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Old World Cultures in the New Century
Sept. 16–28, 2012
·Itinerary
·Printable full program description
·Note: Registration is now full. To be added to the wait list, please contact us.
PROGRAM LEADERS:
Pat Quade, professor emeritus of theater
Kathy Quade, retired St. Olaf disability services coordinator
Architecture, music, theater, opera and the visual arts offer historically and currently compelling reasons to visit these showpiece cities of Central and Eastern Europe. To experience old world cultures in a new century, we will visit palaces, galleries, theaters, concert halls, museums and cultural centers that express the heritage of each city. A brief survey of the history of Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary will serve as the basis for the remarkable sights and events we will savor.
Worldwide acclaim has been lavished on Prague, Vienna and Budapest, considered to be among the most beautiful cities of the world. All three cities have undergone transformations over the past 100 years and lay claim to noteworthy artists, philosophers and historians whose work has consistently reflected the powerful forces of cultural change in their countries.
Our journey begins in Prague, offering a stunning cityscape and some of the most impressive architecture in Europe. Largely spared during WWII, its compact medieval center remains an evocative maze of cobbled lanes, ancient courtyards, dark passages and churches beyond number, all watched over by an 1,100-year-old castle. Under communistic control for 40 years, Prague has swiftly moved into the 21st century. Theatres, galleries and museums offer visitors endless opportunities to experience the arts.
Next, we travel to grandiose Vienna, the showpiece of the far-reaching Hapsburg dynasty. Monumental edifices line the city center, world-class museums burst with treasures, and renowned orchestras and small ensembles perform nightly. Music lovers in particular will be in ecstasy. This is the city that nurtured the works of Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Brahms and Mahler, among others. This heritage has an almost physical presence, and music is still a driving force.
We finish our travels in Budapest, known as the Paris of Eastern Europe. Budapest is a remarkable and wholly unpretentious place. The evening illumination of the Castle, the Chain Bridge and other monuments create unimagined beauty. The Parliament Building, the State Opera and the new Millenium Center, home of the National Theatre and the Palace of Arts, offer us the opportunity to witness the enduring strength of the Hungarian people.
Program Leaders
Pat and Kathy Quade are veteran travelers and program leaders. Pat led his first Study Travel program, “London for Theater Lovers,” in 1995 and has led “Theater in London” January Interim courses for students 10 times. Kathy has joined him in leading students on Term in the Middle East and Global Semester. They have led Study Travel programs for adults in more than 10 countries, and always have plans for future programs.
Pat graduated from St. Olaf in 1965 and taught in the theater department from 1968 to 1996. In addition to teaching and directing plays, he served from 1996 to 2004 as director of International and Off-Campus Studies, which annually sends over 800 students abroad on more than 35 Interim courses and 60 semester- or year-long programs. Kathy graduated from UW-Madison and was disabilities services coordinator at St. Olaf prior to her retirement in 2004. Kathy and Pat recently spent a year working at United International College in Zhuhai, China, where Kathy taught English and Pat served as the Chief of International Development.
What to Expect
Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will usually be on foot, sometimes by public transportation. To fully participate in the program, you must be capable of walking up to five miles per day over possibly uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and of traveling with a group for several hours each day.
Hotels will be tourist class (three or four star) with private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.
You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.it .
Program Fee
The program fee is $3,275 through May 15, 2012. Based on double occupancy, it includes seminars by Pat and Kathy Quade, local guiding, accommodations, breakfast daily and several other group meals, admissions for group activities, ground transportation, and gratuities to guides and drivers. For single occupancy, add $805. After May 15, 2012, the program fee is $3,425 per person.
Please note that you should plan to depart the U.S. on Saturday, Sept. 15. Plan to arrive in Prague on Sunday, Sept. 16 and to depart from Budapest on Friday, Sept. 28. For assistance with your flight arrangements, may we recommend our longtime travel agent, Noreen Deiss of Travel Leaders/Suntime Travel (formerly Carlson Wagonlit). You can reach Noreen at 651-429-0039 or noreen@suntimetravel.com.
NOTE: Registration is now full. To be added to the wait list, please contact us.
Printable Registration Documents
