Art History Alive

arthisto March 17th, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do you mean by cultural immersion?

We can achieve a sense of immersion into a place in several key ways.

• Accommodations. The place that you sleep on an AHA tour will be small, located in the historic center of where ever we are, and often run by a family that we now call friends. These are the people that each of you will get to know and they will go above and beyond to make you feel at home in the city or area that they are immensely proud of. Whether we are in Tuscany, Florence, Rome, Paris, or California, our friends welcome us back with the warmest reunions. Needless to say, locating and building these trusted friendships has been a 15 year labor of love that you, our clients, will enjoy.
• In, under, and above a place. For example: AHA will wander you into tiny colorful towns, under a city through tunnels, whose construction date back before Christ, and above the pacific Ocean perched on a high cliff. We will take you down into a valley only to look up at an enormous and majestic waterfall rushing.
• We will go off the beaten track. In Italy, everyone goes to the beautiful Chianti region for wine tasting. We, on the other hand, have sought out tucked away wineries as to avoid the slick marketing of the Italian ” Wine Country”. Instead, AHA enjoys visiting a large typical wine estate overlooking, for example, Orvieto. We taste the wines with complimentary foods under a frescoed ceiling. At other times we might visit a village wine coop. Here everyone in the village pools their small private vineyard grape crop to make a wine that they divide up and will drink every day for the next year. The same is true in California. We will go wine tasting in the lesser known wine producing areas of Paso Robles, on the Central Coast, and Murphy’s in the foothills of the mighty Sierra Mountains.
• Restaurant choices are key. In Italy we will eat in family owned trattorie. This is the restaurant where wonderful smells waft as you walk in the door. It is where Mama and Grandma are in the kitchen, Papa is at the fireplace roaster, Grandpa makes the coffee and sits at the cash register, and the kids are busing tables and taking orders. This is where they approach your table not with a menu, but instead with a list of what was cooked today. Always fresh and only seasonal. They will take great pride in their homemade pastas, which will melt in you mouth, and their house wines which were probably made at the co op mentioned above. This is too fun! In California, Paris, and NYC we will take you to places that we know and trust. Eateries that reflect the personality of the place we are visiting. From Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch steak house in Carmel, CA, to the best french fries in the world at L’Entrecote in Paris, where we enjoy our meals is an important piece to the immersion process.
• You, our clients, will have the opportunity to meet and greet our wonderful friends. As I have mentioned above, through the years of returning to these places, we have met and had the pleasure of getting to know, grocers in small towns, tiny hotel owners, restaurant owners, and vintners, that are genuinely happy to see us again. We really enjoy our reunions and introducing our clients to them. This is so key in getting beyond the ordinary in a country. Now you are not simply an observer in a culture but you are interacting with it. Huge difference and uniquely Art History Alive.
• I am sure you will agree that when you add these experiences together you will feel that you have been immersed in a wonderful culture. We do.

2. What piece of luggage does AHA recommend?

Our favorite piece of luggage is the approx. 14″ x 22″ x 9″ Pullman. They are available everywhere and at all price levels. No one has ever returned from a trip wishing they had packed heavier. For an eight day trip, it is all you will need. Be sure to pack an extra bag that goes flat on the bottom of your suitcase that can act as a carry-on upon your return flight. You will pick up little things along the way and you will be glad that you have it when it is time to return home.

3. I want to pack light, what do you suggest?

For a one week trip we suggest 2 or 3 pairs of slacks, a mixture of tops ( sweaters, shirts), a jacket (weight depends on time of year and destination), and comfortable shoes. Dark colors don’t show accidents. For the ladies, scarves are a great way to spruce up at night and they are so easy to pack. You’ll find a more complete list below.

4. What is your suggestion for finding my flights?

The Internet is your best bet. Expedia.com and Orbitz.com are good places to start. If you are not familiar with a computer, call a travel agent who can take care of ticket purchasing for you.

5. What exactly is ground transportation?

It is included in your price, and consists of subway, taxi, car rental, and/or train costs.

6. What form of currency do you recommend?

We recommend that you get $150.00 in Euro, per person, from your bank before we depart. This is easily done as long as you let your bank know in advance. Then carry your regular ATM/Debit card. ATM cards work like magic in Europe. They are in English, and using them exactly the way you do at home you are able to withdraw cash anywhere. We suggest that you bring an active credit card as well. That will be all you need.

7. I am concerned about pickpockets, what is the best way to carry money?

We strongly suggest that you carry on your person, only enough cash for the day. AHA hotels provide a safe in each room, so extra cash, passports, and other valuables can be kept there.

8. What is not included in the price?

Round trip air transportation, transfers to and from airports, and trip cancellation insurance.

9. What about travel insurance?

AHA trip prices include medical insurance for while you are with us. However many travelers like to have trip cancellation insurance just in case A great idea and peace of mind. If you are interested, I recommend that you simply call AAA, they can help you out.

10. I have never been a museum hound, could this be too educational?

We try to visit and learn about two historic places of interest before lunch, and one more after lunch. That leaves time to wander, shop, rest, and digest what we have seen. Nothing is worse, while traveling, than flying by a half dozen famous spots with someone rattling in your ear. We have seen plenty of those groups, but will not be one of them. Breaking off from the itinerary, at anytime, is fine with us. We will just meet up later.

11. Will I be sharing a room?

That is actually up to you. The AHA price is based on two persons in a double, twin bedded room with their own bath. However, we can reserve for you, your own room, for a singles supplement. Prices vary according to destination. Contact AHA for pricing.

12. I would enjoy talking with someone who has traveled with Art History Alive recently. Is this possible?

Of course. Just contact AHA by email, and we will send you email addresses of recent travelers.

13. What is the contact information for Art History Alive?

Art History Alive is at 850 Park Avenue 14B, Capitola, CA 95010. (831) 475-3807 Email: aha@arthistoryalive.com

14. What exactly, is a castle in Tuscany?

It is a three star historic accommodation in a five star setting. For more detailed information on castles please go to Tips for Castle Hopping in Italy.

Travel Information in General - or - Hints that Help
Over the years and through the school of hard knocks I have learned some very valuable short cuts and important little things that will make your trip more of a pleasure.

General tips:

• Car and Driver Transfers - Upon arrival at your airport and after you have picked up you luggage proceed through the exit doors into the greetings hall. Here you will find a driver with a sign showing either Art History Alive or Cynthia Quist. He’s your man, and will get you comfortably to your hotel.
• Hair dryers are in all of our hotels. (see adapter info below)
• Overnight flights can and will try and mess with you. This is what I do. At about 10 PM wet coast time I take 1 Excedrin or Tylenol PM. I wear ear plugs and an eye mask and am able to get 3 to 5 hours of sleep as we fly over the Atlantic Ocean.
• Jetlag - I just don’t do jetlag. Upon arrival on the ground in Rome, change your watch to local time, and don’t think about what time it is at home or how little sleep you got on the way over. On my first and second nights abroad I take a sleeping pill because my body will try and wake up at it’s normal time but it will be the middle of the night in Italy. In those first two nights of adjustment it is important that I sleep straight through to be fresh the next day. This is just a suggestion of what has worked well for me.
• Money - You will want to bring 100 EUROS per person with you in cash. This can be done by contacting your bank in advance. In addition to that bring a credit card, and an ATM/Debit card. This would be the same card you use here for cash withdrawals at an ATM machine. In Italy they are called Bancomat and they are everywhere the same way they are here. If you do not have an ATM card you may bring more cash where upon arrival you can put it in your rooms safe.
• Checking in - For those of you who will arrive at the hotel on your own, you will be asked for your passport. Every incoming guest has to be registered with Interpol by passport #. It will be returned to you the same day at which point you might want to store it in your room safe.

Packing for an Art History Alive trip:

• The key here is LIGHT. No one has ever traveled internationally and wished they’d brought more! International travel is hard enough and these airports are huge with long walks. Be as mobile and light weight as you can.I have been traveling for decades and go for a month at a time with a rolling upright piece of luggage that measures 14”W x 22”H x 9”D, and I love shoes! Now, having said that, my Pullman is expandable which is very important.
• When choosing your clothes remember this little saying: Black doesn’t show spaghetti sauce. I have several black skirts and slacks that do not wrinkle. Lots of tops that are interchangeable, rinse out and dry quickly.

Other than all the regular things that you pack, here are few things that will make your travel experience easier:

• All bottles of liquid, oils, creams, or various “goos”, should be in zip-lock bags. Any of these over 3 oz. will need to be in your suitcase not in your carry on.
• A small day pack
• Sunscreen
• A dark colored sweater or jacket for mornings and evenings.
• An easy dry swimsuit (for appropriate destinations)
• Trial size shampoo/conditioner and toothpaste (these will last about two weeks)
• An adapter for any electrical items that you will bring, i.e. curling iron. Italy has the same current strength that we do so your appliances will work fine there but their prong configuration is different and easily adapted. Any travel store will carry an adaptor for Italy.

• Your vitamins
• Medications are very important. Overseas is not a good time to experiment with something you are unfamiliar with:
• Pain relievers
• Imodium AD
• Sinus/Allergy meds.
• Extra contact lenses
• Plastic bag for wet clothes (for those things that didn’t quite dry before moving on)

If you are going to Tuscany with AHA please read “Tips on Castle Hopping”.

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