Adventures in Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning is going on the road! We started “Adventures”. Many Wake Forest alumni rarely if ever get to hear one of today’s stellar Wake Forest teacher/scholars. And we also know that many of our Lifelong Learners in the Triad area like to travel. We are offering a variety of events and classes around our town, State and even globally. Please join us on one of our adventures!


Completed Adventures

International Adventure in Lifelong Learning
Barcelona, Spain
June 12 -20, 2024- Completed

List of planned activities, subject to change

* Orientation to Barcelona
* Welcome meal
* Metro pass for unlimited travel within Barcelona
* Lecture on Catalunya as a nation: past, present, and future — at the Wake Barcelona centre — then walking activity connected to the lecture
* Cooking workshop at Mescladis which would be far more than cooking–they speak with us about their project and migration in Barcelona
* Colonial history tour of Barcelona
* Day trip to include a cava bodega tour then meal and beach at Sitges 
* Barcelona gothic tour
* Social with the Wake undergrad entrepreneurship students whom shall also be in Barcelona in June 
* Music or art event TBA 
* Sagrada Familia tour
* Parc Guell tour
* Farewell Meal

Payment information

Program Fee: $1950, Airfare, Lodging and most meals not included.
$250 non-refundable deposit due at time of booking to reserve a spot. 20 participants total. Waitlisted participants will not be subject to $250 non-refundable deposit until a spot opens. 

March 15, 2024: Confirmation will be sent that the trip met the minimum number of participants. This date may come sooner if all spots are filled by those who submitted non-refundable deposits. 
April 1, 2024: Final payment of $1700 due for all confirmed participants.
Cancellation policy: 50% refund, less deposit, up to May 1, 2024
Travel insurance is highly recommended.


A Special Encore International Adventure in Lifelong Learning-Completed
Venice, Italy
February 10-17, 2024

Back by popular demand, Lifelong Learning is going back to Venice, Italy for a special International Adventure in Lifelong Learning and experience the world-famous Venetian Carnival! Join the Wake Forest Venice faculty for lectures on Venetian history, art, religion, and culture at Wake Forest University’s Venice campus, Casa Artom (the palace in the center of the
above photo, next the Guggenheim Museum), which celebrated 50 years as part of Wake Forest. The lectures will be followed by behind the velvet rope tours, experiencing Venice in a way unavailable to tourists. We will enjoy an evening tour through San Marco, visit the numerous basilica and museums that house famous Venetian art, enjoy conversations with art
preservationists, meet individuals protecting Venice, take a boat tour of the lagoon. All excursions will be led by the Venice faculty, providing Lifelong Learners an insider’s view of Venetian history and culture. The program fee covers museum passes, lecture fees, a seven-day vaporetto pass, the occasional spritz, and other associated program costs. Participants are
responsible for their own accommodations and transportation to Venice. We will provide an extensive guide to recommended accommodations, restaurants, and an insider’s perspective on Venice. Program will be capped at 20 participants, first come basis.



One time only opportunity! This offer will not be available ever again! Stay at Casa Artom for the duration of the Lifelong Learning event (arrive February 10 and depart February 18, eight nights) for $80/night per person (double occupancy only. 14 spots available, in seven rooms,
two people/room. $640/person). Please note that Casa Artom has a residence hall set-up: twin beds, community bathrooms/showers, shared kitchen and communal space.

A few spots are still available on a first come, first served basis.


Planned site visits include during the week, but are not limited to:
Basilica San Marco
Basilica dei Frari
San Giorgio Bell Towers
Chiesa Santa Maria della Salute
San Rocco
Palazzo Ducale
Torcello and Lagoon Tour
Galleria dell’Accademia
Each day will include a lecture at Casa Artom by Venice Wake Forest faculty and/or at least one site visit or tour led by that faculty member. Additional guest speakers and local experts may accompany the daily lecture or site visit. Even though we will provide a weekly vaporetto passes, Venice requires a lot of walking to get to certain sites. Be prepared with some comfortable walking shoes!


International Adventures in Lifelong Learning– COMPLETED
Venice, Italy
June 4-10, 2023

Get your passports ready! Lifelong Learning is going abroad! This International Adventure in Lifelong Learning takes us to beautiful Venice, Italy. Join the Wake Forest Venice faculty for lectures on Venetian history, art, religion, and culture at Wake Forest University’s Venice campus, Casa Artom (the palace in the center of the above photo, next the Guggenheim Museum), which will be celebrating 50 years with Wake this year. The lectures will be followed by behind the velvet rope tours, experiencing Venice in a way unavailable to tourists. We will enjoy an evening tour through San Marco, visit the numerous basilica and museums that house famous Venetian art, enjoy conversations with art preservationists, meet individuals protecting Venice, take a boat tour of the lagoon. All excursions will be led by the Venice faculty, providing Lifelong Learners an insider’s view of Venetian history and culture. We will end the week with a reception full of Venetian treats in the courtyard of Casa Artom. The program fee covers all museum passes, lecture fees, a seven-day vaporetto pass, the occasional spritz, and other associated program fees. Participants are responsible for their own accommodations and transportation to Venice. We will provide an extensive guide to recommended accommodations, restaurants, and an insider’s perspective on Venice. 

Planned site visits include, but are not limited to:

Basilica San Marco

Basilica dei Frari

San Giorgio Bell Towers

Chiesa Santa Maria della Salute

San Rocco

Palazzo Ducale

Torcello and Lagoon Tour

Galleria dell’Accademia

Sample Day Schedule:

9:00 AM Meet at Casa Artom for a lecture on Venetian artist Titian with Agnese Chiari. 

12:00 PM Lunch (on your own). Grab a delicious panino at the Corner Pub, a popular hangout for Wake Forest students just a few feet from Casa Artom or head to Campo Santa Margherita to dine outdoors at one of many restaurants in the square.     

2:00 PM Meet at the Accademia vaporetto stop to travel to Piazza San Marco

2:30 PM Tour of Palazzo Ducale led by Agnese Chiari

4:30 PM Aperitivo at a local cafe. Enjoy a spritz, a Venetian classic, and a light snack. 

6:00 PM Dinner (on your own)

8:00 PM Meet at Basilica San Marco for an evening tour of the Basilica with Agnese Chiari. This free from the crowds tour will explore all parts of San Marco, including the crypt. 

Each day will include a lecture at Casa Artom by Venice Wake Forest faculty and at least one site visit or tour led by that faculty member. Additional guest speakers and local experts may accompany the daily lecture or site visit. Even though we will provide a weekly vaporetto passes, Venice requires a lot of walking to get to certain sites. Be prepared with some comfortable walking shoes! 


Early North Carolina : Stories of Turmoil and Aspiration-Completed

Like all thirteen American colonies of England, North Carolina’s development was never straightforward or easy. From early confusion over boundaries and property lines, to the influx of a wide variety of racial and ethnic cultures, slavery, war, the struggle for settlement and civic stability, North Carolina’s history is a fascinating, complex, and often troubling story.

This daylong course will move quickly across many different chapters of this history. Beginning with how North Carolina was similar and distinctive compared to other colonies, the course will explore varied episodes of the state’s narrative. The upheaval of Revolution particularly for the peaceful Moravian settlers, the shock for soldiers from northern colonies coming to the state to fight in the Revolution and seeing slavery of Africans firsthand, and the determination of educated clergy to establish lasting institutions such as Wake Forest College, all are intriguing stories in themselves.
We will examine primary documents: letters of soldiers, detailed reports of the Moravians, and letters and diaries of the Wait and Merriam families in contemplating a college in a slave-holding state. With ample time for questions, we will have a full and absorbing day.
Speakers include:
Jake Ruddiman, Wake Forest University Associate Professor of History
Mary Tribble (’82, MA ’19), Wake Forest University Associate Vice President and Senior Advisor for Engagement Strategies
The day includes morning snack, *lunch, and the expertise of Wake Forest University Faculty.

UPCOMING LECTURES

There are no events at this time. Please check back later.