Archive for September, 2008

TRIP # 3 – CALIFORNIA COAST, CASTLE AND CABERNET

September 30th, 2008

carmel-mission.JPGCALIFORNIA COAST, CASTLE AND CABERNET
MAY 14 – 21, 2009 ~ 8 DAYS ~ GROUP SIZE: 6
PRICE PER PERSON $2,800.00
After two days in pretty San Francisco, our little group will travel south to picturesque Carmel. Here we will visit this quaint town and its gorgeous mission. We will stay at Clint Eastwood’s, Mission Ranch Inn, which is oh, so Californian! Traveling south on the Pacific Coast Highway, the ocean views will astound you as we wind our way through Big Sur. Arriving in the adorable town of Cambria, we will explore the many shops and sleep at pretty Moonstone Beach in the shadow of Hearst Castle. After breakfast we will drive up to the castle and enjoy a movie depicting the life of William Randolph Hearst, then with some understanding of this man, we will tour his magnificent castle. In the afternoon we will turn our backs to the Pacific, drive through a pretty valley stopping along the way to taste some very delicious wines produced right there. Then turning north, we will arrive into the “gentleman rancher” town of Paso Robles where we will stay at the famous Paso Robles Inn. After breakfast it is on to Santa Cruz via historic San Juan Batista and her lovely mission. Arriving in Santa Cruz, we will check into our inn which sits on a cliff overlooking the famous Beach Boardwalk with its historic roller coaster and merry-go-round. We will spend the evening enjoying Surf City USA. Our last full day is a fantastic one. Beginning with a light breakfast overlooking the Pacific, we will drive about 30 minutes to a State Park where the Giant Pacific Redwoods are protected. Here we will wander the paths under these enormous trees, some reaching a height of an 18 story building, until we are hungry for our private picnic lunch. Here in the shade of these giants it is very quiet. Then it’s off to San Francisco and our little hotel in the hills where we started our trip. That evening, we will toast our new and renewed friendships at the Carnelian Room on the 52nd floor of a soaring skyscraper. With its 360 degree view of “The City”, we’ll say goodbye to San Francisco just before we go off to another delicious dinner. So, think of it, from the crashing Pacific Ocean to the silent Giant Redwoods, to soaring above San Francisco, and this is just one day in beautiful California!
Physical Level: Moderate

TRIP #2 – CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH WINES, AND YOSEMITE

September 22nd, 2008

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH WINES, AND YOSEMITE
APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2009 ~ 7 DAYS ~ GROUP SIZE: 4-6
PRICE PER PERSON $2,535.00
This tour’s focus is pampering first and then regaining perspective. Designed with working professional women in mind, and yet not exclusive, we will begin in beautiful San Francisco wandering colorful Chinatown, a back alley fortune cookie factory as well as a Buddhist Temple located in a skyscraper, and on to the glamorous shopping area of Union Square. Then we take a drive to the slower paced heart of the California Gold Rush, Sonora.  Nestled in the foothills of the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains, we will spend two days between relaxing professional spa treatments, and tasting some of the best wines produced in this area.  Leave it to me to discover relaxing spa treatments in an historical building built in 1895. Now, that is cultural immersion! Built after the gold rush, this classic western boomtown style building with its wooden sidewalks, was the very necessary Mundorf Hardware store with the Mundorf family living above. They would probably be shocked to know that within the rooms where they raised their children, today, soft music and candle light beckon clients into the sunny,warm and private treatment rooms.

Our spa treatments will be divided between a one hour body massage that is designed by you, and another glorious hour-long European facial. Whether you prefer a Swedish, sports, or lighter aromatherapy massage, it will be tailored to your achieving an all over “wet noodle” experience. I have spoken at length with, and experienced first hand these professionals, and they understand completely what my goal is for each of you traveling with me on this trip. Pampered excellence and a long lingering memory of travel with Art History Alive.

Then, on day 5, we will drive into Yosemite National Park and check into our beautiful rooms at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. This beautiful hotel, built in 1926 and like no other in its massive grandeur, still cannot compete with the drama and majesty of Yosemite Valley.  You will feel your life slip into perspective as we quietly walk the pathways of Yosemite with its enormous granite cliffs surrounding us and as its magnificent waterfalls crash; all outside troubles and pressures seem to morph back into perspective where they should be.  All my life I have been visiting this natural cathedral and always have the same response to it.  It makes me quiet, thoughtful and enormously thankful.  If you have been before, maybe it is time to go again, if this will be your first time, brace yourself for a powerful experience.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” John Muir

From Yosemite we will drive back to sparkling San Francisco for our final night.  Within walking distance of our hotel we will toast our new friendships at the Carnelian Room on the 52nd floor of a soaring skyscraper with a 360 degree view of San Francisco before a delicious dinner and our farewells and flights home the next day.

Physical Level: Moderately Strenuous.

TRIP # 1 – A CHILD’S ROME

September 12th, 2008

A CHILD’S ROME
APRIL 10-17, 2009 ~ 8 DAYS ~ GROUP SIZE: 6-8
PRICE PER PERSON $2,800.00
Want to do something fantastic with your children or grandchildren this Spring? How about an age appropriate week together in Rome, culminating with Easter Sunday in Saint Peter’s Square? This very valuable Art History Alive tour was designed with parents, grandparents and their young people in mind. While we are there, on the spot, we will draw and discuss a simple time line of Ancient Rome so that everyone understands how and when Rome began and what contributed to its fall. We will wander and make sense of the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and walk where Julius Cesar walked. We will visit the Vatican Museum and experience Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling together. I personally will show you hidden pictures that Michelangelo included in his paintings, but kept a secret. I will show you the only marble statue that he ever signed and explain why he did so, and why he never did again.

Easter Sunday morning we will walk to Saint Peter’s Square and gather with thousands of people from around the world to watch the pageantry and listen to the beautiful music. Picture the steps up to the facade of the Basilica completely carpeted with bright green lawn. Add to that, huge terracotta urns full of mature azelea’s blooming in all shades of pinks and purples. Tulips, daffodils, gladiolas, and on and on. The crowd that gathers in the square, many of whom have traveled thousands of miles to be there on Easter, often wear their native costumes representing such far away places as Africa and Tonga, Turkey and Ireland. Many groups bring with them their precious religious icons and present them, via musical procession, to the Pope for his blessing. Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square is “a happening” and resembles a U.N. Exposition. Do not miss this amazing opportunity with your children.

As an important part of experiencing the Italian culture, each day we will have delicious lunches and dinners, tasting pastas, pizzas, and of course, gelato.

An age-appropriate Study Journal will be provided for each student prior to travel. These spiral bound booklets include:

  • Note-taking pages listing each site we will see
  • Heavy sketching paper
  • A brief history of Rome
  • A packing list
  • A pre-travel (optional) reading list
  • Diary pages
  • An autograph page for email addresses of new friends made along the way
  • A pocket page for mementos

Your child’s Study Journal and pencil will be with him/her each day for note-taking and sketching. When our time together in Rome is over, this booklet makes a wonderful enrichment tool, something to share at school, and a keepsake.

An AHA week in Rome with your child or grandchild is something that you will never forget! I promise!

Physical Level: Moderate

“Art History Alive Presents Italy” Is On The Blog

September 4th, 2008

We are happy to announce that our DVD, “Art History Alive Presents Italy” is now embedded here on the blog. If you haven’t seen it yet, we hope that you will enjoy it as much as we do, and if you would like a complimentary copy to share with friends, just let me know.

This DVD is pretty but its significance lies in the fact that this IS AHA’s Italy, as every photo included, with the exception of the wedding pictures, was taken while traveling with our lovely clients. Many of which are featured in the DVD. Sorry, no kick-backs guys.

In case you are wondering why we chose ” The Flower Duet” from Madama Butterfly, an opera set in
Japan . . . . . . No, I think I’ll let you take a guess at why it is appropriate. Any ideas? Use the comment box below!

Enjoy,

Cynthia