Programs

Trips and Travel

OLLI's Travel Opportunities Committee (TOC) organizes foreign and domestic trips. It's fun to travel with a group of friends, or soon-to-become-friends. Great fun at at great value!

If you have questions or comments for the committee, please email olliusftravel@gmail.com

London-Paris-Normandy-Memorials of World War II - Departing April 19, 2024

View trip presentation for more information:

Embark on a reflective journey through the myriad reminders of June 6,1944 known as D-Day, a watershed event in world history. Discover the memorials, museums, and landmarks that stand in dedication to the heroic soldiers. Visit Omaha, Juno, Sword, and Utah Beach, and pay respect to the more than 9,000 lives honored at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, the largest American cemetery in the region.

Highlights: London & Paris WWII-Focused City Tours, Portsmouth, The D-Day Story Museum, English Channel Crossing, Juno Beach, Caen Peace Memorial Museum, Arromanche-les-Baines, Longues-sur-Mer, Apple Cider Farm Visit, Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Airborne Museum, Utah Beach, Giverny Gardens, Seine River Dinner Cruise. Click for more details.

Ireland - Traditions of the Emerald Isle - Departing July 10, 2024

Book now to secure your spot!

On this 11-day adventure through the Emerald Isle, you’ll see that even the oldest traditions continue to thrive. Discover the country’s highlights, starting in historic Dublin and continuing on through County Cork, the "Rebel County.” After exploring the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, the mesmerizing Cliffs of Moher, and the charming coastal city of Galway, you may find it hard to say goodbye to Ireland. Ireland’s green landscapes, welcoming cities, and rich culture await. Click for details.

View trip presentation for more information:

Black Hills, Badlands & Mount Rushmore - Departing September 4, 2024

Join us on October 23 at 11:00 a.m.for a zoom presentation about this trip. Register here

A 7-day tour featuring Mount Rushmore sculptures, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Devil's Tower National Monument, the historic city of Deadwood. Visit The Mammoth Site museum and its greatest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. Tour The Journey Museum which traces the geology and history of the Black Hills. It features four museums including the Sioux Indian Museum. Take a drive through Badlands National Park for spectacular examples of erosion, ridges, cliffs and colorful canyons. Board the 1180 Train for a scenic journey through history. Click here for details.

Christmas on the Danube River Cruise - Departing December 2, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS: Vienna, 6-Night Danube River Cruise, Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Wachau Valley, Glühwein Party, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Würzburg, Christmas Markets. Click here for more details.

Colorado's Historic Trains - Departing August 4, 2023  - SOLD OUT!

A 9-day trip following historic routes of the Old West, featuring six scenic rail excursions and three National Parks. Highlights include Rocky Mountain National Park; the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park; the red sandstone formations in the Garden of the Gods and the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park. Click for details! 

Learn even more about this trip in this presentation:

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - Departing October 6, 2023 -PLACES AVAILABLE!

In your 6-day trip, experience one of the most photographed events in the world, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and visit Albuquerque’s Old Town. Delve into science and history through museum excursions to learn about the making of the first atomic bomb and the Native American Pueblos. Visit the ancient village of Chimayo. Explore the city of Taos. Tour Santa Fe and learn about its history, culture, unique architecture and explore its many art galleries. Click here for details.

Learn even more about this trip in this presentation:

View photos of a recent OLLI-USF trip here!  

Recent trips

Holland Windmills, Waterways & Tulips River Cruise - Departed April, 2023

A 10-day trip featuring Amsterdam & 7 nights aboard cruising canals and waterways aboard the Amadeus Queen.  Stops in Arnhem, Middelburg, Ghent & Bruges, Antwerp and Rotterdam. 

OLLI Day at the Races, Tampa Bay Downs

Wednesday April 26, 2023

Join us for a social day at the races at Tampa Bay Downs. Watch the races from the Skye Terrace Dining Room. Lunch will cost you between $20 and $40, depending on your menu choice. There is a dress code. If you choose, buy yourself a program ($3.50) for information on the horses in each race. NOTE: No elevator available and the dining room is on the third floor, up 60 steps with landings at intervals. Parking is free (gates open at 11:00 a.m.) and there is no entrance fee. Park near the Clubhouse entrance. Valet parking available for $10. Click here for more information and to register today.

Day Trips

Day Trips are back, led by the indomitable, inimitable Don Clark. Local tours are free
unless otherwise noted but require advance registration. Day trips are open to OLLI-USF
members and their guests. Pre-registration is required; register for day trips via our website, or call our registrar at 813-974-5848. You’ll receive an email confirmation and a reminder that the trip is coming up, along with day-of-trip arrangements and contact info. 

Registration opens, Monday, May 1 

Raymond James Art Collection

Tuesday May 16, 10:30 a.m.

View a selection of works of art housed at Raymond James Financial Center’s international headquarters in Carillon Parkway. Join us after the tour for a Dutch lunch at Cracker Barrel.

International Independent Showmen’s Museum

Thursday May 18, 10:00 a.m.

“The International Independent Showmen’s Museum might just be the area’s best-kept secret” (Tampa Bay Times 2015)

Get a glimpse of life as a traveling performer from the 1800s through the 20th century, from this huge and unique showcase of eclectic memorabilia, artifacts, and photographs. Our tour guide, Doc Rivera, spent years in the circus business and has been instrumental in preserving this history of carnivals, circuses and traveling shows. Enjoy brightly colored wagons, costumes, one of the nation’s first Ferris wheels, a carousel and so much more! Entrance fee is $10. Parking is free.

Tampa International Airport Tour

Tuesday May 23, 10:00 a.m. - we loved it!

A free, guided tour of “one of America’s favorite airports.” See where your suitcases go after you give them to the airlines then take a bus tour of the landing areas and the Fire Station (the best in Tampa). All bags will be checked. Park in the long-term parking garage (payment required for parking.) Take the shuttle to the main terminal. We will meet at the German airlines booth in the red area, on the second floor.