Members and their guests may participate in any or all of the following groups.
TRAVEL COMMITTEE
EXCITING NEWS – ANNOUNCING 2027 RFSA TOURS!
APRIL 3 – 11, 2027: SPAIN’S COSTA DEL SOL & MADRID
Explore the southern coastal region of Spain visiting Malaga, Marbella, Ronda, Granada, Alhambra and Madrid, only changing hotels once!
Fares start at $4149 including round trip economy airfare and insurance is additional.
Located in the Spanish region of Andalusia, Costa del Sol, or Sun Coast, has appealed to citizens of Europe—and the rest of the world—for centuries. With its mild winter temperatures and abundant sunshine, it’s no wonder it’s long been a retreat for northern Europeans escaping harsher winters. Here, golden sands line the Mediterranean coast, while small towns and whitewashed villages with cobblestone streets pepper their shores. For all its recent history, the region has been in the path of explorers and settlers for thousands of years and boasts incomparable historical monuments to prove it.
Madrid is a vibrant city where history, art, and lively Spanish culture come together beautifully. From world-class museums and grand landmarks to delicious tapas and stylish plazas, it’s the perfect destination for a fun and memorable group adventure. From sunlit coastlines to the capital city energy of Madrid, this is Spain in perfect balance.
The Trip Preview Meeting will take place on June 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM.
Click Here to Sign Up for the Trip Preview Meeting – OR – BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW
JUNE 8 – 19, 2027 – CANADA & NEW ENGLAND CIRCLE, MARITIMES & NEW FRANCE CRUISE
Sail with Holland America on the St. Lawrence from Montreal to Quebec City, Newfoundland, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Halifax to Boston.
Fares start at $3804 with airfare and insurance additional.
Escape the Texas heat and journey on a Holland America cruise from Montréal to Boston. Cruise the scenic St. Lawrence River, uncover the French charms of Quebec’s cities and towns, and call on three dynamic Newfoundland ports.
Cruise staterooms sell out quickly on this VERY POPULAR Holland Cruise!! You may want to consider signing up for the cruise ASAP to have a better choice of staterooms. Trip Preview Meeting will be scheduled soon!
Trip Preview Meeting TBD – OR – BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW
OCTOBER 1 – 9, 2027 – IRELAND’S “IRISH GOLD”
Explore the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, Galway, Kilarney, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle and several Irish cultural experiences.
Fares start at $3675 with airfare and insurance additional.
Join in on this thoughtfully designed Ireland tour on a 9-day, 8-night fully guided tour which explores the most acclaimed sights and scenic byways of West and South Ireland, including beautiful Connemara.
The Trip Preview Meeting will take place on June 1, 2026 at.1:00 PM.
Click Here to Sign Up for the Irish Gold Trip Preview Meeting – OR – BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW
There are a few spaces still available for the two remaining 2026 trips:
- Alaska cruise and Land Tour, August 1-12, 2026
- Adirondacks and Finger Lakes tour, September 20-28, 2026
Check out www.relaxedescapes.com/groups for more information.
RECENT TRIP PHOTOS:
- DANUBE CRUISE (March, 2026)
- TREASURES OF TUSCANY (October, 2025)
- HISTORIC TRAINS OF THE OLD WEST (June, 2025)
- PERU (May, 2025)
- View a lot more photos from the Travel Group
Co-Chairs: Kathy Armenta or Richard Armenta 512-262-7019. Contact Lori Threatt (our travel advisor) at lori@relaxedescapes.com
SPEAKER SERIES
These events will be held at a branch of Austin Public Libraries (Yarbrough, Howson and Old Quarry), generally on the second Wednesday of each month. Speaker Series includes Finance/Investments, Interdisciplinary Topics, Health and Discussion Topics.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS:
- TBD
Co-Chairs: Phil Kelton, 512-466-9120, Alice Reinarz, 979-571-7723
View photos from the Speaker Series
FOODIES
The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for RFSA members and a guest to experience interesting restaurants in Austin and to socialize. Guests will be responsible for their own costs.
Chair: Robert Lawrence, 512-585-6208
View photos from the Foodies group
ARTS AND CULTURE
This group informs our members of all types of art and culture events: Museums, Music, Dance, Theater, Lectures and more (both on and off campus).
Co-Chairs: Hillary Hart, 512-423-5022 and Madeline Sutherland-Meier, 512-565-0906
EVENTS AND ARTS OPPORTUNITIES:
- Austin Classical Guitar
- Austin Shakespeare Company
- Blanton Museum of Art
- Briscoe Center (American History)
- Bullock Museum
- Butler School of Music
- DO512 Theater (Do Awesome Stuff in Austin)
- Harry Ransom Center
- Hyde Park Theater
- Jones Center and Laguna Gloria (The Contemporary Austin)
- Paramount Theatre
- Texas Today (UT Events Calendar)
- Texas Performing Arts
- The UT Nine (Weekly curated list of our favorite events taking place at the University)
- Umlauf Sculpture Garden
- UT New Theatre
- Visual Arts Center
- Vortex Theater (Fearless Theater Exchange)
View photos from the Arts & Culture group
BRIDGE
The Bridge Group meets on the first Monday of each month in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Texas Exes provides free parking in the garage, as well as free iced drinks and coffee.
We play party bridge, not duplicate, and you do not need to provide your own partner. If you want to join the group or have your name added to the mailing list, you may reserve a spot by contacting Mary Kay Hemenway (mkhemenway@utexas.edu).
Chair: Mary Kay Hemenway, 512-913-6058
View photos from the Bridge group
ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES
TEXAS EXES SUPPORT and COORDINATION: Carol Barrett [512-840-5657]
Volunteerism and Service Learning – Volunteerism and Service Learning’s programs offer students the chance to learn outside the classroom, focusing on service and leadership to learn about the world and themselves during their time at The University of Texas at Austin. VSL envisions a world in which all students become lifelong citizens, embodying the University’s core purpose: “to transform lives for the benefit of society.”
OLLI (Oscher Lifeling Learning Institute) – The University of Texas at Austin Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (UT OLLI) is where curious adults can enjoy classes in a relaxed community of friends, among leading scholars and experts, who share a fascination with exploring new areas of knowledge and traditional disciplines.
AROHE (Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education) – RFSA is a member of this international organization. AROHE champions transformative practices to support all ages of faculty and staff retirement, the mutually beneficial engagement of retirees with one another and with their institutions, and their continuing contributions to campus and family life. By sharing research, innovative ideas and successful practices, AROHE supports the development and enhancement of campus-based retirement organizations and programs which support retirees’ lifelong engagement in higher education. The association is an excellent resource for retirement organizations and their membership in assisting with the varying stages of retirement.