Sea Breezes and Silkworms: Flying Longhorns Cruise the Mediterranean

In Rome, they gaped in wonder at the vaulted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. In Turkey, they explored the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Cleopatra’s old stomping grounds. And in Monaco, they marveled at yachts so glamorous—and equipped with private helicopters alighted on deck—they would put James Bond to shame.

Thirty-three Flying Longhorns, accompanied by Texas Exes human resources and accounting coordinator Kim Borron, took in these sights and many more as they sailed the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles for a fortnight in August.

While the rest of us were wilting in the record-breaking Texan heat, these travelers—a cohesive, diverse group ranging in age from 13 to 80—relaxed in the sea breeze. But they also stayed busy, visiting seven countries and brushing up on ancient history in Greece and Rome. In Turkey, they toured a traditional rug factory and learned that one minuscule silkworm cocoon can produce a mile of thread.

Love was in the air, too. One couple chose the trip as their honeymoon; two more were celebrating wedding anniversaries. In the evenings, the group packed the ship’s bar for lively happy hours.

Their ship carried travelers from a number of other alumni associations, but the Longhorns were the most boisterous, says Borron: “Everyone knew who we were.” The group wasted no time in teaching the ship’s pianist to play “The Eyes of Texas” and made singing along a nightly tradition. “By the end of the trip, even the travelers from other schools were all doing the Hook ’em Horns,” says Borron.

Photos by Bill and Janet Hopson and Rose Trigg