MSUAA travelers return from memorable journey
By Carrie McGinnis | Jun 22, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. — 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’s “Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria” tour through the MSUAA Travel Program. The journey featured visits to some of the region’s 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’s 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’s 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 Schönbrunn Palace.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the MSU alumni trip,” said 1979 alumnus Cecil Wolberton. “Alumni Director Carrie McGinnis, as always, did a great job organizing the trip and helping to keep it running smoothly.”
“The travel was very well coordinated and the accommodations, food and company were first class in every sense of the word,” Wolberton added. “This was our second trip with the MSUAA, and we can’t wait to travel with them again in 2027.”
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’s most beautiful destinations.
“Travel programs like this offer a unique opportunity for alumni and friends to explore the world together while also building meaningful connections,” said Murray State Alumni Relations Director Carrie McGinnis, who served as the tour’s group leader. “This trip combined incredible scenery, fascinating history and unforgettable cultural experiences to create memories that will last a lifetime.”
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’s first organized travel group in more than a decade journeyed to Rome and the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
The MSUAA’s next trip will be to Greece, May 21–31, 2027. Collette’s “Explore Greece Island Hopper” 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 murraystate.edu/alumni.