VIENNA TO VENICE THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY SEPTEMBER 8-24, 2019 TOUR LEADER: DR NICK GORDON VIENNA TO VENICE Overview THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY The land between Vienna and Venice is one of Europe’s great crossroads, Tour dates: September 8-24, 2019 where Mediterranean, ‘Eastern’ and northern European cultures have met, fought and exchanged goods and ideas. Successive empires have sought Tour leader: Dr Nick Gordon control of the region – Romans, Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire, Austria and Venice – each building glorious monuments to their Tour Price: $8,230 per person, twin share rule. Single Supplement: $1,830 for sole use of But they also brought with them the conflicts that have riven the region, double room from the ‘barbarian’ migrations that precipitated the fall of Rome to the tragic fighting of WWI along the mountainous border between Austria and Booking deposit: $500 per person Italy. Recommended airline: Emirates or Qatar The number of cultures that have called this place home has also led to the creation of interesting fusions, which run across the borders rulers Maximum places: 20 have tried to enforce over the centuries, such as the Latin-writing Longobards of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (today an autonomous region of Italy), the Venetian towns of the Istrian coast, and Trieste, Austria’s main Itinerary: Vienna (3 nights), Graz (2 nights), Mediterranean port until the end of World War I. Ljubljana (4 nights), Trieste (4 nights), Venice (3 nights) This new 17-day tour takes you along these crossroads of history, from Imperial Vienna, to southern Austria, Ljubljana, Trieste and on to Venice. Date published: November 29, 2018 The backdrop to the fascinating history of the region is spectacular, − from Austrian mountains to the forests of Slovenia and Mediterranean coastline – and full of surprises, from exceptional prehistoric archaeology, including the world’s oldest musical instrument, medieval Armenian manuscripts in Venice, Roman archaeology at Aquileia and on the Croatian coast, and exceptional food and wine, reflecting the fusion of Austrian, Italian and Slavic traditions. Your tour leader Dr Nick Gordon holds a University Medal and a PhD in history from the University of Sydney, has taught university history courses for 10 years, and regularly lectures for Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery, the Nicholson Museum, and for Academy Travel’s lecture programs in Sydney and Melbourne. Nick is also an artist, and brings this deep knowledge of art to his tours. Nick designs and leads history, art and culture tours for Academy Travel to Italy, Europe, Scandinavia and Australia. He has led tours for Academy Enquiries and Travel since 2007. bookings “Nick is the consummate tour leader and provided us with a trip For further information and to rich in experiences. His in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of secure a place on this tour the region and especially his understanding of art made this a great please contact Rebecca learning experience. He remained calm and focussed on the job Fussell at Academy Travel on throughout while remaining sensitive to everyone’s needs, and we hope to 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 travel with him again.” (outside Sydney) or email [email protected]. – Feedback from Florence, Ravenna & Venice, April 2018. au Tour Highlights VIENNA’S ROYAL COLLECTIONS Vienna has exceptional collections of fine and decorative arts. Enjoy a guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, with masterpieces by Titian, Caravaggio, Breughel and Vermeer, the Imperial Treasury, where imperial regalia and other masterpieces are kept, and the stunning work of Nicholas of Verdun, the finest goldsmith of the Middle Ages, in Klosterneuberg. LJUBLJANA Ljubljana is a delightful European capital, with cafes lining the riverfront, Art Nouveau architecture and unexpected gems in its museums, including the world’s oldest musical instrument – a 60,000-year-old flute – and the oldest surviving wheel. It is a perfect base for exploring Slovenia and its fascinating history, large enough to be convenient and small enough to be unhurried. LAKE BLED AND POSTOJNA Slovenia is the greenest country in Europe – 70% of it is covered by forests, which cascade down the mountainsides to the lakes and rivers of the valleys. Discover the natural beauty of Slovenia, from the fairytale castle, island- monastery and pristine alpine setting of Lake Bled, to the spectacular karst cave system at Postojna. EUROPEAN ARCHAEOLOGY Few areas of Europe have such extensive archaeological collections, from Neanderthals, to Celts, Romans, barbarians and Byzantines. In addition to fine collections in museums, the tour visits the Roman remains at Aquileia and Pula, Byzantine churches, and the best-preserved art and architecture of the Longobards, who ruled Italy after the fall of the Roman Empire, at Cividale del Friuli. PRIVATE VISIT OF ST MARK’S BASILICA After dark, when the crowds have gone home, is the best time to visit St Mark’s Basilica. Sit back and relax on our private visit, and watch as the lights come on to illuminate the hectares of golden mosaics. Then, explore the basilica with expert guidance to help you see more and in a much more enjoyable way. Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D. Tour start & finish time The tour begins at 4.30pm in Vienna on Sunday 8 September, at the Hotel Royal. The tour ends after breakfast at the Hotel Al Codega on Tuesday 24 September. Sunday 8 September Arrival The tour begins in the hotel in the late afternoon, when we meet in the hotel for a stroll, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. (D) Monday 9 September Imperial Vienna Vienna became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire in the 15th century and remained the capital of one of Europe’s largest Above: The entry to the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace of the empires until the end of World War I. Today we explore the Habsburg emperors. A palace was first built here in the 13th century, history of imperial Vienna, starting with a guided walking tour of as a residence for the Duke of Austria, and today it is the the old town, including St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Presidential Palace Palace complex. After a break for lunch, we visit the Imperial Crypt, where more than 100 members of the Habsburg family Below: One of Arcimboldo’s portraits in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches are buried, and then the stunning collection of decorative and Institute. Arcimboldo was one of the favourite painters of Rudolph II, fine arts in the Imperial Treasury, which has, among many other one of the most liberal emperors of the Renaissance treasures, the Imperial Regalia. In the evening, we meet for a welcome dinner in a superior local restaurant. Overnight, Vienna. (B, D) Tuesday 10 September The Museum of Fine Arts and Klosterneuberg The imperial ambitions of the Habsburgs are no better realised than in their extraordinary art collections and extensive building programs. This morning, after a talk in the hotel, we visit the Museum of Fine Arts, which is home to one of the world’s premier collections of Old Masters. These masterpieces reflect the cultural influences on the Habsburg dynasty, from Renaissance Italian masters, including Titian, Caravaggio and Giorgione, to Flemish and Golden Age Dutch works, by Pieter Breughel the Elder, Rembrandt and Vermeer. In the mid- afternoon, we visit Klosterneuberg. This stunning abbey-castle complex was founded in the 12th century by Duke Leopold III of Swabia, the ruler of Austria, who was later canonised and became Austria’s patron saint. We tour the abbey and its many wonders, including the extraordinary 12th-century altarpiece by Nicholas of Verdun, the finest goldsmith of the Middle Ages. Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight, Vienna. (B) Wednesday 11 September Southern Austria Austria’s control over its empire was always fraught, requiring careful negotiation with regional lords, maintenance of Europe’s border with the Ottoman Empire and, later, emerging nation states. Today we leave the centre of the empire and travel south to Styria, once a semi-autonomous duchy and now divided between Austria and Slovenia, and for centuries the bastion of Austria’s border with the Ottoman Empire. We explore the region’s history today, including the impressive Riegersburg Castle which dominates the plain and hills of Southern Austria, and lunch at a winery in one of Austria’s premier wine regions. In the late-afternoon, we continue on to Graz. Overnight, Graz. (B, L) Thursday 12 September Graz Graz, the capital of Styria since the late Middle Ages, is one of Austria’s most beautiful cities, possessing the elegance of Salzburg, but without its perennial crowds. Today we explore Graz, beginning with a walking tour of its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, and ending with a visit to the Zeughaus. Its historical armoury is the largest in the world, and charts the development of arms and armaments from the 15th to 18th century, including numerous finely-wrought suits of armour and some of the best surviving examples of early gunsmithing. After a break for lunch, we visit the Eggenberg Palace, one of the finest examples of Austrian baroque architecture and a UNESCO heritage site. Returning to Graz, the evening is at leisure. Overnight, Graz. (B) Friday 13 September Gurk and Southern Austrian Alps Above: The vineyards and beautiful landscape of Styria and the Today we take a scenic journey through Southern Austria to impressive Riegersberg Castle, which dominates the region that used Slovenia. Our first stop is Gurk Abbey, the finest Romanesque to be Austria’s border with the Ottoman Empire building in Austria. The abbey was founded in the 12th century Below: The wonderful painting and stucco of the Eggenberg Palace, in honour of St Hemma of Gurk, who had endowed a nunnery one of the finest pieces of Austrian baroque architecture and decoration there with some of her family’s extensive landholdings from the time of Charlemagne.