MSUAA travelers return from memorable journey
By Carrie McGinnis | Jun 22, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Racer alumni and friends of the Murray State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) recently returned from a 10-day adventure through the heart of Europe, exploring the breathtaking landscapes, historic cities and rich cultural traditions of Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria.
The group, which included 34 participants, traveled on Collette鈥檚 鈥淒iscover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria鈥� tour through the MSUAA Travel Program. The journey featured visits to some of the region鈥檚 most iconic destinations, including Bern and Lucerne, Switzerland; Innsbruck and Salzburg, Austria; and the picturesque Bavarian countryside of southern Germany. Highlights included UNESCO World Heritage sites, alpine villages, historic landmarks and stunning mountain scenery.
Travelers spent time in Bern, Switzerland鈥檚 capital city, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, and explored the lakeside city of Lucerne. The group also experienced traditional Swiss culture through demonstrations by local alphorn makers and yodelers and enjoyed classic Swiss fondue.
In Austria, participants visited Innsbruck, nestled in the Austrian Alps, where they enjoyed local cuisine and a traditional Tyrolean folklore performance. The journey continued to Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and home to the famous Mirabell Gardens, featured in the beloved film The Sound of Music.
The trip also included a visit to Bavaria, where travelers toured Kloster Ettal, a Benedictine abbey known for its monastery-brewed beer, and visited the opulent Linderhof Palace, built in the 1870s by King Ludwig II. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains and terraces, the palace was one of the tour鈥檚 most memorable stops.
In addition, 14 members of the group chose to extend their European experience with a three-night stay in Vienna. There, they visited the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Fine Art and enjoyed a baroque concert at Sch枚nbrunn Palace.
鈥淲e thoroughly enjoyed the MSU alumni trip,鈥� said 1979 alumnus Cecil Wolberton. 鈥淎lumni Director Carrie McGinnis, as always, did a great job organizing the trip and helping to keep it running smoothly.鈥�
鈥淭he travel was very well coordinated and the accommodations, food and company were first class in every sense of the word,鈥� Wolberton added. 鈥淭his was our second trip with the MSUAA, and we can鈥檛 wait to travel with them again in 2027.鈥�
Beyond the sightseeing, the MSUAA trip provided opportunities for alumni and friends to connect, share once-in-a-lifetime experiences and create lasting memories while discovering some of Europe鈥檚 most beautiful destinations.
鈥淭ravel programs like this offer a unique opportunity for alumni and friends to explore the world together while also building meaningful connections,鈥� said Murray State Alumni Relations Director Carrie McGinnis, who served as the tour鈥檚 group leader. 鈥淭his trip combined incredible scenery, fascinating history and unforgettable cultural experiences to create memories that will last a lifetime.鈥�
The MSUAA Travel Program offers alumni and friends opportunities to visit destinations around the globe while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow Racers. In 2025, the alumni association鈥檚 first organized travel group in more than a decade journeyed to Rome and the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
The MSUAA鈥檚 next trip will be to Greece, May 21鈥�31, 2027. Collette鈥檚 鈥淓xplore Greece Island Hopper鈥� tour includes visits to the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, the historic streets and beaches of Mykonos, and the iconic blue-domed churches and whitewashed buildings of Santorini. An optional four-day extension to Istanbul, Turkey, is also available.
For more information, visit .