S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y PLEASURES OF ITALY May 7 to 18, 2018
There s no better way to explore the wonders of Tuscany, Umbria and Rome than with Stanford. With 50 years of Travel/Study trips under our belt, we ve built up many strong contacts around the world, many of whom are in Italy. One such contact is the Guicciardini family who will host us for four nights at historic Castello di Gargonza. In Rome we ve arranged special early access to the Sistine Chapel, allowing us to avoid the usual crowds. We ll also learn firsthand about the current state of Italian affairs from our learned faculty leader, Roberto d Alimonte, a well-known and highly respected educator, journalist and commentator on Italian economics and politics. Join us on this illuminating excursion! BRETT S. THOMPSON, 83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Highlights SAVOR the richness of life in the Italian countryside as we visit famous hill towns and art centers throughout Umbria and southern Tuscany. COVER: TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE GAZE upon Giotto s stunning frescoes of the life of St. Francis at the Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi. EXPLORE the world of baroque Rome, and be awed by Bernini s masterpieces at the Villa Borghese and the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. GARGONZA
Faculty Leader [Roberto is the] best of the best! Made me want to go back to school and study under him. GREGG POTTORFF, MD 86, ITALIAN LAKES WALK, 2017 ROBERTO D ALIMONTE, dean of the department of political science at LUISS Guido Carli, a private university in Rome, has taught many courses at Stanford s Bing Overseas Study Program in Florence. He has also served as visiting professor at Stanford s main campus on numerous occasions and has been a frequent lecturer at Stanford Business School s Executive Program. Well-known as a political journalist, Professor D Alimonte covers Italian political events for Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy s major financial newspaper, and is often sought by U.S. and European newspapers and magazines for commentary on current Italian and European politics. He has also worked with Italy s former Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, as a political advisor on electoral reform. This will be Professor D Alimonte s 15th Travel/Study trip. At LUISS Guido Carli, Rome, Italy: dean, department of political science, since 2014; professor, political science, since 2011 Director, Italian Center for Electoral Studies, since 2005 At Stanford: Bechtel International visiting professor, 2001 2002; visiting professor, 1989, 1991 1994, 2003; adjunct professor, Bing Overseas Study Program in Florence, 1980 1995 PhD, political science, University of Florence, 1972 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?umbria2018 OR BY PHONE: (650) 725-1093 ASSISI
Florence Siena Tyrrhenian Sea Montepulciano Pienza Castello di Gargonza I TALY Gubbio Spello Montefalco Spoleto Rome Assisi ITALY Rome Itinerary MONDAY & TUESDAY, MAY 7 & 8 U.S. / FLORENCE, ITALY / GARGONZA Depart on independent overnight flights to Florence. Upon arrival on Tuesday, transfer to the medieval village of Gargonza, tucked in the Tuscan countryside, and settle into the 13th-century castello, our home for the next four nights. Meet fellow participants at this evening s welcome reception and dinner. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (5/8: D) WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 GARGONZA / SIENA Spend the day exploring Siena, a beautifully preserved medieval Tuscan jewel. Today s walking tour includes Siena s shellshaped Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico and its spectacular frescoes, and the cathedral with its striped marble façade. Lunch and an afternoon of exploring are on our own. Return to Gargonza late this afternoon. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,D) THURSDAY, MAY 10 GARGONZA / PIENZA / MONTEPULCIANO Visit Pienza, a hill town of architectural treasures conceived by Pope Pius II to be the ideal Renaissance city. During lunch on our own, try the local homemade pasta, called pici, garnished with some fresh local pecorino cheese. After lunch drive through the scenic countryside to Montepulciano. Walk around the old town with its fortified gateway and magnificent Renaissance palazzi. Outside of town, visit the Renaissance church of the Madonna di San Biagio, and stop at a nearby wine cellar to taste Montepulciano s Vino Nobile wine. Return to Gargonza late this afternoon. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,D) FRIDAY, MAY 11 GARGONZA Enjoy a full day at Gargonza, choosing from several delightful options. Hike through the forested landscape around the castle. Laze by the pool. Wander along the hamlet s cobblestoned lanes. Learn the basics of Tuscan cuisine from Gargonza s chef, with tips for pairings of wines and pasta dishes. After dinner, join the locals for a game of bocce ball and perhaps a glass of grappa. CASTELLO DI GARGONZA (B,L,D) SATURDAY, MAY 12 GARGONZA / GUBBIO / SPOLETO Leave Tuscany behind and set out to explore the Umbrian town of Gubbio. This ancient city has a long history, from the mysterious Umbri people to the Romans and the Renaissanceera dukes of Urbino. Our walking tour includes the magnificent buildings of the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo dei Consoli, impressive examples of medieval architecture. After lunch continue to Spoleto, a serene medieval town nestled in the Apennine mountains and our home for the next three nights. Dine independently this evening. HOTEL SAN LUCA (B,L) SUNDAY, MAY 13 SPOLETO / SPELLO / MONTEFALCO Today visit the ancient hill town of Spello. Built of beautiful pink-and-white stone from nearby mountains, Spello was once an important Roman colony and boasts well-preserved Roman walls and city gates. Spello also is home to several medieval churches with
SPELLO SIENA priceless Renaissance paintings. At one time, the town was the feudal estate of the Baglioni family, and their chapel in the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore is stunning with its Deruta ceramic floor tiles and colorful frescoes by Pinturicchio. Enjoy lunch on our own, trying regional dishes such as rabbit or homemade pasta with black truffles and fresh pecorino. Continue to Montefalco to admire the church of San Francesco and savor local flavors at a wine tasting. Return to Spoleto in time for dinner. HOTEL SAN LUCA (B,D) MONDAY, MAY 14 SPOLETO / ASSISI Today we explore Assisi, the city of St. Francis, on the slopes of Monte Subasio. Built of pink stone, this UNESCO World Heritage site features ramparts and narrow streets lined with ancient façades. Our walking tour takes us through the Basilica di San Francesco to admire both its grand architecture and the brilliant colors of Giotto s frescoes. A great center of art and architecture, the basilica underwent massive restoration after a devastating earthquake in 1999. Later, walk into the woods above town for a picnic lunch and a memorable visit to the Eremo delle Carceri, the quiet hermitage where St. Francis once preached to the birds. Here we can feel the power of the humble cloth merchant who gave away his belongings and dedicated his life to God. Dinner is on our own tonight back in Spoleto. HOTEL SAN LUCA (B,L) TUESDAY, MAY 15 SPOLETO / ROME Relax this morning and enjoy some time to explore Spoleto independently. Bid farewell to Umbria in the early afternoon and travel south to Rome. After checking in to our hotel, take a walking tour of Rome s historic center, including the Piazza Navona, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Dine together at a local restaurant this evening. GRAND HOTEL DE LA MINERVE (B,D) WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 ROME Beat the crowds with an earlymorning visit to the Vatican and St. Peter s Basilica. View priceless masterpieces by Giotto, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raphael and finally, Michelangelo in the Vatican s famed Sistine Chapel. After lunch on our own, gather for a chance to explore Rome off the beaten path. Cross the Tiber to explore one of Rome s liveliest neighborhoods, the Trastevere. Admire Cavallini s frescoes located in the ruins beneath the Church of Santa Cecilia, and stroll through the Ghetto, Europe s oldest Jewish community. Opt to stay in the Trastevere or venture to another neighborhood for an independent evening of dining and exploration. GRAND HOTEL DE LA MINERVE (B) THURSDAY, MAY 17 ROME This morning visit the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, home to Bernini s masterpiece, the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. Continue to the Borghese Gallery, with paintings by Titian, Tintoretto and Botticelli, and an array of sculptures including Canova s once-scandalous Triumphant Venus. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore the Eternal City on our own. Reconvene and toast the end of our journey at a farewell dinner this evening. GRAND HOTEL DE LA MINERVE (B,D) FRIDAY, MAY 18 ROME / U.S. Transfer to Rome s Fiumicino Airport this morning for flights home. (B)
THE VATICAN Trip Information DATES May 7 to 18, 2018 (12 days) SIZE 35 participants (single accommodations limited please call for availability) COST* $8,695 per person, double occupancy $10,345 per person, single occupancy *Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person INCLUDED 10 nights of 4- and 5-star hotel accommodations 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters and hotel personnel for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Pre-scheduled group airport transfer and baggage handling on program arrival day; group transfers and baggage handling on program departure 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 Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excessbaggage 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 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 times, physically demanding and busy. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. The centers of many of the towns we visit are closed to traffic and built on steep hillsides. You must be capable of extensive walking two to four miles in historic centers, in museums and on city tours, as well as extended periods of standing on excursions. Participants will encounter uneven terrain, including dirt and cobblestoned paths, and must be able to walk at least 20 minutes up and down hills in the towns we visit and at Gargonza. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.
MONTEPULCIANO 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?umbria2018 or call the Travel/ Study office at (650) 725-1093. 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) 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, 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 October 2017 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. TELEPHONE (650) 725-1093 EMAIL travelstudy@alumni.stanford.edu California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50 COPYRIGHT 2017 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.
Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA 94305-6105 (650) 725-1093 PLEASURES OF ITALY May 7 to 18, 2018 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stanford Alumni Association The educational component and special access made this intellectually enhancing a fabulous way to travel! BARBARA BISHOP, 72, ITALIAN RIVIERA, TUSCANY AND ROME, 2017 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y BERNINI S ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA, ROME