karen falkner, ’58, ma ’65, lower danube college, 2008

8
S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y a program of the stanford alumni association Cruising the Danube SEVEN NATIONS ABOARD THE RIVER CLOUD II June 29 to July 11, 2012

Upload: others

Post on 31-Oct-2021

3 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y

a program of the stanford a lumni assoc iat ion

“[This trip] opened up a part of Europe that was new to me. And as always, the faculty and staff were friendly, knowledgeable and unflappable.” K a r e n Fa l K n e r , ’ 5 8 , M a ’ 6 5 , l o W e r d a n U B e C o l l e g e , 2 0 0 8

Cruising the DanubeS e v e n n a t i o n S a b o a r d

t h e r i v e r C l o u d i i

June 29 to Ju l y 11, 2012

Page 2: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

More than 40 years ago, Stanford

adventurers were among the pioneers of

educational travel, discovering the joys of far-

off destinations in the company of outstanding

faculty and fellow alumni. Back then, our Danube

programs were the hottest ticket in town. In fact,

at one point, the waiting list was two years long!

We’re delighted to bring this perennial favorite

back to our lineup, this time exploring the section

of the Danube River from Vienna to Bucharest

with veteran faculty leader Norman Naimark. Our

incomparable floating home, the River Cloud II,

provides the perfect base from which we visit

world-class art collections and quaint old-world

villages, enjoying specially arranged musical

performances along the way. I hope you join us!

BRE T T S. ThOMPSON, ’83, D IRECTOR, STANFORD TR AVEL /STUDY

HighlightsD R O P I N on small towns and historic villages, including charming Arbanassi in Bul-garia and the old town center of Pécs in the Hungarian countryside.

AT T E N D private concerts and performances, includ-ing a string quartet in Vienna, a folkloric performance in Belgrade and a monks’ choir in Bulgaria.

C O N V E R S E with local families over lunch in a Croatian village near Vukovar, taste traditional schnapps in Austria and sample Hungary’s “red gold” (sweet paprika) in Kalocsa.

A D M I R E the dramatic scenery of the Danube River’s Iron Gate, a deep gorge with 300-foot-tall limestone cliffs.

palaCe of the parliament, buChareSt, romania

Cathedral of péCS, hungary

FRONT COVER: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Page 3: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

Itinerary

AUSTRIA

SLOVAKIA

CROATIA

BOSNIAAND

HERZEGOVENA

H U N G A R Y

R O M A N I A

UKRAINE

S E R B I A

B U L G A R I A

OltenitaBucharest

Veliko Tarnovo

Budapest

Vienna

Belgrade

MohácsKalocsa

Vukovar

D a n u b e R i v e rD a n u b e R i v e r

AdriaticSea Bl

ack

Sea

Bratislava

kalemegdan fortreSS, Serbia

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 29 & 30depart u.S. / vienna, auStriaDepart the U.S. on overnight flights to Vienna. Upon arrival on Saturday, check in to our centrally located hotel. This evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner, accompanied by a string quartet’s program of classical music. INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL (6/30: D)

SUNDAY, JULY 1viennaEnjoy an introductory city tour, starting with Vienna’s magnificent Ringstrasse, followed by a walk through the historic center where we view St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and a tour of the Mozarthaus, where Wolfgang Amadeus wrote The Marriage of Figaro. In the afternoon, visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum, a splendid repository of art collections assembled by generations of Habsburg monarchs. Sculpture and applied arts vie for our attention among the many magnificent paintings and Greek, Roman and Egyptian

antiquities. This evening is free to explore Vienna at leisure. INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL (B,L)

MONDAY, JULY 2vienna / bratiSlava, Slovakia / embark RIVER CLOUD IIChoose between an excursion to the Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer palace of the Habsburgs, to see the private apartments and gardens, or take a guided tour of the highlights of Vienna’s art nouveau scene, including the Beethoven frieze in the Secessionist Building and the Klimt masterpieces at the Belvedere Palace. After lunch, drive to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, and embark our elegant riverboat that will be home for the next eight nights. Enjoy a brief stroll through the historic quarter of this lovely capital city before our riverboat departs this evening. RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

TUESDAY, JULY 3 budapeSt, hungaryArrive this morning in Budapest for a full-day visit, beginning with a drive over one of the bridges spanning the Danube River to the “new” city of Pest’s World Heritage site, Heroes’ Square, which features the Millennium Memorial and statues honoring the original

seven Hungarian tribes, as well as prominent historical figures. Continue to the ornate State Opera House for a specially arranged tour and an opportunity to hear a live musical performance. After lunch aboard our riverboat, explore historic “Buda,” situated on a bluff above the Danube atop Castle Hill. The sumptuous gothic and baroque design of the Matthias Church is highlighted by painted woodwork and colorful stained glass windows. Nearby is Fisherman’s Bastion; its six white limestone towers and connecting walkways provide a vantage point for admiring panoramic city views. After dinner onboard, enjoy views of the city beautifully illuminated at night from the deck of our boat as we sail from Budapest. RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4kaloCSaDrive to a village near Kalocsa on the Hungarian puszta (plains) for a stunning performance of precision horsemanship by Magyar

cowboys. Exercises formerly practiced for wartime are

now presented for our enjoyment. Stop

at the Paprika Museum to learn about

the country’s “red gold,” the sweet herb

essential to the culinary culture of Hungary. While learning about the history and production methods, admire the garlands of paprika festooning the ceilings and scenting the air. Return to our riverboat for an afternoon of cruising. RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

THURSDAY, JULY 5mohÁCS / péCSCall this morning at the river port of Mohács for

a visit to nearby Pécs, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest towns in Hungary with beautifully preserved squares lined with historic buildings.

Page 4: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

kalemegdan fortreSS, Serbia

romanian athenaeum, buChareSt

heroeS’ Square, budapeSt

vienna Skyline

After visiting the Cathedral of Pécs, study the nearby 4th-century Roman ruins of Cella Septichora with its tomb-chapel and Paleochristian cemetery. Then return to our vessel for lunch and an afternoon of cruising. RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

FRIDAY, JULY 6vukovar, CroatiaVukovar history can be traced back hundreds of years, but in 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence, a three-month-long Serbian siege likened to the modern-day battle of Stalingrad destroyed the town castle and many 18th-century homes. During our visit, observe the Croatian government’s concerted restoration efforts. Then take a short drive to Osijek where influences of both the Ottoman and Hapsburg empires remain apparent. Enjoy lunch with local families in nearby villages before returning to our riverboat to spend the afternoon cruising. RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

SATURDAY, JULY 7novi Sad, Serbia / belgradeExplore Petrovaradin Citadel, the “Gibraltar of the Danube,” situated high above the

Danube River in Novi Sad. Through the centuries, its strategic importance was key to Roman, Turkish, Austrian and Yugoslav defenses. This afternoon explore Serbia’s capital Belgrade, including the mausoleum of revolutionary and statesman Josip Broz Tito, former president of Yugoslavia; the Kalemegdan Fortress, which sits at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and encloses Orthodox churches, Muslim tombs and Turkish baths; and the Cathedral of St. Sava, largest Serbian Orthodox church of the Balkans and whose multiple domes dominate the cityscape. Meet with a prominent journalist to learn about Balkan current events and enjoy a folkloric performance in the lively Skadarlija district before returning to our riverboat.RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

SUNDAY, JULY 8CruiSing / iron gateToday’s cruising route is spectacular with passage through the Danube’s iconic Iron Gate, a two-mile-long gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan mountain ranges that forms part of the boundary between Romania

and Serbia. Negotiating the narrow Kazan Pass with its 300-foot-tall limestone cliffs used to be a dangerous and lengthy experience, but with the construction of a dam on the river’s Sip Gorge, safe passage is now assured. RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

MONDAY, JULY 9veliko tarnovo, bulgaria / arbanaSSiDrive to Veliko Tarnovo, “City of the Tsars,” whose old city, located on three hills, was once the historic capital of Bulgaria. When the Byzantine Empire weakened, Veliko Tarnovo was occupied by the Ottomans for nearly 500 years up until the 19th century. Its picturesque medieval stone buildings rise steeply from the banks of the Yantra River. Walk through the historic center, and enjoy a private concert by a monks’ choir. Then visit nearby Arbanassi, a tiny village with a rich history and many historical monuments, including 17th- and 18th-century churches. RIVER CLOUD II (B,L,D)

TUESDAY, JULY 10oltenita, romania / diSembark / buChareStArrive this morning at the Romanian port of Oltenita and after disembarking our

riverboat drive to Bucharest, Romania’s capital city. A city tour by coach includes views of Revolution Square, locale of the Central Committee Building from which the repressive Romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, helicoptered before their subsequent demise, and the Palace of the Parliament (People’s Palace), which houses both chambers of the Romanian Parliament. The Guinness Book of World Records lists it as the world's largest civilian building. Continue with a stroll through the Village Museum, one of the world’s oldest and largest outdoor museums, with fine examples of rural architecture gathered from around the country. Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell reception and dinner. JW MARRIOTT GRAND HOTEL (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11buChareSt / u.S.Transfer from our hotel to the airport for flights to the U.S. (B)

Page 5: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

Program Cost*

Rates are per person, based on double occupancy,unless otherwise noted

Category Rate

Category C, Cabin Deck (forward) $7,795 118 sq. ft., portholes, 2 twin beds

Category B, Cabin Deck $8,795 118 sq. ft., portholes, 2 twin beds or 1 queen bed

Category A, Promenade Deck $10,295 150 sq. ft., windows, 1 queen bed

Category C, Cabin Deck Single** $11,695 118 sq. ft., portholes, 2 twin beds

Category B, Cabin Deck Single** $13,195 118 sq. ft., portholes, 2 twin beds or 1 queen bed

*Association nonmembers add $200 per person. **Single accommodations are limited at this rate.

River Cloud IILaunched by the owners of the legendary Sea Cloud, the five-star River Cloud II is regarded as one of the finest river vessels in Europe, combining nostalgic luxury with state-of-the-art marine technology to create an elegant and intimate cruising experience. The river yacht is meticulously designed with a 1930s Mediterranean ambience, light woods and warm colors. The 43 outside cabins each feature a large queen or two twin beds, individually adjustable air-conditioning, mini-bar, TV/video, personal safe, cozy robes, fresh flowers and private bathroom (with shower) appointed in marble with brass and gold fixtures. Cabin Deck staterooms feature brass-rimmed portholes. Promenade Deck staterooms feature panoramic arched windows. The public areas include a spacious lounge with a custom-built Steinway grand piano, paneled mahogany library, large sun deck with teak deck chairs and bar, sauna/fitness area, small boutique, hair salon and a dining room that accommodates all guests in a single, unassigned seating. Panoramic windows let the sun and the scenery in and add to a sense of easy living in the dining room, the lounge, the bar and the computer-equipped library. Refined Italian-influenced cuisine is prepared by outstanding European chefs, with local ingredients fresh from the market, and a fine selection of wines from regional vintages is included with lunches and dinners onboard.

BUILT: 2001REGISTRY: Madeira, Portugal LENGTh: 338 feetBEAM: 32 feetDRAFT: 4 feetCRUISING SPEED: 10.5 knots CREW MEMBERS: 33

14 12 10 8 6 4 2

15 11 9 7 5 3

44 42 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16

45 43 41 39 37 35 33 31 29 27 25 23 21 19 17

promenade deCk

Cabin deCk

Category a Cabin

Page 6: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

D a t e s

June 29 to July 11, 2012 (13 days) s i z e

Limited to a total of 74 participants, including travelers from Stanford and our co-sponsoring organizations.

i N C L U D e D

3 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 8-night cruise aboard the River Cloud II 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers and riverboat crew for all group activities All tours and shore excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days Port fees and embarkation taxes 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

N O t i N C L U D e D

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 email, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services

a i r a r r a N g e m e N t s

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 Vienna, Austria, and returning from Bucharest, Romania, is approximately $1,220 as of August 2012 and is subject to change without notice.

F U e L C O s t s

In the uncertain, often volatile oil market of late, it is difficult to predict fuel costs over the long term and, more specifically, at the time of operation of this voyage. Our prices are based upon the prevailing fuel rates at the time of brochure printing. While we will do everything possible to maintain our prices, if the fuel rates increase significantly, it may be necessary to institute a fuel surcharge.

W H a t t O e X P e C t

We consider this to be a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Daily programs involve one to two miles of walking, often in historic city centers where the terrain is uneven and streets are cobblestoned. In some instances, such as in museums and historic homes that do not have elevators, guided tours require climbing up and down several flights of stairs, which may not have handrails. Some sites and museums do not allow buses to pull up in front, thus requiring several minutes’ walk to reach the entrance. These busy days are contrasted with the relaxed pace aboard our riverboat, where daily shore excursions are complemented by lectures and leisure time onboard, allowing ample opportunity to take in the beautiful European scenery. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.

Deposit & Final PaymentA $1,000 deposit is required to hold space for Cruising the Danube. 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 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. 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-cancella-tion 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.

eligibilityWe 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/member-ship 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 ship arrangements 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. It is understood that the ship’s ticket, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the cruise company. 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 August 2011 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges.

© COPYRIGHT 2011 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.

Information Terms & Conditions

California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50

Category a Cabin

Page 7: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

“I never expected to be so enthralled by the lectures. Norman was not only a great speaker and teacher but he was also readily available for questions.” K at h e r i n e d e W i l d e , M B a ’ 7 5 , d a l M at i a n C o a s t C o l l e g e , 2 0 0 9

MR. / MRS. / MS.MISS / DR. / PROF.

MR. / MRS. / MS.MISS / DR. / PROF.

NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS

NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS

ADDRESS

CITY / STATE / ZIP

HOME PHONE WORK PHONE

CELL PHONE

EMAIL ADDRESS

Cruising the Danube June 29 to Ju l y 11, 2012

Stanford Faculty LeaderNORMAN NAIMARK, ’66, MA ’68, PHD ’72, former director of Stanford’s Bing Overseas Studies Program, has been working and traveling in East Central Europe for nearly 40 years. Professor Naimark is widely recognized by students and colleagues for his warmth, wit and dedication to the Stanford community. A veteran faculty leader on more than 20 past Travel/Study programs, he and his wife, history professor Katherine Jolluck, have traveled extensively in the Danube region.

“The Danube,” explains Professor Naimark, “is redolent of centuries of history—Roman, Slavic, Habsburg, Ottoman and modern—that have taken place on its shores. We will get to experience these multiple influences up close.” During our program, Professor Naimark will lecture on the fascinating history of the Danube, including the rise and fall of communism, the war in the Balkans, and the emergence of the New Europe.

Robert and Florence McDonnell Professor of Eastern European History, Stanford University

Senior fellow, Hoover Institution and Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Affairs

Former director, Bing Overseas Studies Program; former chair, department of history; and former director, Center for Russian and East European Studies

Recipient of the Richard W. Lyman Award for outstanding faculty volunteer service, Stanford Alumni Association (1995); Dean’s Teaching Award, Stanford University (1991–1992, 2002–2003); and the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1996)

Reservation Form

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y

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. Category Preference: 1st choice: ____________________________ Twin Beds Queen Bed

2nd choice: ____________________________ Twin Beds Queen Bed Here is my deposit of $________ ($1,000 per person) for ___ space(s).

Enclosed is my check (make payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express

CARD # EXPIRES

AUTHORIZED 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?danube2012. Please submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account.

7541

sign UPonline!

Page 8: Karen FalKner, ’58, Ma ’65, loWer danUBe College, 2008

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y

“[This trip] opened up a part of Europe that was new to me. And as always, the faculty and staff were friendly, knowledgeable and unflappable.” K a r e n Fa l K n e r , ’ 5 8 , M a ’ 6 5 , l o W e r d a n U B e C o l l e g e , 2 0 0 8

Stanford Travel/StudyFrances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center326 Galvez StreetStanford, CA 94305-6105(650) 725-1093

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DStanford Alumni

Association

Cathedral of St. Sava, belgrade, Serbia

alumni.stanford.edu/goto/travelstudy

Cruising the DanubeS e v e n n a t i o n S a b o a r d t h e r i v e r C l o u d i i

June 29 to Ju l y 11, 2012