Travel Courses   

Begin in Edo, the roots of modern Tokyo, before racing across the country on the 180 mph Bullet Train to Hiroshima—a city reborn from tragedy. Discover Kyoto’s timeless beauty, from peaceful temples and gardens to the Emperor’s historic residence back in Tokyo. Dive into the energy of Tokyo’s famous fish market and take in the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Experience the spirit, resilience, and grace that make Japan unforgettable.

Discover the Kamchatka Peninsula—comparable in size to California—home to thousands of grizzly bears, hundreds of active volcanoes, and abundant fish species. Study this unique ecosystem and investigate the ancient migration theories of humans crossing the Bering Land Bridge and traveling the Kelp Highway all the way from Beringia toward San Francisco. Ride a Russian helicopter - if you want to pay $900 CASH!

To prepare for this class, I traveled nearly 10,000 miles across the U.S.—from sacred burial grounds in South Dakota to the site of Wounded Knee, Custer’s Last Stand, and Jim Thorpe’s hometown. Along the way, I explored Native museums, cultural centers, and modern tribal enterprises. Join us to discover the deep history, living cultures, and enduring spirit of Native America.

Explore South Africa’s rich history—from 57,000-year-old rock art and vibrant Bantu and Zulu cultures to European colonization and the harsh era of apartheid. Discover the inspiring story of Nelson Mandela’s leadership and the nation’s journey to democracy at the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. This class offers a powerful glimpse into South Africa’s past and its ongoing transformation.

I recently returned from an amazing adventure on a small boat sailing up the Mekong River and its many tributaries, visiting Vietnam & Cambodia: Ho Chi Minh City to Angkor Wat. I am eager to share my photos and stories.

Only 6,000 tourists a year gain entry into this well-funded autocracy. We will visit the capital, Ashgabat, and witness their Independence Day celebrations along with experiencing desert travel to the Gates of Hell. You may never travel there but the zoom class will be an eye-opener. Taught by Terry McAteer

In this Travel Tuesday, we will explore the wild and wonderful national parks of Western Texas. At Guadalupe National Park we will explore trails, vistas and vast human history. We’ll cross the border into New Mexico for a fun lunch in Carlsbad. We’ll travel to Big Bend National Park and explore the flora and fauna and look across to Mexico. With a passport, you can even wade across the river to shop. Then we'll visit some outlying towns of Terlingua and Alpine. This beautiful country is as big as Texas itself.

North of the Himalayas lies the second highest range in the world, the Tien Shen Mountains. These two unknown countries are outdoor wonderlands. We will take you off the beaten path, as we live in a yurt and travel into this mountainous region full of glaciers, lakes, and rivers galore. Taught by Terry McAteer

Marco Polo and Genghis Khan created this route to bring the treasures of the East to the consumers of the West. We will visit the trading station cities of Shiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent and Almaty to experience the cultural, religious and epicurean delights of these magical lands. Taught by Terry McAteer