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Important Travel Information

Connect with Tar Heel Travel

Prepare for Your Trip

We are delighted you have chosen to travel with our Tar Heel Travel program.  Below you will find information and resources to help prepare you for your trip. Please review each section carefully.

For in-depth trip details, including flight arrangements, COVID-19 related policies, please contact the tour operator directly for your tour.

You may also find our FAQ page helpful.

Tour Operator Contact Information

Please call the tour operator directly for billing questions, airline seat assignment questions and health concerns such as dietary restrictions and mobility factors.

AHI Travel: (800) 323-7373
Gohagan & Company: (800) 922-3088
Odysseys Unlimited: (888) 370-6765
Orbridge: (866) 639-0079

Upcoming Communications

Here is a general timetable of communications that you can expect from the GAA Travel Office. All communications are via email unless otherwise noted.

  1. Initial trip confirmation materials via email: within 3-5 days of your reservation
  2. Request for photo and profile information to share with fellow travelers: approx. 6 weeks prior to departure
  3. Follow up regarding current GAA membership: approx. 1 month prior to departure
  4. Follow up regarding missing Passenger Information Forms (PIFs): approx. 1 month prior to departure
  5. Pre-tour packet (including UNC passenger list, letter from our president and cool GAA swag): approx. 4 weeks prior to departure (postal mail)

Please note that final payment notification will be sent by the tour operator.

Trip Checklist

Please address the following items before your trip departs:

  • Return your Passenger Information Form (PIF)
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance
  • Confirm your GAA membership is up-to-date
  • Submit your photo and profile information (email request sent approx. 6 weeks before departure)

Need a packing list? Be sure to review the packing list provided by your tour operator which is included in your final documents, approx. 2 weeks before departure. If you’re ready to pack now, check out this packing list.

Travel Insurance

The GAA strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance. Information regarding our partner, USI Travel Insurance Services, can be found at our GAA Travel Insurance page. Please complete the Travel Insurance Response Form that was sent as part of your initial confirmation documents (a copy of the form can be found here).

Points of Contact
Catherine Nichols '89
Senior Coordinator of Faculty Relations and Travel
919-962-3574
read my bio

Catherine joined the GAA in Sept. 2016. She loves connecting faculty with alumni and the community. As an alumna of UNC and native of Chapel Hill, she’s thrilled to represent UNC and the alumni community through her work. Catherine enjoys spending time on campus with her family and traveling at any opportunity. She also enjoys movies, biking and reading.

Douglass Payne '04 ('06 MAT)
Senior Coordinator of Alumni Education and Travel
919-962-0313
read my bio

Douglass has served as coordinator of alumni education and travel since 2013. She enjoys playing her cello, traveling internationally, knitting and running in her free time. At home, Douglass excels as a gluten-free baker and at showering her daughter Millie and son Henry with love.