Shakespeare’s Italy Exploring the Bard’s Favorite Italian Towns with Provost Katherine Rowe June 11-19, 2017 Teatro Olimpico / Bradley Grifn Meeting at the Golden Gate by Giotto in Scrovegni Chapel Dear Smith alumnae and friends, You are cordially invited to join Provost Katherine Rowe on a trip to Shakespeare’s Italy, a custom-designed tour created exclusively for Smith College. Our itinerary reads like a compilation of Shakespeare’s greatest hits, spanning Northern Italy’s most attractive historic cities. In Padova, visit the Palazzo Bo, a renaissance anatomy theater that sparked Shakespeare’s interest in poetry of the body, then take in Giotto’s gorgeous Scrovegni Chapel frescoes. Glide through timeless Venice, touring both famous and hidden palaces and churches, going behind-the-scenes at La Fenice Theater, and exploring the Jewish ghetto, setting of The Merchant of Venice. In the beautiful city of Verona, learn about the real historical backdrop to Romeo and Juliet while meandering the old town’s quaint squares, winding streets, and riverfront promenades. Immerse yourself in the great ducal city of Mantova, home to Marchesa Isabella d’Este, an arts patron and political leader who rivaled Elizabeth I. Your home for the week is the delightful Travel with Provost northern Italian city of Vicenza, located just an hour from Venice, and Katherine Rowe famous as the home of Renaissance Please join me in architect Andrea Palladio. His beautiful exploring one of the 16th-century palaces grace the city’s most passionate streets and piazzas, giving Vicenza a and vexed literary stately charm quite diferent from the relationships in more heavily visited tourist cities nearby. Renaissance The lovely four-star Hotel Campo Marzio Europe. English (newly renovated and reopened in 2012) writers, especially ofers a perfect base in the city center Shakespeare, imitated and rivaled, of Vicenza, just steps from great shops, admired and envied the rich artistic churches, palaces, and restaurants. output of the Italian Renaissance. As a scholar of Renaissance literature Friendly Italian hosts, knowledgeable and media itory nd it a reat guides, local alumnae, and our expert pleasure to discover with others faculty leader will all work toward making what Shakespeare’s works borrowed this a memorable trip. The tour will ofer and adapted from the lively cultures cultural insights, outstanding meals, and of the Veneto—one of the most one-of-a-kind insights into Renaissance powerful maritime and trade regions Italian life and cultural heritage. We hope of Europe. Together we will savor the you can join us on this unique exploration creative competition that proved so of Shakespeare’s Italy. generative for Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Sincerely, —Katherine Provost and Sophia Smith Professor of English Literature Elizabeth Bigwood Director, Smith Travel Villa Almerico Capra Valmarana, La Rotonda / Jiuguang Wang Tis custom travel program has been Wednesday, June 14, 2017 created uniquely for Smith College. ‘Fair Padua’ Sunday, June 11, 2017 Visit Padua, the charming setting of The Taming of the Shrew. Begin at the Scrovegni Departures Chapel to see Giotto’s fresco cycle, then Take independent overnight fights from follow our expert guide to Padua’s historic the U.S. to Venice, Italy. center for a walking tour including its historic university, vibrant Piazza delle Erbe, Monday, June 12, 2017 and awe-inspiring Basilica di Sant’Antonio. Benvenuti a Italia After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the university to tour the Palazzo Bo, home Arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport and to the world’s frst permanent anatomy take a private transfer to the charming theater, where the famous physician city of Vicenza, our home for the week. Andreas Vesalius practiced, and the Aula After settling into the centrally located and Magna, or grand hall, where Galileo taught. recently renovated Hotel Campo Marzio, Shakespeare’s works—and particularly enjoy an elegant welcome dinner of regional poetry—draw liberally on the vogue for the specialties at a favorite local restaurant. new sciences. Return to Vicenza, where the Hotel Campo Marzio, Vicenza (D) evening is independent. Hotel Campo Marzio, Vicenza (B, L) Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Palladio’s Vicenza Thursday, June 15, 2017 Meet our local guide for a full-day walking ‘Beauties of Verona’ tour of Vicenza, the hometown of famed Drive to romantic Verona, the setting for architect Andrea Palladio, a contemporary Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Shakespeare and the most infuential of Verona. Upon arrival, meet a local guide architect of the 16th century whose designs and visit the 12th-century Basilica of San continue to inspire modern architects. Zeno and its beautiful, sparkling altarpiece Visit Palladio’s Palazzo Chiericati, home by Jacopo Bellini and crypt. Continue to to Vicenza’s impressive art gallery of the city center with its elegant palaces and masterpieces by Tintoretto and Tiepolo quaint piazzas. Stroll through Piazza Erbe, along with drawings by Palladio. Continue named for Verona’s old herb market and on to the Teatro Olimpico, Europe’s oldest used as a marketplace for 2,000 years. Walk surviving indoor theater, which was designed by “Romeo’s House” and “Juliet’s House,” as a “perfect Roman theater” with innovative tourist attractions created by an enterprising scenic perspective. Enjoy lunch at a café mayor, which testify to the fctional power in the shadow of the impressive Basilica of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. After Palladiana. After viewing Palladio’s beautiful, lunch at a local restaurant, make a special 13th-century church, Santa Corona, drive visit to the Roman Arena, the third-largest to the outskirts of the city to see hidden ancient amphitheater in the world, famous Veronese frescoes. Dinner and the evening for its summer opera festival. Return to are independent. Vicenza for an independent evening. Hotel Campo Marzio, Vicenza (B, L) Hotel Campo Marzio, Vicenza (B, L) Friday, June 16, 2017 Saturday, June 17, 2017 Venice Merchants An Enchanting & Maritime Power ‘Sojourn in Mantua’ Drive to Venice and meet our revered local This morning depart for the enchanting guide—born and raised in the city—who city of Mantua, which boasts a trove of will lead us on a Shakespeare-inspired tour artistic and architectural gems and is of the city. Begin with a walk through the surrounded by artifcial lakes fed by the Jewish ghetto including a special visit to its Mincio River. Mantua and its forest are important synagogues, contemporary with settings in Romeo and Juliet and The Two Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Gentlemen of Verona—a forlorn Romeo Next take private water taxis to the Grand spends part of his exile here. Discover Canal, arriving at the iconic Rialto Bridge, the Palazzo Ducale on an in-depth tour of an important Shakespearean landmark. this 500-room palace built for Mantua’s After lunch at a tucked-away neighborhood ruling family, the Gonzagas. Their most restaurant, we have special reservations for powerful and formidable scion, Marchesa a behind-the-scenes tour of the newly reborn Isabella d’Este, supported many of the Teatro La Fenice, Venice’s opulent, accursed city’s artists with whom Shakespeare was opera house, whose story was told so familiar. The highlight of the palace is the memorably in John Berendt’s book The City stunning Camera Degli Sposi, or wedding of Falling Angels. Conclude the afternoon room, painted by Andrea Mantegna. Lunch with a visit to the monumental Arsenale, is included at one of the most charming which once served as the shipyards for restaurants in Mantua, a city renowned for the Venetian Republic. Shakespeare lovers its delectable northern Italian specialties. will recall that in The Merchant of Venice This afternoon, continue on to the Basilica of Antonio’s money was invested in ships, and Sant’Andrea, commissioned by Ludovico II the feet commander Othello set sail from Gonzaga and home to frescoes by painters just such an impressive dockyard. Return to of Giulio Romano’s school and the tomb of Vicenza late this afternoon. The remainder of Mantegna. Finally, visit Antonio Bibiena’s the day is at leisure. Teatro Scientifco Bibiena, an impressively Hotel Campo Marzio, Vicenza (B, L) ornate and beautifully preserved Tour Information Church of San Sebastiano, frescoes by Veronese / Gary Ullah TOUR COST used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty Land Only ....................................................... $4,995 to the participants of the tour. ISDI and Smith College Single Supplement .............................................. $895 reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to depar- ture for any reason including insuffcient numbers of Tour price is based on double occupancy with a minimum of 16 paying participants, as well as the right to decline to accept or participants. Land prices are based on quotes of August 2016 and are retain any person as a member of the tour at any time. subject to change. If bookings fall below the minimum required, passen- DATES | June 11–19, 2017 gers will be advised of additional costs or itinerary alterations before departure date. ACTIVITY LEVEL | Moderate, good walking ability CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS | All cancellations DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT | A deposit of $1,000 must be received in writing by ISDI, and are subject per paying participant is required to guarantee partic- to a non-refundable administrative fee of $500 per ipation in the program. This deposit may be paid by person. Written cancellation received by ISDI on check or by Visa or MasterCard. Final payment will be or before March 3, 2017: full refund minus $500 invoiced and is due on March 3, 2017 by check only per person administrative fee. Written cancellation to International Seminar Design, Inc. Registrants will received by ISDI on or between March 4 and April be accepted beyond this date on a space-available 27, 2017: 50% of tour cost per person.