Designated in its entirety as "Wild & Scenic" in 1984, the Tuolumne is California's premier whitewater river. Join the Club's INFORUM division for a weekend river adventure, lively debates about California's water issues, and socializing by campfire. Experience heart-pounding Class IV rapids such as Run Rock Garden and Nemesis before reaching Clavey Falls, the biggest rapid on our 18-mile trip. Journey though remote canyon wilderness, steep hills forested with oak and pine, and witness May's magnificent wildflower display.

Turkey-where Europe and Asia meet to form "the cradle of civilization"-is yours to discover on this exclusive 15-day tour. Begin your journey in Istanbul, Turkey's cultural and spiritual heart. The city astonishes with its legendary Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Topkapi Palace, one of the world's richest museums. Then travel south to the sacred World War I battlefield of Gallipoli, ferry across the Dardanelles to Troy, and explore the wealth of Greco-Roman ruins at ancient Pergamum.

Throughout the Middle Ages the art, architecture, music, and science of Venice were influenced and enriched by the Byzantine and Islamic civilizations that flourished in the Aegean, Asia Minor, and the Middle East.

Round the Cape of Good Hope with us aboard the elegant 114-guest Corinthian IIfrom Mozambique's attractive capital of Maputo on to South Africa's Table Mountain, Stellenbosch wine country, and wildlife preserves (where many of "the big five" can be seen). Experience Namibia's serene deserts, where you will enjoy a private dinner in the dunes.

Join Ambassador James Rosenthal on this incredible journey to Southeast Asia. Start in bustling Hanoi, with its French colonial architecture and broad tree-lined boulevards. Continue through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, with scenes of rice fields and water buffalo, then board a boat for a cruise on Halong Bay.

During this exclusive program in our nation's capital, Club members will participate in a series of private Commonwealth Club forums held at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Meet high-level representatives from within the presidential administration, Congress, the media, think tanks, and other prestigious organizations. These expert panels will be moderated by well-known Washington, D.C. journalists and cover topics on energy, the economy, and foreign affairs.

For thousands of years, the Mediterranean has been the highway to empire. Visit Turkey, Greece, Malta, Croatia and Italy aboard the Corinthian II, which follows the wake of empire-builders, who spread civilization and culture throughout the Mediterranean.

Awaken your spirit in magical Peru, where breathtaking scenery and ancient mysteries weave together an inspirational journey of history, community and adventure. Starting in Lima, tour the Plaza de Armas, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visit the Pisac citadel, with its magnificent stonework and panoramas; Ollantaytambo, a temple-turned-fortress; and Yucay, a paradise for adventure-seekers and zen-like travelers alike.

Relive a vital chapter in our nation's history during this journey that takes you through a landscape that looks much as it did when they saw it two centuries ago. At the Columbia River, stand on deck as the ship is elevated more than 700 feet through a series of eight navigation locks, a marvel of modern engineering. At Buffalo Eddy see petroglyphs etched by the Native Americans. Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Clearwater River, visiting several of their actual campsites and learn about their relationship with the Nez Perce.