MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE

The Pearls of the Po From Venice to Parma Aboard La Venezia May 9–17, 2020 MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE

Dear Travelers and Friends,

The magnificent Po River, which winds 400 miles from its source in the Alps to the Adriatic, has nourished the people of for thousands of years in both body and spirit. The Po Valley has produced some of Italy’s most notable cuisine, as well as spectacular art, architecture, and music.

This spring, please join the Museum Travel Alliance on a cruise from Venice to Parma aboard the stately riverboat La Venezia to discover the abundance of the Po and its surroundings. We are pleased that a Met curator who is a specialist in European paintings as well as scholars in history and music will travel with us. This access to experts is one of the features of all the trips offered by the Museum Travel Alliance.

Begin with a scenic tour of the Venetian Lagoon before gliding into the picturesque fishing village of Chioggia. In Padua, view frescoes by Giotto, bronzes by Donatello, and spectacular architecture and scenery. Next, sail to the Renaissance gem of to marvel at its stunning palazzi and cathedrals. In Parma, explore a Romanesque Cathedral, take in works of art by Parmigianino and Correggio and others at the National Gallery, and enjoy an exclusive tour of one of Italy’s most renowned opera houses.

In splendid Mantua, enter two exquisite palazzi to view precious objects, grand architecture, and masterpieces by Raphael and . Byzantine and early Christian mosaics await our discovery in Ravenna. On return to Venice, select one of three private tours to conclude your journey: explore the city’s grand museum with an art historian; go behind the scenes at its famous opera house; or discover the famous modern art collection at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

Extraordinary cuisine and luxurious accommodations make this trip a true delight for all the senses. I hope you will join us on this new offering, which is co-sponsored by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the alumni associations of Harvard and Yale. An optional prelude to Asolo and the Palladian Villas is available. Sincerely,

Jim Friedlander President, Venetian skyline, photo by Daniel Knieper Museum Travel Alliance

HIGHLIGHTS ENJOY one of three exclusive tours in Venice: explore the city’s grand museum with an art historian; go behind the scenes at La Fenice, its famous opera house with beautiful gold interiors; or discover Peggy Guggenheim’s personal collection of 20th-century art at her eponymous museum TOUR the sumptuous castles and superb palaces of great Renaissance families, including Mantua’s Palazzo Ducale, which houses Mantegna’s masterpiece Camera degli Sposi

EXPLORE the medieval and Renaissance city of Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, innovatively designed as an “ideal city” by urban planner Biagio Rossetti. View the medieval Estense Castle, with its storybook moat, drawbridges, and gorgeous towers

REVEL in the artistic splendors of Parma, where dazzling frescoes from Correggio and Parmigianino grace churches, and admire stunning 5th- and 6th-century mosaics in Ravenna

DINE with an incomparable view of the Grand Canal and St. Mark’s Square aboard your exclusively chartered riverboat in Venice The Pearls of the Po From Venice to Parma Aboard La Venezia May 9–17, 2020

Lake Como grand palaces including the Palazzo dei Diamanti, whose façade is studded with marble blocks carved to resemble Asolo diamonds. Stroll through the ancient Jewish quarter, whose community has lived here continuously since the Middle ITALY Venice Padua Ages. Admire the 12th-century cathedral, which combines Adriatic Romanesque and Gothic styles in its three-tiered pink and Mantua Chioggia Sea white marble façade. Return to the ship in the afternoon Polesella and dock in Boretto overnight. B,L,D Boretto Ferrera Po River Parma WEDNESDAY, MAY 13: BORETTO / PARMA Ravenna Today journey to Parma, which has existed since Roman times and is famous for producing two of Italy’s most iconic foods: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and prosciutto. In the historical center, see the Romanesque cathedral whose cupola by Correggio is a masterpiece of perspective, An optional prelude to Asolo and the Palladian Villas is and the octagonal Baptistry, considered one of the finest offered May 7–10, 2020. medieval buildings in Italy. Explore the 13th-century San Giovanni Pharmacy, filled with apothecary bottles on SATURDAY, MAY 9: DEPARTURE ancient wooden shelves. Take a behind-the-scenes tour Depart for Venice on an overnight flight. of the famous Teatro Regio, one of the country’s most renowned opera houses, linked with great composers like SUNDAY, MAY 10: VENICE, ITALY / EMBARK Verdi and Rossini (pending confirmation). Stroll through Arrive at Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport, where vibrant Piazza Garibaldi, and step inside the Basilica you will be transferred to the ship. Unpack, relax, and enjoy di Santa Maria della Steccata to marvel at the work of your first evening on the Venetian Lagoon. Alternatively, Parmigianino. At the National Gallery of Parma, admire go out and explore the city at your leisure. D works by Parmigianino, Correggio, and Tintoretto. Return to the ship in the late afternoon and spend the night MONDAY, MAY 11: VENICE / CHIOGGIA docked in Boretto. B,L,D Take a scenic cruise through the historic Venetian Lagoon to Chioggia, then choose among three options today. You may set out on a walking tour of Chioggia, a picturesque City streets of Parma, fishing village. Or you may choose to travel to Padua for photo by Adrian Scottow a guided stroll through the Old Town, including visits to the Scrovegni Chapel, famous for its rich and elaborate frescoes by Giotto; the Church of the Eremitani; and the Basilica of St. Anthony, with its bronzes by Donatello. Finally, your third option is an excursion to the 1,000-year- old , a masterpiece of Romanesque art. Enjoy a special captain’s welcome reception and dinner this evening. B,L,R,D

TUESDAY, MAY 12: POLESELLA / FERRARA / BORETTO Disembark this morning in Polesella for an excursion to Ferrara, once a center for the arts ruled by the Este family. Meticulously designed by urban planner Biagio Rossetti, Ferrara was the first fully executed concept of an ideal city during the Renaissance. Explore its pioneering layout during guided walks around the city. Walk the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-designated city center, full of THURSDAY MAY 14: BORETTO / MANTUA / POLESELLA Sant’Apollinare Nuovo—with their extraordinary mosaics. This Step off the ship today to discover Mantua, called La Bella evening, La Venezia sails from Chioggia to Venice along the Addormentata, or Sleeping Beauty. We will visit the stunning shores dotted with picturesque fishing villages. B,L,D Palazzo Ducale, created by the powerful Gonzaga family, the

largest residence in Italy after the Vatican. With more than SATURDAY, MAY 16: VENICE 500 rooms, a basilica, courtyards, and gardens, the palace Docked in Venice, today choose among three options contains precious tapestries based on cartoons by Raphael, to explore this beautiful city: take a tour led by an art spellbinding frescoes by Andrea Mantegna, and extraordinary historian of the Accademia, Venice’s grand museum housing murals by Pisanello. A short distance away, explore Giulio masterworks by Tiepolo, Veronese, and Bellini; explore Romano’s awe-inspiring creation Palazzo Te, a fine example Venice’s famous opera house, La Fenice, on a behind-the- of mannerism in architecture. Inside, admire the painted “Hall scenes tour; or take a guided tour of the Peggy Guggenheim of the Horses” and the “Chamber of the Giants.” Return to Museum to view its fascinating modern art collection. Return the ship in the late afternoon. Enjoy a restful evening docked for lunch on board and enjoy a free afternoon. This evening, in Polesella. B,L,D attend the captain’s farewell reception and dinner. B,L,R,D

FRIDAY, MAY 15: POLESELLA / RAVENNA / VENICE SUNDAY, MAY 17: VENICE / RETURN Get an in-depth look at the UNESCO-listed Byzantine and Disembark in Venice this morning and transfer to the airport early Christian mosaics in Ravenna, capital of the Western for flights home. B Roman Empire from 402 to 476 A.D. Visit Sant’Apollinare DISCLAIMER: The itinerary is subject to change at the in Classe, with its glorious 6th-century apse covered in discretion of The Museum Travel Alliance and Arrangements brilliant mosaics. Then see the mausoleum of Galla Placidia Abroad. For complete details, please carefully read the terms and Theodoric the Great’s churches—San Vitale and and conditions at https://museumtravelalliance.com/faq.php

LA VENEZIA La Venezia, MARCO POLO DECK The 126-passenger undergoing a complete design E 423 421 419 415 411 409 407 405 403 401 renovation that will be completed SAVOY RECEPTION BAR IL CASTILLO LOUNGE RESTAURANT in early 2020, is filled with light CAPTAINS LOUNGE 424 422 420 416 412 410 40 406 404 402 AND LIBRARY and color. With design inspired by STATEROOMS 410 / 40 ARE AVAILABLE AS CONNECTING STATEROOMS Venetian culture, La Venezia features CASANOVA DECK BELLINI DECK six elegantly appointed suites; three E SERENITY

323 321 319 317 315 311 309 307 305 303 301 dining venues, including an Italian INTERNET 211 209 207 205 203 201 RIVER SPA PATIO kitchen on the upper deck; spa; LOUNGE

322 320 31 316 314 312 310 30 306 304 302 FITNESS CENTER 212 210 20 206 204 202 library; lounge and bar. STATEROOMS 321 / 323 AND 204 / 206 ARE AVAILABLE AS CONNECTING STATEROOMS TINTORETTO DECK E 109 107 105 103 10 106 104 102 110

CRUISE RATES RATES INCLUDE (Per Person) n Seven nights cabin accommodations aboard La Venezia Double Single Cabins Decks Rates Rates n All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, Cabins 102-110 Tintoretto Deck $6,999 $9,999 L=Lunch, R=Reception, D=Dinner); bottled water Classic Staterooms. Fixed Window — 151 sq. ft. and coffee/tea with all meals, thoughtfully selected wines and beers at lunches and dinners Cabins 201-323 Bellini and Casanova Decks $8,499 $12,999 n Deluxe Staterooms. Fixed Window — 151 sq, ft. Airport/pier/airport group transfers for all participants on suggested flights Cabins 401-408, 419-424 Marco Polo Deck $9,999 Inquire French Balcony Staterooms. French Balcony — 151 sq. ft. n Enrichment program of lectures and special events Cabins 409-412 Marco Polo Deck $12,999 Inquire n Escorted sightseeing by private motorcoach and Suites. French Balcony — 214 sq, ft. entrance fees for all included visits Cabins 415-416 Grand Suites Marco Polo Deck $14,999 Inquire n Taxes, service, and porterage charges; gratuities to Grand Suites. French Balcony — 300 sq. ft. guides and drivers n Customary shipboard gratuities

NOT INCLUDED IN RATES International airfare; passport/visa fees; meals not specified; alcoholic beverages other than noted in inclusions; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; optional Asolo and the Palladian Villas prelude; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

La Venezia in Venice Palazzo Ducale, Mantua, photo by Bernard Blanc

THE MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE THE PEARLS OF THE PO: FROM VENICE TO PARMA ABOARD LA VENEZIA n MAY 9–17, 2020 RESERVATION FORM

To reserve a place, please call The Museum Travel Alliance at 212-324-1893 or 855-533-0033, fax: 212-344-7493; or complete and return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per person (of which $500 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Museum Travel Alliance. Mail to: Museum Travel Alliance, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd floor, New York, NY 10018-3721.

______Name(s) in full as on passport(s). Please print.

______

______Address

______City State Zip

______Telephone (home) (business)

______Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS La Venezia cabin preference (1) ______(2) ______I wish to share a cabin with ______

OPTIONAL PRELUDE q I/We would like to join the optional prelude in Asolo and the Palladian Villas Hotel Room Preference p One bed p Two beds

MTA MUSEUM AFFILIATION______

FORM OF PAYMENT p Enclosed is my check (payable to Museum Travel Alliance) p Debit card p Credit card

______Name on credit card

______Credit card number

______3- or 4-digit security code Expiration date

I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program (see https://museumtravelalliance.com/faq.php to review or call for a copy). I/We agree to full payment 120 days prior to departure. Each participant must sign below.

______Signature (required) Date

______Signature (required) Date

On the front cover: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice B_20LVZVCE0509_MTA