Pyrenees Walk. June 11 to 24, 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 Pyrenees Walk A WA LK IN SPA IN A ND FRA NCE, F R O M T H E B ASQUE COUNTRYS IDE TO BA RCELONA June 11 to 24, 2011 a program of the stanford alumni association

2 Between France and Spain lies Europe s last great mountain wilderness, the Pyrenees. This natural border is an historical treasure trove, which we ll experience firsthand as we visit ancient monasteries, medieval villages, castles, cathedral towns and the medieval walled city of Carcassonne. Crisscrossing the border from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, we ll explore the French Basque countryside and the Spanish province of Catalunya farther to the east as our faculty leader, Ed Steidle, discusses what effects war, religion and art have had in shaping this legendary mountain frontier. Wending our way to cosmopolitan Barcelona, we ll stop for delicious regional picnic lunches that flavor this walk through the ages with daily epicurean feasts. BRETT S. THOMPSON, 83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD T RAVEL/STUDY CASTLE OF FOIX Highlights EXPLORE the medieval Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, dramatically set high up in a cliff in the heart of the Aragón. STROLL through Barcelona s Güell Park and check out Catalán architect Antonio Gaudí s fantastical staircases, walkways, benches and buildings. SAVOR fresh fruits and local cheeses and wines beneath Montségur Castle in Cathar country at one of our daily al fresco lunches. GAUDI S CASA MILA

3 Atlantic Ocean San Sebastián Bilbao Ainhoa Pau Valley of the Aragón Sos del Rey Católico Lourdes Somport Pass F RANCE Saint- Girons P y r e n e e s Carcasso Perpigna Figue S P AIN Itinerary SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 11 & 12 U.S. / BILBAO, SPAIN / SAN SEBASTIÁN Depart the U.S. on overnight flights to Bilbao. Arrive at Bilbao Airport on Sunday and transfer to San Sebastián and our city center hotel. Join fellow travelers tonight for a welcome reception. HOTEL MARIA CRISTINA MONDAY, JUNE 13 SAN SEBASTIÁN Stroll this morning through San Sebastián, famous for its cuisine and spectacular setting. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore this lovely seaside resort town or enjoy an optional visit to the open-air museum of Eduardo Chillida. Tonight dine at a local restaurant. HOTEL MARIA CRISTINA (B,D) (Approx. 2 hours of city walking) TUESDAY, JUNE 14 SAN SEBASTIÁN / AINHOA, FRANCE Leaving San Sebastián, cross the border into the French Basque countryside. Walk along the grassy ridge of mountains that winds along the border between two villages, Sare and Ainhoa. Arrive this afternoon in Ainhoa and stay the night at a small country hotel. HOTEL ITHURRIA (B,L,D) (Approx. 4 hours of walking) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 ANIHOA / SOS DEL REY CATÓLICO, SPAIN Travel back into Spain and walk down through green hills to the picturesque village of Elizondo. After our picnic lunch drive through the Erro and Aragón valleys to the wonderfully preserved medieval town of Sos del Rey Católico. PARADOR DE SOS DEL REY CATÓLICO (B,L,D) (Approx. 3 hours of walking) THURSDAY, JUNE 16 SOS DEL REY CATÓLICO Explore this ancient medieval village on a morning stroll to our picnic lunch site. In the afternoon drive to the famous Monastery of Leyre and return via the beautiful romanesque village of Sangüesa. PARADOR DE SOS DEL REY CATÓLICO (B,L,D) (Approx. 2 hours of walking) Barcelona FRIDAY, JUNE 17 SOS DEL REY CATÓLICO / PAU, FRANCE This morning, visit the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña in the heart of the Aragonese hills and lunch on the plateau above the monastery. Travel by coach along the famed Camino de Santiago to the cathedral town of Jaca, then travel across the scenic Somport Pass back into France, for our two-night stay in Pau. HÔTEL PARC DE BEAUMONT (B,L,D) (Approx. 1.5 hours of walking) Medite SATURDAY, JUNE 18 PAU Today choose from two options. The more adventurous can drive into the Pyrenees for a high-altitude walk in one of the range s famous Cirques. Alternatively, explore the towns of Pau and Lourdes at a more leisurely pace. Recapture 16th-century royal life at the château in Pau, birthplace of Henry IV, King of Navarre and France, then visit the famous pilgrimage town of Lourdes. HÔTEL PARC DE BEAUMONT (B,L,D) (Option A: Approx. 5 hours of walking; Option B: city walking)

4 nne n res rranean Sea LUNCH AL FRESCO SUNDAY, JUNE 19 PAU / SAINT-GIRONS At the famous cathedral town of Saint-Bertrand-de- Comminges, founded in Roman times, visit one of the Pyrenees finest churches. This afternoon continue east to the little town of Saint-Girons, where we stay the night. HÔTEL EYCHENNE, SAINT-GIRONS (B,L,D) (Approx. 3 hours of walking) MONDAY, JUNE 20 SAINT-GIRONS / CARCASSONNE In the beautiful Cathar countryside of the Ariège, walk along ancient paths to the magnificent castle of Montségur, infamous site of the massacre of more than 200 Cathar heretics. Arrive in Carcassonne this evening and stay at one of the finest hotels in France. HÔTEL DE LA CITÉ (B,L,D) (Approx. 3.5 hours of walking) TUESDAY, JUNE 21 CARCASSONNE Enjoy a morning walk in Carcassonne, an extraordinary walled city, viewing the medieval bastide and the château and visiting the church of St-Nazaire. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the city independently. HÔTEL DE LA CITÉ (B) (City walking) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 CARCASSONNE / BARCELONA, SPAIN Drive to Perpignan on the Mediterranean coast and turn south, crossing the border into Spain. In Figueres, visit the Dalí museum, stop for lunch and continue to the bustling cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, where we spend our last two nights. HOTEL MAJESTIC (B,L) (City walking) THURSDAY, JUNE 23 BARCELONA On our city walk today, view the magnificent buildings and other creations of Catalán architect Antonio Gaudí. Lunch and the afternoon are at leisure for independent exploration of this incomparable, colorful, urbane city. Tonight join fellow walkers for a farewell reception and dinner. HOTEL MAJESTIC (B,D) (City walking) FRIDAY, JUNE 24 BARCELONA / U.S. Transfer to the Barcelona airport for flights home. (B)

5 CARCASSONNE ANDORRA MOUNTAIN HOUSE Information DATES June 11 to 24, 2011 (14 days) S IZE Limited to 32 participants COST* $8,395 per person, double occupancy $10,395 per person, single occupancy *Association nonmembers add $200 per person I N C LUDE D 12 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners Welcome and farewell wine receptions Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers and tour staff 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 N OT I N C LUDE 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 , telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services WHAT TO EXPECT The terrain of the Pyrenees Mountains is varied, with occasional mountain trails that provide delightful walking with some height gain and loss, as well as easier tracks across open pastureland and forests. The trails are sometimes steep and rocky and may be muddy or wet at times. The lower foothills of the Pyrenees provide stimulating countryside walking, with tracks winding among farms, orchards and woodland. We consider this to be a moderately strenuous, physically demanding program. Daily walks range from approximately three to five miles in length. You need to be physically fit, used to moderate exercise and ready to join in daily activities that require mobility and agility to participate fully in this walking tour. The weather may be overcast at times and rain showers are a possibility, so you should bring adequate rain gear. Sturdy and brokenin walking boots that fit well and provide good ankle support are essential for all walkers. Hiking sticks are recommended. Several of our daily excursions might be considered by some participants to be hikes rather than walks, but we make every effort not to schedule any hikes that are beyond the ability of regular walkers. A pre-trip training regimen consisting of several three to five-mile walks over uneven terrain in the boots you ll wear during the trip will greatly increase your enjoyment of the trip. To get the most out of this Walk, you should be intellectually curious, ready to participate in an intense academic experience, and comfortable traveling as part of a group. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program. ACCOMMOD ATION S Our hotels were chosen for their locations along our walking route and are the best available. They range from 5-star hotels to comfortable and simple village inns. Due to the size of our coach and the narrow streets, we may need to walk a few blocks with carry-on bags from our coach to and from some of the establishments.

6 FRENCH PYRENEES SAGRADA FAMILA, BARCELONA Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to hold space on the Pyrenees Walk. Complete and return the attached reservation form or sign up online at trip?pyrenees11. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. 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 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. Eligibility We encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members price. Stanford alumni may become Annual ($75) or Life ($495) Members. Stanford parents, faculty, staff, interns, residents and fellows may become Installment Members ($90 down, $115/year for four years) or Life Members ($495). Nonalumni may become Life Affiliates (one-time fee, $650). Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit 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 August 2010 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. California Seller of Travel Program Registration # TEL (650) FAX (650) TRAVELSTUDY@STANFORDALUMNI.ORG COPYRIGHT 2010 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PHOTOS: EMILY CASPERSON, PETER WATSON PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.

7 Professor Steidle s lectures clearly synthesize complex periods and movements in history. I so appreciated his enthusiasm for his subject and his friendly demeanor and helpful approach. CAROL KERSTEN, JD 82, UMBRIA VILLAGE L I F E S EMINAR, 2004 Faculty Leader D R. EDWARD STEIDLE became a faculty member of the Stanford English department in At Stanford, he has taught in the Western culture program and in the literature and arts track of the English department, and he developed the successful Crossroads series for the Continuing Studies program. His specialty is Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, and he has lectured on the art and literature of the ancient cultures of Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America. On our Walk, Ed s lectures will explore the complex history of the region from the rise of monasticism and the pilgrimage tradition to the moorish period and the Reconquista, the Crusades and the Albigensian Heresy. Ed says Like Renaissance Tuscany, the Pyrenees region captures the spirit of an entire age: its intense ideological and political struggles, its cast of unforgettable characters, the enormous creative energy that would define Europe in the Middle Ages. Stanford professor, English department, since 1984 Developed the Crossroads series for Stanford s Continuing Studies program BA, English language and Eastern philosophy, Franklin and Marshall College MA, comparative literature, Johns Hopkins University PhD, medieval comparative literature, UC-Berkeley S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Reservation Form Pyrenees Walk 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 trip?pyrenees2011. Please submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 6346

8 Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA (650) Pyrenees Walk June 11 to 24, 2011 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Stanford Alumni Association Stanford Walks are excellent combining good walking with the breathtaking beauty of and insights into each area visited. B OB B A K ER, 59 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y