na In S don earch of th ck Ma our of Southern Franc e Bla t T r 14-23, 2016 e nd Ar ctobe a O

Hosted by Brian Frink & Wilbur Neushwander-Frink and Rev. Pam Serdar of Richfield United Methodist Church Highlights and Inclusions Your Program Hosts Experience the enrichment, fellowship and learning traveling as Visit beautiful Southern , experiencing the art and a community with special art lectures by Brian Frink. sacred culture of this historic region of the world. Explore the h rich history of the Black Madonna. Follow the ancient story of Be inspired on this custom-designed travel experience exploring Mary Magdalene. Discover the land and people that inspired some of the most exquisite cities and landscapes along with such artists as Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh and significant historic places in Southern France. h Chagall. Savor the delicious regional cuisine and wine and visit historic Carcassonne, Aix, Saint Marie De La Mere, Nice, Travel on Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and many points in-between. flights from Minneapolis/St. Paul to and return from Toulouse including current taxes and surcharges. is a playwright and poet who has h Wilbur Neushwander-Frink worked in the disability rights movement for over twenty years. Stay in three-star hotels centrally located, in shared Three years ago she discovered the story of Mary Magdalene occupancy, featuring a six-night stay in Aix-en-Provence in southern France. Wilbur has travelled to this area twice and two nights in Carcassonne. h researching and tracing the trail of Mary Magdalene. She has Savor the local cuisine with 16 included meals of buffet written poetry inspired by this journey. breakfast daily, five lunches and three dinners. Special final Brian Frink is an artist and professor of art at Minnesota State group meal in a restaurant near Rennes-le-Chateau with a University, Mankato. He has travelled to this region of southern performance by harpist Ani Williams. h France seeking imagery and inspiration for his artwork. Brian Delight in the hospitality and learning provided by a has had a life-long interest in the artists featured on this professional tour manager throughout the itinerary along with adventure and will delight in sharing this knowledge with his the expertise of local guides for visits of Aix-en-Provence, fellow travelers. His presentations on artists Cezanne, Matisse, Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Marseille, Puyloubier, Picasso, Van Gogh and Chagall offers background prior to Arles and Rennes-le-Chateau. visiting the landscapes and places where these artists found h inspiration for their work. Journey in comfort in a private, deluxe motorcoach for all transfers and touring. Rev. Pam Serdar is currently serving Richfield United Methodist h Church in Minneapolis. She is passionate about theology, Be insured with group travel insurance from Cultural particularly as it pertains to women’s issues and going beyond Insurance Services International. traditional understandings of theological constructs. She loves h to read, research and teach, opening up stories to fresh light Enjoy the ease of knowing entrance fees for inside visits and and new life. Mary Magdalene is a treasured character for activities are included as described in itinerary along with the buried ancient and discovered new understandings. gratuities for tour manager, local guides, motorcoach drivers and hotel/restaurant staff. na Customized Program Itinerary In on Friday, October 14 MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL DEPARTURE. Thursday, October 20 NICE VISIT. Leave early this morning Se d Sou Depart on Delta Air Lines for Marseille, France with connection for a full-day excursion to , the capital of the French arch o Ma our of thern Fran Nice f the Black T ce in Amsterdam. Rivera filled with culture, heritage and innovation. Discover rt more about Chagall and Matisse with visits of Musee National A Saturday, October 15 MARSEILLE ARRIVAL/AIX-EN- and Marc Chagall and Musee Matisse led by tour manager and PROVENCE. Upon late morning arrival in Marseille, receive program hosts. Enjoy a break for lunch on own with time to a welcome from awaiting tour manager and motorcoach for walk and people watch on the city’s legendary Promenade a transfer to Aix-en-Provence, about a one-hour drive. Aix is des Anglais along the Mediterranean. Return to Aix en a vibrant town located in the shadow of Mt. Sainte-Victoire Provence for dinner at a local restaurant within walking and an ideal base from which to explore the region. Arrive at distance of hotel. Informal presentation on Vincent Van Gogh Hotel St. Christophe with time to; get settled for a six-night at dinner by Brian Frink. (B,D) stay and then an early evening walk to a local restaurant for dinner. (D) Friday, October 21 AIX-EN-PROVENCE/ARLES/SAINTES- MARIES-DE-LA-MER/CARCASSONE. Check out of hotel Sunday, October 16 AIX-EN-PROVENCE. Morning in Aix-en-Provence traveling about 30 miles to Arles, the presentation on Aix born artist Paul Cezanne at hotel by Brian gateway to the lakes and marshlands of the Camargue. Frink. The rest of the morning is a walking tour featuring a visit During a tour hosted by a local guide, visit the chapel of to Cathedrale of St. Sauveur, located in the city’s medieval Notre-Dame de Graces, where a Black Madonna resides section. A historic city of refined elegance, explore the tree- on the tomb of St. Trophime. Explore the Roman coliseum* lined boulevards, hidden squares and exquisite fountains. remaining from when Arles was a provincial capital of ancient A break for lunch on own. This afternoon’s highlight is a Rome. The famous pilgrimage route for the Camino de guided visit of Atelier Paul Cezanne to soak up the painter’s Santiago passes through Arles.* Lunch at a local restaurant surroundings and see his cherished belongings and painting followed by free time to marvel at the places made famous tools. Dinner at a local restaurant within walking distance of in paintings by Van Gogh. Continue to Saintes-Maries-de-la- hotel. (B,D) Mer to visit Saint Sarah at the Cathedrale Saintes-Maries- Monday, October 17 AIX-EN-PROVENCE/SAINT- de-la-Mer. Stop at a roadside stand to purchase items native MAXIMIN-LA-SAINTE-BAUME VISIT. After breakfast, to area, such as salt, lavender, and wild rice. Continue to presentation on Pablo Picasso at hotel by Brian Frink followed Carcassonne, about a three-hour drive, for overnight at by a full day excursion to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume Aragon Hotel. Evening at leisure for dinner on own. (B,L) and surrounding area. Begin with a walk of about 45 minutes Saturday, October 22 CARCASSONE/RENNES-LE- through the majestic forest gradually climbing to the cliff- CHATEAU VISIT. This morning travel about an hour to side Cave of St. Mary Magdalene with an optional hike up Rennes-le-Chateau, a former Visigoth capital of the region. another 300 feet to Saint Pilon Chapel for a memorable view. Visit the famously encoded church dedicated to Mary Lunch at Hotellerie de la St.Baume where pilgrims have Magdalene and learn why the village is known as a “doorway been welcomed since 1862. Afternoon exploration of Saint- to heaven” during a guided tour of the Berenger Sauniere Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume visiting the Basilica of Sainte- Museum. Specially arranged final group meal for lunch today Marie-Madeleine, containing relics of Mary Magdalene. at Chateau Ducs de Joyeuse where harpist Ani Williams Return to Aix-en-Provence by early evening for leisure time shares her sacred music based on ancient spiritual traditions. with dinner on own. (B,L) Return to Carcassonne for a late afternoon walking tour to Tuesday, October 18 MARSEILLE VISIT. Depart this discover how the city has existed since the pre-Roman period morning for a full day excursion to the pulsing Mediterranean as a fortified settlement towering over the landspace.* In port city of Marseille, France’s second largest city. A local ancient times, Carcassonne was a major commercial and guide hosts a tour upon arrival of two of the city’s sacred ceremonial center for the Druids and the Phoenicians. The places, Notre-Dame de la Garde and Saint-Victor Abbey, Romans arrived in 100 B.C., the Visigoths by the 6th century both home to a Black Madonna. Group lunch at a local and then the city was a Carthar stronghold in the 13th century. restaurant with the remainder of the afternoon in Marseille This final evening is free for dinner on own and time to prepare for independent exploration. Return to Aix-en-Provence for for tomorrow’s departure. Overnight in Carcassonne. (B,L) evening free with dinner on own. (B,L) Sunday, October 23 CARCASSONE/TOULOUSE/ Wednesday, October 19 PUYLOUBIER VISIT. After MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL. Early morning transfer of over an breakfast, Brian Frink lectures on Marc Chagall and Henri hour to Toulouse airport for departure on flight to Amsterdam, Matisse at hotel. Depart Aix with a local guide for full day connecting to a flight back to Minneapolis-St. Paul with early excursion to the medieval village of Puyloubier and Cezanne evening arrival. (B) Regional Park, about a 30-minute drive. Explore Puyloubier’s narrow streets walking past the Romanesque church and the Included meals: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner 17th-century oil mill. Visit the wine cellar of the Vignerons Itinerary subject to change due to local scheduling. du Mont Sainte-Victoire and tour the vineyards at Villa Click hotel names or other sites in blue for website link. Chapelet. Lunch at restaurant, possibly Les Sarments. *Place or site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Afternoon optional hike up to St. Ser Ermitage Chapel. Return to Aix-en-Provence with dinner on own. (B,L) Passport, Health, Insurance Registration For your registration confirmation, you must complete the and Travel Information enrollment form and make your deposit payment. You need U.S. citizens need a passport valid at least six months your passport details (unless in the process of applying for beyond the tour return date. Passport applications are a passport) and information for an emergency contact to available at U.S. Department of State website. No visa or properly fill out the enrollment form. vaccinations are required for U.S. citizens to enter France. Consult with your physican and utilize Travelers’ Health on Step 1: $600 deposit due immediately to secure registration, based on availability. Make check payable to Seminars the Centers for Disease Control website. International Inc. and mail to Seminars International Inc., Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for their own passport 55 E. Monroe, Suite 2870, Chicago, IL 60603. Please add and any visa requirements for the countries visited and Tour# 4772 to the memo portion of your check must travel with a permanent resident card or other documentation to re-enter the U.S. Without proper Payment is available by credit card at http://www.semint. documents, entry could be denied at participant’s expense. com/payments.html or by calling 800.541.7506. A 3% service fee is added to all credit card transactions. For international travel information including country specific background, travel alerts and travel warnings, Step 2: If this is an electronic brochure, click below to refer to the U.S. State Department: www.state.gov/travel/. fill out the enrollment form per person. Your T# is 4772. Deposit payment must arrive within 10 days of completing CISI group insurance included in cost covers evacuation enrollment form to maintain your registration. A letter of and major medical as described in Statement of Conditions. confirmation is emailed when both deposit is received Cancellation insurance and coverage for pre-existing and form is completed. The enrollment form may also be medical conditions is not included and highly recommended provided by contacting Jeaneen Lincoln at 800-541-7506 for health situations that may prevent you from traveling or [email protected]. Note: If program is full upon or interrupt your travels. Travel Guard is recommended submitting enrollment form, you will be notified. as a reliable provider of travel cancellation insurance. Access insurance options using this link to Travel Guard Passport Name: Check your passport and complete this and completing a worksheet with your personal details. form with your full name exactly as it appears on your For questions about coverage, call Travel Guard at 800- passport. Include your middle name or initial plus any 826-4919 and use agency referral number 14847980 suffix (Jr., Sr., or III) exactly as printed on your passport. for Seminars International. When purchasing insurance, If you do not have a passport at this time, please enter thoroughly read the coverage to ensure it meets your your name exactly as it will appear on the passport. Name needs. Purchasing travel insurance within 15 days of change fees apply if you submit incorrect information. enrollment may waive pre-existing medical conditions.

This travel program requires walking on uneven surfaces, If this is an electronic brochure, steps and inclines for significant distances and periods click here for link to enrollment form. during some days in the itinerary. Consult with Seminars International or your tour host if you have concerns about the amount and level of walking in order to fully participate. Websites for travel and destination information: Program Cost AIX-en Provence Tourist Office, www.aixenprovencetourism.com/en/ $4,450 from Minneapolis-St. Paul Carcassonne Office of Tourism http://www.tourism-carcassonne.co.uk/ Supplement for single accommodations - $480 Further Information Limited availability of single accommodations. This comprehensive cost includes airline ticket [email protected] Brian Frink, taxes/fuel surcharge of $670, gratuities and Wilbur Neushwander-Frink, [email protected] CISI group insurance (approx. $75 value). These costs are often not packaged Rev. Pam Serdar, [email protected] into other travel programs and instead mentioned as additional costs in the fine print.

Program cost based on a group size of 33 and will increase if group size is smaller. 55 E. Monroe Street, Suite 2870 Chicago, IL 60603-5713 312-332-7027 • 800-541-7506 [email protected] • www.semint.com Statement of Conditions Program cost and minimum number group size: $4,450.00 based to 120 days before departure, the initial deposit will be refunded on a minimum group size of 33. $4,725.00 based on a minimum less a $100 fee per person. In additional to airline penalties, the group size of 22-26. Program cost will increase if group size is following specified costs are non-refundable:120-90 days = half of smaller. Program cost based on exchange rates and tariffs in effect deposit; 89-75 days = full deposit; 74-46 days = 50% of program as of December 15, 2015 subject to change in the event that there price; 45-31 days = recoverable costs only (possible forfeiture of is a fluctuation of more than 4%. entire program cost); cancellations received less than 30 days from departure will receive no refund. Cancellations must be Air transportation included in cost: From Minneapolis/St. Paul submitted in writing; the date such notification is received to Marseille, returning from Toulouse on currently confirmed airfare by Seminars International, Inc. is the cancellation date. Trip by Delta Air Lines, subject to restrictions and cancellation penalties cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. by the airline; current taxes and surcharges of $670.00 are included and subject to change until ticketed. Leadership: The person(s) identified as leader or host is subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond the control Surface travel and transfers: By private, deluxe motorcoach for of Seminars International. In the unlikely change in leadership, a all transfers and touring plus handling of one piece of baggage at qualified replacement leader/host will be selected by sponsoring Carcassonne hotel with service pending at Aix hotel. organization or previous leader. Seminars International will operate the program as planned and is not responsible for the change in Accommodations and meals: Shared occupancy at hotels listed leadership. The cancellation and refund policy remain as stated. in itinerary or similar as hotels subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Single accommodations supplement is $480.00 Exclusions: Items not listed above, including but not limited to and limited. Buffet breakfast daily (cold items only), five lunches meals other than those indicated; beverages except at breakfast; (two-course set menu with one soft drink or bottled water) and baggage handling at airports; optional entertainment and excursions; three dinners (three-course set menu with one soft drink or bottled any baggage charges; all personal items, such as telephone calls, water) for a total of 16 meals as indicated in the itinerary. Upon laundry expenses, individual room service; cancellation insurance; request, Seminars International Inc. and tour host assists participants non-tour related gratuities; passport fees; increases in air ticket taxes traveling as a single to arrange for a roommate. If no roommate is or fuel surcharge; increases in VAT or city/hotel taxes. secured, the single supplement is assessed. Management and responsibility: Seminars International (SI) acts Program arrangements: English-speaking professional tour only as an agent and neither SI nor any employee or appointee nor manager upon arrival in Marseille through the departure from any other person, party or organization or agency collaborating with Toulouse; local guides as described in itinerary on October 16, it is or shall be responsible or liable for any injury or loss, accident 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22; use of audio headsets throughout; room or damage, delay or deviation or curtailment, howsoever caused arrangements for art lectures by Brian Frink on October 16, 17, 19 or arising or the consequences thereof, which may occur during and 20; performance by harpist Ani Williams; inside visits described in any part of the travel or program or during such free time as the itinerary include entrance fees or donations as needed; gratuities for members may elect to spend independently on program. The airlines tour manager/guides, motorcoach drivers, and hotel/restaurant wait or commercial carriers concerned are not to be held responsible for staff. Note: Participants with special needs may incur surcharges any acts, omissions, or events during the time the passengers are for additional services. Handicap accessibility varies significantly not on board their planes or conveyances. The passage contracts from country to country. in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, will constitute the sole contract between the airlines and the purchaser of this program Deposit and payment schedule: $600 per participant due to secure and/or passenger. enrollment no later than June 16, 2016 as long space is available. A waiting list is maintained when registrations exceed 33. Full payment Deviations policy: Some participants may wish to extend their due August 1, 2016. Upon receipt of enrollment and deposit, a stay, originate or deplane from different cities or purchase the land confirmation of registration is sent by Seminars International, Inc program only. Early flight departure on group airfare not permitted. via email. Any payments by credit card incur an additional 3% to Every effort will be made to assist program participants within the cover merchant fees. Invoices are sent in advance of final payment. rules of the group air contract for a $100 per person service charge, plus any additional charges levied by the airline or other supplier. Group insurance: The following Cultural Insurance Services Once the deviation has been booked, any changes may incur International (CISI) group insurance coverage is included for each additional costs. Please note you are purchasing a group program participant. This insurance does not include individual trip and any deviation from the program arrangements requires staff time cancellation and pre-existing medical condition coverage and not calculated in the program cost. No refund may be granted to consideration for additional insurance is highly recommended. participants who wish to omit portions of the itinerary. All deviation Schedule of Benefits Policy # GLM N0496486A requests must be submitted in writing no later than July 7, 2016. Coverage and Services Maximum Limits: • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Per Insured Person Seminars International $10,000. Seminars International, with over four decades of experience crafting faith- • Medical expenses (per Covered Accident or Sickness). based, educational, performing arts and special interest programs on seven • Deductible zero. continents, is proud of a proven record in providing attention to detail, safety, • Basic Medical $100,000 at 100%. security, creativity and value. Our services allow leaders to focus on the • Home Country Coverage Limit $10,000. purpose and goals of their program while we take care of the travel logistics, • Emergency Medical Reunion $3,000. • Team Assist Plan (TAP): 24/7 medical, travel, technical assistance. providing peace of mind from beginning to end. • Emergency Medical Evacuation 100% of Covered Expenses. • Repatriation/Return of Mortal Remains 100% of Covered Expenses. Custom Design - We design customized faith-based international programs • Security Evacuation (Comprehensive) $100,000. sensitive to the needs and interests of a group while focusing on value and • Trip delay of $100 per day to a maximum of $500/5 days if delayed affordability. more than 12 hours. Refer to http://www.semint.com/pdf/CISI.pdf for further information Pre-Departure - Our services include customized participant travel e-packets regarding your group plan. and tour literature focusing on being prepared and responsible travelers.

Trip delay: In the unforeseen circumstance your program While Abroad - Along with our Chicago-based team, our network of on- experiences travel delays and unexpected expenses are incurred, the-ground international partners and CISI Team Assist are prepared 24/7 Seminars International will invoice participants for any additional to provide support and assistance while traveling, particularly with an costs associated with the delay minus the $100 per day CISI trip emergency situation. delay coverage, if qualified. Obtaining additional travel insurance as recommended on page three may offset these expenses. Program Evaluation - Upon return we invite you to complete an evaluation to share feedback on how we may enhance your experience in the future. Cancellation and refund policy: Should cancellation occur prior T4772 Southern France Pilgrimage - December 2015