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Home , Citadel of Aleppo, Krak des Chevaliers

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Suitcase Seminar Crossroads of History & Faith May 8 to 21, 2011

a program of the stanford alumni association Located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, the present-day countries of and bear the stamp of countless civilizations that have dominated this region over the course of thousands of years, while at the same time providing a window into the heart of modern Middle Eastern life. Two of our most popular faculty leaders, Bob Gregg and Herant Katchadourian, designed this itinerary, which takes us to some of the world’s most impressive medieval and ancient ruins as well as to colorful, winding bazaars and monumental places of worship. Join them on this captivating journey!

BRETT S. THOMPSON, ’83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Highlights

ROAM Beirut’s vibrant MARVEL at the CROSS the Syrian desert downtown and view the Crusader fortress of to the Greco-Roman colossal acropolis of oasis city of and Baalbek in Lebanon. and the imposing browse aromatic souqs of in Syria. in .

FRONT COVER IMAGE: PALMYRA; BACK COVER IMAGE: DOMES OF CITADEL, ALEPPO

KRAK DES CHEVALIERS TURKEY

Aleppo

Apamea S YRIA CYPRUS Krak des Chevaliers Palmyra Mediterranean Sea Baalbek Beirut LEBANON Damascus

Baalbek, a UNESCO World most important preserved Heritage site known as fortresses in the world, Itinerary Heliopolis during Roman now a UNESCO World times. Baalbek’s colossal Heritage site. Continue to the SUNDAY & MONDAY, MAY 8 & 9 structures constitute one charming town of Hama, an DEPART U.S. / BEIRUT, LEBANON of the most impressive important agricultural center Depart the U.S. on overnight examples of imperial Roman renowned for its 17 giant flights to Beirut. Arrive on architecture in the Middle wooden norias, or water Monday and transfer to our East. Visit the Armenian town wheels, historically used for hotel. FOUR SEASONS BEIRUT and Umayyad ruins of Anjar, irrigating nearby fields. TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, then continue across the ORIENT HOUSE (B,L,D) MAY 10 & 11 border to Damascus. BEIRUT SUNDAY, MAY 15 Spend two full days FOUR SEASONS DAMASCUS (B,L,D) APAMEA / ALEPPO exploring this vibrant city. FRIDAY, MAY 13 Visit Marqab , perched Take a walking tour through DAMASCUS atop a cliff and overlooking downtown, stopping to After decades of isolationism, the Mediterranean Sea. admire Roman-era baths, Damascus has embraced Continue to the ancient city St. George Orthodox modernity but it has also of Apamea, famous for its Cathedral and the Ottoman- maintained its artisan long, column-lined Cardo style Mohammad al Amin traditions, such as silk Maximus, the main north- . Visit the American weaving, copper engraving south thoroughfare during University of Beirut, where we and inlaid woodcraft. Roman and Byzantine enjoy a tour led by students. Explore the extensive Souq times. Continue to Aleppo, a Finally, explore Lebanon’s al-Hamidiyya and visit the crossroads for trade routes National Museum, situated restored 18th-century Azem and a center of commerce on the unofficial border that . Meet with the keeper since the second millennium divided East and West Beirut of the Umayyad Mosque, BC. SHERATON ALEPPO (B,L,D) during the civil war, and view arguably the most significant MONDAY & TUESDAY, artifacts that were hidden by religious structure in Syria. MAY 16 & 17 Visit the shrine of John the ALEPPO curators during the conflict. Spend two full days in FOUR SEASONS BEIRUT (B,L BOTH Baptist, where, according to DAYS; D ON MAY 10) tradition, the saint’s head is this fascinating medieval city. Explore the massive kept. FOUR SEASONS DAMASCUS THURSDAY, MAY 12 13th-century citadel, then BAALBEK / DAMASCUS, (B,L) SYRIA drive to the mountaintop Drive over the Lebanese SATURDAY, MAY 14 of St. Simeon to KRAK DES CHEVALIERS / Mountains to the Bekaa HAMA see the remnants of the Valley and explore the Drive to Krak des Chevaliers famous stone pillar upon monumental temples of and explore one of the which the hermit monk TURKEY

Aleppo

Apamea S YRIA CYPRUS Hama Krak des Chevaliers Palmyra Mediterranean Sea Baalbek Beirut LEBANON Damascus

DOWNTOWN BEIRUT

St. lived Empire. Explore the ruins and preached for 37 of Palmyra, the capital years. Explore the Old of Zenobia’s empire, What to City of Aleppo, including including a massive temple the 12th-century Great dedicated to Ba’al, and Expect Mosque and the Madrassa wander along the regal We consider this to be Halawiya religious colonnaded Decumanus school. Wander through to the 1st-century a moderately strenuous the souq, a labyrinth of theater. Observe the program that is at times narrow streets and stone richly decorated funerary physically demanding and archways forming the monuments that comprise busy. Some days require longest covered bazaar in the Valley of the Tombs early morning starts with a the Middle East, and visit and visit the Palmyra few long travel days. Drive Aleppo’s historic Armenian Archaeological Museum. times range from four to quarter. SHERATON ALEPPO TADAMORA PALACE (B,L,D) eight hours, with rest stops, (B,L BOTH DAYS; D ON MAY 17) FRIDAY, MAY 20 and we often have a full WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 PALMYRA / DAMASCUS schedule of excursions, ALEPPO / PALMYRA Return to Damascus lectures and special events. Spend a full day journeying and tour Syria’s National Daily programs involve one across the Syrian Desert Museum. Among to three miles of walking, to the old oasis settlement the museum’s prized of Tadmor, known in the possessions are clay often on uneven terrain such west as Palmyra. This city, tablets inscribed with the as in old city quarters where once one of the richest oldest alphabet in the world roads and sidewalks may be in the Near East, grew and frescoes depicting cobblestoned or unpaved. in importance during Biblical scenes recovered Much of the walking takes the Roman era as it was from the ruins of the 2nd- place at ancient sites, such situated on the caravan century Dura Europos as ruins, churches and route linking Persia, India, Synagogue. Gather for a , where elevators China and the Roman special farewell reception are unavailable and guided Empire. TADAMORA PALACE and dinner this evening. tours may require climbing (B,L,D) FOUR SEASONS DAMASCUS (B,L,D) up and down stairs without THURSDAY, MAY 19 PALMYRA SATURDAY, MAY 21 handrails. Participants must In the 3rd century AD, DAMASCUS / U.S. be physically fit and in good Zenobia, Warrior Queen Following breakfast, active health. We welcome of the Palmyrene Empire, transfer to the airport for travelers 15 years of age and return flights to the U.S. (B) conquered Egypt and older on this program. and led a revolt against the Roman TEMPLE OF JUPITER, BAALBEK SOUQ AL-HAMIDIYYA, DAMASCUS Information DATES N OT I NCLUDED May 8 to 21, 2011 (14 days) International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport and visa fees Immunization S IZE costs Meals and beverages other than Limited to 50 participants those specified as included Trip-cancel- lation/interruption and baggage insurance COST* Excess-baggage charges Personal items $8,995 per person, double occupancy such as email, telephone and fax calls, laun- $11,675 per person, single occupancy dry and gratuities for nongroup services *Association nonmembers add $200 per person A IR A RRAN GEMEN TS International and U.S. domestic airfare is not I NCLUDED included in the program cost. Round-trip, 12 nights of best-available hotel economy-class airfare on Air France from accommodations 12 breakfasts, 11 San Francisco to Beirut and returning from lunches and 8 dinners Welcome and Damascus is approximately $2,100 as of June farewell cocktail receptions Bottled water 2010 and is subject to change without notice. on all excursions and at group meals Information on recommended flight itineraries Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers for will be sent by our designated agent. all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling for all participants between the airport and our group hotels Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program SOUQ AL-HAMIDIYYA, DAMASCUS Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment Eligibility war, quarantine, force majeure or A $1,000 deposit is required to We encourage membership in other causes beyond our control. All hold space for the Lebanon and Syria the Alumni Association as the such losses or expenses will have to Suitcase Seminar. Final payment is program cost for nonmembers is be borne by the passenger as tour due 120 days prior to departure. $200 more than the members’ price. rates provide arrangements only for Stanford alumni may become Annual the time stated. We reserve the right Cancellations & Refunds ($75) or Life ($495) Members. to make such alterations to this Deposits and any payments are fully Stanford parents, faculty, staff, published itinerary as may be refundable, less a $500-per-person interns, residents and fellows may deemed necessary. The right is cancellation fee, until 120 days prior become Installment Members ($90 reserved to cancel any program prior to departure. After that date, refunds down, $115/year for four years) or to departure in which case the entire can be made only if the program is Life Members ($495). Nonalumni payment will be refunded without sold out and your place(s) can be may become Life Affiliates (one-time further obligation on our part. The resold, in which case a $1,000-per- fee, $650). Parents and their children right is also reserved to decline to person cancellation fee will apply. under 21 may travel on one accept or retain any person as a We recommend trip-cancellation membership. For more information member of the program. No refund insurance; applications will be sent or to purchase a membership, visit will be made for an unused portion to you. www.stanfordalumni.org/member- of any tour unless arrangements Insurance ship or call (650) 725-0692. are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at Stanford Travel/Study provides Responsibility all travelers who are U.S. or the owner’s risk entirely. The airlines The Stanford Alumni Association, concerned are not to be held Canadian citizens with minimal Stanford University and our operators medical, accident and evacuation responsible for any act, omission act only as agents for the passenger or event during the time that coverage under our group-travel with respect to transportation and insurance policy. Our group policy is passengers are not onboard their exercise every care possible in doing plane or conveyance. Neither the intended to provide minimal levels of so. However, we can assume no protection while you are traveling on Alumni Association, Stanford liability for injury, damage, loss, University nor our operators this program. We strongly recom- accident, delay or irregularity in mend that you subscribe to optional accept liability for any carrier’s connection with the service of any cancellation penalty incurred by baggage and trip-cancellation automobile, motorcoach, launch or insurance. A brochure offering such the purchase of a nonrefundable any other conveyance used in ticket in connection with the tour. insurance will be mailed with your carrying out this program or for the confirmation about one week after Program price is based on rates in acts or defaults of any company or effect in July 2010 and is subject we receive your deposit. The product person engaged in conveying the offered in this brochure includes a to change without notice to reflect passenger or in carrying out the fluctuations in exchange rates, special Waiver of Pre-Existing arrangements of the program. We Conditions and coverage for tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition cannot accept any responsibility for of participation, all confirmed Financial Insolvency and Terrorist losses or additional expenses due to Acts if you postmark your insurance participants are required to delay or changes in air or other sign a Release of Liability. payment within 15 days of the date services, sickness, weather, strike, listed on the confirmation letter. California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50

TEL (650) 725-1093 FAX (650) 725-8675 EMAIL [email protected] © COPYRIGHT 2010 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S. Faculty Leaders BOB GREGG is a former dean of Memorial Church and professor emeritus of religious studies and classics at Stanford, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1987. Professor Gregg’s interests concern religions and religious competition(s) in the ancient Mediterranean world, with a concentration in the 1st to 7th centuries. His current research focuses on several “sacred stories,” which appear both in the Bible and in the Qur’an, and examines literary and artistic interpretations of these scripture narratives by Jewish, Christian and Muslim writers and painters between the 1st and 13th centuries. During our program, he will discuss various religious communities and depictions of religious themes that we will see in paintings and monuments on our itinerary.

HERANT KATCHADOURIAN is emeritus professor of psychiatry and human biology at Stanford and former president of the Flora Family Foundation. Since joining the Stanford faculty in 1966, he has served as dean of undergraduate studies and vice provost of undergraduate education. His personal history embraces several cultures. Born in Turkey to Armenian parents, he received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the American University in Beirut and his psychiatric training at the University of Rochester in New York. He has received numerous awards, including Stanford University’s Dinkelspiel Award for oustanding teaching and the Lyman Award for service to the Alumni Association. During our program, he will discuss the historical backgrounds of Phoenicia, Palmyra and the .

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Stanford Travel/Study Stanford Frances Arrillaga C. Alumni C Galvez326 Street 94305-6105 C A Stanford, (650) 725-1093 Suitcase Seminar of Crossroads Faith & History 2011 May 21, 8 to “The best trip we have ever been on by far.”

PAUL R ONAN , SYRIA AN D JORDAN S UITCASE S EM INAR , 2005

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Reservation Form Lebanon and Syria Suitcase Seminar