LLI/NOVA Travel Program

Through its Travel Program, LLI/NOVA offers its members a robust program of group outings lasting part of or a whole day, regional trips lasting from one to several days, and longer duration trips often involving overseas travel.  This is an excellent way to meet other members, make new friends, share common experiences, and just get away from one’s normal day-to-day routine.

The LLI/NOVA Travel Program is devoted to providing our members access to the educational, cultural, and leisure offerings available in our region, nearby states, and overseas.  Our Travel Program ranges from informal outings called Meet Ups to more formal trips managed by LLI/NOVA or by commercial tour operators.  The Travel Program is administered by three components of LLI/NOVA: The Cultural Excursions Committee (formerly the Trips Committee) the Visual and Performing Arts Special Interest Group (SIG), and the Study/Travel Committee.  Information about our trips and outings is publicized in our Newsletter and on the website.

All members of LLI/NOVA can participate in any of the offerings provided by those three groups, subject to any limitations on the number of participants.  Some outings have no cost, while others require a payment.  Following is a description of what kind of travel each component of the LLI/NOVA Travel Program offers.

Information about events offered by the Cultural Excursions Program, the Visual and Performing Arts SIG and the Study/Travel Program, and how to sign up or participate is detailed on each of the Program’s page on the website, as well as on the LLI/NOVA Calendar, which may be accessed from the website Homepage.

Click on the section titles below to be taken directly to that program’s webpage.

Cultural Excursions Program

The Cultural Excursions Program mission is to promote and provide access to the educational, cultural, and leisure offerings of this area and the nearby states to LLI/NOVA members (and their friends and families).  Offerings include informal Meet Ups where each participate provides his/her own transportation to and from a location or event that may occupy all or part of a day.  In addition, trips are offered to locations in the region or to nearby states.  The duration of these trips varies from one to several days and usually includes transportation and overnight lodging.  Most day trips are organized and managed by the Cultural Excursions Committee.  These trips, in addition to longer duration trips provided by commercial tour operators, are contingent upon meeting minimum participation requirements and are thereby subject to cancellation.

Visual and Performing Arts SIG

In addition, the District/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) region is unique in its vast number of educational and cultural institutions situated within an easy commute. The Visual and Performing Arts SIG allows members to experience these opportunities in a way that would not be possible within the confines of a classroom.  Typical activities/events include a mix of meetings with films, speakers, and member research, as well as day/multi-day field trips that take advantage of many museums, theaters, universities, galleries, and artist studios.  These outings often occur regardless of the number of participants; they may not contingent upon a core minimum participation.  Transportation to and from these activities is often the responsibility of the member.

Information about events offered by the Cultural Excursions Program and the Visual and Performing Arts SIG and how to sign up or participate is detailed on the Program page on the website, as well as on the LLI/NOVA Calendar, which may be accessed from the website Homepage.

Study/Travel Program

LLI/NOVA’s Study/Travel Program provides LLI/NOVA members (and their friends and families) with the opportunity not only to participate in group travel to fabulous locations worldwide, but also to learn about the area they are going to visit prior to the travel.  The program is managed by the Study/Travel Committee.  The study sessions are often included in the LLI/NOVA class offerings in the semester just prior to the travel.

Normally trips use packaged, escorted tour services from major tour providers, but occasionally customized tours from travel agents are used.  Touring is by land (bus and rail) or water (river and ocean cruises) or sometimes a combination of both.  Normally there is at least one major trip per year, and trips generally run 10-14 days in length.  When there is sufficient interest, more than one major trip per year may be organized.  We have taken trips to Europe (Western and Eastern), North and South America, and Asia. Go to the Study/Travel Program page for a complete list of our current and past trips.

Information about travel opportunities offered by the Study/Travel Committee and how to sign up or participate is detailed on the Study/Travel Program page on the website as well as on the LLI/NOVA Calendar, which may be accessed from the website Homepage.