Editor’s Note: Photos are available upon request.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama National Alumni Association’s tour program will travel the world with some 23 scheduled tour packages offered to sites including the Swiss Alps, Germany, the British Isles, the Italian Riviera and Mandarin China.

A “Travel Preview Dinner” will be held Friday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. in Sellers Auditorium highlighting the upcoming 2004 tour destinations. Prior to the dinner a reception will be held in Alumni Hall at 5 p.m. The cost is $12 per person and includes the reception, dinner and slide presentation of tour destinations. Dress is casual.

Pam Lyons, UA Alumni Association tour coordinator stated that all of the tours are open to the general public as well as UA alumni. “All of our tours, even the ones called ‘Alumni College’ are open to our friends of the University,” Lyons said.

Trips include:

Jan. 28-Feb. 8, 2004 -- “Trans-Panama Canal Cruise.” Come experience St. John, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Curacao, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal aboard the Crystal Symphony.

Feb. 13-23, 2004 -- “Hawaiian Islands Cruise.” Aloha! Set sail aboard the Crystal Symphony for 11 days and visit ports including Nawiliwili (Kauai), Lahaina (Maui), Hilo (Hawaii), Fanning Island and Kona (Hawaii).

Feb. 14-22, 2004 -- “Amazon Expedition aboard the La Amatista.” Aboard the La Amatista discover the Amazon/Ucayali River, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Tapiche River, San Regis jungle and the Maranon River. This adventure includes some of the worlds most amazing creatures including rare tropical birds and pink dolphins.

March 9-26, 2004 -- “Prague/ Budapest Escapade.” Explore two of Europe’s most impressive fairy-tale capitals. Discover the incredible architecture, including their many palaces, castles, churches, art museums, and rich history that both of these cities share.

March 19-26, 2004 -- “Italian Alps Escapade.” Experience what the Italian Alps have to offer by taking a wine-tasting trip to Asti, the center of Italy’s most prestigious wine region, tour the Famous Holy Shroud at Turin, take a cable ride over the largest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc, or ski the Matterhorn.

April 28-May 4, 2004 -- “Mandarin China.” Discover China on this 19 day trip by cruising down the Yangtze River, aboard the M.S. Victoria. Visits to Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai will also be included.

May 10-16, 2004 -- “Alumni College in Victoria on Vancouver Island.” This trip includes a Victoria City tour which features famous landmarks including the Royal British Columbia Museum, a visit to Duncan, Cowichan Valley, Cherry Point Winery, and the Victoria Butterfly Gardens.

May 2004 (specific dates to be announced) -- “Great Canyon Parks of the Southwest.” Explore the Southwest’s many national parks, including Zion National Park where you can see red rock, Bryce Canyon National Park known for its magnificent colored rock spires and Arizona’s Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Grand Canyon.

May 16-24, 2004 -- “Village Life in Assisi and the Medieval Hill Towns of Umbria.” Discussions and tours will be given to sites including Assisi, Spello, Spoleto, Ponte delle Torri and Gubbio, also known as the City of Silence.

May 28-June 6, 2004 -- “Alumni College in Greece.” Experience Greece by cruising to the island of Hydra, and tours to Athens, Mycenae, Epidauros, Monastery of Poros, and a visit to the Sanctuary of Poseidon.

June 2004 (specific dates to be announced) -- “Howling Wolves, Foraging Bears and Steaming Geysers of Yellowstone.” Come and explore Yellowstone’s beauty and see the Norris Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, Grand Canyon and extremely active wildlife.

June 5-13, 2004 -- “Alumni College on the Italian Riviera.” Known for its magnificent turquoise water and lush landscapes, the Italian Riviera is a little piece of heaven. Tours exploring Santa Margherita, Portofino, Genova, Cinque Terre, Lucca and more are included in this trip.

June 26-July 8, 2004 -- “Passage of Peter the Great.” Experience Russia by spending two nights at Moscow’s “floating hotel.” Next explore the passage of Peter the Great and tour the Volga, Svir, and Neva Rives along with visits to Yaroslavl, Uglich, Goritsy and Kizhi Island, end the trip with a three night stay in St. Petersburg.

July 19-27, 2004 -- “Alumni College Abroad in the Swiss Alps for Families.” This is the perfect family vacation! Visit Reichenbach Falls, home of Sherlock Holmes fame, take a cable car ride to Hasliberg Reuti village, explore the villages of Uri and Lucerne, and enjoy the breathtaking sights of Jungfraujoch and the Wengen Mountain Resort.

Aug. 2-10, 2004 -- “Alumni College in the Italian Lakes District.” Experience the beauty of the Italian Lakes by touring Stresa, the three Borromean Islands, and a full-day excursion trip to Milan, along with trips to Lake Como, Bellagio and Tremezzo also included.

Aug. 8-16, 2004 -- “Island Life in the Island of Scotland.” This incredible trip includes tours to Scotland’s magnificent castles, Britain’s lush gardens, visits to Loch Ness and Calder Castle, Orkney Islands, Dunvegan Castle, and a trip to the Isle of Mull.

Aug. 15-23, 2004 -- “Village Life in Wales.” Explore Wales and visit Bodnant Gardens, known as one of Britain’s most beautiful gardens, travel aboard the Ffestiniog Railway and see breathtaking views of Snowdonia National Park, tour Plas Mawr 13th-century castle.

Aug. 18-30, 2004 -- “British Isles.” Talk about a vacation! This incredible 13-day trip visits Paris, the Normandy Beaches, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Orkney Islands.

Aug. 24-Sept. 9, 2004 -- “D-Day Remembered.” Cruise aboard the M.V. Andrea to the coast of England and France, visit Winston Churchill’s home in Chartwell, tour the D-Day Invasion Museum in Portsmouth, visit the Southwick House and Isle of Jersey.

Sept. 4-12, 2004 -- “Alumni College aboard the Blue Danube River.” Explore the Blue Danube River by touring its historic cities including Budapest, Esztergom, Vienna, Melk and Passau.

Sept. 12-20, 2004 -- “Village Life in England’s Cotswolds.” Feel like a local as you tour the Cotswold villages and Blenheim Palace, tour Cheltenham, Oxford, and participate in a “Village Forum” where you can meet and talk with locals to gain a better understanding of the area.

Sept. 24-Oct. 4, 2004 -- “Naples to Athens Cruise.” Details to be announced.

Nov. 27- Dec. 5, 2004 -- “Germany’s Holiday Markets.” Included is an Amorbach Abbey Organ Concert, visit to the Wertheim Glass Museum, legendary Romantic Road tour, wine tasting, traditional Christmas dinner, Bamberg and Nuremberg City excursions.

If you would like to receive more information about one of these trips or would like to reserve tickets for the preview dinner, contact Pam Lyons at 205/348-5964 or at pylons@alumni.ua.edu.