2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America

Join us for a trip to Tuscany — Travel the World With World Affairs Councils

Join Us for a Trip of a Lifetime

A note from TNWAC President Patrick Ryan

I was pleased to be asked by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia to lead one of their trips abroad for members of the World Affairs Councils of America network next spring. When they said the trip was to Tuscany I couldn’t believe my good fortune to return to a country where I lived for four years, traveled extensively, and completed much of my undergraduate studies.

The journey will be an opportunity of a lifetime to be immersed in all that this beautiful region of Italy is known for — compelling history, world-class Renaissance art and architecture, fabulous cuisine and renowned viniculture. Take a moment to look at the description of this trip and consider joining us May 29-June 6, 2018 for a fantastic journey to Tuscany!

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p.s. You should also look at all of the fabulous travel opportunities below.


Tuscany – Cortona

May 29 – June 6

Tuscany’s rolling knolls and fertile valleys have attracted artists, writers and travelers for centuries. Discover this remarkable landscape for yourself during a seven-night journey featuring hilltop villages, famed architecture and bountiful vineyards. Unpack once and settle in to your Tuscan villa in Cortona, a village steeped in Etruscan and Roman history. Delight your senses as you savor robust wines, nutty cheeses and Tuscan vistas in the Val d’Orcia. Visit Montepulciano, brimming with beautiful Renaissance palaces and churches, and marvel at Siena’s Gothic structures and remarkable Duomo. Discover the treasures of Florence, including the Ponte Vecchio and the 14th-century Piazza della Signoria. Then immerse yourself in Etruscan legacy at the Praetorian Palace and the Museum of the Etruscan Academy. Along the way, local guides and expert speakers provide fascinating insight during included excursions and lectures. This small-group program includes first-class accommodations in a Tuscan villa and an extensive meal plan complemented by wine with dinner.  [Details below]

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

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Join other World Affairs Councils members on journeys of discovery to dozens of exciting destinations abroad.

The Tennessee World Affairs Council is proud to partner with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia to offer you world-class opportunities to travel the globe.

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JOURNEY ABROAD WITH THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCILS

Engage with the world through the World Affairs Councils travel program. Unique destinations and access to political leaders and local experts who give behind the scenes views and briefings make the trips unforgettable. From India or Iran to Cuba and Croatia, the Council provides unique tours all around the world, as well as in-depth briefings and destinations in the U.S.

Many trips include presenters from the diplomatic corps, news media, or academia and offer “meet the people” opportunities. The trips are available to World Affairs Councils’ members and are organized and run through the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. All trips provide attendees with memorable experiences and include:

  • Expert, veteran tour leaders
  • Like-minded fellow travelers
  • Advance reading materials
  • Substantive in-country briefings
  • Singular, high-quality content

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Upcoming Trips 2018

December 27, 2017– January 7, 2018 – Egypt & the Nile: A Journey into Antiquity – Join an extraordinary New Year’s journey through the ancient land of Egypt.  Begin in Giza, fly to Luxor, cruise aboard the intimate Sanctuary Nile Adventurer to Abu Simbel, and then fly to Cairo.  Attend special lectures by Norm Olsen, Retired Senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer, and Isabel Stünkel, Associate Curator in the Department of Egyptian Art at The Met.  From $8,999 per person plus air.

January 12 – 15 – Mexico Seminar with Craig Snyder – On this special mission to Mexico we will explore the state of the U.S. – Mexico relationship through the challenges and implications of increased social and economic pressures. This special seminar will include meetings with former Mexican President Vicente Fox and Mrs. Marta Fox.  You will also attend an exclusive musical performance by the School Petit Performance, and have a specially arranged visit to the Corralejo Tequila Hacienda.  $2,290 per person plus airfare.

January 19 – February 10 – A President’s Journey Around the World Join Ambassador Mark Johnson on a highly anticipated around-the-world journey.  This new itinerary, personally hosted by Shelley Cline—president of our tour partner TCS World Travel—weaves together some of the world’s most fascinating cities and enduring cultures as well as a variety of threatened natural wonders as it circumnavigates the globe.  Enjoy personalized service throughout the journey and stay at some of the world’s finest accommodations.  Wait List Only.

February 2 – 12 – Colombia Rediscovered with G. Philip Hughes – Colombia warmly welcomes visitors to experience its wealth of indigenous cultures, evocative Spanish Colonial heritage, and lush landscapes.  A Caribbean gem, discover this country’s many jewels, from Bogotá and the Coffee Triangle to Medellin and Cartagena.  Special meetings throughout.  $4,548 including air from Miami (other gateways available).

February 9 – 19 – Passage Through the Panama Canal and Costa Rica – A spectacular nine-day journey from the Costa Rican rainforest through the mighty locks of the Panama Canal. Cruise aboard the exclusively chartered, Five-Star, all-Suite M.V. STAR BREEZE to experience a daylight passage through the canal and call at remote island paradises.  Join Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, former Ambassador to Panama, on this small ship cruise.  From $4,995 per person plus airfare – a savings of $1,000!  Limited space remains!

February 18 – March 5 – Southern Africa with Dr. Carla Thorson – Discover the remarkable beauty and vibrant culture of South Africa and Zimbabwe as you explore modern cities, track wildlife on safari and explore the natural wonder of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. Talks by local experts, excursions with expert guides and safari game drives combine to make this the travel experience of a lifetime.  From $7,245 per person plus airfare. Wait List Only.

March 10 – 31 – Exploring Australia & New Zealand with Dr. Jerry Leach – Small group touring and the Lands Down Under add up to a perfect combination as we travel from Australia’s spectacular Great Barrier Reef to the storied Outback and Ayers Rock to sophisticated Sydney; from New Zealand’s towering Mt. Cook and breathtaking Milford Sound to high-spirited Queenstown and Auckland.  Several “meet-the-people” opportunities throughout.  $9,634 including air from Los Angeles (other gateways available).

March 31 – April 12 – Inside Japan – Urban and pastoral highlights of Tokyo, Kyoto, and magnificent Mt. Fuji.  Travel off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama, Kanazawa, and Nara.  Embassy briefing and other special events.  Discover Hiroshima on an optional 3-day/2-night post-tour extension. $6,841 including air from Los Angeles (other gateways available).

March 31 – April 7 – On the Road to Freedom: Understanding the Civil Rights Movement:  A Family-Friendly Program– Our carefully designed program returns to Memphis on the 50th year anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to partake in the events commemorating his legacy.  From Selma to Little Rock High School, we will learn the story of the civil rights movement framed within the histories of the music and cuisine of the South.  $3,990 per person based on double occupancy.  Triple and Quadruple occupancy options available.

April 6 – 19 – Inside Iran with Dr. Ann Lesch – Travel to golden deserts, glittering canals of water, clay-baked caravanserais, and a horizon pierced by turquoise minarets.  Explore this complex land from Tehran to Shiraz. Marvel at ancient Persian civilization at Persepolis, and experience the warmth of the Iranian people.  $6,540 per person plus airfare.

April 18 – 26 – River Life Along the Dutch Waterways – Cruise for seven nights in Holland and Flanders aboard an exclusively chartered, deluxe AMADEUS small river ship when the picturesque Dutch tulip fields are in bloom. Meet local residents during the exclusive RIVER LIFE FORUM. Tour the Kröller-Müller Museum. Visit Amsterdam, Bruges, Hoorn, Maastricht, Antwerp and Keukenhof Gardens. Amsterdam Pre-Cruise and The Hague, Delft and Kinderdijk Post-Cruise options available. From $2,995 per person plus airfare – a savings of $1,000 if you book by September 19!

April 30 – May 9 – European Coastal Civilizations: Lisbon to London with Dr. Pamela Zeiser – This eight-night cruise along coastal Portugal, Spain, France and England aboard the Five-Star M.S. LE BORÉAL features a memorable cruise up the River Thames and a visit to the beaches of Normandy with special guest speaker Dwight D. Eisenhower II.  From $5,195 per person plus airfare – a savings of $1,000 if you book by September 22!  Cabins are going fast!

April 30 – May 5 – Inside Washington– Our hallmark program! 5-night schedule of inside the beltway small-group briefings and cultural highlights. Stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel.  Keynote speakers: Dr. Steven Cook, auther and expert on Arab and Turkish politics as well as U.S.-Middle East policy; Dr. Thomas Wright at the National Press Club; and  Dr. James Thurber for our final Cosmos Club dinner.  $2,850 per person. ($1,850 no hotel option.)

May 5 -19 – Dynasties of China and Tibet featuring a Yangtze River Cruise with Kay Maxwell – Experience the best of China and Tibet featuring a three-night cruise along the fabled Yangtze River and Five-Star accommodations in Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa and Shanghai. Visit the Three Gorges Dam, Beijing’s Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Xi’an’s Terra Cotta Warriors and Lhasa’s magnificent Potala Palace.  Enjoy meeting the fascinating people of China and the friendly people of Tibet.  From $6,745 per person plus airfare – a savings of $1,000 if you book by October 12!

May 29 – June 6 – Tuscany with Patrick Ryan – Tuscany’s rolling knolls and fertile valleys have attracted artists, writers and travelers for centuries. Discover this remarkable landscape for yourself during a seven-night journey.  You will call a charming villa in Cortona home, and enjoy excursions to Renaissance villages, beloved Florence, and a family-owned winery. Along the way you will stroll charming piazzas, explore Etruscan treasures, and delight in regional flavors.  $3,590 per person – a savings of $250 if you book by November 7!

June 5 – 16 – Riches of the Emerald Isle with Denise Bala – Experience the finest in Irish culture during stays in Ennis, Killarney, Mallow and Dublin. Explore lively Galway, traverse the Burren landscape and admire the resplendent Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy Blarney Castle and Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College. This ten-night, small-group experience features first-class hotels, fascinating insights from local guides and experts. $4,540 per person plus airfare – a savings of $500 if you book by August 29!

June 11 – 19 – Changing Tides of History: Cruising the Baltic Sea – Experience the cultural rebirth of the Baltic States with seven nights aboard the exclusively chartered, Five-Star M.V. STAR BREEZE. Enjoy specially arranged presentations by former president of Poland Lech Wałęsa. Visit Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Bornholm.  From $6,495 per person – a savings of $1,000 if you book by November 17!

June 27 – July 5 – Odysseys of Ancient Civilizations: Adriatic and Aegean Seas – Join Norm Olsen, Retired Senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer, as he leads our wonderful cruise from Venice along the stunning Dalmatian coast to Athens for seven nights aboard the exclusively chartered, Five-Star, small ship M.S. LE LYRIAL. Visit five countries and six UNESCO World Heritage sites. Enjoy an exclusive COASTAL LIFE FORUM with local residents and a folk music performance.  From $4,495 per person plus airfare.

July 4 – 12 – Cruise the Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel with Jim Falk – Discover the Rhine River on an enchanting cruise through Holland, Germany and France to visit Amsterdam, Cologne, Strasbourg, the Rhine Valley and more. Learn about the region’s history and culture. From $3,440 plus airfare – a savings of $500 if you book by August 29!

July 14 – 22 – Poland & Moscow Seminar with Craig Snyder – Join an in-depth seminar exploring the relationship between Russia and its near neighbor, Poland. Visit both these nations, discovering their historical sites, educational institutions, and heartbreaking monuments, as well as hearing expert lecturers, and interacting with the people of the two interconnected countries.

July 20 – 28 – Town & Country Life in Cambridge, Oxford & Cotswolds featuring Blenheim Palace – Discover the true character of England’s town and country life during this extraordinary small-group itinerary featuring the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge and the charming Cotswolds. Call on Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill; visit “Downton Abbey”.  Anna Berry, Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire will share information on her experience living in London.From $3,995 per person plus airfare.

July 25 – August 2 – Circumnavigation of Iceland – Unearth Iceland on this seven-night circumnavigation aboard the Five-Star, small ship M.V. STAR PRIDE. See ancient Viking ruins and glittering glaciers atop simmering volcanoes. Cross the Arctic Circle and cruise along Surtsey. Included round-trip air from select cities.  From $5,995 per person.

August 3 – 10 – Discover Southeast Alaska by sea – Discover the endless beauty, abundant wildlife and native cultures of Southeast Alaska. Aboard the nimble, 66-passenger Admiralty Dream, you’ll have access to the breathtaking byways of Alaska’s Inside Passage. With skilled naturalists by your side, you’ll encounter magnificent peaks and fjords, and ice-blue glaciers of unfathomable proportions—while learning about the traditions of Alaska’s indigenous cultures.  From $3,495 plus airfare.

August 27 – 31 – Treasures of Ecuador & the Amazon – Arrive in Quito and attend a U.S. Embassy briefing before visiting the impressive “Middle of the World” monument at the Equator, which marks latitude 0º. Transfer to your Amazon Lodge overlooking the river and enjoy a hike along the flourishing nature trail.  Visit with a local Quechua family – learn about their tribal customs and hear stories of everyday Amazonian life. Derrick Olsen, President of the World Affairs Council of Oregon, will lead this tour and bring his experience of working in Latin America to the program.

September 11 – 25 – Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan with Megan Torrey – An exhilarating journey to two distant and devout lands where Himalayan scenery casts an awe-inspiring spell.  Experience these nations’ cultural riches, exquisite beauty, and profound spirituality as you discover Nepal’s storied Kathmandu Valley and explore Bhutan from Thimphu to Punakha and the legendary Tiger’s Nest monastery.  Several special briefings will be added to final itinerary  $5,747 including air from New York (other gateways available).

September 15 – 26 – Romance of the Douro River with Dixie Anderson: land and cruise featuring Lisbon, Porto and the Alto Douro Wine Region – Explore the remarkable cities and towns of Portugal on this enriching journey that showcases the country’s history and heritage. Spend three nights in Lisbon, the city that launched many of the great Age of Discovery expeditions. Cruise the Douro River for seven nights aboard an exclusively chartered ship that takes you through Portugal’s famous port-producing region. From $3,840 plus airfare – a savings of $500 if you book by August 29!

September 27 – October 20 – Around the World by private jet – Our classic private jet journey offers a life list of destinations to some of the world’s most iconic places, including Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, the Great Barrier Reef and the Serengeti Plain. By combining these destinations into one seamless, elegant trip, we create a 24-day itinerary that is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.

October 6 -14 – Town and Country Life of Languedoc with Joyce Davis – Experience the South of France for nine days in the unspoiled provinces of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées dotted with traditional villages and Cathar fortresses. Visit Carcassonne and cruise the Canal du Midi, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Stay in the historic HOTEL MERCURE ALBI BASTIDES and the stylish CHÂTEAU DE FLOURE. Exclusive TOWN & COUNTRY LIFE FORUM with local residents. From $3795 per person plus airfare.

October 3 – 15 – Botswana with Mimi Gregory- Immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals on this remarkable journey to Botswana. Devote time to learning the intricacies of the Botswanan government.  Jet to your next destination in a light aircraft, with unbeatable birdseye views of the vistas below. Take in the spectacular view over the Okavango; a massive wetland wilderness of looping channels, islands forested with palms, and wide grassy floodplains that you’ll explore on foot, in open 4×4 safari vehicles, and floating along the channels in authentic mokoro canoes in search of elephant and lion, leopard and Pel’s Fishing Owl. Several meet-the-people opportunities throughout.  $7,995 per person plus airfare.

October 28 – November 2 – Inside New York – Travel to the most populous city in the U.S. to hear from opinion makers, scholars, grass-roots activists and media experts about the hot issues driving foreign policy today. Each day will begin with a morning discussion, followed by an afternoon panel on a variety of topics: the credibility of media in politics, activism in America, and national security and immigration.

November 4 -12 – Cuba: Art, Culture & People with Don Samford – Discover Cuba’s highlights, architecture, music and culture for eight nights during stays in Havana and Cienfuegos. Meet local artists and dancers and learn from local experts. Along the way, visit historic sites, museums, schools and community projects, and explore the 13th Annual Art Biennial installations in Havana. This small-group experience includes round-trip flights between Miami and Cuba and all excursions.  $5,645 per person including air to/from Cuba – a savings of $500 if you book by August 29!

November 9 – 18 – India Seminar with Craig Snyder- Join a carefully designed program which focuses on learning first-hand about a wide variety of aspects of life in India. Begin in Delhi and meet with a journalist from the Times of India. Visit the office of Balaknama, a monthly newsletter, run for and by street children, and interact with prominent advocates for women’s rights and prison reforms. Attend a briefing at the U.S. Embassy. Visit the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT Bangalore), one of the premier national graduate schools in the country. In Mumbai stop at the Gandhi Museum and Research Institute to meet with a Department Head from their Political Science sector.  $5,995 per person plus airfare.

FIND OUT MORE

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HISTORY OF THE COOPERATING TRAVEL PROGRAM

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia has, for more than thirty five years, offered a travel program to Cooperating Councils. In August, 2005, the WACA national board voted to make the Philadelphia travel program a Flagship program – denoting a program of excellence.

WHAT IS THE APPEAL TO COUNCIL MEMBERS?

The trips offer all the highlights of touring, as well as access to political leaders and local experts for behind-the-scenes briefings that make our trips unique.

Our hallmark “Inside” tours are highly substantive, featuring private briefings. Many land tours and cruises feature Council leaders who can draw on their expertise in the fields of diplomacy, journalism, or academia to create added-value to the experience.

Members become citizen diplomats with an opportunity to “meet the people” for an exchange of ideas, thereby creating the “Soft Power” that Joseph Nye values.

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Past Traveler Comments:

“It was a marvelous trip for many reasons…great leaders, friendly locals, interesting sites, fine facilities etc. etc. There was, however, one wonderful aspect of the trip we did not anticipate – the individuals who participated in this adventure. This group of people was especially stimulating, knowledgeable, and interesting. We felt so fortunate to be part of it.” Carolyn Maki, FL, Iran 2014

“Hats off to you, Joan. You put together such an incredible combination of speakers. We truly were briefed on all major international subjects and countries of interest — no wonder people keep coming back! I had a wonderful time and do not have even a tiny complaint about anything. Perfection!” Mari Rhea, OR, Inside Washington 2013

“My wife and I have traveled for 35 years in Europe, Asia, and North America. We agree that this was the most fascinating, best learning experience of all. It was a great location, well executed by a great organization.” Cecil Ursprung, CT, Cuba 2013

“Jim’s direct connections with several noted locals made the trip more personal and engaging including a private visit to the Hassan II mosque. Fattah, our guide, was spectacular. Very informed, bright, caring. He took his time with every question or concern. He was the most cordial and proficient tour guide I have ever been with.” Carmen Dubroc, NY, Morocco 2013

“I have never been on a trip that was so well organized with such amazing access. It was spectacular!” Suzanne Singer, Inside Washington 2012

“The highlight of the trip was the 77 year old city guide in Nijmegen, Netherlands telling personal stories dating from WWII and post-WWII.” –Bernard Lublin, Holland & Belgium Cruise 2014

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