Volume 47 Spring 2016 E H T TTrHE NEWaSLETTEvR FOR OeUR ROMl TRAlVELeLERS r

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journey to Orchha and Khajuraho NEWFOUNDLAND to explore examples of medieval CIRCUMNAVIGATION India and temples from the June 19 - 29, 2016 Chandela Dynasty. Next, fly to the holy city of Varanasi, take an Hurry to book this special insightful and spiritual journey on adventure – only a very few cabins the River Ganges, explore its remain. centuries old ghats and meander Please see Page 2 for details. through its maze of alleyways. Ending with an exploration of New and Old Delhi, our days will Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur SPLENDOURS OF Photo: Courtesy of Neera Chopra b e e n r i c h e d b y e n g a g i n g NORTHERN INDIA conversations with scholars, local Cost: $10,780 (international February 13 - March 2, 2017 hosts, music, dance, and other flights not included) Visit enchanting India with delights of North India’s unique ROMtravel Coordinator: ROMtravel. arts and culture. Neera Chopra 416.441.9259 Pursue a journey through the [email protected] northern part of this land of cultural Travel arrangements by plurality, with its rich history and Tour East Holidays traditions. See palaces, forts, Steve Hope 1.877.578.8888 temples, UNESCO world heritage 416.929.0888 ext. 2236 sites, and bazaars. Experience [email protected] exclusive-access tours. Ontario Registration Number 1631281 Begin by exploring the 6th Ghat in Varanasi century Elephanta Caves and Photo: Courtesy of Neera Chopra cosmopolitan Mumbai, and Share this once in a life-time trip NORTHERN INDIA continue to the vibrant state of with like-minded fellow-travellers, INFORMATION Rajasthan. Visit the beautiful lake appreciate luxurious comfort MEETING city of Udaipur, the blue city of (5-star hotels), delectable cuisine Jodhpur, and the state capital, and skilled guides. We are Thursday, April 14, 2016 Jaipur, with its Hawa Mahal, Jantar fortunate to be accompanied by Dr. 5:30 pm at the ROM Mantar and Amber Fort. Enroute, Deepali Dewan, ROM Senior Please RSVP to in Ranakpur, visit the 15th century Curator, South Asian Art and Neera Chopra Jain temple with its extraordinary Culture, Assistant Professor at [email protected] array of 1444 distinct pillars. University of Toronto, historian or leave a message at See the majestic Taj Mahal at and published author, who will 416.586.8034 sunrise and enjoy a short train enhance our knowledge. unforgettable music and stories. lantern, don costumes for an NEWFOUNDLAND Newfoundland has it all – history imperial dinner at the Royal CIRCUMNAVIGATION and culture, natural beauty and a Theatre in Hue’s Citadel, sail June 19 - 29, 2016 warm welcome for visitors. among the spectacular limestone monoliths of Halong Bay. Experience Newfoundland’s Cost: from $3,795 USD charm and geographic diversity (dependent upon cabin selection. from the decks of Adventure Airfare and discovery fee C a n a d a ’s s h i p , t h e O c e a n not included) Endeavour, on a ten day cruise ROMtravel Coordinator: circumnavigating Newfoundland. Virginia Van Vliet Sailing from St. John’s we stop at 416.925.5891 three UNESCO World Heritage [email protected] Sites: Red Bay, Labrador, site of a Travel arrangements by 16th century Basque whaling Adventure Canada Siem Reap, Cambodia station; L’Anse Aux Meadows, David Newland Photo: Courtesy of Ann Dandy featuring the only fully interpreted 1.800.363.7566, 905.271.4000 In Hue, glimpse the imperial Viking settlement in North [email protected] lifestyle at the Citadel, modelled on America; and spectacular Gros Ontario registration Number: 04001400 Beijing’s , or at the Morne National Park with its magnificent tombs of the Emperors ALLURING LAOS, natural beauty and intriguing of the Nguyen dynasty. Hanoi, the geology, one of the few places CAMBODIA AND bustling capital of Vietnam, has where the earth's mantle is pushed VIETNAM lakes, parks and boulevards, to the surface. Along the south November 5 - 21, 2016 reminiscent of the French Colonial coast we stop at an outport village Only a few seats remain for this influence; in its heart is the old to catch a glimpse of a vanishing fascinating journey to Indochina, quarter, a maze of winding streets way of life. At Miawpukek we will a region strongly influenced by the with cafes and small shops. be welcomed at a settlement of the cultures of both India and . Three unique countries, they are Mi’kmaw people. We also visit At Luang Prabang experience united by their Buddhist faith, their France with a stop at Saint-Pierre, the Asia of yesteryear with its colonial past and their similar France’s oldest overseas territory. Buddhist temples and monks clad lifestyles. The cuisine is delectable in saffron robes. Angkor, the with subtle differences between ancient capital of the Great Khmer regions and the French influence Empire, is a site of immense ever present in the rich, strong archaeological significance with coffee, delicious baguettes and awe-inspiring, magnificent pastries. Join Sara Irwin, past temples and ornate carvings. manager of the Asian Collections Francois, Newfoundland Vietnam, a country once associated in the ROM’s Department of Photo: Dennis Minty, Adventure Canada with rich colonial history and the World Cultures, on this very special trip. The ship provides a front row horror of war, is now recognized seat for watching magnificent for its lush landscapes, friendly Cost: $9,250 (does not include icebergs, sea birds and whales. people and sumptuous cuisine. flights to and from Canada) There will be many opportunities Vietnamese, Chinese and French ROMtravel Coordinator: for learning with lectures and influences have shaped Vietnam’s Ann Dandy 647.346.4334 workshops led by expedition staff, culture, language, gastronomy and [email protected] including the ROM’s own Dr. architecture. Travel arrangements Mark Engstrom. And, since View the sunset over the by Tour East Holidays Newfoundland is famous for its Mekong River, discover the Holly Tse 416.929.0888 x2228, hospitality, days will be filled with temples of Angkor Wat atop an 1.877.578.888 delicious meals and evenings with elephant, prepare an authentic [email protected] k i t c h e n p a r t i e s f e a t u r i n g Vietnamese meal, craft a silk Ontario Registration Number 1631281 JAPAN: MEDIEVAL, PALAZZI & 16th century, such as the Villa MYSTERIOUS PALLADIO IN La Rotonda near Vicenza. AND MODERN It is an architectural icon NORTHEAST ITALY March 25 - April 8, 2017 epitomizing Palladian style, May 8 - 19, 2017 Waiting List and if it looks familiar, that’s Visitors to Italy often travel because it has been so widely Cost: $9,320 (international directly from Florence to copied. airfare not included) Venice and don’t see the In Padua, we will visit ROMtravel Coordinator: wonderful sights in between. Giotto’s ground-breaking Eric Morrison 416.691.6770 This trip, featuring our frescoes in the Scrovegni [email protected] knowledgeable Resource, Chapel, and the oldest Travel arrangements by Ken Bartlett, shows you surviving anatomy theatre in Elite Orient Tours treasures that so many people Europe, dating back to 1594. Jun Hayashi 416.977.3026 miss! Ravenna is renowned for the 1.800.668.8100 We see many beautiful splendid Byzantine mosaics in [email protected] p a l a z z i , i n c l u d i n g t h e the Basilica di San Vitale and Ontario Registration Number 5000112 Gonzaga family’s impressive nearby mausoleum. We stroll Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, the the piazzas of romantic DISCOVER A NEW Palazzo dei Diamante in Verona. Bologna has not one, GROUP OF FRIENDS IN Ferrara with its façade covered but two, leaning towers! THE ROYAL PATRONS in marble “diamonds”, and the Even by high Italian CIRCLE (RPC) Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio standards, this region is Join a community of fellow particularly known for its travel enthusiasts while of the University of Bologna, supporting your ROM! RPC one of the oldest universities food, such as ragu, balsamic Members find themselves at in Europe. v i n e g a r , P a r m i g i a n o - the heart of the Museum with Reggiano cheese, and wines e x c l u s i v e a c c e s s t o including Valpolicella and collections, curators and prosecco, so we will be sure to exhibitions at RPC events, taste as many of the local which include behind the specialties as we can. scenes tours and exhibition Brochure and full details previews. RPC Members also will be available in May, 2016. e n j o y V I P p e r k s l i k e transferable ROM admission Cost to be confirmed. cards, which can be lent to ROMtravel Coordinator: friends, family, colleagues Anne Lindsey a n d c o - w o r k e r s f o r 416.489.0251 complimentary admission to Castello Estense, Ferrara, Italy [email protected] the Museum. Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia and Massimo Baraldi Travel arrangements by: Collectively, RPC Members raise over 1.5 million dollars Georgia Hardy Tours In Veneto, we discover the Kathleen Hardy annually and by joining this work of Andrea Palladio, community of supporters, 416.483.7533, you help bring the Museum's perhaps Europe’s most 1.800.813.4509 world-class content and influential architect. We visit [email protected] expertise to a broader public. villas that he designed in the Ontario Registration Number: 2747543 Learn more by calling the RPC office at 416.586.5556, or by emailing NE ITALY INFORMATION MEETING [email protected] Monday, June 6, 2016, 6:00 pm at the ROM. Please RSVP or by visiting to Anne Lindsey 416.489.0251 [email protected] http://www.rom.on.ca/en/rpc/home minority villages. Linger in MIDDLE KINGDOM - , home to the Naxi; their LOOKING THE ESSENCE ancient rituals and Dongba culture AHEAD OF CHINA are now believed to be a vanishing Spring or Fall 2017 way of life. A trip to Peru and a return to Japan are being considered. R O M t r a v e l w o u l d This is an amazing, classic journey appreciate knowing where through the Middle Kingdom. you want to travel. Please Highlights include nine UNESCO t e l l u s o f y o u r d r e a m s i t e s s h o w c a s i n g t i m e l e s s destinations. treasures, vibrant ethnic cultures, W i t h t h e r e c e n t unique architecture, breathtaking a n n o u n c e m e n t t h a t landscape, and haute cuisine diplomatic relations with t o p p e d b y s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t Iran will resume and as entertainment – the true essence of there is no longer a Canadian China. Giant Buddha travel advisory for Iran, Photo: Courtesy of Doris Cheung Admire majestic treasures in the ROMtravel is considering Our last stop will be in travelling there in 2018 or Forbidden Palace and feel the 2019. Would anyone who ambience of the ; cosmopolitan Hong Kong, always might want to go to Iran (or conjure up the pleasures once an intriguing place to explore. elsewhere!) with ROMtravel enjoyed by the imperial families. Here, where East meets West, is a please contact us at Walk or ride the cable car up unique blend of Chinese heritage [email protected] Mutianyu and take in panoramic and former colonial influences. or 416.586.8034 views at the Great Wall; tour the Dr. Chen Shen, ROM Senior Heavenly Temple, ride on a Curator, will arrange our private rickshaw to explore the hutongs access to the grounds of some of ROMtravel PRESENTS and see the locals doing morning the UNESCO sites and also will The Traveller exercises in Beijing. arrange behind-the-scenes visits in THE NEWSLETTER FOR In Xian, visit the Terra Cotta , Sanxingdui and Hong OUR ROM TRAVELLERS Warriors and have lunch with the Kong museums. Editor: Frances Money staff; afterwards see Qianling, the Cost and arrangements Assistant Editor: Róisín Tiwari grandest Tang mausoleums to be confirmed. Circulation Editor: Geetanjali Pathak belonging to the only female Tour starts in Beijing and ends in Layout & Design: Barbara Moore Emperor of China, Wu Zetian. Hong Kong. The Traveller is an information Chengdu, the ancient capital of ROMtravel Coordinator: bulletin prepared from time to time Sichuan, is famous for its fiery Marion Ho, 416.492.9989 for recent ROM travellers and not gastronomy. Here we have the [email protected] for publication without the advised unusual experience of pampering consent of the ROMtravel Section. the pandas before venturing off It is sent to those who have been on to see the 233 foot high Leshan Aoccdrnig to rscheearch it previous ROM trips. If your friends deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr Giant Buddha. A high-speed train would also like to be on the mailing ride takes us to Chongqing and on the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht list, please submit names and to Dazu, where there are 50,000 the frist and lsat ltteer be in addresses to [email protected] or to: carvings located in rock shrines or the rghit pclae. The rset can The Traveller, ROMtravel Section as rock reliefs, dating back to be a taotl mses and you can Department of Museum Volunteers 650 CE and depicting Buddhist, s i t l l ra e d i t w o u t h i t a Royal Ontario Museum Confucian and Taoist beliefs. porbelm. Thihs is bcuseae 100 Queen’s Park Enjoy a four-day Yangtze cruise; the huamn mnid deos not Toronto, Ontario admire the imposing Three Gorges. raed ervey lteter by istlef, but M5S 2C6 Yunnan’s fertile valleys are t h e w r o d a s a w l o h e , ROMtravel: 416.586.8034 strewn with 25 different ethnic Amzanig! [email protected]