2016 WORLDWIDE TRAVEL PROGRAM 2016 SYMPHONY ON THE Blue DANUBE July 13–24, 2016 SYMPHONY ON THE Blue DANUBE July 13–24, 2016 BERLIN PRE-PROGRAM AND BUDAPEST POST-PROGRAM OPTIONS MELK ABBEY, AUSTRIA Framed by rolliNG hillsides, lush viNeyards, AND medieval castles, THE DANUBE RIVER Valley has resoNated WITH musiciaNS, artists, AND poets AND coNtributed to the World the geNius OF its most reNOWNed virtuosos. We invite you to join us on this exclusive journey to the cultural centers that inspired classical music’s great masters, from Bach, Haydn, and Mozart to Beethoven, Chopin, and Dvoˇrák. Spend three nights in Prague, the “City of a Thousand Spires” and one of the cultural hearts of Europe. Then cruise the legendary Blue Danube from Passau, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary, aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe M.S. AMADEUS SILVER II, launched in 2015 and one of the finest ships to ply the waterways of Europe. Enjoy a comprehensive itinerary custom designed and carefully orchestrated to include specially arranged expert lectures, guided excursions, and private performances featuring the musical heritage of Europe’s most accomplished composers. Explore up to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic centers of Prague and Salzburg, the Habsburgs’ opulent Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the grand Hungarian State Opera House, and the majestic Wachau Valley, where picturesque towns stand along the riverbank and castle ruins look down from above. co-SPONsors: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNiversity, MIT, THE NatioNal trust for historic preservatioN, AND SMITH college. TO BOOK A TRIP, CALL 800-422-1636 OR VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL Musical Legacy of the Habsburg Empire Since the 18th century, the lands encompassing the Danube River Valley— Austria, Hungary, and Germany—and the Czech Republic have bequeathed to the world an unparalleled musical legacy. The 1700s saw the creative genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Josef Haydn, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the 19th century, such musical titans as Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Frédéric François Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Antonín Dvoˇrák reigned over the courts and orchestra halls of central Europe. This exclusive journey highlights the musical traditions of master composers and their enduring vitality. See the stage in Prague’s prestigious Estates Theatre where Mozart premiered his famous opera Don Giovanni and attend a private performance of the great composer’s works. Admire the world’s largest cathedral pipe organ in Passau’s Cathedral of St. Stephan. View a collection of Beethoven’s original manuscripts and attend a private performance of classical music in Lobkowicz Palace. Stroll through the historic center of Vienna in the footsteps of Beethoven and Brahms, see the city’s famous Opera House, and attend a private performance of Mozart’s music at Sala Terrena, Vienna’s oldest concert hall. HARVARD STUDY LEADER As this brochure goes to print, we have not yet confirmed the faculty study leader for this program. We intend, however, that you will be joined by a Harvard lecturer who will enhance your travel experience. You will discover that our lecturers are not only first-rate scholars and teachers but also friendly traveling companions, eager to share their insights through conversation. GUEST LECTURER Paul Mathews, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University and a composer of opera and chamber music, will also lecture during this program. A member of the Peabody Music Theory faculty, his published scholarship concerns orchestration and music of the early 20th century. Scheduled guest speakers may be altered due to circumstances beyond our control. See General Information section. DÜRNSTEIN, AUSTRIA TO BOOK A TRIP, CALL 800-422-1636 OR VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL SCHEDULE BY DAY SCHÖNBRUNN PALacE, VIENNA, AUSTRIA the abbey’s library is a repository of 100,000 medieval manuscripts. This afternoon, visit the charming medieval village of Dürnstein, situated below the hilltop ruins of Castle Kuenringer, where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner after the Third Crusade. Walk through the picturesque village to visit the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Abbey Church and enjoy a short, private organ concert inside the 15th-century Stiftskirche Dürnstein. In the lingering light of summer, be on deck this evening as you cruise the Danube’s spectacular WEDNesday AND thursday, three rivers—the Danube, Ilz, and july 13 AND 14 and fabled Wachau Valley, a Inn—meet. Enjoy lunch in a U.S./Prague, CZech republic UNESCO World Heritage site. (B,L,D) traditional German restaurant Depart the U.S. for Prague. On arrival, before a walking tour along the WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, check into the deluxe INTERCONTINENTAL JULY 20 AND 21 cobblestone streets of Altstadt, PRAHA HOTEL. Attend a welcome VIENNA Passau’s Old Town. Visit the reception Thursday in the hotel. (R) The former seat of the Habsburg Baroque-style St. Stephan’s Empire, Vienna’s historic center is Friday AND Saturday, Cathedral, which houses the largest july 15 AND 16 an open-air museum of splendid pipe organ in the world. Baroque architecture and a prague Embark M.S. AMADEUS SILVER II. On a guided walking tour, follow UNESCO World Heritage site. Attend the captain’s welcome Tour this remarkable city, which the narrow, picturesque lanes of reception and, following dinner, Prague’s Staré Mˇesto (Old Town) to owes its present appearance to enjoy a short concert by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor the Orloj, the ornate astronomical ship’s musicians. (B,L,R,D) clock of the Old Town Hall. See the Franz Josef, who created the famed Charles Bridge, adorned with MONday, JULY 18 Ringstrasse showcasing its finest 30 Baroque statues, then enjoy a LINZ FOR SALZBURG, Austria landmarks—the State Opera House performance of Mozart’s music and Arrive in Linz and transfer to and the Hofburg Palace. Visit the a private tour of the Estates Theatre, Salzburg, a UNESCO-designated Gothic Stephansdom where the prodigy’s opera city and the birthplace of Mozart. (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) and Don Giovanni premiered in 1787. Enjoy a walking tour of Salzburg’s enjoy a specially arranged In Josefov, the city’s Jewish Quarter, Old Town to admire the majestic, performance of Mozart’s music in visit Europe’s longest-standing 17th-century cathedral and the the Sala Terrena, Vienna’s oldest Jewish house of worship—the landmark Festung Hohensalzburg, concert hall where Mozart briefly Old-New Synagogue—and visit the the largest fully preserved fortress resided, worked, and performed Old Jewish Cemetery. in central Europe. Stroll through in 1781. On Saturday, tour the former Mirabell Gardens and along the On Thursday, visit the residence of Bohemian royalty: the Getreidegasse pedestrian spectacular Schönbrunn Palace Hradˇcany complex of castles, thoroughfare to see the house and Gardens, summer estate of churches, and museums. where Mozart was born in 1756. the imperial Habsburgs and a View original Beethoven Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant UNESCO World Heritage site. manuscripts and enjoy a private and time at leisure to explore the city. string quartet concert in the Then drive through the breathtaking ST. STEPhen’S CATHEDRAL, VIENNA, AUSTRIA family-owned 16th-century Austrian countryside featured in the Lobkowicz Palace. Visit the classic movie The Sound of Music neo-Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the and stop in the picturesque town of largest and most significant Mondsee to see the church where cathedral in Prague, and see the Maria and Baron von Trapp were Royal Mausoleum and magnificent married in the film. (B,L,D) St. Wenceslas Chapel. Then walk TUESDAY, JULY 19 through the “Golden Lane,” a MELK/DÜRNsteiN quaint byway lined with small, In the riverside town of Melk, visit Mannerist-style houses and the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, workshops once occupied by a showcase of impressive Baroque castle goldsmiths, alchemists, architecture, priceless relics, and artisans, and guards. (2B) stunning ceiling frescoes by SUNDAY, JULY 17 Paul Troger. In the abbey’s church, PRAGUE/PASSAU, GERMANY admire the striking, 16th-century Travel across rolling hills and altarpiece by Danube School through the bucolic Czech and master Jörg Breu the Elder. German countryside to Passau, A prestigious center of scholarship the only place on Earth where throughout the Middle Ages, TO BOOK A TRIP, CALL 800-422-1636 OR VISIT ALUMNI.HARVARD.EDU/TRAVEL BERLIN UNESCO World Heritage Site Cruise Itinerary GERMANY Air Routing Land Routing DRESDEN Program Options r e PRAGUE v i CZECH REPUBLIC R a v a t l V e R nub iver Da SLOVAKIA PASSAU LINZ DÜRNSTEIN BRATISLAVA MELK Wachau Valley VIENNA SALZBURG BUDAPEST AUSTRIA HUNGARY BRATISLava, SLOvaKIA It was here, in one of the grand Saturday, JULY 23 july 10–14 salons decorated in a priceless BUDAPEST, HUNGARY BERLIN, GERMANY collection of art and antiques, Buda and Pest—the centuries-old PRE-Program OptioN that a six-year-old Mozart first twin cities that face one another $840 Double occupaNcy performed for Maria Theresa and across the Danube River—the $1,140 SINGLE occupaNcy her daughter, the future Queen embankments along the storied Berlin is one of Europe’s preeminent of France, Marie Antoinette. river, and the Buda Castle Quarter centers of history, art, and music. The afternoon is free for together are designated a UNESCO Enjoy a panoramic city tour cruise individual pursuits. World Heritage site. Begin your tour along the Spree River, explore The ship overnights in Vienna on in Pest to see the elegant the Pergamon Museum on the Wednesday and Thursday. (2B,2L,2D) Parliament Building, built between UNESCO World Heritage-designated 1884 and 1904. Pass through Museum Island, and visit the FRIDAY, JULY 22 Heroes’ Square and admire the Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie. BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA monuments honoring the Magyar En route to Prague, enjoy a walking This morning, en route to chiefs who conquered Hungary in tour of Dresden, renowned for Bratislava, cruise through Austria’s AD 896.