STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY DENISE OSBORNE, MLA ’07, CROATIA, 2017 CASTLES, CULTURE AND CUISINE ON THE ADRIATIC August 16 to 26, 2019 a program of the stanford alumni association Croatia is a small country in the Balkans with surprising diversity, combining a rich historical heritage and natural beauty with a taste of some of Europe’s best seafood, olive oils and wines. Here, past rulers and civilizations have left their mark in beautifully preserved architecture that dots the landscape: Roman amphitheaters, Byzantine palaces, medieval castles and even a little Communist concrete. The deep-blue Dalmatian sea that hugs the Adriatic coast is home to more than a thousand islands, and an abundant number of inland lakes provides excellent opportunities to experience the beauty of Croatia’s interior. It’s hard not to be attracted to slatki život (“the good life”) of Eastern Europe. Join us! BRETT S. THOMPSON, ’83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY DUBROVNIK Highlights EXPLORE the Istrian ADMIRE spectacularly SAVOR fresh seafood, Peninsula, home to hued waterfalls and wine and local hospitality charming fishing ports meandering springs on a private island off the and beautifully preserved at Plitvice Lakes Dalmatian coast. Roman ruins. National Park. COVER: DUBROVNIK PULA Faculty Leader IVAN LUPIC´ is an assistant professor of English at Stanford University and a Shakespearean scholar with research interests in the European Renaissance, book history, theater history, and the intersection of literature and political thought. His new book, Subjects of Advice: Drama of Counsel from More to Shakespeare, will be published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2019. Having grown up in the Balkans and lived in Croatia for much of his life, Professor Lupic´ has “Professor Lupić’s seen first hand the changes that have impacted this region over the last few decades. In recent years, he has written ability to weave several articles on the literary culture of the Ragusan Republic, a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik that together history, flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries. Professor Lupic´ Croatian literature, directs a digital humanities project at Stanford entitled “The Manuscript Networks of the Ragusan Republic (1358–1808),” Shakespeare and which is supported by the Denning Fund for Humanities and personal stories Technologies. During our program, his lectures will focus on the history, culture and literature of Croatia. really elevated the — Joined Stanford faculty in 2013; assistant intellectual content professor, English literature — BA, English language and literature and Croatian of the trip.” language and literature, Zagreb University — PhD, English and comparative literature, DENISE OSBORNE, MLA ’07, CROATIA, 2017 Columbia University STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY HVAR SIGN UP ONLINE: alumni.stanford.edu/trip?croatia2019 OR BY PHONE: (650) 725-1093 Zagreb C ROATIA Istria Rovinj PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK Pula D a BOSNIA AND l HERZEGOVINA Zadar m a t i A Split a d r Hvar i a t Island i ITALY c S e a Mali Ston Bay Dubrovnik ties. Visit the baroque castle town of Pula and enjoy a typical of Trakošc´ an en route back to Istrian lunch in a seaside res- Itinerary Zagreb, where the evening is taurant. Pula is the largest town at leisure. HOTEL ESPLANADE (B,L) on the peninsula with a rich, FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 3,000-year-old history and a AUGUST 16 & 17 MONDAY, AUGUST 19 wealth of Roman ruins including DEPART U.S. / ZAGREB / PLITVICE the remarkably well-preserved ZAGREB, CROATIA LAKES / ROVINJ amphitheater in the heart of Depart from home cities on After breakfast, depart Zagreb the city. Conclude the day in independently booked, over- and head south to the country’s medieval Motovun, perched on night flights to Zagreb, Croatia’s oldest and most famous na- a hilltop. After strolling along the capital city. Upon arrival on tional park, Plitvice Lakes. The city walls, visit a local family’s Saturday, transfer to our hotel, park’s network of 16 crystal- estate for an exclusive truffle a grand property that was origi- clear lakes is interconnected by tasting. Return to Rovinj in the nally designed to accommodate a series of waterfalls, all set in late afternoon. Dinner and the guests traveling through Zagreb a woodland of spruce, beech rest of the evening are at leisure. on the Orient Express train. On and fir trees. The lakes’ unique HOTEL GRAND PARK (B,L) Saturday evening, gather with mineral content contributes to fellow travelers for a welcome the spectacular blue and green WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 reception at our hotel to toast colors, which change depend- ROVINJ / ZADAR / the start of our journey. HOTEL ing on the sunlight and cloud SPLIT ESPLANADE cover. After lunch at a local Depart Istria and head south restaurant, continue to our hotel toward the sunny Dalmatian SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 in Rovinj on the Adriatic Coast coast. Along the way, stop in ZAGREB where we dine tonight. HOTEL Zadar, which served as the Located on the banks of the GRAND PARK (B,L,D) capital of Dalmatia for many Sava River, Zagreb is a vibrant centuries. After lunch at a local city that dates back to medieval TUESDAY, AUGUST 20 restaurant, enjoy a guided walk times with a picturesque old ROVINJ / PULA / around the old town with its town, an open-air market, stun- MOTOVUN fortified 16th-century walls. Visit ning architecture and a baroque Spend a full day exploring the the 9th-century Church of St. upper town with beautiful views scenic peninsula of Istria. The Donatus, admire the Roman Fo- of the surrounding countryside. town of Rovinj is one of the rum that dates back to the first Explore the city on a guided Adriatic’s last authentic fishing century C.E., and visit the Sea walking tour this morning. Then ports, with its steep cobbled Organ, an unusual art installa- continue to the picturesque streets and medieval piazzas. tion consisting of marble steps Zagorje region outside the city After a guided walking tour and tubes that “play” music as for a lunch of traditional special- here, continue to the larger they interact with the ocean Zagreb C ROATIA Istria Rovinj PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK Pula SPLIT D a BOSNIA AND l HERZEGOVINA Zadar m a t i A Split a d r Hvar i a t Island i ITALY c S e a Mali Ston Bay Dubrovnik TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS OYSTERS, MALI STON BAY waves and wind. Continue to Hvar Island, famed for its sun- Dubrovnik, and check in to our the coastal city of Split and shine and lavender fields. Visit deluxe hotel located near the check in to our hotel, located Stari Grad Plain, an agricultural old town. After settling in, enjoy steps away from the central colony founded by the ancient some free time exploring the old town. HOTEL CORNARO (B,L) Greeks in 384 B.C.E. and the local area and dining inde- oldest continuously cultivated pendently this evening. HOTEL THURSDAY, AUGUST 22 agricultural field in the world. EXCELSIOR (B,L) SPLIT / TROGIR Step inside Tvrdalj Castle, once This morning learn about Split’s the summer residence of Croa- SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 centuries’-old cultural heri- tian poet Petar Hektorovic´. Stop DUBROVNIK tage on a guided walking tour. at a small winery for a tasting, After breakfast, head for the Discover Diocletian’s Palace, then continue across the island old town of Dubrovnik for a originally built as the walled to the town of Hvar, home to guided tour of this UNESCO summer palace of the Roman the largest square in Dalmatia World Heritage site. Dubrovnik’s emperor Diocletian at the end and the oldest public theater old town is considered the of the 3rd century. This sprawl- in Europe. Enjoy a traditional crown jewel of the Adriatic with ing edifice developed organi- lunch and some free time for a its magnificent walls, marble cally over the ensuing years into dip in the sea before returning streets and stunning baroque a lively city with many architec- to Split and enjoying dinner at architecture that speaks to tural styles and full of artisans, a waterfront restaurant. HOTEL a rich artistic history. This craftsmen and shopkeepers, a CORNARO (B,L,D) afternoon enjoy an independent tradition that continues today. lunch and time to shop and Head north of the city to a SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 explore at leisure. This evening, winery for a special wine-paired SPLIT / MALI STON gather for a festive farewell lunch. Then visit the island town BAY / DUBROVNIK reception and dinner with tra- of Trogir, a charming seaside Depart Split, heading south ditional Croatian entertainment gem filled with sculptures and along the Dalmatian coast to celebrate the end of our picturesque streets that reflect to Dubrovnik. Along the way, journey. HOTEL EXCELSIOR (B,D) Greek, Roman and Venetian board a local boat to a private influences. Return to Split in the island in Mali Ston Bay, where MONDAY, AUGUST 26 late afternoon and relax over we enjoy a fresh oyster tasting DUBROVNIK / U.S. dinner at a local restaurant. and a seafood lunch accompa- Transfer to the airport and HOTEL CORNARO (B,L,D) nied by the island’s local wine. check in for international The town of Ston is famous for flights back to the U.S. (B) FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 its long tradition of harvesting SPLIT / HVAR ISLAND oysters and for its majestic city Board private motor boats and walls, which date back to the set off for a cruise to nearby 14th century. Continue on to OYSTERS, MALI STON BAY TRAKOŠC´ AN CASTLE Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insur- ance Excess-baggage charges Personal Trip Information items such as internet access, telephone calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services DATES August 16 to 26, 2019 (11 days) AIR ARRANGEMENTS You are responsible for booking and purchasing SIZE airfare to the start location and from the end 34 participants (single accommodations location of the program.