January 23-07

Machu Picchu to the Galapagos

Encounter two of South America’s greatest treasures on this 16-day small group tour, exploring Machu Picchu’s enigmatic ruins and witnessing the fascinating Galapagos Islands’ wonders on a four-night adventure. Further discoveries await in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Cuzco, and Quito. Experience the Amazon rainforest with an exceptional 4-day/4-night pre-tour option.

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Why Travel the World

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia leads domestic and international tours to all seven continents where travelers engage in meetings with government officials and diplomats, develop people-to-people diplomacy, and receive in-depth cultural, historical, and political experiences and has been doing so for 45 years!  If you enjoy traveling on unique tours to fascinating destinations and having access to political experts and local guides who give behind-the-scenes views and briefings, then you'll quickly discover why traveling with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is so special.

Because of our reputation as one of the nation's leading forums, the Council has established connections around the globe that allow us to offer members access that they can't get when traveling alone or on other tours.  Tour leaders are drawn from across the World Affairs Councils of America leadership; experts from the fields of diplomacy, journalism, or academia accompany some tours as lecturers, thereby providing added value to the experience.   We offer tours on all continents, both land tours and small-ship cruises.  Our new program line-up includes our substance-rich Seminar Series, and shorter itineraries focusing on foreign policy issues in key destinations.  For a trip of a lifetime, check out our private jet trips! 

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2023

Oct 02, 2023 — Oct 09, 2023

Cruising the Great Lakes of North America

Admire magnificent coastal scenery and discover nearly two centuries of North American innovation and maritime history on this one-of-a-kind cruise itinerary from Toronto to Milwaukee featuring all five Great Lakes. Experience the thunderous force of Niagara Falls, the historical charm of Mackinac Island, the unspoiled beauty of the UNESCO‑inscribed Niagara Escarpment, and the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation in Detroit. Transit the Welland Canal and Soo Locks, among the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century.


Lowest category cabins from $5,745 per person plus airfare and taxes

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Oct 04, 2023 — Oct 19, 2023

Grand Danube Passage

Wait List Only

With Mimi Gregory

Experience Europe from a new vantage point on this unforgettable Grand Danube Passage! Visit eight countries, including stays in Prague, Czech Republic, and Sofia, Bulgaria, and an eight-night Danube cruise. Gain insight into each destination’s history, regional cuisine, soul-stirring landmarks and architecture, and personalize your cruise with a selection of included excursions! Enjoy first-class ship accommodations, deluxe hotels and a generous meal plan. No single supplement!


Lowest cabin categories from $6,145 per person plus airfare and taxes

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Oct 11, 2023 — Oct 16, 2023

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Wait List Only

Travel with us to the Land of Enchantment to enjoy New Mexico’s beautiful landscapes, history and architecture. A highlight will be the world-famous Albuquerque Balloon Festival.  Enjoy 3 nights in Santa Fe and learn more about New Mexico’s Native American history and culture with visits to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the Taos Pueblo.


$3,425 per person including air out of Philadelphia

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Oct 29, 2023 — Nov 06, 2023

The River Seine to the Beaches of Normandy

Cruise the Seine River into the heart of Normandy, delve into D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, and explore the rich culture of the Normandy countryside. Joined by renowned historians and authors John McManus, PhD, and Craig Symonds, PhD dive deeper into historical insight to the places you will visit. Optional three-night Paris post-cruise program.


Lowest category cabins from $8,499 per person plus airfare.

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Nov 09, 2023 — Dec 18, 2023

Explore Thailand

Two different departure dates in November, and December. There's no two ways about it: we fit a whole lot of Thailand into this 10-day adventure. From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai and some unbelievable places in between. Start things off in Bangkok by hopping on a tuk-tuk for a city tour, stopping for a street food crawl in Chinatown. Head to Ayutthaya to explore ancient ruins by bike and visit Kanchanaburi with its infamous WWII sites. Then get a true taste of authentic life in Chiang Mai as you visit traditional villages and engage with locals. With the services of a Travel Director and your accommodation and transport taken care of, you’ll be ready to experience the splendors of this fascinating country!


$2,495 per person plus airfare

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Dec 01, 2023 — Dec 08, 2023

Cuba and its People

Sold Out

With Don Samford, Doubles Only

Journey to Havana for a seven-night discovery into Cuba’s everyday life and culture! From Old Havana to the romantic Malecón, Afro-Cuban culture to organic farms, broaden your perspective of Cuba while benefiting and supporting the local people. Along the way, entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders share their experiences during meaningful conversations. This program includes round-trip flights between Miami and Cuba.


$5,695 per person including air from Miami- a savings of $250 if booked by 10/17/2023! Doubles only, singles waitlist

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Dec 03, 2023 — Dec 13, 2023

Explore the Galapagos

Join a 11-day adventure that immerses you in a nature-lover’s paradise! Get up close with incredible bird and animal species: blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas and more! Go birdwatching in the highlands of Floreana, snorkel with sea lions and reef sharks, hike up the Sierra Negra volcano and come face-to-face with 100-year-old Galápagos tortoises.


$3,395 per person plus airfare

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Dec 05, 2023 — Dec 20, 2023

Madagascar to Mauritius: Islands of the Indian Ocean

Madagascar, a thousand-mile island boasting an impressive variety of spectacular landscapes from pristine coral reefs and coastal mangroves to virgin rain forests and native baobab trees. In the company of a top zoology professor and expert local guides, spend eleven days exploring Madagascar’s marine reserves and national parks traveling in comfort aboard the all-suite HEBRIDEAN SKY.


Lowest cabin categories from $13,990 per person plus airfare

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Dec 09, 2023 — Dec 17, 2023

Explore Costa Rica

Trekking, zip-lining, cloud forests and more! Costa Rica is indeed an “Adventure Capital,” and thrill-seekers will find endless stimulation on this 9-day active tour. Get up close to natural wonders and wildlife in tropical parks and zip-line high above Monteverde’s cloud forest canopy. Visit a sustainable coffee farm and enjoy exhilarating activities up for offer in La Fortuna, nestled at the bottom of Arenal Volcano. Cap off the adventure in Manuel Antonio to scout monkeys, armadillos, sloths and iguanas!


$2,495 per person plus airfare

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2024

Jan 15, 2024 — Jan 30, 2024

Patagonian Frontiers

Relish the rare privilege of encounters with two of the world’s last great frontiers – Southern Patagonia’s majestic fjords and glaciers and breathtaking Torres del Paine. Along with visits to Buenos Aires and Santiago, this 16-day journey showcases South America’s remarkable diversity. Discover magnificent Iguazu Falls with a 2-day/2-night pre-tour option.


Lowest category cabins from $10,582 per person including airfare from Miami (other departure gates available)

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Jan 23, 2024 — Feb 07, 2024

Machu Picchu to the Galapagos

Encounter two of South America’s greatest treasures on this 16-day small group tour, exploring Machu Picchu’s enigmatic ruins and witnessing the fascinating Galapagos Islands’ wonders on a four-night adventure. Further discoveries await in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Cuzco, and Quito. Experience the Amazon rainforest with an exceptional 4-day/4-night pre-tour option.


$8,993 per person including airfare from Miami (other departure gates available)

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Jan 30, 2024 — Feb 08, 2024

United Arab Emirates

with Jim Falk

From sensational architecture to sweeping desert landscapes, relish the United Arab Emirates’ modern wonders and remarkable heritage on this eight-night, first-class journey! Explore forward-looking Dubai and Abu Dhabi on engaging tours, learn about Emirati life during cultural exchanges, plus celebrate beneath starry skies at a desert resort. Tour a breathtaking mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a falcon hospital! This small-group program features a Travel Director and expert insights.


$4,395 per person plus airfare and taxes- a savings of $250 if booked by 10/17/2023! Singles WAITLIST

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Feb 06, 2024 — Feb 17, 2024

Legends of the Nile

Few Tickets Left

With Carla Thorson

Set off on an exhilarating, small-group journey to Cairo, Luxor, Abu Simbel, and the Nile River! This 10-night, active exploration features a deluxe, four-night cruise and a licensed Egyptologist who will guide you through Egypt’s ancient wonders, from the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens to the Great Temple of Ramses II and beyond! Includes a Travel Director and four flights within Egypt.


Lowest cabin categories from $6,295 per person plus airfare and taxes- a savings of $250 if booked by 10/31/23!

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Feb 10, 2024 — Feb 24, 2024

Journey through Vietnam

Encounter Vietnam’s breathtaking natural beauty, abiding tradition, and profoundly hospitable people on this comprehensive 15-day journey from French-accented Hanoi and stunning Ha Long Bay to imperial Hue and charming Hoi An, from the Mekong Delta to Saigon. Discover amazing Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh with an optional 5-day/3-night post-tour extension.


$5,047 per person including airfare from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle.

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Feb 24, 2024 — Mar 10, 2024

Dazzling Oceania: Australia & New Zealand

Watch for dolphins in the Bay of Islands. Sip local wine in Napier, while getting a glimpse of Maori culture. Visit Cathedral Square in Christchurch and cruise the Fjords of Milford Sound as craggy cliffs tower over you. In Melbourne, stroll through historic Fitzroy Gardens and in Burnie see Tasmanian devils up close!


Lowest cabin category from $7,599 per person including airfare

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Feb 27, 2024 — Mar 06, 2024

Finland: Arctic Magnificence

Wait List Only

With Lauren Swartz

From the sensational Northern Lights to a soothing sauna, revel in outdoor adventures and cool Finnish traditions on this seven-night, active journey. Drive a team of lively huskies across the fjells, take a snowshoe hike by moonlight and spot reindeer in the wild! Enjoy three nights exploring in dynamic Helsinki and four nights in northern Lapland in a glass-domed cabin.


$4,895 per person plus airfare and taxes- a savings of $250 if booked by 1/13/24!

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Mar 05, 2024 — Mar 18, 2024

Moroccan Discovery

Explore fascinating Morocco for 14 days on this singular small group tour, from seaside Rabat to the desert towns of Erfoud and Ouarzazate. Watch the sun set over the dunes on camelback, traverse the snow-topped High Atlas Mountains, and discover the many cultural treasures of storied Fez, Marrakech, and Casablanca.


$6,479 per person including air from Boston, New York, or Washington, DC

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Mar 05, 2024 — Mar 13, 2024

A Voyage Along the Lower Mississippi River

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With lectures by Doris Kearns Goodwin and other speakers

Join the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia on a special voyage along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Memphis on a classic paddle-wheeler ship. Experience the distinctive architecture of New Orleans’ French Quarter, the lush landscape of the Bayou country, and the 19th-century grandeur of Natchez. Visit Vicksburg, the site of a critical Union victory in the Civil War, and Memphis, the “Home of the Blues”, all accompanied by educational lectures by Pulitzer-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and other speakers.


Lowest category cabins from $7,990 per person

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Mar 23, 2024 — Apr 05, 2024

Petra to the Parthenon: Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece

Few Tickets Left

Singles Waitlist

Experience four countries and distinct ancient cultures that span 5,000 years of history on this 14-day journey aboard the all-suite HEBRIDEAN SKY, gazing upon true modern marvels in addition to a fascinating mix of historic wonders.


Lowest cabin categories from $11,990 per person plus airfare

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Apr 10, 2024 — Apr 22, 2024

Insider's Japan

This truly fascinating, well-crafted 13-day small group tour features urban and pastoral highlights, with Tokyo, cultural capital Kyoto, and magnificent Mt. Fuji. Engage in local life and head off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa. Discover Hiroshima reborn with an optional 3-day/2-night post-tour extension.


$7,784 per person including air from Los Angeles

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