Having a nice time, wish you were here...
We think traveling with Pierce College
is a unique experience. Our trips are carefully planned and often led by our own in-house travel guru, Aysin Clay. She chooses the destinations, finds the appropriate place to stay, picks out the most interesting sites and then hires guides who are subject matter experts. Your trip with us will be a unique, fun, relaxing and educational experience. We limit our group size so that you can get more attention, stay in more unique hotels and go places where large tours can't. Worried about signing up alone? Don't be. We work hard to find you a compatible roommate and most people travelling with us are friendly, experienced travelers who are willing to help. For more information
about these and other trips, contact Aysin Clay at (253)964-6601
or e-mail at: aclay@pierce.ctc.edu.
Changes in Trip Itineraries: Please note that we work hard to keep to our planned itineraries, chosen hotels and travel dates, but there are times when things happen that are out of our control as we make plans usually one year before the actual departure date. Keep in mind that travel dates, times, planned itineraries, hotel accommodates, sites, airline tickets and fees and other trip related events are subject to change. Please contact our staff before making plans or reservations to extend your stay or fly outside of the trip to minimize problems.
Here are some comments from some of our friends who traveled with us:
"I enjoyed the trip tremendously. Now I understand why the repeaters were eager to do more of Turkey. So much to see and such variety! I especially enjoyed the group. We were exceptional for being compatible, don't you think? But most of all I appreciate all the work that you did (Aysin) to make this a special trip. That was a lot of details that you took care of! Your choice of Aydin's travel company turned out to be terrific one. If all guides were as good as Aydin I'd never stay home! I'm eager to know what is next in your travel world and the future schedules." Mimi H.
"I have participated in nine trips now with Pierce College. Each one has been a unique experience and I have made many friends who love to travel as much as I do. The tours are always well organized with a nice balance of structured activities and free time to relax and shop. One of my favorite destinations is Turkey. It is a blend of new and old culture and just different from home that I feel like I have really "been" somewhere. I was amazed at how friendly and helpful everyone was. The warm waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean are so blue everyone thinks I have retouched my photos and the Turkish cuisine is out of this world. Last fall, I went to Thailand and Vietnam with Pierce and I just returned from Peru in April. Each country has something unique to teach me about the world. Now I am trying to pick my next adventure for 2012." Kathleen B.
"Turkey is a wonderful
and fascinating place. Although I lived in Europe for a number of years and
have also spent a little time in Japan, the trip to Turkey would rank as one
of the most rewarding travel experiences I've had. Having two native guides
who truly love their country and wanted to share everything good about it
was invaluable, and made the trip enjoyable in every way." Paul G.
Travel Reservation and Consent Forms
Consent Forms: In order to complete your reservation, make your deposit and hold your spot on our trips, you'll need to complete the following forms:
Use Word 97-2003 to type and save your information:
Guest Information Form
Travel Informed Consent Form
Print and handwrite your information:
Guest Information Form
Travel Informed Consent Form
((Requires a free download of Acrobat Reader: www.adobe.com)
Fax or e-mail your information and consent forms to Aysin Clay: aclay@pierce.ctc.edu or (253)840-8442.
Special Accommodations in Other Countries
Travel, hotel and tour services at the international level vary widely and may not conform to U.S. ADA policies. We regret that we may not be able to provide extra assistance to tour participants who have special mobility, dietary or other limitations while traveling with Pierce College outside the U.S.
Travel Itineraries
TREASURES OF CHINA (with optional Tibet extension)
September 2012
About this destination: Spend 10 days in China, a country rich in fabulous treasures and wonders produced by 4,000 years of history. Major destinations include Beijing, Xian, Suzhou and Shanghai. See the Great Wall and the site of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Then see the Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian, one of the marvels of the ancient world - no two of the faces are alike. According to a Chinese proverb "There is paradise in heaven and Suzhou on earth". You’ll visit Suzhou an area known for its canals and exquisite private gardens for centuries. In Shanghai you’ll find the perfect blend of modern, traditional, western and oriental cultures. Extend your experience with an optional six day journey to Tibet - the "Roof Top" of the world. Download a printer-friendly flyer in PDF format.
Contact us at: aclay@pierce.ctc.edu or (253) 964-6601 for more information. A $450 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration to hold your spot on this popular trip that is filling fast.
Fees Include: $2,529* per person double occupancy.Meals (B, L, D) as indicated, local English speaking tour guide,
transportation in country, show and site entrance fees, airport transfers, accommodations,
domestic airfare inside China. Domestic airfares and taxes/fuel
surcharges, subject to change until paid in full and tickets are issued, hotel and
ground service taxes.
Not included in fees: Tips for drivers, guides and other services, supplements or optional tours as listed, visa, passport and entry/exit fees; travel insurance, international flight from US to China**.
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Croatia and Slovenia
September 2013
Discover the beautiful ancient cities of Croatia, the stunning coastline and blue
waters of the Adriatic Sea, and the old-world charm of Slovenia in this 13 day customized travel adventure. Meals as indiated (B, L, D). Land price TBA.
Planned Itinerary:
Day 1 – Depart to Croatia
Day 2 – (D) Arrive at the beautiful city of Dubrovnik (the pearl of Adriatic Sea). Check into the hotel and have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3 – (B) Morning walking city tour of Dubrovnik, including to the Franciscan Monastery and Rector Palace.
Day 4 – (B,L,D) Depart for Korcula along the Peljesac Peninsula. Visit Mali Ston and Veliki Ston to see the gothic and renaissance buildings as well as the famous great wall. A light lunch will be served at a local winery with a tasting beforehand. Later in the afternoon we take a 1 ½ hour tour of Korkula , see Marco Polo’s house, the Cathedral of St. Mark, the city gate and other sights before we continue to Pupnat for dinner at a great local restaurant.
Day 5- (B,L) Depart on a private boat excursion to the Mljet National Park mentioned in the stories from the Odyssey and St. Paul, as well as Benedictine Monks and the Mediterranean Seal. We’ll lunch on the small isle of St. Mary in the great lake. We will see the ancient Benedictine monastery and a church dating from the 12th century. At the end of the day we will return to the hotel in Korcula.
Day 6 – (B) Korkula – Split – A vibrant place with a history that goes far back. Visit historic inner city, including the Diocletian Palace which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your free time stroll the maze of narrow alleys with their Roman artifacts and fashionable galleries and boutiques, or relax with an espresso or a drink along the waterfront promenade.
Day 7 (B) -Enjoy a full day free in this beautiful city or take an optional morning tour to Solin “the Cradle of Croatian History”.
Day 8 (B, L) - Split – Opatija – On the way visit Trogir – the center of artistic activities where scholars from around the world gather to study and paint. Trogir is the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex in all of Central Europe. Next proceed to Sibenik, the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic’s eastern shores. Visit the Ethno village of Pakovo selo for a presentation and lunch. These traditional dwellings will give us insight to Croatian life and customs. Visit the Sibenik Cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue along the coast of Opatija, a famous resort nestled on the bay’s shore known as the “Nice of the Adriatic”.
Day 9 (B, D) Opatija – Ljubljana. - Continue north to Postojan home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Continue to Ljubljana, for a city tour of the capital city of Slovenia. Visit the sights of the old city center, the picturesque central open-air market. Dinner at a local restaurant with Ljublijana’s specialty gibanica for dessert.\
Day 10 – (B) A day tour to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps featuring the charming town with the lakeshore and imposing Bled Castle.
Day 11 (B, L) – Ljubljana – Zagreb – Along the way visit the Veliki Tabor, a fortified castle located on a beautiful hill and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum. Lunch consisting of a typical Zagorje meal, at the Gresna Gorcia Farm, our host, Mr. Damir Podboj will entertain us with the legend of the tragic and forbidden love between the nobleman, Friedrich of Celje and the beautiful plebeian girl Veronica of Desinic. This is why the hill bears the name of Gresna Gorica – the hill of sin. Overnight at Zagreb.
Day 12 – (B, Burek snack, D) - Zagreb – Walking city tour of old town. Stop at a local Burek shop and try these savory treats. Arrive at the Lotrscak Tower for the daily tradional firing of the cannon. Ride the shortest furnicular in the world and visit the Croatian museum of Art. Later visit many of the local shops. Tonight Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 13 (B) – Return to USA.
Contact us at: aclay@pierce.ctc.edu or (253) 964-6601 for more information. A $450 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration to hold your spot on this popular trip that is filling fast.
Fees: TBA. Fees are per person on double occupancy/shared hotel rooms. International flight costs are not yet available.
Unforseen Changes in Trips: Please note that we work hard to keep to our planned itineraries, chosen hotels and travel dates, but there are times when things happen that are out of our control. Keep in mind that travel dates, times, planned itineraries, hotel accommodates, sites, airline ticket and fees estimates, and other trip related events are subject to change.
Gastronomy photo in banner taken by Renco Kosinozic, source, Croatian Tourist Board for the purpose of promoting tourism in Croatia.
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Treasures of Turkey
April 2013
This has always been one of our signature tours, led by Istanbul native, Aysin Clay. We've convinced her to take one more group to Turkey. This really is a trip of a lifetime and you will come home with an appreciation of this ancient and modern land. First , discover Istanbul, one of civilization's great cities, the Dardanelles, and Gallipoli, site of one of Turkey's greatest modern military victories. Visit the ancient cities of Pergamon, which dates back to Alexander the Great, and Troy and Hierapolis, two UNESCO heritage sites. Explore the ruins at Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia, where St. John came to preach, and drive along the mountain roads to Pamukkale. Also, visit the Greek island Kos. Optional trip to Cappadocia - Visit the underground city of Kaymakli and the landscapes of Cappadocia with its"fairy chimneys," hillside villages and cave churches. We are still working on the itinerary for this trip and will be posted detailed information soon.
Contact us at: aclay@pierce.ctc.edu or (253) 964-6601 for more information. A $450 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration to hold your spot on this popular trip that is filling fast.
Fees: TBA. Fees are per person on double occupancy/shared hotel rooms. International flight costs are not yet available.
Unforseen Changes in Trips: Please note that we work hard to keep to our planned itineraries, chosen hotels and travel dates, but there are times when things happen that are out of our control. Keep in mind that travel dates, times, planned itineraries, hotel accommodates, sites, airline ticket and fees estimates, and other trip related events are subject to change.