Travel with OLLI

Adventure awaits! Join us on a regional excursion or wander farther afield on one of our international tours. Whether you’re seeing the world or staying closer to home, there’s always something new to discover – together. We regularly schedule new trips, so check back often.

For more information, please contact donna.anderson@maine.edu.

International Travel

International travel reservations are first come, first served. Registration is not part of the OLLI online system, see registration details with trip information. Membership is not required to take part in international trips.

Members may enjoy coupling travel with our trip-related courses. See the trip details for course titles we recommend.

Registration is now closed.

“Spotlight on Tuscany” is based in the spa town of Montecatani Ferme, with day trips to Florence, Lucca, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano and more.

Explore this beautiful and historic region of Italy while sampling wine, cheese, ham, olive oil, and other specialties. You may also choose a pre-trip extension to Rome.

A narrow street in Tuscany

Image from EF Adventures

Westminster Abbey, England

Image from History Extra, BBC

Limited seats remaining!

An England experience only its literary greats can provide. The tour includes:

  • London, home of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, the Dicken’s Museum, Sherlock Holmes’ 221B Baker Street, Westminster Abbey and the Poets’ Corner, the British Library, and Churchill’s War Room – the birthplace of Cold War spy novelists.
  • Chawton and Bath: Jane Austen’s homes and the beautiful Bath with its Roman baths and 18th century architectural masterpieces
  • Stratford-upon-Avon: The town where Shakespeare was born, married, and died – we’ll visit his home and gardens.
  • Oxford: A richly historical university town with medieval colleges as well as pubs frequented by the Inklings – JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis – and by Colin Dexter, whose Inspector Morse novels (and TV spin-offs) are set in Oxford.
  • Winchester: Walk on the streets of this medieval city, visiting King Arthur’s Round Table and Jane Austen’s grave.

Plus an optional 3-day excursion to the beautiful Lake District where we’ll visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and cruise on Lake Windermere, followed by a visit to the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth.

Read the full itinerary.

Pricing ranges from $4,659 to $6,938 based on occupancy. All travelers must purchase an insurance package. Additional costs for excursions may apply.

Click here for trip registration information

Take a Course Before You Go

Couple your journey with one (or all) of these spring offerings. See our course page for details. Courses not required to join the trip.

  • From the Crown to the Ground: English History & Seven Literary Greats Dive into seven historical literary periods including kings and queens, political rivalries, literary and artistic trends, and a glimpse of everyday life on the farm and in cities. (course)
  • From Penny Lane to Willesden Green: English Songs of Love & Dissent Explore songs from traditional 18th century ballads to contemporary works. Listen, look, and share thoughts about songwriters who express their feelings for England through music. (workshop)
  • Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Foot Delve into one of Sherlock’s timeless mysteries set in the Cornish countryside. (workshop)

Home page flags photo by A Perry on Unsplash.

Local Excursions

Enjoy the noteworthy places within a day’s trip. OLLI’s local excursions are open to members and friends – membership not required.

We’re on our way to Walden!

Join us on a special bus trip to Concord, Massachusetts, to experience the life of Henry David Thoreau and his companions.

Since last fall, OLLI has explored the impact of Thoreau on American life in the 19th century and today. In September we enjoyed a lecture from USM Provost and 19th-century historian Dr. Adam Tuchinsky and in November Dr. Kristen Case shared her research and recent publication of Thoreau’s environmental almanac. In addition, Ken Burns’ series on Thoreau will be shown on PBS on March 30 and 31.

Now we can see where it all took place. Here’s a look at our day:

  • A bus will leave the Wishcamper Center and bring us to the Old Manse in Concord, where Emerson and Hawthorne lived – Thoreau planted a vegetable garden there as a wedding present for Hawthorne and his wife.
  • Lunch will be on your own in Concord. You can go to a restaurant or bring your own picnic lunch.
  • After lunch, we’ll have a private tour of Walden Pond provided by guide Richard Smith.

Tickets are $95 each and include transportation, admission fees for the Old Manse, and the guided tour. You don’t need to have attended the other events to join us. Open to OLLI members and friends.

Register by March 27!

Register Online Now!

Registration Instructions

1. Sign in or create an OLLI account.

2. Click ‘Trips and Travel’ in the options at the bottom of the page.

3. Click on the date of the trip, and ‘Add to Cart.’

Staycations

Why leave Maine when there are so many interesting place here? Our staycations focus on day trips within approximately 30 minutes of Portland. We will meet at the location and tour together.

Staycations run early July through mid-August. Check back for our trip list.