“The New” Rome, Umbria & Beyond!

Optional Extension All Roads Lead to . . . Treasures of Tuscany: Siena, Cortona and Chianti If “la dolce vita” has captivated you, three more magical days exploring a “The New” Rome, wealth of artistic treasures in the undulating hills, verdant vineyards and silvery olive groves await you in Siena, Cortona and Chianti . . . consummately Italian, yet uniquely Tuscan! Umbria & Beyond!

Our three nights’ stay will be at the four-star Hotel NH Excelsior in Siena. Our days include: October 10 – 19, 2012 F A drive to the tiny village of Solomeo to tour the cashmere workshop Villa Lante, Bagnaia of a noted fashion designer who created a center for production of elegant cashmere clothing in a former medieval hamlet. . . an opportunity for “retail therapy” perhaps? F A walk through Campo del Sole (Field of the Sun), an art installation of 27 sculpted columns, the work of artist Piero Cascella, in a garden overlook- ing Lake Trasimeno. F An afternoon tour led by a local resident historian in the medieval town of Cortona, made famous by the bestseller, Under the Tuscan Sun. F A morning dedicated to the artistic glories of Siena begins with the fa- mous Good and Bad Government frescoes, among the many stunning paint- ings in the Palazzo Pubblico. Siena’s Cathedral is a showcase for master- pieces by Donatello and Michelangelo as well as the newly discovered 13th Century fresco “cycles” found in a hidden crypt under the old church! We’ll delight in the sweeping panoramic views of Siena while enjoying wine and lunch in the medieval palace apartment of our host who will share her modern art collection with us. Finally, we’ll experience a more intimate side of Siena as a small neighborhood museum and oratory are opened to our Siena Duomo interior group; here, we’ll learn about the famous Palio Horse Races that run twice each summer. F En route to Chianti, we’ll stop at the heralded Parco Sculture del Chianti, a mix of Italian and international site-specific sculpture displayed Richard Meier’s Jubilee Church, Rome in a tranquil, picturesque setting. After lunch in a tiny village osteria, we’ll discover the lovely Castello di Ama, a renowned vineyard estate and home Extension: Treasures of Tuscany of prominent art collector, Lorenza Sebasti Pallanti; the ’93 film,Much Ado About Nothing, featured the villa and its gardens. While tasting fine “reds,” Siena, Cortona and Chianti we’ll see his extraordinary collection including major works by Anish Kapoor, October 19 – 22, 2012 Chen Zhen and Louise Bourgeois among many others. Sampling the estate’s wines at the spectacular 15th Century Villa Vignammagio caps our day in the countryside. Savoring the memories that only Italy can provide, we end our “adventure” Zaha Hadid’s MAXXI far richer for having experienced its natural, cultural and culinary triumphs. . . ART GUILD TRAVEL (Museum of 21st Century Art), Rome Ciao to all who have become our new friends! F A day exploring “modern Spoleto” beginning with an in-depth Director-led “The New” Rome, Umbria & Beyond! tour of the Palazzo Collicola’s collection of works by major local artists as well hether this is your first visit to the Eternal City, or you’re return- and international art. It includes a private tour of the beautiful headquarters as international “stars” who once lived ing to fulfill the promise of the coin that you once tossed in the of the American Academy of Rome; here, we’ll meet the Director, enjoy in the area – Sol Lewitt, Dan Flavin and Trevi Fountain, a cultural and artistic feast awaits you! It’s been lunch with Academy faculty and a lecture by one of its scholars. We W Alexander Calder. We’ll visit the home ten years since the Art Guild’s last “Rome Adventure” and Rome has some promise some free time to experience the many treasures of the city on your of Gian Carlo Menotti, composer, art grand surprises in store. Among the revered classics, Zaha Hadid’s breath- own . . . or you may choose to join Mino to discover some of the fascinating collector and founder of Spoleto’s famous taking glass and steel MAXXI (Museum of 21st Century Art) is now open “hidden” churches, monuments, nooks and crannies in the colorful Trastevere Summer Festival. and the acclaimed new architecture of Renzo Piano, Richard Meier and neighborhood. Rem Koolhas are monumental contemporary triumphs! F Visits to the studio of a prominent art- Bidding a fond “arrivederci Roma,” we head northward to Umbria ist and to the home of a leading Umbrian What has not changed is our good fortune in having the ever-gracious, for a five nights’ stay at the four starHotel San Luca in SPOLETO to collector of contemporary paintings. expert lover of all things Italian, Jordan Cook as our tour manager. The experience: F Preparing a pizza lunch using fresh superb Mino Carbone, a “legend” among coveted local Italian guides, joins F The famous, stunning gardens of the Villa D’Este replete with glorious organic produce as guests of a couple us in Rome and Elena Buzzini shares her warmth and expertise in Umbria; fountains, brooks, moss-covered sculptures and panoramic views of the whose remote organic farm reflects both will enhance the richness of our visit beyond measure. En route from Roman countryside. their passion for sustainable agriculture. the airport, we’ll stop to be inspired by Richard Meier’s spectacular Jubilee F A tour of the charming village of Tivoli which was, for centuries, Church with its soaring lines of glass and white stone – a preview and a TREVI AND SPELLO: Art and hospital- dedicated to quiet relaxation for overstressed cardinals, popes, diplomats promise of all that lies ahead! ity in the countryside where the tour- and bankers . . . followed by a drive into northern Lazio, a beautiful region ists are not! During our four nights’ stay at the four star Hotel Rose Garden Palace that is almost unnoticed by tourists . . . their loss will be our gain! F Here, we’ll enjoy guided tours of near the Via Veneto, highlights include: F An afternoon at the exquisite papal gardens of the Villa Lante, one of the lovely villages of Trevi and Spello, F A full day with Mino exploring on foot Old Rome’s hidden artistic the greatest horticultural creations in all of Italy; an evening arrival at the among Umbria’s most charming, picture- and architectural jewels; here, we’ll have a “close up and personal” look enchanted medieval village of Spoleto, one of Italy’s prettiest hill towns. perfect hill towns. This day includes a stop at places that countless tourists pass by each day. Our whirlwind stops F A morning walking tour of the beautiful streets of Spoleto; highlights at one of the region’s prized wineries include: the Campo dei Fiori, Bernini’s Piazza Navona, Caravaggio’s San include examples of the finest of Neoclassical, Renaissance and Romanesque where a delicious lunch will be served with Luigi dei Francesi and The Pantheon, the world’s best preserved ancient art and architecture and unexpected survivors of the ancient Roman a full array of our host’s wines. Roman building. By special permission, the French Embassy will open settlement dating back to the first century Arch of Drusus! F We’ll be guests of Angela and Massimo its art collection to our group and later, we’ll enjoy a reception with one of F A gourmet lunch at Jordan’s favorite Umbrian restaurant, Il Tempio del Lauro at their outstanding private collec- Rome’s top noble families at the grand Renaissance palace that houses Gusto, where his friend, tion, “Giardino dei Lauri,” showcasing their priceless art collection. the masterful chef, the work of significant young artists from F A day devoted to exploring the “new” Rome as we visit the city’s will prepare a special around the world. German artist, Paul impressive collection of art and architecture from the 1990’s and 2000’s: seasonal menu just Wiedmer will guide our visit to his oasis of Zaha Hadid’s MAXXI, the National Museum of XXI Century Arts, for us! Good walkers sculpture, the art installation, La Serpara. with its interior that resembles the inside of a space shuttle; a private will want to follow Finally, a delightful 450-year old country architectural tour of Renzo Piano’s iconic City of Music and his award- Jordan for a stop at his home will be the setting for our farewell winning Parco della Musica; and the new Museo Bilotti created in the much-loved “unknown” luncheon; with its panoramic views over Villa Borghese to house a collection of work by Lichtenstein, Hirst, and Spoleto monument, a the Tiber River Valley, it will provide the Warhol among many contemporary “stars.” Richard Meier’s controversial 1600 year-old church perfect visual memory of a magical jour- new pavilion built for the Ara Paciis Augustae, the most important “with a shockingly ney! surviving ancient Roman altar, will be our final stop before visitingwith one ancient, raw and of Italy’s most prestigious contemporary collectors! hauntingly beautiful Space is limited so please reserve early F Our day begins with a Curator-led tour of Rome’s newly expanded interior.” so you won’t be disappointed. MACRO, a multifaceted cultural center featuring contemporary Italian Villa D’Este,Tivoli