In July 1963, 28 adventurous Badgers gathered in Chicago to embark with the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) on its first international alumni travel tour, a 23-day journey across Europe. Their ambitious itinerary took them through England, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Belgium. Traveling by jet, train, ferry, and motorcoach, the group explored historic landmarks, connected with fellow UW–Madison alumni living overseas, and experienced a Europe still shaped by the aftermath of World War II. The all-inclusive trip cost $1,085 (nearly $12,000 today), covering airfare, first-class hotels, meals, and ground transportation. For many, it was their first time leaving the United States, and WAA’s director of alumni relations Edward Gibson 1923 chronicled the tour in a journal, capturing the excitement of a trip that launched generations of Badgers exploring the world together. WAA's travel program continues — the 2027 catalog lists 35 trips, 17 of them to Europe.

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