ART ALONG THE RHINE WITH ART BASEL

JUNE 16 – 2 JULY, 2017 TOUR LEADER: DR NICK GORDON

ART ALONG THE Overview RHINE Art Basel is one of the world’s premier art events. About 300 leading WITH ART BASEL commercial galleries gather to showcase their best contemporary artists and their recently acquired 20th-century masterpieces. This new 17-day tour takes you to Art Basel and then follows the Rhine downstream, Tour dates: June 16 -2 July, 2017 enjoying the regional cuisines, diverse landscapes, and the centuries of art that have accumulated in this region. Tour leader: Dr Nick Gordon The Rhine has been the heart of Western Europe since the early Middle Tour Price: $9,180 per person, twin share Ages, when the Franks transformed what had been the border of the Roman and Germanic worlds into the centre of their empire. Perhaps the Single Supplement: $2,590 for sole use of greatest testaments to their influence on the region are ’s double room Palatine Chapel in Aachen, the capital of an empire that extended from Hungary to the Atlantic; and the Romanesque monuments of the Holy Booking deposit: $500 per person Roman Empire such as , where emperors were buried, and Abbey, where some of Europe’s earliest chronicles were Recommended airline: Emirates Airlines written and classical texts were copied and stored. Indeed, the region has a rich intellectual culture – Johannes Gutenberg printed from Maximum places: 20 Mainz (where two early Gutenberg Bibles are on display) and ’s oldest university, , where Luther debated his theses, played a Itinerary: Basel (3 nights), Strasbourg (4 lead role throughout the German . nights), Heidelberg (3 nights), Frankfurt (2 nights), Cologne (4 nights) The extraordinary wealth of the region in the is also evident in its spectacular Gothic architecture: the soaring spires of Strasbourg and Date published: February 7 2017 Cologne were beacons for travellers in the Middle Ages as they are today. The source of this wealth – trade and traffic along the Rhine – has continued to the present. It has fostered rich artistic traditions from the unique styles of medieval Rhenish masters, such as Stephen Lochner and Matthias Grunewald, to the greats of contemporary German art, such as Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter, who cut their teeth in Dusseldorf’s Academy of Art.

The Rhine region is also home to some of Europe’s premier art collections, such as Frankfurt’s Städel and Cologne’s Museum Ludwig. These great public collections are complemented by the concentration of private collections in the Rhine Valley. Leading architects, such as Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano and Mario Botta, have custom-designed new gallery spaces to house these collections, which have steadily grown in number. The choice of location is not accidental: the Rhine valley is the centre of Western Europe, and so easily accessible to European travellers, and the region boasts beautiful scenery, diverse cuisines, and excellent wine.

Your tour leader

Dr Nick Gordon holds a University Medal and a PhD in Enquiries and History from the University of Sydney. He lectures bookings regularly on art and history for Sydney University’s Nicholson Museum and Centre for Continuing For further information and to Education, has taught European history at universities in secure a place on this tour Sydney for 10 years, and has led tours for Academy please contact Jemma York Travel since 2007. His knowledge of and passion for art at Academy Travel on have developed from both academic research and his 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 practice as an artist. Nick has designed and led a number of art-focussed (outside Sydney) or email tours for Academy Travel, including the popular Amsterdam to Paris: From [email protected]. Van Eyck to Van Gogh and the Venice Biennale tours. au

Tour Highlights

ART BASEL Explore Art Basel, one of the world’s premier art festivals, where leading galleries showcase their wares

THE RHINE Enjoy the landscapes, history and cuisines of the Rhine region, from the countryside of Alsace, to the Black Forest and the romantic cliffs and castles of the Middle Rhine

PRIVATE AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Visit a number of art collections – such as the Museum Frieder Burda, the Fondation Beyeler – that have come to call the Rhine region home and have led to it being named Europe’s Art Valley

MEDIEVAL TOWNS, ABBEYS AND CATHEDRALS Tour beautiful medieval towns, such as Colmar, Speyer, Strasbourg and Cologne, with their distinctive architecture and Gothic spires, and visit the region’s UNESCO-listed Romanesque abbeys

OUTSTANDING COLLECTIONS Enjoy 600 years of art, from Old Masters to major works by contemporary wunderkind in some of Europe’s leading galleries, such as Frankfurt’s Städel, Cologne’s Museum Ludwig, and the recently renovated Basel Kunstmuseum

ART BASEL AND EUROPE’S ART VALLEY

Art Basel has thrived since its inception in 1970 by three years; and Alsace has gone back and forth between France Swiss gallerists; it now attracts close to 100,000 visitors per and Germany in modern history, but there has never been a year and has recently extended itself to Miami Beach and plebiscite to ask the Alsatians which they’d prefer. There’s a

Hong Kong. Unlike biennales, which generally follow the sense that these places are more closely united to each other model established by Venice in the 1890s, Art Basel is driven than they are to their respective national capitals. Even their by commercial galleries: it is half trade show, half festival. The public transport systems are fully integrated. exhibition remains divided along these interests: the first three days held behind closed doors for the international art elite to As European states became more closely bound, the region trade horses; the remaining four days are open to the public. has become the geographic centre of united Europe. Art Close to 300 galleries participate each year, bringing with Basel took hold of a whiff of geographical advantage here – them the work of their best new talent and a selection of their Basel is only a couple of hours from anywhere; people can recently acquired 20th-century masterpieces. come for the weekend, admire the year’s art wonders, and be home for work on Monday. Art Basel is not the only There are many secrets to its success, beyond the quality of organisation to take advantage of this. In the 1990s, private the art on display and the well-deserved reputations of the and corporate collectors from France, Germany and galleries involved. The location of Basel at the head of the Switzerland began establishing their presence in the region, Upper Rhine Valley, for example, has been instrumental. making their collections available to the public in galleries Germany, France and Switzerland converge along this part of designed by leading architects. Ernst Beyeler, one of the three the Rhine and it is easily accessible by road, rail and plane – founders of Art Basel, was among the first. He hired Renzo they even share an airport (though if one is going to Piano to design a villa specifically to show off his collection, Switzerland, one enters the common arrivals hall through a just outside of Basel, about 200m from the (usually different door). The cultures, too, are unique and have unoccupied) customs gate on a small bridge separating developed along what has been both Europe’s trade aorta Switzerland from Germany. It was a high bar to set, but other and cultural border for more than a millennium. The local collectors have followed suit, and the three regions are now language of Basel is part of the same group as Alsatian and “Europe’s Art Valley”. Swabian, but not Swiss; the German states along the Rhine have a history of autonomy extending back more than 1500 Detailed itinerary

Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D.

Friday 16 June Art Basel We meet in the hotel lobby in the early afternoon for our first visit to Art Basel, where about 300 internationally respected galleries showcase pieces from their modern and contemporary collections. In the early evening, we meet for an aperitif, before strolling through the old town of Basel, where we have a welcome dinner. Overnight Basel (D)

Saturday 17 June Art Basel This morning we return to Art Basel to continue exploring the abundance of art. In the mid-afternoon, we visit the Basel Kunstmuseum, which reopened in 2016 after extensive renovations. In addition to its excellent collections of medieval Rhenish art and classical modernism, the Kunstmuseum stages special exhibitions during Art Basel. Overnight Basel (B)

Sunday 18 June Art around Basel This morning we visit the Schaulager, an art-storage and exhibition space designed by Herzog and de Meuron which hosts an annual exhibition during Art Basel, after which we tour the site-specific art works around the centre of Basel. The early afternoon is free, before we visit the Fondation Beyeler, a superb private collection of modern art in a villa designed by Renzo Piano. Overnight Basel (B)

Monday 19 June Vitra Design and Colmar Today we travel to Strasbourg, visiting the Vitra Design Campus – with its collection of buildings by Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, and Alvaro Siza – and Colmar, one of the best preserved medieval cities in the Rhine region. In the late afternoon, we see the spectacular Isenheim altarpiece, and continue to Strasbourg. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Strasbourg (B, D)

Tuesday 20 June Alsace Alsace is renowned for its gentle landscapes, hamlets, wine and history. After visiting the Wurth collection – one of the largest corporate art collections in Europe – we explore this region by coach, stopping for lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant, visiting the UNESCO-listed Humanist Library at Sélestat, and Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, with its panoramic views over the Rhine Valley. Overnight Strasbourg (B, L)

Images left: Inside Art Basel; ‘La Petite Venise’ in Colmar; the Vitra Design Museum, designed by Frank Gehry; Mummelsee in the Black Forest

Wednesday 21 June Strasbourg

Strasbourg cathedral is a landmark of Gothic architecture, and its spire, visible across Alsace, is a testament to the wealth and power of Strasbourg throughout the Middle Ages. We tour the cathedral and the town centre in the morning, ending with the fine collection of Old Masters in the Musée des Beaux Arts. In the later afternoon, there is an optional visit to Strasbourg’s gallery of modern and contemporary art. Overnight Strasbourg (B)

Thursday 22 June The Black Forest In addition to its natural beauty, the Black Forest has the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe. Today we explore the Black Forest, enjoying its panoramic views, forests and lakes, and lunching at a Michelin-starred restaurant. In the afternoon, we return to Strasbourg via Freiburg. Overnight Strasbourg (B, L)

Friday 23 June Baden Baden Today we travel to Heidelberg, stopping in Baden Baden, formerly one of Europe’s premier spa towns, where we visit the Frieder Burda collection. The museum, designed by Richard Meier, houses the private collection of a printing magnate who is one of Germany’s leading art collectors. After a break for lunch and time to stroll around Baden Baden, we continue to the UNESCO-listed Maulbronn Abbey, Europe’s largest surviving Cistercian complex. Arriving in Heidelberg in the early evening, we enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Heidelberg (B, D)

Saturday 24 June Heidelberg Heidelberg was one of the intellectual centres of the German Reformation and hosts Germany’s oldest university. This morning we tour the Old Town, with its well-preserved buildings and churches from when the city was the residence of the Prince-Elector of the Palatinate, along with Heidelberg Castle. In the afternoon, we visit the Prinzhorn, which has a unique collection of art produced by psychiatric patients. (B)

Sunday 25 June Speyer and the Palatinate We explore the history of the Rhine region by visiting Speyer, whose Romanesque cathedral was built by the Holy Roman Emperors and used as their burial chapel, and the remains of the UNESCO-listed Lorsch Abbey, which has some of the oldest surviving Carolingian architecture. In the afternoon, we visit Mainz whose Romanesque cathedral was a symbol of Imperial power, and where two early Gutenberg Bibles are on display in the museum dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg. We also see the stained glass windows Marc Chagall made for St Stephens. Overnight Heidelberg (B, L) Monday 26 June Schwetzingen Palace

Today we travel to Frankfurt, stopping to visit Schwetzingen Palace, the 18th-century residence of the Electors of the Palatinate. After touring the apartments, we have time to enjoy the extensive gardens, which fuse elements of the French formal garden with the new craze for the English landscape garden. Overnight Frankfurt (B)

Tuesday 27 June Art in Frankfurt Frankfurt has been Germany’s banking capital since World War II and its art collections match its status. This morning we visit the Städel, one of Germany’s finest art collections with masterpieces by Van Eyck, Vermeer, Botticelli, Picasso, Bacon and Baselitz. In the afternoon, there is time to explore the other excellent galleries along the riverside and an optional visit to Frankfurt’s Museum of Modern Art. Overnight Frankfurt (B) Caption

Wednesday 28 June Middle Rhine Cruise The Middle Rhine from Rudesheim to Koblenz is most spectacular: cliffs, forests, vineyards, castles, and the Lorelai Rock. We tour this section of the Rhine today by boat. In the mid-afternoon, we continue on to Cologne, stopping to visit Maria Laach, a stunning Romanesque abbey built in the 11th century. Overnight Cologne (B, D)

Thursday 29 June Cologne This morning we visit the awe-inspiring and explore the city’s Roman past at the Praetorium. In the afternoon, we visit the world-class Museum Ludwig, which has the third largest collection of paintings by Picasso in the world, the largest collection of Russian modernism outside of Russia, and an excellent collection of contemporary European art. Overnight Cologne (B)

Friday 30 June Dusseldorf Dusseldorf, Cologne’s historic rival, is Germany’s fashion capital and home to one of Germany’s most successful art academies – Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer and Sigmar Polke are just a few of its notable alumni. Today we explore the excellent modern and contemporary art collections in Dusseldorf, including the Kunstsammlung gallery with its major collection of works by Paul Klee, and a strong collection of post-war American and German art. Overnight Cologne (B)

Images from top left (clockwise): Kandinsky’s Music Room in Strasbourg; view over the Middle Rhine; Chagall’s stained glass windows in Mainz; Schwetzingen Palace, Jackson Pollock’s The Tea Cup in Baden Baden; and view over historic Heidelberg.

Saturday 1 July Aachen

Today we visit Aachen, the capital of Charlemagne, whose empire extended from Hungary to the Atlantic and defined the political borders of Europe. The Palatine Chapel, modelled on the Byzantine chapel of San Vitale in Ravenna, is among the finest examples of early medieval architecture. Returning to Cologne, the early afternoon is at leisure before we meet for a farewell meal. Overnight Cologne (B, D)

Sunday 2 July Departure This morning there is a transfer to Dusseldorf airport for outbound flights in the early afternoon. (B)

Image top right: Max Ernst, The Blessed Virgin chastising the Christ Child before three witnesses: Andre Breton, Paul Eluard and the Painter, in Cologne’s Museum Ludwig.

Image bottom right: The Palatine Chapel at Aachen.

Hotels

Four and five-star hotels have been selected principally for their central location, allowing you to more easily enjoy your stays in these historic city centres.

 Basel, Swissôtel Le Plaza (3 Nights) Good 4* hotel over the road from Art Basel http://www.swissotel.com/hotels/basel/

 Strasbourg, Hotel Cour du Corbeau (4 nights) One of the city’s leading hotels; recently renovated historic building http://www.cour-corbeau.com/

 Heidelberg, Crowne Plaza City Centre (3 nights) Modern 4* a few steps away from the laneways of the old town http://crowne-plaza-heidelberg.h-rez.com/

 Frankfurt, Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof (2 nights) Historic 5* hotel in the centre of Frankfurt http://steigenbergerfrankfurt.hotel-rn.com/

 Cologne, Hotel Mondial am Dom (4 nights) 4* hotel in the heart of Cologne; the old town and sites are at your doorstep http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1306-hotel- mondial-am-dom-cologne-mgallery-by- sofitel/index.shtml

Tour Price Fitness Requirements

The tour price is $9,180 per person, twin share (land content of THIS tour only). The supplement for a single room is $2,590 per Grade Two person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour. It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this Tour Inclusions tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a Included in the tour price star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater  All accommodation in selected hotels fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider  All breakfasts your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.  Lunches and dinners as indicated in the itinerary  Land excursions with private coach Participation criteria for this tour  Extensive tour notes This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active  Background talks and onsite guidance, including local lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of guides where required physical activity per day on most days, including longer  Services of an Australian tour leader throughout the tour walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and  All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary a more demanding tour schedule with one night stops or  Tips to local guides and drivers several internal flights. Not included You should be able to:  International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below)  keep up with the group at all times  walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only  Travel insurance short breaks  Meals not mentioned in itinerary  stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and  Expenses of a personal nature museums  tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions such as cold, humidity and heat Air travel OPTIONS  walk up and down slopes  negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites, The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour which are often uneven and unstable we recommend Emirates Airlines which offers flights into  get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or Zurich and out of Dusseldorf from most Australian cities. boat unassisted, possibly with luggage Please contact us for further information on competitive  move your luggage a short distance if required Economy, Business and First Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. These may be A note for older travellers group or individual transfers. If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the Enquiries and full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until bookings after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. For further information and to secure a place on this tour While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the please contact Jemma York at Academy Travel on physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour [email protected] are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.