Click here to register to join this exclusive, small-ship CAU Study Tour.

For full tour details, terms and more, download the brochure! For rates, see page 6.

For many years, Nancy Green helped to shape the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art as its Gale & Ira Drukier Curator. Today, she brings that curatorial eye—and a contagious delight in discovery—to this immersive journey through Croatia and Slovenia. Nancy looks forward to experiencing the region’s remarkable sites alongside CAU travelers and revealing the artistic stories they hold. From the elegant curves and decorative richness of Art Nouveau to the shifting light and color of Impressionism, she will offer illuminating insight into the movements’ distinctive regional expressions and the cultural currents that shaped them. Along the way, her interdisciplinary approach—drawing connections among art, music, food, and everyday life—will add vivid new dimensions to each encounter.

Nancy Green was the Gale and Ira Drukier Curator of European and American Art, Prints, and Drawings, 1800-1945, at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University. She joined the Johnson Museum staff in 1985, and during the her thirty-seven years there, organized dozens of exhibitions at the Johnson Museum and elsewhere. While the subjects of these exhibitions are wide-ranging, her principal interest is in American and European art from the 19^th century to the present.  She began teaching CAU summer courses in 1988 and has led Study Tours to London; Florence and Tuscany; and Scandinavia. She has published numerous articles, exhibition guides, and catalogues including Japan/America and A Room of Their Own: The Bloomsbury Artists in American Collections; other traveling shows include Byrdcliffe: An American Arts and Crafts Colony; and Susan Rothenberg: Drawings and Prints (1998). Her 1999 catalogue, Arthur Wesley Dow and American Arts and Crafts, accompanied the traveling exhibition organized by the American Federation of Arts. Over the years she has received many fellowships and travel grants for her research and several awards. Green received her B.A. from Connecticut College and her M.A. in Art History from Williams College, and she worked at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, the Williams College Museum of Art, and at Christies Auction House in New York before coming to Cornell.

Travel with peers who are as curious as you are. This small, exclusive cruise is open to Cornell alumni, family, and friends.

This beautiful, intimate yacht offers a casual atmosphere and visits to small islands and ports inaccessible to larger ships. The vessel accommodates up to 28 guests, creating a relaxed and informal atmosphere on board. The lounge, bar, and restaurant areas offer comfortable seating, large windows, and complimentary tea and coffee throughout the day. Meals are served in a single seating and feature fresh Mediterranean cuisine. With just 18 cabins, space is extremely limited.

Begin your journey in Slovenia’s charming capital, Ljubljana, and explore the storybook beauty of Lake Bled. Then set sail from Zadar aboard the intimate 18-cabin Queen Eleganza, cruising along the stunning Croatian coast to Dubrovnik and stopping at Trogir, Split, Hvar, Korčula, and Mljet. A relaxed pace and overnight stays in port offer time to explore, dine, and connect with local life.

Depart on an overnight flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Upon arrival, transfer to your centrally located hotel, the Grand Hotel Union, and settle in after the journey. In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for an orientation meeting followed by a welcome reception and dinner.

(Meals included: Reception, Dinner)

After a morning lecture, explore the heart of Ljubljana on a guided walking tour that brings the city’s history to life. Stroll across the iconic Dragon Bridge and trace the remnants of the ancient Roman wall before enjoying a leisurely afternoon at your own pace. This evening, dine independently at a local restaurant and sample the flavors of Slovenia.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Travel by motorcoach to the alpine jewel of Lake Bled, where a traditional pletna boat glides across the emerald waters to the storybook church crowned islet. Learn about Slovenia’s centuries old beekeeping tradition, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, during a visit to a local apiary before returning to Ljubljana.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Today, drive south to Zadar, traveling through the stunning landscapes of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Walk along wooden pathways that weave past cascading waterfalls, crystal clear pools, and lush vegetation, experiencing one of Croatia’s most beautiful natural wonders. Continue on to Zadar and embark the Queen Eleganza in the late afternoon to begin your Adriatic cruise.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After a walking tour of Zadar’s Old Town, relax on the sun deck as the Queen Eleganza cruises south toward Trogir. The educational program continues with an onboard lecture, followed by an evening ashore to enjoy a traditional peka, with meat and potatoes slow roasted over coals beneath an iron bell, served at a welcoming agrotourism home.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Begin the day with a tour of the historic town of Trogir before continuing to Split for a guided visit to Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site woven into the modern city. The evening is free to stroll along the lively waterfront and sample local delicacies at your leisure.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Glide to the sun-drenched island of Hvar, where the main square buzzes with history and charm. Step inside the Benedictine Monastery to marvel at intricate lace handcrafted by nuns from aloe threads, and, if the weather allows, take a dip in a hidden cove surrounded by sparkling waters. In the evening, dine at your leisure and discover the island’s culinary offerings on your own.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Unwind on the sun deck as the Queen Eleganza sails to the fortified Old Town of Korčula Island. Explore the picturesque streets on a guided walking tour, then savor a tasting of local wines paired with regional specialties. Enjoy dinner on your own.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Explore Mljet National Park at your own pace, whether strolling along shaded paths, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or cycling on e-bikes through forests of Aleppo pine and shimmering saltwater lakes.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Enjoy the final lecture aboard the Queen Eleganza as you sail toward Dubrovnik. Step ashore to wander the city’s famed streets, taking in the striking architecture and historic landmarks along the marble-lined Stradun. In the evening, return to the yacht for a celebratory farewell dinner, savoring the flavors of the Adriatic as the journey comes to a close.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Disembark by 9:00 am and transfer to Dubrovnik Airport for your flights home.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

September 16 – 27, 2027
Aboard the 18-cabin Queen Eleganza
Register online 

Week One: July 11 - 17, 2027 | Week Two: July 18 - 23, 2027
Take a riveting one-week CAU Summer course in your favorite subject taught by leading Cornell faculty on campus.
Alumni, family, and friends are welcome.
Registration opens January 2027.

When you travel with Cornell's Adult University, you save yourself the hassle of planning, and benefit from unique itineraries in hard-to-reach parts of the world with our award-winning partners. Our partners are deeply invested in providing high quality experiences for alumni, family, and friends. On CAU Study Tours like this one, your travel and learning are enhanced with Cornell faculty who travel alongside you.

We are committed to ensuring that CAU and Cornell Alumni Travel tours provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone. You can find the expectations that are applicable to all attendees of Cornell University alumni events, both on and off campus, by visiting this link.