SINGAPORE ART WEEK 2019

Transcription

1 SINGAPORE ART WEEK 2019 JANUARY 17-20, 2019 TOUR LEADER: ROBERT VEEL The Paradox of Beauty, oil on canvas, Myoung Jo Jeong

2 SINGAPORE ARTS WEEK 2019 Tour dates: January 17-20, 2019 Tour leader: Robert Veel Tour Price: $2,650 per person, twin share Single Supplement: $780 for sole use of double room Booking deposit: $500 per person Recommended airline: Singapore Airlines Maximum places: 20 Itinerary: Singapore (3 nights) Date published: August 23, 2019 Overview In the last 20 years the island-nation of Singapore has transformed itself from a bustling commercial city into a vibrant cultural one a leading Asian centre of art, music and design. It boasts remarkable museums and galleries, a fine symphony orchestra and an energetic and outwardlooking culture. Our new tour has been timed to coincide with Singapore Art Week, held every January. The itinerary combines Singapore s complex heritage, tropical gardens, the visual arts and live performances. Singapore Art Week takes place at multiple venues, including the recently opened National Gallery of Art, a comprehensive survey of Southeast Asian art housed in a vast structure that combines heritage architecture with brilliant contemporary design. We also visit a converted army barracks and the contemporary art fair, held at the impressive Marina Bay Sands complex. Singapore s historical and artistic heritage is also covered, with a visit to the excellent Asian Civilizations Museum, the Peranakan Museum and the World War II remains at Fort Canning. Also included is a concert by the excellent Singapore Symphony Orchestra and visits to some of Singapore s best gardens. Five-star accommodation is provided at the Fullerton Hotel, converted from the colonial-era post office and a short walk from many of the venues we visit. Your tour leader Robert Veel has a BA and M.Ed from the University of Sydney, where he taught for many years before co-founding Academy Travel in Robert is a cultural historian with over 20 years experience leading tours to Italy, South East Asia, the USA, Scandinavia and Turkey. He has a strong personal interest in the visual arts, architecture and music, and has designed and led more than 50 tours for Academy Travel. More recently Robert led the first offering of Academy Travel s tours to Tasmania and New Zealand. He has travelled to Singapore many times and is familiar with all the venues visited on this tour. Robert attended Singapore Art Week in Enquiries and bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Kathy Wardrop at Academy Travel on or (outside Sydney) or kathy@academytravel.com.au Robert was very personable, very knowledgeable and nothing was a trouble to him, an excellent leader in every way. New York: Music, Theatre, Art & Food, March Our tour leader Robert Veel was humorous, very knowledgeable and had an attention to detail that was quite exemplary. He was quite meticulous and extremely well organised. One of the best tour leaders I ve ever had the pleasure of travelling with. Palermo and Naples, January 2018.

3 Tour Highlights SINGAPORE ART WEEK In seven short years the Singapore Art Week has emerged as one of Asia s leading fine arts events. Like Art Basel it combines exhibitions in public and private museums with commercial shows from leading galleries around the world. The Singapore Art Week takes place at multiple venues around the city, including the National Gallery, the Singapore Art Museum, the Marina Bay Sands Complex and Gillman Barracks. NATIONAL GALLERY OF SINGAPORE Opened in 2015 the National Gallery of Singapore is an architectural marvel. The colonial-era, classical-style Supreme Court and Municipal building have been joined together within a contemporary shell created by the French architectural firm Studio Milou. The Gallery has a beautifully displayed historical collection, housed in the former courtrooms, and schedules major international exhibitions to coincide with Art Week. ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS MUSEUM Ranked among the top 10 museums in Asia, Singapore s Asian Civilizations Museum takes visitors on a journey through the diverse cultures and civilizations from which the ethnic groups of Singapore trace their ancestry China, Southeast Asia, the subcontinent and West Asia. Highlights of the museum include a large haul of Chinese Tang Dynasty ceramics found in a shipwreck off the Malaysian coastline, and a textiles gallery. PERANAKAN MUSEUM Peranakan is the name given to the straits Chinese, descendants of the 16th and 17th-century immigrants from China s coastal regions who settled in the period of Dutch and British colonisation. Although ethnically Chinese, their language is a mix of Hokkien and Malay and their dress, architecture and design are heavily influenced by Indonesian, Malay and Indian cultures. SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Founded in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra has established itself as Southeast Asia s leading ensemble, thanks to enthusiastic official support and Singapore s excellent education system, which includes music. Each year the orchestra attracts top international soloists, and has appeared at the Berlin Philharmonie, the BBC Proms, the Lincoln Center in New York and in Beijing.

4 Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D. Tour start & finish time The tour starts on Thursday 17 January at 6.00pm, at the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore. The tour ends on Sunday 20 January at Singapore Changi Airport at approximately 6.00pm. Above: The annual Light to Night festival takes place during Singapore Art Week Below: The orchid garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens; and Singapore Art Museum focuses on contemporary painting, design and film Thursday January 17 Arrive Singapore Many day flights from Australia arrive in the late afternoon. Meet your fellow participants and tour leader over drinks at the bar of the Fullerton Hotel, then proceed to dinner on the banks of the Singapore River, adjacent to our hotel. Overnight Singapore (D) Friday January 18 Heritage and art Singapore symphony orchestra We begin our program with the Asian Civilisations Museum, housed in the historic Empress Building close to our hotel. A curator introduces us to the main collections of the museum and any special exhibitions which are showing. After a break we head to the National Gallery of Singapore for the first of two visits. Our initial investigation covers the permanent collection, located in the court rooms of the former supreme court building. These galleries not only showcase the visual world of the region in the 18th and 19th centuries, but also contain important historical displays relating to colonial Singapore. On the roof of the museum there are elegant bars and restaurants with great views over the city. After lunch we visit the Peranakan Museum, generally regarded as the best museum of its type in the region. The collection is a delightful journey through a unique culture, surveying decorative arts, domestic architecture and design. This evening we attend the Singapore Symphony Orchestra s 40th anniversary Gala concert at the visually striking Esplanade Concert Hall. Overnight Singapore. (B) Performance details Venue: Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, Singapore Program: Leong Yoon Pin, Dayong Sampan Overture; Ives, The Unanswered Question; Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major, Op. 73 "Emperor"; Beethoven Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92 Performers: Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Lan Shui (conductor), Lim Yan (piano) Saturday January 19 Singapore Art Week Early this morning we head to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, carved out of a remaining section of Malay forest not far from

5 the city centre. Our visit concentrates on the fine orchid garden. We then return to the National Gallery to inspect both the Singapore Art Week galleries and the visiting international exhibition timed to coincide with the fair. We enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants atop the Gallery. This afternoon there is the option of visiting the Singapore Art Museum, housed in a historic building near Raffles Hotel. During Singapore Art Week, this museum is usually dedicated to film and contemporary art. In the early evening we head to Gillman Barracks, about 30 minutes out of the city centre. These former army barracks have been converted into a contemporary art precinct. During Singapore Art Week they host exhibitions from leading European and regional commercial galleries. (B, L) Sunday January 20 History and happenings After checking out of the Fullerton Hotel, we head to Fort Canning Park to visit the Fort Canning Bunker, popularly known as the Battle Box. The complex includes a telephone exchange, signals and operations rooms, sleeping quarters and a cipher room for coding and decoding messages. It was used from 1936 right up to the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in World War II. We then head to the Marina Bay Sands complex, another striking piece of contemporary architecture. The main commercial galleries of Singapore Art Week are to be found in the exhibition halls here, and there will be time to explore them and have a light lunch. If you prefer, you can visit the remarkable Gardens by the Bay, directly outside the Marina Bay Sands. In the afternoon we head to Changi Airport. (B) Above: Street art commissioned for Singapore Art Week; and old and new blend seamlessly in Singapore s built environment Below: the visually striking Esplanade Theatre, often referred to as the Durian The Fullerton Hotel The Fullerton Hotel was commissioned in 1919 as part of the British colony s centennial celebrations. The neo-classical style building was opened in 1924 and housed the General Post Office, the Exchange, the Singapore Club, the Marine Department and the Import and Export Department. Today it is a five-star hotel and is perfectly located within walking distance of the major galleries and museums which form the core of our itinerary. The hotel has numerous cafes, bars and restaurants, an outdoor pool, fitness centre and spa.

6 Tour Price The tour price is $2,650 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for a single room is $780 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour. Tour Inclusions Included in the tour price Three nights accommodation in the five-star Fullerton Hotel All entry to Singapore Art Week and other sites Best available tickets to a performance by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner, including drinks All land travel around Singapore by private coach and taxi All tipping at for group meals and activities Local guides and services of experienced tour leader throughout Not included International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below) Travel insurance Meals not mentioned in itinerary Expenses of a personal nature Air travel OPTIONS The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour we recommend Singapore Airlines which offer several daily flights from most Australian cities. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business and First Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. These may be group or individual transfers. Enquiries & bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Kathy Wardrop at Academy Travel on or (outside Sydney) or kathy@academytravel.com.au Fitness Requirements of THIS tour GRADE ONE It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you instead to consider carefully your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour. Participation criteria for this tour This Grade One tour is appropriate for travellers in good health with good mobility. You should be able to comfortably participate in up to three hours of physical activity per day on most days, including walking at an easy pace, sometimes on uneven terrain, climbing stairs and standing in galleries. You should be able to: keep up with the group at all times walk for 2-3 kilometres at a moderate to slow pace with only short breaks stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and museums negotiate stairs and bridges get on and off a coach, ferry or boat with steep stairs unassisted move your luggage a short distance if required A note for older travellers If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You may have to miss certain activities and may not get the full value of the tour. Before submitting your booking form, please contact Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition. Weather on Tour Singapore has a tropical climate, degrees and humid year-round. Wear lose, comfortable clothing and bring an umbrella and comfortable walking shoes. All indoor sites are well air-conditioned, so a light jacket may also be handy.

7 TO SUBMIT YOUR BOOKING: Complete form on screen. Simply click in the box to fill in your details and press Tab to progress to the next box. Save the completed form and it to us. Or print the form, complete the fields and send it back to us. Name of tour: Departure date: A Your details This is my first tour with Academy Travel I have previously travelled with Academy Travel PASSENGER 1 PASSENGER 2 Your title (Ms, Mrs, Mr, Dr etc): Your full name (as it appears on your passport): Your title (Ms, Mrs, Mr, Dr etc): Your full name (as it appears on your passport): Preferred first name: Date of birth: Preferred first name: Date of birth: Postal Address: Postal Address: State: Postcode: State: Postcode: Phone - Area code: Phone: Phone - Area code: Phone: Mobile: Mobile: Passport number: Expiry date: Passport number: Expiry date: Frequent flyer number(s) Seating (Aisle or window) Frequent flyer number(s) Seating (Aisle or window) Name of next of kin (not travelling with you): Name of next of kin (not travelling with you): Relationship to you: Contact number of next of kin: Relationship to you: Contact number of next of kin: PROOF OF IDENTITY Please provide a photocopy of the photo page of your passport together with this booking form. ROOMING PREFERENCES I am travelling: on my own with a friend or family member. Name of friend or family member (if not passenger 2) I/we would like: a room for sole occupancy a twin-bedded room a double-bedded room B Your special requirements MEAL REQUIREMENTS/ALLERGIES Please indicate below if you have any special dietary requirements. Appropriate meals will be requested for you on all flights and group meals based on this information. PASSENGER 1 PASSENGER 2 I do not have any specific dietary requirements or allergies I have the following specific dietary requirements/allergies I do not have any specific dietary requirements or allergies I have the following specific dietary requirements/allergies MEDICAL CONDITIONS Please indicate below if you have any serious health issue that may affect your travel insurance coverage, your physical capacity to undertake some activities on tour or may otherwise need to be considered by the tour leader/manager during the tour. PASSENGER 1 PASSENGER 2 I have no specific medical condition that Academy Travel needs to know about Academy Travel needs to know about the following medical condition(s) I have no specific medical condition that Academy Travel needs to know about Academy Travel needs to know about the following medical condition(s) Level 1, 341 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: or (outside Sydney) ACADEMY TRAVEL

8 BOOKING FORM C Your travel plans I/we wish Academy Travel to arrange air travel from Australia. Economy Class. Premium Economy Class. Business Class. I/we will organize our own air travel. I/we are undecided about air travel. Please contact us to discuss the available options. I plan to leave Australia before the tour commences. Planned departure date: I intend to take part in the extension tour offered in the itinerary (if applicable). I/we plan to undertake additional travel before/after the tour and would like Academy Travel to organise this (please describe destinations and length of stay required below). To discuss your travel arrangements please contact the travel consultant for your tour. You can also enquiries to info@academytravel.com.au. D Your acceptance of booking conditions PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SIGN BELOW DEPOSITS A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your booking on a tour. Final payment of the tour fee, insurance and any additional travel will be due 60 days before departure. CANCELLATION FEES If you decide to cancel your booking the following charges apply: More than 60 days before departure: $500* days before tour start: 25% of total amount due days before tour start: 75% of total amount due 14 days or less before departure: 100% of total amount due *This amount may be credited to another Academy Travel tour within 12 months of the original tour you booked. UNUSED PORTIONS OF THE TOUR We regret that refunds will not be given for any unused portions of the tour, such as meals, entry fees, accommodation, flights or transfers. TRAVEL INSURANCE Academy Travel requires all participants to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. We offer a comprehensive policy with a reputable insurer if required. PASSPORT AND VISA A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you do not hold an Australian passport you may require a re-entry permit. Some countries require a visa to be issued before you depart Australia. We will advise you of all passport and visa requirements, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet passport and visa requirements before you depart. WILL THE TOUR PRICE CHANGE? If the number of participants in a tour is significantly less than budgeted, or if there is a significant change in exchange rates Academy Travel reserves the right to amend the advertised price. If this occurs you will be given the option of canceling your booking and obtaining a full refund. If an Academy Travel tour is forced to cancel you will get a full refund of all monies paid. WILL THE ITINERARY OR AIRLINE CHANGE? Occasionally circumstances beyond the control of Academy Travel make it necessary to change airline, hotel or to make slight amendments to daily itineraries. We will inform you of any changes as soon as they occur. FINAL PAYMENT Full and final payment for the tour, airfare travel, insurance and any additional travel you book is due 60 days before departure. Payment may be made by bank deposit, cheque, cash or credit card. Please note there is a surcharge for payments made by credit card. Academy Travel reserves the right to decline the booking or terminate the holiday of any traveller. I/we accept the conditions on this booking form I/we have read the information about the physical requirements of the tour in the detailed itinerary and confirm that I/we are able to meet these requirements. Date: AUTHORISATION By submitting this booking form, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions above and on our website, and the inclusions and non-inclusions listed in the detailed itinerary for the tour. E Deposit payment f How did you hear about this tour? A non-refundable $500 deposit is required for each person listed on this booking form. Please indicate which method you have chosen to pay your deposit: Number of passengers: Amount of deposit: $ Paid directly by cheque (Please make cheques payable to Academy Travel) Paid by credit card (Please complete details below) MasterCard Visa American Express Card Number: 3 or 4 digit security code: Expiry date: Please select where you first heard about this tour: I receive the Academy Travel tour program I receive the Academy Travel weekly s I saw an advertisement online please specify I saw an advertisement in please specify I attended a lecture at... please specify Searching the internet please specify A friend recommended Academy Travel tours Other... please specify Name on card: Amount: $ AUTHORISATION Date: By submitting this booking form you are authorising us to charge the cost of deposits for booking on this tour. No further charges will be made without your prior authorisation. g SEND Please send your completed booking form to: Academy Travel GPO Box 5057 Sydney NSW 2001 Or info@academytravel.com.au or fax it to (02) Additional booking forms can be downloaded from our website: academytravel.com.au /18 ACADEMY TRAVEL TAILORED SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS info@academytravel.com.au academytravel.com.au