

CULVER EXPEDITIONS
Culver Expeditions offers journeys designed for those who lead with curiosity, courage, and character and brings alumni, families, and friends together for extraordinary travel experiences that blend refined comfort with immersive adventure. Each curated itinerary offers insider access, exceptional guides, and meaningful cultural encounters designed to enhance lifelong learning.
STEP 1
BROWSE JOURNEYS
Explore upcoming expeditions and familiarize yourself with the options.
STEP 2
MEET YOUR TRIP LEADERS
Travel with faculty hosts and expert guides who elevate every destination.
STEP 3
GET
PREPARED
Attend an info webinar or connect with our team to confirm details.
STEP 4
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Register when ready, then look forward to a Culver experience abroad.
Belgium, France & Germany Itinerary - March 21 - 29, 2027
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
Tip: Hover (or tap) a day to view details.
DAY 1
MARCH 21
ARRIVAL IN GHENT
Touch down at Brussels Airport and journey to the medieval jewel of Ghent.
MARCH 21: ARRIVAL IN GHENT
Touch down at Brussels Airport this morning and journey to the medieval jewel of Ghent. Check into your historic city center hotel overlooking ancient guild houses. This afternoon settle in to your hotel and freshen up before the welcome dinner where you’ll get to know your faculty hosts and fellow adventurous alumni.
Meals: Welcome Dinner Overnight: NH Collection Ghent
DAY 2
MARCH 22
GHENT'S MEDIEVAL TREASURES
Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo's Cathedral, scenic canal cruise, free evening.
MARCH 22: GHENT'S MEDIEVAL TREASURES
Begin your morning at the imposing Gravensteen Castle, where you'll walk the ramparts of this 12th-century fortress. Next, visit St. Bavo's Cathedral to witness the breathtaking Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers. This afternoon, glide through Ghent's medieval waterways on a scenic canal cruise, seeing the city as merchants once did centuries ago. Dinner is at your leisure in the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight: NH Collection Ghent
DAY 3
MARCH 23
YPRES & FLANDERS FIELDS
Passchendaele 1917, Essex Farm Cemetery, Last Post at Menin Gate, onward to Reims.
MARCH 23: THE YPRES SALIENT AND FLANDERS FIELDS
Travel to Belgium's WWI heartland, where the Western Front claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Visit the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 to understand the brutal realities of trench warfare. Stand at Essex Farm Cemetery, where John McCrae penned "In Flanders Fields" after losing a dear friend. Your day culminates beneath the Menin Gate for the Last Post. After dinner in Ypres, continue to Reims.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Novotel Suites Reims
DAY 4
MARCH 24
FREE DAY IN REIMS
Morning at leisure, then cooking class at Atelier de Luca and group dinner.
MARCH 24: FREE DAY IN REIMS
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Reims at your leisure. In the late afternoon, gather for a hands-on cooking class at Atelier de Luca, where you’ll master the art of French cuisine. Savor your culinary creations together as you enjoy dinner with your group.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Novotel Suites Reims
DAY 5
MARCH 25
CHAMPAGNE & VALOR
Belleau Wood, Aisne-Marne Cemetery, Château-Thierry, lunch near Épernay.
MARCH 25: CHAMPAGNE COUNTRY AND AMERICAN VALOR
Venture on a powerful day trip through WWI history and champagne country. Visit Belleau Wood, then pay your respects at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial. Continue to Château-Thierry. Stop at a champagne vineyard near Épernay for lunch, then return to Reims for dinner and free time this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight: Novotel Suites Reims
DAY 6
MARCH 26
MEUSE-ARGONNE
Meuse-Argonne Cemetery, wreath laying, Montfaucon Monument, drive to Trier.
MARCH 26: HONORING CULVER HEROES AT MEUSE-ARGONNE
Journey to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, the largest American military cemetery in Europe, where 14,246 American soldiers rest. Participate in a moving wreath laying ceremony honoring Culver alumni. Visit the impressive Montfaucon American Monument. After this profound morning, drive to Trier, Germany's oldest city, arriving for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Park Plaza Trier
DAY 7
MARCH 27
TRIER’S LAYERED HISTORY
Guided tour highlighting both World Wars, then free time in the old town.
MARCH 27: TRIER’S LAYERED HISTORY
Discover Trier's remarkable 2,000-year story on a guided tour highlighting both World Wars. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Trier's charming old town, visit the impressive Roman gate Porta Nigra, or simply relax at a local café.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight: Park Plaza Trier
DAY 8
MARCH 28
RETURN TO BRUSSELS
Explore Luxembourg, continue to Brussels, farewell dinner.
MARCH 28: RETURN TO BRUSSELS
Travel from Trier to Luxembourg this morning, then continue your drive to Brussels, arriving with time to wander the charming streets of Belgium's capital. Tonight, your farewell dinner celebrates the remarkable journey you've shared.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Stanhope Hotel Brussels
DAY 9
MARCH 29
DEPARTURE
Private transfer to Brussels Airport for your flight home.
MARCH 29: DEPARTURE
Private transfer to Brussels Airport for your flight home, carrying with you the profound stories of those who shaped our history through two world wars.
Meals: Breakfast
MEET THE TRIP LEADERS
GRETCHEN TOWNSEND BUGGELN
Duesenberg Chair in Christianity and the Arts, Valparaiso University
Gretchen Townsend Buggeln is a cultural historian whose work centers on American material culture and social history, international religious architecture, and museum studies.
JOHN BUGGELN
Master Instructor of Humanities, Culver Academies
In his over 20 years at Culver, John Buggeln has been a leader of numerous student trips to China, Mexico, Belize, South Africa, and Europe.
GARY CHRISTLIEB
Master Instructor of Humanities, Culver Academies
A Master Instructor in Humanities, Gary Christlieb has taught at Culver since 2006 and has served as AP United States History instructor since 2008.
BELGIUM, FRANCE, AND GERMANY
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
MARCH 21 - 29, 2027
$6995
Private (single occupancy) rooms available with single supplement upgrade of $1,180.00.
Join us for an informational webinar on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00pm EST.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- ✓8 Nights, 9 Days Accommodation at 4* & 5* Hotels
- ✓Private transportation by minibus, including airport transfers
- ✓Dedicated guide & trip host for the full trip
-
✓
Visits and entrance tickets to the following sites:
- –Ghent: Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo's Cathedral, scenic canal cruise
- –Ypres: Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Essex Farm Cemetery (John McCrae site), Menin Gate Last Post ceremony
- –Belleau Wood, Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, and Château-Thierry WWI sites
- –Trier: WWI/WWII focused city tour
- –
- ✓Free time to explore in Ghent, Reims, Trier, and Brussels
-
✓
Meals included:
- –Daily Breakfast at hotels
- –6 Lunches (2 course, set menu)
- –5 Dinners (3 course, set menu)
- –Coffee, Tea, Water, and Sodas at all meals
- –Wine at welcome & farewell dinners
- –
- ✓Tips for your driver & guide
EXCLUDED
- ✕International Airfare
- ✕Meals not listed
- ✕Alcoholic beverages, except where noted as included
- ✕Personal spending money
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click a question to expand and view the answer.
WHO IS HOSTING THE TRIP?
This trip is organized by Culver Academies for alumni and friends of the school, in partnership with Affinity Travel Co as the tour operator. You’ll be accompanied by three Culver Academy faculty hosts who provide educational context throughout the journey, plus a dedicated trip manager from Affinity Travel Co to handle logistics. Local guides in each city bring deep knowledge of WWI history and regional culture.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
Your trip includes:
- 8 nights in 4-star and 5-star hotels
- Private minibus transportation with airport transfers
- Dedicated trip manager and Culver faculty hosts throughout
- All entrance fees and guided tours at WWI and cultural sites (Ghent, Ypres, Belleau Wood, Trier, and more)
- Meals: daily breakfast, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners with beverages (wine at welcome & farewell dinners)
- All gratuities for your driver and guide
Not included: International airfare; approximately 3 lunches and 3 dinners on free days; alcoholic beverages except where noted; personal expenses; and travel insurance (required).
WHAT’S THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL OF THE TRIP?
The trip has a moderate activity level. Guests should be able to walk 3–4 miles over the course of a day without assistance, go up and down at least two flights of stairs unassisted, and stand for up to two hours at a time. You should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces such as cobblestones, historic battlefields, and cemetery grounds. The pace is leisurely with rest breaks.
If you’re concerned about the activity level, please reach out to Katherine with Affinity Travel Co to discuss whether it’s the right fit.
HOW DO I BOOK THE TRIP?
Submit the online form and an Affinity Travel Co representative will contact you within 2 business days via email and phone. They’ll guide you through completing your registration and submitting your $500 deposit to secure your spot. Your booking is confirmed once the deposit is received.
CAN I COME ALONE?
Absolutely. Solo travelers are welcome. For guests not sharing a room, there is a single supplement of $1,180, bringing your total trip price to $8,175. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow Culver alumni and travelers throughout the journey.
CAN NON-CULVER ALUMNI ATTEND?
Yes. While this trip is designed for Culver alumni, spouses, family members, friends, and other members of the Culver community are warmly welcomed. We encourage alumni to bring travel companions—Culver connection not required.
IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE?
The minimum age is 18. You’re welcome to travel with adult children or grandchildren, but the trip is designed for adults and isn’t built for teenagers or families with small children.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I BOOK BUT CANNOT ATTEND?
Travel insurance is required for all participants for this exact reason. Your policy can protect you if illness, injury, family emergency, or other covered circumstances prevent you from traveling. Affinity Travel Co will assist you in filing any necessary claims with the insurance provider.
WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION POLICY?
Payment schedule:
- $500 deposit – due at booking to confirm your spot
- $1,000 installment – due June 1, 2026
- $1,000 installment – due September 1, 2026
- Final balance – due December 1, 2026 (90 days prior to departure)
Cancellation policy:
- More than 180 days before departure: all monies paid minus the non-refundable deposit will be refunded
- Between 180 and 90 days: 50% of all monies paid minus the non-refundable deposit will be refunded; the other 50% (excluding deposit) is forfeited
- 90 days or less: all monies paid are non-refundable
Note: Travel insurance can provide reimbursement for covered cancellation reasons.
WHAT IS THE GROUP SIZE?
The minimum group size for the trip to run is 10 travelers. The maximum is 24. This size ensures personalized attention from your hosts and guides, and allows for meaningful connections among travelers.
IS AIRFARE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?
International airfare is not included, but we can provide guidance on recommended arrival/departure times and airport logistics.
HOW WILL WE TRAVEL AROUND EUROPE?
The tour is a combination of guided walking tours and private coach bus travel between cities and destinations.
HOW MUCH FREE TIME WILL WE HAVE?
You’ll have free time in Ghent, Reims, Trier, and Brussels to explore independently, shop, or relax. The itinerary typically includes free time most afternoons between approximately 4–6pm to freshen up or rest before dinner.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR DEPART LATE TO EXPLORE ON MY OWN?
Yes—this can be arranged. We can assist with securing pre-night or post-night hotel reservations or planning a custom extension elsewhere in Europe. You’ll indicate interest during registration and Affinity Travel Co will reach out to coordinate.
Culver Connect/Online Directory
With more than 18,000 alumni around the world, Culver Connect brings together our extensive community of professionally talented and connected individuals. By providing a unique and exclusive space for establishing connections and fostering relationships, Culver Connect will help you take your Culver connections to the next level.
Culver Connect allows users to:
- Access an online Culver Alumni Directory.
- Post and interact with people on the Main Feed and your Class Page.
- Offer mentorship or seek mentorship opportunities from others.
- See Culver events happening in your area.
Use the button below to register in a matter of minutes or login to your existing Culver Connect account. Need assistance? Call the Alumni Office at 574-842-7200 or reach us via email at alumni.culver.org
Your Gift Makes a Difference
Your support helps provide the best whole-person education in the country. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in residential life, our students and campers are preparing to become contributing leaders of society.
