Archive for July, 2008

Italy Through a Castle Window: September 2008

arthisto July 14th, 2008

“Rome became my home as soon as I saw it. I was born that moment. That was my real birthday.” Federico Fellini

Gathered here are some compelling reasons why you might consider becoming a part of Art History Alive’s upcoming trip to Tuscany and Rome; “Italy Through a Castle Window”.  (Day to day itinerary below article)

The thoughts below, I adore, as they put into words my exact feelings, and those of so many others that have traveled to Italy. With some written two centuries ago and some written as recently as last week, the sentiments are the same. The first few quotes are by Johann Goethe who lived in Rome, Naples, and Sicily for two life changing years. The latter two quotes were written recently by a very intelligent and well traveled woman, Ellie Trevarthen, and a friend, just after his first trip to Italy, Walter Schuppe. May I suggest that as you read, you take a moment after each one and consider thoughtfully the wisdom and excitement within. Strong feelings all.

“In Rome you learn to see with an eye that feels and feel with a hand that can see.” Goethe, 1786

“These paintings are like friends with whom one has long been acquainted through correspondence and now sees face to face for the first time.” Goethe, 1787

“Nothing, above all, is comparable to the new life that a reflective person experiences when he observes a new country. Though I am still always myself, I believe I have been changed to the very marrow of my bones.” Goethe, 1788

“In this place, whoever looks seriously about him and has eyes to see is bound to become a stronger character: he acquires a sense of strength hitherto unknown to him.” Goethe, 1788

” Despite the weak dollar, my decisions to vacation in Italy are conscious and carefully considered. The travel experience has vastly more value and affects my life perspective more profoundly than the value of the dollars it costs to get the experience. My trips to Europe in recent years have changed my world view dramatically — there’s nothing I could buy with the same amount of money at home that would derive an equal amount of intangible value. For me, it truly is the “cost of living” life, rather than not living it. ” Trevarthen, 2008

What is it about this country that gets so deeply into it’s guests and has them dreaming of their return? For those of you who have been fortunate enough to visit, I would love to hear your thoughts on this question via email or the comments box at the bottom of this page. Who knows, one day you may find a request from AHA to publish your quote.

September is one of the most gorgeous months to be in Italy. Warm days, cool nights, beautiful and haunting hilltowns and scenery, delicious food, welcoming people and fantastic wines. All of this is Tuscany and Rome in September.

Here is a final quote from a very happy traveler, a philosopher he is not.

“. . . . Rome was our favorite. The history was incredible and the food was magnificent. I’d like to move to a small village to speak Italian and eat pasta every day. We were so tired after our 5 days we needed to be carried to the plane.” Schuppe, 2008

Art History Alive’s trip, “Italy Through a Castle Window”, which is a very nice eight day Tuscany /Rome blend in September, can be a life changing opportunity. Applications can be easily filled out online, or email AHA and let’s get going.

Italy Through a Castle Window: September 23 - 30, 2008

Eight days Tuscany and Rome
Price: $3,500.00*

9/23/08 Day one - Arrive Rome and drive to Castello di Proceno, via the beautiful hilltop town of Orvieto where you will roam around and see the world famous Cathedral. Then off on the short drive to Proceno and check in to our castle rooms, meet Pucci, Giovanni, and Roberto. Celebration dinner at Gianfranco’s!

9/24 - 26/08 Days two-four - The hilltowns of Tuscany. We will explore the pretty towns of Sorano, Pitigliano, Sovana, and the haunting Civita di Bagnoregio. We will lunch in Pienza and visit Montipulciano in the heart of “Brunello land”. Beautiful churches, sunwarmed stone walls with overflowing window boxes a bloom with red geraniums. Delicious Tuscan food, velvety wines (well most of the time) and an opportunity to meet our lovely Italian friends of many years.

9/27/08 Day five - Morning departure for Roma. After check in to the Hotel Forte we will wander this ancient city to include The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Dinner together in our favorite place, Il Corallo, just steps from Piazza Navona.

9/28 and 29/08 Days six and seven - Rome! St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican Museum, The Borghese Gallery, the Coliseum, Forum, and some of the coolest restaurants you’ll ever experience.**

9/30/08 Day eight - Arrivaderci Roma

*Price includes everything except your roundtrip airfare to Rome. Meals in our favorite places, house wines, all “in country” transportation, all museum admissions, and travel insurance. Everything paid for before departure for an absolutely worry free travel experience.

**All AHA itineraries are totally flexible. If there are other sites, than those listed, that you would like to see, just let us know. Whether this is your first visit or your tenth, whether your wish to see the “must sees” or you wish to go deeper under the surface, we love this country and want to share it with you. Plain and simple.

Small Group Travel? Not Always!

arthisto July 5th, 2008

Let’s start this post by comparing the photos. Recently I received an advertisement in the mail touting small group travel in Europe. Since I too tout small groups I read on and found that their definition of a small group is anywhere from 18-24 people. Wow, if that is the case, Art History Alive’s group size of 6-8 must be “micro-group” travel.

We’ve all seen these groups trailing behind a harried guide with a faded raised umbrella. Oft-haggard looking clients dragging along, stopping every now and then while the guide shouts out some historic or cultural facts, hoping that everyone can hear, as the guide continuously checks her watch. The guide keeps checking that watch because of the all important time schedule. It is vital to stay on schedule and to get these tourists to the pre-selected restaurants on time for their pre-ordered meals. Many, many of my travelers have found AHA a welcome and refreshing contrast to their prior experiences on tours like this.

First of all I am the guide and I really love what I do. This is not a vocation for me; it is an avocation, and a much beloved hobby. What could be more fun than guiding a truly, small group of intellectually curious adults through beautiful places, during only the prettiest times of the year.

No bedraggled clients here. AHA clients are rested because if they become tired, we take a rest. Simple. Our hotels are always located in the historic and cultural center of the city visited, and therefore easily within reach for a power nap if needed. No problem. I refuse to wear my clients out, after all, this is their vacation, and one of my goals is that upon their return they remember where they’ve been, what they’ve seen, and what they’ve done, with the most pleasant memories possible.

Quiet chats about art, history, and culture. Again, unlike other tour companies and their employees, this is not my job, it is my passion. Therefore, when we are standing in front of a piece of art, what I try to impart to you is what excites me most, what I have found utterly compelling about that artwork. However, I am very sensitive to museum visitors, being one myself, and therefore choose to be soft spoken with my clients inside, which is easy to do with AHA’s small groups. I often opt to share important information outside of a museum both pre- and post-visit enabling clients to experience the art on their own. Truth-be-told, my preference is stimulating conversation over a lingering and delicious lunch or dinner where we digest the art and history along with our meal.

Flexible itineraries. AHA’s philosophy is to maintain a “loose” itinerary for each day that can be easily and quickly revised if necessary. For example, clients can break off on their own whenever they like. We just arrange where and when to meet up and off they go. Sometimes a client will opt out on a site because they have been there before, no problem at all, we just meet up later. If we have a walk through a park planned and awake to rain, we just switch things around. And finally, each night we discuss and decide together what time we would like to start out in the morning. Try doing that with a group of 18 to 24 people.

Traveling with AHA means enjoying delicious meals anywhere and anytime we want, and this is all included in your travel price. Nothing ever pre-planned or even worse, pre-ordered! Because our groups are the size of a family we can walk into any of our favorite places, or try a new one, and simply ask for a table for the group. Our group size enables us to visit small, inviting, out of the way trattorias, hostarias, and bistros, and typically allows us to sit in the main room of the restaurant where all the fun is, while the groups of 18-24 are off in a back room reserved just for them. I can just imagine what the response would be upon entering a great little place, exuding wonderful aromas, on some back alley and asking, “ Table for 20 please.” I don’t think so.

I’m convinced that the key to success for Art History Alive is our group size and passion for travel. My passion shared with 6 to 8 interested people at a time affords AHA and our clients tremendous flexibility and endless choices. From the very day you sign up, you can be a part of the planning of your trip, so . . . . . where do you want to go?