I am so grateful that the Club offers travel opportunities as part of its mission to educate and inform!Nanette Stringer, Commonwealth Club Traveler
Past Trips
Archaeologist Bill Saturno
Visit the magnificent archaeological site of Tikal, and the more remote Maya sites of Topoxte, Yaxha and Uaxactun in the Peten rainforest. Experience the stunning natural beauty of Lake Atitlan and its surrounding volcanoes, and immerse yourself in the cultural and religious world of today’s Maya at Iximche and Santiago Atitlan. Enjoy the world-famous colorful Sunday market at Chichicastenango, the charming colonial city of Antigua, and nearby small artisan villages that maintain their ancient handicraft traditions.
Our inaugural Pillars of Pride cruise to ancient Greece and Turkey explores the iconic stories of antiquity from an often untold LGBTQ+ lens. This dynamic, first-of-its-kind itinerary combines ancient history and culture with immersive experiences in modern LGBTQ+ life. This all-inclusive, 5-star cruise also features a full day in Santorini with optional excursions, a special visit to the ruins of Ephesus, and full overnight in Mykonos. Travel with guest speaker Eric Marcus, author of "Making Gay History."
Experience Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, the necropolis at Saqqara, the enigmatic Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. Relax during a 3-night cruise on Lake Nasser. See the temples at Abu Simbel and sail down the Nile on a 4-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Visit the Valleys of the Kings and Queens and Karnak. Optional 5-day/4-night Jordan post-tour extension.
Explore the crossroads of the Mediterranean on this stellar 12-day small group journey. Begin with Palermo’s impressive architecture and world-class street food. Discover medieval Erice, Trapani’s salt pans, and stunning Monreale Cathedral. Marvel at Agrigento’s remarkable Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale’s magnificent mosaics. In Syracuse, explore Neapolis’ Archaeological Park and take a Sicilian cooking class. After a Mount Etna excursion, enjoy lunch at a private farm. The final destination is delightful Taormina.
Discover the winelands along the Rhine, Moselle, and Saar rivers on a unique itinerary that includes a 7-night river cruise and 3 nights in Strasbourg, France. The terraced vineyards that rise up from these romantic rivers produce some of the finest wines in the world—from the Rhine Valley’s Rheingau to France’s Alsace. Explore 8 historical port cities— Cologne, Boppard, Koblenz, Cochem, Traben-Trarbach, Bernkastel, Trier, and Saarburg —with Pre-Program and/or the Lausanne, Switzerland Post-Program options.
Join us for two days in Tokyo followed by an eight-night cruise through the Sea of Japan and the Inland Sea aboard the 140-passenger Heritage Adventurer. Experience the tranquil historic quarters of Kanazawa and the island worlds of Miyajima and Sado. Attend a performance of Kodo drummers on Sado Island, and partake in a traditional tea ceremony in Kanazawa. Engage with expert study leaders throughout this unique educational program. Optional pre-trip extension to Kamakura and the hot springs resort of Hakone and post-trip extension to Kyoto and the ancient city of Nara.
Discover the bounty of Croatia on this incredible 10-night journey, including a seven-night Adriatic cruise. Board your intimate, first-class yacht in the medieval city of Dubrovnik. Hop off to explore enchanting islands — Rab, Hvar and Korčula — and timeless ports of call, including Split, Zadar and Trogir. Wrap up your adventure with a visit to Plitvice National Park and a three-night stay in wonderful Zagreb.
Enjoy this rare opportunity to see one of the world's most incredible wonders with two former NASA astronauts and a best-selling science fiction novelist. Join an intimate group, hosted by the B612 Foundation, on a 3-day 2-night trip, in the path of totality right outside of Dallas, Texas. Experience the eclipse in the breathtaking surroundings of a luxury nature ranch, with gourmet meals and outdoor activities. Marvel at this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event!
Join us for a deep dive into U.S. history and culture aboard the 185-berth American Splendor, on a voyage up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Memphis. Enjoy the distinctive architecture of the French Quarter, the gorgeous homes of the Garden District, and the renowned National WWII Museum. Then cruise upriver visiting the Creole cottages and lush landscapes of Bayou country; the city of Natchez, where architectural grandeur reflects the prosperous Steamboat Era of the early 1800s; and Vicksburg, where a 47-day Civil War battle raged before control of the Mississippi River was taken by the North. Conclude in Memphis.
Geyser basins and snow-covered landscapes await in the winter wonderland of Yellowstone. Winter is a fantastic time for wildlife watching and your guide will take you to the best spots to see bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and possibly even one of the resident wolf packs. Special snow coaches transport us over the closed roads of Yellowstone to Old Faithful. Try out a pair of snowshoes if you like or simply walk the boardwalks right from the lodge.