Princeton Class of 1959

                                                                    2009 ~ SOUTH AFRICA

You Can still sign up for this September, 2009 jaunt. Twenty-two are committed so far. here are the details:

HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH AFRICA

We have arranged a private tour for 40 (with the possibility of adding a second group) starting September 3, 2009. The 19 day tour starts in Johannesburg, includes three trips into Kroger National Park, and then travels down the east coast Garden Route through Swaziland, Zululand, Port Elizabeth, and Wilderness to Cape Town. More detail on the daily itinerary can be found on the Grand Circle Travel (GCT) web site at: www.gct.com. GCT gets absolutely top marks from Conde Nast.

In addition, a 4 night "Big Five Bush Safari" pretrip is available for those itching to get up close and personal with the "Big Five", buffalo, elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinos via small, open air safari vehicles. The safari goes to Pilanesberg National Park, a preserve north of Johannesberg toward Botswana, renowned for its wild animal population.

Also available is a 3 night post trip to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, at the Superior First Class Falls Safari Lodge.

You can book now for $350 pp. Since this tour is a limited to 40 (and our Russia trip drew 62) you may want to reserve before all the slots are snatched up. To Book:

1. Call Grand Circle Travel Reservations 1-800-221-2610
2) Tell the agent you want to book a reservation on the Highlights of South Africa for September 3, 2009.
3) Mention "Service Code" GG91 869

GCT offers travel insurance. An alternative source is SRI (Specialty Risk International; Telephone 1-866-761-8187). A useful insurance comparison web site is www.insuremytrip.com. As with all these insurance packages, you have to get the insurance within 10 to 14 days of booking for full coverage (e.g. pre-existing conditions)

Dates: September 3, 2009 to September 22, 2009 (19 days including two for travel)

Cost: Highlights Tour. Base price from New York City including air is $4,295 plus tax per person. There are add ons for connecting flights and optional mini-tours.

Big Five Bush Safari pretrip. Add $995 per person.

Victoria Falls post trip (visa required). Add $995 per person. NOTE: Requires at least 12 travelers

What's included:

~ Round trip transatlantic air transportation from NYC to Johannesburg, returning from Cape Town plus all flights specified within the itinerary.

~ Private round trip airport/hotel transfers

~ Accommodation for 17 nights in comfortable rooms with private baths

~ 33 meals (17 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 9 dinners including welcome and Farewell Dinners)

~ 13 Sightseeing Tours: Soweto; Swaziland; Port Elizabeth; Knysna Lagoon & Featherbed Bay; Outshoorn; Mossel Bay; Swellendam; Cape Town; Cape Peninsula; Stellenbosch Winelands.

~ Exclusive services of resident Grand Circle Program Directors (they are excellent!)

~ Discovery Events: South African wildlife; glass blowing demonstration; Visit a local chief's umphakatsi; an evening with a Zulu; South African history lecture; Flavors of Cape Town; and a Home Hosted Dinner.

~ Private motorcoach for land travel

~ Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person; and

~ 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next Grand Circle trip

Optional tours (for a nominal additional charge) to places like Kruger Private Lodge; an Intimate African Safari; Addo Elephant National Park; and Robben Island

To Book: Call 1-800-221-2610 and ask to book the 59 Tigers Group, Code Number GG91-869.

Special Notes: Those signed up to date include: Ann and Drew Bitler, Tony and Twill Cotter, friends Bill and Mary Elsesser, John and Jean Fishburne + their neighbors the Coulsons, friends Mike and Grace Gilmarten, Pat Morrison with friend Susan Lawrence, John and Susan Lemp, Bruce and Fran Nickerson, Reade and Joan Ryan, and Saul and Sue Singer. With other friends, that's 55% of the slots taken already, SO ACT FAST! :-)

Questions? Email me or call at 703-323-1658. Contact Grand Circle at www.gct.com for a detailed day to day Itinerary.   See you in South Africa! Cheers,

Tony Cotter

P.S. Remember, the price includes round trip airfare!!

P.P.S. If there is enough interest, I MAY be able to get GCT to organize a second group of 24 to go at the same time.

                                          2008  RUSSIA

The early bird pretrip folks took off September 30 and met in Helsinki for two days. Then off by ferry to Tallin, Estonia where we spent three days exploring the city, especially the old city. Then they bused us over to St, Petersburg to join the Russian Odyssey core trip September 4. After four days exploring the Hermitage, Catherine's Palace, and the Yusopov Palace where Rasputin was done in, the 62 of us boarded the Rossiya for a week long cruise through canals, lakes, and the Volga 800+ miles down to Moscow.

The group included Jim & Nettie Bennett, Ann and Drew Bitler, Bill & Ellie Buchanan, Tom and Shirley Byrnes, Tony and Twill Cotter, Harvey and Celia Dosik, John & Jean Fishburne, Don & Elizabeth Frazer, John & Jane Gardiner,  Ted and Emmy Hessberg, John and Mary Kelsey, Bob & Marilyn Ketchum, John & Susan Lemp, John & Marian MacFarlane, Fred Mosher, Bruce and Fran Nickerson, Dick & Dede Neunherz, Al & Ruth Pogarsky, Jay & Betsy Siegel, Saul and Sue Singer, Aldo & Doris Vandermolen, and John and Sally Wilhelm (and a dozen friends and family).

The 59 Tigers dominated the ship, including several stellar performances during the Talent Show. Stops in old Russia included Kizhi Island, Yaroslav, and Uglich.

In Moscow we toured Moscow City and Subway, Moscow's Central Museum of Armed Forces, the Kremlin, GUM Department Store (actually a mall), and the Armory Museum filled with spectacular Tsarist crowns, gowns, carriages, and jewels.

Most went home September 18, but a dozen went on to a fascinating three day visit to Kiev, capital of Ukraine anda mother city to Moscow.

The trip proved a fascinating insight into Russia today.

2004 The Ottoman Empire Cruise

From October 3 - 16, a dozen classmates cruised the Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Seas on Holland America Lines’ Prinsendam, stopping in Dubrovnik, Istanbul, Kusadesi (for Ephesus), Nessebur, Odessa, Santorini, Split, Venice, and Yalta. Arvin Anderson, Lew and Diane Barringer, Tony and Twill Cotter, John and Jean Fishburne, Saul and Sue Singer were among the revelers. There were only six of us on the 2003 first cruise to the Baltic Sea countries, so the idea is catching on. China and the Yangtze next year.

2005 CHINA

2006 Transatlantic Cruise: Rome to New York City

2007 Transatlantic Cruise: Copenhagen via the Arctic Circle,

Greenland, and Iceland to New York City