiences the travel program provides – all while avoiding the inevitable hassles of independent globetrotting, alumni David and Dottie Jones were delighted by a cogwheel train ride up the Alps during their Great European Journey riverboat tour, such intimate and hassle-free moments appear integral to the program's success. The draw of these trips extends beyond mere tourism, it's about education and connection, something Kim Dobbs, vice-chair of the UC Alumni Association, emphasized by sharing her own travel recollections to Cuba with her late husband.
Handling all the details – from securing museum tickets to arranging exclusive dining – the trip organizers from Gohagan & Company are earning high marks for their meticulous planning. Upchurch and Kaskel have insinuated that such precision provides substantial value for the investment and showcases a focus on both the journey and the traveler's experience. Not only does the trip itinerary favor learning and leisure, but it also encourages social bonding among the Bearcats with various activities like icebreaking exercises in Reykjavik, which Popp remarked upon.
With a future slate flaunting 11 trips touching four continents and the Pacific islands, the alumni are looking ahead eagerly, having savored the taste of their "maiden voyages" with UC, the schedule for 2026 and 2027 teases options that some, like the Jones couple, have marked as long-standing entries on their bucket lists and with the assurance of collective exploration, the allure of the next adventure beckons, each educationally rich trip builds upon the last, forging a tapestry of global narratives tethered to the Bearcat spirit.
