a program of the stanford a lumni associat ion

E LLE N W Y N N B R OA D B E NT, FOC U S : F LO R E N C E , 2 019

TRE ASURES OF ESTONIA , L AT VIA AND L ITHUANIA

June 6 to 17, 2020

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y

HighlightsE X P L O R E some of the most charming medi-eval old towns in Europe: Estonia’s Tallinn and Tartu, Latvia’s Riga and Kaunas, and Lithuania’s Vilnius.

A P P R E C I AT E the Baltic Republics’ rich architecture, including Tallinn’s mix of German, Scandinavian and Russian styles, and Riga’s art nouveau district.

V I S I T Lithuania’s famous Hill of Crosses, where wooden crosses started accumulating in the 1830s; today there are more than 100,000 memorial crosses!

The three Northern European countries that hug the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—may be small but are packed with enough historic and cultural highlights to keep the most dedicated traveler occupied for months. Traveling with historian and international relations scholar, Bert Patenaude, MA ’79, PhD ’87, learn about the rich history of the Baltic states—their emergence and the conflicts that defined them in the 19th and 20th centuries. As we explore the numerous exquisitely preserved old towns, storied castles and medieval churches, we’ll be swept back in time, discovering a wealth of architectural styles along the way, from Gothic to baroque and art nouveau. Come along with us as we experience the charms, cultures and culinary traditions of these three captivating countries!

BRE T T S. THOMPSON, ’83, D IRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL /STUDY

TRAKAI ISLAND CASTLE, LITHUANIA

Faculty Leader

“[Bert is] smart, fun, enjoyable, articulate—in truth, the type of professor I wish I had had when I was an undergraduate at Stanford.” J O H N E LG E R , ’ 71, N O R TH E R N E U R O P E BY S E A , 2 018

S I G N U P O N L I N E : alumni.stanford.edu/trip?baltics2020O R B Y P H O N E : (650) 725-1093

CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, VILNIUS, LITHUANIA

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y

B E R T PAT E N A U D E , M A ’ 7 9 , P H D ’ 8 7, teaches history and international relations at Stanford University, where he has lectured frequently on the history of Central and Eastern Europe, especially its turbulent 20th century. His book The Big Show in Bololand: The American Relief Expedition to Soviet Russia in the Famine of 1921 (Stanford University Press, 2002) won the 2003 Marshall D. Shulman Book Prize and was made into a documentary film and broadcast in 2011 as part of the award-winning PBS history series American Experience. Over the past three decades, Bert has visited the Baltic states some 20 times and observed their emergence from Russian domination. In the early 1990s, he conducted a seminar on international relations for the Hoover Institution’s Diplomat Training Program, whose participants included aspiring young diplomats from the three Baltic states. During our trip, Bert will discuss what’s happened in the Baltic republics since they gained their independence; theBaltics and the current crisis of the European Union; and America’s involvement in the Baltic region immediately after World War I.

— Lecturer, history and international relations, Stanford University, since 1991

— Research fellow, Hoover Institution, 1992–2019— Instructor, Department of National Security Affairs, Naval

Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, 1992–2000— Recipient, Schieffelin Award for Teaching Excellence,

Naval Postgraduate School, 1998 and 1999— BA ’77, political science, Boston College— MA ’79, and PhD ’87, history—both Stanford University

VARNIAIREGIONAL

PARK

B a l t i c

S e a

Lake Galve

Tallinn

Tartu

Riga

Siauliai

Vilnius

Klaipeda

Kaunas

ESTONIAESTONIA

LATVIALATVIA

L ITHUANIAL ITHUANIAKALININGRADKALININGRAD

POLANDPOLAND

BELARUSBELARUS

RUSSIARUSSIA

SWEDENSWEDEN

CURONIAN SPITNATIONAL PARK

LigatneCesis

ItinerarySATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 6 & 7U.S. / TALLINN, ESTONIADepart the U.S. on indepen-dent overnight flights to Tallinn, Estonia, arriving on Sunday, and transfer to our hotel. After settling in, join a walking tour of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Taking in a mix of German, Scandinavian and Russian architecture, we pass by onion-domed Orthodox churches and cathedrals, red-roofed residences, guildhalls, the fortress-like 13th-century Toompea Castle and the Gothic town hall, with its distinctive tower, completed in 1404 and the oldest still-intact town hall in Northern Europe. This evening enjoy a welcome reception and dinner. HOTEL TELEGRAAF (6/7: D)

MONDAY, JUNE 8TALLINN / TARTUThis morning head into the interior of Estonia to explore its cultural and intellectual center, the city of Tartu. Visit the striking modern building that houses the Estonian National Museum,

where we learn of Estonia’s centuries-old heritage of ancient traditions, folklore and cultural shifts. After lunch take a walking tour of Tartu’s Old Town and the University of Tartu. Return to Tallinn for dinner and an evening at leisure. HOTEL TELEGRAAF (B,L)

TUESDAY, JUNE 9TALLINN / RIGA, LATVIALeave Tallinn this morning for the capital of Latvia, the sophis-ticated and historic city of Riga. En route, soak up the beauti-ful countryside and stop at a family-run orchard and cider farm for lunch. Upon arrival in Riga, check in to our hotel, then enjoy a walking tour of Riga’s historic center, taking in the in-tricate architecture of the build-ings surrounding Livu Square, viewing the imposing riverside Riga Castle and marveling at the intricate towers of St. Peter’s Church. Savor a locally sourced dinner tonight in the heart of Old Town. GRAND POET HOTEL (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10RIGAEnjoy a morning at leisure before we gather for a tradi-tional Latvian lunch at Town Hall Square and a tasting of the famous bittersweet liqueur, Riga

Black Balsam. Our next stop is the Latvian National Opera house for an exclusive back-stage tour and a private perfor-mance by one of the company’s opera singers. Our afternoon walking tour focuses on the city’s elaborately ornamented art nouveau buildings. Enjoy the evening at leisure. GRAND POET

HOTEL (B,L)

THURSDAY, JUNE 11RIGA / LI

–GATNE /

CE SISToday travel to a small village outside the town of Lı gatne to view a vestige of the coun-try’s Soviet era, a once-secret bunker built under a building during the Cold War for Latvia’s high-ranking Communist of-ficials in the event of a nuclear attack. Back above ground, we are guests at a local farm for a lunch of traditional dishes, a performance of folk music and the opportunity to bake bread over an open fire. Head next to the town of Ce sis for a walking tour of its medieval castle, where we stroll amid the turrets and crenellations of the castle complex, and St. John’s Church, one of the oldest medi-eval structures in Latvia and the largest medieval basilica outside Riga. GRAND POET HOTEL (B,L,D)

VARNIAIREGIONAL

PARK

B a l t i c

S e a

Lake Galve

Tallinn

Tartu

Riga

Siauliai

Vilnius

Klaipeda

Kaunas

ESTONIAESTONIA

LATVIALATVIA

L ITHUANIAL ITHUANIAKALININGRADKALININGRAD

POLANDPOLAND

BELARUSBELARUS

RUSSIARUSSIA

SWEDENSWEDEN

CURONIAN SPITNATIONAL PARK

LigatneCesis

OLD TOWN, RIGA, LATVIA

FRIDAY, JUNE 12RIGA / KLAIPE

∙ DA,

LITHUANIATravel south this morning to-ward Lithuania, making our final stop in Latvia at Runda- le Pal-ace, a stately baroque manor built by Italian architect Fran-cesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Fol-lowing lunch at the palace, view its opulent state rooms and manicured gardens on a guided tour. Crossing into Lithuania, we drive through the expansive greenery of Varniai Regional Park en route to the famous Hill of Crosses outside the city of Šiauliai. The pilgrimage site is a jumble of more than 100,000 crosses, clustered on a hill, that began accumulating there in the 1830s. Continue on to the seaside city of Klaipe∙ da, where we check in to our hotel. AMBERTON HOTEL (B,L,D)

SATURDAY, JUNE 13KLAIPE

∙ DA

This morning embark on a walking tour of Klaipe∙ da’s cob-blestone Old Town and view its distinctive, German-influenced, timber-framed buildings (known as Fachwerk), sculptures and fountains scattered through-out. Next take a ferry ride to the Curonian Spit, a stunning coastal peninsula that has

earned a World Heritage site designation, and poke around the spit’s fishing villages, visit-ing the Hill of Witches with its legendary wooden sculptures, appreciating the view from the top of the Parnidis Dune, and enjoy a fish and beer-tasting lunch. Ferry back to Klaipe∙ dafor an evening at leisure. AMBERTON HOTEL (B,L)

SUNDAY, JUNE 14KLAIPE

∙ DA / KAUNAS /

VILNIUSThis morning head for Kaunas, Lithuania’s former capital, en route to Vilnius, Lithuania’s present-day capital. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town of Kaunas, admiring its riverside castle and medieval churches. This afternoon pay a sobering visit to the Ninth Fort right outside of Kaunas. Origi-nally a Soviet prison, it became a Nazi death camp during World War II and today serves as a monument to the thou-sands who died there. Continue on to Vilnius, where we check in to our hotel. HOTEL PACAI (B,L,D)

MONDAY, JUNE 15VILNIUSThis morning depart on a walking tour of the Old Town of Vilnius, a charming collection

of baroque buildings, churches and medieval castles. Following a lunch of regional specialties, attend a private piano concerto performed by the grandson of the famous Lithuanian painter and composer Mikalojus Kon-stantinas Ciurlionis (1875–1911), at his historic home. Enjoy an evening at leisure. HOTEL PACAI

(B,L)

TUESDAY, JUNE 16VILNIUS / LAKE GALVE

∙

Today we journey to nearby beautiful Lake Galve∙ to view the medieval-era, red-brick Trakai Island Castle, the epitome of fairy-tale castles, situated on a verdant island among a cluster of other pocket-size islands in the lake. As we circle the island on our private boat tour, we’ll learn all about the castle’s his-tory. After lunch at a lakeside restaurant, return to Vilnius and gather this evening for a festive farewell dinner. HOTEL PACAI (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17VILNIUS / U.S.After breakfast, transfer to the Vilnius airport for independent flights home. (B)

Trip Information

ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL, TALLINN, ESTONIA

D A T E SJune 6 to 17, 2020 (12 days)

S I Z E35 participants (single accommodations limited—please call for availability)

C O S T *$8,995 per person, double occupancy$9,295 per person, single occupancy*Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person

I N C L U D E D10 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations

10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 6 dinners

Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions

Gratuities to guides and drivers for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational pro-gram with lecture series and predeparture materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, a map and travel informa-tion Services of our professional tour man-ager to assist you throughout the program

N O T I N C L U D E DInternational and U.S. domestic airfare

Passport and visa fees Immunization costs

Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges

Personal items such as internet access, tele-phone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services

A I R A R R A N G E M E N T S You are responsible for booking and purchasing airfare to the start location and from the end location of the program. These air purchases are NOT included in the program cost. To assist you in making these independent arrangements, we will send you details with your confirmation materials on when to arrive and depart.

W H A T T O E X P E C TWe consider this to be a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. The centers of many of the towns we visit are closed to traffic. You must be capable of extensive walking—two to four miles—in historic centers and museums and on city tours, as well as extended periods of standing during excursions. Participants may encounter cobblestones and uneven terrain, and guided tours may require climbing up and down several flights of stairs. Stairs may not have handrails, and elevators are limited or unavailable. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.

Deposit & Final PaymentA $1,000-per-person deposit is required to reserve space for this program. Sign up online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?baltics2020 or call Travel/Study at (650) 725-1093.Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability.

Cancellations & RefundsDeposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee will apply.

InsuranceStanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. You may choose to subscribe to optional trip-cancellation and baggage insurance. Information offering such insurance will be provided to travelers with their welcome materials. The product offered includes special benefits

if you purchase your policy within 14 days of written confirmation of your participation on the trip.

Eligibility We encourage membership in the Stanford Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $300 more than the members’ price. A person traveling as a guest paid for by a current member will not be charged the nonmember fee. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford/goto/membership or call (650) 725-0692.

ResponsibilityThe Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motor coach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike,

war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. We reserve the right to cancel any program prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. We also reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Neither the Stanford Alumni Association, nor Stanford University, nor our operators accept liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in September 2019 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges.

© COPYRIGHT 2019 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.

CURONIAN SPIT, LITHUANIA

Terms & Conditions

California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50

TELEPHONE (650) 725-1093 EMAIL travelstudy@alumni.stanford.edu

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“Stanford Travel/Study trips are always well planned, well organized, intellectually stimulating and efficiently managed on location.”E LLE N W Y N N B R OA D B E NT, FOC U S : F LO R E N C E , 2 019

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