Historic New England Travel: California Modern

California Modern: Mid-Century Masterpieces of Palm Springs and Los Angeles

Modern design flourished in Palm Springs and Los Angeles during the 20th century, as architects experimented with daring new concepts and materials, creating buildings that emphasize function and reflect the natural world. Join Historic New England for an inside look at the architecture that defines southern California “cool,” from the sleek, mid-century homes nestled in the desert oasis of Palm Springs to the bold, post-modern landmarks of downtown Los Angeles. Through after-hours tours with local experts and curators, and special access inside local homes, get a behind-the-scenes perspective on iconic buildings and legendary architects from Frank Lloyd Wright and Paul R. Williams to Frank Gehry and Renzo Piano.

Mid-Century Masterpieces of Palm Springs and Los Angeles

• Enjoy exclusive before or after-hours visits to many of the area’s most beloved museums–including the Palm Springs Art Museum, The Broad, the Gamble House and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House

• Step inside some of Palm Springs’ modernist homes on a private architectural tour, including the stunning, glasswalled Frederick Loewe estate with dramatic 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and a home that was commissioned for Massachusetts businessman J. Cheney Wells, co-creator of Old Sturbridge Village

• Immerse yourself in the works of Frank Gehry with 3 nights at The Conrad – his newest endeavor – and a concert at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall

• Enjoy dinner at the member-only California Club, the city’s premier social club and a Los Angeles institution for more than a century

• Spend an evening in the 1908 Henry W. O’Melveny house, which was painstakingly disassembled, transported to its present location in Windsor Square, and meticulously restored

O’Melveny house, near dusk

Tuesday, April 25:

Arrival in Palm Springs

• Independent transfers to the hotel

• After-hours tour of the Palm Springs Art Museum followed by a welcome dinner in Chef Jean-Paul Lair’s Le Vallauris, a restored historic landmark first built in 1927

Included Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn

Wednesday, April 26:

Mid-century Palm Springs

• Guided tour of representative Palm Springs’ mid-century modern buildings including interior visits to the Franz Alexander House and the Frederick Loewe Estate, with Michael Stern, best-selling author of Julius Shulman: Palm Springs and Hollywood Modern

• Lunch on the patio or in the Ranch House Dining Room at Smoke Tree Ranch, an historic private resort welcoming discerning guests for more than 85 years

• After lunch, visit a private home at Smoke Tree Ranch that was designed by modernist architect Albert Frey and commissioned for Massachusetts businessman J. Cheney Wells, co-creator of Old Sturbridge Village

• Late afternoon ride on the rotating gondolas of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for sweeping views of Palm Springs and the surrounding landscape; those who choose can explore Downtown Palm Springs on foot

• Dinner at leisure; those who choose can enjoy an early-evening wine and hors d’oeuvre reception at The Willows

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Reception

Accommodations: The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn

For more information about this trip call 877-298-9677 or email reservations@academic-travel.com

Franz Alexander House

Thursday, April 27: Architecture as Art: Pasadena

• Transfer to Pasadena

• Docent-led tour at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens of the Japanese gardens, featuring koi-filled ponds and a 300-year-old heritage house brought from Japan

• Picnic lunch from Café 1919 to enjoy in the Celebration Garden

• Private after-hours tour of the Gamble House, one of Pasadena’s famed Craftsman homes, designed by architects Greene and Greene

• Arrive in Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) with time to settle into your hotel

• Join Linda Dishman, President of the Los Angeles Conservancy, for an exclusive reception and dinner adjoining the third-floor terrace at the members-only California Club, a Los Angeles institution for more than a century

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Reception, Dinner Accommodations: The Conrad

Friday, April

28: From Gehry to Getty and Back Again

• Depart The Conrad in DTLA and transfer to Brentwood to join art historian Clare Kunny for a guided architecture tour of the Getty Center, designed by Richard Meier, with welcome from Timothy Whalen, Director of the Getty Conservation Institute, and exclusive visit to the Betye Saar or Paul R. Williams archives. En route, drive by several of architect Paul R. Williams’ historic designs, including the prominent Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills and the Westwood Medical Plaza – one of Williams’ final commissions in Los Angeles

• Free time to explore the museum at leisure followed by lunch with Paul R. Williams’ granddaughter, Karen Hudson, at the Restaurant at the Getty, with panoramic views of the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains and the Getty Center complex

• Enjoy dinner featuring fresh ingredients and a seasonal menu on the patio at Ray Garcia’s new restaurant, Asterid, located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall

• Enjoy a “Casual Friday” evening performance of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Conductor Elim Chan explores the passions of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth, and acclaimed virtuoso Leila Josefowicz performs Thomas Ades’ “Concentric Paths” violin concerto

• Following the no-intermission concert, enjoy a post-concert discussion and drinks with members of the orchestra

Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: The Conrad

For more information about this trip call 877-298-9677 or email reservations@academic-travel.com

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Saturday April 29: From Hollyhock to Hollywood

• Before-hours tour of The Broad contemporary art museum’s permanent collection with access to Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room

• Curator welcome and exclusive access to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, the only World Heritage site in Los Angeles, considered a precursor to California Modernism

• Lunch and guided visit to Renzo Piano’s just-opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

• Tour of Hancock Park and Windsor Square, followed by a celebratory farewell dinner in a private residence, the 1908 Henry W. O’Melveny house, which was disassembled and moved from its original location to Windsor Square in 1930 and restored with meticulous care by its present owners

Included Meals: Lunch, Reception, Dinner

Accommodations: The Conrad

Sunday April 30: Departure from Los Angeles

• Independent departures

Middle: The fourth, and final, home of The California Club, nearing completion in 1930. Right: photo provided by The Getty Center

Frederick Loewe Estate

Accommodations

The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn

The

Conrad This 4-star historic villa is set in a former mansion, tucked into the heart of Palm Springs. Built in 1925, the luxury property is known for hosting figures of note, both past and present; from Albert Einstein and Clark Gable, to Robert DeNiro and Diane Keaton. With a romantic Mediterranean atmosphere, the tranquil space feels like an elite, upscale living room, both cozy and elegant. Rooms* are individually decorated with classic wood furnishings and antique décor, with some offering private patios and/or fireplaces. The dining area is exceptional, with one wall converting to a “doorway” that opens onto the outdoors, with a gorgeous view of a 50foot waterfall. Nestled into the side of a mountain, guests can enjoy the private, natural landscape, as well as lush gardens filled with lavender and palm trees, multiple outdoor terraces, and walking trails around the property. Though it feels a world apart, the Willows is just a five-minute walk from upscale shopping areas, such as South Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drives. The Mount San Jacinto State Park can be accessed via a short walk along the Skyline Trail. Amenities include a nightly turn-down service for each guest, access to a 24-hour heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, and nightly receptions provided by the hosts with free wine and hors d’oeuvre. While the hotel only serves breakfast and light bites, the property is a short walk from multiple dining options, including Le Vallauris, across the street.

*Each room is equipped with one bed. Limited rooms available with full-size pullouts.

One of the most highly anticipated openings of Spring 2022, Conrad Hotel and Resort’s first California property is a marvel of LA luxury, architecture and hospitality. Tucked into the new Frank Gehry sculptural assemblage, The Grand LA, the hotel’s interior is masterfully designed by internationally renowned Tara Bernerd & Partners. Gehry’s contemporary architecture is paired with modern decor to create an approachable, luxury experience with a timeless “industrial edge.” Dining options include two restaurants from famed chef and humanitarian, José Andrés, with a focus on local flavors, with influences from Spain. Guests can take in the breathtaking cityscape from the 16,000-square-foot rooftop terrace, which includes a bar and a landscaped pool deck, as well as unrivaled views of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, another Gehry masterpiece, just across the street. Located in the “cultural corridor” of downtown, guests are moments away from The Broad, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Colburn School, Angels Flight® Railway, and Grand Central Market.

California Modern Historic New England

April 25-30, 2023

Our Policies

When you enroll in a trip, you are asked to sign our Terms & Conditions. We require all travelers to sign this document before traveling with us. We will also ask you to sign a separate waiver acknowledging that a COVID vaccination and booster is a requirement for participation on this trip.

TRIP COST

Prices are listed in U.S. dollars and are based on a person sharing a room with another. While we do our best to maintain the listed price, because our prices are set over a year in advance, we reserve the right to change costs due to extraordinary circumstances beyond our control. The land cost is based on a minimum number of guests.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

•

Comprehensive educational program by professional on-site guides

• Accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary

• Ground transportation within the itinerary

• Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary

• Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary

• Gratuities to porters, drivers, and guides

• $1,000 per person donation to Historic New England

• The assistance of an ATA tour manager for comprehensive logistical and customer service management on the trip

• The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights, or other services

• Comprehensive pre-departure information about the destination and what to expect on the trip, including a suggested reading list

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

•

U.S. domestic or international airfare or other transportation from your home to the departure point of the trip and from the end point of the trip to your home

• Airport transfers and baggage handling unless otherwise indicated

• Travel and trip cancellation insurance

•

Passport, visa, airport departure and excess baggage fees

• Meals not specified in the itinerary; food and beverages not part of the included meals

• Personal items such as telephone, fax and internet charges, laundry, room service, alcoholic or other beverages not specified as included

• Gratuities for non-group services

• Expenses resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action, and flight delays

• Expenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

A limited number of single rooms or cabins are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Deposit due upon application. Balance due upon receipt of invoice, 90 days prior to departure. Acceptable forms of payment for the deposit are personal check, wire transfer, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Final payment may be made by credit card, check or wire transfer. If final payment is not received by 90 days prior to departure, your space is subject to cancellation. If you are making a reservation within 90 days of the trip’s departure, full payment will be required upon confirmation.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email or fax) to Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. (ATA). Per person cancellation fees are based on the date of the cancellation notice reaching ATA. Up to 120 days prior to departure; refund of deposit less an administration fee of 50% of deposit. Cancellation between 119-91 days before departure: 100% of deposit is forfeited. Cancellation between 90-61 days, 50% of the trip price is forfeited. Cancellation within 60 days of departure: no refund. Cancellation on day of departure or after trip departs: no refund. No refund for unused portions of trip, including, but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights and sightseeing. Cancellation of program by Historic New England or ATA: full refund.

Reservations are not transferable without the explicit approval of Historic New England and ATA. NOTE: Neither Historic New England nor ATA accepts liability for any airline or train cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable airline or train ticket to the tour departure city or return.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. We will send you information from Travel Insure Services, or you may obtain coverage through a company of your choice. All ATA trips include Emergency Evacuation Insurance as part of the trip price.

A NOTE ABOUT THE ITINERARY

While every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, the nature of travel is unpredictable and we must be prepared for changes. The itinerary as described is subject to modification by ATA. Rest assured that, should any changes be needed, ATA commits to deliver an experience as outstanding as the one originally planned.

Fitness to Travel, Active Elements

To enjoy your travels to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health.  Any physical or mental condition requiring special attention, diets, or treatment must be reported in writing when the reservation is made (or at such later time when you become aware of such a condition). We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a participant should such a person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity, or attitude jeopardize the operation of the travel program or the enjoyment of other participants.  All health information is protected and treated as confidential.

Some of our trips incorporate active elements such as hiking, climbing, biking or canoeing. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the level of activity that will be involved in your trip and assessing your ability and willingness to participate. Any such activity is entirely optional. In some cases, on-site providers may require you to sign an additional waiver/release to participate in an activity that involves additional risks or a certain fitness level. In these cases, we do our best to share these waivers with you in advance of the trip. By registering for this trip, you are representing that that you are physically and mentally able to understand the risks, foreseeable and unforeseeable; to safely participate in the selected activities and services; and of sufficient intelligence and maturity to understand and follow safety protocols.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

You agree that Historic New England and ATA (and/or their respective affiliates) may record you by any means including, without limitation, electronic recording, film, videotape, audio tape, live-stream and photography and you hereby grant to Historic New England and ATA (and their respective affiliates) the gratis right to use, publish, display and broadcast your name, likeness, voice, quotes, and images in whole or in part, by any and all formats now known or hereinafter developed throughout the world including, without limitation, in advertising materials, promotional materials, social media, commercial tieups and live-streaming productions. You also release Historic New England and ATA (and their respective affiliates) from any and all claims and causes of action you may have now or in the future based upon defamation, misappropriation, invasion of privacy, right of publicity or similar claims, and you agree not to institute any legal action based on any of the grounds specified herein.

RESPONSIBILITY

This trip is sponsored by Historic New England and is managed by Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. (ATA), a professional travel company, hired as an independent contractor. ATA acts only as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotels, and all matters of reservations and trip operation. ATA and their agents and Historic New England accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor does ATA and Historic New England accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from but not limited to sickness, pilferage, acts of terrorism, weather conditions or acts of God. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the program participant. ATA reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on their part. ATA reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any trip participant at any time without being under any obligation to assign any reason therefore. In the event of the exercise of this right, ATA shall be under no liability to such person(s) except to refund such amount as their absolute discretion deems reasonable to attribute to the uncompleted portion of the trip. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that air, ship or train tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and carrier concerned. The airlines and all other transportation companies involved in this trip are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their plane or conveyances. All services are subject to the laws of the country in which they are rendered. The participant agrees on behalf of herself/himself, her/his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the above conditions and to release and hold harmless, Historic New England and Academic Travel Abroad, Inc., and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any delays, damage, loss, injury or death occurring in relation to this tour.

CALIFORNIA SELLER OF TRAVEL PROGRAM

CST #2059002-40

ATA is a participant in the California Seller of Travel program. California law requires that certain sellers of travel have a trust account or bond. ATA has a trust account. ATA is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

Read Carefully: Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer

ATA acts only as an agent for the respective suppliers of goods and services (e.g., cruise companies, hotels, airlines, railroads, bus companies, local tours, etc.) by making arrangements for transportation, accommodations, and other services. Neither the Historic New England nor ATA control, own, or operate these suppliers. The suppliers are independent contractors. Neither Historic New England nor ATA shall be held liable for personal injury, death, property damage or accident, delay or irregularity arising out of any act or omission of these suppliers. ATA reserves the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of tour participants.

Historic New England and ATA also reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour announced, and ATA reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by tour staff to be in the best interests of the health, safety or general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant, subject only to the requirement that the recoverable portion of the total amount paid that corresponds to the cost of unused services and accommodations be refunded, if any. Participants are encouraged to purchase airline tickets no sooner than 120 days before the tour begins to avoid airline cancellation penalties if a tour is canceled or otherwise modified subsequent to the participant’s purchase of those tickets. Historic New England and ATA accept no liability for the purchase of nonrefundable airline tickets to the tour departure city and return. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant. Participants are encouraged to purchase travel insurance.

Dates, schedules, program details, and featured speakers although provided in good faith based on information available at the time of publication of the brochure or catalog, are subject to change and revision.

AS A CONDITION OF ACCEPTANCE OF ANY APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT MUST AGREE TO THE STATEMENT SET FORTH BELOW:

The undersigned has read carefully the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer set forth above, the schedule of activities for this tour, as well as the terms and conditions of application and participation as set forth in the tour brochure(s) and on the web, and recognizes and accepts any risk associated with the tour and the conditions, including the refund policy, set forth in the tour brochure(s). The undersigned further acknowledges that there are many risks and uncertainties inherent in any travel tour, including but not limited to the hazards of various modes of transportation, forces of nature, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, war or insurrection, theft, illness, and damage to person or property due to the negligent acts or omissions of suppliers, tour staff or others. In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in the tour, the undersigned, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, hereby waives, releases, and discharges Historic New England, its directors, shareholders, officers, employees, representatives or agents, and ATA and its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents, (Releasees) from liability, claims, demands, injuries, damages, consequential or indirect damages, actions or causes of action for personal injury, death, property damage or loss suffered by any person in connection with this tour, even if caused by the active and passive negligence or omission of tour staff, suppliers, or other related persons or entities, and, further indemnifies, holds harmless and promises not to sue the Releasees from any and all liabilities or claims made as a result of participation in this activity, whether caused by the negligence of a Releasee or otherwise. In addition, by registering for this tour, the applicant certifies that he or she is mentally and physically capable of full participation in this tour.

By registering for this ATA program, sponsored by Historic New England, you agree to the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer and the Terms and Conditions herein and that you acknowledge that he/she has carefully read this paragraph and fully understands that this is a waiver and release of liability