STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Abruzzo Hike Discovering Italy s Secret National Treasure June 13 to 21, 2013 Come join us on Travel/Study s new Abruzzo Hike and trek through the heart of a stunning landscape of peaceful mountain scenery and medieval towns. Bypassed by most travelers heading for the nearby hubbub and spectacle of modern Rome, Abruzzo is a sanctuary for nature-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With more than 30 percent of the land protected by the Italian National Park system, the region has the lowest population in all of Italy. Our pristine hiking trails in the Maiella and Abruzzo national parks reveal vistas of medieval towns and picturesque villages clinging precipitously to mountainsides. Be on the lookout for rare species such as the Apennine wolf, chamoix and Mariscan brown bear. Meander through a myriad of wild flowers and sapphire-hued mountain lakes. Enjoy simple, yet charming, lodgings and feast on the finest traditional Italian country food. FACULTY LEADER Dr. Channing Robertson, MS 68, PhD 70, is the Bowes Professor Emeritus in the School of Engineering at Stanford. He continues to teach both undergraduates and graduates in the department of chemical engineering. His award-winning work emphasizes fluid mechanics and biotechnology. He has spent much of his career designing and developing advanced drug delivery systems for therapeutic applications. In 2001, he was selected by Upside magazine as one of the 100 People Who Have Changed the World. A seasoned traveler, Dr. Robertson was the faculty leader for the famous Travel/Study ski trips in the 80s and 90s. After leading the 2012 Picos de Europa Hike, Dr. Robertson is lacing up his hiking boots for another unique adventure. On our program he, a true renaissance man, will lecture on a variety of topics from regional geology and geography to Italian food and wine as well as climate change and strategies to meet our energy needs for future generations. A Program of the Stanford Alumni Association
ITINERARY Thursday & Friday, June 13 & 14 U.S. / ROME, ITALY / PESCOCOSTANZO Depart the U.S. on overnight international flights, arriving in Rome on June 14. Upon arrival, transfer by coach to the small town of Pescocostanzo where we spend the first three nights of our trip; our hotel is a fine medieval building in the heart of the village. This evening, enjoy a special welcome reception. HOTEL LE TORRI (D) Saturday, June 15 CAMPO DI GIOVE / PESCOCOSTANZO Today s full day walk begins in the verdant high plains of Campo di Giove, located in the Maiella National Park, and passes between the great peaks of Mount Porrara and the Tavola Rotonda. This afternoon, descend onto the pasture lands that surround Pescocostanzo. HOTEL LE TORRI (B,L,D) Approx. hike times: morning, 3.5 hours; afternoon, 3 hours Sunday, June 16 MAIELLA NATIONAL PARK / PESCOCOSTANZO This morning we drive a few miles north to where our walk begins on the northern beechwoodcovered slopes of Mount Pizzalto. Emerging above the tree line, continue to ascend to the 6,450- foot-high peak, which affords extensive views of the southern Maiella Park. This afternoon we descend to Pescocostanzo. HOTEL LE TORRI (B,L,D) Approx. hike times: morning, 3.5 hours; afternoon, 2 hours Monday, June 17 PESCOCOSTANZO / ROCCARASO / BARREA / PESCASSEROLI Depart Pescocostanzo by coach and arrive at Roccaraso to begin another full day s hike. Our adventure begins with a steady climb up to the great high plain of Piano Aremogna where we have the opportunity to soak in the panoramic views. This afternoon, head west with stunning vistas to the south before descending to the village of Barrea, nestled spectacularly above a lake. From Barrea, drive to the small town of Pescasseroli, where we stay in a modern hotel in the town center, our home for the next three nights. HOTEL GARNI POSTA (B,L,D) Approx. hike times: morning, 3 hours; afternoon, 3.5 hours Tuesday, June 18 BARREA / CIVITELLA ALFEDENA / PESCASSEROLI A gentler walk this morning leads us from Barrea to Civitella Alfedena on the far western side of the lake, through pastures and woods teeming with wildlife. This afternoon we continue our
walk west through the famous Camosciara, a spectacular ring of mountains named for the wild mountain goats that inhabit the area. HOTEL GARNI POSTA (B,L,D) Approx. hike times: morning, 3 hours; afternoon, 1.5 hours Wednesday, June 19 ABRUZZO NATIONAL PARK / PESCASSEROLI After a short drive to the beginning of our walk, climb to a great open bowl in the heart of Abruzzo National Park. Our walk is through beechwoods in the early summer a haven for wild flowers. This afternoon we descend back to the town of Pescasseroli. HOTEL GARNI POSTA (B,L,D) Approx. hike times: morning, 2 hours; afternoon, 2 hours Thursday, June 20 MONTE MARSICANO / SULMONA Our final hike leads north and east from Pescasseroli through the stunning scenery of Monte Marsicano where, in clear weather, the great sweep of the central Apennines is laid out before us. Enjoy a slow steady climb before resting and enjoying views of valleys below. This afternoon, descend steeply to a local road where our vehicles will drive us to the historic center of the charming town of Sulmona. Gather for a farewell reception this evening before dinner. HOTEL ROJAN (B,L,D) Approx. hike times: morning, 2 hours; afternoon, 2 hours Friday, June 21 SULMONA / ROME / U.S. After breakfast, depart for Rome by coach, where we connect with our flights back to the U.S. (B) WHAT TO EXPECT The terrain of the Abruzzo region consists of tall limestone mountains that are interspersed with grassy valleys and dotted with small lakes and tarns. There are also areas of marginal farmland. This is excellent hiking country where the trails include farm tracks that wind through the valleys, as well as mountain paths that are rocky, which may present various challenges. The weather in this region is likely to be warm, but may be overcast at times; with the possibility of rain. We consider this to be a strenuous, physically demanding program. Daily hikes range from approximately 8 to 15 miles in length and last approximately 5 to 8 hours. These hiking trails can be rugged and have altitude gains and/or losses of 1,500 to 4,000 feet. On most days hikers will be asked to carry their own water and picnic lunches. You should plan to hike with a single group for the entire day. To participate fully in this hiking tour, you need to be physically fit, agile and used to exercise of this type and repeated over several days. To get the most out of this program, you should be ready to participate in an academic experience and be comfortable traveling as part of a group. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.
INFORMATION DATES June 13 to 21, 2013 (9 days) SIZE This program is limited to 28 participants. COST* $4,595 per person, double occupancy $5,395 per person, single occupancy *Association nonmembers add $200 per person. INCLUDED 7 nights of comfortable local hotel accommodations 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners Welcome and farewell receptions Bottled water on excursions Wine with lunch and dinner Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers 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 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 Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as internet access, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services AIR ARRANGEMENTS International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare on United Airlines from San Francisco to Rome is approximately $1,500 as of August 2012 and is subject to change without notice. Information on recommended flight itineraries will be sent by our designated agent.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT A $1,000 per-person deposit is required to hold your space. Complete and return the attached reservation form or sign up online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?abruzzo2013. 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 AND 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-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. We strongly encourage that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be mailed with your confirmation. The product offered in this brochure includes special benefits if you postmark your insurance payment within a specified window: 15 days of the date listed on the confirmation letter for the Waiver of Preexisting Conditions and coverage for Financial Insolvency; 21 days for the Cancel for Any Reason benefit. ELIGIBILITY We encourage membership in the Alumni Association; the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members price. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford.edu/goto/membership or call (650) 725-0692. 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 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 non-refundable ticket connected with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in August 2012 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50
Stanford Travel/Study Reservation Form Abruzzo Hike Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Miss / Dr. / Prof. Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Miss / Dr. / Prof. age Stanford class age Stanford class address city / state / zip home phone work phone cell phone email address 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. Here is my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) for place(s). Enclosed is my check (payable to Stanford Alumni Association ). or Charge my deposit to my Visa MasterCard American Express card # expiration DatE authorized cardholder signature date Mail completed form to Stanford Travel/Study, 326 Galvez Street, Stanford, CA 94305-6105 or fax to (650) 725-8675 or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?abruzzo2013. Please submit your payment only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 8763