Insider s St. Petersburg. May 1 to 10, 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 Insider s St. Petersburg Showcase of Art and Culture May 1 to 10, 2013 a program of the stanford alumni association

2 Few cities in the world rival St. Petersburg for its profusion of priceless art treasures, its grandiose architectural monuments and its vast sweep of history. We invite you to see for yourself this extraordinary city located at the mouth of the Neva River where it enters the Baltic Sea. Unpack just once and spend the entire week exploring museums, palaces and opulently decorated churches, all in the company of Dr. Jack Kollmann, our faculty leader and expert on Russian art and history. Coupled with this is the opportunity to experience post-soviet Russia s dynamic and growing oil-fueled economy, which brings a new openness in style, lavish spending and a contemporary way of life. We hope you ll join us on a close look at this most Western Russian city. Brett S. Thompson, 83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study Highlights marvel at the lavish and opulent baroque and rococo Catherine s Palace, with its stunning, meticulously recreated Amber Room. Explore the Russian Museum and view the world s largest collection of Russian fine art with one of its curators, Dr. Alexei Kurbanovsky. enjoy the festivities a parade, concerts and fireworks during Victory Day (May 9), one of the most important holidays in Russia. Cover: Church of our Savior on Spilt Blood Hermitage Interior

3 St. Petersburg RUSSIA Moscow The Hermitage N e v a R i v e r Church of Our Savio on Spilt Blood Russian Museu St. Isaac s Cathedral Marriott Renaissance Baltic Hotel Nevsky Prospekt ST. PETERSBU Itinerary Wednesday, May 1 Depart U.S. / St. Petersburg, Russia Depart the U. S. on overnight flights to St. Petersburg. Thursday, May 2 St. Petersburg Upon arrival at St. Petersburg s International Airport, transfer to our hotel, located in the historical center of the city. This evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome champagne reception and dinner at our hotel. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (D) Friday, May 3 Begin with a sightseeing tour of Russia s most cosmopolitan and elegant city, built on 42 islands connected by rivers, canals and bridges. View the most spectacular sights of the city, including Nevsky Prospekt, the Square of Fine Arts and the tip of Basil Island. Visit the huge and profusely decorated St. Isaac s Cathedral and the Church of Our Saviour on Spilt Blood, with its vast mosaics. After lunch, tour Peter and Paul Fortress, the birthplace of the city, and view in its cathedral the burial places of Russian emperors from Peter the Great to Nicholas II. This evening, enjoy the opportunity to take tea at a local family s home. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (B,L) Saturday, May 4 Today venture forth to the Hermitage Museum, once the official residence of Russian emperors and now, along with the Louvre, one of the world s two largest art museums. Its collections consist of over three million works of art and artifacts that represent artistic achievement ranging from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Our visit focuses on the State Rooms of the Winter Palace. View a priceless collection of Italian, Dutch, Flemish and French paintings. After lunch, cruise along St. Petersburg s river and canals for a unique perspective of the city s magnificent architecture. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (B, L) Sunday, May 5 St. Petersburg / Pushkin / Pavlovsk This morning travel by motorcoach to the town of Pushkin or the old Tsarskoe Selo, the Tsar s Village for a visit to Catherine s Palace, built in lavish baroque and rococo styles by Empress Elizabeth, who ruled from 1741 to 1762, in honor of her mother, Catherine I, who ruled for just three years, from 1725 to The palace is also associated historically with Catherine II, who ruled for 34 years starting in More famously known as Catherine the Great, she spent much time here and added neoclassical touches to the palace and outbuildings. This afternoon, after a typical Russian-style lunch at a traditional wooden country house, travel to Pavlovsk to visit the Great Palace, a gift from Catherine the Great to her son Pavel, or Paul. The palace, designed and decorated by the Scottish architect, Charles Cameron, still has most of its original contents, thanks to an heroic evacuation of the art treasures before the Nazi Army captured the palace during World War II. The landscaped park that surrounds the palace is one of the largest in Europe. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (B,L)

4 lane to Pavlovsk Catherine s palace r m RG Monday, May 6 Stop at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, the main Russian Orthodox cathedral in St. Petersburg, then visit the Museum of Defence and the Siege of Leningrad that commemorates the most harrowing period of the city s history, the 900-day Blockade of Leningrad that lasted from September 8, 1941, to January 17, This afternoon view the collection of Russian fine art from the 10th to the 20th century at the Russian Museum. Tour the exhibits in the company of one of the museum s curators, Dr. Alexei Kurbanovsky, who introduces us to the history of Russian iconographic and secular painting through the 19th century. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (B) Tuesday, May 7 Return to the Hermitage Museum, concentrating today on its stunning collection of ancient Scythian gold artifacts, as well as many impressive gifts presented to the emperors by ambassadors of various countries. Later tour the galleries of the impressionist and post-impressionist painters, including hundreds of works by such artists as Matisse, Picasso, Cezanne, Daumier, Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir and van Gogh. We will also see the Hidden Treasures modern French paintings captured from the Nazis and on display only since the mid-1990s. This afternoon is free for independent exploration of more of the treasures of this vast museum. Meet again this evening for a lecture at the European University. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (B) Wednesday, May 8 This morning, visit iconographic workshops to learn about the techniques of Russian icon painting. Enjoy lunch this afternoon and then return to the Russian Museum for a tour with Dr. Kurbanovsky of its collection of 20th-century Russian art and its current special exhibitions. The rest of the afternoon is free for independent exploration of St. Petersburg. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (B, L) Thursday, May 9 Today is Victory Day, the most important holiday in Russia, and especially in St. Petersburg. At the time of World War II, St. Petersburg, then named Leningrad, was besieged for 900 days, during which over one million Russian lives were lost. Join the local people in Nevsky Prospekt and Palace Square and watch the parade of military bands and World War II veterans go by. Mingle with the crowds at concerts in the squares and on the streets of the city. After our festive farewell reception and dinner, enjoy the evening display of fireworks over the Neva River. MARRIOTT RENAISSANCE BALTIC HOTEL (B,D) Friday, May 10 / U.S. Transfer this morning to the Pulkovo International Airport for return flights to the U.S. (B)

5 Hermitage Museum Hermitage Museum Information Dates May 1 to 10, 2013 (10 days) Size Limited to 28 participants cost* $6,695 per person, double occupancy $8,195 per person, single occupancy *Association nonmembers add $200 per person INCLUDED 8 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners Welcome and farewell champagne receptions Russian visa Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers for all group activities All tours as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling for participants 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 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. Roundtrip, economy-class airfare on Lufthansa between San Francisco and St. Petersburg is approximately $1,300 as of May 2012 and is subject to change without notice. What to expect We consider this program to be a moderately strenuous program at times physically demanding and busy due to several instances where elevators are not available in museums and restaurants. Daily programs typically involve one to three miles of walking, mainly in museums, palaces and palace gardens; this will also include a lot of time standing. The weather in early May is usually pleasant, as it is the beginning of spring. Average high temperatures are around 60 degrees ( F) with lows around 45 degrees; rain occurs on average once every three or four days. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program. NOT INCLUDED International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport fees Immunization costs Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and California Seller of Travel Program Registration #

6 Pavlovsk Palace Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to hold space for this program. Complete and return the attached reservation form or place your deposit 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 & 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 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/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 May 2012 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. Tel (650) FAX (650) travelstudy@stanfordalumni.org COPYRIGHT 2012 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed on recycled, FSC-certified paper in the U.S.

7 It was truly wonderful to have the benefit of Jack s extensive knowledge and experience, which he so willingly shared. His passion for all things Russian is infectious. Kathy Blair, Insider s St. Petersburg, 2009 Faculty Leader Jack Kollmann, lecturer in Russian studies at Stanford s Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, has made 40 trips to Russia and the former Soviet Union over the last five decades. Kollmann recalls, Spending time in Russia first as a tourist, then as a student of the language, then as a graduate scholar in history, I became increasingly fascinated with the surviving remnants of Russian culture, from its earliest times to the present. Russian culture continues to fascinate me. It is at once half familiar and half dissimilar to our own. Dr. Kollmann has been a faculty leader on 10 Stanford Travel/Study programs. During our program, he will lecture on Peter the Great and the founding of St. Petersburg, Catherine the Great and the Enlightenment, the architecture and art of this Imperial capital, and the tragic fate of Leningrad in the 20th century. At Stanford: Lecturer in Russian studies since the 1980s; academic coordinator, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, Visiting lecturer, department of history, UC-Berkeley, 1987 and 2007; visiting professor, Wellesley College, 1981; lecturer, Harvard University extension program, ; lecturer, Boston College, S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Reservation Form Insider s St. Petersburg 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?petersburg2013. Please submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 8746

8 Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA (650) Insider s St. Petersburg SHOWCASE OF ART AND CULTURE MAY 1 TO 10, 2013 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Stanford Alumni Association Thrive, Peter s city, flaunt thy beauty, Stand like unshaken Russia fast, Till floods and storms from chafing duty May turn to peace with thee at last. excerpt from Alexander Pushkin s The Bronze Horseman S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y