Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia

Transcription

1 Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia September 17 October 4, 2010 with Peter Herrem This trip centers on the picturesque island-studded convoluted Adriatic coastline of Southeastern Europe, backed by alpine splendor, adorned with vestiges of the Roman, Byzantine and Austro-Hungarian Empires with sprinkles of Venetian legacy, and several impressively sited compact medieval towns with labyrinthine cobbled streets. In Slovenia, our itinerary will focus on the architectural richness of exquisite Ljubljana, the vast cathedral-like subterranean chambers of the Postojna Caves, and the idyllic beauty of Lake Bled, surrounded by tranquil alpine majesty. Our itinerary continues in Croatia. Highlights will include the famous historic resort town of Opatija, and the Venetian and Byzantine accented photogenic Porec. An overnight ferry trip will dock in Split, a center of imperial Roman grandeur, with out-trips to the cascading waterfalls of luxuriant Krka National Park, and the verdant, fashionable resort town of Hvar. Our final destination is magnificent dramatically sited Dubrovnik, with a gargantuan protective wall jutting out into the Adriatic and framed by coastal mountains. On an unforgettable day-trip, we will explore the horrific remnants of war in Mostar, Bosnia, a town undergoing a remarkable period of rebuilding in a spirit of rapprochement among the diverse population. On our return to Dubrovnik we will visit Medugorje, the quiet village that metamorphosed into a global pilgrimage shrine after reports of Marian apparitions. This will be a trip to remember! We will traverse a picturesque region of outstanding physical beauty and diversity, with landscapes that reveal the considerable impress of past civilizations, and display immense socio-economic and political variety. Orientation The orientation course will consist of three Tuesday evenings, August 31, September 7 and 14, 2010, 7:00-9:30 pm, held at the University of Calgary campus. These classes will provide an overview of the program with lectures on the physical environment, historical geography, and present social-economic and political characteristics of Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The itinerary, travel arrangements, and health matters will be discussed in detail. Itinerary Meals that are included are shown in brackets following the daily itinerary. B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner. September Depart Calgary for Ljubljana, Slovenia. (D) September 19 Tour of the Postojna Cave, one of Slovenia s paramount natural wonders, and the magical, dramatically sited Predjama Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant. (B, L) September 20 Guided walking tour of Ljubljana s compact Old Town, endowed with marvellous Secessionist and Baroque architecture, stately churches and delicate bridges. Free time to revisit 18

2 Split, Croatia refinement of days gone by. There will be time to stroll along a section of the Lungomare, a 12 km coastal footpath, lined with oaks and cypress, and affording unparalleled coastal views. (B) September 23 Day trip across the Istrian Peninsula to Porec, packed with terracotta-roofed Venetian houses, including a visit to the world famous 6th-century Euphrasius Basilica, adorned with dazzling golden Byzantine mosaics. There will be free time to discover photogenic scenes in this compact walkable town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B, D) September 24 Free time to walk at your leisure along the famous Lungomare promenade. Transfer via overnight ferry to Split. (B) September 25 Walking tour of Emperor Diocletian s splendid 3rd-century palace that combined an imperial villa with the massive walls and strategic architecture of a Roman garrison. Lunch at a local restaurant. Free time to linger within the magnificent palace precinct, and explore the accessible medieval buildings and labyrinthine cobbled alleyways within and beyond the palace walls; some may opt for a hike from the historic center to Marjan, a lush nature reserve which offers panoramic views of the city. (B, L) September 26 Guided day-trip to spectacular Krka National Park, which encompasses a series of seven waterfalls cascading through a luxuriant steep-sided wooded canyon. Lunch at a local restaurant. Time for hiking, swimming and relaxing. (B, L) impressive edifices, find perfect photo vantage points, climb the castle-topped hill, or lounge in a friendly open-air café next to the slender Ljubljanica River. (B, D) September 21 Relaxing day-trip to Slovenia s most popular destination, Lake Bled. This is a day for hiking around this peaceful fairytale lake with a dramatic castle adorning an island and backed by the snow-capped Julian Alps. (B, L) September 22 Transfer to Opatija, Croatia, the main resort destination for the elite of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Palatial summer homes, steeped in the salubrious local climate, have been transformed into grand hotels that effuse the grace and September 27 Free time to relax, shop, or continue your explorations of ancient and medieval Split. The day s highlight will be a guided sojourn to superb medieval Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surmounted by a monumental Romanesque cathedral and surrounded by a tangle of narrow cobbled streets. Evening dinner in Trogir. (B, D) September 28 Transfer to Croatia s most fashionable resort, Hvar Town, on verdant, sunny, lavender scented Hvar Island. A brief introduction to the city with ample free time to wander along traffic-free marble streets to discover medieval Gothic palaces and climb the highest hill to examine the crowning Venetian fortress, with overlooks providing outstanding scenic vistas. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D) 19

3 September 29 Island tour focusing on the scenic indented islet-studded-coastline, and the luxuriously green, hilly interior, brilliantly accented with lavender, heather, and rosemary. Stops will include the quaint resort town of Stari Grad. (B) September 30 Transfer by ferry to Split and by bus to Dubrovnik. Dinner at a local restaurant in Dubrovnik. (B, D) October 1 Walking tour of Dubrovnik, one of the world s most famous and best-preserved fortified cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the medieval fortress towers, palatial dwellings, monasteries, cloistered gardens, splendid Baroque churches with copper domes, and the gleaming limestone pedestrian promenade. Lunch at a local restaurant. Ample time to devise a personal itinerary that will undoubtedly include a 2.5km circuit of the gargantuan city walls, with remarkable views of the rugged limestone mountains flanking the city. This vantage also affords excellent viewpoints of Dubrovnik s terracotta roofs that were repaired after heavy bombardment in the 1990s. (B, L) October 2 Full-day tour. Our itinerary crosses the border into Herzegovina, the southern region of Bosnia-Herzegovina and continues on to the town of Mostar. Our sojourn includes an informative walking tour of the city centering on Croatian and Bosniac precincts, visible remnants of the horrific destruction resulting from the early 1990s civil war, and the recent post-conflict reconstruction, exemplified by the dramatic new bridge spanning the Neretva River. Lunch at a local restaurant. Our return route includes a visit to Medugorje, a village that metamorphosed into the second largest Catholic pilgrimage site following reports of Marian apparitions. (B, L) Cost Airfare $ 1,900 Land, Tuition and other costs 5,200 GST 50 Total 7,150 Single supplement Cost includes Tuition and three-week orientation course, airfare, accommodation, transfers, all surface travel, and meals as listed in the itinerary. The tuition portion of $1,000 will be shown as a tax deduction on the final payment receipt. A deposit of $500 is required with the registration form. There is a $200 withdrawal fee prior to the final payment date. Final payment is due on March 15, Please see the Refund Policy section for withdrawal/refund procedures and liabilities. Fees are based on the information available at the time of print and are subject to change to reflect any changes in currency rates, airfares, or land costs. There are possibilities of decreases or increases, and any changes will be reflected on the final payment and passed on to the participant. All fees are based on double occupancy. Cathedral of St Domnius, Split, Croatia October 3 Today we have time to explore Dubrovnik on our own. In the evening, we will have our farewell dinner. (B, D) October 4 Return to Calgary. Accompanying Resource Person Peter Herrem, a Senior Instructor Emeritus of Geography, taught at the University of Calgary from 1973 to He was responsible for teaching a wide range of courses, including human and physical geography, for which he received numerous teaching award nominations. Peter organized and taught twenty three Geography Department Field Programs in over fifty countries throughout the world from 1983 to the present. He continues his teaching career as a lecturer at St. Mary s University College. 20

4 General Information Fees Cost includes: tuition, orientation course, airfare, accommodation, transfers, all surface travel, and meals as listed in the itinerary. The tuition portion will be shown as a tax deduction on the final payment receipt. A deposit is required with the registration form. There is a withdrawal fee prior to the final payment date. Fees are based on the information available at the time of print and are subject to change to reflect any changes in currency rates, airfares, or land costs. There are possibilities of decreases or increases, and any changes will be reflected on the final payment and passed on to the participant. All fees are based on double occupancy. Fees in all programs exclude airport taxes, passport and visa fees, luggage, cancellation, medical and other personal insurance, gratuities for local guides, wine, liquors, and other items not specifically mentioned as included and other personal services. Single Supplement The single supplement fee is listed in each program description. Every effort is made to find a suitable roommate for those who wish to share, however, if this is not possible, a single supplement charge will be applied. Refund Policy Please call or write to Lois Kokoski at the address on this page. Up to the final payment date, a cancellation fee of $200 will apply. After the final payment date, the amount of refund will depend on the amount recoverable from the tour operators. We highly recommend insurance. Insurance We highly recommend cancellation and medical insurance. Information will be sent out at the time of final payment. Liability and Responsibility University of Calgary and their travel agents will exercise all reasonable care in making arrangements for conducting the tour. They are, however, acting only in the capacity of an agent and do not assume liability for any damage to persons or property resulting from or arising out of any act or inadvertence of any hotel, carrier, restaurant, or other company or persons rendering any of the services included in the tour or for any damage caused by other factors beyond their control. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and passengers. All prices are based on current international exchange rates and airfare prices at the time of planning the tours, and are subject to change. In the event that it becomes necessary or advisable to alter the itinerary or arrangements for any reason whatsoever, such alterations may be made. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants; conversely refunds will be made to participants if any savings are affected thereby. The right is reserved to decline, accept, or retain any participant or tour member at any time. Contact Information For further information please contact: Lois Kokoski Program Director, Educational Travel Study Program Phone Fax kokoski@ucalgary.ca conted.ucalgary.ca/travelprograms Mailing Address Educational Travel Study Program Continuing Education University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Education Tower, Room 220 Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Registration Please complete the registration form on page 27 and mail it with your deposit. 26

5 Registration Form Indicate the Travel Study Program(s) for which you are registering... Thailand and Cambodia January 12 29, 2010 with John Gilchrist Discover Cuba March 21 28, 2010 with John Reid From Andes to Amazon Rainforest: A Cultural and Eco Trip to Peru May 7 24, 2010 with Isabelle Alvarez The Islands of Italy: A Cultural and Archaeological Journey May 10 28, 2010 with Dr. John Humphrey Scotland and Wales: Castles, Crags, and Celts June 5 23, 2010 with Dr. A. Mary Murphy Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia September 17 October 4, 2010 with Peter Herrem California Wine Country October 12 18, 2010 with John Gilchrist Jordan and Syria: an Historical and archaeological Journey November 15 December 4, 2010 with Dr. John Humphrey The Country of the Firebird: Architectural, Artistic and Religious Traditions of Russia May 22 June 7, 2010 with Dr. Valery Efimenko Name Home Phone Work Cell Address Fax Official name (as it appears on your passport) Will you be travelling with another person? Yes No Name Would you like to have a roommate? Yes No Please note that if you wish to share, every effort will be made to find you a suitable roommate. However, if this is not possible, a single supplement will be applied. If you are registering for a trip, your deposit of $500 must accompany this registration. Remit by cheque or money order in Canadian funds payable to University of Calgary. Cheque enclosed Credit Card Payment: Visa MasterCard Card Number Expiry Date Signature This information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It is required to register you in the program, forms part of the permanent student record, and will be used to notify you of other courses and programs. If you have questions about the collection or use of this information, or, if you want your name removed from our mailing data base, call