The Transition Network Program # 20685 – Independent Saturday, October 27 to Sunday, November 4, 2012 8 nights/9 days Program Summary: The Transition Network, in partnership with Road Scholar, is offering a special art study program in Paris with special guest lecturer, Dr. Carl Poling, art historian and Professor Emeritus of Art History at Emory University. This art program will be combined with an exploration of the wonderful culture and sites of Paris – from the street side café near the Sorbonne, you will watch the life of a Parisian neighborhood unfold. See Paris from the inside out in this independent exploration introducing the City of Light.

Program Highlights:  Explore the collections of the Musee de l'Orangerie and view Monet's magnificent Nymphéas (Water Lilies).  Discover Monet's gardens at Giverny and the stunning foliage that inspired the great artist.  Visit the Musée d'Orsay and view one of the most extensive collections of Impressionist art in the world.

Program Price (San Francisco; Chicago; New York City)

 Double Occupancy -- $2,399  Single Occupancy -- $3,051  Double Occupancy with airfare from New York -- $3,299  Single Occupancy with airfare from New York -- $3,951  Double Occupancy with airfare from Chicago -- $3,449  Single Occupancy with airfare from Chicago -- $4,101  Double Occupancy with airfare from San Francisco -- $3,589  Single Occupancy with airfare from San Francisco -- $4,241

*Optional trip cancellation insurance available at a cost of $192 plus a $3 administrative fee.

Accommodations: Villa Pantheon 7 nights Paris,  This full service hotel is located in the Latin Quarter in the heart of Paris, close to Saint-Germain des Près, Notre-Dame, Panthéon, La Sorbonne, Ile Saint-Louis, , Arènes de Lutèce, l'Institut du Monde Arabe, making it an ideal base for exploring the city.

Program includes:  7 nights of accommodations  10 meals: 7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 3 dinners  6 Expert-led lectures  9 Field trips  4 Excursions

Guest Lecturer – Professor Clark Polling Clark Poling taught for thirty-three years at Emory University, serving as chair of the Art History Department, director of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, and Faculty Curator of Works of Art on Paper. He has published books and articles on the Bauhaus and on Surrealism and has organized exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. He lives in Oakland and has taught courses at California College of the Arts, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University’s Continuing Studies, and University of San Francisco. He has taught summer courses in France for Emory University and frequently lectures for museum audiences.

Detailed Itinerary: Saturday, October 27th  Departure from the United States

Sunday, October 28th – Arrival in Paris: Welcome and Orientation Morning:  Arrivals at Charles de Gaulle airport and transfers to the program hotel in Paris. Please note that rooms are not generally available until early to mid-afternoon, so you should plan to drop off your luggage at the hotel and then take some time to explore Paris or relax and have a leisurely lunch. There are Paris maps available at the hotel, and your Group Leader will be present to provide recommendations and directions. Afternoon:  Check at the Villa Pantheon. The hotel Villa Pantheon is a traditionally English feeling hotel that is found near the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain des Près, Notre- Dame, Panthéon, and other important tourist attractions. http://villapantheon.parishotels.it/ Evening:  Program Orientation: In the early evening you will meet with your group for introductions, a review of the program itinerary and site orientation. You will also receive some expert advice on getting around in Paris.  Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Monday, October 29th – Monet's Water Lilies and the 20th Century Morning:  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Introductory lecture by Dr. Poling.  Field Trip: Explore the collections of the Musee de l'Orangerie and view Monet's magnificent Nymphéas (Water Lilies). Afternoon:  Lunch on own on or near the rue St Honoré. Your guide will provide suggestions for dining.  Walk along the while your local guide talks about Paris as the center of the revolution. Alternatively, this afternoon is a wonderful opportunity to head off on your own to discover the Champs Elysees or walk the famed Rue St- Honore and see haut couture. Evening:  Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.

Tuesday, October 30th – Impressionism and the Invention of Modern Art Morning:  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  On-site Lecture/Field Trip: At the Musée d'Orsay you will discover one of the most extensive collections of Impressionist art in the world. Discuss the importance of the works by Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and many others as you walk through the galleries of this former railway station. Afternoon:  Lunch on your own at or near the Musée d'Orsay. The museum itself has three options for dining, or you may choose to eat at a nearby brasserie.  You may remain with your group leader and continue exploring the Left Bank with visits to St. Germain des Pres and St. Sulpice. Alternatively, you can take the opportunity to head off on your own and discover the Jardins du Luxembourg with its puppet show and botanical garden with fruit trees and beehives. Evening:  Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.

Wednesday, October 31st – Monet in Giverny Morning:  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Coach departs for Giverny.  On site lecture/Field trip: Discover Monet's gardens at Giverny and the stunning foliage that inspired the great artist.  Field Trip: Visit the Impressionism museum and view the collections. Later, visit the Impressionist Museum: French Drawings and Watercolors from Delacroix to Signac: The James T. Dyke Collection: James T. Dyke has long been a friend and major donor to the National Gallery, and is also one of the most astute collectors of 19th and 20th century European and American drawings in the United States. The exhibition of 80 to 100 works is selected from both works still in James Dyke's private collection and drawings that he has already given to the National Gallery. The selection focuses on the deepest and richest part of his collection, drawings by French artists working from about 1830 to 1930, from Eugene Delacroix to Bonnard, Vuillard and Signac. It conveys a rich diversity of subjects, styles and techniques and is a handsome representation of the broad development of modern draftsmanship in France from Romanticism through the Nabis and neo- Impressionists.  Coach departs to return to Paris. Afternoon:  Lunch on own in Paris.  Afternoon at leisure. Evening:  Dinner on your own.  Rejoin your group for an evening ride along the to see illuminated monuments.

Thursday, November 1st – Matisse, Picasso and Modernism Morning:  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  With your group, enjoy a brief exploration of what was once the heart of the Jewish quarter followed by a guided discovery of the Carnavalet Museum. Alternatively you may take this opportunity to explore the neighborhoods of district on your own. Afternoon:  Lunch on own at or near Place St Catherine in the Marais.  On site lecture/Field trip: Join Dr. Poling at the Pompidou Center, Museum of National Modern Art: Matisse and Picasso to Abstraction. Evening:  Group dinner at a small brasserie near the .  Excursion: Enjoy a walk around the illuminated Eiffel Tower to immerse yourself in the "City of Lights."

Friday, November 2nd – From Surrealism to Contemporary Art Morning:  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  This morning is a wonderful opportunity to explore the area of the Left Bank known as St. Germain des Pres. Those who wish to remain with the group will explore Pont Alexandre III, followed by a discovery of and Napoleon's church / tomb. Then conclude your morning's exploration at the Rodin Museum and sculpture garden where you will learn more about 19th and 20th century masterpieces. Afternoon:  Lunch on own.  On site lecture/Field trip: Join Dr. Poling at the Pompidou Center, Museum of National Modern Art: Surrealism to Contemporary Art. Evening:  Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.

Saturday, November 3rd – Artistic Riches: Special Exhibitions Morning:  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  On-site lecture/Field trip: Tour with Dr. Poling one or two special art exhibitions, for example at the . Exhibit to be determined based on exhibition schedule. Afternoon:  Lunch on own in . Your guide will provide suggestions for dining.  In Montmartre you will study the lives of artists in Paris and learn about Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in the community. You may also take this opportunity to explore , the tourist center of Montmartre, on your own or visit Sacre Coeur Basilica. Or you might simply walk around the neighborhood and discover the streets that inspired so many artists. Evening:  Farewell Dinner

Sunday, November 4, 2012 – Departures from Paris Morning:  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for return flights to the U.S.

To learn more about this exciting program opportunity, please call Road Scholar toll free at (800) 322-5315.