Planned Itinerary*
Cape Cod 3 Day / 2 Night Getaway
May 29 - 31, 2026

Cape Cod is one of this country’s favorite summer resorts and consists of sandy and barren wastes, picturesque New England scenes, and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the finest whale watching locales in the world. ‘Codders’ think they live on one of the finest places on earth. It would be hard to argue the point once you have been there. The humpbacks, finbacks, right whales, dolphins, and other marine mammal species that live and feed in the waters around the Cape would have to agree with them. This tour will take a cultural, historical, and economic look into the ocean, the whales, and their relationships with man.
 
2026 Itinerary for PSU Chester County Alumni Association

• Tour Destination: Cape Cod
• Tour Lead: Fellow alum Gary Gittis
• Dates: 5/29-31/2026
• Organization: PSU Chester County Alumni Association
• Address:
• Hotel Information:       Holiday Inn-Hyannis
                                             1127 Rte 132
                                             Hyannis, MA ‎ 02601
                                             (508) 815-2149

 
Day 1                           Friday May 29, 2026
6:30 AM                        Arrive at Penn State Great Valley for departure
6:45AM                         Depart
11:00 AM                       USS Nautilus Submarine Museum, Groton CT
12:30 PM                       Lunch on own along route
3:00 -5:00 PM              New Bedford Whaling Museum          
6:00 PM                        Check into Hotel.
6:30 PM                        Board bus to downtown Hyannis
6:45 PM                        Dinner on own in Hyannis
9:00 PM                        Return to Hotel                               
                                                                                            
Day 2                          Saturday May 30, 2026
6:40 AM                        Board bus and depart for the day
7:00-8:00 AM               Breakfast at Breakfast Room
                                       675 Main Street (Route 28)
                                       West Dennis, MA 02670 
9:30 AM                        Spend time exploring and shopping in Provincetown. Lunch on your own.
1:00-4:30PM                Meet on dock for Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch #1 
6:00PM*                       Dinner on own in Hyannis,
8:00PM                        Return to Hotel
 
Day 3                          Sunday May 31, 2026
6:35 AM                        Check out of hotel, board bus and depart for the day
7:00-8:00 AM              Breakfast at Breakfast Room
                                      675 Main Street (Route 28)
                                      West Dennis, MA 02670   
9:30-1:30PM                Whale watch #2 Hyannis Whale Watcher
                                      275 Mill Way
                                      Barnstable MA 02630
No lunch                     Canteen available on whale watch vessel
5:15-6:15PM                 Dinner on the way home; TBD
10:00PM                      Arrive Home (Tentative ETA)
  
Tour Includes*:

• Deluxe motor coach transportation
• 2 nights hotel, 2 breakfast, taxes and gratuities
• Attractions: New Bedford Whaling Museum, 2 Whale watches.
• $550 double occupancy, $510 triple occupancy, $475 quad occupancy, $700 single occupancy ​(ALL Costs are PER PERSON)

* All subject to Terms and Conditions.
 
Gary Gittis (83 EMS) spent 33 of his 35 years teaching middle school science taking students to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to experience the wonders of the marine ecology and surrounding culture of Cape Cod. Amongst the many highlights over the years, whale watching trips always took the number one spot. He also brought teachers taking his graduate course there over a 10-year period.
 
Join the Penn State Alumni Association of Chester County, May 29th – 31st, 2026, as Gary leads you in becoming a member of another 1% club. Yes, less than 1% of the world’s population has ever seen a whale in their natural ocean environment.
 
This trip will include two whale watches (because every trip is different and rarely do you see the same things on consecutive days), weather permitting. One from Provincetown on Saturday afternoon, the second Sunday morning from Barnstable Harbor (Hyannis). The ride up Friday will include stops at the USS Nautilus Strike Force Submarine Base in Groton, CT, as well as the fabulous New Bedford Whaling Museum. Saturday, spend time exploring Provincetown, enjoy lunch, then board Dolphin Fleet for our first whale watch. Sunday, after breakfast, we’ll board the Hyannis Whale Watcher on our second whale watch and cruise through Barnstable Harbor and Cape Cod Bay on the way back to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
 
Saturday and Sunday breakfast are included in the cost of your trip at the wonderful Breakfast Room in Dennis. Friday and Saturday night dinners are on your own in Hyannis amongst their numerous excellent restaurants. Lunches are on your own and Sunday dinner (and Friday lunch) will be at stops to be determined along the route. Please note the hotel rooms only have 1 or 2 beds and cots are NOT available.
 
There is the option to NOT go on the Whale watching trip(s). If you do not wish to go on the watching trips, price will be reduced accordingly.
 
Terms and Conditions
By submitting deposit, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Non‑Refundable Payments
   All deposits and payments are strictly non‑refundable. The only exception is if the trip is canceled by the organizers due to insufficient participation, in which case all monies paid will be refunded in full.
2. Payment Deadline
   The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than Monday, March 23, 2026. Failure to submit payment by this deadline may result in cancellation of your reservation without refund.
3. Itinerary and Program Changes
   A detailed itinerary is available online and may be modified at any time without prior notice. All scheduled activities, times, and locations are subject to change based on weather conditions, provider availability, safety considerations, or other unforeseen circumstances. The organizers assume no liability for any such adjustments.
4. Limitation of Liability
   The PSU Alumni Association, including its officers, directors, volunteers, representatives, and affiliates, assumes no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the trip. This includes, but is not limited to, transportation, lodging, meals, activities, scheduling, delays, cancellations, injuries, losses, or any other services or circumstances.
5. Third‑Party Providers
   All travel arrangements, accommodations, transportation, and activities are provided solely by independent, third‑party companies contracted for this trip. Any claims, disputes, service issues, or requests for refunds must be directed to the applicable provider. The PSU Alumni Association does not guarantee the performance, safety, or quality of any third‑party services.
6. Participant Responsibility
   Participants are responsible for meeting all travel requirements, including identification, health or vaccination requirements, and compliance with any rules or policies set by third‑party providers.
7. Assumption of Risk
   By registering, you acknowledge that travel involves inherent risks and agree to assume full responsibility for your participation, including any risks associated with transportation, activities, or environmental conditions.