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

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.

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 Committee currently has a vacancy to Chair the Study Subcommittee. 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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Grand European Tour with Viking – June 2024

The Study/Travel Committee is pleased to offer a fascinating trip through the heart of Europe on Viking River Cruise’s Grand European Tour, embarking in Amsterdam on June 20, 2024, and debarking in Budapest on July 4. This 14-night trip will take us through four countries along the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube Rivers. Here’s the link to the itinerary:  Grand European Tour 2024 – Amsterdam to Budapest – Viking® River Cruises (vikingrivercruises.com).

Conde Nast Traveler named Viking Cruises as #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans, and #1 for Expeditions in its July 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. Travel & Leasure named Viking Cruises as #4 for River Cruise Lines, #1 for Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines, and #1 for Small-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines in its August 2023 World’s Best Awards. Viking offers excellent total pricing, essentially equal to lesser cruises.

As additional trip information becomes available, travelers will be notified by email, and the information will be included on this page. If you have questions, contact Rod Dyck, Chair, Study/Travel Committee at rd2222@aol.com or 703-328-1660.

Key Information

• Open to Friends and Family: This trip is open to LLI/NOVA members and friends and family. Everyone will enjoy the same discounted group rate and amenities, as long as they book into our group. The ship accommodates 190 guests and is open to booking by the general public as well. Cabins are available on a first come, first served basis. Please make your deposit as soon as possible – these trips are very popular and fill up early, beginning with the highest cabin categories.

• Group Cohesion: Although the ship is open to booking by the general public, our group will be together on any and all excursions we book.

• Physical Requirements: The ship and the experience is designed for the 55+ market. Comfort and convenience are central. The vessel has an elevator for those needing it. The cabins are comfortable, although none are ADA cabins.

• Cruise Cost: The per person cruise fares range from $4,374 to $12,874, from Standard cabins through Explorer Suites. This reflects a group discount of $125 per person as arranged by our travel agent with Viking. Rates are guaranteed. The ship accommodates 190 guests and is open to booking by the general public as well. Cabins are available on a first come, first served basis. Please make your deposit as soon as possible – these trips are very popular and fill up early, beginning with the highest cabin categories. If a room type you desire is sold out, please contact our agent who may be able to help: Andres Ploompuu at 571-319-7339.
  • Any past guest discounts due, and promotional amenities or discounts in effect at the time of booking will also be included. Prices are based on double occupancy.
  • Single Travelers: Viking does not offer a single supplement for solo guests. Solo travelers are welcome, but will incur the cost of two berths. 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.

• Air Arrangements with Viking: Available at substantially reduced rates in economy, premium economy, and business classes. The current economy class airfare from Dulles is $599 per person, round trip. When booked through our agent and with Viking, these include transfers. Ask our agent, Andres Ploompuu, about specific rates and fees for deviations, stopovers, or other variations.

• Air Travel Independent of Viking: For a variety of reasons, you may wish to arrange air travel outside of Viking. In this case, our travel agent, Andres Ploompuu, will be happy to quote airfares in all classes with all carriers. Very often he can secure better rates than are available to retail consumers, particularly when flights are in connection with a cruise, land tour, or hotel reservation.

• Extensions, Early Arrival/Later Return: Pre-cruise extension is available in Amsterdam for 2 nights, and post-cruise in Budapest for two nights or Prague for three nights. Guests are welcome to book additional travel before and after this trip by arranging it with our agent (back to back cruise, accommodations, rental car, rail, local guides, etc).

• Travel Insurance: Highly recommended. Once your cabin is booked, our agent will provide you with a quote for Allianz travel protection with your initial booking confirmation and invoice. Purchase before final payment is due on the trip if you want pre-existing conditions covered for cancellation refund purposes. Otherwise, you may purchase up to the week before travel. Note certain credit cards may provide some travel insurance benefits.

Trip Reservation

You may join us in one of two ways. Be prepared to make a $500 deposit per person and provide your passport information:

• Online registration at REGISTRATION (click the link). Scroll down to “Exclusive Experiences” and click on LLI/NOVA Group, or
• Call our agent, Andres Ploompuu, at 571-319-7339. He will get you everything you need and make your deposit to secure your space.

Payment: Final payment will be at the end of the month after booking (for example, joining in September 2023 will generate a final payment date for that booking of October 31). If you have another active booking with Viking, check with our agent for special final payment dates.

Cancellation Policy: Viking charges cancellation fees based on the date of cancellation in relation to departure. Ask our agent, Andres, about cancelation terms.

Trip Administrative Meeting

Rod Dyck will schedule a trip administrative meeting for all participants in the spring.  Travelers will receive a notice by email.

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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 $4,595.  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:  $2095

• Optional Post Trip Fiji Cost:  $1795

• 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 $2600. 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 $350 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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