Scotland. Walk. The Borders, the Kingdom and the Highlands. July 14 to 26, a program of the stanford alumni association

Transcription

1 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Scotland Walk The Borders, the Kingdom and the Highlands July 14 to 26, 2012 a program of the stanford alumni association

2 Our friend and walking tour impresario Peter Watson has come up with another gem of a walk, this time over the hills and through the dales of Scotland. Our walk begins in Edinburgh, hub of the 18th-century Scottish Enlightenment. We continue to walk from the less-visited border region where a bloody past of rivalry with England is still recalled to the highlands. Along the way we ll spend time in Scottish castles, sample whisky and explore the birthplace of golf in St. Andrews, all the while taking in the spectacular scenery that appears around every bend in the road. Join us! Brett S. Thompson, 83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study Highlights MEANDER through dramatic Scottish landscapes from the lowlands bordering England to the deep glens of the mountainous highlands. DELIGHT in savory picnics of fine cheeses and salads with perhaps a nip of whisky from the Spey Valley. FOLLOW in the footsteps of Celtic saints who helped define Scottish culture and learn about William Wallace and Rob Roy.

3 Inverness Loch Ness River Spey Perth Stirling Braemar Glenshee Pass River Tay G r a m p i a n M o u n t a i n s St. Andrews N UNITED KINGDOM London Edinburgh S COTLAND The Borders EN Itinerary Saturday & Sunday, July 14 & 15 DEPART U.S. / EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND / THE BORDERS Depart the U.S. on overnight flights to Edinburgh. Arrive at the Edinburgh airport on Sunday and transfer to our hotel in the Scottish Borders. Join fellow walkers for a welcome reception and dinner. THE ROXBURGHE (D) Monday, July 16 THE BORDERS The border with England is the locale of some of the most fought-over land in the history of Europe. Spend today exploring the banks of the Tweed. Walk along this famous fishing river, which is punctuated with several great abbeys, to the fine house of Traquair, the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland. THE ROXBURGHE (B,L,D) (Approx. 3 hours of walking) Tuesday, July 17 THE BORDERS / STIRLING / ST. ANDREWS Head north to the vitally important town of Stirling, whose castle is a miniature version of Edinburgh s castle. This is the site of the Battle of Bannockburn and the Battle of Stirling Bridge as well as the home of Mary Queen of Scots. Explore the town on foot before continuing west to the tiny city of St. Andrews, legendary resting place of the apostle and famous as the birthplace of golf. THE OLD COURSE HOTEL (B,L,D) (City walking) Wednesday, July 18 ST. ANDREWS Our walk today leads us past St. Andrews famous castle and cathedral and out along the wonderful Fife coast. This afternoon we return to our hotel by motorcoach. THE OLD COURSE HOTEL (B,L) (Approx. 4 hours of walking) Thursday, July 19 ST. ANDREWS / PERTH Depart St. Andrews and travel a few short miles to the splendid Lomond Hills. Walk across beautiful upland scenery to the magnificent Falkland Palace, country home of the Stuart kings for over 200 years. After visiting the palace continue north through Perth to our lovely hotel on the banks of the River Tay. BALLATHIE HOUSE (B,L,D) (Approx. 3 hours of walking) Friday, July 20 PERTH Walk through magnificent woodland scenery to the delightful village of Dunkeld. This landscape was created by the dukes of Perth in the 18th century. In the afternoon continue up to the site of Dunsinane to see the ruins of Macbeth s castle. Return to our hotel by motorcoach. BALLATHIE HOUSE (B,L,D) (Approx. 3.5 hours of walking)

4 Balmoral Castle orth Sea GLAND Saturday, July 21 PERTH / BRAEMAR / INVERNESS Drive north over the famous Glenshee Pass to the little town of Braemar. This is the heart of the Grampian Mountains and home to some of the wildest scenery in Scotland. Walk along trails that are well-known to the Royal Family and pass the Royal Estate at Balmoral. This afternoon continue north to the River Spey and then on to Inverness. CULLODEN HOUSE (B,L,D) (Approx. 3 hours of walking) Sunday, July 22 INVERNESS Spend today in the Great Glen and drive alongside Loch Ness before walking along the river and the Caledonian Canal between Loch Ness and Loch Lochy. This is grand highland scenery offering superb views. This afternoon return to the hotel by motorcoach. CULLODEN HOUSE (B,L,D) (Approx. 3.5 hours of walking) Monday, July 23 INVERNESS Today walk on the battlefield of Culloden, where the final conflict between Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Butcher Duke of Cumberland took place. Later wander along wooded paths to the famous castle at Cawdor, still redolent of its medieval history. CULLODEN HOUSE (B,L,D) (Approx. 3 hours of walking) Tuesday, July 24 INVERNESS / EDINBURGH Depart Inverness and return to Edinburgh where we spend the next two nights. Edinburgh, one of the finest capitals in Europe, is dominated by its castle and the dramatic hill of Arthur s Seat. BALMORAL HOTEL (B,L) (Approx. 1.5 hours of walking) Wednesday, July 25 EDINBURGH Explore Edinburgh on foot as we walk over Arthur s Seat to Holyrood Palace. Edinburgh has long been the capital of Scotland. Recent changes have created a new parliament, which we have the opportunity to visit. This evening gather with fellow walkers for a farewell reception and dinner in our hotel overlooking the castle. BALMORAL HOTEL (B,D) (City walking) Thursday, July 26 EDINBURGH / U.S. Transfer to the Edinburgh airport for flights home. (B)

5 Highlands st andrews cathedral Information Dates July 14 to 26, 2012 (13 days) Size Limited to 32 participants cost* $8,795 per person, double occupancy $10,655 per person, single occupancy *Association nonmembers add $200 per person INCLUDED 11 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners Welcome and farewell wine receptions Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers and tour staff for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days 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 and private transfers Trip-cancellation/ interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as , telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services What to expect We consider this to be a moderately strenuous, physically demanding program. Daily walks range from approximately three to six miles in length. Several of our daily excursions might be considered by some participants to be hikes rather than walks. Scotland s terrain consists of rolling green hills, fertile river valleys and some mountainous areas. The countryside trails include farm tracks and small paths as well as some walking across open land. To participate fully in this walking tour, you need to be physically fit, agile and used to moderate exercise. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this 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

6 Urquhart Castle at Loch Ness Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to hold space for the Scotland Walk. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits and any payments are fully 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-perperson cancellation fee will apply. We recommend trip-cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you. 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. We strongly recommend that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be mailed with your confirmation about one week after we receive your deposit. The product offered in this brochure includes a special Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions and coverage for Financial Insolvency and Terrorist Acts if you postmark your insurance payment within 15 days of the date listed on the confirmation letter. Eligibility We encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members price. Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford.edu/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, motorcoach, 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 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 2011 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. California Seller of Travel Program Registration # Tel (650) FAX (650) travelstudy@stanfordalumni.org COPYRIGHT 2011 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed on recycled, FSC-certified paper in the U.S.

7 Ed Steidle is so organized, and that really shows me how much he cares about us, his alumni students Jo-Ann Hansen, Southern England Walk, 2010 Faculty Leader Dr. Edward Steidle, joined the Stanford faculty in He has taught in the Western culture program and in the literature and arts track of the English department, and he developed the successful Crossroads series for the Continuing Studies program. His specialty is Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, and he has lectured on the art and literature of the ancient cultures of Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America. On our walk, Dr. Steidle will discuss some of the most memorable events and people who participated in the creation of Scotland s rich and colorful history: St. Columba of Iona and the Irish monastic tradition; the Viking period from the earliest raids to the emergence of the Kingdom of the Isles; and the Scottish Enlightenment and its most illustrious proponents, David Hume, Adam Smith and James Boswell. Professor, English department, Stanford University, since 1984 BA, English language and Eastern philosophy, Franklin and Marshall College MA, comparative literature, Johns Hopkins University PhD, medieval comparative literature, UC-Berkeley S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Reservation Form Scotland Walk SIGN UP ONLINE! MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP CELL / WORK / HOME PHONE Here is my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) for space(s). Enclosed is my check (payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express ADDRESS CARD # I/We have read the Terms and Conditions for the program and agree to them. SIGNATURE If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: I wish to have single accommodations. OR I plan to share accommodations with: OR I d like to know about possible roommates. EXPIRATION DATE CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE Mail completed form to address on mail panel or fax to (650) or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/ trip?scotland2012. Please submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 7514

8 Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA (650) Scotland Walk The Borders, the Kingdom and the Highlands July 14 to 26, 2012 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Stanford Alumni Association Beautifully organized and executed trip with interesting people intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. Frank, 51, and Barbara Jameson, Normandy and Brittany Walk, 2010 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y