Art History Alive

arthisto June 26th, 2007

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My name is Cynthia Quist and I live in Capitola, California. I started Art History Alive in 1998 and have loved every minute of it.

My passion for educational travel was actually born out of frustration. While visiting China with my two sons years ago, I was unable to fully understand our tour guide and missed much of the history he was sharing. That was the last time I ever visited a foreign country without studying it myself.

Since that time I have traveled to France, Italy, England, Switzerland, Fiji, Malaysia, Thailand, and Korea, in addition to having lived in Australia and Hong Kong.

For twenty years I have been immersing myself, my extended family, friends, and many clients in wonderful cultures.

Our Style of Travel

This is a very simple recipe, however it has taken many years to discern and land on “our style” of travel.

• Our groups number 4 to 8. This is micro-group travel and allows us total flexibility everyday.
• We take it easy. We do not try to see or do too much.
• We do most of our exploring on foot at a meandering pace.
• We take our time in order to catch the spirit of each place.
• We are flexible with our itineraries, and with our clients. Breaking away from the group is a great way to explore.

Because of this travel style we are able not just “ to see” but simply “ to be” in a place. A very different experience I can assure you.

This is why you will notice that our trips are about 8 days. We all have a saturation point and this is about it. One can keep going but less and less is being absorbed. Our itineraries expose our clients to thrilling art and architecture everyday, as well as lovely long lunches and dinners that require time to enjoy. By day eight clients are beginning to think about home, and life beyond their vacation. Perfect timing. Simple style.

Our Promise

Art History Alive takes pride in the level of personal attention given to each and every client from your first contact with us. Maybe this is why about 80% of our client/friends return to travel with us again. AHA takes care of everything for you from the day we meet at our destination until the day we bid goodbye. There will be nothing for you to concern yourself with beyond, say, which wine to enjoy with lunch. You can look forward to a wonderful camaraderie that is born when a small group of six, like-minded folks embark on a great experience together. This is the best way to travel!

The Fine Print: Standard Payment Schedule and Refund Policy

All prices are based on double occupancy, and a group size of six. Single occupancy is available with a price supplement. Hotels, meals, wines, museum admissions, all ground transportation and medical insurance are included. Airfare, and round-trip transfers from airport to hotel, and hotel to airport, are not included. Prices of European trips may require adjustment due to exchange rate fluctuations. AHA is happy to advise on the purchase of airline tickets and airport transfers. We know who to call.

Standard Payment Schedule

1. A $400.00 deposit is due at the time of application. The deposit will be applied to the price of your tour, and is fully refundable up to and including January 31. Deposits are not refundable if cancellation takes place after January 31st.
2. A first payment of 50% of balance is due four weeks from application date.
3. Balance due eight weeks from departure date. Done.

Refund Policy

1. For cancellation of trip up to eight weeks from departure date, a 50% refund will be offered.
2. 6 weeks from departure date a refund of 30% will be offered.
3. No refunds 4 weeks from departure date. Sorry, but no can do.

A Bit About Accommodations

With Art History Alive, accommodations are a key factor in our immersion process. We are convinced that by staying in an historic property dating back to one of the important periods in history enriches every trip. These hotels and castles are our favorites and we have visited many times. They are always well located in the historic center of where ever we are.

Remember, immersion is just that, and it is our pledge to see that the visited culture surrounds you. Based on this strategy, we do our best to reserve small historic hotels, castles, and villas.

Art History Alive Presents Italy on DVD
This is a free DVD just for the asking and our gift to you. The important thing about this DVD is that every photo you see was taken while traveling with Art History Alive. So, as the saying goes, “what you see is what you get” on one or our trips to Italy. It begins in Tuscany featuring the castle we call “home” in the village of Proceno, with its gorgeous surrounding countryside, and moves into a wedding sequence. (More on weddings later.) There are brief segments focusing on Rome, delicious foods and lovely friends, and finishes on the Amalfi Coast with shots of Sorrento, Positano, and Capri.

These are our favorite destinations in the world. I hope that you will request and enjoy watching this DVD as much as I do, and I hope that you will want to share it with friends and relatives that might like to be part of our travels. If you would like additional copies, just let me know and I will send them. Help me to spread the word.

A Castle Wedding in Tuscany

Picture your wedding in the 12th-Century Castello di Proceno in Tuscany. The Castello was built as a medieval fortress, with a high crenellated tower and drawbridge. Against this stunningly romantic backdrop you can celebrate a uniquely personal wedding, surrounded by up to 50 of your loved ones. If you wish, the wedding party and guests can make the short cobblestone walk to a ceremony in the charming Town Hall of Proceno, conducted by the Italian Official, wearing his sash of red, white and green, symbolic of the Italian flag.

A second and more personal ceremony can take place among the ancient castle walls, followed by a champagne reception and sit down dinner of Tuscan specialties paired with carefully chosen local wines. Add the warm strains of mandolin and guitar and dancing beneath the starry Tuscan sky, and your wedding will become a dream-like memory.

The beauty of our simple, elegant weddings is that Art History Alive handles every detail for you. Simply tell us your favorite colors, and we will take it from there. From flowers, to food, wine, and table settings, you can expect a picture perfect wedding under the Tuscan sun.

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