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www.arkansasalumni.org/travel Arkansas Alumni Association Natural Wonders ofof Anniversary Passage A voyage aboard the First-Class Yacht M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER January 4 to 12, 2014 PROOF ◆ Luxury Small Ship—only 36 Cabins! ◆ 100% Ocean-View ◆ All Shore Excursions Included ◆ Wine and Beer Included on Board ◆ Naturalist Guides Dear Razorbacks on Tour*: Few experiences can match one of the world’s most dramatic voyages, a cruise from one ocean to another through one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world, the Panama Canal. An engineering marvel when it opened one hundred years ago, the 50-mile passage through the Panama Canal continues to astonish the most veteran traveler. Experience fi rsthand the mighty locks that raise and lower ships 85 feet using no other power than the force of gravity, accomplishing in mere hours what would have taken a three-week circumnavigation of South America in years gone by. Just as impressive is the cruise through the lush tropical jungle in the Gaillard Cut, a channel hewn through solid rock eight miles thick where the canal slices through the rugged Continental Divide. We invite you to join us for this voyage of a lifetime featuring the historic Panama Canal during the 2014 centennial-year celebration and the unspoiled rainforests of Costa Rica at the best time of year. Further to our comprehensive itinerary, visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites and Panama’s ancient San Blas Islands, where the Kuna Indians live much as they did centuries ago. Tour one of acclaimed architect Frank Gehry’s newest designs, Panama City’s Biodiversity Museum. Experience Costa Rica’s world-renowned and protected national park—rainforests, islands and archipelagos that foster one of the most pristine ecosystems on our planet. This exclusive offering features the deluxe M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER, launched in 2012. A true small ship, M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER carries only 72 guests and provides deluxe accommodations along with an intimate atmosphere to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow alumni. This is an extraordinary and exclusive opportunity available only to affi nity travelers, and it is an excellent value. I encourage you to book now while space is available. We look forward to sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with our Arkansas Alumni Family. With Pride in Arkansas,Arkan GhGraham GSG. Stewart Executive Director & Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement Arkansas Alumni Association, Inc. P.S. To join the Arkansas Alumni Association or renew your membership, please contact Julie Preddy at 1-800-775-3465 or [email protected]. PROOF* Razorbacks on Tour is a program of the Arkansas Alumni Association, made possible by our members. Photo this page: Manual Antonio National Park Cover photo: The very best way to experience the offers visitors an enchanting variety—white sandy Panama Canal, your passage takes you through the beaches, old-growth forests, low-lying swamps impressive locks and the narrow Gaillard Cut. and beautiful tropical flora. in the Heart of the Rainforest Called the “coast of riches” by the Spanish conquistadors who discovered it in 1502, Costa Rica offers travelers incredibly beautiful, ecologically diverse and fascinating cultural experiences. More than 25% of the country is a national park, wildlife refuge or protected rainforest, earning Costa Rica the distinction of the greenest country in the world and the leading eco- tourism destination. Explore lush rainforests, exquisite beaches and a stunning palette of wildlife, with hundreds of rare and endemic species, including 600 species of non-migratory birds. Costa Rica’s national motto is “Pura vida!” which translates literally as “pure life” but is better expressed by the optimistic, carefree spirit and the smiling faces of the ticos (Costa Rican natives) who welcome you to this spectacular landscape. San José, Costa Rica The horticultural diversity of Costa Rica, the “Garden of the Americas,” is evident in the parks of this vibrant capital city. San José is also an interesting mix of ◆ Uniquely designed itinerary exclusively architectural styles, including Spanish available to our affi nity travelers. Colonial, Moorish and Modernist. Its National Theater is a regal Baroque ◆ Early Booking Savings! edifi ce modeled on Milan’s La Scala. The National Museum displays ◆ Exclusively chartered. impressive artifacts of pre-Columbian Central America. ◆ Deluxe small ship. Quepos ◆ Only 72 Guests. Named for the native Quepo Indians and once known for its banana plantations, ◆ Spacious, 100% ocean-view Quepos today is the gateway to accommodations. Manuel Antonio National Park and recognized throughout the world for its ◆ All excursions included! high-quality palm oil and abundant marlin, sailfi sh and snapper sport fi shing. ◆ Special educational lectures. Manuel Antonio National Park ◆ Panama Canal grand passage during its Experience an unparalleled diversity of 100th anniversary. wildlife in this lush tropical paradise, a captivating combination of rainforest, ◆ Complimentary house wine and beer beaches and coral reefs home to more with dinner. than 100 species of mammals, almost 200 species of birds and various reptiles and ◆ Elegant indoorPROOF and alfresco dining. amphibians. In this “Living Eden,” expert COSTA RICA SAN JOSÉ Caribbean Sea CARTAGENA HERRADURA San Blas QUEPOS Islands Manuel Antonio COLÓN National Park Drake Panama Canal PANAMA CITY Bay CASA ORQUÍDEAS Corcovado GOLFITO National Park PANAMA Gulfo Osa Dulce Granito Peninsula Gulf of de Oro Panamá Isla de Coiba COLOMBIA UNESCO World Heritage Site Cruise Itinerary Pacifi c Ocean Air Routing Land Routing Costa Rica is famous for its hundreds of stunning freshwater falls. naturalists will help you spot colorful toucans, screeching howler monkeys, camoufl aged iguanas, squirrel monkeys and rare and TINERARY endangered species such as the scarlet I macaw and quetzal, protected by law in this Day natural haven. 1 Depart from the U.S./ Osa Peninsula SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA Located along the southern Pacifi c coast, 2 SAN JOSÉ/HERRADURA/ this secluded natural wonderland was Embark M.Y. VARIETY VOYAGER declared “one of the most biologically 3 QUEPOS/ intense places on earth.” Central America’s MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK largest virgin lowland tropical rainforest, 4 OSA PENINSULA/CASA ORQUÍDEAS/ the Osa Peninsula’s rugged natural splendor GOLFITO is home to rare and endangered species, 5 GRANITO DE ORO, PANAMA/ including the harpy eagle, spider monkey ISLA COIBA and three-toed sloth. In Casa Orquídeas, a stunning, maze-like botanical garden of 6 PANAMA CITY over 100 species of orchids, bromeliads, 7 PANAMA CITY/PANAMA CANAL/COLÓN heliconias and edible plants, visitors can 8 SAN BLAS ISLANDS observe colorful toucans, scarlet macaws and 9 CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA/ jewel-hued hummingbirds. Disembark ship/Return to the U.S. Coiba National Park, Panama Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, The largest island in Central America Coiba National Park and its Special Zone and once an isolated prison, Isla Coiba hosts of Marine Protection has emerged as a rich terrestrial wonders—untouched rainforest, laboratory for studying coral, mammals rugged headlands, pristine white-sand and plants. In addition to 69 species of fi sh, beaches and mangrove thickets—the perfect humpback, orca, sperm and Cuvier’s beaked environment for the evolution of new and whales are known to move through the endemic subspecies and for the protection of marine park’s perimeter, and large marlin may endangered species. be seen leaping from the water. Formed by a steep volcanic outcropping Panama City over millions of years, Granito de Oro, Central America’s most attractive capital which means city was founded in 1519 by Spanish PROOFexplorers and rebuilt in the late 17th century. The Kuna people proudly carry on “granules of their traditional tribal customs. gold” to refl ect Many historic structures remain today its purity, within the designated UNESCO World is an islet Heritage site—Panama Viejo, the oldest known as the European settlement in the America’s, and “live aquarium Casco Antiguo, with its cobbled streets and th of Coiba” spectacular ruins of 16 -century cathedrals. for its vast Near the Panama Canal, the Mirafl ores Locks array of Visitor Center provides an ideal observation exquisite area and opportunity to see how the locks marine life operate, and the new Biodiversity Museum, such as designed by architect Frank Gehry of parrotfi sh and Guggenheim fame, showcases the ecological orange-sided signifi cance of Panama’s exotic fl ora triggerfi sh. and fauna. Once a forgotten neighborhood, Panama City’s Casco Viejo, the walled colonial quarter, is now a vibrant UNESCO World Heritage site where the culture is a melting pot of old and new, local and imported. San Blas Islands around their forearms and legs in striking Located on the Caribbean side of Panama, geometric patterns. the sun-drenched San Blas Islands are an extraordinary testament to Panama’s Cartagena, Colombia commitment to the indigenous Kuna Indians This beautiful Spanish colonial city, founded and their centuries-old way of life, including in 1533 and named after Cartagena, Spain, language, is one of the customs and best preserved culture. Villagers walled cities live in typical in the world. thatched-roof Today, its massive huts, barter or fortifi cations and trade in fi sh Castillo de San and agricultural Felipe fortress products and are a designated paddle dugout UNESCO World canoes, their Heritage site and main mode of an enchanting tribute to transportation. Formed