1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. italy

TOUR PROGRAM
January – December 2015
Explore
your
world
academytravel.com.au
xExplore your world
x
x
This brochure contains a full
listing of our tour program for
2015. Our diverse program of 50
tours takes you to all corners of
the globe from Iceland to Cuba.
With Academy Travel you can visit
a monastery in Bhutan, attend an
opera at the Met in New York or
sit down to lunch with the owner
of a Renaissance villa in Italy.
Italy remains at the heart of
Academy
Travel’s
$x
pp, twin share
(landdestinations
content only)
our activities, with eight tours
may
besupplement
wide-ranging, but all our
$x
single
listed in this brochure. Music and
tours have a common goal: to
theatre tours continue to grow in
provide a carefully-crafted journey
popularity, and we have six tours
with expert leadership and likeENJOY
listed. We have also diversified our minded company.
•x
tours to the USA and added new
Thank you for your interest in
destinations, including Scandinavia, Academy Travel. We hope you
Iceland and silk-road China.
find a tour that’s right for you.
Pg21
Overview
Pg21
x
Touring Highlights
Pg24
>x
Your tour leader
x xx
Pg6
Pg39
Getting there
Pg44
x
Pg46
Pg38
Pg46
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Day 1: x
2
www.academytravel.com.au
Maximum 20 in a group
Pg14
x
contents
x
tailored
small
$xx pp, twin share (land
content only)
$xx single supplement
group
Journeys
x
› Expert tour leaders › Maximum 20 in a group › Discover
Carefully planned itineraries
ITALY6
•xx
EUROPE14
MUSIC TOURS
26
ASIA32
The Americas
37
AFRICA43
Preview 2016
Overview
46
The next steps 47
x
Touring Highlights
>x
Your tour leader
Pg34
x xx
Getting there
x
Pg35
Pg36
Book online
Our website contains detailed itineraries,
maps and tour leader profiles. Our site
also features an online booking form.
academytravel.com.au
detailed
itineraries
More
details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Day 1: x
Detailed itineraries
for all tours are
available by calling
us or by downloading
from our website.
academytravel.com.au
Front cover: The Wedding at Cana, 1563,
by Paolo Veronese, Louvre, Paris.
Inset: Bhutan
Brochure production: Damien Flint
Design: Pro Bono Publico
Tour Product Managers: Stuart Barrie,
Nick Gordon, Robina Frosinini, Hannah Kleboe,
Mark Lalor and Robert Veel.
3
Why choose
academy travel?
Great
Itineraries
like-minded
groups
Long
stays
All itineraries feature a carefully
thought out balance of walking tours,
gallery and museum visits, scenic
excursions, dining and performances.
Share your journey with fellow
travellers who are in tune with
your way of seeing the world.
A maximum of 20 participants –
not too small and not too
large – creates a convivial
atmosphere.
Perhaps the most appealing feature
of our program. No whistlestop
tours, no 7.00am departures, day
after day. In most destinations we
enjoy three or four nights to really
get to know the place.
“I cannot commend the
tour highly enough – it was
perfectly organised and
the content was very well
considered. Fabulous value
for money.”
North East USA, May 2014.
“The tour promised and
delivered much more than a
run-of-the-mill sightseeing
tour, with like-minded
fellow travellers.”
Grand Tour of Italy, April 2014.
4
Carefully planned itineraries
“Having never done an
organised group tour before,
I was apprehensive, but
would have no hesitation
doing another Academy
Travel tour.”
Venice, March 2014.
Special
events
Expert tour
leaders
Sold out!
A private viewing of the Sistine
Chapel or the Museum of Modern
Art in New York? Tickets to sold-out
shows at the Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra? Many of our tours
feature top-flight events not
usually offered on group tours.
Our tour leaders combine
academic expertise with a genuine
passion for the places they visit.
Under their expert guidance
you see rather than just look,
hear rather than just listen and
understand rather than just
observe. Your travel experience
is transformed.
These tours have already sold out
and are not listed in this brochure:
“The standard and wealth
of theatre, music and
galleries were absolutely
brilliant. Very good choices
were made.”
London music and theatre, January 2014.
“The tour leader’s ability
to impart extensive
knowledge of places visited
with obvious enthusiasm
was quite remarkable.”
Lakes and Villas of Northern Italy, April 2014.
L ondon music and theatre
January 2015 (to be repeated in 2016)
Switzerland to Spain:
a musical journey
April 2015 (to be repeated in 2016)
Islands of the Mediterranean:
Corsica, Sardinia and Malta
April 2015 (to be repeated in 2016)
I ran in depth
April 2015 (Iran tours also offered
in May and September)
Frank Lloyd Wright:
Chicago to New York
May 2015 (look out for October tour)
candinavia and Iceland:
S
nature and design
3 June 2015 (repeat tour selling fast)
Amsterdam to Paris
June 2015 (to be repeated in 2016)
5
Venice
City, Republic and Empire
MARCH 19 – ApRIL 2, 2015
$6,550 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,560 single supplement
EXPLORE
•The history of Venice and its key role in the Mediterranean during the
Crusades and the Renaissance
•The unique art and architecture of
Venice, visiting centuries-old sites and world-class museums
•The all-important and all-encompassing
relationship between Venice and the sea
•Venice’s outstanding musical tradition in both opera and Baroque music
•The excellent food and wine of the
Veneto region
•The Renaissance architecture of Andrea Palladio.
Overview
Unpack your bags for 15 days and discover the city that ruled the Mediterranean for
1,000 years. Enjoy accommodation in a four-star all-suite hotel on the waterfront, offering
spectacular views from all rooms. Travel on day excursions to Ravenna, Padua and the villas
of the Veneto. Dine in some of Venice’s best restaurants and explore the remote islands of
the lagoon. The early spring travel period means no crowds and no cruise ships.
Tour Leader Profile
Touring Highlights
Dr Nicholas Gordon has a
PhD in late medieval Italian
and early modern English
history from the University
of Sydney. He has taught
European history (12001900) and architectural
history at universities in Sydney, and led
many tours for Academy Travel.
>Welcome lunch at the legendary Locanda
Cipriani on the island of Torcello
>Day trip to view the 5th and 6th century
Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna
>An opera at Venice’s glittering La Fenice
theatre
>The art of Carpaccio, Bellini, Titian,
Veronese, Tiepolo and others in palaces,
confraternities and churches
>Day trip to Padua to view Giotto’s Scrovegni
Chapel and the ancient university
>The private art collections of the Ca d’Oro
and the Punta della Dogana
>Day trip to Vicenza and the beautiful
Renaissance country villas of Andrea
Palladio
Getting there
Emirates has daily flights from most
Australian cities to Venice, stopping
at Dubai. Please contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Vicenza
Venice
Padua
ITALY
Ravenna
6
Expert tour leaders
Day 1: Arrive Venice and settle in.
Days 2–3: Orientate yourself with a trip around
the lagoon and visits to key state history
museums.
Day 4: Day trip to Ravenna.
Days 5–7: Explore medieval and early
Renaissance Venice – the world of the merchants
and Crusades.
Day 8: Day trip to Padua.
Days 9–12: Investigate Renaissance art and
architecture in Venice.
Day 13: Day trip to Vicenza and Palladio’s villas.
Day 14: Explore Baroque and modern art.
Day 15: Depart.
Grand Tour of Italy
April 5-22, 2015
October 11-28, 2015
$7,500 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,950 single supplement
DISCOVER
•2,500 years of art and architecture,
stretching from the frescoes of Pompeii
to the art of the Italian Renaissance, the Baroque and 20th century
•The dramatic history of Italy, brimming
with memorable personalities and great dynasties
•The rich regional variety on the Italian
peninsula, from the Mediterranean
south to rural Umbria and Tuscany and
the great centres of Rome and Venice
•Stunning landscapes, such as the Amalfi
Coast, the hills of Tuscany and the
Venetian lagoon
OVERVIEW
Our signature tour is designed to take you to the great sights of Italy in style. We survey the
sweep of Italian history, culture and art from the ancient Romans to cutting-edge modern
design. Three and four-night stays allow you time to take in the important cities and explore
a little on your own. Food and wine play a central role in Italian culture, and we have included
several memorable meals, accompanied by regional wine.
TOURING HIGHLIGHTS
YOUR TOUR LEADERS
>Pompeii and Herculaneum – Europe’s
premier archaeological sites
>Private boat tour to Capri and Amalfi
>Private evening viewing of Michelangelo’s
Sistine Chapel in Rome – an unrivalled
opportunity to see this masterpiece free
of the tourist crowds
>Italy’s leading art museums, including
the Galleria Borghese, the Uffizi and the
Venice Accademia
>Al fresco lunch at the celebrated Locanda
Cipriani on the island of Torcello in Venice
>Private after-hours tour of St Mark’s
Basilica to witness the illumination of
the mosaics
Dr Kathleen Olive (April) holds
a PhD in Italian Studies from
the University of Sydney. She is
one of Academy Travel’s most
respected tour leaders.
Dr Nicholas Gordon (October)
has a PhD in late medieval
Italian and early modern
English history from the
University of Sydney. He has
led many tours for Academy Travel.
GETTING THERE
Emirates offers the best connections to
Rome and Venice. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Rome and transfer to Naples.
Days 2-4: Explore the Bay of Naples, with walking
tours, a boat trip and visits to Pompeii and
Herculaneum.
Days 5-8: Four nights in Rome, with walking
tours, leading art galleries and our Sistine Chapel
private visit.
Days 9-12: Over four nights in Umbria explore
medieval villages, hidden valleys and the world of St Francis of Assisi.
Days 13-15: Travel to Florence via Siena, visiting
key sites of the Italian Renaissance.
Days 15-18: On to Venice, via the 6th century
mosaics of Ravenna.
Venice
Italy
Ravenna
Florence
San Luca
Rome
Naples
7
Lakes and Villas
x
x
of Northern Italy
xAPRIL 23 – MAY 9, 2015
$8,490
$x
pp, twin
pp, share
twin share
(land content
(land content
only) only)
$x singlesingle
$1,990
supplement
supplement
ENJOY
•Ixtaly’s genius for art and architecture in
spectacular lakeside and country sites
•The full span of Italian history and
art, from ancient Roman villas to 20th
century estates
•Some of the world’s most beautiful
gardens, still in the hands of Italy’s
leading families
•The elegant art cities of Lombardy and
the Veneto
•The Renaissance villas of Palladio
•The stunning colours of pre-Alpine Italy
Overview
This 17-day tour begins on the shores of Lake Como. We follow a circular route around northern
x
Italy, visiting the foothills of the Apennines in Emilia-Romagna, stopping also in Busseto,
Touring
Highlights
birthplace of Giuseppe
Verdi, before travelling to the Veneto where we admire the Renaissance
country
houses
of
architect
Andrea Palladio. The tour concludes with the Baroque splendour of
>x
Lake Maggiore. Spend time in small lakeside and hill towns, rather than large cities, enjoying the
gentle pace and everyday elegance of provincial Italian life, free from noise and the tourist crush.
Your tour leader
Touring Highlights
Dr
Nicholas Gordon has a
x xx
PhD in late medieval Italian
and
early modernthere
English
Getting
history
from
the
University
x
of Sydney. He has taught
European history (12001900) and architectural
history at universities in Sydney and led
several tours for Academy Travel.
>Lake Como, famed for its natural beauty
and the elegant villas along its shores
>Welcome lunch at Villa d’Este
>Explore the Apennine foothills, a region
dotted with exceptional castles and
hill towns
>In Verona visit the lovely villas and gardens
on the city’s outskirts and have time to
explore the fine medieval city itself
>Two excursions to the shores of Lake Garda,
visiting the ruins of a Roman villa and the
war hero/poet Gabriele D’Annunzio’s
jaw-dropping villa, Il Vittoriale
>The Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore
and a scenic rail journey to Switzerland
GETTING THERE
Emirates offers the best connections
to Rome and Milan. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
switzerland
ITALY
Lake Como
Lake
Maggiore
Bergamo
Milan
Asolo
Verona
Lake Garda
Cremona
8
Maximum 20 in a group
Vicenza
Day 1: Arrive
x
Milan and transfer to Bellagio.
Days 2–5: Visit 18th and 19th century villas that line the shores of the lake.
Days 6–8: Explore the hill towns and medieval
castles of Reggio-Emilia.
Days 9–10: From Asolo, admire Palladio’s classicalstyle country houses, theatres and palaces.
Days 11–13: From Verona, explore Roman,
medieval and Baroque sites in the region.
Days 14–16: Travel to Lake Maggiore, visiting the tiny Borromean Islands. Take the ferry to
Locarno for the scenic ‘hundred valleys’ train.
Day 17: Depart.
Private villas, gardens &
x
palazzi of Central Italyx
$9,450
$xx
pp, twin
pp, twin
share
share
(land
(land
content
content
only)
only)
$xx single
$1,700
single
supplement
supplement
x
May 3-17, 2015
s
anfa r
u
ad o
t
Discover
ENJOY
•Private lunches and tours with the •xx
villa owners, including many estates
not open to the public
•The history and design of some of
Italy’s finest gardens, ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century
•Extended stays in the small Tuscan
hilltop town of Pienza and at the
historic spa of the Terme di Stigliano
•Expert commentary on the gardens by Trisha Dixon
•Personal connections and access to
villa owners through Philippa Torlonia
Overview
We’re
delighted to offer you an exclusive and unique tour, giving you private access to
x
many of the hidden gems of Italy – family-owned gardens, historic villas and art collections,
Touring
Highlights
acquired
over centuries.
Born in Australia, then long-term resident in Italy, Principessa
Philippa
Torlonia
has
used
her personal contacts to create the tour, while garden expert and
>x
tour leader Trisha Dixon will share her knowledge and expertise of Italian gardens. Extended
stays in Tuscany, Lazio and then central Rome.
Touring
highlights
Your
tour
leader
>xx
Renaissance Pienza and its UNESCO-listed
x
landscape
Getting
>A full day at Iristhere
Origo’s La Foce, with
x gardens by Cecil Pinsent
>Lunch visits to the Castello Ruspoli and
the Castello Orsini
>The Renaissance gardens of the Villa Lante
>Private dinner at San Liberato estate,
with its Russell Page-designed park
>Etruscan archaeological sites north of Rome
>Private visit to Ninfa, a romantic
garden built among medieval ruins
>Private lunch at the Palazzo Colonna
in Rome, viewing the family’s renowned
art collection
ADFAS
Itinerary
Association of Australian
Decorative and Fine Arts Societies
Day 1: A
x night in Rome to recover from the flight
and meet up.
Days 2-4: Based in Pienza in southern Tuscany, we visit the Villa Lante, Siena, the Villa Cetinale and Iris Origo’s La Foce.
Days 5-8: Based in the Terme di Stigliano, a spa
town north of Rome. Visits include Etruscan
archaeological sites and several gardens, villas and castles.
Days 9-14: In Rome we visit palaces and villas
within the city and sites in the countryside.
Highlights include Ninfa and lunch and a private viewing of the Palazzo Colonna.
Academy Travel also manages the travel program for the Association of Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (ADFAS). With a
6000-strong membership from
throughout urban and regional
Australia, ADFAS offers a diverse
program for likeminded travellers with expert UK- and Australian-
based tour leaders.
For more information, please visit
academytravel.com.au/adfas
Your tour leaderS
Trisha Dixon is a writer,
photographer, ABC TV presenter
and author of several books on
garden design.
Philippa Torlonia has spent most
of her adult life in and around
Italy, as the Principessa Torlonia,
married to Marco Torlina, 5th
Prince of Civitella-Cesi.
Getting there
Emirates and Cathay Pacific offer daily
flights from Australian capital cities to
Rome. Please contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Siena
Pienza
Italy
Terme di Stigliano
Rome
Giardino
di Ninfa
9
Renaissance Courts
of Italy
$7,500 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,870 single supplement
May 7-22, 2015
DISCOVER
•The history and splendour of the
great families that shaped the Italian
Renaissance
•The refined art and architecture of
important Renaissance centres, such
as Milan, Mantua, Parma and Urbino
•How garden design was used to
explore and express Renaissance
values
•The excellent food and wine of
northern Italy, particularly in EmiliaRomagna
OVERVIEW
Travel to some of Italy’s less-visited art cities and discover magnificent reinterpretations of
ancient Roman glory by renaissance princes. Marvel at Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and
enjoy a private guided visit of Vasari’s Corridor in Florence. Follow the Piero della Francesca
trail from remote Urbino through the beautiful landscape of Le Marche. Stroll through the
playful gardens designed for the cardinals of Rome and dine in some of the best country
restaurants of Emilia-Romagna.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
HIGHLIGHTS
Dr Kathleen Olive holds a
PhD in Italian Studies from
the University of Sydney.
She has an outstanding
knowledge of Italy’s cultural
heritage and is one of
Academy Travel’s most
respected tour leaders.
>The art of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan
>Excellent restaurants in and around Parma
>The refined Gonzaga courts in Mantua
and Sabbioneta, where painting, literature,
music and theatre flourished
>The Uffizi Galleries and palaces of the
Medici family in Florence
>A day tracing the art of Piero della
Francesca in small towns in Tuscany
>Two nights in the remote hill town
of Urbino, the court of Federigo da
Montefeltro
>The magnificent villas and gardens of
Renaissance cardinals north of Rome
GETTING THERE
Emirates offers the best connections to
Milan and Rome. Contact us for quotes.
ITINERARY
Milan
Mantua
Parma
Italy
Rimini
Florence
Urbino
Rome
10
Frascati
www.academytravel.com.au
Days 1-3: In Milan, examine the art of the
Sforza court, from Leonardo da Vinci to the
impressive monastery at Pavia.
Days 4-6: Take day trips from elegant Parma to
Mantua and the planned town of Sabbioneta.
Days 7-9: Head to remote Urbino and follow
the Piero della Francesca trail to Florence.
Days 10-12: Spend three days in Michelangelo’s
Florence, at the court of the Medici.
Days 13-16: Wander the gardens at the Villa
Lante, Bomarzo and the Villa d’Este.
Sicily & the Aeolian Islands
May 8-24, 2015
september 4-20, 2015
$7,650 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,500 single supplement
EXPLORE
•The thriving colonies of the ancient
Greek world – wealthy, cultured
centres of literature and art
•Ancient Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman societies, and their
struggle to control the Mediterranean
•The lasting legacy of medieval Arab
and Norman rule, expressed in the
mosaics and architecture of Palermo
•The distinctive period of ‘Sicilian
Baroque’ architecture
•Dramatic countryside, including active volcanoes
•The natural beauty and traditional
lifestyle of the Aeolian Islands
OVERVIEW
This 17-day tour around Sicily has been designed to give the first-time visitor an overview of
the island’s diverse and fascinating history, art and traditions. Explore prehistoric, Greek and
Roman sites across the island. Enjoy the dramatic scenery of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands,
with their volcanoes and steep coastlines. Visit medieval Norman cathedrals with fine
Byzantine mosaics. Sample some of Sicily’s excellent wines and Arab-influenced cuisine.
HIGHLIGHTS
>A private boat trip of the Aeolian Islands
from Lipari to Stromboli and Panarea
>Outstanding archaeological museums
in Syracuse, Agrigento and Lipari
>The Sicilian Baroque architecture of
Noto and Ragusa
>The 4th century mosaics in the Roman
villa at Piazza Armerina
>The UNESCO World Heritage mosaics
of Monreale and the Palatine Chapel
in Palermo, undertaken by Byzantine
masters for their Norman rulers
>An excursion to the summit of Mt Etna
YOUR TOUR LEADERS
Jeni Ryde (May) has a Ph.D
from the University of Western
Sydney. She is a fluent Italian
speaker and lived in Italy for
a number of years.
Dr Estelle Lazer (September) is
an archaeologist of international
acclaim. She has led numerous
trips to southern Italy for
Academy Travel.
GETTING THERE
Emirates offers regular flights to Rome.
Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
Days 1-4: Arrive Syracuse and tour the
archaeological sites and Baroque architecture.
Days 5-6: Travel to the Greek temples at
Agrigento via the Roman villa at Piazza Armerina.
Days 7-10: Sightseeing in the capital of Palermo,
including the cathedral at Monreale. Visit
Marsala and the tiny island of Mozia.
Days 11-13: Continue on to Cefalu and take a private boat trip from Lipari to Stromboli and Panarea.
Days 14-17: In Taormina, visit the fine Graeco-Roman theatre and enjoy superb views of Mount Etna.
Stromboli
Lipari Islands
(Aeolian Islands)
Palermo
Messina
Segesta
Selinunte
Cefalu
Sicily
Mt Etna
Taormina
Piazza Amerina
Catania
Agrigento
Ragusa
Siracusa
Noto
11
Venice Biennale
Modern Art in North East Italy
May 25 – June 2, 2015
$5,450 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,600 single supplement
ENJOY
•Remarkable contemporary art by
leading artists from around the globe
•The less well-known sites of Venice
and its surrounds: quiet islands,
hidden gems and Roman ruins
•Stunning modern art spaces, showcasing Italian and international art
•Wander the narrow streets of Venice,
home to unofficial exhibitions and
performance art
•The renowned architecture of Venice,
including the Arsenale, only open to
the public during the Biennale
Overview
Venice, renowned for its medieval and Renaissance art, is also one of the world’s great
modern and contemporary art cities. We explore the 2015 Biennale over 12 days from our
quiet hotel in the heart of the city, interspersing these visits with trips to Venice’s modern
and contemporary galleries and some of the less well-known historic sites and galleries in the
region, such as the Roman city of Aquileia and MART, a stunning new art gallery at Rovereto.
Your Tour Leader
Highlights
Dr Nick Gordon has a
University Medal and a
PhD in history from the
University of Sydney, lectures
on European art, and has
led many tours to Europe for
Academy Travel. He is also
a practising painter and brings considerable
artistic insight to his tour leading.
>Visits to the Biennale’s exhibition
spaces, located in historic buildings
around the city
>Modern art collections in the Peggy
Guggenheim Collection and Ca’ Pesaro
in Venice
>Day trips to two of northern Italy’s
best new modern art galleries
>The World Heritage Roman ruins and
mosaics at Aquileia, one of the greatest
cities of the Roman Empire
>Visits to the lagoon islands of Torcello
and San Lazzaro degli Armeni
>Contemporary art at Punta della Dogana
Getting There
Emirates offers the best connections to
Rome and Venice. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Venice and get familiar with our
neighbourhood.
Days 2-3: Explore the Biennale’s national pavilions
and the Arsenale, and relax at some of Venice’s
more tranquil locations.
Day 4: Day trip to Rovereto, at the base of the
Alps, visiting its spectacular new gallery.
Day 5: ‘Unofficial’ Biennale exhibitions and
hidden gems of Renaissance art.
Day 6: Day trip to the Roman ruins at Aquileia
and an emerging modern gallery at Pordenone.
Days 7-9: More Biennale sites and Venice’s
modern and contemporary galleries, ending with
an evening on the peaceful island of Torcello.
12
Carefully planned itineraries
Rome to Turin
Italy’s western shores
$7,900 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,800 single supplement
October 8-24, 2015
DISCOVER
•The ancient civilisation of the
Etruscans, rulers of central Italy in the
centuries before Roman dominance
•The island of Elba, controlled by the
Medici princes and the short-lived
home of the exiled Napoleon
•The medieval maritime republics of
Pisa and Genoa, with their distinctly
oriental art and architecture derived
from trade and cultural exchange
•The colourful coastal scenery of the
Riviera di Levante and the Cinque Terre
•The Savoy rulers of Turin, patrons of art, architecture and music
OVERVIEW
Travel with two of our most popular leaders and explore the history and natural beauty of
Italy’s western shores. This 17-day journey begins in Lazio, near Rome, and moves up the
Tyrrhenian coast to Turin. Visits to leading archaeological sites, galleries and museums are
combined with boat and land excursions through the fine scenery. Food and wine play a
central role in Italian culture, and we have included several memorable meals, accompanied
by regional wines.
HIGHLIGHTS
>The most important and best-preserved
Etruscan sites in Italy
>Four nights in the fishing village of
Camogli, with walks and a private boat
trip to the Cinque Terre
>Three nights on the island of Elba enjoying
its fine coastline and historic sites
>The elegant medieval Tuscan town of Lucca
>Carrara’s internationally renowned marble
quarries
>Pisa beyond the Leaning Tower, including
superb medieval art galleries and
Renaissance sites
>The remarkable private art collection
at the Pinacoteca Agnelli, located within
the Fiat automotive complex near Turin
ITINERARY
Day 1-3: Arrive Rome and transfer to Terme di
Stigliano. Visit Etruscan sites, a Renaissance
castle and a garden by the British landscape
designer Russell Page.
Days 4-5: Tour the island of Elba, dotted with
villages, ports and historic villas.
Days 6-9: Examine Pisa’s glorious maritime past,
with day trips to Lucca and Carrara.
Days 9-12: From the seaside town of Camogli,
explore the Italian Riviera, with day trips to
Genoa and the Cinque Terre.
Days 13-17: Travel to Turin to sample the best
of European art at the astounding Pinacoteca
Agnelli.
YOUR TOUR LEADERS
Dr Kathleen Olive holds a PhD
in Italian Studies from the
University of Sydney. She is
one of Academy Travel’s most
respected tour leaders.
Dr Estelle Lazer is an
archaeologist of international
acclaim. She has led numerous
trips for Academy Travel.
GETTING THERE
Emirates offers the best connections to
Rome and Milan. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Milan
Turin
Alba
Genoa
ITALY
Camogli
Portofino
Cinque Terre
Pisa
Lucca
Piombino
Elba
Portoferraio
Terme di Stigliano
Rome
13
Paris in the Wintertime
a journey through art and history
January 11-24, 2015
$6,695 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,395 single supplement
EXPLORE
•5,000 years of Parisian history, from
the Stone Age and Middle Ages, to the
turbulent 18th and 19th centuries, to
the ‘grand projects’ of the modern era
•The history of France, focusing on the
way its capital and main monuments
have been shaped by revolution
•The great museums of Paris, including
the Louvre and the Orsay, and many
less well-known museums, such as
the Petit-Palais, the Cluny and the
Carnavalet
•The fabric and life of the city itself
through walking tours, site visits and
unforgettable dining experiences
Overview
A tour designed for lovers of fine art, architecture and history who want an experience of Paris
that goes well beyond a superficial treatment of the tourist hotspots. Our elegant boutique
hotel in the stylish 6th arrondissement is the perfect base for a program which mixes the great
sites and institutions of Paris with absorbing out-of-the-way districts. We also have time to
relax, enjoy some great restaurants and attend a concert or opera performance.
Tour Leader Profile
Dr Michael Adcock is a
social and cultural historian
who specialises in the field
of modern France. He has
led several tours to Paris for
Academy Travel.
Getting there
There are a number of airline options
available for flights into and out of Paris.
Contact us for quotes.
Touring Highlights
>The glory of medieval church architecture
at Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame
>World-class museums including the
Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, as well
as the Musée Picasso and Musée Rodin
>Day trips to Rheims and Versailles
>Walking tours of key sites in the city’s
history, such as Montmartre, the Marais,
Bastille and St Germain
>Icons of modern Paris including the
Musée Pompidou and the Quai Branly
>A concert or opera performance in one
of the city’s great performance spaces
>Selected meals in historic bistros, trendy
brasseries and elegant restaurants
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1–3: Explore medieval Paris, including
walking tours, site and museum visits and a
concert performance.
Day 4: An excursion to Rheims, including a
Champagne tasting.
Days 5–7: Explore the Louvre in depth and
experience the extravagance of Louis XIV and his court at Versailles.
Days 8–11: Impressionism at the Musée d’Orsay,
a cruise up the Canal Saint Martin and a walking
tour of bohemian Montmartre.
Days 12–14: Explore 20th century Paris at the
Picasso and Rodin Museums, the Pompidou
Centre and Musée du Quai Branly.
14
Maximum 20 in a group
Classical & Ottoman Turkey
April 1-17, 2015
October 8-25, 2015
$7,490 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,990 single supplement
DISCOVER
•Majestic Byzantine and Ottoman art and architecture in Istanbul
•Ancient Neolithic, Greek and Roman
civilisations of Asia Minor
•The Byzantine rock-hewn churches and underground cities of Cappadocia
•Medieval Seljuk civilisation – fine
mosques and Whirling Dervishes
•Ancient traditions and vibrant
contemporary culture in Turkey
•Fine food and a bustling modern scene
on the Asian side of the Bosphorus
OVERVIEW
Turkey has for centuries been a crossroads of religions and cultures, connecting the East with
the West. Layers of Neolithic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history have endowed it
with a wealth of unique historical and archaeological sites, often found in places of breathtaking
natural beauty. This 17-day journey follows a comprehensive path through Turkey’s rich past from
Istanbul, one of the great cities of the world, to the Aegean coastal towns of Kusadasi and Assos
and the unique landscape of Cappadocia, before concluding in Istanbul.
TOURING HIGHLIGHTS
Your Tour leader
>Seven nights in Istanbul with visits to
the major Byzantine and Ottoman sites
>The Gallipoli Peninsula, including Anzac
Cove and Lone Pine
>The archaeological sites of Assos and Troy
>Three nights in Kusadasi, visiting the
ancient city of Ephesus, Priene, Miletus
and Didyma
>Three nights in Cappadocia with its
‘moonscape’ of caves and chimneys
>The painted cave-churches at the Göreme
Open Air Museum
>The Neolithic site of Çatal Hüyük
Judy Roberts holds a BA
(Hons) in Archaeology and
Ancient History from the
University of Sydney. She
has lived and travelled
extensively in Greece
and Turkey and has been
involved with the University of Sydney
excavation at Paphos, Cyprus.
Getting there
Emirates offers regular flights to and
from Istanbul. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1–4: Explore Istanbul from ancient times to
the Ottoman conquest, visiting the Hagia Sophia,
the city walls and Topkapı Palace.
Days 5–7: Marvel at spectacular cave churches
and unique volcanic landscapes in Cappadocia.
Day 8: Examine the Neolithic site of Çatal Hüyük
before staying on Lake Egirdir.
Days 9–11: On the Aegean coast visiting ancient
Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale .
Days 12–13: Two nights in Assos visiting
Pergamum and Troy.
Days 14–17: Return to Istanbul via Gallipoli and for further exploration.
Istanbul
Gallipoli
TURKEY
Assos
Lake Egirdir
Kusadasi
Kayseri
Konya
15
Northern Spain
Barcelona to Santiago
$7,900 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,850 single supplement
April 9-25, 2015
EXPLORE
•The vibrant city of Barcelona with
its Roman origins and distinctive
modernista art
•The extraordinary architecture of
Bilbao’s Guggenheim
•Sections of the Camino Francés, the medieval pilgrimage route to
Santiago de Compostela
•Superb Visigothic, Gothic and
Romanesque art and architecture
•Spain’s natural beauty in green Galicia
and the rugged Picos de Europa of
Asturias
•The excellent and celebrated regional
food of Spain’s north
Overview
Join us on a journey through the fascinating regions of Northern Spain. Marvel at the amazing
architecture of Barcelona and Bilbao, and enjoy world-class wine in Rioja. Explore Spain’s
history, from Ferdinand and Isabella receiving Columbus in Castilla and León, to Asturias and
the charming city of Oviedo. In lush Galicia witness the devotion of medieval pilgrims on
the Camino Francés and the spectacular cathedral at Santiago de Compostela. Along the
route we sample the delights of one of Europe’s most highly regarded gastronomic regions.
Your tour leader
Touring highlights
Dr Jeni Ryde is a former
Senior Lecturer at the
University of Western
Sydney. Her PhD focused on
the Renaissance, Heritage
Tourism and Museology.
She has travelled extensively
through Portugal and Spain.
>Modernist architecture in Barcelona, from
Gaudí’s almost-complete Sagrada Família,
to the exuberant Palau de la Musica
Catalana and the elegant Passeig de Gracia
>Frank Gehry’s extraordinary design at the
Guggenheim in Bilbao
>Two nights in a five-star Parador on the
pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela
>The secluded beauty of Visigothic and
Romanesque chapels, monasteries and
churches near Burgos and Oviedo
>Excellent food and wine in San Sebastián,
Galicia’s small fishing villages and the
Rioja
Getting there
We recommend Emirates who fly into Barcelona
and home from Madrid, with a connecting
flight from Santiago. Contact us for quotes.
Lisbon
City Break
April 26 – May 3, 2015
October 4-11, 2015
$3490 pp, twin share (land content only)
$950 single supplement
Overview
Unpack your bags for seven days and
discover the birthplace of the Portuguese
Age of Discovery. Enjoy accommodation in
a boutique hotel located in the picturesque
Alfama area, offering spectacular views of
the River Tagus. Travel on full-day excursions
to the palaces of Sintra and the medieval
town of Évora. Dine in some of Lisbon’s best
restaurants. Explore a city of outstanding
art collections, spectacular monuments,
and vibrant neighbourhoods or bairros.
Your tour leader
More details at academytravel.com.au
Dr Jeni Ryde see left.
Itinerary
Oviedo
Santiago
de Compostela
Leon
Bilbao
Burgos
Barcelona
spAIN
Portugal
16
www.academytravel.com.au
Days 1–4: Roman, medieval and modernista
Barcelona.
Days 4–6: Fly to Bilbao and visit the Guggenheim
and San Sebastián.
Days 6–9: Rioja wine region. Burgos cathedral,
Romanesque monasteries and Visigothic churches.
Days 9–11: The Pilgrims’ Way to León and a stay at an iconic Parador.
Days 11–14: Picos de Europa and the Romanesque
in Oviedo. Market tour and cider tasting.
Days 14–16: Santiago de Compostela. Seafood
and wine in Rías Baixas.
Day 17: Return to Barcelona or continue on our
Lisbon city break.
Grand Tour of Spain
May 3-20, 2015
October 11-28, 2015
$8,330 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,250 single supplement
Discover
•The Moorish kingdoms of Andalucía in Spain’s south
•The history of Spain in the 16th
century, the most powerful empire on earth
•The art of Renaissance and Baroque
Spain, including Velásquez, El Greco
and Goya
•The excellent regional food and wine traditions of Spain
•The distinctive culture and modernista
art and architecture of Catalonia in
Spain’s north, from Gaudí to Picasso
Touring highlights
>An exceptional range of museums
and galleries, including the renowned
Maritime Museum and the art collection
amassed by billionaire José Berardo
>An exploration of the different bairros
of Lisbon, from harbourside Belém to
the churches and convents of Bairro Alto
>A full-day excursion to the palaces
of Sintra
>A full day in Évora exploring the vibrant
town square, Roman temples and baths
>A relaxed pace – seven nights to
immerse yourself in a remarkable city
Overview
Take a comprehensive tour of Spain, designed to give the first-time visitor an overview
of the country’s diverse and always fascinating history, art and traditions. Begin with the
medieval Moorish worlds of Granada, Cordoba and Sevilla, then explore royal Madrid
and the exuberant city of Barcelona. Visit major art galleries, palaces and religious sites.
Enjoy exceptional dining in carefully selected restaurants, designed to showcase Spain’s
outstanding culinary traditions.
Touring highlights
>The 13th century Alhambra in Granada,
a complex of palaces and water gardens
>The renowned Mesquita (mosque) of
Cordoba, a blend of Visigothic and Islamic art
>Visiting the mighty cathedral and
wandering the lanes of Sevilla, the city
of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro
>The art collections of the Prado and
Thyssen-Bornemisza museums in Madrid
>Philip II’s monastery-palace of El Escorial,
the epitome of Spanish imperial power
>The extraordinary Alcázar of Segovia
>Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família in
Barcelona, together with other works
Your tour leader
Expert lecturer Dr Angela
Smith specialises in
European history, fine and
decorative arts from the
12th century onwards.
She led our sell-out tours
to Spain in 2013 and 2014.
Getting there
We recommend Emirates flights into Madrid
or Barcelona, with connecting flights to
Granada with Vueling or Iberia. Contact us
for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1–3: Visit Moorish sites in Granada and
explore Spain’s Roman heritage.
Days 4–6: Travel to Cordoba via small towns
in Andalucía. Explore the Mosque and other
remarkable sites.
Days 7–9: Three nights in Sevilla exploring
museums, architecture and simply relaxing.
Days 10–13: High-speed train to Madrid, where
we visit galleries and palaces, take a trip to El Escorial and have a full free day.
Days 14–17: Travel to Barcelona, centre of
Catalonian art and culture.
Barcelona
spAIN
Madrid
Sevilla
Cordoba
Granada
17
Berlin and Beyond
Berlin, Dresden & Leipzig
$6,990 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,700 single supplement
May 11-24, 2015
DISCOVER
•A dynamic city that dominated 20th century history and is one of the great cultural capitals of Europe
•Museums of art and antiquities of the highest importance
•An internationally-acclaimed centre
of contemporary art, design and
architecture
•A famous musical heritage, with
outstanding ensembles such as the
Berlin Philharmonic and three major
opera houses
•The history and culture of nearby
Potsdam, Dresden and Leipzig
Overview
This two week residential-style tour allows you to take an in-depth look at Berlin, and also
the nearby cities of Potsdam, Dresden and Leipzig. Daily walking tours, background talks and
guided visits trace the history and development of Berlin from its earliest days through the
glory days of the Prussian and German Empires, to the darker days of the early 20th century
and its renaissance since 1989.
Your Tour Leader
Touring Highlights
Thomas Abbot was born
in the US but has lived
in Germany since 1988.
He holds a degree in art
history and has led many
cultural tours throughout
Germany, specialising
in the architecture of Berlin, the art of
18th century Germany and the Bauhaus.
>Visits to the Pergamon Museum, the
Egyptian Museum and the Gemäldegalerie
>Walks through the historic neighbourhoods
of both east and west Berlin
>Performances by the Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra and an opera at the historic
Semper Oper in Dresden
>A full day in Potsdam, visiting Frederick
the Great’s Sanssouci and the many other
architectural gems of this beautiful town
>A trip through the scenic countryside near
Dresden, including Pillnitz Palace, and the
charming old town of Renaissance Leipzig
>Farewell dinner atop the Reichstag with
views across Berlin
Getting there
Etihad in conjunction with Air Berlin offers
regular flights to and from Berlin. Contact
us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
GERMANY
Berlin
Potsdam
Leipzig
Dresden
18
Carefully planned itineraries
Days 1–3: Explore medieval Berlin in the
Nikolaiviertel, cruise the Spree River to the
elegantly restored Charlottenburg Palace and tour the world-class Gemäldegalerie.
Day 4: Excursion to Potsdam to examine the
extensive complex of palaces, gardens and
pavilions.
Days 5–6: Two days on Museum Island, including
the antiquities of the Pergamon Museum.
Days 7–9: Three-day excursion to Dresden and Leipzig.
Days 10–14: Modern Berlin at the Bauhaus
Archive, New National Gallery and the Hamburger
Bahnhof Museum of Contemporary Art.
Amsterdam to Paris
from van Eyck to van Gogh
$7,350 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,200 single supplement
June 5-21, 2015
ld t
so u
o
EXPLORE
•More than five centuries of European
artistic masterpieces, ranging from the middle ages to the modern era
•Innovation and the relentless pursuit
of beauty in the works of Van Eyck,
Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer and Van Gogh
•How wealth and the exchange of
goods and ideas from around the
world created a dynamic cultural scene
•The broader history and development
of some of Europe’s richest, most
vibrant and cosmopolitan cities
Overview
The Low Countries have extraordinary artistic traditions which have withstood and evolved
with some of the most significant upheavals in European history. On this tour, Dr Nick
Gordon takes you from Amsterdam to Delft, Brussels, Bruges and Paris, exploring the art
and architecture that flourished in these dynamic environments. We also visit smaller
centres such as Utrecht and Ghent, while enjoying exceptional museums and galleries
and exquisitely preserved medieval and Renaissance cityscapes.
Highlights
Tour leader
>The refurbished Rijksmuseum, housing
the world’s finest collection of Dutch
painting, with masterpieces by Rembrandt
and Vermeer
>Stays in beautifully preserved medieval
and Renaissance cities, including Bruges
and Delft
>European master paintings in some of
Europe’s finest galleries, including the
Louvre and the Mauritshuis
>Visits to many less well-visited galleries,
seeing the extraordinary works overlooked
by most travellers
>Modern masterpieces by northern masters
– Van Gogh, Magritte and Escher
Dr Nick Gordon has a
University Medal and a
PhD in history from the
University of Sydney, lectures
on European art, and has
led many tours to Europe for
Academy Travel. He is also
a practising painter and brings considerable
artistic insight to his tour leading.
Getting there
Emirates, Malaysian and Singapore Airlines
offer flights from Australia to Amsterdam
and home from Paris. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1-3: Explore Amsterdam, once the centre of an empire extending from Brazil to Japan.
Days 4-6: Visit art sites in Utrecht and The
Hague, as well as Rotterdam and Delft.
Days 7-10: In Brussels, visit superb Old Masters
and modern galleries, admire Gothic and Art
Nouveau architecture and tour Wallonia.
Days 11-13: Visit Ghent to see the famous
altarpiece by the Van Eycks, before exploring
Bruges and Tournai.
Days 14-17: Cap off our tour with visits to the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Netherlands
Amsterdam
Delft
Bruges
Brussels
BELGIUM
FRANCE
Paris
19
Croatia
Along the Adriatic
$7,950 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,650 single supplement
June 5-21, 2015
a a
todf n
u as
r
Explore
•The Roman province of Dalmatia, the prosperous bridge between East
and West in the ancient world
•The port cities of the former Venetian
Maritime Empire, with resplendent
mosaics, fine civic buildings inspired
by the Italian Renaissance
•The competing influence of the
Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman
Turks in the Balkans
•The Austro-Hungarian presence in the 18th and 19th centuries
•The maritime heritage of Croatia –
navigators, fishermen and pirates!
Travel from Venice to the Istrian Peninsula,
the historic towns of Zadar, Split and on to
Dubrovnik. En route we explore the complex
web of European and Eastern influences
that has created the unique and distinctive
culture of Croatia. Sites include ancient
Roman cities, medieval villages, outposts of
the Venetian Empire and remnants of the
Turkish and Austro-Hungarian periods. The
landscape is spectacular, with countless
islands hugging the rugged coastline, once
the haunt of pirates. We also venture inland,
visiting Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Your tour leader
Dr Matthew Dal Santo is
a historian and journalist
with degrees from both
Sydney and Cambridge
Universities. He was a Fellow
in History at Trinity College,
where he received his PhD.
Matthew speaks French, Italian, Danish,
German and Russian.
Touring highlights
>The coastal towns on the Istrian peninsula,
where Italian culture meets the traditions
of the Balkans
>The Dalmatian Coast, where rugged
mountain ranges plunge down to the
sea and hundreds of small islands dot
the coastline
>Diocletian’s Palace in Split and its medieval
streetscape
>The World Heritage site of Starigrad on
Hvar Island and picturesque Hvar Town
>The beautiful historic town of Dubrovnik,
known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’
>The iconic Mostar bridge in BosniaHerzegovina
>The stunning natural beauty of the
Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
Getting there
Emirates fly into Venice and out of Frankfurt
(the most direct hub from Dubrovnik).
Please Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Venice
Opatija
Croatia
Porec
Pula
Zadar
Mostar
Split
Dubrovnik
italy
20
Expert tour leaders
Montenegro
Days 1-3: Meet in Venice and travel to Porec.
From here we tour the Istrian peninsula.
Days 4-5: Based in the Austro-Hungarian resort
town of Opatija, we visit Roman, Venetian and
Renaissance sites.
Days 6-7: Exploring the walled port city of Zadar.
Days 8-11: A four-night stop in Split, visiting
the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace and
surrounding sites.
Day 12: Overnight in Mostar, a mountain town
famous for its medieval bridge.
Days 13-17: From Dubrovnik we visit the scenic
Bay of Kotor in Montenegro and nearby islands.
ADFAS
Association of Australian
Decorative and Fine Arts Societies
Academy Travel also manages the travel program for the Association of Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (ADFAS). With a
6000-strong membership from
throughout urban and regional
Australia, ADFAS offers a diverse
program for likeminded travellers with expert UK- and Australian-
based tour leaders.
For more information, please visit
academytravel.com.au/adfas
Scandinavia AND Iceland
Nature and Design
$9,990 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,250 single supplement
June 25 – July 11, 2015
g
in
ll st
se fa
Discover
•Finland’s remarkable golden age of
art, architecture and music 1880-30,
mixing romanticism and Art Nouveau
with a deep reverence for nature
•Scandinavian modern architecture and
design – Alvar Aalto, Eliel Saarinen,
Joern Utzon, Marimekko and others
•Denmark’s deeply-rooted royal
traditions, from Hamlet’s castle at
‘Elsinore’ to Frederick and Mary
•The fjordlands of Norway, and Bergen,
its cultural capital
•Iceland’s unique blend of Celtic, Viking
and Nordic culture, shaped by its
remarkable volcanic landscape
Overview
Academy Travel’s new 17-day tour has been carefully planned to showcase the best that
Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland have to offer the cultural traveller. These northern
lands have strong and distinctive cultural traditions, from the Vikings of the Middle Ages to
the emergence of Art Nouveau and cutting-edge mid-century modern design in the 1950s
and 60s, a tradition that continues to this day. Equally impressive is the natural beauty of
the region, with its forests, lakes, pristine coastlines, fjords and wild volcanic landscapes.
An optional three-day extension to Greenland is also available.
Highlights
Your tour leader
>Four days in Helsinki exploring its striking
19th century and Art Nouveau architecture
>Historical and modern/contemporary
art museums in Helsinki, Copenhagen,
Bergen and Reykjavik
>The architecture of Joern Utzon
>Helsingor castle, the setting of
Shakespeare’s Hamlet
>Bergen, Norway’s cultural capital
>The unique atmosphere of Reykjavik,
the world’s most northerly capital city
>Two days in a beautiful boutique hotel on
the Snaefells Peninsula, where Jules Verne
set his Journey to the Centre of the Earth
For 25 years, Robert Veel
has led tours and taught
courses in cultural and
art history. In 2004 he
co-founded Academy Travel.
He has travelled extensively
in Scandinavia, including
two research trips to prepare this tour.
Getting there
Finnair has reliable and keenly priced
code-share services between Australia and
Scandinavia. Please contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1-4: See Helsinki, with walking tours of art, architecture and design, some fine dining
and a trip to the lakes to visit artists’ and
musicians’ villas.
Days 5-8: Fly to Copenhagen and explore royal
palaces, stunning modern architecture and
some fine art galleries.
Days 9-10: Fly to Bergen, on Norway’s west
coast, for a relaxing visit to the fjords.
Day 11-16: Fly to Reykjavik in Iceland and
explore geysers, volcanoes and the rugged,
isolated coastline. Two days on the Snaefells
Peninsula.
Days 17-20: Optional Greenland extension.
Iceland
Snaefells
Reykjavik
FINLAND
NORWAY
Bergen
Copenhagen
Helsinki
Denmark
21
Nice to Barcelona
Art, history and culture
September 17 – October 3, 2015
$8,850 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,200 single supplement
a a
todf n
u as
r
Enjoy
•Three millennia of civilization, from
Roman towns to medieval villages and belle-époque resort towns
•The company and leadership of an
expert lecturer as you sample the
artistic heritage of France’s south:
Cezanne, Matisse, Renoir, Van Gogh,
Chagall and more
•The distinctive landscape, cuisine and
culture of France’s Languedoc region
•The late 19th and early 20th century art
and architecture of Barcelona, capital of
the economically and culturally vibrant
Catalonia region of Spain
Overview
This 17-day journey is a study in contrasts – taking us from the sophisticated elegance
of the Côte d’Azur to the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Barcelona. The sites we visit range from
ancient Roman towns to cutting-edge contemporary design, but there is a strong focus on
the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist
French painters, and the Spanish modernista architecture of Gaudí and others. Long stays in
elegant provincial towns.
Your tour leader
Touring highlights
France-based lecturer
Odette Livingstone-Smith
has an MA in Art History.
She moved to Paris 25 years
ago and now resides in the
Loire Valley. She has led and
lectured on study tours
around the Mediterranean.
>The art heritage of the Matisse and
Chagall museums and the Fondation
Maeght in St-Paul-de-Vence
>A private boat trip from the pretty harbour of
Cassis along dramatic gorges, Les Calanques
>Roman ruins in Nîmes, Arles and Les Antiques
>A day in medieval Avignon
>The Abbey of Fontfroide near Narbonne,
enjoying a long lunch
>The vibrant city of Barcelona, with
a special focus on the modernista
architecture of Gaudí
>Dining at excellent provincial restaurants
>A performance at Palau de la Musica,
Barcelona
Getting there
Emirates have flights from Australia via
Dubai to Nice, and Barcelona. Other airlines
require at least one transfer in Europe.
Please Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
FRANCE
Nîmes
Aigues-Mortes
Avignon
Arles
St Paul-de-Vence
Narbonne
SPAIN
Aix-enProvence
Figueres
Barcelona
22
Maximum 20 in a group
Nice
Antibes
Itinerary
ADFAS
Days 1-3: In Nice on the Côte d’Azur, visiting leading art galleries and enjoying some fine food.
Days 4-9: Based in Aix-en-Provence and then
Nîmes, we visit Roman ruins, take a private boat
trip along the coast and visit Avignon, with its
14th century papal palace.
Days 10-11: From our base in Narbonne, we visit
medieval sites in the Languedoc region, such as Carcassonne and the Abbey of Fontfroide.
Days 13-17: Travel through Catalonia and
explore the wonderful art and architecture of Barcelona.
Association of Australian
Decorative and Fine Arts Societies
Academy Travel also manages the travel program for the Association of Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (ADFAS). With a
6000-strong membership from
throughout urban and regional
Australia, ADFAS offers a diverse
program for likeminded travellers with expert UK- and Australian-
based tour leaders.
For more information, please visit
academytravel.com.au/adfas
Cyprus and Greek Islands
a feast of history and culture
$7,450 pp, twin share (land content only)
$750 single supplement
September 17 – October 4, 2015
DISCOVER
•An amazing diversity of civilisations
ranging from Neolithic, Greek and
Roman to Minoan and Ottoman
•Ancient sites associated with the
myths of Aphrodite, Zeus and the
Minotaur of Crete
•A wealth of small museums housing
finds from local archaeological sites
•The great diversity and resilient
cultural identity of the islands
•Dining as the locals do, indulging in regional treats, meze-style meals
and fine wine grown locally
Overview
This 18-day tour through Cyprus, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini explores ancient settlements
that grew into grand and important places, reflecting the glory of their times. Proximity to
trading routes, natural resources and sacred sites in places like Paphos, Rhodes, Knossos and
Akrotiri brought great wealth and impressive architecture, artwork and infrastructure. This
well-paced voyage of spectacular scenery, sites and museums showcases the fascinating
history of these islands, which played an integral role in the ancient world.
HIGHLIGHTS
YOUR TOUR LEADER
>Discover Neolithic, Hellenistic and Roman
sites in Paphos
>Investigate beautifully decorated Byzantine
churches and monasteries in the Troodos
Mountains
>Spend a full day in northern Cyprus
exploring Ottoman culture
>Wander through the medieval walled old
town of Rhodes, established by the Knights
of St John
>Explore Minoan culture and civilisation,
including the palace of Knossos on Crete
>Relax with three nights on Santorini, and
island with spectacular views
Judy Roberts holds a BA
(Hons) in Archaeology and
Ancient History from the
University of Sydney. She
has lived and travelled
extensively in Greece
and Turkey and has been
involved with the University of Sydney
excavation at Paphos, Cyprus.
GETTING THERE
Emirates fly into Larnaca and out of Athens
via Dubai. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
Days 1-5: Arrive in Larnaca, then explore
Neolithic, Hellenistic and Roman sites in Paphos
and religious sites in the Troodos Mountains.
Days 6-7: Discover Venetian and Ottoman
heritage in Nicosia.
Days 8-9: See the medieval Rhodes, built by the Knights of St John, and archaeological sites
at Lindos and Kameiros.
Days 10-14: Fly to Heraklion, visit Knossos and
Minoan sites at Lato and Malia, and see the
Phaistos Disk, Chania and the war cemetery at Souda Bay in Rethymnon.
Days 15-18: Stay three nights in Santorini before concluding in Athens.
TURKEY
Athens
GREECE
Santorini
Heraklion
Rethymnon
CRETE
Rhodes
Nicosia
Troodos Mountains
Paphos Larnaca
CYPRUS
23
St Petersburg
and Moscow
September 18 – October 4, 2015
$9,300 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,890 single supplement
DISCOVER
•A rich and tumultuous history
stretching back hundreds of years
•Vast repositories of art and culture in
Russia’s incredible array of museums
and galleries
•Sumptuous palaces built for the tsars
and designed by architects to rival the
best in Western Europe
•The resilience of a people who have
survived catastrophic wars and
revolution
•Ancient wooden towns of the Golden
Ring around Moscow
OVERVIEW
Delve into Russian culture, history and art on this comprehensive 17-day tour. Spend seven
nights in St Petersburg exploring the city’s famous landmarks, art museums, churches and
palaces, with a day trip to Catherine the Great’s palaces. Immerse yourself in Moscow’s Red
Square, visit the Kremlin’s cathedrals and Armoury Collection, the Pushkin Museum and the
Tretyakov Gallery, and experience a performance at the legendary Bolshoi. Spend three nights
in Suzdal, with visits to the Golden Ring towns of Sergiev Posad and Vladimir.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
HIGHLIGHTS
Dr Matthew Dal Santo is
a historian with Honours
degrees from both Sydney
and Cambridge universities.
He was a Fellow in History
at Trinity College, where
he received his PhD, and
speaks numerous languages, including
some Russian.
>Seven nights in St Petersburg visiting
the Hermitage and the Russian Museum.
>Full-day excursion to the magnificent
palaces of Catherine the Great
>Red Square and the treasures of the
State Armoury in Moscow
>A performance at the Bolshoi
>Masterpieces of Russian art at the
Tretyakov Gallery
>Sergiev Posad, home of the Russian
Orthodox Church
>Three nights in Suzdal exploring the
wooden architecture and churches
of the Golden Ring
GETTING THERE
Emirates offer daily flights from Australian
cities via Dubai to St Petersburg and home
from Moscow. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
St Petersburg
RUSSIA
Pushkin
Suzdal
Vladimir
Moscow
24
www.academytravel.com.au
Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg.
Days 2-8: Over six days explore the city’s
extraordinary landmarks, galleries, churches,
palaces and museums, including a day trip to
Catherine’s palaces at Pushkin.
Day 9: Travel in luxury by fast train to Moscow.
Days 10 -14: Over four days discover Red
Square, the Kremlin, the Tretyakov Gallery and
Moscow’s museums, and attend a performance
at the Bolshoi.
Days 15-17: Stay three nights in the charming
Golden Ring town of Suzdal, with visits to
Sergiev Posad and Vladimir.
Istanbul and Venice
a tale of two cities
$7,450 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,800 single supplement
September 22 – October 6, 2015
Explore
•The Emperor Constantine’s creation of a ‘New Rome’ in Constantinople
•How the Venetians and the Turks ruled
the Mediterranean – one through
conquest and the other through trade
•The shared physical beauty of two
great cities
•Majestic Byzantine and Ottoman art and architecture in Istanbul
•The all-encompassing relationship
between Venice and the sea
•Early Christian art in Ravenna and the islands of the Venetian lagoon
•The distinctive style of Venetian painting
Overview
The great cities of Istanbul and Venice, straddling East and West, are indissolubly linked
through their history, culture and art. Our 15-day journey explores these links in depth.
We begin in Istanbul, imperial capital of both the Byzantines and the Ottoman Turks,
Venice’s implacable enemy. We then fly to Italy, spending two nights in Ravenna,
Byzantium’s capital in the west, before spending six nights in Venice, whose unique
art and culture is profoundly influenced by its links to the East.
Touring Highlights
>Cruise up the Bosphorus to visit the
Sultan Mehmet II fortress
>Sumptuous Ottoman fine and decorative
arts at the Museum of Turkish and
Islamic Arts
>Two nights in Ravenna, the lavishly
decorated imperial capital
>Day trip to Padua to view Giotto’s
Scrovegni Chapel
>The art of Carpaccio, Bellini, Titian and
Tintoretto in palaces, confraternities
and churches
>Farewell lunch at the legendary Locanda
Cipriani on the island of Torcello
Your tour leader
Dr Kathleen Olive holds
a PhD in Italian from the
University of Sydney. She
has been lecturing and
leading tours to Italy, Spain
and Turkey for Academy
Travel since 2009.
Getting there
Emirates offers regular flights from most
Australian cities in to Istanbul and home
from Venice. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1–6: In Istanbul, view the mosaics in Hagia
Sophia and the Great Palace Museum, cruise the
Bosphorus and admire Ottoman architecture
and decorative arts at the Blue Mosque and
Topkapı Palace.
Days 7–8: Fly to Venice, then on to Ravenna for its stunning 5th and 6th century mosaics.
Days 9–15: Return to Venice via Padua to
examine the extensive connections with the East at St Mark’s Basilica, the Correr Museum, the Ghetto and in the Accademia art gallery.
Cruise the Venetian lagoon, visiting Murano,
Burano and Torcello’s Byzantine mosaics.
Venice
Ravenna
ITALY
Istanbul
TURKEY
25
New York
music, theatre, art and food
January 15-27, 2015
$8,970 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,775 single supplement
ENJOY
•Eight outstanding performances –
opera, orchestral concerts, plays and a
Broadway musical
•New York’s marvellous architectural
heritage, with a focus on Art Deco,
modern and contemporary
•A breathtaking array of visual arts,
ranging from European Old Masters to
20th century classics and the cuttingedge contemporary scene
•A survey of New York’s food scene,
ranging from historic venues to
Michelin three-star establishments
•New York in the low season, free from the tourist masses
Overview
highlights
Spend two weeks in the Big Apple, attending
the very best in opera, symphony concerts
and drama, while visiting some of the
world’s top art and history museums and
dining in a selection of the city’s best
restaurants. Accommodation is in spacious
premier-plus rooms at the Warwick Hotel on
54th St in Midtown Manhattan. The location
is perfect for theatre and concert goers,
being within walking distance of major
performance venues, major art galleries
and some of the city’s architectural icons.
Outstanding Performances
Your Tour Leader
Robert Veel has a thorough
knowledge of New York,
developed over 20 years
of visiting, teaching and
tour leading. He holds an
MEd from the University
of Sydney, where he
taught for many years before co-founding
Academy Travel.
Getting There
For this tour we recommend flights with
Qantas or United, which have regular flights
to the East Coast. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
26
Carefully planned itineraries
>Puccini’s La bohème at the Metropolitan
Opera
>Verdi’s La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera
>Verdi’s Requiem with the New York
Philharmonic
>The Budapest Festival Orchestra at the
Lincoln Center
>A Carnegie Hall recital with piano
sensation Daniil Trifonov
>Leonard Bernstein’s breakthrough musical
On the Town
>The hit play The Curious Incident of the Dog
in the Night-Time in its first New York run
>Stage and screen legend Glenn Close in
Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance
Fine Meals
>Lunch at The Wright, inside Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Guggenheim Museum
>Degustation lunch at the Michelin threestar restaurant Eleven Madison Park
>Dinner at Jean-Georges’ Perry St in the
fashionable East Village
Art, Architecture and History
>A private out-of-hours viewing of the
Museum of Modern Art
>Excursion to the Philip Johnson Glass
House, north of the city
>Curator-led tour of The Cloisters, the
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s medieval
collection
>Insider’s guided tour of the contemporary
art scene in the Chelsea district
>Architectural walking tours of Midtown Art
Deco, Brooklyn Heights and the High Line
Vienna to Dresden
a musical tour
$8,900 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,800 single supplement
May 5-20, 2015
g
in
ll st
se fa
Enjoy
•The deeply-rooted musical heritage
of Vienna, where Haydn, Mozart,
Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and
Mahler all lived and worked for
extended periods
•Beautiful and historic venues for music
making, such as the Musikverein in
Vienna and the Semperoper in Dresden
•The social and historical context
behind the music, explored through
background talks, walking tours and
museum visits
•Great painting, sculpture and
architecture from the Renaissance to the 21st century
OVERVIEW
Academy Travel’s annual music tour to the German-speaking world brings together
outstanding performances from leading orchestras and opera houses. In 2015 we present
possibly our best program ever, with five orchestral concerts by Europe’s leading orchestras,
four operatic performances with internationally renowned artists, and three intimate
concerts including a Bach motet recital in St Thomas’ church in Leipzig. Accommodation
is in centrally-located four and five-star hotels, with many meals included.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
PERFORMANCES
Antony Jeffrey has decades
of professional involvement
in the performing arts,
including as general
manager of the Australian
Chamber Orchestra, which
he has taken on several
overseas tours. Antony led our English
Summer Music Festivals and Glyndebourne
to Edinburgh tours in 2014.
In Vienna
GETTING THERE
>Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,
Shostakovich and Ravel
>Philharmonia Quartet, Shostakovich
and Beethoven
>Berlioz’ opera The Damnation of Faust
>Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin
Emirates offers flights to Vienna and home
from Prague, not far from Dresden. Contact
us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Berlin
Leipzig
Dresden
GERMANY
Vienna
AUSTRIA
Days 1-5: Explore Vienna’s musical heritage,
including opera, concerts and recitals, and visit
the Esterházy court at Eisenstadt.
Days 6-10: Fly to Berlin for five days of concerts
and galleries, with time to explore the city’s
fascinating history.
Days 11-12: Take a coach journey to Leipzig,
recognised once more as one of Germany’s great cultural centres. Explore Bach’s legacy and attend two concerts.
Days 13-16: Finish with three nights in Dresden,
capital of Saxony and a charming historical city.
This includes two performances, culminating
with a night at the Semperoper.
>Recital by tenor Julian Prégardien
>St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra,
Brahms and Beethoven
>Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, starring Juan
Diego Flórez
>Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Mahler’s
Song of the Earth
In Berlin
In Leipzig
>Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, all
Brahms program
>Bach motet recital at St Thomas’ church
In Dresden
>Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Sibelius
and Broström
>Weber’s opera Der Freischütz
• Weber’s opera Der Freischütz
27
English Summer Opera Festivals
Garsington, Longborough, Grange Park & GlyndebournE
$12,250 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,200 single supplement
July 8-24, 2015
ENJOY
•Nine operatic performances held in
unique rural settings
•A performance by the Royal Shakespeare
Company, Stratford-upon-Avon
•The tradition of long interval picnic
dinners at performances
•Detailed background information for each performance
•The atmosphere of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest university towns
•The attractive countryside of the
Cotswolds and the Sussex Downs
•Visits to Blenheim Palace and
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Overview
Since the first season of Glyndebourne Opera Festival in 1934, numerous private estates in England have followed the Glyndebourne
example, opening private opera houses for summer performances of the highest artistic standards. On this carefully crafted tour you get
to attend four of England’s most prestigious summer opera festivals – Garsington, Longborough, Grange Park and Glyndebourne – plus the
annual summer Shakespeare Festival at Stratford-upon-Avon. Academy Travel is a corporate sponsor of the Glyndebourne Opera, and this
gives us special access to tickets for three of the most in-demand performances.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
PERFORMANCES
For more than 25 years,
Robert Gay has presented
music history courses for
the Centre for Continuing
Education at the University
of Sydney. Over the same
period he has designed and
escorted more than 70 musical and cultural
tours to Europe and America.
Best available tickets to 10 performances are included.
GETTING THERE
At Longborough
Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Thai and
Emirates offer daily flights to London.
Contact us for quotes.
At Garsington
At Grange Park
>Richard Strauss’ Intermezzo
>Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte
>Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila
> Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin
At Stratford-upon-Avon
At Glyndebourne
>The Merchant of Venice by the Royal
Shakespeare Company
>Opening night of a new production of
Handel’s Saul, plus two of:
>Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio
>Bizet’s Carmen
>Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia
>Verdi’s Rigoletto
>Donizetti’s Don Pasquale
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Stratford-upon Avon
Longborough
ENGLAND
Garsington Opera
Oxford
London
Winchester/
Grange Park
Glyndebourne
Brighton
28
Expert tour leaders
Days 1-4: From our base in Oxford, attend two
performances at nearby Garsington Opera,
explore Oxford and visit Blenheim Palace.
Days 5-8: Travel via the Cotswold Hills
to Stratford-upon-Avon for four nights.
Shakespeare with the RSC and two nights at
Longborough Opera, a short distance away.
Days 9-11: From our base in the historic town of
Winchester in Hampshire, attend Grange Park
Opera and explore Winchester and Salisbury.
Days 11-16: Travel to Brighton on England’s
south coast for five nights. Attend three
performances at nearby Glyndebourne, and
also visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
Edinburgh International
Arts Festival
$7,490 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,600 single supplement
August 20-31, 2015
Enjoy
•At least eight performances of the highest calibre, including opera, orchestral, chamber and
instrumental music, plus classical and contemporary dance
•The relaxed summer atmosphere of Edinburgh during the Festival
•The eclectic Fringe Festival, often the
launch-pad for international careers
•Pre-performance talks and interviews
with performing artists
•Edinburgh’s galleries and historic sites
•Excursions to Glasgow and other sites
•An 11-night stay in a five-star hotel
Overview
The Edinburgh International Festival began in 1947 and has since grown into one of the
world’s most prestigious performing arts events. Each year orchestra, opera, dance and
theatre companies from around the world come to Scotland’s historic and beautiful capital to
showcase the very best they have to offer. We are pleased to offer an extended experience of
the Festival, with a carefully selected program of musical performances ranging from opera
to one-person shows. Accommodation is in the five-star Waldorf Astoria hotel, in central
Edinburgh, conveniently located for most festival venues.
PERFORMANCES
YOUR TOUR LEADER
While the program for the 2015 festival will
not be known until March 2015, innovative
productions of the highest standard are
assured. In 2014, for example, the Festival
featured the National Theatre of Scotland’s
‘King James’ trilogy, the Philharmonia, Czech
Philharmonic, London Philharmonic and
Rotterdam Philharmonic orchestras, the
Mariinsky Opera and the Teatro Regio of
Turin. Our tour has been timed to coincide
with the culminating weeks of the Festival,
when typically the most sought-after
performances are given.
A modest sightseeing program is built around
the performance program. Activities include:
>An excursion to the medieval Stirling
Castle and the Wallace Monument
>The Falkirk Wheel, a triumph of
engineering connecting the Clyde and
Union canals
>A tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia,
moored in Leith
>An excursion to Glasgow with an extended
tour of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and
Museum
Antony Jeffrey has decades
of professional involvement
in the performing arts,
including as general
manager of the Australian
Chamber Orchestra.
Antony led our English
Summer Music Festivals and Glyndebourne
to Edinburgh tours in 2014.
This tour can be combined with the Lucerne
and Berlin Orchestral Festivals tour on page
30 of this brochure. Participants who book
on both tours will be offered free flights and
transfers between Edinburgh and Berlin.
More details at academytravel.com.au
GETTING THERE
Emirates offers daily flights in and
out of Glasgow. Please contact us for
competitive fares.
29
Lucerne and Berlin
Orchestral Festivals
August 31 – September 12, 2015
$8,900 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,800 single supplement
ENJOY
•Nine outstanding performances –
eight major orchestral concerts and
two chamber/instrumental recitals
•Pre-performance talks by music
educator Robert Gay to ensure you get
the most from each concert
•The musical heritage of Lucerne and
Berlin, visiting places where composers
lived and worked
•A non-musical sightseeing program of
coach and walking tours and visits to
museums and galleries
•Four-star hotels in walking distance of
concert venues
•Long stays in just two cities
Overview
PERFORMANCES
Especially for lovers of orchestral music.
The Lucerne Festival is a sold-out, ‘must see’
event in the musical calendar. The Musikfest
Berlin takes place in the Philharmonie
concert hall each September when the
Berlin Philharmonic is on tour. There are
performances every night by orchestras
from Europe and the United States.
Best available tickets to nine concerts are
included in the tour price.
YOUR TOUR
LEADER
Robert Gay (see page 31)
GETTING THERE
Singapore Airlines, Thai and Emirates offer
daily flights to Zurich, our suggested European
hub for this tour. Please contact us for quotes.
This tour occurs immediately after our
Edinburgh Festival tour (see page 29).
Participants who book on both tours will
be offered free flights and transfers between
Edinburgh and Berlin.
In Lucerne
>Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted
by Sir Simon Rattle, music by Britten and
Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4
>St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra,
conducted by Yuri Temirkanov with pianist
Nikolai Luganski playing Rachmaninov’s
Piano Concerto No. 2 and Shostakovich’s
Symphony No. 9
>Midday recital by star Austrian clarinettist
Andreas Ottensamer
In Berlin
Details of the Berlin Orchestral Festival
will be released in April 2015. Five concerts
and a recital will be included. To give
you an idea of quality, the 2014 Festival
featured the Amsterdam Concertgebouw
Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and London’s
Philharmonia Orchestra.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
GERMANY
Zurich
Lucerne
Switzerland
30
Maximum 20 in a group
Berlin
Days 1-5: Transfer from Zurich to Lucerne. Check
in to the four-star Flora Hotel for five nights. As
well as performances we take a walking tour of
Lucerne and visit sites associated with Richard
Wagner and other composers. There is also a
day excursion to Zurich and a free day to explore
Lake Lucerne.
Days 6-13: Fly to Berlin. Check in to the four-star
Hotel Maritim for seven nights, located just five
minutes’ walk from the Philharmonie Concert Hall.
As well as performances on most nights, we have
included coach and walking tours of West Berlin
and the Mitte districts, an excursion to Wannsee
lake and visits to leading museums, such as those
on Museum Island and in the Kulturforum.
Chicago to New York
orchestras and opera
$10,750 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,200 single supplement
October 11-25, 2015
Discover
•Eight or nine excellent performances
of orchestral music and opera by
leading companies
•Insightful pre-performance talks
to expand your musical knowledge
and help you get the most out of
performances
•Exclusive events such as a private
visit to the Museum of Modern Art in
New York, and private dining in highly
regarded restaurants
•Long stays in major cities, with time for
relaxing and for individual sightseeing
•The company of like-minded music
lovers
Overview
After a sell-out music tour to the United States in 2014, Robert Gay and Academy Travel
are pleased to offer a follow up in the American fall in 2015. As always, our itinerary is built
around a series of excellent performances by some of the most prestigious orchestras and
opera houses in the United States. Accommodation is in four-star hotels located close to
concert venues. The musical program will be augmented by visits to galleries and walking
tours surveying history and architecture.
PERFORMANCES
YOUR TOUR LEADER
Eight or nine performances will be included,
with full details available in early 2015.
Seating will be in the best available category
for all performances. The musical program
will include most of the following:
>Lyric Opera of Chicago
>Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago
>Chicago Symphony Orchestra
>Philadelphia Orchestra
>Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
>Performance by a visiting orchestra at
Carnegie Hall, New York
>New York Philharmonic Orchestra
>Two operas at the Metropolitan Opera,
New York
For more than 25 years,
Robert Gay has presented
music history courses for
the Centre for Continuing
Education at the University
of Sydney. Over the same
period he has designed and
escorted more than 70 musical and cultural
tours to Europe and America.
GETTING THERE
Qantas, United and Delta offer flights from
Australian cities to the USA. Discounted fares
are regularly offered, so please contact us for
a quote.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1-5: In Chicago for five nights we attend
performances and visit the wonderful Art
Institute of Chicago. Go on walking tours of
Chicago’s renowned skyscrapers, and visit Frank
Lloyd Wright’s Robie House.
Days 6-8: Fly to historic Philadelphia for a
performance by its highly regarded orchestra
and visits to its art museums.
Days 9-15: Fly to New York. Over six nights,
attend performances at the Metropolitan
Opera and Carnegie Hall and by the New York
Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy a private viewing
of the Museum of Modern Art, architectural
walking tours and several meals.
Canada
Chicago
Philadelphia
New York
Baltimore
USA
31
Sri Lanka
A journey through the Holy Island
$6,740 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,530 single supplement
January 9-26, 2015
EXPLORE
•World Heritage-listed ancient sites
dating to the 3rd century that
formed the beginnings of Sri Lankan
civilisation
•Colonial Portuguese, Dutch and British
architecture in Galle and Colombo
•A cornucopia of Buddhist art and
culture
•Sigiriya’s beautiful frescoes and
incredible mountain-top fortress ruins
•Tantalising spice gardens and lush tea
plantations
•A nature-lover’s paradise in Yala
National Park
OVERVIEW
Sri Lanka is truly the ‘Blessed Island’, full of unspoilt natural beauty, ancient sites, gardens,
tea plantations and stunning beaches. The abundance of fine sculpture and painting is
testament to the richness of this enduring nation. Encounter ancient Buddhist art and
civilisation, wildlife on par with an African safari, and the old-world charm of Sri Lanka’s
colonial heritage. This tour is for those with an interest in history, religions and the culture
of one of Asia’s least known and long overlooked destinations.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
TOURING HIGHLIGHTS
Dr Julian Droogan is a
lecturer in the Faculty of Arts
at Macquarie University. He
has degrees in archaeology
and comparative religions,
and has published and
researched extensively on
issues of archaeology, religion and politics
in the Asia Pacific.
>Three days exploring temples, dagobas
and archaeological sites around
Anuradhapura
>Lion Rock at Sigiriya with its brilliant
frescoes and landscaped royal gardens
>The 150 Buddha images at Dambulla
rock temple and the Temple of the
Tooth in Kandy
>Full-day safari spotting leopards and
elephants in Yala National Park
>Three nights exploring British, Portuguese
and Dutch influences in Galle
>A walking tour through the colonial
architecture of Colombo with a visit
to the National Museum
Getting there
Singapore and Malaysian Airlines offer daily
flights to Colombo. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
SRi
Lanka
Anuradhapura
Dambulla
Negombo
Colombo
Kandy
Nuwara Eliya
Yala
Galle
32
www.academytravel.com.au
Days 1–4: Arrive in Negombo and explore
archaeological sites of Anuradhapura and Mihintale.
Days 5–7: See the Dambulla caves, climb Sigiriya
and Polonnaruwa.
Days 8–9: Visit the Temple of the Tooth and
botanic gardens in Kandy.
Day 10: Nuwara Eliya, the island’s prime teagrowing area.
Days 11–12: In Yala, including a full-day wildlife
safari.
Days 13–15: Wander through the walled streets,
galleries and museums of Galle Fort.
Days 16–17: Visit the National Museum in
Colombo and tour the colonial architecture.
Bhutan
a Himalayan Idyll
$7,890 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,800 single supplement
se
l
fa lin
st g
•Magnificent Himalayan scenery with
remarkable flora and fauna, including
rhododendrons which are native to the region
•Centuries-old traditional culture –
ranging from archery to monasticism
– rooted in Buddhist practice and still
authentically practised today
•The deep spirituality of the Bhutanese
people, whose outlook on life is very
different from westerners’
•Traditional arts and crafts, including
weaving, painting and architecture
s
anfa r
u
ad o
t
Discover
April 15-28, 2015
Overview
Join Himalayan expert Zara Fleming a journey through the mountain kingdom of Bhutan.
In this small country, little has changed over the past 600 years. Progress is measured by
happiness, not wealth, and mass tourism is not welcome. Our itinerary takes you across the
country at a gentle pace, visiting remote mountain monasteries, examining local arts and
crafts and marvelling at the spectacular Himalayan scenery.
Touring Highlights
Your tour leader
>The Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery,
Bhutan’s most famous site, perched on the
side of a cliff 3000 ft above the Paro Valley
>Bhutan’s 17th century fortresses, or
‘dzongs’, scattered across the country
>The Tashichoe Dzong in the capital
Thimphu, one of the most spectacular
buildings in Asia
>Revered Buddhist painting and sculpture
in shrines, monasteries and galleries
>The dramatic Dochu La pass (3140 m),
with its magnificent views of the Eastern
Himalayas
>The valleys of Bumthang, cradle of
Bhutanese civilization
Zara Fleming is an art
historian, exhibition
curator and lecturer
specialising in the art and
culture of Tibet, Bhutan,
the Himalayas and
Mongolia. She has 30
years’ experience travelling to Bhutan.
Getting there
We recommend flying to Bangkok, with
an overnight stop before joining a Druk
Air flight direct to Paro. Please contact
us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ADFAS
Itinerary
Association of Australian
Decorative and Fine Arts Societies
Days 1-3: Arrive Paro and tour the 17th century
Rinpung Dzong before heading to Thimphu, the capital.
Days 4-5: Enjoy great scenery as we cross the
Dochu La Pass to the Punakha Valley, our base for two nights.
Days 6-7: More fine mountain scenery as we
drive to Trongsa, situated on a steep ridge and
offering spectacular views.
Days 8-9: Enjoy traditional life in the Bumthang
area.
Days 10-14: Return to Paro via Wangdi. We’ve
saved the best until last: the temple of Dungtse
Lhakhang and the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Academy Travel also manages the travel program for the Association of Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (ADFAS). With a
6000-strong membership from
throughout urban and regional
Australia, ADFAS offers a diverse
program for likeminded travellers with expert UK- and Australian-
based tour leaders.
For more information, please visit
academytravel.com.au/adfas
CHINA
bhutan
Punakha
Bumthang
Thimpu
Paro
Wangdi
Trongsa
india
33
Western China
On the silk road
May 7-27, 2015
$8,350 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,300 single supplement
Explore
•5,000 of years of history, art and
culture passed on through China’s
ruling dynasties
•The ancient caravan routes of the Silk Road
•Grottoes and caves containing
remarkable Buddhist sculptures and murals
•Museums filled with treasures ranging from the Neolithic age to the modern era
•The contrast between Islamic culture
in the western districts and Tibetan
Buddhism in Gansu Province
Overview
The exotic Silk Road within China is rich in historical and cultural highlights. From the might
of imperial China in the east, epitomised by the Terracotta Warriors, to brilliantly decorated
Buddhist monasteries such as the Mogao Grottoes and the eastern markets at Turpan,
Ürümqi and Kashgar – this tour will be both a journey through the changing face of China
today, as well as an examination of its deep and awe-inspiring history and culture.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
TOURING HIGHLIGHTS
Ben Churcher has a wide
range of experience
both as an educator, a
traveller, a historian and an
archaeologist. He holds an
Honours degree in Ancient
History and he also holds a
Diploma of Education from the University of
Sydney. Ben has led numerous tours along
the silk route, and throughout the Middle
East and North and East Africa.
>The Great Wall outside Beijing, a lasting
monument to the achievements of China
>The overwhelming sight of over 8,000
Terracotta Warriors lined up in rows
ready for battle
>Remarkable Buddhist sculptures and
over 1,000 square metres of murals
carved into the mountain face at the
Maijishan Grottoes
>The ubiquitous red sandstone of the
Flaming Mountains Gorge in the Mutou
Valley outside Turpan
>A day immersed in the bustling Sunday
markets at Kashgar
Getting there
Singapore Airlines offers daily flights into
Beijing and out of Chengdu. Contact us
for competitive quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
CHINA
Urumqi
Turpan
Dunhuang
Beijing
Kashgar
Lanzhou
Xiahe
Tianshui
Xian
Chengdu
34
Carefully planned itineraries
Days 1–3: In Beijing explore the Forbidden City and visit the Great Wall.
Days 4–6: Fly to Xian for the Terracotta Warriors and other sites.
Days 7–10: Buddhist sculptures at Tianshui. Travel to Lanzhou. Visit the Bingling Grottoes and Islamic Linxia. Gansu Museum then Xiahe and the Labrang Lamasery.
Days 11–13: Fly to Dunhuang and visit the
famous Buddhist Caves.
Days 14–17: Cross the Taklamakan Desert to Turpan.
Explore Turpan and Ürümqi before flying to Kashgar.
Days 18–21: Explore remote Kashgar. Fly to
Chengdu.
India
echoes of the Raj
$10,200 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,950 single supplement
November 13 – December 4, 2015
Discover
•India’s timeless way of life, religion
and traditions
•A penchant for the magnificent in the
art and architecture of the Mughals
and the Raj
•The dramatic, often violent, history of India under British rule, a period
which nevertheless saw great social
and cultural achievements
•The reassertion of Indian values and
identity by Ghandi and Nehru during
independence
•Thriving modern Mumbai, where a successful nation of traders arose
from colonial rule
Overview
Journey into the glory days of the British Raj on this 22-day tour exploring colonial India.
From the days of the East India Company, through the Great Mutiny of 1857 and the
independence movement to the day the last British troops marched out from the Gateway
of India in Mumbai. Many of the sites visited have remained unchanged since those historic
days. Accompanying lectures, both historical and anecdotal, enhance our understanding of
this extraordinary period of history.
HIGHLIGHTS
>Raj-era colonial monuments in Dalhousie
Square, Calcutta
>Agra in all its glory, with visits to the
incomparable Taj Mahal and the Red Fort
>Significant sites in Delhi associated with
Nehru and Gandhi, as well as bazaars,
forts and architectural masterpieces
of the Raj
>A journey on the narrow-gauge train
to Simla for three nights in the British
summer capital
>Three nights of luxury at the Lake Palace
in Udaipur
>The cosmopolitan city and Gateway of
India, Mumbai
YOUR TOUR LEADER
Judy Tenzing has over 30
years’ experience as a tour
leader in India, Nepal,
Bhutan and Burma. She
has a degree in South Asian
History and a wealth of
knowledge to share.
GETTING THERE
Singapore Airlines offers daily flights
into Calcutta and out of Mumbai with
connections via Singapore.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1-3: Arrive in Calcutta and explore the
colonial buildings.
Days 4-6: Fly to Lucknow, the site of the Great
Rebellion of 1857.
Day 7-11: Travel to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal
and the Red Fort before spending three nights
exploring Delhi.
Day 12-15: Drive to Pinjore to the Mughal
Gardens, with three nights in Simla.
Day 16-19: Travel overnight to Delhi before
flying to Udaipur for three nights at the Lake
Palace Hotel.
Days 20-21: Fly to Mumbai for two nights.
Day 22: Flights depart Mumbai.
Shimla
Pinjore
Delhi
Agra
Lucknow
Udaipur
INDIA
Calcutta
Mumbai
35
Burma
December 27, 2015 – January 11, 2016
Tour price to be advised.
DISCOVER
•A nation gradually emerging from years
of military rule
•A rich cultural and artisanal tradition of
silk weaving, world-class lacquerware
and skilled puppeteers
•A wealth of Buddhist culture evidenced
by the multitude of stupas and exquisite
carved teak monasteries
•Colonial history and architecture from
the era of the British Raj
•A remarkably friendly and easy-going
nation made up of over 135 ethnic
groups eager to share their history and culture
OVERVIEW
From its ancient origins in settlement by Hindu Sakyas from India, through millennia of
spiritual and political change, Burma has emerged with all that is quintessentially Burmese
intact and as enchanting and enriching as it has always been. This tour takes you into the
heart of old Burma – the sleepy town of Nyaungshwe on the edge of Lake Inle, the last royal
capital of Mandalay, the vast Buddhist pagoda-studded plain of Bagan, and the splendour
of the great pagodas of Yangon.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
TOURING HIGHLIGHTS
Judy Tenzing has over 30
years’ experience as an
administrator and tour
leader in India, Nepal,
Bhutan and Burma. Judy
has a degree in South
Asian History and regularly
presents courses at Sydney University’s
Centre for Continuing Education on the
history and culture of this remarkable region.
>A magical sunset at the golden-domed
Shwedagon Pagoda, the greatest in Burma
>New Year’s Eve on Lake Inle exploring the
monasteries, pagodas, villages and floating
gardens all built on stilts over the lake
>The extraordinary complex of over 2000
stupas at Kakku in Shan state
>Roaming through the National Botanic
Gardens in Maymyo, with its stunning
four-acre orchid garden
>An overnight cruise down the famed
Ayeyarwady River
>The amazing pagoda-studded plains of
Bagan, each structure unique in design
and decoration
Getting there
Singapore Airlines and Silk Air offer daily flights
to Yangon. Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
INDIA
China
BURMA
Bagan
Maymyo
Mandalay
Nyaungshwe
THAILAND
Yangon
36
Expert tour leaders
Days 1–2: Explore Yangon’s colonial architecture
and the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Days 3–5: Fly to Lake Inle and explore the
communities living on stilted houses.
Days 6–7: Visit the stupas at Kakku and the
Botanic Gardens and colonial architecture of
Maymyo.
Days 8–10: In Mandalay visit teak monasteries,
pagodas and the Royal Palace.
Day 11: Cruise the Ayeyarwady River to Bagan.
Days 12–14: In Bagan surveying some of the
hundreds of pagodas scattered on the plains.
Days 15–16: Return to Yangon with farewell
dinner at the renowned Strand Hotel.
Cuba
Then and Now
$7,350 pp, twin share (land content only)
$920 single supplement
January 30 – February 13, 2015
EXPLORE
•The melting pot of Afro-Caribbean
cultures in Cuba’s music, literature,
architecture and politics
•The colonial architecture, from French
colonial to Spanish missionary
•The intriguing political history behind
this controversial island nation,
including the Bay of Pigs, scene of the US invasion in 1961
•Fields of sugar cane and tobacco, the backbone of the country’s worldfamous cigar and rum industries
•The evocative and inescapable
rhythms of the Salsa and the lilting
strings of son musicians
OVERVIEW
Journey through Cuba on this 15-day itinerary culminating with a week in Havana. Begin
with the tobacco route through the Viñales Valley and Las Terrazas. Explore the French
colonial town of Cienfuegos and visit the infamous Bay of Pigs. Wander in the botanic
gardens at Trinidad and contemplate the sugar cane and slave trade in Camaguey. Enjoy the
music and culture of Santiago de Cuba, the site of Fidel Castro’s nationalist revolution before
delving into the many cultural, literary and architectural delights in the capital, Havana.
TOURING HIGHLIGHTS
YOUR TOUR LEADER
>Two days travelling the tobacco route
through Pinar del Río
>French colonial architecture in Cienfuegos,
including the Terry Theatre where Caruso
once sang
>The Spanish settlements of Trinidad and
Sancti Spiritus where slaves toiled to
make the fortunes of sugar cane barons
>Two nights in Santiago de Cuba, a melting
pot of cultures and capital of the Cuban
carnival and music
>Seven nights exploring the colonial and
the new Havana, from the haunts of
Hemingway to soaking in the vibrant
street life
Dr Stephen Wilkinson
is head of the UK-based
International Institute
for the Study of Cuba. He
holds a PhD in Hispanic
Studies and speaks fluent
Spanish. Stephen has led
several tours to Cuba and has worked as a
researcher and translator for various
Cuba-related film projects.
Getting there
Please contact our consultants regarding
flight information to Havana.
More details at academytravel.com.au
ITINERARY
Days 1–3: From Havana travel through Pinar del Río to artistic communities in Las Terrazas and tobacco farms at Viñales.
Days 4–5: The Bay of Pigs and the French colonial
city of Cienfuegos.
Day 6: Drive the coast road to the Spanish town
of Trinidad and through fields of sugar cane to
Camaguey.
Days 7–8: In Santiago de Cuba, exploring this
melting pot of Afro-Caribbean cultures.
Days 9–15: Six nights in Havana delving into the
heart and soul of the old town and Hemingway’s
modern city.
Havana
Las Terrazas
Vinales
CUBA
Cienfuegos
Trinidad
Camaguey
Santiago De Cuba
37
Mexico
February 13 – March 2, 2015
$7,500 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,700 single supplement
DISCOVER
•The history of the Aztec empire, a
civilisation at its peak when Cortés
encountered it during the Conquest
•Beautiful Spanish colonial cities built
with the riches of the Spanish Empire
•The ancient Maya ruins of the South
set among picturesque rainforest
•Indigenous villages where ancient
skills of weaving, potting and
woodworking are still practised
•Mexico’s natural beauty: volcanoes,
deep canyons and wetlands
•The fascinating cuisine of the country
that brought us tomatoes, chilli,
chocolate, corn and the avocado
Overview
Delve into the Aztec world of Tenochtitlán on this 18-day tour. Journey through the colourful
region of Oaxaca, explore a range of stunning Maya pyramids on the Yucatan Peninsula
and contemplate ancient ruins. Examine the impact of Spanish colonisation from the 16th
century and the contrasting vibrant culture of the modern day. Appreciate Mexico’s natural
beauty and discover popular folk culture and arts and crafts still made by local villagers using
traditional techniques.
Your tour leader
Touring highlights
Chloe Sayer is the author
of several books and
documentaries on Mexico
and Mexican traditions and
has lectured extensively in
the UK and Australia. She
has curated exhibitions of
Mexican handicrafts at the British Museum
and the Museum of Toronto.
>The historic residences, major galleries
and museums of Mexico City
>Pre-Columbian sites at Teotihuacán
and the UNESCO World Heritage site
at Monte Albán
>A boat ride down the Grijalva River
through the Sumidero Canyon
>The ancient Maya sites of Bonampak
and Yaxchilan, as well as the beautiful
ruins of the rainforest city of Palenque
>Three nights in Merida at a former
hacienda, visiting the spectacular Mayan
ruins at Chichén Itzá on the Yucatan
peninsula and the unique coastal
wetlands at Celestún to see flamingos
Getting there
Qantas has fares to Mexico City via LA or
Dallas, and Aeroméxico flies Merida back
to Mexico City at the end of the tour.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Merida
Mexico City
Puebla
MEXICO
Oaxaca
Palenque
San Cristobal
Guatemala
38
Maximum 20 in a group
Days 1–4: Mexico City, pyramids, modern art and archaeology.
Days 5–6: Colonial city of Puebla .
Days 7–10: Monte Alban, Mitla and the craft
villages of Oaxaca.
Days 11–12: Sumidero Canyon and the
mountain town of San Cristóbal.
Days 13–14: Mayan rainforest cities of
Bonampak, Yaxchilán and Palenque.
Days 15–18: Yucatán peninsula: Uxmal, Chichén
Itzá, the city of Merida and wetlands of Celestún.
From Monticello to The Mount
Historic homes and gardens in the USA
$8,990 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,500 single supplement
May 26 – June 11, 2015
Enjoy
•Some of America’s finest homes and
gardens, ranging from plantation
estates to modernist 1960s
architecture
•Exquisite countryside, including the
hills of Virginia, the Catskills Mountains
and the Hudson River Valley
•The excessive seaside ‘cottages’ of
America’s Gilded Age in Newport,
Rhode Island
•Astounding private art collections
•A relaxed-paced tour with both major cities and small centres
Overview
Touring the historic homes of the North East USA is a refreshing and relaxing way to explore
America’s fascinating history, art and architecture. Our new itinerary encompasses the
slave plantations owned by founding fathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson,
the opulent estates and art collections assembled by America’s captains of industry in the
Gilded Age, the rural retreats of New York’s social and literary elite and masterpieces of
modern architecture and design in the Hudson River Valley. Enjoy superb art collections
and discover the ‘other America’ outside the big cities.
Touring Highlights
>George Washington’s Mount Vernon and
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, the finest
examples of Virginia plantations
>The superb gardens of Dumbarton Oaks
in Washington’s suburbs
>The Smithsonian galleries of Washington’s
National Mall
>Historic Boston, including the Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum and the
renowned Museum of Fine Arts
>Newport, Rhode Island, visiting Cornelius
Vanderbilt’s The Breakers and other properties
>Novelist and garden writer Edith
Wharton’s The Mount in upstate New York
>Catskills Mountains and Hudson River Valley
Your tour leader
Dr Kathleen Olive has a
PhD in Italian, and has
taught courses and led tours
exploring the tradition of
villas and gardens. She has
travelled extensively in the
North East United States.
Getting there
We recommend flights with Qantas or
United. Well-priced flight options on both
carriers will become available early in 2015.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1–4: Arriving in Washington, visit Dumbarton
Oaks, Mount Vernon, museums and galleries.
Days 5–6: In Charlottesville and Richmond,
Virginia, visiting Jefferson’s Monticello and other estates.
Days 7–9: Three nights in Boston, visiting galleries,
homes and gardens.
Days 10–11: Newport, Rhode Island, for the seaside
homes of New York’s elite of the late 1800s.
Days 12–14: Lenox, Massachusetts, for Edith.
Wharton’s The Mount and other fine properties.
Days 15–17: In the Hudson River Valley, visiting
Roosevelt’s home and private galleries.
Canada
Lenox
Hudson River Valley
Boston
Newport
New York
Washington
Charlottesville
Richmond
USA
39
The south west USA
Cowboys, Indians and artists
September 27 – October 14, 2015
$8,500 approx. pp, twin (land content only)
$2,000 approx. single supplement
Explore
•The story of the Pueblo Indians, who settled the region more than a thousand years ago
•The Spanish conquistadores and the
royal road from Mexico to Santa Fe
•Hauntingly beautiful high desert
scenery along the Rio Grande in New Mexico
•The art of Georgia O’Keeffe and other
US artists who came to the South
West to revolutionise American art
•Superb collections of European and
modern American art in public and
private collections
Overview
A journey through the South West USA offers a refreshing mix of cultures, some of the most
spectacular desert scenery on the planet, and a vibrant visual arts scene. On our 18-day tour,
new for 2015, we explore the history and culture of the Pueblo and Plains Indians, the Spanish
conquest of the Americas, and the arrival of English-speaking Americans in search of oil and
pastures. By the time you get to Phoenix, Arizona, you will have enjoyed the colours and vast
expanses of the desert and gained an understanding of the history and culture of the region.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
HIGHLIGHTS
Dr Matthew Laing holds a
PhD in US political studies
from the Australian National
University. He spent six
months in Washington as a
congressional intern and has
travelled extensively in the
USA and led Academy travel tours there in
2013 and 2014.
>The Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel
in Houston, Texas
>The Albuquerque desert ballooning festival
>The Pueblo and Spanish mission towns
of Santa Fe and Taos
>Georgia O’Keeffe’s ranch and studio near
Santa Fe
>The historic Toltec Railroad between
Antonito and Durango
>Pueblo Indian cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde
>The other-worldly desert rock formations
of Monument Valley
>Staying overnight at the Grand Canyon
>Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West home
and studio near Phoenix
GETTING THERE
Qantas flies non-stop from Sydney to
Dallas daily.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Monument Valley
USA
Durango
Antonito
Taos
Grand Canyon
Santa Fe
Albuquerque
Dallas
Phoenix
San Antonio
MEXICO
40
www.academytravel.com.au
Houston
Days 1-3: In Dallas visit superb art galleries and the John F. Kennedy assassination site.
Days 4-6: Fly to San Antonio, Texas, for Spanish
colonial sites, and then to Houston for the Menil
Collection and the Rothko Chapel.
Days 7-12: Fly to Albuquerque then take a coach
to Santa Fe to explore Spanish and Pueblo Indian
influences, Georgia O’Keeffe and others.
Days 13-16: Travel along the Rio Grande, then see
spectacular desert scenery, Pueblo cliff dwellings,
Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
Days 17-19: Arrive in Phoenix, Arizona and see
art galleries, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and desert gardens.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Chicago to New York
$8,820 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,390 single supplement
October 16-30, 2015
Discover
•The course of American modern
architecture in the 20th century, from
Louis B. Sullivan and the ‘Chicago School’
to Frank Lloyd Wright and beyond
•Wright’s transformation of the American
home, using inspiration from the prairie
landscape of the American Midwest and a Japanese-influenced aesthetic
•The story of private wealth and art
patronage in the United States by
Henry Clay Frick, Andrew Carnegie,
Andrew W. Mellon and John D.
Rockefeller
•The vibrant performing arts scene in Chicago and New York
Overview
Follow the Frank Lloyd Wright trail from Chicago to Buffalo, through to Pennsylvania and
on to New York, discovering the wealth of art, architecture and history in some of America’s
most impressive cities. The tour begins in Chicago, then travels north to Wisconsin and
Buffalo before heading to Pittsburgh and the nearby Allegheny mountains of Pennsylvania,
before ending up with a week in New York. The itinerary features private guided visits to
homes and major galleries, fine dining and some great performances. Accommodation
is in comfortable four-star hotels throughout.
HIGHLIGHTS
YOUR TOUR LEADER
>Walking, coach and boat tours of Chicago’s
20th century architecture
>The Art Institute of Chicago, renowned for
its Impressionist works
>Wright’s home, Taliesin, and his Johnson
Wax Factory in Wisconsin
>A private interior visit to Fallingwater,
arguably his most famous work
>A private out-of-hours viewing of the
Museum of Modern Art in New York
>Dinner at the Central Park Boathouse
>Jazz and an orchestral concert in Chicago
and an orchestral concert and a Broadway
musical in New York
Stuart Barrie has a passion
for 20th century American
history and the architecture
of Frank Lloyd Wright. He
has led many tours to the
USA. Stuart holds a Masters
degree from the University
of New South Wales and is a co-founder of
Academy Travel.
GETTING THERE
Flights from Australian cities to the USA.
Discounted fares are regularly offered,
so please contact us for a quote.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1-4: Start in Chicago, with sights including
Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago
and a full day exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s
houses.
Days 5-6: Travel by coach to Wisconsin to view
Wright’s Johnson Wax Building and Taliesin East.
Days 7-8: Fly to Buffalo to view Wright’s Martin
House and tour Niagara Falls.
Days 9-10: Fly to Pittsburgh to see Fallingwater,
Wright’s masterpiece.
Days 11-16: In New York enjoy architectural
walking tours, Wright’s Guggenheim Museum,
the Philip Johnson Glass House and a Broadway
musical.
Canada
Madison
Buffalo
New York
Chicago
Pittsburgh
USA
41
North east usa
Boston, Washington and New York
October 16 – November 1, 2015
$10,600 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,990 single supplement
a a
todf n
u as
r
Discover
•The early history of the USA around
Boston, where pilgrims and merchants
sought to forge a new life
•The story of the American Revolution
from the Boston Tea Party to the
Founding Fathers – Washington,
Jefferson, Adams and Franklin
•The Gilded Age, when America’s
wealthy built vast estates and
amassed outstanding collections of European art
•The emergence of a distinctly modern
American style of art and architecture
in the 20th century
Overview
Explore the dramatic history and superb art and architecture of three of the USA’s most
historic cities. The tour begins in Boston, covering the early days of the American Revolution
and visiting the mansions of Newport, Rhode Island before flying to Washington to explore
the capital’s impressive museums and visiting Thomas Jefferson’s estate, Monticello, in
Virginia. The tour ends with a week in New York, with architectural walking tours, gallery
and museum visits, music and theatre.
Your tour leader
Touring highlights
Dr Matthew Laing is a
research fellow at Monash
University. He holds a PhD
in US political studies from
ANU. He has served as a
congressional intern in
Washington, lectured
widely and travelled the length and breadth
of the USA.
>Five days in Boston, brimming with history
and elegant design
>The superb Museum of Fine Arts in
Boston, and the eclectic Isabella Stewart
Gardner Museum
>A day in Newport, Rhode Island, viewing
the extravagant 19th century seaside
‘cottages’
>Four days in Washington, DC, visiting
major monuments and galleries
>Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate
in Virginia
>A week in New York, with private walking
tours, galleries, museums and music
>A private viewing of MoMA
Getting there
Qantas and United Airlines offer daily flights
from East Coast Australian cities to Boston,
and home from New York. Please Contact us
for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Boston
USA
Newport
New York
Washington
Charlottesville
42
Carefully planned itineraries
Itinerary
ADFAS
Days 1-5: Explore Boston’s historical precinct,
visit its fine art museums and make a day trip to Rhode Island.
Days 6-10: Fly to Washington and spend three
days exploring the capital’s monuments,
public buildings and galleries. Day trip south to
Virginia to visiting Thomas Jefferson’s estate,
Monticello, and his University of Virginia.
Days 11-17: A full week in New York.
Highlights include a private viewing of the
Museum of Modern Art, a walking tour of
Art Deco skyscrapers and Brooklyn, a night
at the Metropolitan Opera, and of course the
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Association of Australian
Decorative and Fine Arts Societies
Academy Travel also manages the travel program for the Association of Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (ADFAS). With a
6000-strong membership from
throughout urban and regional
Australia, ADFAS offers a diverse
program for likeminded travellers with expert UK- and Australian-
based tour leaders.
For more information, please visit
academytravel.com.au/adfas
$8,390 pp, twin share (land content only)
$2,200 single supplement
Jordan and The
Holy Land
March 21 – April 4, 2015
s
anfa r
u
ad o
t
EXPLORE
•The mosaic of ancient cultures in the
region: Greeks, Romans, Byzantines
and local potentates
•Ancient Judea, where Herod the Great
and his successors built monumental
temples and fortresses
•The caravan cities and trade routes of Antiquity and the Middle Ages
•The story of the Crusaders in Jordan
and the Holy Land, as they sought to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem
•The exploration of the deserts by T.E. Lawrence and other Europeans
Overview
Jordan and the Holy Land boast sites which cover nearly the whole span of human
civilization, from the 7th millennium BC to the present. At the crossroads between Orient
and Occident, trade and religion have defined much of the history and development of the
region. Our 15-day tour offers a great variety of sites and landscapes – archaeological ruins,
elegant Graeco-Roman cities, Byzantine churches and mosaics, Crusader castles and Islamic
palaces and mosques, all in exotic coastal, mountain and desert settings.
Touring Highlights
Your tour leader
>Roman, Byzantine and Islamic sites
near Amman
>Four nights at the exclusive American
Colony Hotel in Jerusalem
>All the key sites of the Holy Land:
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho and Nablus
>Two-and-a-half days to explore the
stunning ancient ruins of Petra in the
deserts of Jordan
>A sunset jeep safari to Wadi Rum and
dinner in the desert
>Byzantine and Crusader castles, churches
and forts in Jordan and the Holy Land
>Early Islamic sites in Amra and Jericho
> A luxury resort on the Dead Sea
UK-based archaeologist and
lecturer Sue Rollin is a highly
experienced tour leader and
author of the authoritative
Blue Guide to Jordan. She
lectures for the National
Association of Decorative
and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) and has
undertaken several lecture tours in Australia.
Getting there
Emirates and Etihad have daily services from
Australian capitals into and out of Amman.
Please Contact us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Days 1-3: From our base in Amman we explore the citadel, the Roman city of Jerash and the
Eastern Desert.
Days 4-7: Cross into the Holy Land, visiting Nablus, Jerusalem , Bethlehem and Jericho.
Days 8-11: Back into Jordan, heading south to Petra for an extended visit and an excursion to Wadi Rum.
Days 12-14: Touring around the Dead Sea, visiting
Roman, Byzantine and Crusader sites, including the Australian excavations at Pella.
Day 15: A final look across the Jordan River to the
Promised Land before departing from Amman.
HOLY LAND
Jerusalem
Dead Sea
Amman
Jordan
Petra
Wadi Rum
43
Essential Iran
$7,600 pp, twin share (land content only)
$995 single supplement
May 11-25, 2015
ENJOY
•The history and archaeology of ancient
Persia, brimming with figures such as
Cyrus the Great, the Achaemenid king
Darius and Alexander the Great
•The glittering, colourful Islamic
architecture of the Safavid period,
from the 16th to the 18th centuries
•The merchants of the silk road, who
bought great wealth and a steady
exchange of ideas and visual styles
•A varied landscape, with deserts,
mountain ranges and verdant oases
•A remarkably friendly, cultured and
inquisitive population eager to engage
with the world outside Iran
Overview
Over 15 days we travel through the marvellous spring-time mountain and desert landscapes of
Persia, visiting a selection of the most remarkable monuments in the ancient and Islamic worlds.
Explore awe-inspiring Achaemenid palaces and royal tombs, mysterious Zoroastrian fire temples,
and fabled Persian cities with their enchanting gardens, caravanserais, bazaars and stunning
cobalt-blue mosques. Perhaps more importantly, however, we encounter the openness and
hospitality of the Iranian people, which leave most travellers longing to return.
YOUR TOUR LEADER
TOURING HIGHLIGHTS
Dr John Tidmarsh is the
president of the University
of Sydney’s Near Eastern
Archaeology Foundation,
and a former lecturer in the
Department of Archaeology.
He has led numerous tours
to Iran, Oman, Turkey, Syria and Jordan.
>The remarkable museums and palaces
of Tehran
>The imposing Mausoleum of Oljeitu
and the Sassanian watchtowers, palaces
and fire temples at Takht-e Soleiman
>The gardens of Shiraz, where Persia’s
poets are celebrated
>The great classical sites of Persepolis
and Pasargadae
>The desert city of Yazd, with its evocative
Zoroastrian and medieval sites
>The UNESCO World Heritage city of
Isfahan, centre of the ‘renaissance’
Abbasid period
GETTING THERE
Emirates offers daily flights from Australian
ports into and out of Tehran. Please Contact
us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Tehran
Kashan
IRAN
Isfahan
Yazd
Shiraz
44
Expert tour leaders
Day 1-3: Arrive in Tehran and explore the city’s
palaces and museums.
Day 4: Visit the Bagh-i Eram garden and the
tomb of the poet Hafez.
Days 5-7: Investigate Persepolis, Firuzabad and Bishapur.
Days 8-9: Drive to Yazd via Pasargadae and
explore the Zoroastrian Fire Temple.
Days 10-13: Relax with four nights in beautiful
Isfahan.
Day 14-15: Return to Tehran via the merchant
houses and water gardens of Kashan.
Iran in depth
$8,700 pp, twin share (land content only)
$1,250 single supplement
September 5-23, 2015
Discover
•The rich diversity of landscapes,
cultures and peoples which go to make up modern Iran
•The abundant and spectacular remains
which underline Iran’s power and
influence in the ancient world
•The truly stunning art and architecture
of Islamic Iran seen at its finest in the
cities of Shiraz and Isfahan
•The enchanting world of Persian
gardens and Sufi poetry
•A remarkably friendly, cultured and inquisitive population eager to
engage with the world outside Iran
Overview
The Persian Empire was a significant force in the ancient world, in which it competed
and interacted with both Greece and Rome and was the last step on the Silk Road before
reaching Europe. In its heyday, Iran’s lavish Islamic architecture inspired Tamerlane’s
Samarqand and the Taj Mahal, its poets stirred generations of Iranians and foreigners,
and its famed gardens were considered an earthly paradise. In recent times Iran has
re-established itself as a leading nation in the Middle East.
HIGHLIGHTS
YOUR TOUR LEADER
>The remarkable museums and palaces
of Tehran
>The imposing Mausoleum of Oljeitu and
the Sassanian watchtowers, palaces and
fire temples at Takht-e Soleiman
>The gardens of Shiraz, where Persia’s poets
are celebrated
>The great classical sites of Persepolis and
Pasargadae
>The desert city of Yazd, with its evocative
Zoroastrian and medieval sites
>The UNESCO World Heritage city of
Isfahan, centre of the ‘renaissance’
Abbasid period
Christopher Bradley has
an honours degree from
Liverpool University,
specialising in the history
and art of the Silk Road.
He has led many different
tours to Iran, the most recent
being while writing and photographing the
Insight Guide to the Silk Road.
GETTING THERE
Emirates offer daily flights from Australian
ports into and out of Tehran. Please Contact
us for quotes.
More details at academytravel.com.au
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tehran.
Days 2-3: Explore the city’s extraordinary
palaces and museums.
Days 4-5: Examine the Sassanian ruins of
Takht-e Soleiman.
Days 6-7: Visit ancient Ectabana.
Days 8-10: Relax in beautiful Isfahan.
Days 11-12: Explore Zoroastrian fire temples in Yazd.
Days 13-14: See the citadel at Rayen and the Shazahdeh Garden in Mahan.
Days 15-17: Investigate the Achaemenid capital of Persepolis and visit Pasargadae.
Days 18-19: Back to Tehran.
Zanjan
Tehran
Hamedan
IRAN
Isfahan
Yazd
Kerman
Shiraz
45
Preview of Tour Program
January to December 2016
Our program for 2016 is now
being finalised and as always,
we’ll be repeating some of our
more popular tours, plus adding
a range of new destinations
and tour leaders. Bookings will
open when detailed itineraries
are released 9-12 months
before departure dates. If you
are interested in a tour, please
contact us to let us know and
we’ll ensure you get an itinerary
and booking form as soon as
they’re released.
January
Palermo and Naples: The
Kingdom of Two Sicilies
with Dr Kathleen Olive
The City of Rome: From
Antiquity to the Baroque
with Robert Veel
London music and theatre
February
Central America
and Cuba
with Dr Steve Wilkinson
Switzerland to Spain:
A musical journey
with Robert Gay
North-East USA: Washington,
Chicago & New York
Iran
with Ben Churcher
May
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
with Dr Estelle Lazer
Villas and Gardens
of Central Italy
with Dr Kathleen Olive
March
Art Trails: Amsterdam to Paris
Puglia to Pompeii: Classical
Southern Italy
Croatia
with Dr Estelle Lazer
April
Grand Tour of Italy
with Dr Nick Gordon
with Anita Yousif
Classical and Ottoman Turkey
with Judy Roberts
Music in Scandinavia
with Dr Kathleen Olive
with Robert Gay
Lakes and Villas
of Northern Italy
Berlin to Barvaria: A musical
journey
with Dr Nick Gordon
Frank Lloyd Wright: Chicago
to New York
June
October
Private Homes and Gardens
of England
Venice: City, Republic
and Empire
with Michael Turner
with Dr Nick Gordon
July
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
English Summer Opera
Festivals
Art Trails: Paris to Berlin
with Antony Jeffrey
Scandinavia and Iceland
with Dr Nick Gordon
Classical and Ottoman Turkey
with Dr Kathleen Olive
September
Florence and the Italian
Renaissance
with Dr Kathleen Olive
Islands of the Mediterranean:
Corsica,Sardinia
and Malta
Art of the North-East USA
Chicago to New York:
Orchestras and opera
Morocco
with Ben Churcher
Buddhist Trails of Northern
India and Nepal
with Dr Julian Droogan
with Dr Estelle Lazer
November
St Petersburg and Moscow
Thanksgiving in New York
with Stuart Barrie
Southern India
with Judy Tenzing
Northern Spain: Barcelona
to Santiago
Chile, Bolivia and Peru
Alexander’s Turkey and Iran
with Chris Carter
with Dr John Tidmarsh
with Dr Jeni Ryde
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
Tunisia and Upper Egypt
The Baltic States
and Russia
with Chris Bradley
with Chris Bradley
Maximum 20 in a group
with Dr Steve Wilkinson
Summer Music Festivals
of Europe
with Stuart Barrie
46
Grand Tour of Spain
with Judy Roberts
with Dr Jeni Ryde
with Marina Campbell
with Dr Nick Gordon
August
In the Footsteps of Mozart:
Prague, Salzburg and Vienna
Grand Tour of Spain
with Dr Estelle Lazer
The NEXT STEPs
itineraries, bookings, airfares
We’ve tempted you with one of our tours,
so what happens next?
Detailed itineraries
Welcome letter and updates
For each tour, we publish a 10–12 page
itinerary providing day-by-day descriptions
of the tour program and other important
information. This is published 9–12
months before departure. Bookings are
only accepted once the detailed itinerary
is published.
Once we have received your booking
we will send you a letter confirming all
details of your booking and any special
requests. We will keep you updated on
special tour-related events and other
matters as they arise.
Booking on a tour
Each person booking on a tour must
complete and sign a booking form and
send it to us together with a deposit
of $500. Booking forms are attached to
all detailed itineraries and can also be
downloaded from our website.
About a month before your tour begins
we’ll send you a comprehensive package
with your travel documents, tour notes and
practical information. If you prefer you can
arrange a meeting in our Sydney office to
go through your documents in person with
your travel consultant.
Travel consultant
Beyond the tour: Other services
Each of our tours has a dedicated,
professional consultant who will manage
all aspects of your booking from rooming
and special requests to airfares, travel
insurance and additional accommodation.
Your consultant is your one-stop point
of reference for all matters relating to
your travel.
Outstanding small-group journeys are just
one of the services Academy Travel offers.
We are a full-service travel agency and can
also organise your international flights,
additional travel before or after your tour,
private airport transfers and travel insurance.
We organise group airfares for tours to
difficult-to-reach destinations such as
Ethiopia, Russia, Iran and Uzbekistan.
For travel to Europe and the US we offer
competitive individual fares in economy,
business or first class.
Why begin your tour jet-lagged? We can
arrange pre-tour accommodation so you
can relax for a few extra nights in the first
hotel before your tour begins.
Pre-departure
Physical fitness
for travel
Undertaking long-distance flights and
participating in a two- to three-week
travel program requires physical stamina.
Your level of physical fitness will greatly
affect what you get out of a tour,
irrespective of your age. Each detailed
tour itinerary contains a summary of the
physical requirements of that tour. We
urge you to consider this information
carefully. All of our tours require the
ability to:
>walk as a group for 90 minutes or
more at a moderate pace with only
short breaks
>walk four or five kilometres on some
days
>get on and off a large coach unassisted
>move your luggage a short distance if
required
>tours to archaeological sites require you
to walk up steep slopes, clamber over
stones and walk on uneven paths
>tours with long stays in a single place
generally have more walking and
involve the use of local public transport,
with steps, barriers and crowds
>music tours involve many late nights at
performances, sometimes in succession
If you require more detail about the
physical requirements of a tour, please
contact us to discuss them in more
detail. If you have a chronic condition or
are recovering from a major illness we
encourage you to speak to your GP before
booking. If we are concerned about your
ability to meet the requirements we may
contact you for further information.
47
Level 1, 341 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Ph: +61 2 9235 0023
academytravel.com.au