Welcome to LLI/NOVA’s Study/Travel Program!

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We Need a Study/Travel Program Chair

Are you interested in travel and helping to choose LLI’s next trip? Our Study/Travel Committee is looking for a new chairperson. Rod Dyck, who reinvigorated this committee after its Covid hiatus, is stepping down.

LLI/NOVA’s Study/Travel Program provides 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 Study/Travel Committee:

• Manages the trip selection process;
• Negotiates with the tour provider or travel agent to finalize tour dates, itineraries, options, fees, and registration procedures;
• Monitors member registration and assists in the resolution of travel issues with the vendor;
• Often leads the trip (i.e., serves as the LLI/NOVA group point of contact with the travel vendor); and
• Develops, and often conducts, the study program for the selected travel, and coordinates with the Curriculum Committee for inclusion of our Study/Travel class(es) in the class catalog.

If you are interested in taking on this fun and rewarding opportunity, please contact Patti Volz at pvolz63@gmail.com. For questions about the Committee, contact Rod Dyck at rd2222@aol.com or 703-328-1660.

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What is Study/Travel

LLI/NOVA’s Study/Travel Program provides LLI/NOVA members (and friends and family) with the opportunity not only to participate in group travel to fabulous locations worldwide but also to learn about the area we are going to visit prior to the travel. LLI/NOVA’s Study/Travel Committee manages the program, and the Committee’s Study Subcommittee focuses on the study part of the program which includes travel destination study classes prior to the travel.

We normally use packaged, escorted tour services from major tour providers, but occasionally use customized tours from travel agents. We tour by land (bus and rail) and water (river and ocean cruises) and sometimes a combination of both. We normally sponsor at least one major trip per year, and our trips generally run 10-14 days in length. When there is sufficient interest, we organize more than one major trip per year.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was suspended in 2020. As a result of COVID appearing to be on the decline, in 2022 LLI/NOVA restored the Study/Travel Program.

If you are an LLI/NOVA member and would like to learn more about the Study/Travel Program, you may contact the Study/Travel Committee Chair, Rod Dyck or email him at studytravel@llinova.org.

What is the Study/Travel Committee

The Study/Travel Committee is a small group of LLI/NOVA members who manage the trip selection process, develop the Study Program, and lead the LLI/NOVA Study/Travel trips.  If you are interested in participating in this process as a member of the committee, go to the Study/Travel Committee page in the Members Area for more information.

The Study Subcommittee focuses on the study part of the program, which includes travel destination study classes prior to travel. If you are interested or would like to learn more about the Study Subcommittee, please contact Committee Chair Rod Dyck at rd2222@aol.com or 703-328-1660 (cell).

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Australia & New Zealand – January 2025

LLI/NOVA’s Study/Travel Committee is delighted to announce plans for an LLI/NOVA trip to escape the cold of January to experience the enchanting landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. Join your fellow LLI/NOVA travelers on an epic journey to explore iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, the vast Outback, and New Zealand’s pristine landscapes.

The Study/Travel Committee compared offerings from other tour operators and chose Grand Circle Travel (GCT) as our operator for this trip for several reasons including great tour coverage, remarkably low prices, six free single room supplements, and LLI/NOVA’s excellent history with Grand Circle.

• Base tour group-air departs Dulles January 8, 2025. Tour starts in Cairns on January 10, 2025. Return flight home departs from Auckland on January 26, 2025, and arrives back to Dulles also on January 26, 2025.

• Optional pre-trip extension Outback – group-air departs from Dulles on January 3, 2025. Tour starts in Melbourne on January 5, 2025.

• Optional post-trip extension Fiji – return flight home departs from Fiji on January 30, 2025, and arrives back to Dulles also on January 30, 2025.

• Click HERE www.gct.com/ANZ for the itinerary.

Included Features:

• 31 meals: 16 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 9 dinners
• Accommodations for 16 nights: 4 nights in Cairns, 4 nights in Sydney, 2 nights in Te Anau, 2 nights in Queenstown, 2 nights in Rotorua, and 2 nights in Auckland
• 18 included features: 12 guided tours and 5 exclusive Discovery Series events: Aborigines Today discussion • Returned Services League Dinner Base Day 6 • Opal discussion • Ohinemutu community visit • Home Hosted Dinner
• Included tours: Australian Wildlife Park • Great Barrier Reef • Sydney & the Opera House • Sydney Harbour Cruise • Lake Wakatipu & Walter Peak Sheep Station • Arrowtown • Winery tour • Milford Sound Cruise • Rotorua • Auckland Harbor Sailing • Auckland
• Exclusive Discovery Series events: Great Barrier Reef and Aborigines Today discussions • Returned Services League dinner • The Rocks tour • Home-Hosted Dinner • Ohinemutu community visit.
• Exclusive services of a resident Grand Circle Program Director
• Personal headset on all included and optional tours
• All transfers
• Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters

Highlights:

• See the famous Sydney icons – the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House
• Experience local history and culture. Discovery is a hands-on event with enriching cultural experiences woven throughout your trip. With the included exclusive Discovery Series events you will not only visit the famous landmarks – you will also meet the friendly locals that make this region so inviting.
• Admire the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef
• Gain some insights into one of the world’s oldest civilizations when an Aboriginal speaker presents an exclusive lecture on Living as an Aboriginal today
• Sail across the waters of Auckland Harbor, home of the America’s Cup winner

KEY INFORMATION:

• Open To Friends and Family:  This trip is open to LLI/NOVA members and members’ friends and family. The maximum number of participants is 42. 

• Physical Requirements: This tour is not wheelchair or scooter accessible and is not recommended for passengers in these situations. In addition, due to walking/cobblestones/unpaved paths etc., on this program, anyone with mobility problems/walkers/crutches will have difficulty moving around on this tour. Persons with mobility problems/walkers/crutches must be traveling with someone who can assist them throughout the tour. Program Directors and Trip Leaders cannot be expected to provide that service. Travelers are expected to keep pace with the group. If travelers are unable to participate in included features, there is no reimbursement for unused portions of the tour. Travelers must be able to walk 1-2 miles unassisted and participate in 4-5 hours of physical activities daily including stairs. Grand Circle will not accept motorized scooters of any kind. Anyone with difficulty walking, there are 100’s of stairs at the included visit to the Sydney Opera House. There is a service elevator that is not always available, so pax must be able to walk stairs to enjoy all this tour has to offer. Though the itinerary is full, you will enjoy a relaxed pace. Stays of up to three nights in Cairns and Sydney contributes to not being rushed. This tour allows the passenger to enjoy a blend of included tours, exploring on their own, and relaxing. Grand Circle Travel Trip lists this tour as Activity Level 2 out of 5 – Moderately Easy.

• Land Tour Cost:  The land tour cost is $4,895.  This price does not reflect the various discounts and the group rebate mentioned below. It does not include airfare or gratuity for the Program Director and Hotel Staff.  It does include gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters.

• Optional Pre-Trip Outback Cost:  $2,295

• Optional Post Trip Fiji Cost:  $1,895

• Group Rebate:  At the conclusion of the trip, depending on the number of travelers, Grand Circle Travel will provide LLI/NOVA a check for group compensation. The minimum number of travelers required on this tour to earn group compensation is 11.  At 11, LLI/NOVA will be paid 10% of the net sale of each traveler. The check will arrive upon return home of your departure and will be paid to the Study/Travel Committee Chair, Rod Dyck. Rod will then distribute the money in equal proportion and mail checks to each traveler.

• Solo Supplement:  FREE Single Room Supplement for those participants who are not sharing a room.  If single rooms are sold out, singles may wish to contact others on their own who they believe may also want to participate and register together.  To facilitate finding roommates, Rod Dyck will maintain a list to aid those looking for roommates – just let him know if you would like to be on this list.  This trip has a maximum of 6 single rooms.

• Group Air Arrangements: Round trip international airfare is $2,600. This includes airport transfers to and from the hotel Grand Circle Travel can guarantee that all travelers who register by 300 days prior to departure (March 14, 2024) will be on the same flights as the rest of the group should airline availability allow for it. Registering past March 14, 2024, Grand Circle Travel will do their best to ensure any further registrations are matched up but cannot guarantee it pending airline availability. Travelers who want to book airfare with Grand Circle Travel will set up their flights when they make their deposit. Upgrades are available for an additional cost. 

• Trip Reservation: To register for this trip, contact Grand Circle Travel at 800-221-2610 and mention Group Code GG52386 and be prepared to make a fully refundable $500 deposit. Travelers should provide their names exactly as they appear on their passports. As a general rule, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return to the U.S. You may also wish to consider joining the Global Entry program for more rapid movement through security screening and passport check lines.

• Travel Protection: We always recommend travel protection. Grand Circle Travel uses Trip Mate. Click HERE www.gct.com/TPP for the Trip Mate insurance details and pricing. Note certain credit cards may provide some travel insurance benefits.

• Frequent Traveler Credit:  GCT offers a 5% Frequent Traveler Certificate to use towards your next trip. If you have traveled 3 or more times with Grand Circle Travel, then you would have a 6% Frequent Traveler Credit. All credits you have available can be viewed on your My Planner. For more information visit www.gct.com/FTC .

• Final payment: Final payment is due to GCT by October 10, 2024.

• Cancelation Policy: It is the responsibility of the individual traveler to notify GCT of any adjustments to the reservations. Failure to notify GCT Travel of your cancellation 90 days or more prior to your departure date, will result in cancellation charges. All cancellations must be received by GCT. You can cancel by calling GCT at 800-221-0814. Click HERE https://www.oattravel.com/home/termsandconditions to review additional GCT Terms and Conditions.
  • 90 Days or more prior to departure – No Fee
  • 89-60 Days prior to departure – 10% of trip price or $300, whichever is greater.
  • 59-30 Days prior to departure – 65% of trip price.
  • 29 or fewer days prior to departure – 100% of trip price.

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Past Trips

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Older Trips

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