Trips

In addition to non-credit courses, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Western Michigan University also organizes a number of trips every year. From daylong excursions around Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan to extended trips within the U.S. or even outside the country, we are pleased to offer a variety of travel opportunities for our community of lifelong learners.

Explore Day Trips

From curated tours through area museums to an afternoon at the theater, our OLLI day trips are the ideal way to socialize and learn all at the same time! Booked through AAA, all of the details—including transportation to and from the trip destinations—are managed for you. You simply show up and enjoy a fun day with your OLLI friends!
Explore Extended Trips

OLLI partners with Premier World Discovery to offer opportunities for family and friends to travel together on journeys around the globe. Specializing in traditional escorted tours, unique rail tours, one hotel/unpack once tours, and river cruise charters, these once-in-a-lifetime trips are perfect for our adventurous OLLI members who want to see the world!

Day Trips

Where are we off to next? Currently, our trip compass is taking a breather, but don't fret! We're behind the scenes plotting the course for our next adventure together. Check back soon for the latest updates!

Day Trip Registration

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU teams up with the American Automobile Association to bring you more trips! Registration for trips will be through AAA and not through the OLLI at WMU office. To register, call AAA Nebraska directly. Contact Dave at (402) 513-4388 or Chellie at (402) 513-4386. During the peak summer vacation time, you may also contact Corey Stafford at (402) 513-4387, who can help if either Dave or Chellie are not available. The mailing address for AAA Nebraska is 815 N 98th St, Omaha NE 68114.

To give an indication of the level of activity required for each trip, a rating will be included in the individual trip description.

Easy: This type of trip involves moderate walking, such as a theater trip, requiring very short walking distances and boarding/exiting the bus a few times.

Moderate: This type of trip involves moderate walking, and some stairs as may be experienced touring museums and historical buildings. Trips might include walking a mile in addition to touring venues. Multiple boarding/exiting the bus may be required.

More strenuous: These trips include varied venues from museums to exploring neighborhoods and boarding/exiting the bus multiple times. There may be stairs, uneven ground and up to two to three miles total walking. This activity level may be found with overnight trips that entail a variety of venues and varying degrees of walking each day.

Extended Trips

Historic Savannah & Charleston

Date: April 26 to May 2, 2024
Tour Rates: $3,649 pp double
Webcode: 174348
Download trip flyer

Trip details

Fly south on this lovely tour and experience the sweet southern charm of historic Charleston, Savannah and the legendary Jekyll Island Club. You will also take a carriage ride through the quaint seaside town of Beaufort as well as a visit to the scenic St. Simons Island, and so much more! Enjoy a warm welcome from our friends in the south who enjoy life at a much slower pace. Take time to browse for souvenirs, savor delicious southern cuisine, perhaps enjoy a ghost story, or simply stroll along the historic streets filled with exquisite architecture. This tour includes round trip airport transfers between Kalamazoo and the Grand Rapids airport, airfare, professional Tour Director, deluxe motorcoach transportation, 6-night stay (historic districts), 9 meals, baggage handling, and all sightseeing as listed on the flyer. Download the flyer for more specific details.

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Date: October 4 to 9, 2024
Tour Rates: $3,475 pp double
Webcode: 174396
Download trip flyer

Trip details

Experience one of the most photographed events in the world! The Balloon Fiesta will amaze you as over 100 multi-colored balloons are released at the mass ascension. You will also tour old town Albuquerque and learn about life in the Southwest, past and present. Enjoy visits to the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center and Los Alamos before heading to the capitol city of Santa Fe. We’ll drive north via the “High Road to Taos” to take in breathtaking views of ancient villages along the Rio Grande and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You will get a firsthand glimpse into the world of Native American culture and learn about their sacred land, traditions, and folklore. If you are interested in a unique experience like nowhere else in the country, this tour is for you! This tour includes round trip airport transfers between Kalamazoo and the Grand Rapids airport, airfare, professional Tour Director, deluxe motorcoach transportation, 5-night stay (Albuquerque and Santa Fe), 7 meals, baggage handling, and all sightseeing as listed on the flyer. Download the flyer for more specific details.

Highlight's of Italy's Amalfi Coast

Date: November 5 to 12, 2024
Tour Rates: $3,925 pp double
Webcode: 174349
Download trip flyer

Trip details

Come explore Europe’s most magnificent stretch of coastline and delight in the most breathtaking views in all of Italy! This incredible tour takes you south of Rome for 5 nights and 6 days in Sorrento offering the perfect hub-and-spoke location to visit Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, and Pompeii, with optional tours to Naples and the Isle of Capri. You will stroll through these ancient cities on your walking tours and learn about life on the coast. Each day your journey will wind through scenic drives found nowhere else in the world, as you find yourself surrounded by villages and vineyards. In addition, we’ll visit a cheese factory, take in a limoncello demonstration and tasting, and enjoy delicious Italian cuisine every step of the way. Your last night is spent in Rome to fly out the last day. However, if you want to extend your visit to include a tour of Rome, we offer a 3 day/2 night fully guided extension (for an additional fee), providing you with the opportunity to tour all the famous sights and sounds of Rome. This tour includes round trip airport transfers between Kalamazoo and the Grand Rapids airport, airfare, professional Tour Director, deluxe motorcoach transportation, 6-night stay (Sorrento and Rome), 10 meals, baggage handling, and all sightseeing as listed on the flyer. 3-day post extension to Rome available. Download the flyer for more specific details.

Extended Trip Registration

There are three different ways that you can book your journey with Premier World Discovery.

Call Premier World Discovery toll free at (877) 953-8687 and speak to a reservation agent that is available to answer your questions, take your trip deposit, and confirm you on one of the tour programs.
Book online with your tour webcode, which is provided above with each trip description. Visit the reservations website and click on Passenger Login. If this is your first time booking a trip, you’ll be able to create an account.
Print out one of the tour reservation forms for the tour program you want to travel on, fill it out with all the contact and payment information and mail it to our office at: Premier World Discovery, ATTN: OLLI at WMU, 1650 So Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 202, Redondo Beach, CA, 90277.