CATHEDRALS, VILLAGES, VINEYARDS AND CHÂTEAUX

Transcription

1 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y CATHEDRALS, VILLAGES, VINEYARDS AND CHÂTEAUX May 20 to June 1, 2018

2 The mist-covered landscapes and historic sites of Burgundy and the Loire Valley are largely undisturbed, and the quiet and stillness that envelop them make the region a wonderful escape from the incessant bustle of our modern world. In these charmed corners of the French countryside, artisans still employ techniques from the Middle Ages, great wines are produced on 200-year-old estates, and religious pilgrims still arrive at ancient Romanesque abbeys and churches to reconfirm their faith. Enhanced by lectures from Stanford professor Herant Katchadourian, this Gallic getaway offers tastings of wine from some of France s most famous wine regions, day trips to delightfully small medieval villages and visits to a number of world-famous châteaux with fascinating tales to tell. Join us! BRETT S. THOMPSON, 83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Highlights SAVOR varietals from some of France s most world-renowned wine and mustard regions. EXPERIENCE the France of kings and queens with visits to several of the region s storied, centuries -old châteaux. MEANDER through the Abbaye de Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest and most complete Cistercian abbeys. COVER: CHÂTEAU DE VILLANDRY GARDENS

3 Professor Herant Katchadourian would enhance any trip. ALF BRANDIN, 59, THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO, 2012 Faculty Leader HERANT KATCHADOURIAN is emeritus professor of psychiatry and human biology at Stanford and former president of the Flora Family Foundation. Since joining the Stanford faculty in 1966, he has served as dean of undergraduate studies and vice provost of undergraduate education. His personal history embraces several cultures. Born in Turkey to Armenian parents, he received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the American University in Beirut and his psychiatric training at the University of Rochester in New York. He has received numerous awards, including Stanford s Dinkelspiel Award for Outstanding Service to Undergraduate Education and the Stanford Alumni Association s Lyman Award. He has also been named Outstanding Professor seven times by Stanford seniors. Professor Katchadourian has led more than 25 Travel/Study programs to a variety of destinations. France holds a special place in Professor Katchadourian s heart. It was this country s culture that first exposed him to Europe, and French was the first foreign language he spoke. His enthusiasm is evident as he expounds on the topics he ll share during our trip: I will touch on Romanesque Architecture, of which we will see several examples during our trip. Likewise, I will focus on the châteaux of the French aristocracy, which will place our visits in a historical context. Finally, my wife, Stina, will speak about the life of Michele de Montaigne, the towering intellectual and literary figure of 16th-century France. 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?burgundy2018 OR BY PHONE: (650) ABBAYE DE FONTENAY

4 Paris Tours Amboise Château de Chenonceau Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Auxerre Avallon Vézelay Loire River Château de Sully Autun Abbaye de Fontenay Dijon Beaune Paris FRANCE F RANCE Itinerary SUNDAY & MONDAY, MAY 20 & 21 U.S. / LYON, FRANCE Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight, arriving in Lyon on Monday and checking in to our hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of Lyon s impressive Renaissance district, Vieux Lyon, a World Heritage site, followed by a welcome dinner at our hotel s Michelinstarred restaurant. HOTEL SOFITEL LYON BELLECOUR (5/21: D) TUESDAY, MAY 22 LYON / MÂCON / BEAUNE This morning as we head north into the world-famous wine region of Burgundy, stop in Mâcon, famous for its Pouilly- Fuissé wine, and savor a delicious lunch accompanied by regional wines. Continuing to Beaune, check in to our hotel and attend a reception with light hors d oeuvres and wine. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. HOTEL LE CEP (B,L) WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 BEAUNE On a walking tour of historic downtown Beaune, visit the Musée de l Hôtel Dieu, opened BURGUNDY in 1443 as a charitable hospital and whose incredibly preserved façade is a rare testament to medieval architecture. At the Romanesque church of Notre Dame, view its amazing 15thcentury tapestries, and after lunch, visit the Edmond Fallot Mustard Factory to learn about the Dijon region s traditional stone milling methods. Then enjoy a private tour and wine tasting in the ancient cellars of the wine producer, Maison Joseph Drouhin, located in the Duke of Burgundy s 13th-century parliament building. HOTEL LE CEP (B,L) THURSDAY, MAY 24 BEAUNE / AUTUN Travel to Autun, whose ancient gateways date back to Roman times, and visit St. Lazare Cathedral, built with stones from ruined Roman temples and a superb example of Romanesque architecture. At Château de Sully, admire its Renaissance inner courtyard and learn how an Irish surgeon named Jean Baptiste de Mac Mahon came to own the château in the late 1700s. While there, enjoy a tasting of wines, products of the château s vineyards in nearby Chassagne-Montrachet. HOTEL LE CEP (B,D) Mâcon Lyon FRIDAY, MAY 25 BEAUNE / DIJON Set out this morning for Dijon, capital of the Burgundy region, where we view the church of Notre Dame with its Burgundian Gothic style of architecture and walk through Dijon s bustling markets. This afternoon, tour Dijon s Musée des Beaux Arts, one of the oldest museums in France. Heading back to Beaune, visit the Château du Clos de Vougeot, a former Cistercian winery begun in the 12th century and today home to the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, an order of knights that preserves and revives Burgundy s traditional festivals, folklore, customs and wine. HOTEL LE CEP (B) SATURDAY, MAY 26 BEAUNE / VÉZELAY / AVALLON This morning visit Vézelay, whose church and hill are a World Heritage site. Take a guided tour of the Basilica of Sainte Marie Madeleine, whose intricate façade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art and architecture. After lunch in Avallon, walk its cobbled streets to view the faded shutters and ironwork balconies typical of the region. Then visit the 12th-century

5 VIEUX LYON MUSÉE DE L HÔTEL DIEU Church of Saint-Lazare in the center of town and view remnants of the town s 13th- and 16th-century fortifications. HOTEL LE CEP (B,L) SUNDAY, MAY 27 BEAUNE / TOURS Depart this morning for the half-day journey from Beaune to Tours, located in the heart of the Loire River Valley with many stunning châteaux nearby. En route, stop at the impressive Abbaye de Fontenay, a World Heritage site. Built in the 12th century, it s one of the oldest and most intact Cistercian abbeys, with a Romanesque church, cloister and dormitory. After lunch in Auxerre, check in to our hotel in Tours, located within the walls of the old city and set in a verdant six-acre park. CHÂTEAU BELMONT (B,L,D) MONDAY, MAY 28 TOURS / AMBOISE / CHENONCEAU Drive along the Loire River and spend the morning at Château d Amboise, one of France s first royal residences, which includes an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture and Leonardo da Vinci s tomb. This afternoon, tour Château de Chenonceau. CHÂTEAU BELMONT (B,L) TUESDAY, MAY 29 TOURS / VILLANDRY After a cruise on the scenic Loire River, enjoy a guided walk of Tours, visiting the Archbishop s Palace and its French garden. Admire the weathered-wood façades of Tours old town, then head to Villandry to explore the last of the great châteaux built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley and today one of the world s most treasured historic estates with its elegant architecture and charming gardens. CHÂTEAU BELMONT (B,L) WEDNESDAY, MAY 30 TOURS / CHAUMONT- SUR-LOIRE / CHAMBORD Today tour the 15th-century Château de Chaumont, once owned and occupied by, among others, Catherine de Medici, who entertained Nostradamus there; Jacques- Donatien Le Ray, the French father of the American Revolution, who was visited there by Benjamin Franklin; and the famous French writer Germaine de Staël. Continue on to the Château de Chambord, the Loire Valley s largest château and one of the world s most recognizable. Begun in the early 1500s as a hunting lodge for King Francis I, during World War II the château housed some of the Louvre s artworks. CHÂTEAU BELMONT (B,L) THURSDAY, MAY 31 TOURS / VAUX-LE- VICOMTE / PARIS En route to Paris, stop at the 17th-century Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, built by Louis XIV s superintendent of finance, Nicolas Fouquet. The estate, which served as the king s inspiration for Versailles, was put under sequestration and Fouquet imprisoned for life for having such a luxurious home and hosting overly lavish events. After lunch at the château, continue to Paris and check in to our hotel. Join our group this evening for a festive farewell cocktail reception and dinner. SHERATON PARIS AIRPORT HOTEL (B,L,D) FRIDAY, JUNE 1 PARIS / U.S. This morning transfer to the airport for independent flights home. (B)

6 CHÂTEAU DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE Trip Information DATES May 20 to June 1, 2018 (13 days) SIZE 36 participants (single accommodations limited please call for availability) COST* $10,395 per person, double occupancy $11,690 per person, single occupancy *Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person INCLUDED 11 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 4 dinners, 2 wine tastings Welcome and farewell receptions Gratuities to guides and drivers for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary One group airport transfer and baggage handling on program arrival day 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 Airport transfer and baggage handling upon departure Independent and private transfers upon arrival Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage 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 of the program 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 information with your confirmation materials on when to arrive and depart. WHAT TO EXPECT We consider this to be a moderately strenuous program that is at time physically demanding. Much of the walking takes place at historic sites, where paths can be rocky and uneven. In some instances, such as ruins, steps are a necessary part of the tour and may not have handrails. Some days require early-morning starts, as we often have a full schedule of excursions, lectures and special events on any given day. Our journey at times requires several hours of travel by motor coach, the longest drive being up to four hours including stops. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.

7 TOURS Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to hold your space. Sign up online at alumni.stanford.edu/ trip?burgundy2018 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 onboard 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 June 2017 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 2017 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) CATHEDRALS, VILLAGES, VINEYARDS AND CHÂTEAUX May 20 to June 1, 2018 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stanford Alumni Association All the details were perfect. There were excellent hotels, outstanding meals and good companions. MARY HELEN HAMILTON 56, MA 67, BURGUNDY AND ALSACE WALK, 2014 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD