Brochure - Harvard Alumni Association

Three Rivers Voyage:

The Rhine, MoseL and Neckar Aboard the Rembrandt s July 12-22, 2006

© graficart.net/Alamy

Cobblestone streets in Alsace

Dear Alumni and Friends, Europe’s long and storied past is linked tightly to its waterways. The legendary Rhine, the lovely Mosel, and the pristine Neckar rivers wind through an enchanting region of ancient Roman capitals, hilltop castles, and medieval hamlets, rich in history and myth.

U.S. / STRASBOURG, FRANCE

We’ll begin in Strasbourg, France, the cosmopolitan capital of Alsace and seat of the European Parliament. Experience the historical and gastronomical delights of the city—a fusion of French and German influences—and discover the warm, traditional village atmosphere of Alsatian wine country along the famous Route des Vins. Embark the Rembrandt and follow the river routes used for centuries

by Celtic warriors, Roman emperors, and medieval wine barons. Explore Romanesque cathedrals in Speyer and Worms, astonishing Classical ruins in the ancient city of Trier, and remote feudal villages in the Neckar Valley. Travel through the heart of Gothic Germany, past the hilltop castles of Frankish kings and queens, through the misty pine forests that inspired legendary Romantics such as Byron, Hugo, and Goethe. In addition to the banquet of historical delights, we’ll savor delicious local cuisine throughout our journey, and taste the world-renowned wines of Alsace and Mosel at private cellars.

Depart the U.S. on the recommended flight itinerary or independently.

OVERNIGHT FLIGHT (Meals aloft)

Our unhurried itinerary allows ample time to relax on board the ship. Specifically designed for European river cruising, the Rembrandt’s shallow draft allows us to enter the low-lying waters of the Neckar River—rarely visited by cruise ships—as well as the idyllic Mosel and the magical “Romantic Rhine.” The ship has been chartered exclusively for Harvard travelers and our co-sponsor for this voyage, Smithsonian Journeys.

Accompanying us on our journey are David Blackbourn and Ursula Rehn Wolfman, noted scholars of European history and art. I invite you to join us for a leisurely three rivers voyage aboard the stylish and comfortable Rembrandt.

Best regards,

Philip W. Lovejoy Associate Director, Alumni Education

Cover: Heidelberg at night, over the Neckar River © Jon Arnold/DanitaDelimont.com; Back cover: Fountain in Trier © J. Schwanke/Alamy; Mail panel: Traditional German village © Image Gap/Alamy

Wednesday, July 12

STRASBOURG

Thursday, July 13 We arrive in Strasbourg in the early afternoon and transfer to the Hotel Sofitel, ideally located in the heart of the city. The afternoon is at leisure to rest from the transatlantic flight, or enjoy a short stroll to the picturesque Petite France quarter. Many of the city’s finest museums and shops are also located nearby. We gather this evening for a welcome reception at the hotel.

HOTEL SOFITEL (Meals aloft; R)

ALSACE / STRASBOURG Friday, July 14

Our stay in Strasbourg coincides with Bastille Day—the French national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the beginning of the French Revolution. To avoid the holiday crowds downtown, we venture to the countryside and drive along Alsace’s famed Route des Vins, lined with antique villages and rolling vineyards. In the fairytale village of Colmar, we stop at the excellent Musée Unterlinden to

© David Sanger/DanitaDelimont.com

�������

������ ������� �������

�����

������ �����

����� ������ ���������� �����������

the four-towered Imperial Cathedral, and stroll through the beautiful gardens of Schwetzingen Castle.

REMBRANDT (B, L, D)

����������

HEIDELBERG

�������������� �������

view one of the greatest masterpieces of Western art, Mathias Grunewald’s sixteenth-century Isenheim Altarpiece.

Afterward, we savor a typical Alsatian lunch in Kayserberg, the native village of philosopher and Nobel Peace Laureate Albert Schweitzer. The Alsace region produces world-renowned Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot Blanc wines, and we sample some of these celebrated local varietals in the traditional wine town of Ribeauville. We return to Strasbourg this evening for a festive welcome dinner and fireworks display over the city, in honor of Bastille Day. HOTEL SOFITEL (B, L, D)

STRASBOURG / EMBARK REMBRANDT Saturday, July 15

Like many of the region’s border cities, Strasbourg has traded hands several times between France and Germany throughout its long history. Today, the cosmopolitan French capital of Alsace and seat of the European Parliament reflects both cultures—linguistically, architecturally, and gastronomically. We begin the day with a canal boat trip on

BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY / SPEYER Sunday, July 16

From Rastadt, we travel overland through the fabled Black Forest to Baden-Baden.

Renowned for its curative baths and hot springs, Baden-Baden was a playground of Europe’s royalty and aristocracy in the early 1800s. Spared from the bombs of World War II, its nineteenth-century grandeur lives on in the city’s stately old mansions and tree-lined avenues. The 120-year-old Friedrichbad bathhouse and the famous Baths of Caracella— containing a Roman bath that dates to the 1st century—are still in operation, and Baden-Baden remains a popular spa destination today. We learn about the fascinating spa legacy of the town from a local dignitary, and then discover its many charms on our guided walking tour. Returning to the ship for lunch, we continue by river to Speyer. Originally settled by the Celts, Speyer was an important trade center in Roman times and one of the early capitals of printing during the Middle Ages. Here we will admire one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture in Germany,

Monday, July 17 This morning the Rembrandt enters the pristine and shallow Neckar River, seldom visited by cruise ships. We arrive in lively Heidelberg after lunch and explore its historical highlights on our walking tour of Old Town and the Markt Platz (marketplace). Those who wish may join an optional walk to the majestic Heidelberg Castle and gardens perched above the city, which offer tremendous views of the Old Town and Neckar Valley below. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration.

Browse among the many art galleries, museums and delightful shops along Heidelberg’s Hauptstrasse, the longest pedestrian zone in Europe. Return to the ship for dinner, or choose one of the town’s fine German eateries for dinner on your own. You may like to enjoy a nightcap at a traditional café with a view of the palace, which is spectacularly lit up after dark. REMBRANDT (B, L, D)

© Werner Dieterich/Alamy

Fresh-pressed apple wine, Germany

������ the Île River to Strasbourg’s delightful Old Town, away from the bustle of the city.

After lunch at a wonderful local restaurant, we enjoy a guided walking tour to view the striking pink sandstone Cathedrale de Strasbourg and its famous astronomical clock, and then delve into current affairs from the French perspective with a special presentation by a local expert. In the evening, we embark the Rembrandt for a welcome reception hosted by the captain and cruise overnight to Rastadt. REMBRANDT (B, L, D)

Tuesday, July 18

We begin the day with a special guest lecture at Germany’s oldest ivory tower, the venerated University of Heidelberg, established in 1386. Depart Heidelberg by motorcoach for a drive along the famous Castle Road, winding through the wooded Neckar Valley. As the name suggests, the route is lined with magnificent castles and feudal towns—towns rarely visited by cruise passengers due to their remote upriver locations. Walk the timeworn cobbled streets of Eberbach, a walled town surrounded by fortress ruins and boasting a classic market square, bordered by half-timbered houses. We continue to Hirschhorn for a luncheon of local specialties served in a historic hilltop castle overlooking the village and the Neckar. Return to the Rembrandt and enjoy a leisurely afternoon of cruising on the scenic Neckar and the majestic Rhine.

REMBRANDT (B, L, D)

WORMS / CRUISING THE ROMANTIC RHINE Wednesday, July 19

This morning, we disembark in the imperial cathedral city of Worms where we learn about its most famous

© Nigel Hicks/Alamy

HEIDELBERG / EBERBACH

Vineyard near Koblenz, on the banks of the Mosel River visitor, Martin Luther. The leader of the Protestant Reformation appeared before the Imperial parliament here in 1521, and afterward was banished to the far boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire for refusing to retract his beliefs. Worms existed even before Roman times, and today it is an industrial center famous for Liebfraumilch, a local wine. Relax on deck as the Rembrandt enters the stretch of river known as the “Romantic Rhine,” a storybook landscape of medieval castles and myths. Here, according to German legends, the siren Lorelei calls to sailors from the rocks, and the accursed Nibelungen gold treasure sleeps beneath the waters. We travel through the heart of Gothic Germany on the mighty river that inspired great nineteenth-century Romantics such as Lord Byron, Victor Hugo, and Goethe. The ship docks this evening in Koblenz, where the Rhine intercepts the Mosel.

REMBRANDT (B, L, D)

KOBLENZ / COCHEM Thursday, July 20

Sail under the Mosel Bridge and spend the morning cruising on the idyllic Mosel River. This waterway courses through one of the loveliest wine regions in Germany, the misty and peaceful Mosel Valley. Dramatically steep slopes of vines flank the twisting river, and antiquated hilltop castles tower over sleepy villages like sentinels. In the restored feudal wine town of Cochem, we have the opportunity to sample the famous Mosel wines and then visit the stunning Schloss Reichsburg—a hilltop castle set against

Façade of Heidelberg Castle

a lush pine forest, with breathtaking views of the town and the Mosel below.

REMBRANDT (B, L, D)

TRIER

Friday, July 21 After a morning lecture on board, our river journey culminates in Trier, Germany’s oldest city. Founded by Emperor Augustus in 16 B.C., Trier became a significant Roman capital and commercial center in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing some of Europe’s best-preserved Classical antiquities.

Highlights include the second-century Porta Nigra (Black Gate), a testament to Roman engineering and military might; the Aula Palatina, a throne hall built for Emperor Constantine in 310; and the impressive Roman Ampitheater, which is still used today to host concerts and festivals. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Trier. Discover the old city’s quaint restaurants and taverns, wander amid the colorful cafés and houses of the market square, or stroll through the gorgeous Baroque Palastgarten (palace garden). Tonight, our captain hosts a farewell reception and dinner aboard ship.

REMBRANDT (B, L, D)

DISEMBARK REMBRANDT / LUXEMBOURG / HOME Saturday, July 22

This morning, we transfer across the border to Luxembourg’s international airport for flights home. (B; meals aloft)

Š graficart.net/Alamy

Colmar, France

Terms and Conditions What to Expect This is a moderately active program that includes early-morning departures, busy days touring by motorcoach, and walking distances up to one mile at a time. Daily outings may include walks over uneven terrain and climbing stairs without handrails. Participants must be physically fit and in active good health. If you have any questions about your ability to participate in this program, or would like more specific information, please call the Harvard Alumni Association at 617/496-0806 or 800/422-1636.

Reservations & Payments A $1,000 deposit (payable to Harvard University) will hold your reservation. Please mail the check to: Alumni Education, Harvard Alumni Association, 6th Floor, 124 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138. Final payment is due 120 days before departure.

Cancellations & Refunds Written cancellation more than 120 days prior to departure: full refund less a $250 cancellation charge. Written cancellation within 120 days of departure: no refund unless the tour is full and your place(s) can be resold, in which case only a $1,000 handling fee will apply. Applicants should strongly consider purchasing cancellation insurance. Information will be sent upon registration by the HAA. Cancellation on day of departure or after tour departs: no refund. Cancellation of program by the Harvard Alumni Association: full refund except for airline cancellation penalty incurred by purchasing a nonrefundable ticket to the tour departure city and return. No refund for unused portions of this tour.

For further information, contact the Harvard Alumni Association by phone at 617/496-0806 or 800/422-1636, by fax at 617/495-0434 or by e-mail at haa_alumnieducation@harvard.edu. Or visit our website, www.haa.harvard.edu/travel.

Responsibility The Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) and High Country Passage, Inc. (HCP), act only as agents for the suppliers and contractors providing transportation and/or all other travel-related services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for personal injury, personal or property loss or damage in connection with any service. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, weather, strikes, wars, or other such causes. HAA and HCP reserve the right 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 the tour. Occasionally, unforeseen changes in transportation schedules or other pressing matters necessitate a chance in the land portion of the tour or cause a tour to be extended beyond its scheduled completion; any extra costs incurred in such cases are the responsibility of the passenger. HAA and HCP reserve the right in their discretion to alter, change, omit, and/or feature any part of the itinerary or any reservation, conveyance, or routing at any time and without notice and for any reason whatsoever without allowance of refund. They also reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any person to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the HAA and HCP representatives to be in the best interests of the health, safety and general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant. They reserve the right to withdraw without penalty any tour announced. Personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times.

CST #2070901-40 Printed on recycled paper

Study LeaderS David Blackbourn has taught German and European history at Harvard and served as chair of the History Department as well as president of the Conference Group for Central European History of the American Historical Association. He is a board member of Past and Present and the Institute for European History in Mainz. He is also a prize-winning author whose latest book, The Conquest of Nature: Water, Landcsape and the Making of Modern Germany, appears with W.W.Norton in April 2006.

Launched in 2003, the upscale Rembrandt is renowned for her casual elegance and refined European service. Every cabin features a spacious bathroom, TV/ VCR, ample closet storage, and many amenities. Each of the 37 twin-bedded staterooms has a large picture window, and the 4 suites offer queen beds and sliding glass doors. The ship’s stylish restaurant serves fine international cuisine as well as regional specialties and local wines. The Rembrandt’s shallow draft makes her the ideal vessel to explore the scenic rivers of Europe, allowing access to remote, low-lying tributaries rarely visited by cruise ships.

Included All accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary • All on-tour transportation and transfers • Transfers, airport baggage handlings, and airport departure taxes for those traveling on group flights • Comprehensive educational program by HAA study leader, expert local guides, and local guest lecturers • Gratuities to guides, hotel porters, and drivers • House wine with dinner aboard the ship •All entrance fees and activities as indicated in the itinerary • Complete packet of pre-departure information, including educational materials and suggested reading list • Government taxes

Ursula Rehn Wolfman is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and an authority on the relationship between the arts, history, literature, and music of the region. She formerly worked with the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and has led numerous study tours throughout Europe.

© French Government Tourist Office

The Rembrandt

Not Included International or U.S. domestic airfare • Airport transfers, baggage handlings, and airport departure taxes for those not traveling on group flights • Passport and visa fees or medical immunization costs • Individual transfers • Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour • Excess baggage charges • Gratuities for non-group services • Medical expenses • Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (except with welcome and farewell dinners) • Other items of a personal nature such as: laundry, valet services, room service, telephone, email, or fax charges

Strasbourg, France

Program Rates, per person

UPPER deck 219 217 215 211 209 207

205 203 201

216 214 212 210 208 206

204 202 200

Bar

MAIN deck 121 119 117 115 111 109 107 105 103 101

120 118 116 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 100

Restaurant

Double

Single

Main Deck, Standard

$5,990

$8,690

Upper Deck, Standard

$6,890

$9,890

Upper Deck, Suite

$7,990

N/A

AIRFARE International and domestic airfare is not included in the program rates.

The

Three Rivers Voyage: Rhine, Mosel and Neckar

Aboard the Rembrandt s July 12-22, 2006 Please mail this form with your deposit to Alumni Education, Harvard Alumni Association, 6th floor, 124 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138.

Enclosed is a check for $

($1,000 per person),

payable to Harvard University. or Please charge the deposit of $1,000 per person to my: [ ] VISA [ ] MasterCard

Card number

Exp. Date

Cardholder signature

Date

Name as it appears on the card

Name #1 (as on passport)

Date of birth

Harvard Affiliation(s)

Name #2 (as on passport)

Date of birth

Harvard Affiliation(s)

Address

City

State/Province Zip/Postal code

Phone (Home)

(Office)

Fax

E-Mail

Cabin preference: 1.

2.

Single Applicants only: [ ] I prefer single accommodations. [ ] I plan to share accommodations with: [ ] Please arrange a share for me (not guaranteed).

I am a [ ] non-smoker [ ] smoker. [ ] I/We have read the tour information in the brochure and agree to terms and conditions contained therein.

Signature

Date

Signature

Date

Harvard Alumni Association 124 Mt. Auburn St., 6th Floor Cambridge, MA 02138 haa_alumnieducation@harvard.edu

The

Three Rivers Voyage: Rhine, Mosel and Neckar

Aboard the Rembrandt s July 12-22, 2006

Highlights Experience a unique, three-river journey on the romantic Rhine, the peaceful Mosel, and the remote and lovely Neckar—a waterway rarely visited by cruise ships.

Enjoy the cosmopolitan French-German heritage of Strasbourg, reflected in its historical neighborhoods and renowned cuisine—and celebrate Bastille Day, French-style.

Venture to the stunning countryside of Alsace and the renowned Mosel Valley to sample famous regional wines.

Discover centuries-old feudal castles and storybook medieval villages along Germany’s fabled Castle Road, and cruise through the heart of Gothic Germany on the Romantic Rhine.

Explore some of Europe’s best-preserved Classical ruins in the ancient city of Trier, including the second-century Porta Nigra (Black Gate).

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID PERMIT NO. 89 SAN RAMON, CA