CASTLES, CHIANTI AND CLASSIC COUNTRYSIDE

Transcription

1 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y CASTLES, CHIANTI AND CLASSIC COUNTRYSIDE October 31 to November 9, 2018

2 There s never a better time to visit Tuscany than in the fall, after the summer tourists have departed and the leaves begin to turn. Join us for a memorable autumnal exploration of the history and culture of Italy past and present enriched by a series of illuminating lectures and unique excursions. Immerse yourself in the rich legacy of the Renaissance by learning about the greatest artists of the era. Venture into the lovely hill towns of Arezzo and Siena for a taste of the local cuisine and village life. Explore Italy s extensive culture and history with local experts and Stanford faculty leader Carolyn Lougee. Happy learning! BRETT S. THOMPSON, 83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Highlights BEHOLD the masterpieces of Piero, Giotto and Michaelangelo in the Tuscan towns where they were created. HUNT for truffles in the forest surrounding a 13th-century restored castello, our home for six days in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. SAVOR the flavors of Tuscan olive oil and fine wines paired with fresh hand-rolled pastas. COVER: SAN BIAGIO CATHEDRAL, MONTEPULCIANO PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, SIENA

3 Faculty Leader [Dr. Lougee] was fabulous! I loved the depth and organization of her lectures. Definitely came home from this trip with new insights due to her. JODY CORNELIUS, 72, FOCUS: PARIS, 2017 CAROLYN LOUGEE has taught European history at Stanford since Her research specialties are the Renaissance and the early modern period, so she particularly enjoys introducing travelers to the way changes that were worked out in peace and war centuries ago continue to shape the world we live in something she has had the opportunity to do over the course of more than 30 Travel/Study trips. Her research interests include the historical roots of cultural practices and built environments, as well as Europeans current struggles to adapt long-standing ways of thinking and acting to today s unprecedented, fast-changing economic and social challenges. She will be lecturing on the history of Italy and the Renaissance, and providing historical context for modern Italian politics. Frances and Charles Field Professor in History emerita; Bass Fellow in Undergraduate Education all Stanford University Formerly at Stanford: chair, history department; dean, undergraduate studies; senior associate dean, humanities and sciences; elected chair, faculty senate; director, structured liberal education Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for Distinguished Service to Undergraduate Education Dean s Award for Distinguished Teaching BA, history, 1963, Smith College PhD, history, 1972, University of Michigan S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y SIGN UP ONLINE: alumni.stanford.edu/trip?tuscany2018 OR BY PHONE: (650) PIENZA

4 Florence I TALY Florence Siena Arezzo Castello di Gargonza Sansepolcro Pienza Montepulciano Assisi Itinerary WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 U.S. / FLORENCE / GARGONZA Depart on independent overnight flights to Florence. Upon arrival on Thursday, transfer to the medieval village of Gargonza, superbly situated in the Tuscan countryside. This afternoon, settle into the 13thcentury castello of the Guicciardini family our home for the next six nights. Take the rest of the day to read, relax and tour the grounds, which include olive groves, cypress alleys and glorious views of the Val di Chiana. Meet fellow participants at this evening s welcome reception and dinner. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (11/1: D) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 GARGONZA / SIENA Start the day with a lecture on the art of Siena, followed by an insightful excursion to this magnificent Tuscan hill town. This beautiful city retains its medieval grandeur and is a great place to get a feel for what Tuscany was like in the Middle Ages. Our walking tour includes the famous shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico with its spectacular frescoes and the cathedral with its brilliant marble façade. Return to Gargonza for an afternoon lecture followed by a wine tasting. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,D) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 GARGONZA / AREZZO / SANSEPOLCRO After a morning lecture on early Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca, visit Arezzo, a beautiful city rich in art treasures, antique shops and outdoor cafes. Here we can view Piero s restored fresco cycle, The Legend of the True Cross, in the church of San Francesco. Continue to Sansepolcro, home of Piero s masterpiece, The Resurrection, which art historian Kenneth Clark called the greatest painting ever made. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,D) SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 GARGONZA After a morning of lectures on modern Italian history, join our chef for a cooking demonstration, using local products and specialties. Then participate in the harvest season like a true Tuscan. Learn how to hunt truffles in the forests surrounding Gargonza, and harvest olives with an olive oil expert before visiting the local community olive press. After another lecture, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,L,D) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 GARGONZA / ASSISI Today we explore Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of St. Francis. Our walking tour features the Basilica di San Francesco, where we admire both the grandeur of the architecture and the delicate colors and forms of Giotto s frescoes. Afterward (weather permitting), take a walk in the woods just above Assisi to the Eremo delle Carceri, the peaceful mountain hermitage where St. Francis slept on a stone slab and spoke to the birds. Here, high above the bustle of Assisi, we can still feel the spiritual power of the humble cloth merchant who gave away the clothes off his back and dedicated his life to God, becoming the most renowned of Christian saints. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,D) TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 GARGONZA / PIENZA / MONTEPULCIANO Start today with a visit to

5 BASILICA DI SAN FRANCESCO, ASSISI MICHAELANGELO S DAVID Pienza, a classic hill town and a treasure trove of Renaissance architecture. This lovely village, just a handful of narrow lanes overlooking the Val d Orcia, was designed by Pope Pius II as a prototype for the ideal Renaissance city. As we lunch on our own, be sure to order some of the famous fresh pecorino cheese made here, along with a plate of pici, delicious handrolled pasta served with fresh tomato or pesto sauce. After lunch drive through some of Tuscany s most scenic countryside to the charming town of Montepulciano. Explore the old town with its fortified gateway and magnificent Renaissance palazzi, and just outside the walls, stop at the exquisite honey-colored church of San Biagio, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Enjoy a tasting of Montepulciano s famous Vino Nobile at a nearby wine cellar before returning to Gargonza in the late afternoon. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,D) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 GARGONZA / FLORENCE Drive by private coach to Florence, stopping en route at the famous Badia a Coltibuono for lunch before checking in to our hotel in Florence. Take an afternoon walking tour of Florence s landmarks to become familiar with this quintessential Renaissance city before enjoying the evening at leisure. HOTEL BRUNELLESCHI (B,L) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 FLORENCE Art and historical treasures abound in Florence, the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Visit the Uffizi Gallery for a look at one of the world s greatest repositories of medieval and Renaissance art. Explore Florence independently this afternoon, then celebrate our adventure at a farewell reception and dinner. HOTEL BRUNELLES- CHI (B,D) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9 FLORENCE / U.S. Following breakfast at our hotel, transfer to the airport for independent flights home. (B) CASTELLO DI GARGONZA is an authentic medieval village complete with tower, parish church, town walls and a host of other original buildings converted for modern use. Our accommodations are the former homes of the farmers and tradesmen who once worked on the surrounding estate. These houses, still bearing the names of the original inhabitants, have been transformed into cozy cottages with kitchens, living rooms, fireplaces and many of the idiosyncrasies of the original dwellings. The castle now boasts a conference facility, a gourmet restaurant and a swimming pool nestled in an olive grove with a spectacular view. Houses vary in size and features, and some uphill walking is necessary to access them from Gargonza s restaurant.

6 CATHEDRAL, SIENA Trip Information DATES October 31 to November 9, 2018 (10 days) SIZE 31 participants COST* $8,295 per person, double occupancy $8,795 per person, single occupancy *Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person INCLUDED 6 nights of 4-star accommodations in the Tuscan countryside 2 nights of 4-star hotel accommodations in Florence 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 7 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary A single group transfer and baggage handling from the Florence Airport to the Castello di Gargonza on 11/1 Transfers and baggage handling from the Hotel Brunelleschi to the Florence Airport on 11/9 Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program NOT INCLUDED International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport and visa fees Immunization costs Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excessbaggage charges Personal items such as internet access, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services AIR ARRANGEMENTS You are responsible for booking and purchasing airfare to the start location and from the end location of the program. These air purchases are NOT included in the program cost. To assist you in making these independent arrangements, we will send you details with your confirmation materials on when to arrive and depart. WHAT TO EXPECT This seminar is designed to offer an authentic and educational experience in Tuscany. We consider this to be a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. The centers of many of the towns we visit are closed to traffic. You must be capable of walking two to three miles in historic centers, in museums and on city tours as well as standing for extended periods while on excursions. Participants will encounter uneven terrain, including some dirt and cobblestoned paths, and must be able to walk at least 20 minutes up and down hills in Tuscan towns and at Gargonza. Average temperatures on this program range from the high 40s ( F) to the low 60s during the day and the mid-40s in the evenings. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.

7 CAMPANILE AND CATHEDRAL, FLORENCE Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to reserve your space. Sign up online at alumni.stanford.edu/ trip?tuscany2018 or call the Travel/ Study office at (650) Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee will apply. Insurance Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. You may choose to subscribe to optional tripcancellation and baggage insurance. Information offering such insurance will be provided to travelers with their welcome materials. The product offered includes special benefits if you purchase your policy within 14 days of written confirmation of your participation on the trip. Eligibility We encourage membership in the Stanford Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $300 more than the members price. A person traveling as a guest paid for by a current member will not be charged the nonmember fee. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford/ goto/membership or call (650) Responsibility The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motor coach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Neither the Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in March 2018 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. TELEPHONE (650) travelstudy@alumni.stanford.edu California Seller of Travel Program Registration # COPYRIGHT 2018 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.

8 Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA (650) Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stanford Alumni Association CASTLES, CHIANTI AND CLASSIC COUNTRYSIDE October 31 to November 9, 2018 Our trip to Tuscany was a unique tapestry of wondrous sights, stimulating lectures, and glorious food and wine, woven together by skilled and caring staff and amazing travelers. JEAN MCPHEE, 69, TUSCANY SEMINAR, 2015 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y