STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan THE CAUCASUS AT A CROSSROADS September 8 to 24, 2012 a program of the stanford alumni association STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Once united under a Soviet banner, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan are countries with wildly distinct cultures, languages, religions and peoples. And, while today’s traveler may consider them off the beaten tourist track, historically these societies were at the crossroads of civilizations from ancient times to the Cold War. Join us as we explore the physical beauty of the Caucasus; the richness of each country’s literary, musical and artistic heritage; the political significance of each nation’s particular relationship with Russia and Turkey (and hence with the U.S. and nations of the Middle East); and the importance of the region’s natural resources to the global economy. Come discover these fascinating lands with us. Brett S. THOMpson, ’83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study cover: ananUri Fortress, Georgia Highlights MARVEL at the Greco- DISCOVER the unique EXPLORE the narrow Roman temple of Garni and delicious Georgian lanes and picturesque that stands incongruously cuisine and learn about the courtyards of Baku’s amid the medieval Christian extensive drinking rituals Old City—a World churches dotting the that take place at nearly Heritage site. Armenian countryside. every big Georgian meal. BAKU, AZERBAIJAN C a u c a c u R USSIA G EORGIA s M Telavi o u Caspian Tbilisi n t a Sea i n s Sheki A RMENIA A ZERBAIJAN Baku Yerevan Lake Sevan Mt. Ararat choir performance there. Enjoy Friday, SEPTEMBER 14 a private champagne reception RIYA TAZA / HAGHPAT / Itinerary at the Parajanov Museum. TBILISI, GEORGIA On our journey to Georgia, stop ARMENIA MARRIOTT HOTEL (B,L) en route in the Kurdish village Saturday & Sunday, SEPTEMBER 8 & 9 Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 12 of Riya Taza. After an al fresco DEPART U.S. / YEREVAN / ECHMIADZIN lunch, continue through vast pine YEREVAN, ARMENIA Visit the sobering Armenian forests to the monastic complex at Depart the U.S. on overnight Genocide Museum Institute and Haghpat, a 10th-century complex flights, arriving on Sunday in explore the Tsitsernakaberd that boasts some of the best- Yerevan. Upon arrival, transfer to Memorial Complex dedicated preserved examples of Armenian our hotel. ARMENIA MARRIOTT HOTEL to the memory of the 1.5 million architecture as well as beautiful Armenians who perished in the frescoes and stone manuscripts. Monday, SEPTEMBER 10 first genocide of the 20th century. Cross the border into Georgia, YEREVAN Attend a briefing at a local arriving in Tbilisi this evening. Today explore Armenia’s lovely foundation working to promote RADISSON IVERIA HOTEL (B,L,D) capital city, including the nearly social justice and democratic 3,000-year-old ruins of Erebuni, values. Drive to Echmiadzin to Saturday, SEPTEMBER 15 an ancient fortress city from which visit the residence of the Supreme TBILISI present-day Yerevan takes its Catholicos, leader of the Armenian Explore Georgia’s picturesque name. Continue to the Armenia Apostolic Church, and tour capital today. Visit Metekhi History Museum, then visit the the cathedral’s small museum. Church located high atop a cliff Matenadaran, a repository of overlooking the Old Town, then ARMENIA MARRIOTT HOTEL (B,L,D) ancient manuscripts housing over tour the Museum of Georgian 60,000 documents. End the day Thursday, SEPTEMBER 13 Art whose treasury includes the with a stroll through Vernissage, KHOR VIRAP / oldest example of Georgian icon Yerevan’s popular open-air market. NORAVANK / YEREVAN painting. Visit Sioni Cathedral and ARMENIA MARRIOTT HOTEL (B,L,D) Drive to the monastery complex of Caravanserai, home to Georgia’s Khor Virap where St. Gregory was holiest relic: a cross of vine stems Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 11 imprisoned in an underground cell and hair said to have been woven GARNI / YEREVAN for 12 years before succeeding in by St. Nino who brought Christianity This morning drive to Garni, one of making Armenia the first country to Georgia in the 4th century. Armenia’s oldest settlements and to accept Christianity as its state Explore the atmospheric bathhouse home to a magnificent Hellenistic- religion. Marvel at the stunning district and end the afternoon with style pagan temple used as a views of Mt. Ararat, then drive to a briefing at the U.S. Embassy. This royal residence after Armenia’s the Noravank Monastery whose evening discover Georgia’s tasty, conversion to Christianity. Continue 14th-century Surb Astvatsatsin unique cuisine at a traditional to Geghard Monastery, famous Church is the masterpiece of dinner. RADISSON IVERIA HOTEL (B,L,D) for its khatchkars—unique stone renowned architect and sculptor, crosses that are a symbol of Momik. Enjoy a picnic lunch on Sunday, SEPTEMBER 16 Armenian religion and culture— the grounds of Noravank before MTSKHETA / GORI / TBILISI and attend a specially arranged returning to Yerevan. ARMENIA After a morning meeting with a local MARRIOTT HOTEL (B,L,D) civil rights NGO, drive to Georgia’s C a u c a c u R USSIA G EORGIA s M Telavi o u Caspian Tbilisi n t a Sea i n s Sheki A RMENIA A ZERBAIJAN Baku Yerevan Lake Sevan Mt. Ararat TBILISI, GEORGIA “spiritual capital,” the charming town Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 19 Saturday, SEPTEMBER 22 of Mtskheta. Visit the Cathedral of TELAVI BAKU Sveti-Tskoveli and Jvari Monastery, Spend the day exploring the Visit the somber Martyrs Lane, a built at the end of the 6th century. region, beginning with the stunning memorial to those killed during the Continue to Gori, birthplace of silver-domed Alaverdi Cathedral, fight for Azerbaijani independence Stalin, and visit the Stalin Museum Georgia’s largest church. Drive to in 1990 and later in the Nagorno- that includes the house in which the fortress complex of Kvetara Karabakh War. After a walking the dictator was born. Return to that was built by a local Kakhetian tour through the Old City of Tbilisi and enjoy an evening at prince in the 10th century. Return to Baku, a World Heritage site, view leisure. RADISSON IVERIA HOTEL (B,L) Telavi where we explore Herekle’s displays of carpets at the State Palace, an 18th-century castle Museum of Azerbaijan Carpets Monday, SEPTEMBER 17 enclosure with a distinctly Persian and Applied Art. Explore the ANANURI / TBILISI architectural flavor. Rcheuli Marani extensive courtyards and buildings Drive along the Georgian Military Hotel (B,L,D) of the 15th-century Palace of Highway, an ancient strategic the Shirvanshahs followed by route through the Greater Caucasus Thursday, SEPTEMBER 20 a briefing at the U.S. Embassy. that the Russian military turned TELAVI / SHEKI, HYATT REGENCY BAKU (B,L) into a modern road in the 19th AZERBAIJAN Drive past the ruins of watchtowers century to help control its newly Sunday, SEPTEMBER 23 and customs houses along an conquered territory. Stop at Ananuri, BAKU important ancient trade route a superb 16th-century fortress with Visit bizarre Yanar Dag, a natural across the border into Azerbaijan. massive walls and defensive towers. gas fire that has blazed continuously Arrive in the city of Sheki and visit Return to Tbilisi and spend this since it was accidentally ignited its summer palace and riverside evening sampling more delectable by a shepherd in 1950. Tour the fortress with Venetian stained- Georgian cuisine independently. National Museum of Fine Arts and glass windows. Spend the night RADISSON IVERIA HOTEL (B,L) the Historical Museum housed in a former caravanserai, a relic of in two of the wonderfully eclectic Sheki’s large silk industry. sheKI Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 18 mansions built for 19th-century GURJAANI / TELAVI saray HOTEL (B,L,D) oil barons when Azerbaijan Enjoy a scenic drive to the province supplied more than half of the of Kakheti, stopping en route at Friday, SEPTEMBER 21 world’s oil. Enjoy an optional visit SHEMAKHA / BAKU the Ninotsminda Cathedral where to the prehistoric petroglyphs at Depart early this morning for Baku, we meet with the resident nuns. Gobustan. Gather for a special stopping first at Shemakha, a Continue to the village of Gurjaani farewell reception and dinner this major trading center and former for a specially arranged lunch at a evening. HYATT REGENCY BAKU (B,L,D) capital of the Shirvanshahs. local home. Enjoy a wine-tasting Among the surviving buildings are at Tsinandali Winery whose oldest- Monday, SEPTEMBER 24 a 10th-century mosque and a royal surviving bottle dates from 1814. BAKU / U.S. mausoleum. Arrive in Baku early Continue to the city of Telavi and Check out of our hotel this morning this evening and check in to our check in to our hotel. Rcheuli and transfer to the airport for return hotel. HYATT REGENCY BAKU (B,L,D) Marani Hotel (B,L,D) flights to the U.S. (B) GARNI, ARMENIA YANAR DAG, AZERBAIJAN WHAT TO EXPECT We consider this program to be physically Information demanding and strenuous, suitable for travelers in excellent health with greater-than-average D ATES stamina and an enthusiasm for adventurous travel September 8 to 24, 2012 (17 days) experiences. This program involves a great deal of travel in areas with a developing infrastructure. Daily SIZE activities include one to three miles of walking, often Limited to 34 participants on uneven and rocky terrain. In many instances stairs are unavailable or do not have handrails. Our COST* journey at times requires several hours of travel $8,695 per person, double occupancy by motorcoach, the longest drives being up to 10 $10,375 per person, single occupancy hours. We make occasional rest stops, but often *Association nonmembers add $200 per person toilets are not available and nature’s facilities are more inviting and abundant than those that are INCLUDED manmade.