aandnd A voyage aboard the Small Ship M . S . SEERENISSIMARENISSIMA January 27 to February 4, 2015 ◆ CClassiclassic SSmallmall SShiphip ◆ OOnlynly 9900 GGuestsuests ◆ OOverver 990%0% OOcean-Viewcean-View AAccommodationsccommodations ◆ OOnene PPortort CCallall EEveryvery DDayay ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ AAllll SShorehore EExcursionsxcursions IIncludedncluded Dear Alumni & Friends: Few experiences can match one of the world’s most dramatic voyages, a cruise from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacifi c through one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world, the Panama Canal. An engineering marvel when it opened over one hundred one years ago, the 50-mile passage through the Panama Canal continues to astonish even 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. We invite Idaho Vandals and friends to join us for this voyage of a lifetime featuring a passage through the historic Panama Canal, following its centennial anniversary, and the unspoiled rainforests of Costa Rica and Panama at the best time of year. During our comprehensive Vandal Voyagers itinerary, visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites and Panama’s ancient San Blas Islands, where the Guna Indians live much as they did centuries ago. Tour one of acclaimed architect Frank Gehry’s newest designs, Panama City’s Biodiversity Museum. Experience Panama’s and Costa Rica’s world-renowned and protected national parks—rainforests, islands and archipelagos that foster one of the most pristine ecosystems on our planet. This unique offering features the exclusively chartered M.S. SERENISSIMA, a classic small ship carrying only 90 guests and relaunched in 2013 following an extensive renovation. The M.S. SERENISSIMA provides an intimate atmosphere to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow alumni and a unique cruise experience. 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. Sincerely, Steve Johnson ’71 Director, Offi ce of Alumni Relations Offi ce of Alumni Relations Disclaimer The University of Idaho, through its Offi ce of Alumni Relations, is pleased to provide this service of facilitating travel opportunities for its alumni and friends. We strive to work with the best partners to make available interesting and enriching travel options for University of Idaho alums. Please note that the university does not conduct tours, nor does it act as an agent for guests interested in tours. The Offi ce of Alumni Relations acts as a facilitator with tour operators, with whom tour participants make arrangements for completing travel. We’re pleased to act as a liaison with tour operators should you have any questions or concerns that may arise before, during or after your tour. The Offi ce of Alumni Relations encourages you to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the tour operator’s cancellation and refund policies, and also to investigate available services such as trip cancellation insurance. The university is not responsible for changes to trips or travel arrangements, or for losses or additional expenses resulting from travel. The Offi ce of Alumni Relations reserves the right to withdraw its affi liation with any individual tour should conditions warrant. (The University of Idaho Offi ce of Alumni Relations would like to continue sending you information on travel opportunities with “Vandal Voyagers.” However, if you wish to not receive future travel offerings or other notifi cations of commercial opportunities from the Offi ce of Alumni Relations via mailings or e-mail, please notify [email protected] or phone 208-885-5106.) Photo this page: In only three square miles, the Cover photo: Aboard the M.S. SERENISSIMA, experience natural wonders of Manuel Antonio National Park firsthand the impressive system of locks that maintain range from sandy beaches and low-lying marshes water levels in the Panama Canal despite dramatic to mature tropical forests. Pacific tides. iinn tthehe HHearteart ooff tthehe RRainforestainforest Called the “coast of riches” by the Spanish conquistadors who discovered it in 1502, Costa Rica offers visitors 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, walk along exquisite beaches and see a stunning palette of wildlife, where rare and endemic species fl ourish, including howler monkeys, colorful tree frogs and Costa Rica’s 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. Cartagena, Colombia This beautiful Spanish colonial city, founded in 1533 and named after Cartagena, Spain, is one of the best preserved walled cities in the world. Today, its massive fortifi cations ◆ Uniquely designed small ship and Castillo de San Felipe fortress are itinerary exclusively available a designated UNESCO World Heritage to our affi nity travelers. site and an enchanting tribute to this “Ciudad Heroica,” which withstood ◆ EExclusivelyxclusively cchartered.hartered countless battles over the centuries. ◆ Classic ssmallmall sship.hip Cartagena’s charming circular plazas served as the setting of the movie ◆ Passage through the Panama Canal. Romancing the Stone. ◆ Early Booking Savings! San Blas Islands, Panama Located on the Caribbean side of Panama, ◆ One port call each day. the sun-drenched San Blas Islands are ◆ All shore excursions included! an extraordinary testament to Panama’s commitment to the indigenous Guna Indians, ◆ Only 90 guests. also known as the Kuna Indians, and their centuries-old language, customs and culture. ◆ Comfortable, nearly all oocean-viewcean-view Villagers live in typical thatched-roof huts, accommodations. barter or trade in fi sh and agricultural products and paddle dugout canoes, their ◆ Four Cabins with private veranda. main mode of transportation. Guna women ◆ Special educational lectures. continue to hand-stitch traditional colorful molas (reverse appliqué panels) and wear ◆ Indoor and alfresco dining. winis, long strings of tiny beads wrapped around their forearms and legs in striking ◆ One crew member for every 1.7 guests. geometric patterns. CCOSTAOSTA AAtlantictlantic OOceancean AArenalrenal RRICAICA CCurúurú NNationalational CAARTAGENARTAGENA WWildlifeildlife RRefugeefuge CCaribbeanaribbean SSeaea SAANN JOOSÉSÉ SSanan BBlaslas PUUERTOERTO IIslandsslands CAALDERALDERA COOLÓNLÓN MManuelanuel AAntoniontonio DDrakerake NNationalational PParkark PPanamaanama CCanalanal PAANAMANAMA CIITYTY BBayay CCasaasa OOrquídeasrquídeas GOOLFITOLFITO PPANAMAANAMA GGolfoolfo DDulceulce GGranitoranito GGulfulf ooff ddee OOroro PPanamaanama IIslasla CCoibaoiba CCOLOMBIAOLOMBIA UNESCO World Heritage Site Cruise Itinerary PPacifiacifi c OOceancean Air Routing Land Routing Costa Rica is famous for its hundreds of stunning freshwater falls. Panama City Central America’s most attractive capital city I TINERARY was founded in 1519 by Spanish explorers and Day rebuilt in the late 17th century. Many historic ◆ PRE-PROGRAM CARTAGENA OPTION edifi ces remain today within the designated UNESCO World Heritage site—Panama Viejo, 1 DDepartepart tthehe UU.S..S./ the oldest European settlement in the Americas, CAARTAGENARTAGENA, COOLOMBIALOMBIA/ and Casco Antiguo, with its cobblestone streets EEmbarkmbark M.S. SEERENISSIMARENISSIMA th and its stunning 16 -century cathedral. 2 SAANN BLLASAS ISSLANDSLANDS, PAANAMANAMA Adjacent to the Panama Canal, the 3 COOLÓNLÓN//PPAANAMANAMA CAANALNAL Mirafl ores Locks Visitor Center provides an ideal opportunity to see how the locks operate. 4 PAANAMANAMA CIITYTY Nearby, the new Biodiversity Museum, 5 GRRANITOANITO DDEE ORROO//IISSLALA COOIBAIBA designed by architect Frank Gehry of 6 GOOLFOLFO DUULCELCE, COOSTASTA RIICACA, Guggenheim fame, showcases the ecological FFOROR SAALADEROLADERO ECCOO LOODGEDGE AANDND signifi cance of Panama’s exotic fl ora and fauna. CAASASA ORRQUÍDEASQUÍDEAS Coiba National Park 7 MAANUELNUEL ANNTONIOTONIO NAATIONALTIONAL PAARKRK/ Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, CUURÚRÚ NAATIONALTIONAL WIILDLIFELDLIFE REEFUGEFUGE Coiba National Park and its Special Zone 8 PUUERTOERTO CAALDERALDERA/DDisembarkisembark sshiphip/ of Marine Protection has emerged as a rich SAANN JOOSÉSÉ laboratory for studying coral, mammals 9 SAANN JOOSÉSÉ/RReturneturn ttoo tthehe UU.S..S. and plants. In addition to 69 species of fi sh, humpback, orca, sperm and Cuvier’s beaked ◆ POST-PROGRAM COSTA RICA OPTION whales are known to migrate through the marine park’s perimeter. Linked by an underwater mountain chain to endemic subspecies and for the preservation the Galápagos, Granito de Oro is a small island and protection of endangered species. within the park known as the “live aquarium of Coiba.” Enjoy an afternoon snorkeling Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica among its vast array of exquisite marine life Located along the southern Pacifi c coast, this including parrotfi sh and orange-sided triggerfi sh. secluded natural wonderland was declared The largest island in Central America