Adventure seekers within the Freed-Hardeman community have even more new opportunities to see the world as registration is now open for three immersive tours—“Colors of New England,” Oct. 21-28, 2025; “Shades of Ireland,” March 21-30, 2026; and “Romantic England,” May 29-June 13, 2026. These tours expand FHU’s growing list of domestic and international travel opportunities, providing experiences for travelers of all ages and interests.
Organized in partnership with Collette travel and open to FHU alumni and friends of all ages, this eight-day tour offers a chance to step into the charm and simplicity of New England’s timeless traditions. Participants will stroll through quaint villages, tour a historic cider mill, witness a glassblowing demonstration and photograph the oldest lighthouse in Maine. The tour also includes a visit to the alpine-inspired Trapp Family Lodge, property owned and operated by the famous von Trapp family, whose story inspired the beloved film “The Sound of Music.”
This fall itinerary highlights New England’s natural beauty, including Quechee Gorge (Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon”), the towering peaks of Mount Washington, a cruise of Lake Winnipesaukee, relaxing nature walks and picturesque seaside drives. The cost of the trip and a full itinerary can be found at gateway.gocollette.com/link/1315830.
Also organized by Collette travel and designed with FHU alumni and friends in mind, this 10-day tour of Ireland is a perfect introduction to the Emerald Isle. A packed itinerary includes stops in the cities of Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Killarney, Limerick and Galway, while also offering incomparable views along the Ring of Kerry and atop the famous Cliffs of Moher.
Travelers will experience authentic regional cuisine, shop for local artisan-made crafts, witness a sheepdog demonstration, enjoy a jaunting car ride and spend the night in a genuine castle. Visits to the Waterford Crystal Factory, the Waterford Medieval Museum, Blarney Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral will showcase the unique magic of Celtic culture. Individuals may visit gateway.gocollette.com/link/1287753 for more information on cost and itinerary. For questions regarding the “Colors of New England” or “Shades or Ireland” tours, contact FHU’s Alumni Engagement office at 731-989-6088 or at alumni@fhu.bramblettgrp.com.
Travelers on this 16-day Romantic England grand adventure will experience iconic London, visit historic Bath and York, and get off the beaten path to two of England’s favorite areas of great natural beauty—the Lake District and the Peak District. While travelers will visit sites of general interest such as Stonehenge, the British Museum and York Minster Cathedral, this trip has a special focus on the landscapes and communities that inspired some of the greatest writers of the Romantic Era—Jane Austen, William Wordsworth and the Brontë sisters. Participants will step into the world of picturesque villages and magnificent estates, wander beautiful gardens and enjoy afternoon tea together.
Organized and led by John McLaughlin, professor of English at FHU, and his wife, Debbie, this itinerary is open to current students, alumni and members of the Freed-Hardeman community. Current students may even earn course credit by enrolling in a complementary literature course offered in 2025-26. Non-students may also choose to audit these courses to enhance their travel experience. Please visit fhu.edu/england for more information or to enroll. For questions regarding the “Romantic England” tour, contact McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@fhu.bramblettgrp.com.
Tours are open to alumni, donors, university friends, and Christians who wish to travel in the company of other Christians and those associated with FHU.
All reservations are made online through unique webpages. Each web page contains the reservation form, full trip itinerary, and an FAQ section to answer questions (see above for the unique link for each Collette tour).
The potential traveler can call our office (731-989-6088), email Chris Ramey (cramey@fhu.bramblettgrp.com), or call Collette Vacations at 1-800-340-5158.
No. A per-person deposit is required to secure your reservation on each Collette tour, and the final balance is paid 90 days from tour departure.
It varies by tour. Typically, we have between 40-44 openings on each tour. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. After a tour is closed, a waitlist for each tour is established and potential travelers are added to the waitlist based upon a paid reservation date.
Collette rates their trips on a 1 – 4 activity scale, with one being the lowest level of activity and four being the highest.
Colors of New England is rated at one with the following description from Collette:You’re a leisurely traveler. You typically take it easy and discover the energy of a new place by people-watching or soaking in the atmosphere at a local café. You can climb at least one flight of stairs, board a coach, and walk unassisted at a relaxed pace for up to 60 minutes without difficulty.You can easily handle altitudes up to 5,000 feet.
Shades of Ireland is rated at two with the following description from Collette:This means you like a balanced approach to travel. Walking two to three miles over the course of a day is no problem for you. You can handle a variety of terrains, from cobblestone streets to moderate hills with relative ease and without assistance. You can climb two flights of stairs with ease. Expect some full days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. You can handle altitudes up to 6,000 feet. While this level is appropriate for travelers that require mobility assistance devices, there could be times when you may have to sit out on some of the included activities.
Yes. Collette offers the option to purchase a travel protection plan for each traveler (amount varies by tour) due at the time of reservation. Travel protection allows for a full refund, minus the cost of the protection, up to the day before departure for any reason.
