Excursion Expertise

By: Melissa Fralick | Categories: Alumni Interest

Is adventure calling your name? If you’d like to see the world, but don’t know where to begin with the overwhelming number of options out there, consider traveling with Georgia Tech.

Each year, Georgia Tech’s tour schedule is carefully curated by Senior Director of Travel Martin Ludwig, an expert in the industry with nearly 20 years of experience.

Ludwig took the helm of the Georgia Tech Alumni Travel Program in 2001. At the time, there were just eight tour options and around 100 travelers. Since then, Ludwig has grown the program to include 45 journeys and more than 600 traveling alumni and friends of Tech.

He’s also a respected leader in the educational travel industry. In 2009, Ludwig founded the Southeast Travel Planners Meeting, which brings together representatives from nearly 40 universities to share ideas and best practices. He’s also helped other alumni associations start travel programs of their own.

So when you travel with Georgia Tech, you can rest assured that you are in good hands.

The Georgia Tech Travel Program partners with top tour operators to offer a variety of journeys on every continent—Yes, there’s even a trip to Antarctica coming up in 2020!

It’s no surprise that by this point, Ludwig—who has visited more than 75 countries and territories— has amassed a wealth of information, advice and know-how about getting the most out of your vacation, whether it’s a sun-drenched Mediterranean cruise or the icy beauty of Alaska that you’re after.

The Alumni Magazine sat down with Ludwig to hear his advice on what to think about as you prepare for your next adventure.

TRAVEL ADVICE FROM MARTIN LUDWIG, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI TRAVEL

  

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What tips do you have for people when they are selecting a trip?
"It may seem obvious, but the most important factor in selecting a trip is the destination. You have to choose a destination that you are excited about visiting. Think about landscapes, cultures or special events that truly interest you, rather than relying on recommendations from friends or travel agents."

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How far in advance do you recommend starting to plan a trip?
"I recommend starting to plan a trip approximately 10 to 12 months out. Certain stateroom categories on cruises tend to sell out quickly, so it’s important to book early to get the space that you want. Many tour companies also offer discounts to guests who book early."

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What are some things that people often forget to think about when researching a trip?
"One of the most common things that people overlook is the physical difficulty of a tour. Some of our tours require a certain level of mobility, which most guests can handle. However, some guests with limited mobility may find that the amount of walking incorporated on some trips can be too much."

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What are some of your favorite trips or experiences you’ve had on your journeys with the Georgia Tech travel program?
"I know this may sound cliché, but I have actually enjoyed each and every trip that I have hosted. It’s hard to pick one destination because they are all so unique and different. I really enjoy interacting with our guests and the local people who we come in contact with during a tour. Whether on a safari in Africa or an island in the Galapagos, getting to see wildlife up close is always a spectacular experience."

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Do you have any memories or anecdotes that illustrate why traveling with a group from Georgia Tech is special?
"I think what makes traveling with a Georgia Tech group so special is the common bond of Tech that the guests bring to the tour. One example of this I witnessed was on a trip through the Panama Canal with a group of Tech engineers. Listening to them talk about the locks system and how this marvel of engineering was built brought together a group of alumni who didn’t all necessarily attend Tech at the same time."

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What are some of the hallmarks of an alumni trip that differentiate it from other tours?
"The Yellow Jacket camaraderie makes traveling with Tech a unique experience rather than just going on your own. We make an effort to bring the group together both on and off excursions. Our tours also have an educational component to them, so guests can choose to attend a lecture on the destination we’re visiting or a topic that relates to the area."

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What are some of the most popular trips?
"Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in domestic travel. Our Thanksgiving trip to New York City to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and our Great Lakes Cruise both did well in 2018. Internationally, tours to Italy are always in demand. In 2019, our trips to Normandy to honor the 75th anniversary of D-Day have been a popular choice for Tech travelers."

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How many people are typically on a Georgia Tech travel tour?
"The number of GT alumni and friends on a typical Tech tour can range from four to 50 or even more. Typically, our tours will have between 15 and 25 Georgia Tech guests and we share many of our tours with alumni and friends from other universities. Once we get 15 guests on a tour, we send a Georgia Tech Alumni Association staff host. The staff host is an important part of fostering the camaraderie of the group and puts the GT stamp on the trip. The Georgia Tech host will assist the tour director in looking after the group and will organize gatherings during the tour to bring the Tech guests together."