Alumni
The SIUE Alumni Association has partnered with Collette Vacations to offer discounted trips to registered Alumni Association members. We are currently offering exciting trips to the New Orleans, Costa Rica, Copper Canyon and Beijing City. Read below for complete information on each adventure. To book one of the trips, please contact the SIUE Alumni Association office at 618-650-2760. Please note that the cost of the trips may increase due to rising fuel prices. If you are interested in attending one of the vacations, we recommend booking as soon as possible in order to lock in the current rate.
New Orleans GetawayDay 1 - New Orleans, Louisiana
Enjoy the ultimate getaway, New Orleans, the "Jazz Capital of the World!"
Day 2 - French Quarter
A leisurely walking tour of the beautiful French Quarter highlights the stately St. Louis Cathedral. Delights in the sights and sounds of the French Marketplace and view of the Moon Walk and Pirate's Alley. After the tour, a delicious and elegant Jazz lunch awaits you in the courtyard of the Court of Two Sisters Restaurant. Then, board the Steamboat Natchez for a river cruise from the heart of the French Quarter.
Day 3 - French Quarter
Spend time giving back to the people of New Orleans by participating in a special service project. Or, you can choose to discover New Orlenas your way with an entire day of leisure. Ask about taking an optional excursion that includes a visit to Mardi Gras World, followed by a delicious dinner at a local restaurant and ending with a narrated carriage ride through the French Quarter.
Day 4 - French Quarter
Express yourself during your very own mask making class. Board a comfortable coach for a city tour along historic Esplanade Avenue and St. Louis Cemetery #3. Later, drive along the shoreline of Lake Ponchartain before following the street car line down majestic St. Charles Avenue paste Tulane and Loyola Universities. Tonight, savor dinner at one of the French Quarter's wonderful restaurants before experiencing an exciting Jazz revue.
Day 5 - Depart for Home
Tropical Costa RicaDay 1: Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica
Lush forests and stunning waterfalls…rumbling volcanoes and endless coastlines…Costa Rica is truly a slice of paradise. Your tour begins in the colorful capital city of San Jose. Upon arrival, relax and soak up the sights of your new surroundings.
Day 2: San Jose - Poas Volcano - La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano)
Visit the local San Gabriel Shelter which is supported by the Collette Foundation. This shelter specializes in caring for Costa Rica’s ill children. After the visit, leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city and travel through the verdant countryside of the Central Valley. Travel past tropical landscapes and the ancient Poas Volcano, said to be the widest crater in the world. Enjoy a two night stay in La Fortuna at a typical lodge with breathtaking views of the majestic Arenal Volcano, which has been generating constant lava for the last 30 years.
Day 3: La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) - Cano Negro - La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano)
Of all Costa Rica’s nature preserves, the remote 20,000-acres of Cano Negro are home to the largest viewable selection of indigenous wildlife. During your visit, embark on a guided river boat trip in a panga (covered canoe), making frequent stops to watch and photograph the wildlife around you. After your adventure through the preserve, relax at a family-owned hot springs oasis in the geothermal region that surrounds the Arenal Volcano.
Day 4: La Fortuna - Monteverde
You won’t believe your eyes as you travel into the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where trees grow to heights of 100 feet! Then you continue on to Selvatura Park*, a cloud forest preserve in the heart of Monteverde. Your visit includes an exciting opportunity to fly through the cloud forest on a zip line canopy tour or to take a guided walk among the treetops on a series of hanging bridges!
Day 5: Monteverde
A morning nature walk allows you to discover the natural beauty of the cloud forest first hand. This afternoon, visit a local coffee production facility to see how a potent Costa Rican coffee bean is transformed into your morning cup of joe.
Day 6: Monteverde - Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Fun in the sun is in store as you travel to the spectacular Guanacaste region on the northwest Pacific coast. This afternoon, arrive at Playa Hermosa, known for its breathtaking beauty and fine sandy beaches. Here, rest and relaxation go hand-in-hand with mesmerizing ocean views and lush tropical greenery.
Day 7: Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
The day is yours to simply enjoy this tropical paradise. Explore the nearby marina and beaches or simply relax by the pool and take advantage of the amenities offered by your all-inclusive resort.
Day 8: Playa Hermosa - Sarchi - San Jose
Take a leisurely ride through the countryside to Sarchi. During your visit you will have the chance to tour the local oxcart factory, perfect for picking up unique souvenirs! Continue on to San Jose where you will enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner.
Day 9: San Jose - Depart for Home
Copper CanyonDay 1: Arrive Tucson, Arizona
Day 2: Tucson - San Carlos, Mexico
Today, learn about the significance of the majestic Mission of San Xavier del Bac, known as the ‘white dove of the desert. Cross the Mexican border near the popular city of Nogales and continue through the beautiful Sonora Desert to the Sea of Cortez. Relax and enjoy San Carlos from your hotel overlooking the beautiful San Carlos Marina.
Day 3: San Carlos
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of San Carlos.
Day 4: San Carlos - El Fuerte
Visit a working pearl farm and learn the history of pearls from the Sea of Cortez. In the beautiful colonial city of El Fuerte, you will feel as if you have stepped back in time.
Day 5: El Fuerte - Copper Canyon
Travel on the Chihuahua-Pacifico Railroad for an awe-inspiring journey that will take you from sea level to almost 8,000 feet via numerous tunnels and over countless bridges in this unspoiled landscape.
Day 6: Copper Canyon
Experience the Tarahumara’s fascinating culture when tribal members perform for you. See their traditional dance, tribal games and a foot race demonstration. Embark on a tour of the area called Divisadero; visit the small church and the balancing rock precariously positioned at the canyon's edge.
Day 7: Copper Canyon - Creel - Chihuahua
A fascinating trip through the canyon brings you to the town of Creel, one of the largest and most populated towns in the Copper Canyon, sitting 7,874 feet above sea level. Next, you visit the Mennonite settlement near Cuahtemoc where you will enjoy a homemade lunch before continuing on to Chihuahua.
Day 8: Chihuahua - El Paso, Texas
This morning meet some of the local children as you visit a boarding school which is supported by the Collette Foundation. Spend some time with the students and learn about their way of life.
Day 9: Depart for Home
Beijing City StayDay 1: Overnight Flight
Day 2: Arrive Beijing, China - Tour Begins
Day 3: Beijing
Start your journey into Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, with a sightseeing tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Day 4: Beijing
This morning visit the Summer Palace, which is ranked amongst the most noted classical gardens in the world. Tonight, a delicious dumpling dinner is included.
Day 5: The Great Wall
No visit to China would be complete without seeing The Great Wall. Behold this awesome site and have the chance to walk along a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. Travel through the Valley of the Ming Tombs, where you will walk along the Sacred Way. Enjoy a time-honored and favorite pastime of the Chinese when you go kite-flying along the Sacred Way. Your dinner this evening, a famous Peking duck dinner, is followed by a special treat: the Peking Opera show.
Day 6: Beijing
This morning visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperor came twice each year to thank the gods for the good harvest and to pray for the new harvest. You will also see the locals doing their morning Tai Chi exercises, playing cards or board games.
Day 7: Beijing
Enjoy a full day of leisure to relax or independently explore this wonderful city. You may take an optional tour to Xian, which includes a visit to the Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum.
Day 8: Beijing
This morning, enjoy a visit to the Beijing Zoo, home of the famous Pandas. Afterwards you have the opportunity to experience ancient Beijing on a rickshaw tour through its narrow streets and alleys.
Day 9: Depart for Home
