World
World Academy on Queen Mary 2: Australia, South Africa & Beyond
Program No. 22978RJ
On an epic voyage onboard the legendary Queen Mary 2, explore 20 countries on four continents with our experts, on what is undoubtedly the learning adventure of a lifetime!
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113 days
112 nights
330 meals
111B 108L 111D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
21
Port Elizabeth, SANCCOB Rehabilitation Centre, Game Drive
Port Elizabeth
At a Glance
Are you ready for the voyage of a lifetime? Join us for a 112-night adventure that begins with two nights in London and continues onboard the incredible Queen Mary 2 for a 108-night voyage that leads through Western Europe, South Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. You’ll explore 20 countries on four continents, learn about numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and even sail through the Suez Canal. Time at sea allows you access to our expert instructors who will lead lectures and discussions exclusive for Road Scholars. There’s no end to what you’ll discover and the friendships you’ll make during this epic voyage!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
I like to spend much of the day exploring. Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full. Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group.
What You'll Learn
- Begin your learning adventure with two nights in London, with field trips to St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
- Delight in a memorable voyage through the Suez Canal, as you journey from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
- Go on a one-day safari in South Africa, experience the desert city of Dubai, marvel at the biodiversity of the island of Mauritius and much more!
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Ioanna Kopsiafti
Ioanna Kopsiafti is an art historian, professor and writer living in Athens for the past 20 years. She earned her master’s degree from St. Andrews University and her doctorate from Oxford. Ioanna currently lectures in Athens and Rome, primarily on ancient Greek and Roman art and civilization. Her publications include “Style City Athens” (Thames & Hudson 2006) and “Thinking Space, Advancing Art: Cassirer with Crowther” (Routledge 2015) on the philosophy of symbolic forms that explores language, myth, religion and art within the philosophy of culture.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Ioanna Kopsiafti
View biography
Ioanna Kopsiafti is an art historian, professor and writer living in Athens for the past 20 years. She earned her master’s degree from St. Andrews University and her doctorate from Oxford. Ioanna currently lectures in Athens and Rome, primarily on ancient Greek and Roman art and civilization. Her publications include “Style City Athens” (Thames & Hudson 2006) and “Thinking Space, Advancing Art: Cassirer with Crowther” (Routledge 2015) on the philosophy of symbolic forms that explores language, myth, religion and art within the philosophy of culture.
Spencer Jones
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Dr. Spencer Jones is an award-winning historian and author with a special interest in the First World War, Second World War and the life of Sir Winston Churchill. He is a Senior Lecturer in Armed Forces and War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, UK, and serves in the British Army as the Regimental Historian of the Royal Artillery. His most recent publication is "The Darkest Year: The British Army on the Western Front 1917."
John Cerone
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Professor John Cerone holds faculty appointments at The Fletcher School-Tufts University, American University-Washington College of Law, and the University of London. As a practicing international lawyer, he has worked for numerous IGOs and NGOs, served as Special Adviser to the first U.S. delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Council, and has extensive field experience in conflict and post-conflict environments. He has taught in more than 40 countries around the world and is the author of dozens of articles and book chapters on international law.
Roula Skoula
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Roula Skoula was born in Heraklion, Crete. She studied journalism in Athens and worked as a freelance print and radio journalist. After enrolling in the School of Professional Greek Tourist Guides, she travelled with university professors, learning history, philosophy, archaeology, and more. Roula has been a professional exploration leader since 1987. In addition to Greek, she speaks English and Italian. She continues learning to increase her vast knowledge of Greek history and culture and has worked with Road Scholar for the past 13 years.
Ngaire Douglas
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Dr. Ngaire (NY-ree) Douglas is a retired senior university professor. She is published widely on Pacific studies, history, and cruise ship management. Since 2006, she has worked with Australian Business Volunteers, a government-funded organization placing short term expertise into projects in developing countries. Her contribution is in university locations across Southeast Asia, training academics in the development of education materials and improving teaching skills. Ngaire is passionate about food, wine, travel, and sharing Australia and New Zealand with Road Scholars.
Chris Benn
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Chris Benn is head of astronomy at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes on the island of La Palma in the Canaries. He trained as a physicist and radio astronomer, and worked at Britain's first hands-on science center before taking up a post with the Royal Greenwich Observatory in 1986. He is also the author of the world's first four-dimensional crossword.
Jenny Cordon
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Jenny Cordon has been working as a group leader for Road Scholar for about 9 years. She was previously an assistant head teacher in a secondary school in England teaching 11- to 16-year-olds. She started out as a physical education teacher, undertaking many sports trips abroad for adults as well as children, which was an excellent grounding for her present role.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
World Academy on Queen Mary 2: Australia, South Africa & Beyond
Program Number: 22978
Chasing Kangaroo
In this ode to the kangaroo, Flannery weaves his own coming of age as a scientist with tales of the strange marsupial, past and present.
Hong Kong
A wonderful portrait of Hong Kong by one of our favorite travel writers. Morris enumerates the many personal pleasures of the city, deftly interweaving reportage, history and culture.
City of Gold, Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism
This close-up portrait of Dubai by an award-winning journalist describes how the city transformed from a little-known village in 1960 to the cutting-edge capitalist metropolis and tourist haven it is today.
Long Walk to Freedom
An unpretentious tale of an extraordinary life, Mandela's autobiography is essential reading for an understanding of South Africa. His grace and his love for his country shine throughout.
Ghosts of Spain
Tremlett captures the Spanish character, history and modern politics in this masterful portrait, interweaving the story of his love for the country (where he has lived for 20 years) with interviews, anecdotes and observation.
Wildlife of Southern Africa
This Princeton Pocket Guide, featuring 400 color photographs by Withers and co-author David Hosking, covers all the birds, mammals, lizards and insects you are likely to encounter.
Parting the Desert
A compelling account of the politics, intrigue and engineering challenges of the Suez Canal. It's in part a portrait of Franco-Egyptian relations and the making of the modern Middle East. The Canal was inaugurated to great fanfare on November 17, 1869.
Australia, A Traveler's Literary Companion
Arranged geographically, this collection of works by mostly local writers, including Patrick White, Peter Carey and other luminaries, introduces the cultures, geography and mindset of Australia.
Wildlife of Australia
This compact photo guide covers commonly encountered birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs across Australia, including 350 species of birds.
Journey to Mauritius
A lyrical account of colonial society, daily life and nature in Mauritius, newly translated and with an introduction by Jason Wilson.
The Fortunes of Africa, A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed and Endeavor
Covering the epic story of colonialism in Africa, Meredith’s magisterial history depicts empire-hungry kings, missionaries, tribal warlords, mining barons -- even modern multinational corporations. An expansive but entertaining read.
The Travel Book, A Journey Through Every Country in the World
Bigger and better than ever (the third edition of the best-selling original), we can't keep our hands off this celebration of the world. Each country, no matter how big or small, gets a colorful double-page spread in this glossy A-to-Z of travel from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
King Rat
The first in Clavell's acclaimed Asia series, this book describes the life of a POW in Japanese-occupied Singapore during World War II, richly evocative of its setting
The Eaves of Heaven, A Life in Three Wars
Pham recounts the story of his father's life during the French occupation, Japanese invasion and the American War, weaving such momentous events with anecdotes from his childhood and details of family, friends, food and daily life.
A History of the Arab Peoples
Called a landmark, masterpiece and essential to understanding the Middle East, Hourani's acclaimed chronicle of the political, spiritual, religious and cultural traditions of the Arab peoples is brought up to date with an afterword by noted Islamic scholar Malise Ruthven.
Elephant Complex, Travels in Sri Lanka
This exuberant travelogue by an award-winning writer takes stock of Sri Lanka, from the capital city of Colombo through the remotest interior. Gimlette mixes his narrative with colonial history and plenty of lucid observations.
Running in the Family
Award-winning author Ondaatje returns to his native Sri Lanka in this hypnotic travelogue. His lovingly traced family memoirs are interspersed with poetry and ruminations on the island's post-colonial history.
In a Sunburned Country
The intrepid, ever-resourceful Bryson revels in Australia's eccentric characters, dangerous flora and fauna and other oddities in this wildly funny, effortlessly informative travelogue.
True History of the Kelly Gang
Carey's powerful, daring novel, steeped in the colonial history of late 19th-century Australia, won him a second Booker (the first was for Oscar & Lucinda). Outlaw, folk hero, thief and patriot, the Irish immigrant Ned Kelly and his clan figure large in the Australian mindset.
Evening Is the Whole Day
Set in post-colonial Malaysia, this richly textured debut novel depicts the unraveling of a wealthy family and the six-year-old daughter left reeling from losses and departures. Samarasan's unflinching yet tender examination of one immigrant family's experience exposes the complexities and layered history of Malaysia itself.
Tracks, A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback
The true story of a woman's trek across the Australian Outback -- an adventurous tale shot through with a feel for the landscape and empathy for the Aborigines she meets along the way. Has also been made into a movie.