central asia and the caucasus - stanford alumni...
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S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y
A nc ient cult ures of the cA sp i A n
September 3 to 22, 2014
a program of the stanford a lumni assoc iat ion
Central Asia And the Caucasus
S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y
HighlightsAT T E N D musical and dance performances and meet local artists and craftspeople throughout our journey.
V I S I T nine UNESCO World Heritage sites in five countries, including madrassahs, churches, monasteries, monuments and archaeological sites.
M E E T with local governmental officials and academics for discussions about the economic and political situations and problems of these independent states.
These countries, once part of the fabled
“Silk Road”, conjure up visions of distant lands with
bustling marketplaces, soaring architecture and
historic monuments. Part of the Soviet Union up
until 1991, these fabled lands are now regaining
their unique identities. Political science professor
Abbas Milani will be on hand to enlighten us
as we visit Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in the
heart of Central Asia and the South Caucasus
countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.
On our journey, we’ll stop to explore landmark
mosques, monasteries and museums, while local
representatives give us firsthand accounts of recent
developments in this strategic part of the world.
Join us on this exciting, eye-opening program!
BRE T T S. ThOMPSON, ’83, D IRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL /STUDY
COVER: KALON MOSQUE, BUKHARA, UZBEKISTAN
THE rUIns OF mErV, TUrkmEnIsTan
BakU, aZErBaIjan
Central Asia And the Caucasus
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 & 4 U. s. / TasHkEnT, UZBEkIsTanDepart the U.S. on individual flights to Tashkent. Arrive late on Thursday evening or early Friday morning and transfer to our hotel. hOTEL TAShKENT PALACE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TasHkEnTExplore the capital of Uzbekistan, admiring the Uthman Koran, considered the oldest Koran in existence, at the Hast Imam Library. Visit a family-run studio of traditional Uzbek ceramics. hOTEL TAShKENT PALACE (B,L,D)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TasHkEnT / samarkandBoard an express train for the UNESCO-listed Silk Road oasis of Samarkand. Visit the Registan, the city’s main square, framed by three beautiful madrassahs (Koranic schools), and enjoy dinner at the home of a local family.hOTEL REGISTAN PLAzA (B,L,D)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7samarkandExplore Tamerlane’s Bibi Khanum Mosque, wander the tombs and mausoleums of the Shah-i-Zinde complex, and admire Ulug Bek’s Observatory, one of the most advanced observatories of ancient times. Meet with the vice rector of the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages and several of his students, then attend a performance by a local dance troupe. hOTEL REGISTAN PLAzA (B,L,D)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8samarkand / BUkHaraToday travel from Samarkand to Bukhara, stopping for lunch at the village of Vobkent to learn about rural life here. hOTEL SAShA
AND SON (B,L,D)
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 & 10BUkHaraBegin exploring UNESCO- listed Bukhara at the central Lyabi-Hauz Plaza. Browse the brilliant spice bazaar on the way to the Kalon Mosque, the Ark Citadel and Zindan Prison. Walk through the old Jewish Quarter, once home to families of prosperous merchants.
Discover the lavish Summer Palace of the last emir with its Museum of National Crafts. Visit a madrassah for a performance by local artists. hOTEL SAShA AND SON
(B,L,D–BOTh DAYS)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11BUkHara / TUrkmEnIsTanCross the border into Turkmenistan. Our hotel tonight is located in Uch-Arzhi, halfway between Turkmenabat and Mary, near the ancient remains of Merv. hOTEL
AK-YOL (B,L,D)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12mErV / mary / asHgaBaTContinue to the ruins of the Bronze Age settlement of Merv, named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Continue to Mary for a visit to the local History and Ethnography Museum. This evening fly to Ashgabat.hOTEL SOFITEL AShGABAT
OGUzKENT (B,L,D)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13asHgaBaTAshgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, is today a
RUSSIA
IRAN AFGHANISTAN
KAZAKHSTAN
UZBEKISTAN
TURKMENISTAN
AZERBAIJANARMENIA
GEORGIA
Tashkent
Bukhara
Baku
Tbilisi
Yerevan
Mary
Ashgabat
Samarkand
Merv
CaspianSea
Aral Sea
Itinerary
RUSSIA
IRAN AFGHANISTAN
KAZAKHSTAN
UZBEKISTAN
TURKMENISTAN
AZERBAIJANARMENIA
GEORGIA
Tashkent
Bukhara
Baku
Tbilisi
Yerevan
Mary
Ashgabat
Samarkand
Merv
CaspianSea
Aral Sea
modern city with few remains of its long history. Visit the New Mosque and the marble Palace and Parliament building. Tour the National Museum of History and Ethnography, and with a local archaeologist, visit the UNESCO site of Nisa, center of the ancient Parthian Kingdom. hOTEL SOFITEL
AShGABAT OGUzKENT (B,L)
SUNDAY & MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 & 15BakU, aZErBaIjanAfter an early-morning flight to Baku, spend two days exploring this UNESCO-listed city on the oil-rich Caspian Sea, inhabited since the Stone Age. Enjoy a curator-led visit to the State Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and Folk Art. Admire the petroglyphs at the Gou-bustan UNESCO site, stop at the Nobel Brothers’ Museum/Villa Petrolea and savor a dinner of Azeri specialties and traditional mugham music.hILTON BAKU (B,L–BOTh DAYS; D–9/15)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16BakU / TBIlIsI, gEOrgIaTake a midday flight to Tbilisi, Georgia. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for dinner. TBILISI
MARRIOTT hOTEL (B,D)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TBIlIsIA highlight of exploring multiethnic Tbilisi is its red-roofed Old Town. Also view the Narikala Fortress and the Metekhi Church of the Virgin, wander down Rustaveli Avenue, and tour Tbilisi’s History Museum and the National Art Gallery. End the day with a private concert at the home of Georgian painter and stage designer Elene Akhlediani. TBILISI MARRIOTT hOTEL (B,L)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TBIlIsI / gOrIHead out of town today, stopping at Jvari Monastery and UNESCO-listed Mtskheta, capital of the early Iberian kingdom. Stop at Tserovani, a temporary refugee village, to meet residents and tour their small businesses set up with USAID help. Continue to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Back in Tbilsi, enjoy a musical performance and a dinner of Georgian specialties and local wines. TBILISI MARRIOTT hOTEL (B,L,D)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TBIlIsI / yErEVan, armEnIaDrive across the Armenian border and stop to explore the UNESCO-listed 10th-century monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. After lunch at a private home, continue to Yerevan.MARRIOTT YEREVAN hOTEL (B,L,D)
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 & 21yErEVanArmenia’s capital, Yerevan, was founded in the 8th century B.C.E. Visit the State History Museum, the Genocide Memo-rial and the Matenadaran, an ancient collection of archival manuscripts. Head out to UNESCO-listed Echmiadzin, Armenia’s spiritual center, and the monastery of Khor Virap for fantastic views of Mt. Ararat. On the way back, explore UNESCO-listed 12th century Geghard Monastery, carved into the side of a mountain. Gather for a festive farewell reception and dinner. MARRIOTT
YEREVAN hOTEL (B,L–BOTh DAYS;
D–9/21)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22yErEVan / U.s.After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)
narIkala FOrTrEss, TBIlIsI, gEOrgIa
D a t e s :September 3 to 22, 2014 (20 days)
s i z eLimited to 32 participants
C o s t *$10,995 per person, double occupancy$12,690 per person, single occupancy*Association nonmembers add $200 per person
i n C l u D e D18 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 18 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 14 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers for all group activi-ties All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage han-dling on program arrival and departure days Internal flights: Mary/Ashgabat, Ashgabat/
Baku, Baku/Tbilisi Visa processing and application fees 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 informa-tion Services of our professional tour man-ager to assist you throughout the program
n o t i n C l u D e DInternational and U.S. domestic airfare Passport fees Immunization costs Meals and beverages other than those specified asincluded Independent and private transfers
Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as internet access, tele-phone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services
W h a t t o e x p e C tWe consider this program to be moderately strenuous due to the countries’ weak infra-structures outside of the capital cities. It is at times physically demanding and busy. These countries’ tourism industries are developing, thus patience with local service standards will greatly improve one’s enjoyment of the trip. We expect that participants will be a self-selecting group whose interest in the places we visit outweighs the need for creature comforts. Daily excursions involve one to three miles of walking on city streets, which can be uneven or cobbled. At ancient sites, paths can be rocky and uneven. In museums and at sites, guided tours require climbing up and down several flights of stairs, which may not have handrails. Elevators are limited or unavailable. Some days require early-morning starts. Drives can be long; the longest drives are up to 8 hours. Due to poor roads, travel may be slow at times. Medical treatment and care are not always up to U.S. standards. Travelers need to handle their own luggage at airport customs and border crossings where porters are not permitted. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.
Trip Information
IndEPEndEnCE Park, asHgaBaT, TUrkmEnIsTan kHOr VIraP mOnasTEry, armEnIa
Deposit & Final paymentA $1,000 per-person deposit is required to hold your space on this program. Complete and return the attached reservation form or sign up online. 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 & RefundsDeposits 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. We recommend trip-cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you.
insuranceStanford 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 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 Pre-existing Conditions and coverage for Financial Insolvency; 21 days for the Cancel for Any Reason benefit.
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) 725-0692.
ResponsibilityThe 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 nonrefundable ticket connected with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in September 2013 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges.
Tel (650) 725-1093 FAX (650) 725-8675 eMAil [email protected]© COPYRIGHT 2013 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.
PaVlOVsk PalaCE
a CaPElla sIngErs, armEnIa
Terms & Conditions
California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50
MR. / MRS. / MS.MISS / DR. / PROF.
ADDRESS
CITY / STATE / ZIP
PHONE CELL / WORK / HOME
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.
BED PREFERENCE: Twins Double
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Enclosed is my check (payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR
Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express
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EXPIRATION DATE
CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE Mail completed form to address on mail panel or fax to (650) 725-8675 or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?caucasus2014. Submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 10767
Reservation Form Central Asia and the Caucasus
NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS
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MR. / MRS. / MS.MISS / DR. / PROF.
Faculty Leader
S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y
“If I had to single out the most outstanding aspect of the trip it would be Professor Milani. His lectures were excellent, and he was eager to share his broad knowledge and understanding.”
H a r v e y G u r m a n , T u r k e y S u i T ca S e S e m i n a r , 2 012
SiGn uP
OnLine!
Born in Iran to a Muslim family, A b b A s M i l A n i was trained by French nuns and Jesuit priests before leaving Iran as a teen for the U.S. After earning his PhD in political science at the University of Hawaii, he returned to Iran to teach at Tehran University in 1976. Since 1986 he has lived in the Bay Area. Throughout his adult life, his focus of study has been the culture, politics and society of Central Asia and the Middle East through the prism of scholarship. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including The Shah (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012). Dr. Milani has handcrafted this itinerary, choosing places that he feels are the most significant and important to an understanding of the culture and politics of this fascinating region.
— Currently research fellow and co-director, Iran Democracy Project, Hoover Institution
— Currently Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies and a professor (by courtesy) in the Division of International, Comparative and Area Studies, Stanford University
— Currently visiting professor, department of political science, Stanford University
— Former chair and professor, department of history and political science, Notre Dame de Namur University
— Former research fellow, Institute of International Studies, UC-Berkeley
— Former assistant professor, law and political science faculty, Tehran University
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