Covered bridge over a river in Vietnam

Alumni Travel Program

Explore the world with RISD Alumni Travel

Experience history and cultural diversity across the globe with the Alumni Travel Program. Our trips are small groups of 24 people or less, led by expert guides with local knowledge that brings you off the beaten path to make your own discoveries. See the world with fellow creatives, RISD alumni and travel companions.

Our 2025 Travel Destinations

Moroccan Discovery, April 15-28, 2025Morocco

Shared departure with the University of Colorado, Boulder
14 days for $6,779 total price from Boston, New York
($6,095 air & land inclusive plus $684 airline taxes and fees)

Download brochure

On this singular small group tour, experience a 14-day exploration of dramatic contrasts that take you from seaside Rabat to the desert towns of Erfoud and Ouarzazate and through the snow-topped High Atlas. Along a journey featuring the many cultural treasures of Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca and five UNESCO sites. Encounter Roman ruins, an ancient caravan route, souks and medinas. Dine in a private home and in a family-run riad. Admire dramatic Todra Gorge and the village of Ait ben-Haddou, famed as a location for film shoots. Visit the world’s oldest continually operating university, and one of the world’s largest Islamic houses of worship, the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. Riding out on camelback to the Sahara, watch the sun set over the breathtaking dunes.

Level 3 Moderate 

  • Walk 2-4 miles per day, often uphill, on uneven terrain, or cobblestones
  • Occasional long walks from motorcoach drop-off to sights and hotels
  • Mounting and dismounting camels for ride through sand dunes in the Sahara
  • Several long days of travel via motorcoach
Odyssey Unlimited


 

Portugal, Through the Designer’s Lens, September 5–12, 2025

Price: $5,200 per person
Single Supplement: $1,040
Deposit: $600 per person

The RISD Alumni Travel Program is thrilled to announce a brand-new travel partnership and destination for 2025. Insider's Travel, a leader in small group bespoke tours, offers RISD alumni and guests an unforgettable 7-night trip from Lisbon to Porto through their artfully curated Portugal, Through the Designer's Lens.

Led by New York-based product designer Dana D'Amico 99 ID, explore Portugal's rich culture and design heritage. With stops in Sintra, Nazaré and Alcobaça you'll immerse yourself in the stunning architecture, breathtaking landscapes and culinary delights of the fabled cities and towns along the Portuguese coast.

Reserve your space today or contact info@insiderstravel.io for more information.

 

Journey through Vietnam, October 9-23, 2025 Fishing boats in Vietman

Shared departure with UC Davis
15 days for $4,797 total price from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
($4,195 air & land inclusive plus $602 airline taxes and fees)

Encounter Vietnam’s breathtaking natural beauty, traditions, and people on this comprehensive 15-day small group journey. Get acquainted with Hanoi during a three-night stay, touring historic sites and sampling local cuisine. On a full-day Ha Long Bay excursion, explore this stunning waterscape by boat. Spending three nights in a beachfront hotel in Da Nang, tour the acclaimed Cham Museum and Hoi An’s Old Town, a UNESCO site. Enjoy a cooking lesson and experience daily life on a local farm. In Hue, explore the vast Imperial Citadel, take a cyclo ride and cruise on the Perfume River. Then experience river life with two nights in the Mekong Delta, journeying by boat to a floating market and exploring by sampan. A three-night stay in vibrant Saigon with touring and independent exploration concludes the journey. Discover Angkor Wat’s amazing temples and Phnom Penh with an optional 5-day/3-night post-tour extension.

Level 3 Moderate

  • Walk 2-4 miles per day, often uphill, on uneven terrain, or cobblestones
  • Occasional long walks from motorcoach drop-off to sights and hotels

Odyssey Unlimited

Ghana, November 7–15, 2025

Elimra CoastlineFrom $3,550 per person (double occupancy)*
Single occupancy from $4,220 per person
Deposit: From $1,775 per person (double occupancy)

RISD Alumni Travel Program is thrilled to announce another exciting travel destination for 2025. We have partnered with AEA, a leader in customized travel programs with over 19 years of experience, for an unforgettable journey through Ghana.

Through knowledgeable local guides, alumni and their guests will have an opportunity to connect with Ghana's people, history and creative spirit. Our group will meet local artists, visit galleries and participate in hands-on workshops celebrating Ghanaian crafts, textiles and culture.

Download brochure

Book now or contact AEA at Team@AEAstudyabroad.com for more information

Academic experiences abroad

 

Questions about our 2025 destinations or the Alumni Travel Program? Please reach out to alumni@risd.edu 


Travel Insurance

The RISD Alumni Travel Program highly recommends the purchase of travel insurance for your upcoming trip. Our trusted partner, Meyer and Associates, provides travel insurance options to meet your needs and budget, including:

  • Trip cancellations or interruptions
  • Trip delays or missed connections
  • Medical expenses, including emergency medical evacuation
  • Cancel or interrupt for any reason
  • Pre-existing condition waivers

For additional information visit Meyer and Associates on the web or call 866-679-7836.

*dates are subject to change, minimum traveler enrollment must be met for trips to run
Image credits: Morocco and Vietnam courtesy of Odysseys Unlimited. Portugal courtesy of Insider's Travel. Ghana courtesy of Academic Experiences Abroad