Travel with Passion and Purpose
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-07-08 10:37:00-04:00
NRTA Live & Learn
Nothing stops Celia Oropeza. She has been on the go since retiring five years ago from her school administrator position in Tucson, Arizona. One year, she traveled by steam locomotive through the historic Copper Canyon of Chihuahua, Mexico, to learn about the Mayo Indians that her family claims as ancestors. The summer before last, she cruised through the glaciers of Alaska with 14 family members. This December, she plans to take a riverboat up the Danube to explore the famous Christmas markets from Vienna to Nuremberg. Says Oropeza, "I understand the scenery is beautiful. But more importantly, I'm looking forward to the trip as a cultural and educational opportunity. What better way to learn about a people than through their local artisans?"
Like many retired teachers, Oropeza combines her love of travel with her love of learning. It's hardly surprising that professionals who have devoted their lives to education would look to their retirement as a chance to broaden their horizons. NRTA Director Annette Norsman states, "I truly believe that educators travel a little more intensively than other folks. I call it travel with passion and a purpose."
One company that has clearly heard the call from teachers is San Francisco-based World Explorer Cruises. Specializing in Alaska and Central American excursions, World Explorer offers a learning-based alternative to traditional cruise lines. You won't find a casino or Broadway-style review on World Explorer's 700-passenger ship. You will find meaningful educational programs that explore local culture, history, and geography. Passengers are treated to daily lectures, classical music concerts, and a 16,000-book library, which is the largest at sea. Last June, the company joined forces with the NRTA and the Alaska State Retired Educators Association (REA) for a 14-night "learning and discovery voyage" through Alaska's Inside Passage. REA members greeted the ship, hosted events in port, and even gave onboard talks about the special challenges of teaching in Alaska. The shared experience was so positive that World Explorer and NRTA are planning an expanded version of the trip for 2004.
But, you don't have to wait that long for an adventure at sea. Smaller cruise lines, called "niche lines" offer unique opportunities to combine education with adventure. Uniworld, the company that is taking Oropeza down the Danube, also offers river excursions that provide unique access into the heart of historic cities in Russia and China. All sailings are geared to the American traveler, but onboard highlights, such as a performance by a Russian folklore ensemble, provide a close-up view of local culture.
AARP privileges participant, Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc., takes passengers along the captivating fjord-filled west coast of Norway, following an historic route used by locals for more than 100 years. The line also offers "Expedition Cruises" to Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords that travel through the Straits of Magellan, Beagle Channel and Cape Horn, across the Drake Passage to the "White Continent" of Antarctica. En route, passengers can attend lectures about the geography and history of the region. "Our passengers are mature, seasoned travelers. They're well-informed and well-educated. Upscale, but not ostentatious. We attract people who don't simply travel for fun. They want a learning experience, as most retired educators do," says Norwegian Coastal Voyage president, Rosalyn Gershell. An added bonus, notes Gershell, "We don't have a dress code. You can go casual."
If you want to stay closer to home, another niche company, (and AARP travel partner) is Seattle-based Cruise West. The line operates small ships, holding up to 100 passengers. It is famous for its Columbia and Snake River expeditions, where passengers sail in the wake of history, visiting prehistoric petroglyphs, Nez Perce horse trails, and the bittersweet vestiges of campsites of Lewis and Clark.
Most of us can only read with envy the college alumni tours offering lectures in exotic locations throughout the world. Prices are usually beyond the reach of all but the "best-heeled." There is a do-it-yourself alternative that can be just as rewarding. Collette Travel in Atlanta, Georgia, has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution to present "Museum Lovers Vacation Packages." The packages are short excursions to cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Washington, D.C. Participants tour the city's cultural highlights at their own pace, armed with Smithsonian-authored "trip notes" that provide insights and background information from experts to enrich one's visit.
Sometimes, teachers travel to get back to the classroom. Concha Mora of Whittier, California is an avid cook, and knew right away what she wanted to do upon retiring from her educational consultant job with the Los Angeles County Office of Education. "I signed up for cooking classes immediately," says Mora. Now, with several classes at a local culinary academy under her belt, Mora is eyeing new challenges. "I would love to go to cooking school in France," she says.
A good choice is The International Kitchen, a Chicago-based company that specializes in cooking school vacations in France and Italy. Founder Karen Herbst offers over 40 different trips, and will customize excursions for as few as two people. A perennial favorite is her "Alain Ducasse's Provence" course, where students attend classes at a country inn operated by the famed chef.
Travel for teachers, as NRTA's Norsman points out, can also take the form of a personal journey to refresh the soul. What better place to take a spiritual quest than the "Land of Enchantment?" The sacred mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico are the backdrop for the famed "Great Books" summer classics series at the country's third oldest liberal arts college, St. John's. Participants—a large percentage of them teachers—attend weeklong seminars where they read and discuss great works of literature, history, and philosophy. Between sessions, there is plenty of time to attend local opera performances, and explore Santa Fe's historic downtown Plaza with its famed art galleries, museums, and cathedrals. Teachers receive a 50 percent tuition discount, and it's not too early to register for next summer.
There's little doubt that teachers share a lifelong commitment to learning. So, be adventurous and have fun in the process! Says Norsman, "I have contact with our member associations in all 50 states. One of the things I just know people are doing out there is traveling." Oropeza agrees. She's already planning next summer's trip, to Italy.
For More Information
World Explorer Cruises - NRTA Alaska Cruise (tentatively scheduled for 2004)
Shape up and ship out on an exploration of Alaska and Central America's cultural, historical and natural wonders. Cruises geared toward birdwatchers, mystery writers and travelers with other special interests will keep your learning objectives on course.
URL: http://www.wecruise.com
Uniworld Cruises
Uniworld provides unique access into the heart of historic cities by offering river cruises, escorted land tours and train journeys through select countries in Europe and Asia. All trips are tailored to the American traveler.
URL: http://www.uniworld.com
Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc
Cool off with a cruise to Norway, Antarctica, the Chilean Fjords and other exciting destinations. Your itinerary can include anything from a gold-panning excursion to a visit to a reindeer farm!
URL: http://www.coastalvoyage.com/aarp.html
Collette Vacations/Smithsonian Associates
Get your ticket to some of the world's most remarkable cultural institutions by booking a Museum Lovers vacation package.
URL: http://www.collettevacations.com/aarp/
The International Kitchen
Whet your appetite for learning by enrolling in cooking classes in France and Italy.
URL: http://www.theinternationalkitchen.com
St. John's College
Open up an exciting new chapter in your life by getting details on the famous 'Great Books Summer Classics Series' in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
URL: http://www.sjcsf.edu
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