TOUR PROGRAM

January – December 2020

academytravel.com.au

A DIFFERENT VIEW
Special experiences

43
Private viewings,
exclusive events, behind-
the-scenes visits, sold-out
performances… many of
our tours feature events
which are not regularly
available on group tours.
Here’s a selection from
the current catalogue.

Dinner at
Frank’s 62

Private helicopter tour of

On our Frank Lloyd Wright tour
we’ve organised a private dinner
Kamchatka’s snow-capped volcanoes
in one of his outstanding Prairie- Take a breath-taking helicopter ride to this spectacular region,
style residences, the Darwin Martin part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. One of several highlights on our
house, in Buffalo, New York. Siberia & the Russian Far East tour.

52 71

A full day on
site at Pella
Tour leader Ben Churcher is
co-director of the University of
Best seats in the house at Glyndebourne Sydney’s digs in Pella, Jordan.
On our Israel & Jordan tour, he
Academy Travel is a long-established corporate sponsor of the UK’s prestigious takes you on a personal tour of
Glyndebourne Festival Opera. This guarantees you the very best seating for all this fascinating site, where he
performances we attend on our Munich & Glyndebourne Opera Festivals tour. has worked for over 20 years.
 Academy Travel
Welcome

Tailored small group journeys CONTENTS

We’re delighted to present to you our latest tour brochure, listing all the 12 ITALY
tours we are offering in 2020. Inside you will find 73 tours travelling to
over 40 countries.
22 EUROPE & RUSSIA

Our expert-led tours explore a range of themes: archaeology, modern

47 MUSIC & THEATRE
and ancient history, fine art, architecture and design, gardens and 59 THE AMERICAS
country estates, orchestral music and opera. Tours range in length
67 AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST
from 4 days to 22 days and are designed to appeal to travellers who
& CENTRAL ASIA
appreciate the depth of knowledge and research that goes into the
planning and the delivery of our tours. 76 ASIA
Each year we carefully curate a tour program based on the interests and 82 AUSTRALIA &
feedback of our loyal cohort of Academy Travellers, some of whom have NEW ZEALAND
taken six, seven or eight tours with us. Our program for 2020 combines 89 STUDY TOURS
well-established and popular tours, as well as a range of new itineraries
and new destinations. Some of the new tours for 2020 include land/ 93 UPCOMING
cruise tours to Scandinavia and Croatia, several regional tours in the TOUR PROGRAM
USA and an expanding range of residential study tours. 96 TOUR CALENDAR
A good tour leader makes all the difference – developing your interest
with solid knowledge, adding insight and dealing with unexpected
events. We know you’ll be delighted with the intellectual calibre, energy
and enthusiasm of our leaders – they are a defining aspect of what
makes us different from other travel companies.
Thank you for taking a look at our 2020 program. We hope you find
a tour that’s right for you.

Robert Veel, and the entire Academy Travel team.

About us
Academy Travel started in Sydney in 2004, and since then we have
developed a wonderful network of colleagues around the world, who
keep us up to date on what’s new and what’s trending in cultural travel.
Our staff are located in Australia, Italy, Germany, Denmark, the UK and
the United States, ensuring great support for our tour leaders.
> Expert tour leaders
> Maximum 20 in a group Front: Sean Scully’s Opulent Ascension,
> Carefully planned itineraries 2019, transforms Venice’s 16th-century
San Giorgio Maggiore church during
the Biennale.
Brochure production: Damien Flint
Design: Pro Bono Publico
Tour Product Managers: Stuart Barrie,
Jackie Colonnelli, Matthew Dal Santo, Jamal
Fairbrother, Nick Gordon, Hannah Kleboe,
Matthew Laing, Mark Lalor, Grace McLean,
Royna McNamara, Kathleen Olive, Chantal
Simms and Robert Veel.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 3

The Academy Travel
difference…

Carefully crafted itineraries

A well-thought-through itinerary can make all the difference to your travel. Have
you ever stopped to consider why itineraries always seem to include some sites
and not others? Has careful thought gone into it, or is it just a grab-bag of sites
chosen because ‘everyone has always done it that way’? Working closely with our
expert tour leaders, we create itineraries which explore destinations in a meaningful
way and include not just the obvious, well-known sites, but also less touristed but
equally rewarding gems and places that are a little off the beaten path.
Some room for spontaneity and individual discovery is also important. A satisfying
journey will always comprise things you were planning to see and do, and things
that are new or just ‘pop-up’: an excellent new museum, a great performance or
the simple local restaurant that serves exceptional food. You can’t script these
things, but you can ensure that there is time and space in the itinerary for them to
happen. That’s why we prefer long stays and leave time in the program for individual
exploration and relaxation. We include all breakfasts, but there are plenty of free
evenings to discover local restaurants, or just relax.

The right sized group

Our tours have an average group size of 17 and a maximum size of 20. We find this
is large enough for travellers to find like-minded companions within the group but
still small enough for us to provide personalised service, learn about your interests
and incorporate them into the experience.

The right time of year

In these days of increasing tourism, choosing the right time of year and even the
right time of day is essential. If you look through our program you will notice that
many of our tours take place in the ‘shoulder’ and even low seasons, especially for
popular destinations. We also take care to avoid big cities on the weekend, where
possible, and major public holidays, when sites can be overcrowded.

The right hotel

Location, location, location. In order to avoid unnecessary transfers and allow for
individual exploration, we select comfortable, centrally-located hotels wherever
possible. Most of the hotels we use are 4-star, with the occasional splurge on
5-star. We prefer smaller hotels if available, and we are constantly researching
and reviewing our choices.

Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Tour
styles
We also offer a distinctive range of tours which break the
mould of the ‘road trip’. Look out for the following icons
in this brochure and on our website.

RESIDENTIAL
TOURS
Before the age of mass tourism travellers spent weeks,
not days, at their destination. Our residential tours take
you into a world of ‘slow travel’, with 7 to 14-day sojourns
in some of the world’s great cultural cities. There’s plenty
to see and do in these places, and at the end of your stay
you’ll really feel like you’ve got to know them. Residential
tours also offer the greatest opportunity for you to

Tour
explore individual interests or even take a few days off
from planned group activities. Very few companies offer
residential tours, because they require a truly expert

themes
leader and a profound knowledge of the destination.

While we ensure that our tours cater to a wide range of

STUDY
interests, individual tours often have one or more areas TOURS
of particular focus, designed to appeal to travellers with Many of our tour leaders are great teachers, having
specialised interests. Look out for the following icons in worked in universities in Australia and abroad. For
this brochure and on our website. those looking to investigate in even greater depth than
our regular tours, we offer a limited number of study
ARCHAEOLOGY tours to select destinations. Study tours are usually
also residential, and are comprised of lectures, morning
& ANCIENT HISTORY walking tours and site visits and optional afternoon and
evening activities. In order to keep the price reasonable,
study tours tend to use public transport, and there are
MEDIEVAL TO fewer group meals, performances and private visits.
MODERN HISTORY

MUSIC SMALL SHIP

& THEATRE & LAND TOURS
The last two decades have seen an explosion in ocean
cruising, but for many travellers the idea of a 1,000+
ART, ARCHITECTURE passenger vessel and a string of one-day stops in tourist
& DESIGN ports does not make for a satisfying journey. That is
why we have introduced a small number of itineraries
around the Mediterranean that combine an 8-10 day land
INSPIRING itinerary with a small-ship cruise, usually six or seven
LANDSCAPES nights. The land-based component gives you the depth
and pace of our other tours, while the cruise gives you the
benefit of not having to pack and unpack while exploring
GARDENS & places best visited by sea. The ships we choose range
COUNTRY HOUSES from 35-85 passengers, with varying levels of comfort.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) 5

Academy
Travellers

Like-minded travellers
A key component of the Academy Travel experience is you. Over the years we’ve
been fortunate to have built a loyal clientele of interested and interesting travellers –
people who want more from life than just a checklist of ‘must see’ destinations.

Academy Travellers come from all over Australia, and increasingly from overseas.
Most travellers are 55 or older, with the average age in the mid-60s. Academy Travel
presents itself as a ‘cultural’ tour company, so it’s not surprising that many Academy
Travellers have a strong interest in areas such as history, archaeology, fine art,
architecture and design, gardens and music. Repeat clients say that they enjoy the
relaxed style of our tours, the expert leaders and the friendly groups.

No special qualifications are required to join our tours, just a desire to incorporate
genuine intellectual insight into your travels.

Your fitness
In order to get the most from your travels and keep up with the group, a reasonable
level of fitness is required. Each destination has specific requirements, so you should
check carefully with our travel managers if you are in doubt about your ability to fully
participate. To help guide you, we have graded our tours.

GRADE 1 – REASONABLE FITNESS

A reasonable level of fitness is required. You will need to be able to walk for a few
hours at a gentle pace, remain standing in museums and galleries, get on and off
coaches, trains and boats unassisted. Residential and long stay tours are sometimes
Grade 1 because you can more easily choose to take time out from the itinerary than
on other tours.

GRADE 2 – GOOD FITNESS

The most common grading for our tours. Grade 2 itineraries have all the requirements
of Grade 1, plus a number of sites that require extra fitness – moving around uneven
archaeological sites, climbing hills to enter towns or historic sites, walks of five
kilometres or more. You need to have good mobility and aerobic fitness.

GRADE 3 – EXCELLENT FITNESS

A Grade 3 tour is one where more than a third of the days on the itinerary include
quite physically demanding activities. Unless you have excellent mobility and
endurance, you will not get value from a Grade 3 tour and should not travel.

Look out for the star grading and key requirements on each tour.

6 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

Travelling with
Academy…
My first tour with Academy
Travel overturned all my
preconceptions about group
travel. In 2014, I travelled on
the City of Rome tour which
was fantastic – getting to
know the many layers of this
extraordinary city – and I have
since enjoyed four other tours
with Academy Travel.

The quality of the tour leaders

is exceptional; generous
in the way they share
their knowledge – which is
considerable – enthusiastic
about the countries we visit
and the cultures we encounter,
they have made each of my
tours memorable.

The joy of travelling with like-

minded people, whether on
a music, art or archaeology
tour, and being guided by
knowledgeable and engaging
experts has, for me, spoiled
the idea of solo travel.

Next stop is Japan, and

after that I will work my way
through northern Italy, the
south of France and Iran
with Academy.

Robyn Quigley

A photo of Robyn in Oxford, UK,

enjoying a light snowfall on our
January 2019 London & Paris tour.

7
tour leaders
A wealth of knowledge
Passionate, prepared and professional, our tour leaders bring a world of experience and a wealth of knowledge to your
travels. They have solid postgraduate qualifications, university level teaching and research experience, and a thorough
knowledge of destinations.
If you are thinking about travelling with us, we encourage you to find out as much as possible about your tour leader.
Our website contains extended biographies and details of upcoming public lectures by our tour leaders. We also publish
blogs and interviews by our tour leaders, so you can get a feel for their knowledge and approach to their subject area.

DR ANITA ARCHER ELENA ORTEGA

A specialist on Chinese art, with more than A practicing painter and expert on the art
20 years’ experience as an auctioneer and of Spain, with degrees from the University
consultant in Australia and abroad. of Sydney and the National Art School.
See: Page 77 See: Pages 29, 87, 91

DR ANNA LEBOVIC DR ESTELLE LAZER

An historian and educator, with a An archaeologist with an international
doctorate on the history of America’s reputation for her work on the human
pre-eminent fashion magazine, Vogue. victims of Pompeii in southern Italy.
See: Page 64 See: Pages 17, 19, 40

ANN MACARTHUR GEOFF WINESTOCK

One of Australia’s foremost experts in Son of refugees from the former Soviet
Japanese art and culture, she has over 20 Union, he works as a journalist and lived
years’ experience as a museum educator. in Moscow for seven years.
See: Page 78 See: Page 35

BEN CHURCHER GERALD DESLANDES

An educator and practicing archaeologist, A former curator and cultural historian,
who works both in Jordan and with he spent 20 years as the director of five
Aboriginal sites in Australia. contemporary art galleries in the UK.
See: Pages 71, 75 See: Page 34

CHLOË SAYER GILLIAN HOVELL

A specialist in the art and culture of A published historian and
Mexico, she has curated exhibitions archaeologist, with extensive
and published numerous books on experience in lecturing and leading
this vibrant country. tours to the ancient world.

CHRIS BRADLEY DR JENI RYDE

An historian specialising in the religion and A linguist and art history specialist, with
art of the Middle East and North Africa, a PhD focusing on Tourism, Heritage and
having spent several years in Arabia. Renaissance Studies.
See: Pages 68,75 See: Pages 13, 19, 38, 39, 45

DR CHRIS CARTER DR JENNY LAWLESS

An indigenous and historical Former Inspector of History for the NSW
archaeologist, actively involved in Board of Studies, with expertise spanning
research in the Atacama region of Chile. Modern and Ancient History.
See: Pages 84,88 See: Pages 40, 74

CHRISTOPHER MENZ DR JOHN TIDMARSH

A former art museum director and curator, An archaeologist, former lecturer and
with expertise in the arts and music current Co-Director of the University of
throughout Europe, the USA and Australia. Sydney excavations at Pella in Jordan.
See: Pages 25, 28, 46, 51, 83 See: Pages 31, 32, 70

8 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 JUDY TENZING ROBERT GAY
An historian with a passion for and deep One of Australia’s leading music tour
knowledge of the history, music, textiles leaders and music educators, he has
and literature of South Asia. designed and led more than 90 tours.
See: Page 81 See: Pages 48, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58

DR KATHLEEN OLIVE DR ROBERT MITCHELL

A literary and cultural historian with a PhD A highly experienced tour leader and
from the University of Sydney, with particular singer, he is a veteran of almost 5,000
expertise in Italy, Spain and Japan. performances in over 120 operas.
See: Pages 14, 18, 26, 37, 79, 85 See: Page 53

LINDY MONTGOMERY ROBERT VEEL

A graduate of the University of Sydney A cultural historian and founding director
and the Sydney Conservatorium of of Academy Travel, with a strong interest
Music, where she taught musicology in visual arts, architecture and music.
for 13 years. See: Pages 16, 24, 33, 80, 86

LUCIA GAHLIN ROYNA MCNAMARA

An Egyptologist with a wealth of A musician, educator and conductor, with
experience as an educator, researcher, degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium
archaeologist and museum curator. of Music and the University of Sydney.
See: Page 69 See: Pages 50, 54

DR MATTHEW DAL SANTO DR STEPHEN WILKINSON

A writer, historian and foreign affairs Chairman of the International
commentator, with Honours degrees from Institute for the Study of Cuba,
both Sydney and Cambridge Universities. he holds a PHD on the subject
See: Pages 27, 43, 73 of Cuban literature.

DR MATTHEW LAING DR SOPHIE OOSTERWIJK

A political scientist and expert in US A Dutch art historian who
history, with a doctorate on the history specialises in Medieval, Flemish
of the United States presidency. and Dutch art, with a PhD in
See: Pages 44, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66 Art History.

DR MICHAEL ADCOCK STUART BARRIE

An historian who specialises in 18th to A social historian and founding director
20th century Europe and the political role of Academy Travel, with strong interests
of art in times of rapid social change. in the history and architecture of the USA.
See: Page 36 See: Page 65

MICHAEL TURNER SUE ROLLIN

A garden and art historian, formerly the An archaeologist, historian, author and
Senior Curator of the Nicholson Museum linguist, formerly a tutor and lecturer in
at the University of Sydney. Ancient Near Eastern history.
See: Pages 30, 42 See: Page 72

DR MINDY MACLEOD THOMAS ABBOTT

A specialist in Swedish and Old Norse Specialises in the music, art and
language and literature with two masters architecture of Germany, studied in the USA
degrees and a PhD on runic epigraphy. and Paris, and has lived in Berlin since 1987.
See: Page 41 See: Page 90

DR NICK GORDON DR TOM FORD

A cultural historian with a PhD in History, A specialist in classical music, with a PhD
and practicing painter who brings this on Mozart, he is currently PR and media
passion to the visual arts. manager for Universal Music Australia.
See: Pages 15, 20, 21, 23, 92 See: Page 49

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 9

Where to from here?

Express your Website listing Detailed itinerary

interest As soon as we have confirmed a tour’s Around 12 months before departure
dates, price, tour leader and itinerary we will publish a detailed itinerary
We announce tours up to 24 months we will publish it on our website. with precise details of the daily
before departure. If you register your At this point the tour becomes open program, accommodation,
interest we will keep you updated on for booking. land travel and included meals,
plans, let you know when bookings are performances etc. We will publish
open, and update you on any changes. this on our website and send
a copy to those who have
expressed interest.

Reading list, Booking Hold a place

lectures, blogs, In order to guarantee a place on a tour If you want to join a tour, but need

tour notes
you need to complete an online or paper to consult fellow travellers, organise
booking form and submit it, together flights or check with family, we can
with a $500 per person deposit. We hold a place for you, obligation free,
We’ll send you a reading/viewing list will confirm your place on the tour for up to seven days. Please note that
for your tour and let you know if your immediately and follow up with a this is not a confirmed booking. Some
tour leader is presenting a public welcome letter and other materials. tours fill extremely quickly, making
lecture or has published a blog. Your this a handy feature.
pre-departure materials will include
detailed tour notes.

Updates Final payment Travel

If there are any changes to an Full and final payment is due documents
itinerary, we will let you know two months before the tour
as soon as possible. For music starts. Payment can be made by We’ll send you personal travel and
and theatre tours, we will send direct deposit or by credit card, transfer documents, a daily schedule,
you updates on performances subject to bank fees. hotel and emergency contacts about
as soon as they are available. a month before the tour starts.

Evaluation The best bit.

About a month after the
tour we’ll send you an online
evaluation form. Your opinions
on our tours are vital for us to
identify issues and ensure the
ongoing quality of our tours.
Our tour leaders and mangers
also submit detailed reports.

10 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Academy Travel service

Meet our team

LYNSEY JENKINS –
CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER
Have you thought about?
If you call our office or make a general email Academy Travel is more than just a tour operator. We are
enquiry, Lynsey is likely to be the first person also a full-service travel agency who can assist you with
you deal with. Lynsey manages our client all aspects of your travel.
records and enjoys watching the customer
journey from enquiry to evaluation. Born FLIGHTS
and raised in England, Lynsey recently We can book you on our recommended airline for a tour,
travelled on our Singapore Art Week tour. or the airline of your choice.

JAMAL FAIRBROTHER – TRANSFERS

GROUP TRAVEL MANAGER If you book your flights with Academy Travel, we will
After travelling the world, five years ago arrange complimentary transfers to the tour starting
New Zealand-born Jamal decided to join the point. These may be individual or group, coach, hire car
travel industry and has settled down to life or taxi.
at Academy Travel. He still enjoys adventure
destinations and recently travelled to Sicily PRE-TOUR ARRIVAL
with an Academy Travel group.
In order to relax and recover after the long flight, many
travellers choose to arrive at the destination a few days
REBECCA FUSSELL – before the tour gets underway. We can arrange flights,
GROUP TRAVEL MANAGER pre-tour accommodation and transfers for this.
An enthusiastic traveller before she joined the
industry, Rebecca has a thorough knowledge ADDITIONAL TRAVEL
of Europe, including some of its remote corners Our staff have a great knowledge of the destinations
such as Montenegro, Bulgaria and Romania. we work in. We are happy to plan and book additional
She enjoys art and architecture, but also the travel before or after your Academy Travel tour, and can
charm of small villages, hiking, and local food. suggest activities and accommodation that match your
needs and interests.
KATHY WARDROP –
GROUP TRAVEL MANAGER INSURANCE
Kathy has decades of experience as a travel We work with the major Australian travel insurance
manger, but also enjoys personal travel. Most providers. Regular travellers should also investigate
recently she has walked a large section of the annual policies. Comprehensive insurance is a ‘must
Camino de Santiago in Spain and has taken have’ for pre-paid group travel.
a cultural trip to New York. A self-confessed
‘detail freak’, Kathy enjoys talking to clients
about their individual plans.

JEMMA YORK –
GROUP TRAVEL MANAGER
Jemma has worked as a travel manager for
10 years. Her most recent adventures took her
to Italy, Israel, Jordan and Malta. Jemma also
has an excellent knowledge of Central and
South America.

HANNAH KLEBOE –
GROUP TRAVEL MANAGER
Hannah has been with Academy Travel
for 10 years, but with two young children,
she’s working behind the scenes for a while.
Hannah’s passion is for the Ibero-Hispanic
world. As well as working with travellers,
she develops our tours to Spain, Portugal
and Latin America.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) 11

ITALY
Academy Travel began
by offering small-group
cultural tours to Italy,
and these remain a
cornerstone of our
operations.

Venice’s Piazza San Marco,

with a view towards the Basilica
and Campanile.
 Grand Tour of Italy
Naples, Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence & Venice

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
April 14 – May 1, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,870 pp, twin share
$2,170 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Jeni Ryde “Was a great
leader with boundless
enthusiasm.” – Sicily,
January 2019

INCLUSIONS
17 nights’ accommodation in
centrally located 4-star hotels. All
breakfasts and 8 lunches or dinners.
All ground transport, entrance fees
and tipping.
Enjoy the fascinating history, art and culture of Italy, THEMES
from the Romans to the Renaissance and beyond, with Archaeology & Ancient History
special meals and private visits not available on most tours.
Medieval to Modern History

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Art, Architecture & Design

Experience the wonders of Italy in style, > Europe’s premier archaeological
from the splendour of the ancient world sites at Pompeii and Herculaneum; FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
in Rome and the Bay of Naples to the splendid Greek temples at Paestum Grade 2: Challenging slopes
masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence > Outstanding Roman antiquities at and steps at archaeological sites;
and the unique art and architecture of the Naples Archaeological Museum cobblestone streets; bridges and
Venice. The great sites of Italy, including boats in Venice.
> Classical and Renaissance Rome at
Pompeii and the Vatican Museums, are
complemented by less-visited glories, such
the Colosseum and Forum, and the START & FINISH
collections of the Vatican Museums
as the mosaics of Ravenna and the medieval The tour begins at Rome Fiumicino
> Italy’s leading art museums, including Airport and ends at Venice Marco
towns of Umbria, and exclusive experiences the Galleria Borghese, Florence’s Uffizi
such as a private viewing of St Mark’s Polo airport. Emirates and Qatar
and the Accademia in Venice Airways offer direct flights into Rome
Basilica. Enjoy Italy’s renowned regional
> Feast on fine food and wine as we for our group transfer to Sorrento,
specialities and fine wines at carefully
explore Umbria’s rolling hills and and out of Venice for this tour.
selected restaurants.
rural villages Contact us for quotes and bookings.
> Private after-hours tour of St Mark’s
Basilica to witness the illumination
of the mosaics

ITINERARY
Venice (3)
Day 1: Arrive in Rome and transfer to Naples.
Italy Ravenna Days 2–4: Explore the Bay of Naples,
with walking tours and visits to Pompeii,
Herculaneum and Paestum.
Assisi Days 5–7: Visit the Archaeological Museum
Florence (3)
in Naples. Travel to Rome, with walking tours
Siena Montefalco (4) through its historic piazzas, art galleries,
Spoleto classical sites and Vatican Museums.
Rome (3)
Days 8–11: Four nights in Umbria, exploring
its medieval villages and hidden valleys.
Days 12–14: Travel via Gothic Siena to Florence,
Naples surveying key sites of the Italian Renaissance.
Sorrento (4) Days 15–18: On to romantic Venice, via
Ravenna’s brilliant Byzantine mosaics.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 13

Lakes & Villas
of Northern Italy
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
April 19 – May 3, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,340 pp, twin share
$2,520 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Kathleen Olive
“Is delightful, inspirational,
energetic, full of stories,
anecdotes and exceptional
knowledge, a fun tour leader. Happy
to be a member of her future tour(s).”
– Art Cities of Tuscany, January 2019

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 8 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees and tipping.
Enjoy the unique combination of art, design and nature
in Italy’s north, from Renaissance villas to extraordinary
THEMES
baroque gardens and stunning alpine scenery.
Medieval to Modern History

Art, Architecture & Design OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

The villas and gardens of the Italian lakes > The villas and gardens of Lake Como
Inspiring Landscapes are as spectacular as the alpine landscape in bloom: Villa Melzi, Villa Carlotta
surrounding them. This 15-day tour visits and Villa Balbianello
Gardens & Country Houses many of the finest villas and gardens > Asolo and Mantua: the surprising
of northern Italy, from the shores of histories of their Renaissance courts
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS Lake Como, with their elegant villas and > Elegant Vicenza and Palladio’s
Grade 2: Step in and out of exuberant displays of springtime blooms, extraordinary vision for its palaces
boats; some uneven surfaces. to the Renaissance country villas and town and country villas
houses of Andrea Palladio in the Veneto.
START & FINISH The tour concludes on Lake Maggiore,
> The fascinating towns of Lake Garda,
The tour begins and ends at Milan the little-visited Lake Lugano and
best known for the baroque splendour of tranquil Lake Orta
Malpensa airport. Qatar, Singapore, Isola Bella, and enjoys the lakes, villas and
Emirates and Etihad airlines all offer > Excellent regional cuisine and wine,
gastronomy of the region at a gentle pace.
connections to Milan Malpensa including lunches at Villa d’Este and in
airport from most Australian cities. scenic Valdobbiadene, home of prosecco
Contact us for quotes and bookings. > The Borromean Islands: baroque
masterpieces on Lake Maggiore

ITINERARY
Days 1–4: Explore Lake Como by boat, visiting
Villa Balbianello and Villa Melzi, with lunch at switzerland
the Villa d’Este. Day trip from Bellagio to Lugano.
Days 5–6: From Vicenza, discover Mantegna LAKE LAKE ITALY
MAGGIORE COMO
and Giulio Romano’s Mantua, and Palladio’s
Bellagio (4) LAKE
town houses and theatre. Stresa (3) LAKE GARDA
Days 7–9: In fairytale Asolo, enjoy fine ISEO (2
) Asolo (3)
Lake Iseo e
gastronomy in the Valdobbiadene and on a
a rd ron
G V e
Veronese and Palladio’s country villas. Vicenza (2)
Milan
Days 10–11: On Lake Garda, explore the Italian
villa tradition from ancient to modern.
Mantua
Days 12–15: Travel to Stresa via Lake Iseo.
Experience the extraordinary villas and gardens
of Lake Maggiore and enjoy the tranquillity of
Lake Orta.

14 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 North East Italy
The Dolomites, Friuli & the Veneto

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
September 9-24, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,910 pp, twin share
$1,780 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Nick Gordon “Was very
interesting, personable and
well-informed.” – Venice
Biennale, June 2019

INCLUSIONS
15 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 8 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees and tipping.

THEMES
From prehistoric icemen to the brilliance of Renaissance
Archaeology & Ancient History
art and the tragedy of World War I, all set in the majestic
landscapes of Friuli, the Dolomites and the Veneto. Medieval to Modern History

Art, Architecture & Design

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
The mountains and foothills of north- > Undiscovered history in north-east Italy, Inspiring Landscapes
east Italy have long served as a natural from Ötzi the prehistoric Ice Man to
frontier between northern Europe and the Lombard Cividale FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Mediterranean, yet the diverse and proudly > Giotto’s technical brilliance and colourful Grade 2: Long coaching days;
distinct cultures that have emerged from innovation in Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel some uneven surfaces; some steep
this history remain relatively unknown. > Villas and gardens of the Venetian hill/mountain towns.
From prehistoric Ötzi the Ice Man to the terraferma, from Palladio and the Brenta
Lombards in Cividale, the emergence Canal to baroque exuberance at the Villa START & FINISH
of the Renaissance in Venetian art and Barbarigo Valsanzibio The tour begins at Venice airport
architecture, and the tragedy of World War > Spectacular scenery around Cortina and concludes in our hotel in Padua.
I, go beyond the well-worn tourist trails of d’Ampezzo and Bolzano, two charming Emirates and Qatar offer flights
Italy on this new 16-day tour to Friuli, the in and out of Venice from most
towns nestled in the Dolomites
Veneto and the Dolomites. Australian cities. Contact us for
> On the trail of Venice’s greatest painters: quotes and bookings.
Titian in Pieve di Cadore, Giorgione in
Castelfranco, Tiepolo in Udine
> Iconic Italian gastronomy, from prosecco
and prosciutto to the northern cuisine
of the Dolomites

ITINERARY
Days 1–4: Arrive in Venice and transfer to Udine.
Cortina d’Ampezzo (2) Discover Tiepolo in Udine and “Austria by the
sea” in Trieste.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Bolzano (3) Lagazuoi Days 5–6: From Cortina, trace Titian’s origins
and encounter the tragedy of World War I in the
ITALY Spilimbergo
Trento spectacular Dolomites.
Follina (2)
Rovereto Udine (4) Days 7–9: In Bolzano, marvel at Ötzi the Ice
Valdobbiadene
Palmanova Man, a mummy preserved for millennia by
Castelfranco Veneto
glacial ice. Explore Trento.
Trieste
Days 10–12: Marvel at modern art in Rovereto,
Padua (4) traverse the “Prosecco Road” and follow Palladio
Venice
along the Brenta Canal.
Euganean Hills
Days 13–16: From Padua, meet Giotto in the
Scrovegni Chapel, Galileo at the university, and
Petrarch in the Euganean Hills.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 15

Palermo & Naples
Italy’s Southern Capitals

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
January 7-20, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$7,150 pp, twin share
$1,290 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Veel “Was
humorous, very
knowledgeable and had
an attention to detail that
was quite exemplary. He was quite
meticulous and extremely well
organised. One of the best tour
leaders I’ve ever had the pleasure of
travelling with.” – Palermo & Naples,
January 2018

INCLUSIONS
12 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
Visit Italy’s two southern capitals, each an ancient and
hotels and 1 night aboard a ferry. All remarkable mix of cultures, spanning more than 3,000 years
breakfasts and 8 lunches or dinners.
Palermo-Naples overnight ferry,
of European civilisation.
Rome-Palermo flight, all ground
transport, entrance fees and tipping. OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
THEMES Explore the extraordinary art and culture > Well-preserved ancient sites: Segesta,
of Palermo and Naples on this 14-day Paestum and Herculaneum
Archaeology & Ancient History tour, from their Greek origins to the > Impressive Arab-Norman mosaics,
Normans and Bourbons. The tour begins including Monreale’s splendid cathedral
Art, Architecture & Design in Palermo, a capital whose vibrance > Little-visited but world-famous
is evident everywhere from the fusion artworks in Caravaggio’s Naples and
Residential Tours
of Greek, Arabic, Norman, Italian and the Capodimonte Museum
Spanish cultures to its wonderful cuisine,
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS and includes day trips to Segesta and
> Private visit to Palazzo Lanza Tomasi,
Grade 2: Only two hotels; home of Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di
Cefalù. The tour then explores the art Lampedusa, author of the Sicilian literary
challenging archaeological sites; and archaeology of the Bay of Naples,
overnight ferry. masterpiece The Leopard
visiting Herculaneum and Paestum,
> Palermo and Naples’ delightful cuisines,
START & FINISH the stunning Amalfi Coast and the
including tastings of regional specialties
impressive collections at Capodimonte
The tour begins and ends at Rome and excellent local wines
Museum and the National Archaeological
Fiumicino airport. Emirates, Etihad > Off-season travel: low visitor numbers
Museum. A feast for the senses!
Airways and Qatar Airways offer and mild weather
direct flights to Rome for our
continuing group flight to Palermo,
and return coach from Naples.
Contact us for quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Day 1: Group flight from Rome to Palermo.
Days 2–6: Explore Palermo, including its World
Rome
Heritage-listed Arab-Norman mosaics. Visit the Italy
home of author Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
(The Leopard); Greek temples and Byzantine
Naples (6)
mosaics on day trips to Segesta and Cefalù. Herculaneum Paestum
Days 7–13: Travel to Naples, explore the
exceptional collections at the National
Archaeological Museum and Capodimonte.
1
Visit Roman Herculaneum and travel along
the spectacular Amalfi coast to Greek
Paestum. Get to know Caravaggio and enjoy a Palermo (6)
performance at the historic Teatro San Carlo. Cefalù
Segesta
Day 14: Transfer to Rome airport for flights
home.

16 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Puglia to Pompeii
Classical Southern Italy

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Feb 27 – Mar 13, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,880 pp, twin share
$1,920 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Estelle Lazer “Has a
great knowledge of the
sites, a passion to pass
on her interests, a great
rapport with travellers, other guides
and site personnel, boundless energy
and a lovely sense of humour.”
– Puglia to Pompeii, October 2018

INCLUSIONS
16 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 9 lunches
Take the road less travelled through southern Italy or dinners. Rome-Brindisi flight,
– brimming with ancient and medieval sites and all ground transport, entrance fees
and tipping.
outstanding natural scenery.
THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Archaeology & Ancient History
Take ‘the road less travelled’ through Puglia > The medieval castles and cathedrals of
and Basilicata and on to the stunning Puglia, built by Norman and German rulers Medieval to Modern History
scenery and renowned archaeological sites > The battlefield of Cannae, where
of the Bay of Naples. This tour begins with Hannibal defeated the Romans in 216 BC
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
the fascinating history of southern Italy, Grade 2: Challenging
> The unique ‘sassi’ cave dwellings in the
from the cave-dwelling people of Matera to archaeological sites; uneven
ancient city of Matera, one of Italy’s
ancient Greek colonies, Norman castles and surfaces and stairs.
most remote cities
cathedrals, and elegant Southern Baroque
architecture in Lecce. It then continues to the
> The hidden artistic and architectural START & FINISH
gems of Naples, seen by relatively The tour begins and ends at Rome
Bay of Naples, justly lauded in antiquity for few tourists
its superb scenery and relaxed lifestyle, and Fiumicino airport. Emirates, Etihad,
> Europe’s premier archaeological Qatar and Singapore Airlines offer
today a wonderland of art and archaeology,
sites, including Paestum, Pompeii, the best connections to Rome for our
from Pompeii and Herculaneum to
Herculaneum and Oplontis continuing group flight to Brindisi,
Caravaggio and his followers.
> Capodimonte, the Bourbon royal and with our return coach from
palace housing a remarkable collection Naples. Contact us for quotes
of fine art and bookings.

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Group flight from Rome and arrive
Italy in Lecce, explore the town, Otranto.
Rome Days 4–5: Tour Brindisi and Taranto, see the
‘sassi’ of Matera.
Trani (4)
Days 6–9: In Trani, visit Roman and medieval
Brindisi sites including Barletta. Visit Cannae and
Naples (4)
Matera (2) Castel del Monte and enjoy a full day
Paestum Lecce (3) excursion to Barrie and Bitonto.
Vietri sul Mare (2)
Days 10–11: Visit Venosa and Melfi as we travel
to Vietri sul Mare and spend a day at Paestum.
Days 12–16: Explore the city of Naples,
including the National Archaeological
Museum. Visit key archaeological sites at
Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis, as
well as Capodimonte. Coach to Rome.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 17

Renaissance Courts
of Northern Italy
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Sep 29 – Oct 13, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,890 pp, twin share
$1,940 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Kathleen Olive “Is an
exceptional tour leader:
intelligent, extremely
knowledgeable, flexible,
good humoured and eternally
patient. She is most adept at
managing the dynamics of a
varied group of people, and at
catering to the needs of individuals
within it.” – Art Cities of Tuscany,
January 2019

INCLUSIONS Survey the lesser-known cultural centres of northern Italy’s

14 nights’ accommodation in 3, 4 Renaissance courts, from Leonardo in Milan to Mantegna’s
and 5-star hotels. All breakfasts
and 6 lunches or dinners. All ground
Mantua and stunning Urbino.
transport, entrance fees and tipping.

THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Travel to some of Italy’s lesser-visited > Leonardo da Vinci’s Milan: The Last
Medieval to Modern History destinations and discover Renaissance Supper, Codex Atlanticus and his impact
princes’ magnificent reinterpretations of on subsequent painters
Art, Architecture & Design ancient Roman glory. From Leonardo da > Magical Urbino, perched on a remote
Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan, to Mantegna’s hill and proud custodian of three
Gardens & Country Houses
celebrated Camera degli Sposi in Mantua masterworks of Piero della Francesca
and the enigmatic Piero della Francesca > The Gonzaga in Mantua, from
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS in Urbino, we survey iconic masterworks Mantegna’s Camera degli Sposi to Giulio
Grade 2: Some long coaching of the Italian Renaissance. The tour takes Romano’s mischievous Mannerism in
days; some uneven surfaces; some in the best of these regions at a gentle Palazzo Te
hilltop towns. pace, including full day trips to enjoy > A full day in Ravenna, preserving the best
Ravenna’s glittering Byzantine mosaics and
START & FINISH historic Ferrara, and meals in some fine
examples of Byzantine mosaic from the
5th and 6th centuries
The tour begins at our hotel in Milan gastronomic establishments – all in the
and ends in our hotel in Bologna.
> Northern Italy’s iconic terroir, from the
beautiful landscapes of northern Italy.
Emirates offers flights into Milan DOC wines of vine-covered hills to truffles,
and out of Bologna from most pasta fresca and balsamic vinegar
Australian cities. Contact us for
quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Arrive Milan, explore Leonardo’s city,
including his Last Supper. ITALY
Milan (3)
Days 4–7: From Mantua, survey the small but
splendid northern courts, from Mantegna and Mantua (4)
Giulio Romano’s frescoes, to Parmigianino in
Fontanellato and elegant Ferrara.
Days 8–10: Travel to hilltop Urbino in the Modena Ferrara
green heart of Le Marche. Examine Piero della
Bologna (4) Ravenna
Francesca’s most famous works; discover tiny
San Marino and Gradara. San Rimini
Marino
Days 11–15: In Bologna, explore the
Renaissance’s medieval origins, from the Urbino (3)
splendour of “Dark Age” Ravenna, to the revival
of sculpture in Modena and Bologna’s modern-
day renaissance as Italy’s gastronomic capital.

18 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

Sicily & the Aeolian Islands
Jewels of the Mediterranean

MORE MAR OCT

DEPARTURES
March 27 – April 12, 2020
Oct 16 – Nov 1, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,380 pp, twin share
$1,850 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Jeni Ryde (Mar)
“She always had a positive
attitude and was a delight
to deal with.” – Sicily,
January 2019
Dr Estelle Lazer (Oct)
“It was a privilege to see
the tour in her company, so
kind, knowledgeable and
always looking out for everyone.”
From Greek temples to medieval mosaics, Sicily showcases – Puglia to Pompeii, March 2019

more than 3,000 years of Mediterranean civilisation, INCLUSIONS

all set amid active volcanoes and glorious coastlines. 16 nights’ accommodation in
4-star hotels. All breakfasts and 9
lunches or dinners. Rome-Catania-
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Rome flights, all ground transport,
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands have a > A scenic private boat trip of the Aeolian entrance fees and tipping.
remarkable history and culture that is a Islands, from Lipari to Stromboli and
blend of Mediterranean civilisations. From Panarea
THEMES
the well-preserved remains of Greek and > Outstanding archaeological museums Archaeology & Ancient History
Roman cities and temples, to Norman in Siracusa, Agrigento and Lipari
cathedrals with fine Byzantine mosaics and Medieval to Modern History
> The Sicilian Baroque architecture of
Arab-influenced cuisine, the island’s unique Noto and Ragusa that evolved in the
and varied history is tangible. This 17-day Inspiring Landscapes
17th and 18th centuries
tour has been designed to give the first-time
visitor an overview of Sicily’s diverse and
> The exceptionally well-preserved FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
4th-century mosaics in the imperial
fascinating past, its art and traditions, and Grade 2: Challenging
Roman villa at Piazza Armerina
shows how the extraordinary landscape – archaeological sites; uneven
> The UNESCO World Heritage-listed surfaces and many stairs.
volcanoes, rugged coastlines and the jewel-
mosaics in the cathedral of Monreale and
like sea – has shaped the island’s vibrant
history and culture.
Palatine Chapel in Palermo, undertaken by START & FINISH
Byzantine masters for their Norman rulers The tour begins and ends at Rome
> An excursion to the summit of Mt Etna Fiumicino airport. Emirates, Etihad,
Qatar and Singapore Airlines all
offer suitable connections to Rome
for our continuing group flight to
and from Catania. Contact us for
quotes and bookings.
Stromboli
ITINERARY
Days 1–4: Group flight from Rome. Arrive in
Lipari Islands (3)
(Aeolian Islands) Siracusa, tour archaeological sites and the old
Palermo (4) town. Day trip to Noto and Ragusa.
Messina Days 5–6: Travel to the Greek temples at
Segesta
Selinunte Cefalu Agrigento via the Roman villa at Piazza Armerina.
Mt Etna Days 7–10: Explore the capital Palermo,
Sicily Taormina (3)
including Monreale, the Norman Palace and
Piazza Armerina Palatine Chapel. Visit the tiny island of Mozia.
Agrigento (2) Catania
Days 11–13: Continue on to Cefalù en route
to the Aeolian Islands. Take a private boat trip
Siracusa (4) from Lipari to Stromboli and Panarea.
Ragusa
Noto Days 14–17: From Taormina visit the Greco-
Roman theatre and Mount Etna, before taking
a group flight to Rome.
Optional pre-tour extension to Malta.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 19

Umbria & Southern Tuscany
Gems of Central Italy

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
May 9-22, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$7,370 pp, twin share
$1,610 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Nick Gordon “Gave us
such insight into the culture
of Italian life as well as
politics, religion and food!
Such a good, caring man.” – Easter
in Umbria & Tuscany, March 2018

INCLUSIONS
13 nights’ accommodation in 4 and
5-star hotels. All breakfasts and
6 lunches or dinners. All ground
transport, entrance fees and tipping.
Take the road less travelled to some of Italy’s most beautiful
THEMES and historic medieval towns, and enjoy a wealth of ancient
Medieval to Modern History sites, Renaissance art and superb regional food and wine.
Art, Architecture & Design
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Inspiring Landscapes Umbria and southern Tuscany are home > Beautiful medieval hill towns, including
to some of Italy’s most beautiful medieval Spoleto, Orvieto and Montefalco
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS towns, such as Montefalco and Pienza, > Roman Carsulae and Etruscan
Grade 2: Walking tours of hill
and elegant regional centres, including Rosselae, splendid ancient towns off
towns; uneven surfaces. Perugia, Arezzo and Spoleto. The region the tourist track
brims with history, from Etruscan and > The rich artisanal traditions of Perugia,
START & FINISH Roman archaeological sites to magnificent from stained glass to textiles, and
The tour begins and ends at Rome Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto, Deruta’s renowned Majolica pottery
Fiumicino airport. Emirates, Etihad Perugino, Piero della Francesca, Benozzo > Italian art from medieval masterpieces
Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qatar and Gozzoli and Filippo Lippi. Discover Italy’s to Renaissance gems, many of which
Singapore Airlines offer the best green heart and enjoy its rich artisanal and are still in situ
connections to Rome from most culinary traditions on this new 14-day tour,
> Elegant regional centres and wonderful
Australian cities. Contact us for taking in the best this less-touristed region
wine regions, from the soft, rich reds of
quotes and bookings. has to offer the cultural traveller.
Montefalco to the acclaimed wines of
Montalcino
> Vision and vitality, from Renaissance
Pienza to Iris Origo’s garden at La Foce

ITINERARY Sansepolcro
Arezzo (3)
Days 1–3: Transfer by coach from Rome to
Spoleto, discover Umbria’s ancient heritage Cortona
and medieval and Renaissance life in Spoleto. Perugia (4)
Days 4–7: Explore medieval hill towns, Pienza (3) Assisi
including Spello, Montefalco and Assisi, and
their Renaissance masterpieces. Discover the
artisanal traditions of Perugia and Deruta: Orvieto Spoleto (3)
ceramics, textiles and stained glass.
Days 8–10: Visit Lake Trasimene and Cortona, ITALY
explore Arezzo and encounter the art and
life of Piero della Francesca at Monterchi
and Sansepolcro.
Days 11–14: Visit Iris Origo’s La Foce, Etruscan
Rosselae, Renaissance Pienza and Orvieto. Rome
Transfer to Rome airport for departure.

20 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Venice
City, Republic & Empire

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 4-18, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$7,680 pp, twin share
$1,760 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Nick Gordon “Is the
consummate tour leader
and provided us with a
trip rich in experiences. His
in-depth knowledge of the history and
culture of the region and especially
his understanding of art made this
a great learning experience.”
– Florence, Ravenna & Venice,
April 2018

INCLUSIONS
Unpack your bags and explore the history, art and 14 nights’ accommodation in one
architecture of the city that ruled the Mediterranean central 4-star hotel. All breakfasts
and 6 lunches or dinners. All ground
for more than 1,000 years. Timed to avoid the crowds. transport, unlimited use of the
public waterbus service, entrance
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS fees and tipping.
Unpack your bags for 15 days and discover > A legendary lunch at Locanda Cipriani THEMES
the city that ruled the Mediterranean for on the island of Torcello
1,000 years. From a family-run four-star Medieval to Modern History
> Glittering 5th- and 6th-century mosaics
hotel just a few minutes from St Mark’s in Ravenna, echoes of the Ostrogoths Art, Architecture & Design
Square, this tour explores the art, history and and of Byzantium
culture of Venice, and uncovers the depth of > The baroque surrounds of opera Residential Tours
Venice’s influence with day trips to Ravenna, at Venice’s rebuilt La Fenice
Padua and the Palladian villas of the Veneto. > The colours of Carpaccio, Bellini, Titian FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
The tour also takes in quiet lagoon islands, and Veronese in palaces and churches
including Byzantine Torcello and Armenian Grade 1: One hotel; walking tours
> The most complete cycle of Giotto’s with stairs and bridges; stepping in
San Lazzaro, and dines at some of Venice’s
work, in Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel and out of boats.
best restaurants. The off-season travel period
> Outstanding contemporary art at the
means fewer crowds and cruise ships.
Ca’ d’Oro and the Punta della Dogana
START & FINISH
> Harmonious Palladian villas of the The tour begins and ends at Hotel Al
Codega, Venice. Emirates and Qatar
Renaissance in and around Vicenza
Airways offer the best connections
between Australian cities and Venice.
Contact us for bookings and quotes.

ITINERARY
Vicenza
Days 1–3: Orient yourself with a trip around
the lagoon, to Burano and Torcello, and visits
to key state history museums.
Venice (14)
Day 4: Day trip to Ravenna.
Day 5: Explore medieval and early Renaissance
Padua Venice – the world of merchants and Crusades.
Day 6: Day trip to Padua.
Days 7–10: Tour the Ghetto’s synagogues,
admire fine art in the Accademia, Frari and
Italy Scuola di San Rocco. Baroque exuberance in
fine house museums.
Day 11: Day trip to Vicenza and Palladio’s villas.
Ravenna Days 12–15: Modern art at the Guggenheim,
glass on Murano. The islands of San Lazzaro
and San Giorgio Maggiore.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 21

EUROPE
& RUSSIA
Our range of cultural
tours to Europe and
Russia is designed to
explore the history, art
and architecture of the
continent in a way that is
more relaxed than most
European trips, but at the
same time offering depth
and focus.

A view over Granada, Andalusia,

from the 13th-century palace
complex of the Alhambra,
meaning “red city” in Arabic.
 Art Along the Rhine
Strasbourg to Cologne

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
June 17-29, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,260 pp, twin share
$1,910 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Nick Gordon “Is a very
kind person who quietly
and efficiently handles
everything, including all
that wonderful knowledge imparted
with such good grace.” – Art Along
the Rhine, June 2017

INCLUSIONS
12 nights’ accommodation in 4
and 5-star hotels. All breakfasts
and 6 lunches or dinner. All ground
Take the time to properly explore elegant riverine cities transport, entrances fees and tipping.
from Strasbourg to Aachen, enjoy their wealth of art
THEMES
and understand their complex history.
Medieval to Modern History

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Art, Architecture and Design

The Rhine has been one of Europe’s principal > Magnificent medieval architecture:
trade routes for millennia, and the wealth Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel in FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
it brought is clear in the soaring Gothic Aachen, Gothic cathedrals in Grade 2: Coach travel; walking
cathedrals of Strasbourg and Cologne, Strasbourg and Cologne tours; step in and out of boats.
stunning collections of Old Masters and > Old Masters at Strasbourg’s Museum
modern art, and playful garden palaces. of Fine Arts and Frankfurt’s Staedel
START & FINISH
Behind this rich cultural legacy, however, The tour starts at Zurich airport
> Western Germany’s finest modern art,
is a complex history that is easily missed and finishes at Dusseldorf airport.
including Cologne’s Museum Ludwig,
on a superficial visit: Roman settlement at Emirates and Singapore Airlines
Dusseldorf’s Kunstsammlung and offer direct flights into Zurich
Cologne, Charlemagne’s capital at Aachen, Baden-Baden’s Freider Burda
medieval abbeys, Renaissance intellectual and out of Dusseldorf from most
> The little-told story of the Northern Australian cities. Contact us for
centres such as Gutenberg’s Mainz, and Renaissance: Gutenberg in Mainz, quotes and bookings.
the birth of modern Germany in Goethe’s Germany’s oldest university in Heidelberg
Frankfurt. Delve into the riches of the Rhine
> Varied landscapes, from Alsace’s vine-
and its fascinating history on this 13-day tour.
covered hills to the scenic Middle Rhine,
its spectacular riverside castles and
medieval abbeys

ITINERARY
Dusseldorf Days 1–3: Transfer from Zurich airport to
Cologne (4) Strasbourg, explore the medieval city and its
GERMANY
Aachen
excellent collections; day trip to Colmar.
Boppard
Days 4–5: Visit Baden-Baden; discover Speyer,
Frankfurt (3)
Rudesheim where Holy Roman Emperors are entombed;
and enjoy Heidelberg, the beautiful university
Speyer Heidelberg (2) town on the river Necker.
Days 6–8: Rococo palaces, Renaissance Mainz,
Baden-Baden
Frankfurt’s exceptional art galleries.
Strasbourg (3)
Colmar Days 9–13: Cruise the Middle Rhine, lined with
spectacular medieval castles, then uncover
FRANCE Cologne’s history from Roman origins to thriving
Zurich modern culture. Day trip to Dusseldorf, the
Switzerland pre-eminent centre of modern German art,
then explore Charlemagne’s capital at Aachen.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 23

Bohemia & Bavaria
Prague, České Budějovice, Bamberg, Lindau & Munich

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Sep 25 – Oct 11, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$10,640 pp, twin share
$2,410 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Veel “Has an
excellent knowledge of
his subject but is willing
to allow others to add
information when it is given.” –
Venice: City, Republic & Empire,
March 2019

INCLUSIONS
16 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 8 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport, best
available tickets to three concerts,
Explore the rich historical, artistic and cultural legacy
entrance fees and tipping. of two outstanding European regions, enjoying superb
THEMES natural scenery along the way.
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Music & Theatre The adjoining regions of Bohemia and > Prague’s outstanding art collections,
Bavaria have a shared cultural heritage housed in the city’s historic palaces
Art, Architecture & Design that goes well beyond a reputation > UNESCO World Heritage sites in southern
for excellent beer! This new itinerary Bohemia, including Český Krumlov and a
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS provides the opportunity to explore each selection of castles
Grade 2: Frequent walking region in depth, appreciating the cross- > Scenic drives through Bohemia’s forests
tours; some hills to climb; three long currents of art, history, commerce and along the Moldau River, and to the spa
coach journeys. culture that make this corner of Europe town of Karlsbad
so rewarding. From the turreted castles > Bamberg, one of Germany’s best-preserved
START & FINISH of Prague and Bohemia, travel through cities, a gateway to the artistic treasures
The tour begins at our hotel in Prague hills and forests to Franconia, in northern of Würzburg and Bayreuth
and ends at our hotel in Munich. Bavaria, with its numerous artistic
> Two days amid the superb scenery of
Emirates and Qatar offer suitable treasures. A few days on Lake Constance
Lindau Island and the traditional culture
connections into Prague and out of in southern Bavaria and time in the
Munich from most Australian cities.
of the Bavarian Alps
capital, Munich, complete the picture.
Contact us for quotes and bookings. > The world-class art collections of Munich,
medieval to modern
> At least three performances of orchestral
and vocal music in historic venues

ITINERARY
Days 1–4: In Prague, take walking tours of the Czechia
city’s baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, Bad Berneck Karlovy Vary Prague (4)
visit excellent galleries and attend a concert. Bamberg (4)
Karlštejn
Days 5–7: Staying in a traditional village, visit Bayreuth
the beautiful Bohemian town of eský Krumlov Rothenburg Hluboká
ob der Tauber
and visit the pilgrimage site of Vyšší Brod.
České Budějovice (3)
Days 8–11: Travel to UNESCO World Heritage-
Friedrichshafen

Český Krumlov
listed Bamberg and visit Bayreuth, indelibly
GERMANY
associated with the composer Richard Wagner.
Days 12–13: Travel the Romantic Road south to Munich (3)
Lindau Island on Lake Constance.
Days 14–17: Journey through the Bavarian Alps Lindau (2)

to Munich, to explore the city’s remarkable art Linderhof

and music.

24 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Berlin & Beyond
Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
May 4-17, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$7,950 pp, twin share
$1,820 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Christopher Menz
“Affable at all times and
with the knowledge and
language skills to guide us,
while providing context.” – Berlin &
Beyond, May 2019

INCLUSIONS
13 nights’ accommodation in 4 and
5-star hotels. All breakfasts and
7 lunches or dinners. All ground
transport, best seats available for
Take an in-depth look at one of Europe’s most cultured the performances listed, entrance
and dynamic capitals, and explore nearby Leipzig fees and tipping.
and Dresden. THEMES
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Berlin is one of the most interesting and > An extraordinary range of museums and Music & Theatre
diverse of all the great capitals of Europe, art galleries, including Berlin’s Museum
and is enjoying a major cultural renaissance. Island and Gemäldegalerie Art, Architecture & Design
This two-week residential-style tour takes > Extended stays in Berlin, exploring historic Residential Tours
an in-depth look at Berlin, and the nearby neighbourhoods in the East and West
cities of Potsdam, Dresden and Leipzig. The
tour visits many of Berlin’s internationally
> Rococo architecture and garden design FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
at Frederick the Great’s Sanssouci Palace
renowned cultural institutions, enjoys fine Grade 2: Long hotel stays;
at Potsdam city walking tours; museum visits.
performances in historic venues, and traces > Renaissance Leipzig’s old town, Goethe’s
the history and development of Berlin from “little Paris”, and the scenic countryside START & FINISH
its earliest days through the glory days of surrounding it The tour begins and ends at our
the Prussian and German Empires, to the
> Elegantly restored Dresden and the Berlin hotel. Qatar Airways or
darker days of the 20th century and its
impressive art collections at the Singapore Airlines/Lufthansa offer
rebirth after 1989.
Zwinger Palace the best connections to and from
> Farewell meal atop the Reichstag Berlin from most Australian cities.
with views across Berlin Contact us for quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Days 1–5: Arrive in Berlin, tour the city and
GERMANY Berlin (9) cruise the Spree River from Charlottenburg
Potsdam Palace. Spend two days visiting Museum Island,
explore Potsdam and see the world-class Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra.
Days 6–7: Travel to Leipzig to visit the Museum
of Fine Arts and the Grassi Museum.
Days 8–9: In Dresden, tour the Old Masters
Picture Gallery at the Zwinger Palace and
enjoy the Dresden Festival.
Leipzig (2) Days 10–14: Return to Berlin and visit the
German Resistance Museum, New National
Dresden (2)
Gallery, and the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum
of Contemporary Art. Attend an opera and
enjoy a farewell meal atop the Reichstag.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 25

Burgundy, Provence
& The Riviera
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
May 28 – June 12, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,270 pp, twin share
$2,200 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Kathleen Olive “Travel
leader extraordinaire! With
her knowledge, insight and
humour our visits to sites
were enhanced. Her sense of story is
a delight!” – Burgundy, Provence
& the Riviera, June 2018

INCLUSIONS
15 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 7 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees and tipping.
Explore the art, architecture and gastronomy of France,
from the birth of the Romanesque at Autun and Cluny,
THEMES
to the drama of modern art on the French Riviera.
Archaeology & Ancient History

Medieval to Modern History OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

For centuries, Burgundy, Provence and the > Atmospheric Romanesque architecture,
Art, Architecture & Design Riviera have seduced travellers through a at Cluny, Vézelay and Berzé-la-Ville
blend of medieval and modern cultures > Well-preserved Roman Gaul in Lyon,
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS that is both sophisticated and delightful. Arles and Nîmes, and the celebrated
Grade 2: Some standing in art This 16-day tour begins in Burgundy, a aqueduct of Pont du Gard
galleries; some long coaching days. region renowned for its charming villages, > Cosmopolitan Lyon: vibrant cuisine, world-
vineyards and the birth of majestic
START & FINISH Romanesque architecture. Travelling
class museums and engaging street art
The tour begins at Geneva airport
> Pretty Avignon and the medieval world
south through cosmopolitan Lyon and of the popes and courtiers
and ends at our hotel in Antibes. the Côte d’Azur, we admire fine Roman
Emirates and Qantas offer the best > A world of modern art: Van Gogh in Arles;
ruins, including the Pont du Gard, meet
connections for this tour, flying into Picasso, Matisse and Chagall on the Riviera
the medieval popes in Avignon and visit
Geneva and out of Nice from most exceptional art galleries showcasing the > Lifestyles of the rich and famous at
Australian cities. Contact us for Cap Ferrat’s extravagant Villa Ephrussi
exuberant atmosphere and inspirational
quotes and bookings. de Rothschild
modern colour of the French Riviera.
> France’s premier gastronomic regions,
from fine wines in Burgundy to Riviera
haute cuisine

ITINERARY
Vezelay
Days 1–5: Arrive Dijon; tour Cluny, Vézelay Dijon (4)
and Autun. Visit Beaune’s Hôtel Dieu, home Beaune
to Rogier van der Weyden’s Last Judgement, Switzerland
and Dijon’s Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Geneva
Days 6–8: Tour Lyon’s Roman ruins, enjoy
contemporary Lyonnais art and cuisine. Lyon (3)
Days 9–11: Explore the papal palace in FRANCE
Avignon, the Roman ruins of Nîmes and the
extraordinary Pont du Gard, and walk in Van
Gogh’s footsteps in Arles.
Avignon (4)
Days 12–16: Travel to Antibes via Cézanne’s Saint Paul Nice
Nimes de Vence
Aix-en-Provence. Discover the glittering Côte
Arles
d’Azur at the turn of the 20th century, from Antibes (4)
Aix-en-Provence
the grand villas of the wealthy to museums
dedicated to Chagall and Matisse.

26 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Croatia by land & sea
History, Culture & Islands

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Sep 20 – Oct 5, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$12,640 pp, twin share
$3,790 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Dal
Santo “Was amazing,
conscientious,
knowledgeable and
fascinating!” – Moscow & St.
Petersburg, September 2018

INCLUSIONS
8 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels and 7 nights aboard MV
Antaris. All breakfasts, 8 lunches
and 6 dinners. All ground transport,
Explore Croatia’s history, beautiful towns and stunning entrance fees and tipping.
coastlines in style, including 7 nights cruising on the
MV ANTARIS
19-cabin MV Antaris. The MV Antaris is a brand-new vessel,
launched in May 2019. We have
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS an exclusive charter of this deluxe
cruise ship, holding only 19 luxury
Croatia is blessed with a landscape of > Seven nights on the luxury 19-cabin
cabins. Onboard, the MS Antaris
extraordinary beauty and some of Europe’s MV Antaris, dining al fresco and features a spacious salon-style
most dazzling coastlines. Its history too is swimming in the crystalline Adriatic restaurant and bar, a sundeck with
everywhere apparent, from Greek and Roman > Zagreb and Varaždin, Croatia’s new and sun beds and a jacuzzi to relax in,
colonies to imperial palaces, Byzantine old capitals, with their architectural an outdoor shaded lounge area,
mosaics, medieval fortresses, Venetian gems and beautifully curated galleries and a swimming platform on the
Renaissance towns, and the resurgence of > Outstanding Roman and Byzantine sites back of the vessel. WiFi onboard is
its cities after the ill-fated experiment of in the Mediterranean, including dazzling complimentary throughout.
Yugoslavia. Discover Croatia’s extraordinary mosaics in Poreč and Diocletian’s
past at the meeting point of Venetian, opulent palace at Split
THEMES
Habsburg and Ottoman empires on this new > The gracious former Venetian enclaves Medieval to Modern History
16-day tour. Land-based exploration of Zagreb of Rovinj, Zadar, Trogir and Korčula
and Istria is combined with a private cruise Inspiring Landscapes
> UNESCO World Heritage-listed
of the fabled Dalmatian coast aboard the
Dubrovnik, with its marble streets and
luxuriously-appointed, 19-cabin MV Antaris. Small Ship & Land Tours
elegant Romanesque churches
> The spectacular Bay of Kotor, a limestone
fjord in Montenegro, Croatia’s Orthodox FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
southern neighbour Grade 2: Challenging
archaeological sites; uneven
surfaces and many stairs.

ITINERARY START & FINISH

Slovenia Varazdin
Ljubljana
Days 1–3: Arrive Zagreb and explore the city. The tour begins in our hotel in Zagreb
Zagreb (3) Day trip to Varaždin. and ends in our hotel in Dubrovnik.
Porec (3)
Croatia Days 4–6: Travel to Poreč (Istria) via Ljubljana Qatar, Emirates, Lufthansa and
Opatija
in neighbouring Slovenia. Walking tours of the Qantas all offer suitable connections
Rovinj
Pula spectacular Byzantine mosaics at Euphrasian into Zagreb and out of Dubrovnik
Pag Basilca and the Roman amphitheatre at Pula. from most Australian cities. Contact
Day 7: Travel via Rovinj to the Austro-Hungarian us for quotes and bookings.
Adriatic Sea Zadar
Sebenik
resort town of Opatija. Board the MV Antaris.
Salona Days 8-14: Cruise along the Dalmatian Riviera,
Split
Trogir stopping at Pag, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Korčula
7 Korcula and Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik (2)
Kotor Days 15–16: Disembark MV Antaris. Excursion
to Kotor (Montenegro). In Dubrovnik, explore its
Montenegro marble-lined streets and charming back alleys.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 27

Germany & The Netherlands
Art & Music

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
September 16-29, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,970 pp, twin share
$1,890 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Christopher Menz “Was a
delightful tour leader. His
knowledge and enthusiasm
greatly contributed to my
enjoyment of the trip.” – Berlin &
Beyond, May 2019

INCLUSIONS
13 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 7 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport, best
seats available to the performances
listed, entrance fees and tipping.
Relish in the extraordinary art, architecture and history
of Germany and The Netherlands, and attend performances
THEMES
at world-class venues in congenial company.
Medieval to Modern History

Music & Theatre OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Travel with Australian Book Review, > Seven centuries of European art, from
Art, Architecture & Design Australia’s leading cultural magazine, and medieval treasures to modern works by
relish the extraordinary art, architecture German artists, including Gerhard Richter,
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS and history of Germany and the Josef Beuys and Anselm Kiefer
Grade 2: Historic towns with Netherlands, attending performances > Rembrandt and Vermeer’s masterworks at
some uneven surfaces; evening at world-class venues in congenial Amsterdam’s recently renovated Rijksmuseum
performances; coach travel. company. This 14-day tour travels from > The Dutch Golden Age at the Mauritshuis,
Frankfurt, birthplace of famed writer The Hague
START & FINISH Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, to Cologne, > Lübeck, medieval capital of the Hanseatic
The tour begins at our hotel in Frankfurt Hamburg and Amsterdam, some of League, and its distinguished Gothic in brick
and ends with a group transfer to western Europe’s most dynamic cities.
> Fascinating contemporary art collections,
Amsterdam airport. Qatar, Singapore In each city, we explore rich histories
including Paul Klee and Salvador Dalí at
and Emirates offer direct flights into and fabulous art collections, from Dutch
Düsseldorf’s K20 museum
Frankfurt and out of Amsterdam from Golden Age brilliance to Germany’s
most Australian cities. modern and contemporary masters. > Four performances, including a concert
Four fine performances round out the at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, one
IN CONJUNCTION WITH touring program. of Europe’s premier concert halls

ITINERARY
Days 1–2: Arrive in Frankfurt, explore the city’s Lübeck
art collections at the Städel Museum and take a Hamburg (3)
walking tour including the Goethehaus.
Days 3–6: Travel to Cologne via Bonn to visit the Bremen
Kunst Museum. Admire Cologne Cathedral and NETHERLANDS
visit Augustusburg Castle. Day trip to Düsseldorf
to visit the contemporary art museum K-20.
Days 7–9: In Hamburg, attend a performance Amsterdam (4)

at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and visit The Hague

GERMANY
the Kuntsthalle Hamburg. Day trip to Lübeck. Düsseldorf
Days 10–14: Travel to Amsterdam. Take a city Cologne (4)
walking tour, visit the Van Gogh Museum, Bonn
Stedelijk Museum and survey the masters at
Frankfurt (2)
the Rijksmuseum. Spend the day at The Hague
to visit the Mauritshuis.

28 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Grand Tour of Spain
Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Madrid & Barcelona

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DEPARTURES
April 12-28, 2020
TOUR PRICE FROM
$9,780 pp, twin share
$2,350 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Elena Ortega “Is a gem –
knowledgeable and forever
obliging.” – Grand Tour of
Spain, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
16 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 10 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees and tipping.

THEMES
Travel through the Moorish kingdoms of Andalusia,
Medieval to Modern History
explore imperial Madrid and be energised by
modernista Barcelona. Art, Architecture & Design

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Grade 2: Train travel;
Take a comprehensive tour of Spain and > The 13th-century Alhambra in Granada, archaeological sites and walking
discover its fascinating history, art and a complex of palaces and water gardens tours with some stairs.
traditions. The tour begins by exploring > Cordoba’s renowned Mesquita (mosque),
Granada, Cordoba and Sevilla – great a blend of Visigothic and Islamic art START & FINISH
medieval cities whose cosmopolitanism is > The mighty cathedral and wandering the The tour begins at our hotel in
preserved in their Moorish architecture – Granada and ends at our hotel in
fascinating lanes of Sevilla, the city
and then travel forward in time to Madrid, Barcelona. Emirates and Qatar
of Carmen and Don Juan
capital of a unified Spain whose impressive Airways offer the best connections
> The art collections of the Prado, in and out of Barcelona from most
palaces and museums reflect the power of Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza
an empire that once spanned the Atlantic. Australian cities. A connecting
museums in Madrid Vueling flight is required from
The tour concludes with three days in
> Philip II’s monastery-palace of El Escorial, Barcelona to Granada to begin the
exuberant Barcelona, home to Spain’s finest
the epitome of Spanish imperial power tour, which will coincide with airport-
modernist art and architecture. The tour
> Segovia’s ancient Roman aqueduct, hotel transfers. Contact us for
also showcases the outstanding culinary
proudly dominating this historic town quotes and bookings.
traditions of each region.
> Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família in
Barcelona, in the context of his other works

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Discover Granada, from the Alhambra
to the lime-washed alleyways of the Albaicín
Barcelona (3) and Flemish art in the magnificent cathedral.
spAIN Days 4–6: In Cordoba, explore the Mesquita
and Moorish sophistication at Medina Azahara.
Madrid (4) Days 7–9: Three nights in Sevilla. Visit the
Alcázar, dazzling seat of the Christian kings,
and relax in atmospheric plazas.
Cordoba (3) Days 10–13: In Madrid, tour the Prado, Reina
Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza, Philip II’s El
Sevilla (3) Granada (3)
Escorial and Segovia’s Roman acqueduct.
Days 14–17: Travel to Barcelona, centre
of Catalonian art and culture, from the
Romanesque at MNAC to Gaudí’s flourishing
Modernisme.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 29

Great Gardens of
Cornwall & Devon
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
June 1-10, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$7,495 pp, twin share
$1,950 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Michael Turner “Is a
passionate expert in
gardens and garden
history… charming,
amiable and helpful in every
way.” – Great Gardens of Cornwall
& Devon, June 2019

INCLUSIONS
9 nights’ accommodation in a
combination of boutique and 4 and
5-star hotels. London-Newquay-
London flights, all breakfasts and
Visit small private gardens, great estates, rediscovered
6 lunches or dinners. All ground 18th and 19th-century masterpieces and ultra-modern
transport, entrance fees to sites
and gardens and tipping.
concept gardens.
THEMES OVERVIEW KEY GARDENS VISITED
Inspiring Landscapes From small private gardens to great > Godolphin House, with its medieval gardens
estates, from rediscovered 18th and > Scilly’s Tresco Abbey Gardens
Gardens & Country Houses 19th-century masterpieces to world- > The Lost Gardens of Heligan, tended
famous, ultra-modern concept gardens, by generations of the Tremayne family
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS enjoy the great gardens of Cornwall and > Sir Tim Smit’s Eden Project, an
Grade 2: Uneven garden Devon in their English summer glory. extraordinary exercise in conservation
pathways; countryside and This 10-day tour also takes you to the
coastal walks. > Bannerman’s masterpiece, Trematon Castle
gardens of some of the most famous
names in modern garden and landscape > Wildside, Buckland Monachorum:
START & FINISH design, including Sir Tim Smit and Isabel a visionary nursery and garden
The tour starts and ends at London and Julian Bannerman. The beauty of > Lanhydrock in Cornwall: from the
Heathrow airport. Qantas and Cathay the gardens is complemented by their Middle Ages to World War I
Pacific offer direct flights to London situation: the dramatic coastline of > Montacute House, a masterpiece of
from most Australian cities that Elizabethan Renaissance architecture
Cornwall, the curious microclimate of the
connect with our included flight to
Isles of Scilly and the wild moors of Devon. > Rosemoor: the showpiece of the Royal
Newquay on the first day of the tour.
Contact us for quotes and bookings. Horticultural Society

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Group flight from London. From To London
Marazion, visit St Michael’s Mount and
Godolphin House. Fly to the Isles of Scilly; RHS
Rosemoor
admire Tresco Abbey Gardens’ exotics.
Days 4–5: Travel to St Austell in Cornwall, via North
Castle Drogo Bovey (3)
the Eden Project’s biomes. Explore Victorian
Lanhydrock House, the Lost Gardens of Heligan Newquay airport
and the Wileys’ extraordinary Wildside in Trematon
Castle
Buckland Monachoram. The Eden Project
Days 6–10: Travel to Devon’s vast Dartmoor St Austell (3)
National Park; visit Lutyen’s garden at Castle Marazion (3)
Drogo, the Elizabethan Montacute, the Tudor Land’s End
mansion of Barrington Court, and the Royal
Horticultural Society’s Rosemoor’s rose garden. Isles of Scilly

Group flight to London.

30 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Greece
Agamemnon to Alexander

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DEPARTURES
May 3-21, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,975 pp, twin share
$2,095 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr John Tidmarsh
“Was an excellent presenter
and made site visits
more memorable as we
understood what we were seeing
and the background behind them.”
– Greece, May 2018

INCLUSIONS
18 nights’ accommodation in 3 to
5-star hotels. All breakfasts and 12
lunches or dinners. Athens-Heraklion-
Explore Greece’s oldest sites, steeped in mythology Athens flights, all ground transport,
and history, journeying from the island of Crete entrance fees and tipping.
to Thessaloniki and the north. THEMES
Archaeology & Ancient History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Explore Ancient Greece on this 19-day tour, > The palace of Minos at Knossos, the FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
focussing on two of the most remarkable legendary Minotaur’s lair Grade 2: Negotiate steps and
eras: the Aegean Bronze Age and the rule of > The incomparable museums, Acropolis slopes and standing for long periods
the Macedonian kings, Philip and Alexander and Agora of Athens in the open at archaeological sites.
the Great. The tour begins with the sprawling
palaces of the Minoans on Crete and then
> The palaces of Agamemnon at Mycenae, START & FINISH
the citadel of Tiryns and the beautifully
continues to Athens and the Peloponnese, The tour begins at Athens Airport
preserved Palace of Nestor at Pylos
entering the world of Mycenaean kings with and ends at our hotel in Thessaloniki.
> Enchanting Delphi, home of the oracle Qatar Airways offers direct flights
their forbidding palaces and monumental
> Meteora, whose stone pinnacles are into Athens and out of Thessaloniki
burials. It then visits the great classical sites
crowned by Byzantine monasteries from several Australian cities.
of Olympia and Delphi before arriving at
> The Macedonian capital of Pella, Contact us for quotes and bookings.
Thessaloniki, gateway to ancient Macedon.
birthplace of Alexander, with its opulent
houses and fine mosaics
> Vergina, where Alexander’s father Philip
was assassinated, and his spectacular
tomb discovered unplundered in 1977

Thessaloniki (4)
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Athens.
Days 2–4: Fly to Heraklion and explore the
Volos (1)
palaces of Knossos, Malia and Phaistos.
Days 5–6: Return to Athens, admire the
Deplhi (2)
GREECE acropolis and the Archaeological Museum.
Days 7–8: Drive to Nafplio to visit Mycenae,
Athens (3) Epidaurus and Tiryns.
Olympia (1)
Days 9–10: The Palace of Nestor and the
Nafplio (2)
Pylos (2)
Venetian castle at Methoni.
Day 11: The Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia.
Days 12–13: Continue to Delphi.
Day 14: Travel to Volos via Thermopylae.
CRETE
Heraklion (3) Days 15–19: Drive to Meteora. In Thessaloniki
explore Macedonian Pella and Vergina.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 31

Greece
From the Peloponnese to the Cyclades

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DEPARTURES
Sep 26 – Oct 14, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,970 pp, twin share
$2,290 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr John Tidmarsh
“I enjoyed the tour very
much and John’s insights
and breadth of knowledge
were very interesting. I enjoyed the
small towns we toured, lots of fun.”
– Greece, May 2018

INCLUSIONS
18 nights’ accommodation in 3
to 5-star hotels. All breakfasts
and 12 lunches or dinners. Athens-
Heraklion and Mykonos-Athens
Explore Greece’s ancient cultures through its archaeology,
flights, ferries between Crete and from the Minoans on Crete and Santorini to Mycenean
Santorini and Santorini to Mykonos.
All ground transport, entrance
and classical sites in the Peloponnese and Athens.
fees and tipping.

THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Go beyond Greece’s resort island exterior > The incomparable museums, acropolis
Archaeology & Ancient History and discover the emergence of Western and agora of Athens, and their impact on
Europe’s great city-states through their Western European art and architecture
Inspiring Landscapes archaeology. This new 19-day tour begins > The palaces of Agamemnon at Mycenae,
in Athens, before going back in time to the citadel of Tiryns and the beautifully
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS the Mycenaean kings of the Peloponnese, preserved Palace of Nestor at Pylos
Grade 2: Negotiate steps and the great classical sites of Olympia and > Delphi, home to the most famous oracle
slopes; standing for long periods Delphi, and the sprawling Minoan palaces in Antiquity, and Olympia, birthplace of
in the open at archaeological site; of Crete. The tour continues to Greece’s the ancient Olympic Games
travel by boat. most beguiling islands: Santorini with > Minos’s palace at Knossos, the legendary
its Bronze Age city preserved by volcanic Minotaur’s lair and Heraklion’s superb
START & FINISH ash, tiny Delos, whose wealth arose from archaeological museum on Crete
The tour begins at our hotel in the Hellenistic slave trade, and Mykonos,
> Bronze Age Akrotiri, “the Pompeii of the
Athens and ends at Athens Airport. with its whitewashed houses and narrow
Emirates, Qatar and Etihad
Aegean,” on Santorini
winding streets.
Airlines have direct flights into and > The opulent mansions of Delos, with their
out of Athens from most Australian colonnaded courtyards and colourful
cities. Contact us for quotes mosaics
and bookings.

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Arrive in Athens. Survey the acropolis GREECE
and the Archaeological Museum. Delphi (2)
Days 4–7: Drive to Nafplio to visit Mycenae, Athens (3)
the theatre at Epidaurus, Tiryns and the Palace
Olympia (1)
of Nestor at Pylos. Mykonos (3)
Nafplio (2)
Days 8–10: Travel to the Sanctuary of Zeus
at Olympia and continue to Delphi. Pylos (2)
Days 11–13: Drive to Athens and fly to
Heraklion, investigate the Archaeological Santorini (2)
Museum and palaces of Knossos and Phaistos.
Days 14–15: Take the ferry to Santorini and
explore Akrotiri’s remarkable excavations. CRETE
Days 16–19: Travel to Mykonos by ferry, enjoy Heraklion (3)
a daytrip to Delos before flying to Athens.

32 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Istanbul & Venice
A Tale of Two Cities

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
October 15-29, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,270 pp, twin share
$1,920 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Veel “Was a
caring, very thoughtful
and organised guide.
His knowledge of art,
architecture and history, including
all things particularly Venetian, was
exceptional.” – Venice: City, Republic
& Empire, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 9 lunches
Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman worlds, whose dazzling or dinners. Istanbul-Venice flight,
churches, palaces and mosques captured the imagination of all ground transport, entrance fees
and tipping.
Western Europe throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Medieval to Modern History
The two great medieval cities of Istanbul > Cruise up the Bosphorus to visit the
and Venice, straddling East and West, Sultan Mehmet II fortress Art, Architecture & Design
are indissolubly linked through their > Sumptuous Ottoman craftmanship at
Residential Tours
shared history, mercantile culture, art the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
and outstanding physical beauty. Explore > Constantinople’s mosques, decorated
the links between these two powerful with Íznik’s famed blue tiles FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
civilisations in depth, on our 15-day journey. > Two nights in Ravenna, with its lavish Grade 1: Walking tours with stairs
We begin in Istanbul, imperial capital of imperial mosaics and bridges; standing in museums;
both the Byzantines and the Ottoman Turks, stepping into and out of boats.
> The revolutions of the Italian Renaissance,
Venice’s implacable enemy. We then fly
to Italy, spending two nights in Ravenna,
at Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel in Padua START & FINISH
Byzantium’s capital in the West, before > Private after-hours tour of St Mark’s The tour begins at our hotel in
spending six nights in Venice, whose unique Basilica, for the illumination of the Istanbul and ends at our hotel in
art and culture is profoundly influenced by mosaics Venice. Emirates and Qatar Airlines
its links to the East. > The art of Carpaccio, Bellini, Titian offer the best connections into
and Tintoretto in Venice’s palaces, Istanbul and out of Venice from most
confraternities and churches Australian cities. Contact us for
> Lunch at the legendary Locanda Cipriani quotes and bookings.
on Torcello island

ITINERARY
Days 1–6: In Istanbul, survey the mosaics in
Hagia Sophia and the Great Palace Museum,
cruise the mighty Bosphorus and admire
Venice (6) Ottoman architecture and decorative arts
Padua
at the Blue Mosque and Topkapı.
Ravenna (2)
Days 7–8: Fly to Venice, travelling first to
Ravenna for its stunning mosaics.
ITALY Days 9–15: Return to Venice via Padua’s
Istanbul (6)
extraordinary Scrovegni Chapel. In Venice,
TURKEY examine the extensive connections with the
East at St Mark’s Basilica, the Correr, Jewish
Ghetto and Accademia gallery. Explore the
island monasteries of San Lazzaro and
San Giorgio and cruise the Venetian
lagoon, visiting Burano and Torcello.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 33

Modern Art in the UK
With Frieze, The British Art Show & The Liverpool Biennale

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
October 3-16, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,930 pp, twin share
$2,900 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Gerald Deslandes “Was fantastic
as a leader and very
obliging and always there
to help.” – Sicily & Aeolian
Islands, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
13 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 5 lunches
or dinners. London-Edinburgh flight,
all ground transport, entrance fees
and tipping.
Explore the best of British Art and experience three
THEMES great art fairs: Frieze, the British Art Show and
Art, Architecture & Design the Liverpool Biennale.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Grade 2: Gallery visits Explore the spectacular world of modern > The greats of British art, from Turner to
and days at art fairs; some long
and contemporary art in the UK in London, Hepworth, Moore and beyond at major
coaching days.
Edinburgh and northern England. This tour museums and sculpture parks in London,
START & FINISH also provides you with a once-in-a-decade Edinburgh and Leeds
opportunity: the coincidence of the UK’s > Frieze Art Fair: one of the world’s most
The tour begins at our hotel in
London and ends in our hotel in
three leading visual arts events: Frieze Art important art fairs, showcasing art from
Manchester. Emirates and Qatar fly Fair, the British Art Show and the Liverpool antiquity to the present
into London and out of Manchester Biennale. Visits to major art museums, > The British Art Show and the Liverpool
from most Australian cities. leading commercial galleries and these Biennale: the most significant and future-
great shows have been carefully curated by defining exhibitions of contemporary art
Gerald Deslandes, who has lived amongst in the UK
and worked in the British art world for > Edinburgh: Explore the art of Scotland
more than 20 years, with unique access and enjoy this cultural capital
to curators and artists.
> Behind the scenes: talks with curators
and artists and an insider’s guide to
world-leading commercial galleries

ITINERARY
Days 1–5: Arrive London, visit Frieze, enjoy
Edinburgh (3)
expert guidance at Tate Britain and Tate
Modern, explore contemporary architecture at
Canary Wharf, visit leading commercial galleries.
Days 6–8: View Scottish art in Edinburgh, Lake District
from the National Galleries to new art spaces, Leeds
such as the Fruitmarket Gallery and the new Manchester (5)
Jupiter Artland. Liverpool

Days 9–14: Travel to Manchester via the Lake UK

District; explore the British Art Show and new
museums in Manchester. Visit Leeds and the
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, enjoy dinner at the London (5)
Hepworth Whitfield Gallery. Experience the
Liverpool Biennale and its public display
of major works.

34 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Moscow &
St Petersburg
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Sep 25 – Oct 11, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$13,680 pp, twin share
$2,590 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Geoff Winestock joins
our program in 2020.
Geoff is a son of refugees
from the former Soviet
Union. He currently works as a
journalist and previously lived in
Moscow for seven years.

INCLUSIONS
16 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 11 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
Discover Russia’s culture and art through its rich including business class rail travel,
and tumultuous history, from the medieval Kievan Rus entrance fees and tipping.
to the tsars and Perestroika. THEMES
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Delve into an incredible wealth of culture, > Evocative Red Square and the treasures Art, Architecture & Design
history and art on this comprehensive of the State Armoury in Moscow
17-day tour. The tour begins by exploring > Explore the Kremlin, seat of the tsars, FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Russia’s medieval heart – Vladimir, Suzdal headquarters of the USSR and residence Grade 2: Some historic
and Sergiev Posad – in the Golden Ring, of Vladimir Putin buildings with limited accessibility.
before travelling to its modern capitals,
Moscow and St Petersburg. The remarkable
> Russian Masterpieces at the Tretyakov START & FINISH
Gallery
history of these cities, immortalised in iconic The tour begins at the Airhotel
> Visits to St Petersburg’s cultural Domodedovo Airport, Moscow,
landmarks such as the Kremlin, is equalled highlights, including the Hermitage
by their extraordinary collections of art, at and ends at our hotel in St
and Fabergé Museums, Yusupov Palace Petersburg. Emirates and Qatar
the Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Church of the Spilled Blood Airways offer direct flights into
and leading cultural institutions, such as
> Wander through the magnificent Moscow and out of St Petersburg
the Bolshoi. The tour is rounded out with a
palaces of Catherine the Great from most Australian cities. Contact
day trip to Catherine the Great’s palaces and
> Historic Suzdal, with its wooden us for quotes and bookings.
select performances.
architecture and churches of the
Golden Ring

ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive into Moscow Domodedovo Airport.
Days 2–4: Travel to Sergiev Posad and visit the
Trinity Monastery of St Sergius. Continue to the
charming Golden Ring town of Suzdal for three
St Petersburg (6)
RUSSIA nights; visit historic Vladimir.
Pushkin Days 5–10: Explore Moscow, from revolutionary
history at Red Square, to the churches and
Suzdal (3)
museums of the Kremlin, the Tretyakov Gallery,
Vladimir
and legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
Moscow (6)
Domodedovo Airport (1)
Day 11: Travel by fast train to St Petersburg.
Days 12–17: Marvel at St Petersburg’s
extraordinary landmarks, galleries, churches,
palaces and museums, including a day trip to
Catherine’s palaces at Pushkin.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 35

Moscow & St Petersburg
A Winter Journey

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
January 9-23, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$10,945 pp, twin share
$1,680 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Michael Adcock “Was a
patient and inspiring leader
who worked tirelessly to
make it a happy experience
for us.” – Paris Study Tour, July 2018

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 7 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
including business class rail between
Moscow and St Petersburg, all
entrance fees and tipping.
Swap the Australian summer for the charm and the chill
of these exceptional cities, visiting during the Christmas
THEMES
festival season, when the locals get out and enjoy life.
Medieval to Modern History

Art, Architecture & Design OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Winter has a special place in Russian > The essence and beauty of Russia in
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS culture, permeating its literature, winter
Grade 2: Cold climatic performing arts and national story of > The joy of the Russian Orthodox
conditions including snow; shortened triumph through hardship. This 15-day festive season and delight of Moscow’s
daylight hours. tour explores the incredible wealth of amazing Christmas lights
culture, history and art in St Petersburg > Cathedrals of the Kremlin, sites of the
START & FINISH and Moscow at a time of year that brings coronation and funeral processions of
The tour begins at our hotel in quintessential elements of Russian the tsars
Moscow and ends at our hotel in culture to the fore. Experience Russia at
St Petersburg. Emirates and Qatar
> The treasures housed in the State
its most magnificent, from the palaces Armoury and Diamond Fund
Airways offer the best connections of Catherine the Great, to superb fine
into Moscow and out of St Petersburg > Masterpieces of Russian and European
and decorative art collections, including
from most Australian cities. Contact art at the Tretyakov Gallery
the Hermitage, Fabergé Museum and
us for quotes and bookings. > Art and architecture in St Petersburg,
Tretyakov Gallery, and its cutting-edge
contemporary and performing arts scene. including the Hermitage, Fabergé
Museum and the Yusupov Palace
> The magnificent palaces of Catherine
the Great

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Arrive into Moscow. Tour Red Square.
Admire the Christmas decorations and see the
Tretyakov collections.
Day 4: Day trip to Kuskovo Park and Estate.
Days 5–7: Tour the Bolshoi, Kremlin, State
St Petersburg (7)
Armoury and Diamond Fund. Visit the Tolstoy
House Museum and Russian Icon Museum. Pushkin
Day 8: Travel by fast train to St Petersburg. RUSSIA
Days 9–11: Explore St Petersburg’s extraordinary
landmarks, cathedrals, palaces and museums,
Moscow (7) Kuskovo
including a full day at the Hermitage.
Days 12–15: Day trips to Catherine’s palaces
at Pushkin, Pavlovsk Park and the surprising
collection at the Hermitage Storage Facility.

36 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Naples to Barcelona
With nine nights aboard the Sea Cloud II

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
October 16-31, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$15,960 pp, twin share
$9,610 single supp.
Based on a category E-grade cabin,
Academy Travel’s usual choice for
the Sea Cloud II. Discount to F-grade
cabin available for solo travellers.

TOUR LEADER
Dr Kathleen Olive “I have
nothing but the highest
praise for Kathleen - she is
smart, incredibly articulate,
passionate and organised.” – Art
Cities of Tuscany, January 2019

A luxurious way to sample the millennia of art, architecture INCLUSIONS

6 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
and culture at the historical crossroads of the Western hotels, all breakfasts and 4 lunches
Mediterranean. or dinners. 9 nights aboard the Sea
Cloud II, with all meals onboard and
shore excursions. All ground transport,
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS entrance fees and tipping, including
Explore the history and culture of > Cruising for 9 nights aboard Sea Cloud II, the group tip for cruise staff.
the Western Mediterranean in style, a very different experience to mainstream SEA CLOUD II
featuring a 9-night cruise on the luxury cruising, with outstanding service, food
The Sea Cloud II is a luxurious 3-masted
50-cabin sailing yacht Sea Cloud II. and wine
barque, traditionally crafted in teak,
As well as the ancient Roman past of > Three days exploring Naples, once a but with modern features. White cloth
the “Mare Nostrum”, travellers will thriving Spanish outpost and now one sails and understated elegance create
encounter the masterpieces of the great of Italy’s most dynamic cities a unique environment that is at once
Mediterranean ports – from Caravaggio > Great art, medieval to modern: sculpture nostalgic and luxurious. Although most
in Naples, to the super yachts of in Pisa, Caravaggio’s Naples, Picasso in of the journey takes place under motor,
Monaco, Picasso in Antibes and Gaudí’s southern France and Gaudí’s Barcelona when the conditions are right the crew
Barcelona. All this takes place in a setting > The fascinating Roman histories of climb the rigging to set the square sails
of remarkable beauty – the dramatic Herculaneum, World Heritage-listed and jibs and you can experience the
mountains of Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast, the Tarragona and Caesar Augusta, today’s thrill of ocean yachting.
rich colours of southern France, and the Zaragoza
exuberance of Valencia and Catalonia. THEMES
> The Mediterranean’s modern face, from
super cars and super yachts in Monaco Archaeology & Ancient History
to stunning contemporary architecture
in Marseilles and Barcelona Medieval to Modern History

Art, Architecture & Design

ITINERARY Inspiring Landscapes

FRANCE Days 1–4: Group transfer from Rome to
ITALY Naples. Explore the Angevin and Spanish cities, Small Ship & Land Tours
Caravaggio’s masterpieces and the fascinating
Aigues-Mortes Monaco Imperia
Sète
Marseille
Pisa
Livorno
history of Roman Herculaneum from our hotel FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Antibes in the elegant Chiaia neighbourhood.
Grade 2: Lengthy cruise
Sanary- Days 4–12: Board Sea Cloud II in Naples for a
sur-Mer component; archaeological sites.
Zaragoza (1) 9-night cruise, with disembarkation in Valencia.

Barcelona (2)
Rome Ports-of-call permit excursions to Pisa, Monaco,
Marseille, Antibes, Barcelona and Tarragona,
START & FINISH
Tarragona Naples (3)
plus a full day to relax at sea. The tour begins with a group transfer
(9) Days 13–16: Disembark and explore Valencia and to Naples from Rome Fiumicino
Valencia Zaragoza’s Roman history, admiring masterpieces airport and ends in our hotel in
Sea Cloud II (9)
Mediterranean by Goya and sampling the famous local paella. Barcelona. Emirates and Qatar
SPAIN Sea Travel to Barcelona, to survey the city’s layers of offer flights into Rome and out of
Roman, medieval and Modernista history. Barcelona. Contact us for quotes
and bookings.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 37

Northern Spain & Portugal
Bilbao to Lisbon

MORE MAY SEP

DEPARTURES
May 3-21, 2020
Sep 18 – Oct 6, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,820 pp, twin share
$2,295 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Jeni Ryde “Is an excellent
tour leader, very professional
and helpful to all our group.
A pleasure to travel with and
we would be happy to travel with her
again on another tour.” – Northern
Spain & Portugal, April 2018

INCLUSIONS
18 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 10 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
Extend your knowledge of the Iberian Peninsula, visiting
entrance fees and tipping. medieval and modern sites, and exploring Portugal’s
THEMES Age of Discovery.
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Art, Architecture & Design Northern Spain and Portugal have > Frank Gehry’s extraordinary design
distinctive cultures and preserve the at the Guggenheim in Bilbao
Inspiring Landscapes keystones of Europe’s history. This 19-day > Wine-tasting at the avant-garde Bodega
tour explores these regions in depth, from Ysios winery in the Rioja
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS the Romanesque chapels, cathedrals and > The exquisite Romanesque and Gothic
Grade 3: Walking tours cloisters in Castilla, León and Asturias that churches and cathedrals along the Camino
with some uneven paths and stairs; bear witness to the Christian reconquest > A mountain walk and lunch in the
some sites at high elevation above of the Iberian peninsula, to the devotion of clear air of the majestic Picos de
sea level. pilgrims on the Camino. We continue to the Europa in Asturias
Age of Discovery in Lisbon – once the centre
START & FINISH of the world’s first global trading empire
> Fine tapas in San Sebastián, and
The tour begins at our hotel in Spain’s most renowned seafood
– and the modern revival epitomised
Bilbao and ends at our hotel in restaurant in Galicia
by Bilbao’s stunning contemporary
Lisbon. Emirates offer a service into architecture. The tour is complemented by > An exceptional range of museums
Barcelona and home from Lisbon. visits to premier wine regions and dining in and galleries in Lisbon
A connecting flight with Vueling > A visit to Sintra exploring exquisite
some of Spain’s finest restaurants.
airlines is necessary from Barcelona palaces decorated with tiles
to Bilbao to start the tour. Contact
us for quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Santiago de Oviedo (2)
Days 1–3: In Bilbao, visit Gehry’s Guggenheim, Compostela (3) Bilbao (3)
the Museum of Fine Arts and San Sebastián. Leon (2)
Days 4–7: Explore the Rioja wine region, plus Burgos (2)
Burgos and León on the Camino trail: their
Gothic cathedrals and Romanesque churches. Porto (2)
Days 8–10: Discover elegant Oviedo, walk
its well preserved old town and sample the spAIN
local cider. Excursion to Picos de Europa. Portugal
Days 11–13: Arrive in spectacular Santiago de Lisbon (4)
Compostela and enjoy seafood and wine in
Rías Baixas.
Days 14–19: Travel to Portugal, with two nights
in Porto and ample time in vibrant Lisbon,
surveying leading art galleries and the Age
of Discovery.

38 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Portugal

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
October 8-21, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,980 pp, twin share
$1,850 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Jeni Ryde “Is an
excellent tour leader, well
prepared and organised,
very knowledgeable about
the sites visited and sensitive to
the different needs and interests
or tour participants.” – Portugal,
September 2018

INCLUSIONS
13 nights’ accommodation in 4 and
5-star hotels. All breakfasts and
An in-depth look at the remarkable cultural heritage 6 lunches or dinners. All ground
of Europe’s Atlantic-facing nation, a beguiling mix of history, transport, entrance fees and tipping.
seafaring and great natural beauty. THEMES
Archaeology & Ancient History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Discover Portugal on this comprehensive > Exceptional Old Masters at the Museu Medieval to Modern History
14-day tour. Portugal has a remarkable history, Calouste Gulbenkian
from Roman colonies to medieval Moorish- Art, Architecture & Design
> Exquisite palaces on rocky outcrops:
influenced art and architecture, to a glorious a full day in fairytale Sintra Inspiring Landscapes
Golden Age when Lisbon was the centre of > Technical skill and stunning colours
the world’s first global commercial empire. Its
history has left it with extraordinary cultural
in the National Tile Museum’s FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
extraordinary azulejos
wealth, including prehistoric megaliths and Grade 2: Steps, slopes and
> Walk in the footprints of dinosaurs uneven surfaces at archaeological
rock art, World Heritage-listed cities, and fine alongside the Atlantic at Cabo Espichel
medieval and Renaissance architecture. The and historic sites.
> A full day cruising the river between
great monuments of its past are situated
the undulating hills of the Douro Valley, START & FINISH
among a striking landscape of turquoise
making up one of the world’s oldest The tour begins at our hotel in Lisbon
coastlines, rugged mountains and picturesque
wine regions and finishes at our hotel in Porto.
towns, and are complemented by its vibrant
> Cutting-edge contemporary architecture: Emirates has the best connections
modern culture and architecture. into Lisbon and out of Porto from
Rem Koolhaas, Álvaro Siza Vieira and
Porto’s Fundação Serralves most Australian cities. Contact us
for quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Porto (2) Pinhão (2) Days 1–4: Explore Lisbon’s Age of Discovery,
admire the Museu Gulbenkian’s masterpieces.
Enjoy an excursion to Sintra.
Days 5–7: In Evora, prehistoric archaeology at
Cabo Espichel, megalithic Almendres Cromlech,
Coimbra (2)
and the ever-present Romans.
Portugal Days 8–9: Tomar’s World Heritage-listed
Convento de Cristo; Coimbra, medieval capital;
and 1st-century mosaics at Conimbriga’s
Roman villa.
Sintra Days 10–11: Two nights in Pinhao and the
Lisbon (4) Evora (3)
Coa valley’s prehistoric rock art.
Days 12–14: Cruise the Douro to Porto, the
City of Bridges. Discover Porto’s historic centre
and colourful Ribeira district.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 39

Sardinia & Corsica
From the Stone Age to Napoleon

MORE MAR SEP

DEPARTURES
March 20 – April 4, 2020
Sep 25 – Oct 10, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,190 pp, twin share
$2,010 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Estelle Lazer (Mar)
“She was extremely
knowledgeable and a
wonderful guide.” – Puglia
to Pompeii, March 2019
Dr Jenny Lawless (Sep)
“Thanks Jeni for your
fabulous tour leading and
great company. I really
had a ball. I have enough wonderful
memories to keep me going for From the Bronze Age to Napoleon, these less-visited islands
quite a while.” – Greece, Teacher
Professional Development tour, 2018 of the Western Mediterranean combine ancient cultures,
INCLUSIONS
dramatic history and breathtaking scenery.
15 nights’ accommodation in a
combination of boutique and 4-star OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
hotels. All breakfasts and 10 lunches Sardinia and Corsica each have a unique > Key Bronze Age and Roman sites in
or dinners. Rome-Cagliari flight, history, stretching back 5,000 years. Sardinia, particularly Nuraghic towers,
all ground transport, entrance fees In spite of centuries of invasion and tombs and fortress-villages
and tipping. occupation, each island has maintained > Distinctive Pisan Romanesque
a distinctive culture, reflecting both their
THEMES current status as part of modern Italy
architecture on both islands
> Bonifacio, a citadel perched on southern
Archaeology & Ancient History and France, and millennia of ancient and Corsica’s precipitous limestone cliffs
diverse Mediterranean influences. This > Ajaccio, Napoleon’s birthplace, and the
Medieval to Modern History tour showcases the very best of each Musée Fesch, the extraordinary art
island – from prehistoric archaeological collection acquired by his uncle
Inspiring Landscapes sites, to Romanesque architecture, and
> Scenic drives along Sardinia’s west coast
the history of Napoleon – and explores
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS how their history has been shaped by
and the high mountains of central
Grade 3: Boat travel; Corsica, plus the Scandola Nature Reserve
the superb mountainous landscapes and
challenging archaeological sites; coastlines, living on in the distinctive > The fresh and distinctive food and wine
varying landscapes. cuisines and local traditions. of the islands

START & FINISH

The tour begins at Rome Fiumicino
airport and ends at the hotel in
Bastia. Emirates and Qatar Airways
offer direct flights to Rome for our
continuing group flight to Cagliari,
ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Group flight from Rome. Stay in the Bastia (2)
and from Nice with a connecting
resort town of Pula, visit sites at Nora and Su Italy
flight from Bastia. Contact us for
quotes and bookings. Nuraxi. Ajaccio (3) Corsica
Rome
Days 4–5: Travel to Santa Caterina, visit the
Punic-Roman site Tharros. Bonifacio (2)
Days 6–8: Explore Alghero’s Catalan influences, Santa Teresa Gallura
take a boat trip to the ‘Grotte di Nettuno’ and
enjoy a wine tasting.
Alghero (3)
Days 9–10: Marvel at the Costa Smeralda on the
SARDINIA
way to the ferry for Corsica. Explore Bonifacio. Santa Caterina
Days 11–13: Travel to Ajaccio via prehistoric di Pittinuri (2)
Cagliari
Filitosa. Boat trip to the Scandola Nature Reserve.
Days 14–16: Admire vestiges of Pisan rule in Pula (3)
the Romanesque architecture outside Bastia,
a picturesque port.

40 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Scandinavia
Explorers & Innovators

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
September 3-19, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$12,990 pp, twin share
$3,195 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Mindy MacLeod
joins our program in 2020.
Mindy is a former lecturer
in Swedish & Old Norse
language and literature at the
University of Melbourne.

INCLUSIONS
16 nights’ accommodation in 4 and
5-star hotels, with 5 nights cruising
in outside cabins on the upper deck
of Hurtigruten’s MS Richard With.
Delve into Scandinavia’s Viking archaeology, maritime history All breakfasts and 15 lunches or
and inspirational coastal scenery, exploring the modern art dinners. Oslo-Kirkenes and Bergen-
Copenhagen flights, all ground
and architecture with 5 nights on the famed Hurtigruten Line. transport, entrance fees and tipping.

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS MS RICHARD WITH

The MS Richard With is a Hurtigruten
Scandinavia has long celebrated its > Five nights on the Hurtigruten Line,
cruise ship that proudly carries the
marvellous natural environment – snow- exploring Norway’s stunning fjords name of the company’s founder.
capped mountains, vast forests, sublime and rugged arctic coastline on a cruise Onboard, we have booked Arctic
fjords and waterways. The relationship of from the Arctic Circle to Bergen Superior cabins on the upper deck
Scandinavians to their environment has > Scandinavia’s beautiful waterfront of the ship, which underwent a
shaped their history, from Viking explorers cities: Stockholm’s archipelago, Oslo’s complete refurbishment in late 2018.
to maritime empires, and its unique architectural revival and Bergen’s Passengers requiring twin beds will
modern design aesthetic that enjoys historic harbour be accommodated in Polar Outside
enduring popularity around the world. > Stockholm’s Vasa museum, a testament cabin types. The ship features a
This tour combines Viking archaeology, to the country’s former maritime glory panorama lounge and sun deck
maritime history and some of the best of where the dedicated onboard
> Historic Uppsala, Sweden’s spiritual
Scandinavia’s scenery with an exploration expedition team offer insightful
and intellectual heartland
of the modern art and architecture it has lectures and presentations.
> Fine art collections, from the Viking
inspired. A highlight is a 5-night cruise on
the renowned Hurtigruten Line from inside
period through to the works of THEMES
Edvard Munch
the Arctic Circle to Bergen. Archaeology & Ancient History
> The Scandinavian design aesthetic
of Arne Jacobsen, Jørn Utzon and Medieval to Modern History
Henning Larsen
Art, Architecture & Design

Kirkenes ITINERARY Inspiring Landscapes

Tromso
Days 1–4: Explore Stockholm’s Viking and Small Ship & Land Tours
Lofoten Islands maritime history, cruise the archipelago and
travel to medieval Uppsala.
Helgeland Coast Days 5–7: Travel via Örebro’s royal fortifications FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
SWEDEN to Oslo. Explore the National and Munch Grade 2: Boat travel; varying
MS Richard
Museums and Norway’s seafaring history at climatic conditions; walking tours.
5
Trondheim Bygdøy’s maritime institutions.
NORWAY Days 8–12: Fly to Kirkenes and board the MS START & FINISH
Bergen (2) Richard With for a spectacular southbound The tour begins at our hotel in
Oslo (3) voyage, following Norway’s coastline through Stockholm and ends at our hotel in
Stockholm (4)
Örebro the Arctic Circle to Bergen. Copenhagen. Emirates, Qatar and
Days 13–14: Discover the legacy of the Hanseatic Finnair offer flights into Stockholm
DENMARK trading routes in World Heritage-listed Bryygen. and out of Copenhagen from most
Copenhagen (2) Days 15–17: Fly to Copenhagen and uncover the Australian cities. Contact us for
Scandinavian aesthetic at the Design Museum. quotes and bookings.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 41

Scotland’s Gardens & Castles
From Edinburgh to the Highlands

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
July 1-15, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,470 pp, twin share
$2,890 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Michael Turner “His talks
with his encyclopaedic
knowledge of gardens
and their history were a
splendid bonus.” – Great Gardens
of Cornwall and Devon, June 2019

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in 3
and 4-star hotels. All breakfasts,
7 lunches or dinners and a Scottish
whisky tasting. Inverness-Kirkwall-
Inverness flights, all ground
Explore the gardens and castles of Scotland with their
transport, entrance fees and tipping. dramatic landscapes, rich heritage and culture, from Edinburgh
THEMES to the Highlands, the Great Lochs and the West Coast.
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Inspiring Landscapes Scotland is a country of dramatic > The beauty and culture of Edinburgh,
landscapes, sublime beauty and haunting Scotland’s capital and centre of arts
Gardens & Country Houses history, and this new 15-day tour takes and entertainment
you to some of its most beautiful gardens > The finest gardens at their summer
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS and castles. Explore the northern nation’s best: Broadwoodside, Drummond Castle,
Grade 2: Uneven garden rich heritage and culture, from castles to Inverewe and Dunvegan Castle
pathways; countryside and coastal farmsteads, small loch-side houses and > Great, historic estates: Floors Castle,
walks. gardens at their summer best. The tour Cawdor Castle, the tiny Eilean Donan
begins in the vibrant city of Edinburgh and Castle, Blair Castle and Balmoral
START & FINISH continues to the wild and magnificent > The Isle of Skye, famed for its rugged
The tour begins at our hotel in Highlands, before surveying the castles of landscapes, picturesque villages,
Edinburgh and ends at our hotel Inverness, the great lochs, the picturesque medieval castles and whisky
in Pitlochry, with a group transfer Isle of Skye, dramatic Orkney Islands and
> The grand landscapes of Scotland, its
to Edinburgh on the final day Pitlochry’s Balmoral Castle.
of the tour. Emirates and Qatar
rivers, glens and mountains, villages and
offer direct flights into and out of lochs; a cruise on Loch Ness and a ride
Edinburgh. Contact us for quotes aboard the Jacobite Steam Train
and bookings.

ITINERARY Kirkwall (2)

Days 1–4: Edinburgh and surrounds: the Royal Orkney Islands
Botanic Garden, Floors Castle, Abbotsford House
and Broadwoodside.
Days 5–7: In Inverness, visit Drummond Castle, SCOTLAND
the gardens of Cawdor Castle, Inverewe and Skye
Durnamuck. Portree (3) Inverness (3)
Days 8–9: From Kirkwall, discover the Armadale Loch
hauntingly beautiful landscape. Mallaig Ness
Days 10–12: Cruise Loch Ness to the tiny Pitlochry (2)
Fort
William
castle of Eilean Donan. Explore the Isle of Skye, Drummond Castle
including Dunvegan Castle and garden.
Days 13–14: Travel by ferry to reach Mallaig to Edinburgh (4)
board the Jacobite Steam Train. From Pitlochry, Floors Castle
visit Balmoral. Abbotsford

Day 15: Coach to Edinburgh.

42 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Siberia & the
Russian Far East
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DEPARTURES
July 16-31, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$16,975 pp, twin share
$1,590 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Dal Santo
“Travelling with an historian
as informed as Matthew
was a privilege as he put
the places we visited into context.”
– Moscow & St Petersburg,
September 2018

INCLUSIONS
15 nights’ accommodation in the
best local hotels. All breakfasts
and 15 lunches or dinners. Three
Experience one of the world’s final travel frontiers, from its internal economy class flights,
awe-inspiring landscapes and unique wildlife to a cultural all ground transport, all entrance
fees and tipping.
kaleidoscope of indigenous peoples and exiled dissidents.
THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Medieval to Modern History
Embark on a journey of a lifetime to one of > Irkutsk, a Cossack town where the exiled
the world’s last travel frontiers. This 16-day Decembrists sought to recreate the Inspiring Landscapes
tour reveals the cultural and geographic cultural life of St Petersburg
wonders of Siberia and the Russian Far East. > The immensity and tranquillity of
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
We begin in Irkutsk, a Cossack settlement Siberia’s Lake Baikal, with its stunning Grade 3: Challenging
and the cultural capital of Siberia, and then vistas of pine-studded islands facilities, sites and environments;
travel to the beautiful Lake Baikal, sacred to long days; high physical and
> A journey on the legendary Trans-Siberian
the indigenous Buryat people. We board the respiratory fitness required.
Railway around the shores of Lake Baikal
legendary Trans-Siberian for Ulan Ude, the > The heart of Russian Buddhism at Ulan START & FINISH
centre of Russian Buddhism and gateway Ude’s resurgent datsans and monasteries
for Old Believer villages of the steppe. The tour begins at Irkutsk Airport
> Private helicopter and walking tour of and ends at our hotel in Vladivostok.
From here we fly via the surprisingly elegant
Kamchatka’s snow-capped volcanoes Korean Airlines offers flights into
border town of Khabarovsk to the wild and
and the stupendous Valley of Geysers Irkutsk and out of Vladivostok from
remote peninsula of Kamchatka, to explore
> Meet Kamchatka’s indigenous people, Sydney or Brisbane, via Seoul.
its extraordinary landscape and the culture Contact us for quotes and bookings.
of its indigenous, husky-raising people. the husky-raising Koryak
The tour ends in the bustling Pacific port > The outstanding local seafood in the
of Vladivostok. bustling Pacific port of Vladivostok

ITINERARY
RUSSIA
Days 1–2: Arrive Irkutsk, hear tales of exile
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (3) at the Decembrist Museum.
Days 3–4: Travel to Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal,
SIBERIA where we meet with a local shaman.
Olkhon Island (2) Day 5: Return to Irkutsk and retrace Siberia’s
Irkutsk (3) Civil War history at the Znamensky Monastery.
Day 6–9: Board the Trans-Siberian Railway for
Ulan Ude (3)
Ulan Ude. Encounter the ‘Old Believers’.
Khabarovsk (2) Days 10–11: Fly to Khabarovsk and tour
the city. Cruise Amur River.
MONGOLIA
Days 12–14: Fly to Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky.
Vladivostok (2) Marvel at volcanoes and geysers by helicopter.
Days 15–16: Fly to Vladivostok, a vibrant
CHINA Pacific port closed to foreigners until 1991.

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Stockholm to St Petersburg
A Baltic Journey

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DEPARTURES
Aug 24 – Sep 9, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,845 pp, twin share
$2,980 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Laing
“I thoroughly enjoyed his
talks and expertise, he was
always happy to impart his
advice on any question we had.”
– New York, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
16 nights’ accommodation in 4
and 5-star hotels, including 1 night
aboard a ferry. All breakfasts and 12
lunches or dinners. All ground, ferry
and train transport, entrance fees
Travel the Baltic by ferry and train, exploring the mix of Nordic,
and tipping. German and Russian influences that have forged a unique
THEMES cultural identity expressed in art, architecture, music and design.
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Art, Architecture & Design Explore the eastern Baltic in depth, from > Stockholm’s Vasa Museum, a testament
the days of the medieval Hanseatic trade to the country’s former maritime glory,
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS network and the centuries of struggle for and the historic capital of Uppsala
Grade 2: Long-distance travel; dominance between Sweden and Russia, > The beauty of the Stockholm archipelago,
overnight accommodation on board into the modern era, where great design surrounding the city and admired on our
a boat. and architecture make for compelling Baltic crossing
destinations. This 17-day tour from
START & FINISH Stockholm to St Petersburg combines
> Great Art Nouveau architecture in Riga,
and the medieval old town of Tallinn
The tour begins at our hotel in visits to excellent collections, historical
Stockholm and ends at our hotel in
> Stunning modern and contemporary
and architectural walking tours, and the buildings in Helsinki, including Alvar
St Petersburg. Emirates and Qatar quiet beauty of the Baltic landscape. The
Airlines offer direct flights into Aalto’s Nordic modernism
itinerary includes two crossings of the
Stockholm and out of St Petersburg > The glories of imperial Russia in
Baltic, a train journey into Russia from
from most Australian cities. Contact St Petersburg: palaces, gardens,
Helsinki, and a performance at the Riga
us for quotes and bookings. cathedrals and great art galleries
Opera House.
> A performance at the Riga
Opera House

ITINERARY
FINLAND
Days 1–3: Explore Stockholm’s royal and maritime
history, modern architecture and design. SWEDEN
Helsinki (4)
Day 4: Overnight ferry to Riga. St Petersburg (4)
Days 5–6: In Riga, investigate the heritage Stockholm (3)
Tallinn (2)
of this former Hanseatic port and enjoy a
performance at the Riga Opera House. 1 ESTONIA
Days 7–8: Drive to Tallinn, the superbly preserved
Estonian capital, and tour the old town. RUSSIA
Days 9–12: Ferry to Helsinki. Visit Russian and
Swedish imperial sites and sample Finland’s
Riga (2) LATVIA
remarkable design and architectural scene.
Days 13–17: Train from Helsinki to St
Petersburg. Visit galleries and palaces from
Russia’s imperial period and explore the
country’s extraordinary history.

44 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Switzerland to Rome
A Journey Through Medieval Italy

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DEPARTURES
June 1-16, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,480 pp, twin share
$1,880 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Jeni Ryde “Is an
excellent tour leader.
Very professional and
helpful to all of our group.
A pleasure to travel with and we
would be happy to travel with her
again on another tour.” – Northern
Spain & Portugal, May 2018

INCLUSIONS
15 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 9 lunches
Travel in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims and merchants or dinners. All ground transport,
from the shores of Lake Geneva, across the Alps and entrance fees and tipping.
on to the gates of Rome. THEMES
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Take a step back in time and explore > Medieval masterpieces in little-visited Art, Architecture & Design
medieval Italy through its beautifully sites, from the Abbey of St Maurice to
preserved towns, abbeys and hidden Pisa’s Museo di San Matteo Inspiring Landscapes
gems. This 16-day journey follows the Via > Sublime alpine scenery at Lake Geneva,
Francigena, the pilgrimage and trade route the Great St Bernard Pass and Val d’Aosta
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
linking Europe to Rome, from the shores of Grade 2: Historic towns with
> The great artists of the Italian
Lake Geneva, across the spectacular Great some uneven surfaces and stairs;
Renaissance: Duccio in Siena, Benozzo
St Bernard Pass and into the Val d’Aosta. As some sites at high elevation above
Gozzoli in San Gimignano, Signorelli sea level; coach travel.
it continues to Rome through Lucca, Siena, in Orvieto
San Gimignano and Orvieto, the path, once > Historic Rome beyond the tourist trail, START & FINISH
travelled by the pilgrims and merchants of from Roman ruins and medieval mosaics The tour begins at Geneva
the Middle Ages, has been largely bypassed at San Clemente to the spectacular airport and ends at our hotel in
by modernity, allowing a unique view on Museum of the High Middle Ages Rome. Qatar Airways, Emirates
medieval and Renaissance Italy.
> The hill towns and landscapes of and Etihad Airways offer the best
southern Tuscany: Siena, Pienza and connections into Geneva and out
San Gimignano of Rome from most Australian
cities. Contact us for quotes
and bookings.

switzerland ITINERARY
Montreux (2)
Days 1–3: Arrive Geneva and transfer to
Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Geneva
Aosta (2) Explore lakeside towns, then cross the Great
St Bernard Pass to the Val d’Aosta.
Pavia
Days 4–6: Explore the Val d’Aosta, visit Pavia,
Salsomaggiore (2) ITALY and enjoy the medieval hamlets and cuisine
of Emilia-Romagna.
Days 7–12: Travel through the landscapes
Pisa (3)
and towns of medieval Tuscany, from our
bases in Pisa and Pienza. Enjoy the glories
Pienza (3)
of Gothic Siena.
Days 13–16: Visit Orvieto’s splendid cathedral
and discover the less-visited sites of medieval
Rome (3) Rome, including San Clemente and the
Museum of the High Middle Ages.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 45

Vienna
History, Art & Music in The Imperial City

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DEPARTURES
April 17-28, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,290 pp, twin share
$1,670 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Christopher Menz “Went
out of his way to ensure the
tour participants were fully
informed every day of the
tour – much appreciated!” – Prague,
Budapest & Vienna, September 2018

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation in a
central 4-star hotel. All breakfasts
and 6 lunches or dinners. All
ground transport, entrance fees,
including best available tickets to
Explore the city that ruled central Europe for
3 performances, and tipping. 500 years, a mecca for musicians, artists,
THEMES architects and intellectuals.
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Music & Theatre Vienna’s contribution to the arts is > The exceptional art collections of the
exceptional: in music alone, the Habsburg Habsburgs, including the Imperial
Art, Architecture & Design capital has been home to Beethoven, Treasury, the Kunsthistorisches,
Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and Strauss. But Leopold and Albertina museums
Residential Tours Vienna was also home to other pioneers, > Three performances, including at the
such as Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt State Opera and the Vienna Musikverein
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS and Otto Wagner, and superb collections > Private visit to the Liechtenstein Garden
Grade 1: One hotel; walking tours. of fine and decorative arts, acquired and Palace, one of Europe’s largest and finest
commissioned by the Habsburgs during private collections of Old Masters
START & FINISH their 500-year rule. This new residential- > Day trips along the Danube to Bratislava
The tour begins and ends at our hotel style tour explores the history, music and Melk Abbey and its fine wine region
in central Vienna. Emirates and Qatar and culture of the city in depth, from
> Vienna’s other museums, from the
Airways offer direct flights between the beginnings of the Habsburg Empire
Museum of Musical Instruments, to
Vienna and most Australian cities. through its classical period and into its
Contact us for quotes and bookings.
house museums devoted to Beethoven
troubled 20th century.
and Schubert, the Third Man Museum,
and Gustav Klimt’s villa

ITINERARY VIENNA
Days 1–4: Arrive and explore Habsburg Vienna. 11 nights
Cruise up the Danube to Melk Abbey and enjoy Klosterneuburg
a performance.
Melk Abbey Schloss Hof
Days 5–8: Explore classical Vienna, including
Klosterneuberg, house museums devoted to Vienna
Beethoven and Schubert, the Upper Belvedere Danube Bratislava
Palace and Esterhazy Palace at Eisenstadt,
where Haydn lived and worked. Enjoy another
fine performance.
Days 9–12: Discover Vienna in the 20th century,
including Gustav Klimt’s atelier and Vienna’s
renowned Jugendstil architecture. Day trip to Eisenstadt

Bratislava and the striking contemporary art Austria

of its Danubiana Museum. Performance and
private visit of the Liechtenstein Garden Palace.

46 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

MUSIC &
THEATRE
Our music and theatre
tours are planned around
top flight international
performances in world-
famous venues, providing
experiences that are simply
not available in Australia.

Michael Mayer’s sumptuous

staging for Act II, Scene 2 of Verdi’s
La Traviata at New York’s Met Opera.
Budapest to the Baltic
A Musical Journey

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DEPARTURES
May 28 – June 13, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,850 pp, twin share
$2,270 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Gay “Is fantastic.
I loved his lectures. His
enthusiasm really made this
trip. If I went on another
music trip, I would want Robert to
be the tour leader.” – Wagner’s Ring
Cycle in Munich, July 2018

INCLUSIONS
16 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 7 lunches
or dinners. Warsaw-Riga flight,
all ground transport, best seats
From Franz Liszt and Hungarian folk music to the phenomenal
available to the performances listed, vocal soloists and choirs of Latvia, explore the landscape,
entrance fees and tipping.
traditions and music from Central Europe to the Baltic.
THEMES
Medieval to Modern History OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES
From Liszt, Lehàr, Bartòk and Chopin to Best available tickets to:
Music & Theatre modern-era performers such as Leopold Budapest
Stokowski, Andris Nelsons, Lucia Popp, > Concert by the National Philharmonic
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS Emanuel Ax and Arthur Rubinstein, Orchestra at the historic Liszt Academy
Grade 2: Historic towns with Central Europe and the Baltic States have > Wagner’s Parsifal by the Hungarian State
some uneven surfaces; coach travel. a fine musical heritage. Inspired by the Opera at the Erkel Theatre
landscape and traditions of the region,
START & FINISH this musical history is also influenced
> Chamber music by Brahms and Fauré
played by the Budapest Festival Orchestra
The tour begins at our hotel in by the neighbouring Germanic and
Budapest and ends at our hotel in Krakow
Russian worlds. Take a trip from Budapest
Riga. Finnair has the best routing > A performance at the Krakow Philharmonie
through the Tatra Mountains and north
into Budapest and out of Riga from or the Krakow Opera House
to the shores of the Baltic, enjoying
most Australia cities. Contact us for performances at a range of historic venues Warsaw
quotes and bookings. > Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra plays
in Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Latvia,
culminating with three performances at Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
the Riga Opera Festival. > Massenet’s Werther by the Polish National
Opera at the Wielki Theatre
Riga
> Three performances at the Riga Opera Festival

ITINERARY Jurmala Riga (4)

Days 1–4: In Budapest, with performances

LATVIA
and walking tours of Buda and Pest, visits to LITHUANIA
the Liszt museum and the Empress Elizabeth’s
castle at Gödöllö.
Day 5: Travel north through Slovakia, with POLAND
a night in the Tatra Mountains.
Days 6–8: In Poland stay in Krakow, enjoying Warsaw (4)

a performance and walking tours.

Days 9–12: In Warsaw, tour the Royal Route,
visit Wilanów Palace and attend performances. Krakow (3)
Days 13–17: Fly to Riga. Attend performances Tatra Mountains (1)
at the Riga Opera Festival, enjoy a walking SLOVAKIA
tour and trips to Rundale Palace and the Budapest (4)
seaside town of J rmala. HUNGARY

48 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Footsteps of Beethoven
A 250th Anniversary Tour

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DEPARTURES
September 7-21, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,600 pp, twin share
$1,800 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Tom Ford “He is
fabulous, informed &
entertaining.” – Bonn to
Vienna, May 2016

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 6 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees, including best seats
available to the performances listed,
and tipping.
Celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday, travelling from
Bonn to Vienna, with nine outstanding concerts and THEMES
music-themed sightseeing. Medieval to Modern History

Music & Theatre

OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES
Ludwig van Beethoven, arguably the Best available tickets to: FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
greatest composer of all time, was born Beethoven Festival, Bonn Grade 2: Walking tours;
in the German city of Bonn in 1770, and > Sir Antonio Pappano conducting the frequent evening concerts; two long
throughout 2020 orchestras around Orchestra Nazionale di Santa Cecilia coach journeys.
the world are celebrating his 250th and pianist Igor Levit in a concert of
anniversary. Our special tour includes the Busoni and Beethoven START & FINISH
Beethoven Festival in Bonn, a complete The tour begins at our hotel in Bonn
> Pianists Hinrich Alpers and Boris
cycle of his piano concertos in Dresden, and ends in our hotel in Vienna.
Bloch playing Franz Liszt’s virtuosic
the Dvořák Festival in Prague and of course Emirates offers daily flights into
transcriptions of Beethoven’s Second
Vienna, where Beethoven spent the greater Dusseldorf, near Bonn, and out of
and Fifth Symphonies
part of his working life. Background talks, Vienna from most Australian cities.
visits to important historical sites and nine Dresden Contact us for quotes and bookings.
top-flight performances provide a detailed > A complete cycle of the Beethoven
and stimulating portrait of this great artist. piano concertos and the ‘Appassionata’
sonata, given over three concerts, by
Chopin competition-winning pianist
Seong-Jin Cho and the Dresden
Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted
by Marek Janowski
Dvořák Festival, Prague
> An opera at the historic Estates
ITINERARY Theatre, where Mozart’s Don Giovanni
Days 1–3: In Bonn, visit Beethoven’s birthplace, premiered
attend two concerts at the Beethoven Festival > An orchestral concert in the splendid
and tour nearby Cologne. Art Nouveau Smetana Hall
Days 4–7: Travel to Dresden, attending a Vienna
complete cycle of Beethoven’s piano concertos
> An opera at the Vienna State Opera
over three nights, and visiting nearby Leipzig,
where Bach and Mendelssohn lived and worked. > A concert at either the Golden Hall of
Days 8–10: Travel to Prague for the annual the Musikverein or the Konzerthaus
Dvořák Festival. Explore Mozart and Beethoven’s
sojourns in Prague and visit aristocratic villas
and castles near the city.
Days 11–15: In Vienna, visit the places where
Beethoven lived and worked, travel to the
artistic retreat at nearby Baden bei Wien and
attend performances at world-famous venues.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 49

Italian Summer Music Festivals
From the Lakes to Lucca

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DEPARTURES
July 21 – August 2, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$10,350 pp, twin share
$2,100 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Royna McNamara led our
inaugural Italian Summer
Music Festivals tour in 2019.
She is a musician, educator
& conductor. Royna has a passion
for travel and has spent extended
periods of time in Spain and Italy.

INCLUSIONS
12 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 8 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees, including best seats
Enjoy spectacular performances in historic venues
available to the performances listed, and small-scale chamber concerts in some of Italy’s
and tipping.
most scenic locations.
THEMES
Music & Theatre OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES
Immerse yourself in Italy’s extraordinary Best available tickets to:
Inspiring Landscapes musical heritage at Summer Music Lake Como Bellagio Music Festival
Festivals in Verona, Lucca and Lake Como, > We attend two performances
Gardens & Country Houses where you experience Italy’s wonderful
The Arena di Verona
operatic and instrumental repertoire.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS Italian music is inseparable from the > Verdi’s Aida staged in the magnificent
Grade 2: Step in and out landscapes and history that have inspired Verona Arena
of boats; historic towns; evening it, and this tour takes you behind the Private Recital – Vicenza
performances. scenes of the great Italian composers, > An evening of Italian Renaissance
through visits to the diverse landscapes and and Baroque Chamber Music
START & FINISH provincial centres where they walked and Private recital – Cremona
The tour begins at Milan Malpensa worked, and a series of pre-performance > Violin recital in the Violin Museum
airport and ends at our hotel in talks. The tour is rounded off by fine dining
Lucca. Qatar, Singapore, Emirates Lucca and Puccini Festival
in Emilia-Romagna, Italy’s premier culinary
and Etihad airlines all offer > An evening of Puccini’s operatic arias
region, and a tour along the prosecco trail
connections to Milan Malpensa in the Church of San Giovanni, Lucca
in the Veneto.
airport from most Australian Puccini Festival
cities. Contact us for quotes
> Puccini’s operas performed by the shores
and bookings.
of beautiful Lake Massaciuccoli

ITINERARY
Bellagio (3)
Days 1–3: In Bellagio, explore Lake Como’s
Valdobbiadene
spectacular villas; enjoy lunch at Villa d’Este.
Attend the Lake Como Bellagio Music Festival.
Vicenza (3)
Days 4–6: In Vicenza, survey Palladio’s elegant Milan Verona
villas. Attend an opera at Verona’s Roman Cremona (3)
arena. Savour wine and gastronomy on the Mantua
Valdobbiadene’s “Prosecco Road”.
Days 7–9: From Cremona, discover Stradivari’s Parma
birthplace, Monteverdi’s Mantua and Verdi’s
Parma.
ITALY
Days 10–13: In elegant Lucca, deepen your
appreciation of Puccini’s work with walking
tours, a visit to the Museo Villa Puccini and Lucca (3)
operatic performances at both Torre del Lago’s
Puccini Festival and the Lucca Festival.

50 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 London & Paris
Art & Music

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DEPARTURES
January 16-30, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,450 pp, twin share
$2,625 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Christopher Menz “Every
day was well planned and
Christopher steered us
through it with enthusiasm.
The itinerary was loaded with exciting,
emotive and sensory experiences.
An excellent tour in all respects.”
– London & Paris, January 2019

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 7 lunches
Enjoy extended stays in London and Paris at the height or dinners. All ground transport,
of the cultural season, with galleries, opera houses including Eurostar London-Paris,
entrance fees, including best seats
and concert halls all at their winter best. available to the performances listed,
and tipping.
OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES THEMES
London and Paris come alive in the Best available tickets to:
wintertime with blockbuster exhibitions Medieval to Modern History
London
and excellent performance programs > The National Theatre’s new two-part Music & Theatre
designed for lovers of art and music when production of My Brilliant Friend
the tourist numbers are low. Explore two
> Sir Simon Rattle conducting the Art, Architecture & Design
of the world’s great cultural capitals, from
London Symphony Orchestra
their celebrated collections to their less-
visited galleries and house museums, and
> Verdi’s La Traviata at the Royal Opera FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
House, Covent Garden Grade 2: Historic towns with
appreciate the range of performances on
offer, from grand opera and orchestral Paris some uneven surfaces; coach travel.
> Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann
concerts to well-reviewed stage plays and
at the Opéra Bastille
START & FINISH
recitals. A week in each city, staying in the
The tour begins at our hotel in
centre, allows you ample time to unwind > An ‘opera ballet’ of Debussy’s L’après-
London and ends at Paris’s Charles
and enjoy the best of times with like- midi d’un faune and Ravel’s L’enfant
de Gaulle airport. Singapore Airlines,
minded travellers. et les sortilèges at the Palais Garnier Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways,
> Riccardo Chailly conducting Beethoven Etihad Airways and Emirates all offer
and Mussorgsky with Milan’s La Scala direct services into London and out
Orchestra at Jean Nouvel’s Philharmonie of Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport.
concert hall Contact us for quotes and bookings.

Cambridge
ITINERARY
Days 1–7: In London, we enjoy winter
London (7) blockbusters at the Queen’s Gallery and Tate
Britain; explore the vast British Museum; and
UK visit smaller galleries, including the Royal
Academy, Wallace Collection and Apsley House.
Day trip to Cambridge to visit the Fitzwilliam
Museum and King’s College.
Days 8–15: In Paris, admire the greats without
the crowds at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay.
Appreciate Paris’ smaller galleries, including
the Rodin Museum, the renovated Picasso
FRANCE Museum, the elegant Musée Nissim de
Château de Malmaison Paris (7)
Camondo, Frank Gehry’s Fondation Louis
Vuitton and Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 51

Munich & Glyndebourne
Opera Festivals
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
July 9-20, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$12,280 pp, twin share
$2,490 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Gay “This was an
opera themed tour but
the inclusion of visits to
major points of interest at
the same time is what continues to
attract us to Academy Travel, giving
us an all-round experience.” – Munich
& Glyndebourne Opera Festivals,
July 2018

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 6 lunches
The world’s two best summer opera festivals, together!
or dinners. Munich-London flight, German tradition and unrivalled quality in Munich; sparkle,
all ground transport, best seats
available to the performances listed,
innovation and the English summer at Glyndebourne.
entrance fees and tipping.

THEMES
OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES
Through its special connections in Munich Best available tickets to:
Music & Theatre and Glyndebourne, Academy Travel is Munich Opera Festival
pleased to once again offer entrée to > Four performances by the Bavarian State
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS difficult-to-access performances at two of Opera as part of Munich’s traditional
Grade 1: Only two hotels; evening the world’s leading opera festivals. Each Summer Festival. The festival offers an
performances. year in Munich, the Bavarian State Opera impressive range of operas with a star-
presents all its new productions for the
START & FINISH season over three weeks. The festival draws
studded cast of singers, including a recital
by tenor Jonas Kauffman
The tour begins at our hotel in an impressive roster of singers, such as
Munich and ends at Victoria Rail Glyndebourne Opera Festival
sopranos Anna Netrebko and Anja Harteros
Station in London. Emirates, Etihad and tenor Jonas Kauffman. Established in > Three operas at Glyndebourne, as part
and Singapore Airlines all offer 1934, Glyndebourne is the doyen of English of the prestigious summer opera music
suitable connections to these cities. country-house festivals, with superb festival set on this historic estate located
Contact us for quotes and bookings.
productions, excellent singers and the in the heart of Sussex’s South Downs.
London Philharmonic Orchestra in the pit. Glyndebourne never fails to dazzle, each
year producing imaginative operatic
productions of the highest standard,
with a stellar cast of performers

ITINERARY
UK Days 1–7: In Munich, attend four fine operas
London by the Bavarian State Opera. Explore Munich
and visit the tiny mountain village of Murnau.
Glyndebourne Visit Lenbachhaus Museum and enjoy iconic
Brighton (5) villages of the Romantic Road, crucial to
modern Germany’s national identity.
Days 8: Fly to London and transfer to the
GERMANY seaside city of Brighton.
Days 9-12: Attend afternoon performances
at Glyndebourne, with dinners included
Munich (6) during the long intervals. During the day,
Murnau explore the charming coastal city of Brighton,
including the famous pavilion and encounter
Bloomsbury Group intrigue at bohemian
Charleston.

52 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Opera in
New York
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 6-17, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$10,890 pp, twin share
$2,200 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Robert Mitchell joins
our program in 2020. He is
both a highly experienced
music tour leader and
singer. Over a three-decade career
with Opera Australia he has sung
in over 5,000 performances, on
stage with Sutherland, Pavarotti,
Te Kanawa and Kaufmann.

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation in
Catch the very best of the 2020 season at the premiere plus rooms at the 4-star
Met Opera, with new productions and star singers Warwick Hotel. All breakfasts, 5
lunches and a dinner. Grand Tier
in all performances. Prime seating to all performances at
the Met opera, best available tickets
OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES to a Broadway play and a concert at
Carnegie Hall. All ground transport,
Sir Bryn Terfel, Joyce DiDonato, Javier Six operas, a stage play and a Carnegie entrance fees and tipping.
Camarena, Vittorio Grigolo, and Australian Hall concert are included. Details of the
Nicole Car – the stars of the operatic play and the concert will be available THEMES
firmament come out in a star-studded in November.
Music & Theatre
line-up at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, > Handel’s Agrippina – brand new David
unrivalled by any other opera company McVicar production starring Joyce Residential Tours
anywhere in the world! Academy Travel is DiDonato, Brenda Rae and Iestyn Davies.
delighted to offer a 12-day program that > Verdi’s La Traviata – new production FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
includes six outstanding performances with star tenor Vittorio Grigolo as
at the Met, plus a Broadway play and a Grade 1: Only one hotel; long
Alfredo and upcoming soprano Lisette evening performances.
Carnegie Hall concert. We’ve secured seats Oropesa as Violetta
in the Grand Tier for all performances,
> Mozart’s Così fan tutte – 2018 production START & FINISH
complemented by background talks and
starring Australian soprano Nicole Car The tour begins and ends at our New
visits to a select range of galleries and
> Rossini’s comedy La Cenerentola – with York hotel. Qantas, Delta and United
museums. Airlines offer direct regular flights to
Javier Camarena, the new star tenor of
the international operatic scene and from New York, with stopovers
in either Los Angeles or Dallas Fort
> Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman – brand
Worth. Contact us for quotes
new production conducted by Valery and bookings.
Gergiev with Sir Bryn Terfel as the
Dutchman and star German soprano Anja
ITINERARY Kampe making her Met Opera debut
Day 1: Meet for welcome drinks. > Opening night of Massenet’s Werther,
Day 2: Midtown walking tour. Agrippina.
with an all-star cast including Joyce
DiDonato, Piotr Beczala and Aida
Day 3: Neue Museum private visit and a stroll
in Central Park. Broadway theatre matinée. Garifullina, led by the Met’s music
Days 4–5: The Cloisters and Harlem. La Traviata. director Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Day 6: Frick Collection. Così fan tutte.
Day 7: JP Morgan Library. La Cenerentola.
Day 8: MoMA private viewing, lunch at The
Modern, Carnegie Hall concert.
Days 9-10: Harlem Gospel (optional), The High
Line and Chelsea. The Flying Dutchman matinée.
Day 11: Opening night of Werther, with
farewell dinner at Grand Tier restaurant.
Day 12: Free morning in New York.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 53

Opera in Northern Italy
Turin, Milan, Parma, Venice & Florence

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 15-29, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$10,630 pp, twin share
$1,800 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Royna McNamara led our
inaugural Italian Summer
Music Festivals tour in 2019.
She is a musician, educator
& conductor. Royna has a passion
for travel and has spent extended
periods of time in Spain and Italy.

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 5 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees, including best seats
Experience eight outstanding performances at Italy’s most
available to the performances listed, famous and historic theatres, and discover the beautiful lakes
and tipping.
and art-filled small cities of northern Italy.
THEMES
Music & Theatre OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES
Opera is an iconic Italian art form, and Best available tickets to:
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS where better to enjoy it than the place Turin
of its birth? This 15-day tour takes you to
Grade 2: Walking tours; > Puccini’s La Bohème at the Teatro Regio
eight performances at historic venues –
frequent evening concerts; long di Torino, with Bolshoi star Dinara Alieva
coach journeys.
including La Fenice in Venice, La Scala in
as Mimi
Milan, Florence’s Maggio Musicale and the
START & FINISH Teatro Regio in Turin. The performances are Milan
The tour begins at Milan’s Malpensa complemented by visits to the places where > A new production of Richard Strauss’s
airport and ends at either Pisa the composers lived and worked, allowing Salome, conducted by music director
or Florence airports. Singapore, you to appreciate the history and the Riccardo Chailly
Emirates and Qatar offer direct personalities behind the music. Staying in > Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at La Scala,
flights into Milan and connecting Turin, Milan, Parma, Venice and Florence, this with acclaimed soprano Rosa Feola
flights out of Florence or Pisa. musical journey is rounded out with visits
Parma
Contact us for quotes and bookings. to world-class museums and fine dining.
> Debussy’s ground-breaking Pelléas et
Mélisande at the Teatro Regio
Venice
> A concert of Venetian chamber music
performed by the Interpreti Veneziani
> A new production Bizet’s Carmen at
La Fenice, with the well-known Spanish
ITINERARY director Calixto Bieito making his
Days 1–3: In Turin, attend an opera at Teatro directorial debut in Venice
Regio and marvel at the Egyptian Museum. Florence
Days 4–6: Travel to Milan, attend two operas at
> Francesco Micheli’s new production
La Scala, and enjoy an excursion to Lake Como.
of Verdi’s ever-popular La Traviata at
Days 7–8: Explore Parma, one of Emilia-
Romagna’s refined centres and attend an the Teatro del Maggio Musicale
opera at Teatro Regio di Parma. > Pier Luigi Pizzi’s production of Handel’s
Days 9–11: Journey to Venice via Mantua, baroque masterpiece Rinaldo
attend a concert of chamber music at the
Chiesa di San Vidal and an opera at La Fenice.
Days 12–15: Travel to Florence for two operas
at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale, Florence’s
premier theatre, with time to sample the city’s
artistic glories.

54 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Salzburg, Prague, Vienna
A Musical Christmas & New Year

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DEPARTURES
Dec 21, 2020 – Jan 4, 2021
TOUR PRICE
$10,990 pp, twin share
$2,590 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Gay “Provided
excellent lectures that
greatly enhanced the
experience of attending the
Ring Cycle.” – Wagner’s Ring Cycle
in New York, April 2019

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in four-
star hotels. All breakfasts, plus
9 lunches or dinners. All ground
transport, best seats available to the
Celebrate Christmas and New Year with the best performances listed, entrance fees
of European opera, ballet and orchestral music and tipping.

in the great musical capitals of Central Europe. THEMES

Music & Theatre
OVERVIEW PERFORMANCES
Academy Travel is delighted to offer its Best available tickets to: FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
musical Christmas and New Year tour. In Salzburg Grade 2: Walking tours on
This 15-day tour visits three of the great mostly cobble-stoned streets, often
> Two performances, including an
musical capitals of Central Europe – involving slopes and steps; cold
opera at the Landestheater
Salzburg, Prague and Vienna – each of climatic conditions.
which will be decked in their festive season In Prague
finery. The itinerary begins in Salzburg, > Two performances at the National START & FINISH
Mozart’s birthplace and a delightful Theatre The tour begins at our hotel in
alpine city, followed by Prague, where we > A performance at the Estates Theatre Salzburg and ends at our hotel in
explore its rich musical heritage, then In Vienna/Bratislava Vienna. Qantas and Emirates both
progress to our final base, Vienna, which offer suitable connections into
> An opera at the Vienna State Opera
combines an unrivalled musical heritage Salzburg and out of Vienna, from
> The Vienna Symphony Orchestra’s New most Australian cities. Contact us
with spectacular New Year celebrations.
Year’s Eve concert at the Konzerthaus for quotes and bookings.
Nine performances – of opera, ballet and
orchestral music – are included. > The New Year’s Day concert at the
Reduta Concert Hall in Bratislava
> A ballet at the Vienna State Opera

ITINERARY
Prague (5)
Days 1–4: In Salzburg, visit Mozart’s family
home. Excursion to the Salzkammergut district.
Czechia Performances at the Landestheater.
Days 5–9: In Prague, explore the Castle District
Brno
and Municipal House. Enjoy performances at
the Estates Theatre and National Theatre.
Days 10–15: In Vienna, visit the Beethoven
Slovakia Museum and survey the collections of the
Vienna (5) Bratislava Kunsthistorisches Museum. Marvel at the
Salzburg (4)
spectacular view of the fireworks over a New
Baden
Year’s Eve dinner; take a day trip to Bratislava
Salzkammergut for a New Year’s Day concert at the fine Reduta
Concert Hall. Excursion to Baden for lunch
austria in a typical winery. Two performances at the
celebrated Vienna State Opera.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 55

Two Musical Cities
Hamburg & Berlin

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DEPARTURES
October 7-19, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,280 pp, twin share
$1,870 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Gay “Was an
outstanding tour leader,
concerned with everyone’s
comfort. His extensive and
detailed knowledge of opera was
stimulating.” – Opera in Northern
Italy, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
12 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 6 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport, best
seats available to the performances
Enjoy the very best of opera, orchestral music
listed, all entrance fees and tipping. and ballet in some of Germany’s finest opera houses
THEMES and concert halls.
Music & Theatre
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Residential Tours Music lies at the heart of German culture, > Eight performances of opera, orchestral
and it is no surprise that it is home to music and ballet
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS some of the most renowned composers, > Detailed background talks by one of
Grade 2: Historic towns with
conductors, singers and instrumentalists Australia’s most experienced music
some uneven surfaces; evening in the world. Our new Hamburg and educators
performances; coach travel. Berlin itinerary gives you the opportunity > A day at Berlin’s Museum Island, home
to immerse yourself in this heritage. to fabulous collections of Egyptian,
START & FINISH The program is built around eight Babylonian and classical antiquities
The tour begins at our hotel in outstanding performances in celebrated > Germany’s maritime past, in Hamburg’s
Hamburg and ends in our hotel venues, including the exciting new historic districts and the Hanseatic port
in Berlin. Emirates offers the best Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and the of Lübeck
connections into Hamburg and out newly-renovated Staatsoper Unter Den
> Fine collections of Old and Modern
of Berlin from most Australian cities. Linden in Berlin. The performances are
Masters at Hamburg’s Kunsthalle and
Contact us for quotes and bookings. complemented by visits to excellent city
Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie
museums and day trips to Lübeck
and Potsdam. > Modern Berlin, from the remains of the
Wall and Check-Point Charlie to lunch at
Käfer’s, under Norman Foster’s Reichstag
dome, with views across Berlin

ITINERARY
Days 1–6: Arrive Hamburg. Tour the city centre
and the historic maritime district; visit the fine
Lübeck collections of Hamburg’s Kunsthalle. Day trip
to Lübeck, the largest port in the Middle Ages,
Hamburg (5) with its well-preserved cityscape. Enjoy three
GERMANY performances of opera and ballet in fine venues,
including the new Elbphilharmonie.
Days 7–13: In Berlin, explore the city’s Cold War
history and its post-reunification renaissance.
Admire masters old and new on Museum Island
and at the Gemäldegalerie. Spend a full day
Berlin (7) in Potsdam, including visits to Sanssouci and
Potsdam Cecilienhof, site of the Potsdam Conference.
Enjoy five performances at venues including
the Staatsoper and the Philharmonie.

56 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Wagner’s Ring Cycle
in Chicago
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
April 26 – May 4, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$10,840 pp, twin share
$2,130 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Gay “Made an
outstanding contribution to
my enjoyment of the tour,
he is so knowledgeable and
has such a caring warm personality.”
– Wagner’s Ring Cycle in New York,
April 2019

INCLUSIONS
8 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star
hotel. All breakfasts and 4 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport, best
Experience one of the greatest achievements in Western Music: seats available to the performances
Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen. A trip to the Ring Cycle listed, entrance fees and tipping.
is the musical pilgrimage of a lifetime. THEMES
Music & Theatre
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Wagner’s tetralogy, Der Ring des Nibelungen, > All four operas in the Ring Cycle, Das Residential Tours
is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and
the Western music tradition. It combines Götterdämmerung FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
intense, heroic drama with orchestral and > The renowned Art Institute of Chicago, Grade 1: Only one hotel; long
vocal writing that is both vast in scale and including lunch and expert guidance evening performances.
deeply moving. A special journey to see by an art lecturer and historian
The Ring is a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage.
START & FINISH
> A full day exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s
Once again Academy Travel has secured The tour begins and ends at our hotel
architecture in Oak Park, including Unity
top-grade seats, this time the Chicago Lyric in Chicago. Qantas offers the most
Temple and his Home and Studio direct regular flights to and from
Opera’s production. Housed in a fine Art > Walking and river tours exploring
Deco auditorium, the Lyric Opera is one of Chicago, with stopovers in either
Chicago’s incredible architectural legacy Los Angeles or Dallas Fort Worth.
America’s finest houses, regularly hosting and its ever-changing skyline Contact us for quotes and bookings.
the world’s leading singers. The 2020 Ring
> A private reception at the sumptuous
promises to be no exception.
Richard H. Driehaus Museum, showcasing
the art and design of Louis Comfort
Tiffany and Chicago’s Gilded Age

ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Chicago and settle in. Meet
fellow participants over drinks and canapes.
Driehaus
Museum Days 2–3: Two in-depth morning talks,
Millennium Park welcome lunch, an architectural walking tour
Oak Park Lyric Opera of Chicago of Chicago’s downtown and Das Rheingold.
Kimpton Gray Hotel
Art Institute Day 4: Morning talk and Die Walküre.
of Chicago
Day 5: An exploration of the architecture
of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Day 6: Morning talk and Siegfried.
Day 7: Millennium Park and the Art Institute
of Chicago. Afternoon river cruise.
Chicago Day 8: Morning talk and Götterdämmerung,
8 nights followed by farewell dinner.
Day 9: Free morning.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 57

Wagner’s Ring Cycle
in Paris
FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Nov 28 – Dec 7, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,650 pp, twin share
$2,320 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Gay “We cannot
speak highly enough of
our tour leader, excellent
in every way!” – Opera in
Northern Italy, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
9 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star
hotel. All breakfasts and 4 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport, best
seats available to the performances
listed, entrance fees and tipping.
Experience one of the greatest achievements in European
THEMES music history, Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen,
Music & Theatre and enjoy Paris’s exceptional art and fine dining.
Residential Tours
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS The opportunity to see a new production > Guaranteed top category ‘optima’
of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen by (premium) tickets to all four
Grade 1: Only one hotel; long
one of the world’s great opera companies performances of Wagner’s Der Ring des
evening performances.
is always an exciting prospect. November Nibelungen
START & FINISH 2020 sees the culmination of years of > Extensive background talks on the Ring
The tour begins and ends at our hotel planning and preparation at the Opéra by one of Australia’s most experienced
in Paris. Qatar, Emirates and Etihad Bastille in Paris, combining the talents of music educators
Airways offer the best connections renowned director Calixto Bieito, music > Paris’s small galleries and museums,
into and out of Paris from most director Philippe Jordan, an outstanding including the Fondation Louis Vuitton,
Australian cities. Contact us for cast and the splendid orchestra and chorus the Musée Marmottan Monet, and the
quotes and bookings. of the Opéra de Paris. Based in a boutique Musée d’Art Moderne
4-star hotel not far from the Opéra Bastille, > Empress Joséphine’s fine Chateau
the itinerary includes a carefully curated Malmaison, with its historic collector’s
selection of some of Paris’s best smaller garden
galleries and museums.
> Four excellent dinners with
accompanying wines, plus interval drinks

ITINERARY
Montmartre Sacré Coeur
Days 1–3: Explore the new Fondation Louis
Vuitton. Marais walking tour, pre-performance
PARIS talk and Wagner’s Das Rheingold.
10 nights
Arc de Triomphe Days 4–5: Excursion to Joséphine’s Malmaison
and the outstanding Musée Marmottan Monet.
Pre-performance talk and Wagner’s Die Walküre.
Louvre
Pompidou Centre Days 6–7: Enjoy the Grand Palais’s temporary
Eiffel Tower exhibition. Full day at leisure to explore Paris’s
galleries, museums and cafés. Pre-performance
Opéra talk and Wagner’s Siegfried, with dinner
Bastille
Luxembourg Gardens Panthéon at the Opéra Bastille.
Days 8–10: Survey the Palais de Tokyo’s
Montparnasse Cemetery
monumental Musée d’Art Moderne.
Pre-performance talk and Wagner’s
Götterdämmerung. Farewell dinner.

58 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

THE AMERICAS
Discover the complex
cultures of the USA
through its extraordinary
art, architecture and
history or enjoy the best
of New York – outstanding
performances, fine
dining, and private visits
to breathtaking museums
and collections.

The colours of fall along Central

Park’s Mall in New York.
America’s Two Capitals
Washington & New York

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DEPARTURES
Sep 27 – Oct 10, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,950 pp, twin share
$2,900 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Laing “Was
able to give such a valuable
insight into New York and
our visits were all, without
fail, a joy to be on.” – New York,
March 2019

INCLUSIONS
13 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 4 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport, best
available tickets to five performances,
entrance fees and tipping.
Modern history, culture, art and politics come together
in Washington and New York, on a residential-style tour
THEMES
surveying America’s two capitals in depth.
Medieval to Modern History

Music & Theatre OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

The great scholar Lewis Mumford once > America’s history in a nutshell, from
Art, Architecture & Design wrote “the chief function of the city is Dutch New Amsterdam to Gettysburg,
to convert power into form and energy Wall Street and beyond
Residential Tours into culture.” Nowhere is this truer than > The story of America told by its art:
in the twin capitals of the United States, in-depth tours of the National Gallery of
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS Washington and New York, two remarkably Art, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian
Grade 1: Moderate walking on different cities that became icons of the and Metropolitan Museum, and a before-
mostly even surfaces, with nearly 20th-century. This new 14-day residential- hours tour of MoMA
all sites highly accessible. style tour investigates the development > Five performances, including the
of these political, economic and cultural Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre and the
START & FINISH capitals of the modern world, while Metropolitan Opera
The tour begins at our hotel in enjoying the very best of art, performance > America’s lesser-known urban history:
Washington D.C. and ends at our and design these cities have to offer. Harlem’s African American community
hotel in New York. Qantas, American
and jazz, the immigrant worlds of
Airlines, Air New Zealand and Air
Brooklyn and the Lower East Side
Canada offer suitable connections
to and from the USA from most > Prepare for the 2020 presidential elections:
Australian capital cities. Contact special in-depth lectures
us for quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Days 1–6: In Washington, witness nation-
building at the National Mall, Lincoln
and Jefferson Memorials and Mt Vernon. New York (7)

Comprehend America’s political history at the USA

Capitol, Library of Congress and White House.
Admire great cultural repositories from the
National Gallery of Art to the Kennedy Center. Gettysburg
Washington at war: Gettysburg to the Pentagon.
Days 7–14: Explore New York’s personal histories
on Wall Street, Ellis Island and the Lower
East Side. Admire the Gilded Age at the Frick,
Metropolitan Museum and Met Opera. New
Washington (6)
York’s cultural chutzpah, from Midtown Art
Deco to the Harlem Renaissance. Celebrate the
modern at MoMA and Hudson Yards.

60 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Christmas in New York
Music, Theatre, Art & Food

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DEPARTURES
Dec 21, 2020 – Jan 2, 2021
TOUR PRICE
$10,320 pp, twin share
$3,280 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Laing “Is a
fantastic leader, so well
informed and comfortable
in NYC. A soundless
operation.” – Thanksgiving in New
York, November 2018

INCLUSIONS
12 nights’ accommodation at the
4-star Warwick Hotel located in
midtown Manhattan. All breakfasts
and 4 lunches or dinners. All ground
Experience New York in its festive brilliance, seeing the best transport, best seats available to
shows of the season, visiting great small galleries and capping included performances, entrance
fees and tipping.
it all off with New Year’s Eve in the city that never sleeps.
THEMES
OVERVIEW > An evening of jazz at ‘Jazz at the Medieval to Modern History
Lincoln Center’
Nowhere does Christmas and New Year’s
Eve like New York City does. Experience > A new production of a stage play from Music & Theatre
both on this exciting 13-day tour, the Broadway 2020-21 season
Art, Architecture and History Art, Architecture & Design
combining the culture, art and architecture
of New York with the vibrant atmosphere > A private viewing of the Museum of Residential Tours
of the holiday season: from the Rockettes’ Modern Art with a museum lecturer
Christmas Spectacular at Radio City
Music Hall to a traditional New Year’s Eve
> Expert-led tour of The Cloisters, the FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exquisite Grade 1: One hotel; walking tours;
performance by the New York Philharmonic medieval collection
Orchestra at the Lincoln Center. These cold weather.
> Charming small galleries, including the
performances, in addition to opera, theatre, Frick Collection and the Neue Galerie START & FINISH
exceptional museums, New York’s stunning
> Architectural tours of Midtown, The tour begins and ends at our
architecture and fine dining at Michelin-
Downtown and Chelsea, featuring hotel in New York. Qantas, Delta and
starred restaurants, round out this
Beaux-Arts, Art Deco and Post-Modern United Airlines offer direct regular
unique experience. flights to and from New York, with
masterpieces
HIGHLIGHTS Fine Dining
stopovers in Los Angeles or Dallas
Fort Worth. Contact us for quotes
The itinerary includes eight performances, > Lunch at the Michelin two-star restaurant and bookings.
some of the world’s top art and history The Modern, inside the Museum of
museums, and dining in a selection of Modern Art
the city’s best restaurants. > The best of New American cuisine at the
Performances Michelin one-star Gramercy Tavern
> The smash-hit Broadway Musical Hamilton > A grand Christmas lunch and leisurely
> A performance by the world-leading afternoon at one of New York’s top
Metropolitan Opera restaurants
> The traditional New Year’s Eve concert
by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
> An evening at Carnegie Hall, New
York’s premiere destination for musical
performances
> The Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas
Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
> George Balanchine’s The Nutracker,
performed by the New York Ballet

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 61

Frank Lloyd Wright
Chicago to Fallingwater

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DEPARTURES
May 17-29, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,970 pp, twin share
$1,640 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Laing “This
was an excellent tour.
Matthew went beyond
the norm. Everything
moved smoothly – most enjoyable.”
– Frank Lloyd Wright: Chicago to
Fallingwater, May 2018

INCLUSIONS
12 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 5 lunches
or dinners. Madison-Buffalo flight,
all ground transport, entrance fees
Follow the life and works of Frank Lloyd Wright,
and tipping. one of the greatest all-time geniuses of architecture,
THEMES on a trail through America’s Midwest.
Medieval to Modern History
OVERVIEW KEY SITES VISITED
Art, Architecture & Design Follow the Frank Lloyd Wright trail and See over 15 masterworks spanning seven
discover the life and architecture of decades of incredible creativity
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS the greatest American architect. This > Wright’s Home and Studio (1889)
Grade 2: Walking tours with 13-day tour takes in over 15 of Wright’s > Darwin Martin Complex (1903), where
some uneven surfaces and stairs; most acclaimed buildings. It traces his we’ll enjoy a private lunch
coach travel. development from his beginnings in > Unity Temple (1905), a beautiful
Chicago and his Prairie style homes, to
START & FINISH his tragic yet inspirational home in Spring
experiment in modern materials
The tour begins at our hotel in > Robie House (1909), a landmark of the
Green, Wisconsin, the Darwin Martin
Chicago and ends at Pittsburgh Prairie-Style
complex in Buffalo, and Fallingwater,
International Airport. Qantas offers the most perfect embodiment of his > Taliesin (1911-1925), Wright’s Wisconsin
the most direct flights into Chicago architectural principles. The tour features estate and architectural school
and onwards from Pittsburgh. private guided visits to homes and major > SC Johnson Wax Headquarters (1936)
Contact us for quotes and bookings. > Jacobs House I (1937)
galleries, a day trip to Niagara Falls, and
places Wright in the context of modern > Fallingwater (1939), Wright’s unrivaled
America’s fascinating history and culture. masterpiece at which we’ll have a
private, before-hours visit
> Kentuck Knob (1953)

ITINERARY
Days 1–4: In Chicago, visit Millennium Park,
the Art Institute of Chicago, Wright’s Home and
Canada
Studio, Robie House and Farnsworth House.
Day 5: Coach to Milwaukee to see Johnson
Wax Administration Building, Research
Tower, Wingspread and his late work, the Buffalo (2)
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Madison (2) Milwaukee (1)
Days 6–7: Continue to Madison for a full estate
tour of Taliesin and to visit the first Usonian Chicago (4)
home, Jacobs House I. Pittsburgh (3)
Days 8–9: Fly to Buffalo to view the Darwin
Martin House, Graycliff and to tour Niagara Falls. USA
Days 10–13: Coach to Pittsburgh to see iconic
Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob.

62 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 New York
Art, Architecture, History & Theatre

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 17-29, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,950 pp, twin share
$2,930 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Laing “His
explanations were very
informative and explained
many aspects of modern
day attitudes of not only New York,
but also the US population. Most
helpful.” – New York, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
12 nights’ accommodation at the
4-star Warwick Hotel located in
midtown Manhattan. All breakfasts
The Big Apple: a global powerhouse of finance, ideas, and 5 lunches or dinners. All ground
culture and art. Understand this iconic city of the transport, best seats available to the
performances listed, entrance fees
modern era as never before. and tipping.

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS THEMES

Wake up in the city that never sleeps – 12 Seven outstanding performances Medieval to Modern History
times! This residential tour to New York > Smash-hit musical Hamilton, based on
combines a carefully-selected range of Music & Theatre
the life of Founding Father Alexander
performances – from jazz to Broadway, Hamilton Art, Architecture & Design
orchestral music and opera – with private > Wagner’s dramatically-charged opera
visits to a selection of the city’s best The Flying Dutchman at the Metropolitan Residential Tours
museums and galleries, and dining in some Opera at the Lincoln Center
of its finest restaurants. It also explores the FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
> Kent Nagano leading the Montreal
fascinating history and architecture of the
Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Grade 1: One hotel; walking tours.
city through walking tours of its renowned
Hall, performing Schumann and
neighbourhoods: Brooklyn, Chelsea,
Shostakovitch START & FINISH
Midtown, Downtown, the Upper East Side
> The New York Philharmonic performing The tour begins and ends at our
and Central Park. Accommodation is in
Bartok, Berlioz and Lalo, led by the hotel in New York. Qantas, Delta and
spacious premier-plus rooms at the Warwick
international violin virtuoso Frank Huang United Airlines offer the most direct
Hotel, perfect for attending theatres and regular flights to and from New
visiting galleries. > Three other selections from the best of
York, with stopovers in Los Angeles
New York’s Broadway and Jazz
or Dallas Fort Worth. Contact us for
Art, architecture and history quotes and bookings.
> Exclusive, before-hours visits to three
galleries: the Museum of Modern Art,
the Metropolitan Museum, and the
ITINERARY Neue Galerie with expert lecturers
Days 1–2: Walking tours of New Amsterdam > Small gallery visits to the Frick Collection,
and Downtown; musical Hamilton. Whitney Museum and The Cloisters
Day 3: Tour Central Park, lunch at the Boathouse > A sweep of the city’s incredible history,
Restaurant, visit to the Frick Collection.
including the Dutch in New Amsterdam
Day 4: Midtown architectural tour, visit the
and the immigrant experience on the
United Nations and a hit Broadway play.
Lower East Side and Ellis Island
Days 5–6: Visit Neue Galerie, Guggenheim,
walk the High Line, see Wagner at the Met. > Architectural walking tours of the
Day 7: Met Museum of Art, and The Cloisters. Financial District, Midtown, Central Park,
Days 8–9: The Lower East Side, J.P. Morgan Chelsea and the High Line
Library and Jazz at the Lincoln. > The culture and history of Brooklyn,
Day 10: Private viewing of MoMA. including the stunning Brooklyn Bridge
Day 11–13: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge and and Brooklyn Heights
performance at Carnegie Hall.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 63

New York
The Art of Fashion

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DEPARTURES
May 5-15, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,120 pp, twin share
$2,660 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Anna Lebovic joins our
program in 2020. Anna is
a cultural historian with
extensive experience as
a researcher and educator. Her
doctorate was the first academic
history of America’s pre-eminent
fashion magazine, Vogue.

INCLUSIONS
10 nights’ accommodation at the
4-star Warwick Hotel located in
midtown Manhattan. All breakfasts
Fashion and design from its earliest beginnings
and 7 lunches or dinners. All ground to the modern day, with fine dining and high culture,
transport, best seats available to the
performances listed, entrance fees
in the inimitable New York City.
and tipping.

THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Haute couture and fine dining in the Big > An exploration of the American fashion
Medieval to Modern History Apple – this new 11-day tour explores scene in New York, the evolution of its
the vibrant fashion, dining and design unique style and global influence
Music & Theatre scene of New York City against the > The Costume Institute’s special new
backdrop of the world-famous Met exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum
Art, Architecture & Design
Gala, the highlight of the fashion year. of Art, launched at the 2020 Met Gala
Through the world of high fashion, take > A private before-hours tour of the
Residential Tours
a social and historical journey to discover Museum of Modern Art
the uniquely American sense of style,
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS how it continues to influence trends
> Four incredible performances, including
Grade 1: One hotel; walking tours. offerings by the New York City Ballet
globally, and how New Yorkers in their and Metropolitan Opera
START & FINISH fashionable finery at great restaurants
> Fine dining in some of the city’s best
and performances define the image of
The tour begins and ends at our hotel restaurants, featuring breakfast at Blue
New York City as a global cultural capital.
in New York. Qantas and United Box Café, in the iconic Fifth Avenue
Airlines offer the most direct regular Tiffany’s store, lunch at the Loeb
flights to and from New York, with Boathouse in Central Park, afternoon tea
stopovers in either Los Angeles or at the Russian Tea Rooms and dinner at
Dallas Fort Worth. Contact us for the Michelin 3-star Le Bernardin
quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Guggenheim Museum
Days 1–3: Midtown Manhattan, including
Metropolitan Museum of Art Neue Museum
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the Frick Collection
Lincoln Center Theater Frick Collection
and the NYC Ballet.
Carnegie Hall
Days 4–5: Behind the scenes of American MoMA Warwick Hotel
fashion: expert guided tours of the Garment The Garment District Broadway
The Fashion Institute
District, Jewish quarter and Lower East Side. High Line of Technology
Days 6–7: Private tour of MoMA, high tea at NEW
the Russian Tea Room and performances YORK
at the Met Opera and Carnegie Hall. 10 nights
Days 8–9: Chelsea, SoHo, Greenwich Village, Soho
Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute
and Met Gala exhibition.
Brooklyn Bridge
Days 10–11: The Fashion Institute of Technology,
Neue Galerie, Guggenheim Museum and dinner
at the Michelin 3-star Le Bernardin.

64 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

Thanksgiving in New York
Music, Theatre, Art & Food

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DEPARTURES
Nov 22 – Dec 3, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$10,780 pp, twin share
$3,420 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Stuart Barrie “You have
a fabulous tour guide in
Stuart who was enthusiastic
and very flexible in meeting
any demands of his troops!” –
Modern Architecture, October 2018

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation at the
4-star Warwick Hotel located in
midtown Manhattan. All breakfasts
and 4 lunches or dinners. All ground
Celebrate Thanksgiving in New York – a time for food, transport, best seats available to the
reflection and good company – while experiencing performances listed, entrance fees
and tipping.
the very best this iconic city has to offer.
THEMES
OVERVIEW Art, Architecture and History Medieval to Modern History
Enjoy an American Thanksgiving and a > A private out-of-hours viewing of
host of other events on this special holiday the Museum of Modern Art with a Music & Theatre
tour. As well as the regular offerings on our museum lecturer
> Excursion to Philip Johnson’s Glass Art, Architecture & Design
New York performing arts tours – opera,
symphony, private visits to galleries such House, north of the city
Residential Tours
as MoMA – we’ve included seasonal events > Expert-led tour of The Cloisters, the
that are only on offer at this special time Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exquisite
of year, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving medieval collection on the northern tip
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Day Parade and legendary Rockettes’ of Manhattan Grade 1: One hotel; walking tours.
performances. There’s also some great new > Charming small galleries, including START & FINISH
season stage drama and musicals on offer. The Frick Collection and The Neue Galerie
The tour begins and ends at our
Accommodation, as always, is in spacious > Architectural walking tours of Midtown, hotel in New York. Qantas, Delta and
premium plus rooms in the perfectly Downtown, SoHo and Chelsea, featuring United Airlines offer the most direct
located Warwick Hotel on 54th Street. Beaux-Arts, Art Deco and postmodern regular flights to and from New
HIGHLIGHTS masterpieces York, with stopovers in Los Angeles
> Lectures on the history, architecture or Dallas Fort Worth. Contact us for
The itinerary includes seven performances, quotes and bookings.
and culture of the city
some of the world’s top art and history
museums and dining in a selection of the Fine Dining
city’s best restaurants. > Degustation dinner at the Michelin three-
Performances star restaurant Eleven Madison Park
> The smash hit musical Hamilton on > Lunch at the Michelin two-star restaurant
the life of New York’s Founding Father The Modern, inside the Museum of
Modern Art
> A performance by the renowned
Metropolitan Opera, at the Lincoln Center > A traditional all-American Thanksgiving
meal at one of New York’s leading
> A performance by the New York
restaurants
Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Lincoln
Center’s David Geffen Hall
> The 10th Annual Christmas Concert
at Carnegie Hall
> The Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular at
Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center
> A new stage play from the Broadway
2020-2021 season
> An evening of jazz at Dizzy’s Club

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 65

The South
Charleston to Memphis

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DEPARTURES
October 11-26, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,880 pp, twin share
$3,100 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Laing “Was a
pleasure to travel with as
our tour guide. He interacts
equally and collegiately
with everyone in the group, goes
out of his way to assist with any
reasonable individual request.”
– New York, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
14 nights’ accommodation in
4-star hotels. All breakfasts and 6
lunches or dinners. Charleston-New
Go beyond the stereotypes and find out what it is
Orleans internal flight, all ground that makes the South unique within the United States,
transport, best seats available to the
performances listed, entrance fees,
from food and music to culture and peoples.
and tipping.

THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
The South is not just a geographical > The Antebellum South: private tours of
Medieval to Modern History distinction in the United States: it is plantations, manor houses and colonial
a unique culture within the nation. Charleston
Art, Architecture & Design Southerners’ hospitality is legendary, as is > The South’s incredible music, from blues
their cuisine, music, literature and style, and soul to rockabilly and jazz
Gardens & Country Houses
with its fusion of French, Spanish and > The unique mixture of French, Spanish and
American cultures. But there is a troubled American culture in New Orleans, from the
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS history of race, cultural clashes and a spirit French Quarter to post-Katrina recovery
Grade 1: Moderate walking on of independence behind today’s Southern > Follow the Mississippi, lifeblood of the
mostly even surfaces, with nearly culture, which further distinguishes South, and stay in an Antebellum mansion
all sites highly accessible. Southerners from their northern cousins. in Natchez
This 15-day tour of the South samples the
START & FINISH best this fascinating region has to offer,
> Signature meals showcasing the South’s
distinctive cuisine, from Low County to
The tour begins in our hotel in whilst exploring its deeper history.
Charleston and ends in our hotel in
Cajun and Creole
Memphis. Qantas, American Airlines, > The South’s complex history, with special
Air New Zealand and Air Canada lectures and tours including the Whitney
offer suitable connections to and Plantation and the National Civil Rights
from the USA, from most Australian Museum
cities. Contact us for quotes and
bookings.
ITINERARY
Days 1–4: In Charleston, visit Nathaniel Russell USA
House and Drayton Hall, enjoy a harbour cruise.
Day trip to Savannah, Georgia, including the Memphis (3)
Bonaventure Cemetery and Beaufort.
Days 5–10: Fly to New Orleans. Explore the
French Quarter and its jazz; take a steamboat on Charleston (4)
the Mississippi. Visit the Lower Ninth Ward and
Savannah
enjoy a private tour of the Jean Lafitte bayou.
Natchez (2)
Day trips to Oak Alley and Whitney plantations.
St Francisville/Vicksburg
Days 11–12: Transfer to Natchez Antebellum
mansion, touring a working cotton plantation
and Vicksburg Civil War battlefield. New Orleans (5)
Day 13–15: In Memphis, explore Sun Studio,
Elvis’s Graceland and the National Civil Rights
Museum. Blues and soul performances.

66 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

AFRICA,
MIDDLE EAST &
CENTRAL ASIA
Academy Travel’s tours
to Africa, Middle East
& Central Asia have
a strong focus on
ancient history and
archaeology. Many tours
are led by experienced
archaeologists, several
of whom have worked
on sites in the region.

Morocco’s Hassan II Mosque, in

Casablanca, is a showcase of the
very best Moroccan artisanship:
hand-carved stone and wood,
intricate marble flooring and
inlay, gilded cedar ceilings
and exquisite tilework.
Egypt
Beyond the Nile

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 15 – April 4, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$12,885 pp, twin share
$2,295 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Chris Bradley “Is an
outstanding tour and people
organiser. He gave us
terrific information during
the trip that set the context of what
we were seeing and deepened our
understanding.” – Iran, April 2018

INCLUSIONS
20 nights’ accommodation in 4 to
5-star hotels, including a 4-night
Nile River cruise and a 3-night Lake
Nasser cruise. All breakfasts and
Uncover the Nile’s vital role in shaping Egyptian history
many lunches or dinners. Cairo-Luxor from Lake Nasser, Luxor and Cairo’s pharaohs,
and Abu Simbel-Alexandria flights,
all ground transport, entrance fees
to the river delta at Alexandria.
and tipping.

MS FARAH NILE CRUISE

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Witness some of the most iconic ancient > Cairo’s unforgettable pyramids and
Please see opposite page for the MS
structures the world has ever seen and Sphinx, the Step Pyramid of Djoser and
Farah description.
delve deeper into Egypt’s fascinating the Egyptian and Islamic museums
MS PRINCE ABBAS history, from Pharaohs to Greek Ptolemaic > Luxor’s impressive Karnak Temple, the
LAKE NASSER rulers, the Romans, Coptic Christianity’s Valley of the Kings, Nobles and Queens,
biblical legacy and on to the arrival of the Ramesseum and Luxor Museum
The Mövenpick MS Prince Abbas is a
Islam in the 7th century. This new 21-day > Cruise the Nile to Aswan, stopping
modern 5-star cruise ship, with all 65
tour takes you to Cairo’s pyramids and at Kom Ombo and Edfu
cabins outside facing. The Mövenpick
group pride themselves on quality
museums, Luxor’s temples and the Valley of > Egypt’s modern engineering marvel:
service, with well-appointed cabins the Kings, and then down the Nile to Abu Aswan High Dam
and an onboard restaurant where Simbel and a cruise on modern-day Lake
> Abu Simbel and the temples of
some of the best traditional and Nasser. The tour culminates in Alexandria
Lake Nasser
international specialties are served. at the Nile River Delta with the modern
Biblioteca and visits to Australian World > Alexandria’s waterfront Biblioteca,
THEMES War II sites and graves at El Alamein. a reimagining of its ancient library
> Moving World War II sites, graves
Archaeology & Ancient History
and museum at El Alamein
Medieval to Modern History

Inspiring Landscapes

Small Ship & Land Tours ITINERARY

Days 1–4: Cairo’s iconic sites and museums Alexandria (3)

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS at Giza, Saqqara and Memphis. El-Alamain

Cairo (6)
Days 5–8: Fly to Luxor and explore the
Grade 2: Challenging
complex of temples and museums, as well as
archaeological sites; stepping
monuments and tombs on the West Bank at
in and out of boats.
the Valley of the King, Queens and Nobles.
START & FINISH Days 9–12: Travel to Aswan aboard a luxury
Nile cruise, stopping at Kom Ombo, Edfu,
The tour begins and ends at our hotel Elephantine Island and Philae Temple. Luxor (4)
in Cairo. Emirates and Etihad Airlines 4
Days 13–15: Cruise Lake Nasser from Abu Simbel,
have direct flights into and out of to visit Nubian temples on the western shore. Egypt Aswan
Cairo from most Australian cities. 3
Days 16–21: Fly to Alexandria. Visit Greco- Abu Simbel
Contact us for quotes and bookings. Lake
Roman sites, the New Library and WWII sites Nasser
at El Alamein. Return to Cairo for departure.

68 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Egypt
From the Great Pyramid to Abu Simbel

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Jan 16 – Feb 2, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$9,985 pp, twin share
$1,475 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Lucia Gahlin “My
recommendation to
Academy Travel is… don’t let
Lucia out of your sight! She
is excellent in every way. Incredible
knowledge, beautiful personality and
a wonderful speaking voice.” – Egypt,
January 2018

INCLUSIONS
17 nights’ accommodation in 4 and
5-star hotels, including a 4-night
Follow history and legend along the life-giving waters Nile River cruise on a 5-star ship.
of the Nile, to discover the 4000-year history of one All breakfasts, 15 lunches and 11
dinners. Aswan-Abu Simbel and Abu
of the world’s great civilisations. Simbel-Cairo flights, all ground
transport, entrance fees and tipping.
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS MS FARAH NILE CRUISE
Explore 4000 years of history in the land > Explore Old Kingdom sites and New
The MS Farah is a 5-star luxury cruise
of pharaohs, rock-cut tombs, pyramids and Kingdom tombs at Saqqara, including ship, with all 62 cabins outside facing.
magnificent temples. This 18-day tour travels the Step Pyramid of Djoser The interior is simply luxurious, with
the full length of the Nile Valley visiting awe- > Admire Giza’s iconic Great Pyramid hand polished Mediterranean stone
inspiring sites from one of the world’s most and the Sphinx floors, natural dark wood furniture
iconic civilisations, such as the pyramids of > Experience Middle Kingdom sites in and handmade Egyptian cotton
Giza, the great museums of Cairo, the Temple Amarna, rarely visited by tourists, with sheets. Onboard, the MS Farah
of Karnak and Luxor. The tour also takes in visits to working archaeological sites features a sun deck, bar and pool,
some rarely-visited sites, including a tour of > Visit Luxor’s museums and the Valley relaxing lounges and individual
the active excavations at Middle Kingdom of the Kings and Nobles, the Luxor cabanas, for a perfect way to enjoy
Amarna – Akhenaten and Nefertiti’s capital – the Nile floating by. WiFi onboard is
Museum and Karnak Temple
and cruises up the Nile from Luxor to Aswan complimentary throughout.
> Cruising the Nile from Luxor to Aswan,
visiting the temples of Upper Egypt.
stopping at temples and sites along THEMES
the journey
Archaeology & Ancient History
> Marvel at the Ramses II Temple at
Abu Simbel Inspiring Landscapes

Small Ship & Land Tours

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
ITINERARY Grade 2: Challenging
Days 1–4: Arrive Cairo and explore the museums, archaeological sites; stepping in and
pyramids and tombs at Saqqara and Giza. out of boats.
Cairo (5) Days 5–7: Drive to Minya and see Middle Kingdom
tombs at Beni Hasan, Amarna and Abydos. START & FINISH
El Minya (2) Days 8–11: Travel to Luxor and visit the Valley The tour begins and ends at our hotel
of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of in Cairo. Emirates and Etihad Airlines
Hatshepsut and the Ramesseum. offer direct flights into and out of
Abydos (1) Days 12–14: Visit Karnak Temple and the Luxor Cairo from most Australian cities.
Luxor (4) Museum. Cruise up the Nile, stopping at Luxor Contact us for quotes and bookings.
4
Temple, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Egypt Aswan (1)
Days 15–16: Arrive in Aswan and visit the Temple
Abu Simbel of Philae, Aswan Dam and Elephantine Island.
Days 17–18: Fly to Abu Simbel and on to Cairo
for departure.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 69

Iran
In Depth

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DEPARTURES
April 3-24, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$12,725 pp, twin share
$2,085 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr John Tidmarsh
“Helped to make this one
of the most informative,
pleasurable and memorable
travel experiences I have had.” – Iran
in depth, April 2019

INCLUSIONS
21 nights’ accommodation in 3 to
5-star hotels. Breakfasts and dinners
daily and 19 lunches. Tehran-Shiraz
flight, all ground transport, entrance
fees and tipping.
From Alexander and Darius to the caravan cities
of the Silk Road: discover the enduring legacy
THEMES
of Persia and its empires.
Archaeology & Ancient History

Medieval to Modern History OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Travel through the marvellous mountain > Tehran’s wonderful museums and palaces
Art, Architecture & Design and desert landscapes of Persia and visit including the Golestan Palace complex
some of the most remarkable monuments > Tabriz’s Ottoman-influenced turquoise
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS in the ancient and Islamic worlds. This mosque and Grand Bazaar
Grade 2: Archaeological sites; 22-day tour explores the art and history of > The Caspian Sea and northern Iran
desert landscapes; coach travel. Iran, from Tabriz and Tehran in the north, > Sasanian watchtowers, palaces and fire
to Isfahan and Shiraz in the south. The tour
START & FINISH visits ancient Achaemenid palaces and royal
temples at Takht-e Soleiman
The tour begins and ends at our > Wandering through the gardens of Shiraz,
tombs, mysterious Sasanian fire temples,
hotel in Tehran. Emirates and Qatar where Persia’s poets are celebrated
and enchanting mud-brick cities on the
Airways offer daily flights from most desert fringes, and explores Islamic Iran > Classical sites of Persepolis and Pasargadae
Australian cities into Tehran. Contact with its enchanting gardens, caravanserais, > Evocative Zoroastrian and medieval sites
us for quotes and bookings. bazaars and stunning mosques. Throughout in the desert city of Yazd
we encounter the unsurpassed friendliness > UNESCO World Heritage-listed Isfahan,
and hospitality of the Iranian people. centre of the ‘renaissance’ Safavid period

ITINERARY Tabriz (3) CASPIAN SEA

Astara (1)
Days 1–3: Explore Tehran’s palaces and museums.
Days 4–7: Drive to the Caspian Sea, then to Tabriz Zanjan (2)
to visit the Blue Mosque, Azerbaijan Museum Tehran (4)
and the troglodyte village of Kandovan.
Days 8–9: Travel to Zanjan and examine the
Sasanian ruins of Takht-e Soleiman.
Kashan
Days 10–14: Investigate Bishapur, Persepolis IRAN
and Firuzabad from Shiraz.
Isfahan (4)
Days 15–16: In Yazd, visit Pasargadae and the
Zoroastrian fire temples. Yazd (2)
Days 17–20: Visit the Maidan and Chetel Sotun
palaces and the Armenian Quarter in Isfahan.
Persepolis (1)
Days 21–22: Return to Tehran via the merchant
houses and water gardens of Kashan. Shiraz (4)

70 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Israel & Jordan
A Cradle of Civilisation

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DEPARTURES
March 14 – April 2, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$12,485 pp, twin share
$3,310 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Ben Churcher “Has a deep
knowledge of the history
of countries from Western
China to Morocco. I will
certainly be travelling with Academy
again and also look forward to
travelling with Ben as a tour leader.”
– Morocco, March 2018

INCLUSIONS
19 nights’ accommodation in 3 to
5-star hotels. All breakfasts and
Ancient, eternal and exotic; discover the world-famous sites, numerous lunches or dinners. All
extraordinary histories and ongoing fascination of two nations ground transport, entrance fees
and tipping.
whose origins can be traced to the birth of civilisation.
THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Archaeology & Ancient History
Jordan and Israel are at one of the great > Walk in the footsteps of Jesus, encounter
crossroads of civilisation and are bursting Saladin and the Crusaders’ medieval Inspiring Landscapes
with archaeological and historical gems: struggle, discover the Australian Light
the world’s first villages, mighty Bronze Age Horse in Jerusalem’s Old City FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
cities, sites reaching back to the origins of > Roman, Byzantine and Medieval Grade 2: Challenging
Judaism and Christianity, Crusader castles remains in Jerusalem archaeological sites; overnight in a
and splendid Islamic monuments. Discover > The unique rose-red city of Petra tented desert camp; cobblestones
the awe-inspiring history of this region on > A full day on site at the University of and uneven ground.
this new 20-day tour, combining celebrated Sydney’s excavations at Pella, Jordan
sites such as Jerusalem and Petra and lesser- START & FINISH
> Jericho and Megiddo: the intriguing
known locations that bring out the historical The tour begins and ends at our
histories of some of the world’s
and cultural diversity of these countries. This hotel in Amman. Emirates and Qatar
oldest cites Airways offer direct daily flights
tour is a must for anyone interested in the
history and archaeology of the Near East. > The Martian-like landscape of Wadi Rum, into and out of Amman from most
where T. E. Lawrence became a legend Australian cities. Contact us for
> The celebrated food and hospitality of quotes and bookings.
the Middle East

Haifa (2) Tiberius (2)

ITINERARY
Days 1–2: Visit Amman’s historical sites.
Pella Days 3–6: Walk through Jerusalem’s Old City.
Visit Masada, Jericho and Qumran.
Amman (6)
Jerusalem (4) Days 7–8: Visit Bethlehem, Roman Caesarea
and Megiddo; the battle site of Armageddon.
Days 9–10: Discover Acco’s pivotal place in
Kerak (1)
ISRaeL history, Hellenistic Hippos overlooking Lake
Tiberius, Nazareth and Capernaum.
JORDAN
Days 11–13: In Amman, visit Gadara, the
Petra (3) Australian dig site at Pella and Roman Jerash.
Days 14–16: Spend two days exploring Petra.
Days 17–20: Stay in Wadi Rum and travel
Wadi Rum (1) to the Crusader castles along the King’s
Highway to the Dead Sea and Amman.

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Morocco
The Grand Tour

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DEPARTURES
March 31 – April 19, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,225 pp, twin share
$2,850 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Sue Rollin “She was
fabulous, she was
informative, friendly and
always approachable.
Her knowledge of Moroccan history
and culture, and her enthusiasm for
this added so much to the tour.”
– Morocco, April 2019

INCLUSIONS
19 nights’ accommodation in 4 and
5-star hotels and riads. All breakfasts
and 21 lunches or dinners. All ground
Journey beyond the kasbahs to discover Morocco’s rich
transport, entrance fees and tipping. architectural heritage, fascinating history, vibrant traditions,
THEMES stunning landscapes and unique gastronomy.
Archaeology & Ancient History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Medieval to Modern History Morocco’s exotic culture and stunning > The European gateway of Tangier, a
landscapes have attracted travellers for unique melting pot straddling the
Art, Architecture & Design centuries. Beyond the kasbahs, however, Atlantic and Mediterranean
lies a fascinating history of successive > Fes’ narrow alleys and colourful souks,
Inspiring Landscapes European, African and Arabic empires, each its walled medina suspended in time
of which has left traces of their love of this > The impressive ruins of Volubilis
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS corner of Africa. This comprehensive 20-day > Sensory overload in Marrakesh’s bustling
Grade 3: Challenging tour travels from colonial Casablanca and Jemaa el-Fnaa, crowded with colourful
archaeological sites; desert land- the Mediterranean coast to the Islamic water-sellers and performers
scapes; long days and coach travel. architecture and Berber towns of the
> Stunning scenery, from the sublime Atlas
interior. Experience Morocco’s rich history
START & FINISH and cosmopolitan culture, from the ruins
mountains to picturesque valleys dotted
with kasbahs and lush palmeries
The tour begins and ends at our of Roman Volubilis, to the medinas of
hotel in Casablanca. Emirates Rabat and Fes, the gardens and souks of > Essaouira and the Atlantic: freshly
and Etihad Airways offer the Marrakesh and the oases of the Drâa Valley. caught seafood by the pretty harbour,
best connections into and out of local crafts in the medina
Casablanca for this tour. Contact
us for quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Arrive Casablanca, travel to Rabat. Tangier (2)
Roman Chellah, Mohammed V’s Mausoleum
and the kasbah. Chefchaouen (1)

Days 4–6: Ancient Lixus; tour Tangier; traverse

Rabat (2) Fes (3)
the Rif Mountains to colourful Chefchaouen. Casablanca (2)
Days 7–10: Fes’ Batha Museum, el Bali medina Ifrane (1)
and Roman Volubilis. Admire Middle Atlas
forests before arrival in alpine Ifrane. Morocco
Days 11–13: Marrakesh’s tombs, palaces and
Marrakesh (3)
madrassas. Visit the Jardin Majorelle. Essaouira (2)
Days 14–16: Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate. Ouarzazate (2)
The lush Drâa Valley and fortified Taroudant.
Days 17–18: Survey the Atlantic from Essaouira. Taroudant (1)
Days 19–20: Explore Casablanca’s grand Mosque.

72 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 The Caucasus
Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
October 11-26, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,875 pp, twin share
$1,820 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Matthew Dal Santo
“It was a privilege to travel
with him, for a country
as complex as Russia this
was particularly important and I
greatly valued his enthusiasm and
willingness to share his knowledge.”
– Moscow & St Petersburg,
September 2018

INCLUSIONS
15 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
Discover the fascinating history of Georgia, hotels. All breakfasts and 10 lunches
Armenia and Azerbaijan, which lie at one of and 8 dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees and tipping.
the great crossroads of trade, faith and culture.
THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Medieval to Modern History
The Caucasus is an intoxicating mix of > Exceptional UNESCO World Heritage-
unique local cultures with the legacy of listed sites: from 12,000-year-old Inspiring Landscapes
some of the world’s most powerful empires. petroglyphs to medieval palaces and
Discover a kaleidoscope of colours, styles rock-hewn monasteries FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
and traditions against a spectacular, ever- > Baku, where Islamic traditions mix with Grade 3: Challenging
changing backdrop of towering mountains high-rise modernity on the Caspian Sea archaeological sites; uneven
and dusty plains, vineyards, forest and semi- > The vine-covered hills of Tsinandali, surfaces and many stairs;
desert. This new 16-day tour immerses you where the vine has been cultivated for considerable on-site walking;
in the intriguing cultures of this region, its 7,000 years potentially hot and dusty conditions.
stunning landscapes and fabulous cuisines. > Georgia’s celebrated gastronomy, from
Discover the story of survival at the junction START & FINISH
ancient vineyards to the fine restaurants
of the Middle East, Black Sea and Eurasian of Old Tbilisi The tour begins at Baku International
steppe, where Persians, Romans, Arabs, Turks Airport and ends in our hotel in
> The peaks and valleys of the Greater Yerevan. Qatar and Emirates offer the
and Russians have all left their mark.
Caucasus and the 14th-century church best flight options into Baku and out
of Tsminda Sameba at Kazbegi of Yerevan from most Australian cities.
> Cave churches at Haghpat and Geghard Contact us for quotes and bookings.
in ancient Armenia, the world’s oldest
Christian country

ITINERARY
Kazbegi (1) Caspian Sea Days 1–3: Arrive Baku. Explore the old town
and Gobustan’s World Heritage-listed rock art.
Days 4–6: Take the Silk Road to Sheki’s
Gori Telavi
caravanserai. In Georgia, visit Tsinandali village
Tsinandali (2)
and picturesque Signagi.
Georgia
Days 7–8: In the high Caucasus, spend a night
Tbilisi (3)
in Kazbegi National Park. Marvel at Uplistsikhe’s
Sheki (1)
cave town and visit Stalin’s birthplace at Gori.
Armenia Shemakha Days 9–11: Visit Tbilisi’s museums, the Narikala
Fortress and Mtskheta cathedral.
Baku (3)
Days 12–16: In Armenia, visit Haghpat’s 10th-
Yerevan (5)
AZERBAIJAN century monastery and continue to Yerevan.
Explore the Matenadaran Museum, survey Garni’s
Greco-Roman temple, Geghard and Lake Sevan.

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Turkey
Classical, Byzantine & Ottoman

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DEPARTURES
October 13-30, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,570 pp, twin share
$1,745 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Jenny Lawless
“Was outstanding in both
professional & personal
matters, a delight to travel
with.” – Greece, April 2019

INCLUSIONS
17 nights’ accommodation in 3 and
4-star hotels. All breakfasts and 23
lunches or dinners, including picnic
lunches. Istanbul-Ankara flight, all
ground transport, entrance fees
and tipping.
Discover Turkey’s layers of history, religion and culture,
from the Byzantine and Ottoman to classical and ancient sites,
THEMES
and the vibrancy of modern-day Istanbul.
Archaeology & Ancient History

Medieval to Modern History OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Turkey has for centuries been at the > Istanbul’s major Byzantine and Ottoman
Art, Architecture & Design crossroads of religions and cultures. It sites and museums: Hagia Sophia, the
is the place where the East meets the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS West, and its layers of Neolithic, Greek, Archaeological Museum
Grade 2: Negotiate steps and Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history > Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian
slopes; standing for long periods in have endowed it with a wealth of unique Civilisations, housing artefacts from every
the open at archaeological sites; historical, religious and archaeological significant archaeological site in Anatolia
coach travel. sites, often found in places of breathtaking > Cappadocia’s ‘moonscape’ of caves and
natural beauty. This 18-day journey follows rock-cut churches covered with frescoes
START & FINISH a comprehensive path through Turkey’s > The excavations at Çatalhüyük, a
The tour begins and ends at our hotel rich past, from Istanbul, one of the great significant Neolithic site dating back
in Istanbul. Emirates, Qatar and cities of the world, to the Aegean coastal 9000 years
Etihad offer the best connections towns of Kuşadası and Assos, the unique
> The well-preserved classical city of Ephesus
into and out of Istanbul from most landscape of Cappadocia and moving
Australian cities. Contact us for
and the Hellenistic and Roman sites at
ANZAC sites at Gallipoli, before returning
quotes and bookings. Aphrodisias, Priene, Miletus and Didyma
to Istanbul.
> The Gallipoli Peninsula, including Anzac
Cove and Lone Pine
> The archaeological sites of Assos and Troy

ITINERARY
Days 1–4: Explore Istanbul, visiting Hagia
Sophia, the city walls, Topkapı Palace and the
Archaeological Museum.
Days 5–7: Fly to Ankara, visit the Museum
Istanbul (7)
of Anatolian Civilisations and marvel at cave
TURKEY
churches and unique landscapes in Cappadocia. Gallipoli Ankara
Assos (2)
Days 8–9: Examine the Neolithic site of
Çatalhüyük and Pamukkale’s travertine terraces. Kusadasi (3) Cappadocia (3)
Days 10–12: On the Aegean coast, visit ancient Pamukkale (1)
Konya (1)
Ephesus and Roman and Hellenistic sites at
Aphrodisias, Priene, Miletus and Didyma.
Days 13–14: Two nights in Assos, visiting
Pergamum and Troy.
Days 15–18: Return to Istanbul via Gallipoli.

74 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan
A Journey Through Central Asia

MORE MAY OCT

DEPARTURES
May 8-24, 2020
October 13-30, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$8,975 pp, twin share
$1,380 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Chris Bradley (May)
“He was excellent, with
great historical insight.
Couldn’t have been better.”
– Iran, April 2018
Ben Churcher (Oct)
“Was an excellent tour
leader – congenial,
organised, erudite
and flexible.” – Uzbekistan &
Follow the footsteps of travellers past, journeying Turkmenistan, May 2019

through the Silk Road cities and villages that linked INCLUSIONS
Europe and the Far East. 16 nights’ accommodation in the
best available hotels. All breakfasts,
10 lunches and 15 dinners. Three
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS internal economy class flights, all
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have long > The city walls of Khiva’s old town and ground transport, entrance fees
been the crossroads of civilisations and a its mosques, minarets and madrassas and tipping.
vital link in the Silk Road. This 17-day tour
explores the rich tapestry of history and
> Fine Central Asian architecture and THEMES
design at the World Heritage-listed
cultures of this region, from the excellent site of Kunya Urgench Archaeology & Ancient History
archaeological sites and cities of the > The ruins of ancient Parthian kings
Achaemenids, Persians and Parthians, to the Art, Architecture & Design
dating from the 3rd century BC,
palaces, mosques and mausoleums of the at Nisa near Ashgabat
emirs and Tamerlane’s capital, Samarkand. FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
> The oasis city of Merv, with its
The tour takes you beyond these great outstanding archaeological sites from Grade 3: Challenging
civilisations of the past, allowing you to sites and facilities; varying hotel
the Sassanid and Achaemenid periods
discover the distinctive culture of the ‘Stans’, standards, long days.
> Bukhara and the Samanid monuments
from their traditional arts and crafts to the
thriving cities of Central Asia.
of the last Persian dynasty to rule START & FINISH
Central Asia The tour begins and ends at our hotel
> Tamerlane’s Samarkand and Shahrisabz, in Tashkent. Korean Airlines offers the
the heart of the Silk Road best connections into Tashkent from
most Australian cities. A stopover in
Seoul is required in each direction.
Contact us for quotes and bookings.

Please note: The tour details listed

ITINERARY here are for the May 2020 tour.
UZBEKISTAN Please see our website for October
Days 1–3: Arrive in Tashkent and tour the Uzbek
Nukus (1)
Kunya capital; fly to Khiva and explore the old town. 2020 tour details.
Urgench Khiva (2)
Tashkent (2) Day 4: Drive to Nukus and visit the Savitsky
Collection.
Samarkand (3) Days 5–6: Cross into Turkmenistan and visit
Kunya Urgench; fly to Ashgabat and visit the
carpet museum and the ruins at Nisa.
Bukhara (4)
Turkemistan Days 7–8: Fly to Mary and visit the oasis city
at Merv.
Ashgabat (2) Days 9–12: Return to Uzbekistan, and explore
Bukhara, Samanid sites, mosques and palaces.
Mary (2) Days 13–15: Drive to Shahrisabz and see
Tamerlane’s city of Samarkand.
Days 16–17: Return to Tashkent for flights home.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 75

ASIA
Asia offers a stimulating
range of experiences
and a wealth of culture,
from little-visited ancient
temples and historic sites
to striking contemporary
art, architecture and
design in the region’s
vibrant capitals.

A walking path leads through

thousands of vermilion torii gates
at the Fushimi Inari Shrine in
southern Kyoto, Japan.
 Hong Kong & Shanghai
Contemporary Art in China

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 18-26, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$5,880 pp, twin share
$1,210 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Anita Archer joins our
program in 2020. Anita
holds a PhD on the Chinese
art market from Melbourne
University and has more than 20
years’ experience as an auctioneer
and consultant in Australia, London,
Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing.

INCLUSIONS
8 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 4 lunches
Cutting-edge contemporary art and architecture in China’s or dinners. Hong Kong-Shanghai
two most cosmopolitan cities, including visits to Art Basel flight, all ground transport, entrance
fees (including access to Art Basel
Hong Kong. Hong Kong) and tipping.

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS THEMES

Hong Kong and Shanghai are two of China’s > Art Basel in Hong Kong: the leading Art, Architecture & Design
most cosmopolitan cities, and their thriving art fair in the Asia-Pacific region
art cultures and complex histories have > Shanghai’s cutting-edge private FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
made them ideal locations for the exchange collections and galleries, such as Grade 1: Challenging conditions
of ideas between very different worlds. the Long Museum, The Yun, and the in Shanghai for those with
Discover the art and culture of these Rockbund Art Museum respiratory difficulties; busy modern
two cities on this 9-day tour, exploring metropolises.
> Renowned art districts with their
contemporary art and architecture, gallery
districts, culinary traditions and major
fantastic, evolving exhibitions, from START & FINISH
the West Bund and M50 in Shanghai The tour starts in our hotel in Hong
private collections. The tour also includes to Hong Kong’s new M+ and Tai Kwun
guided visits to Art Basel in Hong Kong, Kong and ends at the hotel in
> Architecture in Shanghai: Art Deco to Shanghai. Qantas offers direct flights
the premier contemporary art event in the contemporary into Hong Kong and out of Shanghai
Asia-Pacific region, in which more than 200
> Hong Kong’s thriving food culture, from most Australian cities. Contact
commercial galleries showcase their wares.
markets and haute cuisine us for quotes and bookings.
> A glorious past, including Suzhou’s
World Heritage-listed Ming dynasty
gardens and Aurora Museum’s private
collection of Chinese antiquities

ITINERARY
Shanghai (5) Days 1–3: Arrive in Hong Kong, drinks and dinner
with a view over the city skyline. Appreciate
world-class art at Art Basel Hong Kong, enjoy
Hong Kong’s vibrant food culture, visit Tai Kwun
and Hong Kong’s commercial gallery district, as
CHINA well as Sotheby’s spring exhibition.
Day 4: Visit M+ in Hong Kong. Flight to Shanghai.
Days 5–6: Shanghai’s art and architecture, from
traditional art at the Ando-designed Aurora
Museum to contemporary and modern art in
private collections along the new West Bund
art precinct.
Hong Kong (3) Days 7–9: Suzhou’s Ming dynasty gardens.
Art Deco Shanghai, including a tour of the
Peace Hotel and Bund waterfront.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 77

Japan Unmasked
Art, History & Culture

MORE MAR NOV

DEPARTURES
May 11-26, 2020
November 6-21, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,770 pp, twin share
$2,845 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Ann MacArthur leads our
Japan tour in November
2019 and returns for 2020.
Ann is one of Australia’s
foremost experts in Japanese
art and culture, and was Senior
Coordinator of Asian Programs for
the Art Gallery of NSW.

INCLUSIONS
15 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 12 lunches
Unpack the many layers of tradition, history and culture
or dinners. All ground transport, that have fascinated generations of visitors to this
including Shinkansen trains,
entrance fees and tipping.
once-isolated nation.
THEMES OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Medieval to Modern History The richness of Japan’s history and art > Hyper-modern Tokyo’s bright lights
is immediate and tangible, but the and a staggering range of museums
Art, Architecture & Design culture that produced it often seems > Kyoto’s Zen temples and stone gardens,
impenetrable. Move beyond appearances colourful geisha and historic arts and crafts
Inspiring Landscapes on this popular 16-day tour and gain > Kanazawa’s famed Kenrokuen, one
comprehensive insight into the beauty of Japan’s most significant and
Gardens & Country Houses and mystique of this wonderful land, seasonal gardens
from its Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples > The moving display of human resilience
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS and Zen gardens to its hypermodern at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial
Grade 2: Some uneven garden cities and contemporary quirks. Explore
> Speeding through the countryside on
paths; high-speed train travel. old and new world Tokyo, understand
the Shinkansen or bullet train
the devastation at Hiroshima, and enjoy
START & FINISH a week in Kyoto, discovering its temples, > Soaring bamboo groves in Arashiyama
The tour begins at our hotel in Tokyo museums and traditions, with day trips and Japan’s early capital, Nara
and ends with a transfer to airports to Nara, the ancient capital, and the > Kaiseki dining: a multi-course, seasonal
in Osaka. Qantas, Japan Airlines and bamboo groves of Arashiyama. meal perfectly complemented by
ANA offer daily flights from Australia traditional Japanese architecture
to Tokyo’s Haneda or Narita Airports,
with return connections through
Tokyo from Osaka. Contact us for
quotes and bookings.

Please note: The tour details listed

ITINERARY
here are for the May 2020 tour. Days 1–4: Explore Tokyo’s Koishikawa-Korakuen
Please see our website for November garden, Senso-ji Temple, Nezu and Ota
2020 tour details. museums and Ginza’s exclusive boutiques. Japan
Kanazawa (2)
Days 5–6: Bullet train to Kanazawa; visit the
Samurai district, teahouses and Kenrokuen garden. Kyoto (7)
Tokyo (4)
Days 7–8: In Hiroshima, visit the Peace
Memorial and Miyajima’s Itsukushima shrine. Nara
Hiroshima (2) Osaka
Days 9–12: Bullet train to Kyoto. Stroll through
the geisha district, encounter Zen Buddhism in
temples, shrines and gardens, and participate
in a traditional tea ceremony.
Days 13–14: Day trips to Arashiyama and Nara.
Days 15–16: Discover Nishiki market and
Kyoto’s many traditional crafts.

78 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

Japan’s Winter Landscapes
Old Edo, Fuji & Fine Arts

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DEPARTURES
Jan 20 – Feb 2, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$11,495 pp, twin share
$2,595 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Kathleen Olive “Is a
marvellous tour leader with
the patience of a saint!
Good fun and a good
organiser.” – Japan, May 2018

INCLUSIONS
13 nights in 3 to 5-star hotels,
including a night in a traditional
ryokan. All breakfasts, 7 lunches
and 10 dinners. All ground transport,
including Shinkansen trains,
Swap the Australian summer for the tranquillity of Japan entrance fees and tipping.
in winter, with snow and stunning alpine scenery adding
THEMES
to the art, architecture and history.
Medieval to Modern History

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Art, Architecture & Design

Japan is a land of many characters, its > Tokyo’s new museum dedicated to the
beauty reaching far beyond the cherry woodblock prints of Hokusai, designed Inspiring Landscapes
blossoms of springtime or the russet hues by architect Kazuyo Sejima of SANAA
Gardens & Country Houses
of the autumn leaves. Much is to be gained > Mt Fuji and Itchiku Kubota’s stunning
from travelling to Japan in the winter seasonal kimono project in the Japanese
when Mt Fuji and the Japanese Alps are lake district FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
at their best, covered in a white blanket, > Snow monkeys soaking in mountain Grade 2: Cold weather;
and the snow monkeys warm themselves hot springs, against the backdrop of temples and gardens; high speed
in the steaming hot springs. Colourful the soaring Japanese Alps train travel.
regional delicacies adorn seasonal tables,
the galleries are quiet, the gardens austere
> Samurai culture, Edo-era artisans and START & FINISH
rural Japanese life in Takayama and
in their beauty and the temples are true The tour begins at our hotel in Tokyo
Shirakawa-go
places for peaceful contemplation. and ends with a transfer to airports
> Naoshima Art Island on the Inland in Osaka. Qantas, Japan Airlines and
Sea: world-class sculpture and Tadao ANA offer daily flights from Australia
Ando’s architecture to Tokyo’s Haneda or Narita Airports,
> Traditional arts and crafts in Kyoto, with return connections through
the cradle of Japanese culture Tokyo from Osaka. Contact us for
quotes and bookings.

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Explore a selection of Tokyo’s best
galleries and museums.
Yudanaka (1) Days 4–5: See Kamakura’s serene Great Buddha.
Takayama (2) Tokyo (3) Admire Mt Fuji, the Itchiku Kubota Kimono
Museum and the Okada Museum in Hakone.
Kamakura
Okayama Kyoto (3)
Hakone (2) Days 6–8: Travel into the Japanese Alps to see
Osaka snow monkeys, exploring historic Takayama
Korakuen
and the village of Shirakawa-go.
Naoshima (2)
Japan Days 9–10: Admire Naoshima and Teshima’s
site-specific artworks, set against the backdrop
of Tadao Ando’s architecture on the Seto Sea.
Day 11–14: Appreciate the seasonal beauty
of Koraku-en Garden. Take the bullet train to
Kyoto, to discover its gardens and shrines.

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Singapore
Art, Architecture & Culture

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
January 23-26, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$2,950 pp, twin share
$860 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Veel “We thought
he was a delightful tour
leader… who surprised us
every day with an extra visit
or treat.” – City of Rome, April 2019

INCLUSIONS
3 nights’ accommodation in a 5-star
hotel. All breakfasts, 1 lunch and
1 high tea. All ground transport,
entrance fees and tipping.

THEMES Experience the transformation of Singapore from

Art, Architecture & Design a trading port to a world-class venue for fine art,
performing arts and architecture.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Grade 1: Only one hotel; humid
weather.
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
In the last 20 years the island-nation > Visits to private collections and major
START & FINISH of Singapore has transformed itself exhibitions
The tour begins and ends at our hotel from a bustling commercial city into a > Singapore National Gallery, a vast and
in Singapore. Singapore Airlines has vibrant cultural one – a leading Asian impressive museum of regional and
several daily flights from Australian centre of art, music and design. It boasts international art
capital cities at times that coincide remarkable museums and galleries, a fine > Contemporary architecture – with
with the start and end of our tour. symphony orchestra and an energetic buildings by Renzo Piano, I.M. Pei,
Contact us for quotes and bookings. and outward-looking culture. The Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid and Moshe
itinerary combines Singapore’s complex Safdie, emblems of Singapore’s growth
heritage, tropical gardens, the visual arts as a cultural centre
and vibrant food culture. Enjoy five-star > Singapore’s complex history, from
accommodation close to venues we visit, British rule to its transformation in
and a varied program designed to appeal the 21st century
to cultural travellers.

ITINERARY Singapore
Day 1: Meet your fellow travellers over National Botanic Garden
3 nights
welcome drinks.
Singapore Arts Museum
Day 2: Visit the Asian Civilisations Museum
and the main collection of the National Gallery Fort Canning Park
followed by the Peranakan Museum.
Peranakan Museum
Day 3: Visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens,
with their stunning orchid collection, followed
National Gallery Singapore
by a contemporary architecture tour and visits
to cutting edge galleries. Esplanade Theatres
Asian Civilisations Museum
Day 4: Special international exhibition at the
The Fullerton Hotel
National Gallery, then Fort Canning Park and a
tour of the bunker where the Allies surrendered
Gillman Barracks
to Japan in WWII. Survey the Gardens by the
Bay before high tea at the Fullerton.

80 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Taiwan
Cultural Treasures & Inspiring Landscapes

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 3-13, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$7,480 pp, twin share
$2,180 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Judy Tenzing “Was
helpful and enthusiastic
throughout the tour.”
– Taiwan, April 2018

INCLUSIONS
10 nights’ accommodation in 4 to
5-star hotels. All breakfasts and
8 lunches or dinners. All ground
transport, entrance fees and tipping.

THEMES
An overlooked jewel among Asia’s destinations, with a thriving
Art, Architecture & Design
arts scene, a vibrant traditional culture with cosmopolitan
influences from Europe, Japan and mainland China. Inspiring Landscapes

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

Grade 2: Sites with stairs;
Ancient temples, stunning mountain > Historic ancient temples, colonial forts
high altitudes and winding mountain
scenery, superb museums: Taiwan has and Meiji-era architecture in Old Tainan
roads; boat travel.
much to fascinate the cultural traveller. > The pristine environment of Sun Moon
This 11-day tour explores the many facets Lake, surrounded by an iconic landscape START & FINISH
of Taiwan in depth, from the natural of steep mountain peaks The tour begins at Kaohsiung Airport
beauty of its interior and coastlines, to the > The art of Taiwanese tea-making at with a transfer to Tainan, and ends at
thriving contemporary arts scene in Taipei an Assam tea farm Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei.
and some of East Asia’s greatest cultural > The extraordinary Chung Tai Chan Cathay Pacific and partner Cathay
treasures. The island also has a rich history Monastery near Puli, headquarters Dragon offer flights into Kaoshiung
to be discovered, from Portuguese and of a popular Zen Buddhist order and out of Taipei via Hong Kong.
Dutch colonists to the enduring influence Contact us for quotes and bookings.
> A spectacular drive hugging the
of its powerful neighbours, China and
Chingshui Cliffs and penetrating deep
Japan, and the survival of indigenous
into the valley of Taroko Gorge
cultures and rich artisanal traditions that
have been lost elsewhere. > Taipei’s National Palace Museum, a
celebrated cultural institution, home to
over 500,000 artefacts and artworks

ITINERARY
Taipei (3)
Days 1–2: Arrive into Kaohsiung and transfer to
Tainan. Explore the city’s colonial past at Fort
Zeelandia and its centuries-old Daoist temples.
Taroko Gorge (1)
Day 3: Admire Lugang’s temples and Japanese-
Lugang (1) era family mansions.
Sun Moon Lake (3) Days 4–6: Visit the National Museum of Fine
Arts in Taichung and travel to Sun Moon Lake.
TAIWAN Explore the lake’s surrounds and the Chung Tai
Chan monastery and museum.
Tainan (2) Day 7: Traverse the central range to Taroko Gorge
and experience Taiwanese indigenous culture.
Kaohsiung Days 8–11: Drive to Taipei. Ascend the Taipei
101 skyscraper; visit Chaing Kai Shek Memorial
Hall and the extensive collection at the
National Palace Museum.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 81

AUSTRALIA &
NEW ZEALAND
You don’t have to leave
our region to experience
extraordinary art and
cultures. Explore behind
the scenes of private
collections, meet with
experts at galleries and
museums, and get to know
the custodians of our own
history and culture.

Broken Hill’s Sculpture

Symposium with works carved
from stone, set amongst the
outback landscape.
 Adelaide & Surrounds
Art, History & Food

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
November 18-23, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$2,860 pp, twin share
$575 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Christopher Menz “The
tour and tour leader were
excellent. The choice of
sites and attractions was
full of interest and enriched my
understandings of their part of
Australia.” – Adelaide & Surrounds,
November 2018

INCLUSIONS
5 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star
hotel. All breakfasts and 3 lunches
Compact and refined, Adelaide has much to offer or dinners. All ground transport, best
the cultural traveller. Explore it with the former director seats available for the performance,
entrance fees and tipping.
of the Art Gallery of South Australia.
THEMES
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Art, Architecture & Design
Adelaide has gained an international > Discover Adelaide’s heritage with a
reputation for the arts, food and wine, private visit of Ayers House and a Residential Tours
since the progressive years of the 1960s. guided walking tour of the city
This six day tour explores the city’s art, > Uncover the fine art housed in the
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
history and food. It includes a guided visit South Australian Art Gallery Grade 1: Only one hotel; gallery
of the Art Gallery of South Australia by tour and museum visits.
> Visit Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills
leader Christopher Menz, a former director
of the gallery, and takes in a number of
and tour The Cedars, the home and START & FINISH
studio of Hans and Nora Heysen
collections at historic houses, including The The tour begins and ends at our hotel
> Explore the art collection at Carrick in Adelaide. Qantas and Virgin both
Cedars, home of the Heysen family, Carrick Hill house museum and garden
Hill and Fermoy House. Day trips to the fly into and out of Adelaide from
> Travel to the Barossa Valley and tour most Australian cities. Contact us
Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, to enjoy
Seppeltsfield winery for quotes and bookings.
the region’s acclaimed food and wine,
round out the tour. > Tour Fermoy House and see the
unique collection of David Roche
> Enjoy a performance in one of
Adelaide’s concert venues

ITINERARY
Barossa Valley Day 1: Arrive in Adelaide and enjoy a welcome
dinner in a fine Adelaide restaurant.
SOUTH Day 2: Guided tour of Ayers House and history
AUSTRALIA walk. Explore the Australian and William
Morris collections at the Art Gallery of
South Australia.
Day 3: Visit the David Roche Foundation
and tour Fermoy House. Guided walk through
the Botanic Gardens.
Adelaide(5) Day 4: Day trip to the Barossa Valley. Visit
Tanunda and Seppeltsfield winery.
Days 5-6: Travel to Hahndorf and visit the
Hahndorf Heysens’ studio at The Cedars. Enjoy lunch
followed by a performance.

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Flinders Ranges
Along the Heysen Trail

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
October 12-23, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$6,595 pp, twin share
$1,390 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Chris Carter “Was
an excellent tour leader.”
– Lake Mungo, Broken Hill
& Beyond, October 2018

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation in hotels,
country style motels and a working
cattle station. All breakfasts and 16
meals, including picnics. All ground
transport by minibus and 4WD,
entrance fees and tipping.
Take the road less travelled and experience stunning outback
THEMES landscapes, Indigenous culture and unique geological
Archaeology & Ancient History formations of the Flinders Ranges.
Inspiring Landscapes
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS The Heysen Trail, stretching some > Discover Hans Heysen’s enduring outback
1200kms from Adelaide to the Flinders landscapes at the Art Gallery of South
Grade 3: Off-road touring,
Ranges, forms one of Australia’s iconic Australia and The Cedars, his studio in
early starts, long walks and climbs,
rough surfaces and stony ground;
outback journeys. This new tour surveys Hahndorf
outback toilets and homestead Hans Heysen’s works at the Art Gallery > Travel to the Barossa Valley and follow
accommodation with shared of South Australia and his former home the Clare Valley Riesling trail, enjoying
facilities. and studio, The Cedars. We then explore regional produce and fine wines in
the trail named in his honour, seeing beautiful surroundings
START & FINISH the landscapes and geological features > Walk though Bararranna Gorge, and
The tour begins at Adelaide airport that inspired his art, journeying from the journey through ancient seabeds and
and ends at our hotel in Adelaide. Clare and Barossa Valleys to Arkaroola razor-back ridges in 4WDs at Arkaroola
Contact us for quotes, bookings and Wilpena Pound. Visit historic ruins > Uncover 600 million years of geology,
and flight schedules into and out of left by the first European settlers, observe following in the footsteps of Douglas
Adelaide from your destination. wildlife and marvel at fantastic arrays of Mawson’s research
Aboriginal rock art, guided by the sites’
Please note: Small group tour with > Special access to Indigenous cultural
traditional owners.
limited numbers. heritage, historic sites and activities with
a traditional owner, at Wilpena Pound

ITINERARY Arakoola (3)

Days 1–2: Arrive Adelaide. Tour the Art Gallery
of South Australia and the Heysens’ studio at
The Cedars in Hahndorf. Wilpena Pound (3)
Days 3–4: Enjoy lunch at a Barossa winery,
tour Martindale Hall and follow Clare Valley’s
Riesling trail through classic Heysen landscapes. SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
Days 5–7: Drive to Arkaroola. Walk through
Bararranna Gorge and discover Arkaroola’s
geological history in 4WD vehicles.
Clare Valley (2)
Days 8–10: See the rock engravings at Red
Gorge with a traditional owner. Continue to
Wilpena Pound, climb to Rawnsley Bluff and
Adelaide (1) Mount Lofty (2)
tour Brachina Gorge with an Aboriginal ranger.
Days 11–12: Enjoy a farewell dinner in a fine
Adelaide restaurant before departure.

84 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 New Zealand
Nature, Culture & The Arts

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
March 12-21, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$6,870 pp, twin share
$1,650 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Kathleen Olive “Was an
absolute font of beautifully
delivered information
as well as a caring and
empathetic group leader.”
– New Zealand, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
9 nights’ accommodation in 4- and
5-star hotels. All breakfasts and
6 lunches or dinners. All ground
transport, entrance fees and tipping.
Experience world-famous sculpture parks, remarkable art and
architecture, striking landscapes shaped by dramatic volcanic THEMES
activity, and Maori culture, integral to Kiwi life today. Art, Architecture & Design

Inspiring Landscapes
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Delve into the art, architecture and nature of > Internationally-renowned and privately- FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
New Zealand’s North Island, from its Maori owned sculpture parks – Gibbs Farm, Grade 2: Geothermal and
heritage to its privately-owned art collections north of Auckland, and Connells Bay rural environments; uneven paths.
and sculpture parks, on this 10-day tour. The on beautiful Waiheke Island
tour begins in the harbourside capital of > Remarkable landscape at Waimangu,
START & FINISH
Wellington, before heading though classic with steaming geysers and hot springs The tour begins at our hotel in
farmland to Napier, then across the centre Wellington and ends at Auckland
> Napier’s impressive Art Deco in harmonious
of the island to Lake Taupo and Rotorua, Airport. Qantas and Air New Zealand
public buildings, beach promenades and
culminating in four days in and around have regular flights into Wellington
commercial and residential buildings and out of Auckland from most
Auckland. Experience how the dramatic > Experience wonderful food and wine at
mountain ranges, centres of volcanic activity, Australian cities. Contact us for
Mudbrick restaurant on Waiheke Island quotes and bookings.
stunning coastlines and rolling green hills,
> Behind-the-scenes tour of Auckland’s Toi o
are both setting and context for the art and
Tamaki Art Gallery, New Zealand’s largest
culture of New Zealand.
and most inspiring visual arts experience
> Scenic drives through mountains, volcanic
landscapes and verdant countryside

ITINERARY
Gibbs Farm
Days 1–2: Arrive in Wellington and explore the
Auckland (3)
city’s cultural heritage at the Te Papa Museum,
National Portrait Gallery and Katherine Mansfield
Museum. Tour the Beehive, Wellington’s iconic
Rotorua (2) parliament, and the Botanic Gardens.
Days 3–4: Cross the Rimutaka Mountains,
New visiting the Wairarapa wine region and
Zealand exploring Art Deco architecture in Napier.
Napier (2)
Days 5–6: From Rotorua, travel to Lake Taupo and
witness Huka Falls. Take in the area’s volcanic
landscape, including the Te Puia hot springs.
Days 7–10: In Auckland, enjoy visits to the
Wallace Arts Centre, Gibbs Farm and Ayrlies
Wellington (2)
Garden. Explore Waiheke Island and Connells
Bay Sculpture Park.

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Tasmania
History, Art & Landscape

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Nov 28 – Dec 5, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$4,875 pp, twin share
$1,090 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Veel “His
knowledge of all aspects
of the places we visited
was excellent and he had
a relaxed, friendly manner which
gave the appearance that everything
happened effortlessly.” – New
Zealand, March 2018

INCLUSIONS
7 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 6 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
Enjoy Tasmania’s internationally-recognised pristine
entrance fees and tipping. landscapes and vibrant visual arts scene,
THEMES underpinned by a complex history.
Art, Architecture & Design
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Gardens & Country Houses Tasmania has a history, culture and > Tasmania’s colonial sites, including
landscape distinct from mainland Clarendon Estate and World Heritage-
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS Australia. This eight day tour offers listed Port Arthur
Grade 1: Relaxed pace; historic unique insights into the island and its > Leading public and private art galleries
homes with stairs. past, combining renowned attractions, in Launceston and Hobart
such as the colonial Clarendon Estate > Cruise from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay,
START & FINISH and the World Heritage-listed convict site gaining a unique perspective of the
The tour begins at Launceston at Port Arthur, with sites of particular Freycinet Peninsula’s sheer cliffs and
Airport and ends at Hobart interest to the cultural traveller, such as abundant wildlife
Airport. Qantas and Virgin fly into the excellent Museum of Old and New
Launceston and out of Hobart from > A day trip to the Huon River Valley,
Art (MONA) on the Derwent River, and a visiting pristine rainforests, gardens
most Australian cities. Contact us special focus on John Glover. These visits
for quotes and bookings. and wineries
are carefully balanced with the experience
> Fine regional wine and produce at
of Tasmania’s pristine natural beauty,
some of Tasmania’s excellent restaurants
including a day trip along the Huon River
and vineyards
Valley and a Freycinet Peninsula cruise.

ITINERARY
Days 1–3: The tour begins in Launceston, Launceston (3)
visiting historic homes and villages, exploring
the farm of colonial artist John Glover and
touring the Tamar Valley and hills towards the
Cradle Mountain region. We also visit wineries Ross
and the excellent Stillwater restaurant.
Days 4–5: Travel to the Freycinet Peninsula via
TASMANIA
colonial-era towns, and cruise Wineglass Bay. Freycinet (1)
Days 6–8: In Hobart we continue our
exploration of colonial artists, enjoy day trips
to the Huon Valley and the Tasman Peninsula,
and visit David Walsh’s astonishing MONA. Hobart (3)

Port Arthur

86 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

The Yarra Valley to Bendigo
Victoria’s Regional Galleries

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
May 6-13, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$3,790 pp, twin share
$680 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Elena Ortega “She is a
gem – knowledgeable and
forever obliging.” – Grand
Tour of Spain, March 2019

INCLUSIONS
7 nights’ accommodation in 4-star
hotels. All breakfasts and 6 lunches
or dinners. All ground transport,
entrance fees and tipping.

THEMES
Get to know Victoria’s fabulous regional galleries
Art, Architecture & Design
and the complex history of the state, from colony
to the goldfields and beyond. Gardens & Country Houses

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Grade 1: Walking tours; outdoor
The small cities of the countryside and > Superlative regional galleries in the galleries; historic homes with stairs.
coastline surrounding Melbourne have a goldfields towns of Bendigo and Ballarat:
wealth of cultural sites to tempt visitors. two of regional Australia’s most dynamic START & FINISH
Chief among them is an outstanding and expansive collections The tour begins and ends at Terminal
collection of regional and private galleries, > The landscapes of the Yarra Valley, 1, Melbourne Domestic Airport.
with excellent collections of heritage and Dandenongs and Mornington Peninsula Qantas and Virgin fly into and out
modern art. This new eight day tour gives of Melbourne from most Australian
> The McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery
art lovers the chance to sample a range cities. Contact us for quotes and
and TarraWarra Museum of Art, leading
of Australia’s best regional galleries, and bookings.
private collections of contemporary art
then goes beyond the confines of the > Colonial Australia, at Barwon Park
galleries to explore the landscapes and Mansion, the well-preserved Gold Rush
historic sites that give a broader context town of Maldon and Goulburn Valley’s
for understanding the art and history of Tahbilk Winery
Australia. The tour is rounded out with fine
> Heide Museum of Modern Art,
dining and visits to wineries.
celebrating Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker
and the thoroughly modern Reed family

Shepparton ITINERARY
Bendigo (3) Days 1–3: Meet at Tullamarine and travel to
the Yarra Valley; visit Heide Museum of Modern
Art and TarraWarra; explore the Dandenongs
Castlemaine
and Mornington Peninsula.
VICTORIA
Days 4: Enjoy the Bellarine Peninsula, from
Heide Museum tranquil Queenscliff to Geelong, whose regional
Ballarat gallery has helped change the city’s reputation,
Melbourne Warburton – and bluestone heritage at Barwon Park Mansion.
Yarra Valley (2)
Days 5–6: Uncover Gold Rush history at Ballarat
and Bendigo’s galleries.
Days 7–8: Day trip to the Goulburn Valley to
Geelong
visit Shepparton Regional Gallery and the
Queenscliff (2) Mornington
historic Tahbilk Estate, one of Australia’s oldest
Point Nepean – Sorrento wineries. Visit Castlemaine Art Gallery.

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To the Edge of the Outback
Mungo, Broken Hill & Beyond

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
Oct 26 – Nov 4, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$4,795 pp, twin share
$POA single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Chris Carter “Was
a great tour leader and
worked harmoniously to
give us wonderful insight
into the natural history, European
settlements and indigenous history
of the region.” – Lake Mungo, Broken
Hill & Beyond, October 2018

INCLUSIONS
9 nights’ accommodation in local
country accommodation, motels,
cabins and a working cattle station.
Explore 50,000 years of Indigenous heritage and colonial
All breakfasts and 11 lunches or settlement, from the Murray Darling to Outback landscapes,
dinners. All ground transport by
minibus, entrance fees and tipping.
in national parks, cattle stations and frontier towns.
THEMES OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Archaeology & Ancient History Delve into Australia’s deep history, from > An indulgent degustation dinner at
Indigenous settlement and the spiritual Stefano’s much-acclaimed restaurant
Inspiring Landscapes connection to Country, to colonial in Mildura
journeys and the development of the > Cruise the Murray-Darling aboard the
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS historic backbone of Australia’s economy, historic steam-driven paddle boat
Grade 3: Off road touring; agriculture and industry. This 10-day tour Melbourne
archaeological sites; uneven travels from Mildura, along the Murray > Survey the dramatic Walls of China, climb
surfaces; homestead accommodation River to Lake Mungo National Park, and on the sand dunes at Vigars Well and explore
with shared facilities. to Broken Hill. It combines travel through the extraordinary archaeology of the
iconic Outback and rural landscapes, with ancient Lake Mungo National Park
START & FINISH visits to national parks, Indigenous cultural > Special access to Indigenous cultural
The tour begins at our motel in Mildura sites and historic landmarks, including and historic sites with a traditional
and ends at the hotel in Broken Hill. Bindara Station on the Darling River and owner at Mutawintji National Park
Contact us for quotes, bookings and Daydream mine in Broken Hill.
flight schedules into Mildura and out
> Experience the life of the 19th-century
of Broken Hill from your destination. Cornish miner, underground at
Daydream mine
Please note: Small group tour with > A wealth of art in Broken Hill,
limited numbers. where galleries outnumber pubs

ITINERARY
Days 1–2: Dine at Stefano’s Restaurant and Mutawintji National Park

visit Rio Vista in Mildura.

Days 3–4: See the confluence of the Murray and
Darling Rivers at Wentworth, cruise the mighty Broken Hill (4)
Murray. Explore Lake Mungo National Park, and
watch the sun setting over the Walls of China.
Day 5: Return to Mungo and explore its Bindara Station (1)
SA
archaeology, before driving via Pooncarie to
gracious Bindara Station on the Darling.
NSW
Days 6–7: In Broken Hill, visit art galleries and Lake Mungo (2)
the strikingly modern Miners Memorial.
Day 8: Explore Mutawintji National Park and Mildura (2)
admire the ancient rock art.
VIC
Days 9–10: Go underground at Daydream mine.

88 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

STUDY TOURS
Designed to provide
in-depth intellectual
stimulation for the
independent traveller.
Study Tours feature:
daily background
lectures; guided site visits;
longer walking tours of
historical cities and use
of public transport for
short journeys; time for
individual exploration;
and, self-contained
accommodation where
possible, allowing you
to live like a local.

The neighbourhood of Trastevere, the

13th rione of Rome, on the west bank
of the Tiber, south of Vatican City.
Berlin
Study Tour

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
October 19-30, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$4,950 pp, twin share
$1,775 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Thomas Abbott “Was a
marvellous guide and I feel
he got to know each of us
well.” – Berlin & Beyond,
May 2018

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation in
4-star, centrally located, self-
catering 1-bedroom apartments. All
breakfasts and 3 dinners. Unlimited
public transport card, all ground
transport, entrance fees and tipping.
Explore of one of Europe’s most enigmatic cities in depth,
where an understanding of a complex past leads to an
THEMES
appreciation of modern, progressive Berlin.
Medieval to Modern History

Art, Architecture & Design OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Complex, conflicted and evolving: Berlin > The extraordinary Museum Island, a
Residential Tours is a unique city with an infamous past unique ensemble of five museums with
and a vibrant present. Divided for more iconic artefacts
Study Tours than a generation, the reunification of the > The Third Reich’s lingering impact, in the
city signalled a modern-day renaissance, architecture and memorials that colour
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS creating one of Europe’s most interesting the city’s landscape
Grade 3: Longer walking and diverse capital cities with a thriving > The Cold War Capital, where history was
tours; faster pace; use of public contemporary cultural scene. This part of daily life in the divided city
transport; some uneven surfaces. 12-day study tour provides a detailed > Contemporary Berlin, including the KW
examination of Berlin’s history, through Institute for Modern Art, cutting-edge
START & FINISH museum and gallery visits, walking tours galleries and street art
The tour begins and ends at our and background lectures. Accommodation
> The German Baroque at Charlottenburg
apartments in Berlin. Qatar offers is in centrally-located, self-contained
and Sanssouci palaces, and their modern
direct flights into and out of Berlin apartments, providing an ideal base for
from most Australian cities. Contact
histories
independent exploration for those with a
us for quotes and bookings. passion for modern history and the arts. > Live like a local: the freedom and flexibility
of a fully-equipped apartment
> In-depth lectures, providing a crucial
context for this fascinating city

ITINERARY
Days 1–4: Explore the 19th-century city and the
Weimer Republic. Visits to the German Historical
Museum, Museum Island, and the Reichstag. Berlin (11)
Experience a burlesque cabaret. Charlottenburg
Days 5: Charlottenburg and Museum Bergguren.
Days 6–7: Examine the rise of the Third Reich
and WWII Berlin, including a Third Reich walking
tour, visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration
Camp Memorial, and thematic museums.
Day 8: Excursion to Potsdam and stunning
Sanssouci Palace. Potsdam
Days 9–11: Survey the impact of the Cold War, GERMANY
a city and people divided by the Wall, Berlin’s
extraordinary revival post-reunification,
and its contemporary cool.

90 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 Madrid
Study Tour

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
September 4-15, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$4,680 pp, twin share
$890 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Elena Ortega “Her
understanding of
contemporary Spain was
particularly valuable on
this tour.” – Grand Tour of Spain,
March 2019

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation in 3-star
hotel with superior rooms. All
breakfasts and 3 lunches or dinners.
All ground transport, entrance fees
From Moorish beginnings to modern-day capital, and tipping.
Madrid’s wealth of extraordinary art, architecture
THEMES
and history lends itself to being explored on foot.
Medieval to Modern History

OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS Art, Architecture & Design

Madrid’s history is as compelling as it is > World-class art galleries, including the
unique. It is the only European capital with Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza Residential Tours
Islamic roots; still visible in its Arab walls > Toledo, the Visigothic capital where three
Study Tours
and Mudéjar architecture. The historic cultures once lived in a peaceful state of
capital of the Spanish Empire, whose vast convivencia
palaces were funded by New World gold, it > Spanish royal power: the palaces of FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
remains the centre of modern Spain, and Madrid, the Escorial and their gardens Grade 3: Longer walking
has a turbulent history marked by conflicts > Segovia’s awe-inspiring Roman aqueduct tours; faster pace; use of public
from Napoleon to Franco and the Civil and Gothic cathedral, and the charm transport; some uneven surfaces.
War. Explore Madrid’s fascinating history,
exceptional collections of Old and Modern
of the Middle Ages in Chinchón’s START & FINISH
beautiful plaza
masters, and spectacular architecture on The tour begins and ends at our
> The Iberian Peninsula’s ancient past in hotel in Madrid. Emirates, Etihad,
this new study tour, which includes day
Madrid’s superb archaeological museum Qatar and Cathay Pacific all offer
trips to Toledo, Chincón and Segovia.
> Detailed lecture series, providing suitable connections to Madrid from
extensive context for the city and its art most Australian cities. Contact us for
> Local experiences, from the best quotes and bookings.
markets to tapas bars and performing
arts centres

Segovia
ITINERARY
SPAIN Days 1–3: Walking tour of early Madrid, visits
to the history museum and archaeological
museum. El Retiro park’s grand gardens and a
thrilling Flamenco performance.
El Escorial
Days 4–5: The power of the Habsburgs at
Madrid’s Palacio Real. Excursion to Toledo.
Madrid (11) Days 6–7: Background lecture, full day in the
Prado. Day trip to Escorial palace and Segovia.
Days 8–9: A wealth of art at the Thyssen-
Chinchón Bornemisza, the Reina Sofía and Espacio Miró.
Performance at Circulo Bellas Artes on the art
deco rooftop terrace with its spectacular views.
Days 10–12: Sunday markets, the Sorolla
Toledo
Museum’s lush Belle Époque. Excursion to
medieval Chinchón, with a wine-tasting.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 91

Rome
Study Tour

FIND OUT MORE

DEPARTURES
January 3-14, 2020
TOUR PRICE
$4,890 pp, twin share
$710 single supp.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Nick Gordon “The
tour was fantastic and
I congratulate Nick for
putting it together and
executing a great program. The
atmosphere amongst the group was
also very friendly and caring.”
– Rome Study Tour, January 2018

INCLUSIONS
11 nights’ accommodation in a
central 3-star hotel. All breakfasts
and 4 lunches or dinners. All ground
An in-depth look at the layers of Roman history,
transport, entrance fees and tipping. art and architecture for the independent-minded
THEMES traveller.
Archaeology & Ancient History
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Medieval to Modern History Rome’s contribution to Western culture > Superb collections of antiquities, including
is difficult to overestimate, but most the Vatican Museums, the Capitoline
Art, Architecture & Design visitors do not penetrate the city’s Museums and Palazzo Massimo
complex, interwoven layers. This 12-day > The spectacular works of Caravaggio
Residential Tours study tour provides you with a detailed and Bernini throughout the city and
examination of Rome’s history, art and in the Galleria Borghese
Study Tours
culture, from antiquity to the present, > Excursions to Ostia Antica, Hadrian’s
through daily background lectures, Villa, and the masterful baroque
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS guided site visits and extended walking Villa d’Este
Grade 3: Longer walking tours. The tour includes many sites that > Rome in Late Antiquity, from Santa
tours; faster pace; use of public visitors overlook, such as Ostia Antica, Costanza to the mosaics of Santa Prassede
transport; some uneven surfaces. Palazzo Massimo and Rome’s spectacular
> Walking tours visiting Rome’s hidden
mosaics from late antiquity. This tour is
START & FINISH ideal for the independent traveller: group
gems and masterpieces by Raphael,
The tour begins and ends at our
Bramante and Borromini
visits are carefully balanced with time for
hotel in Rome. Emirates, Etihad independent exploration. > Modern Rome, including a visit to the
Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qatar and house and studio of Giorgio de Chirico
Singapore Airlines offer the best
connections into and out of Rome
from most Australian cities. Contact
us for quotes and bookings.
ITINERARY
Days 1–3: Explore Rome’s origins and its Galleria Borghese
extraordinary rise to greatness, through visits ROME
to archaeological sites, including Ostia Antica,
Spanish Steps
and world-class museums, including Palazzo
Massimo and the Capitoline collections. Vatican City
Days 4–6: From imperial splendour to the coming
of Christianity: Late Roman art to the birth of Piazza Navona Pantheon
the ‘new’ medieval style. Explore underground Hotel Domus Nova Bethlem
Rome and witness how the city and its culture Capitoline Museum
transformed from the 4th to 12th centuries.
Days 7–12: Rome’s Renaissance revival and Trastevere
baroque glory: walking Caravaggio’s Rome,
visiting the Galleria Borghese and the Vatican Tivoli
11 nights
Museums, home to the Sistine Chapel. Excursion
to Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este.

92 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

UPCOMING
TOUR
PROGRAM
Planning is well underway
for our 2021 tour program.
The following pages list
our preliminary range of
journeys, including many
of our popular repeat
tours, with more to be
added in the coming
year. Additional tours will
be listed on our website
throughout 2020, as well
as tour leader and travel
date information for
all offerings.

The Astronomical Clock, or Prague

Orloj, mounted on the southern wall
of the Old Town Hall in Prague’s
Old Town Square. This medieval
astronomical clock was first
installed in 1410 and is the oldest
clock still operating.
Upcoming tour program
January – December 2021

ITALY EUROPE MUSIC

& RUSSIA & THEATRE
Art Cities of Tuscany: Art Basel, Alsace Portugal & Western European Summer
Pisa, Siena & Florence & the Black Forest Spain: Guimaraes to Music Festivals
January 2021 June 2021 Salamanca August 2021
May 2021
Beyond Rome: History, Berlin & Beyond: Berlin, Italian Summer Music
Archaeology and Dresden & Leipzig Scotland’s Castles & Festivals: From the
Gardens in Central Italy May & October 2021 Gardens: From Edinburgh Lakes to Lucca
April 2021 to the Highlands July 2021
Burgundy Provence July 2021
Easter in Rome & the Riviera: Medieval London & Paris:
March 2021 & Modern Siberia & the Art & Music
May 2021 Russian Far East January 2021
Lakes & Villas of July 2021
Northern Italy Easter in Malta Music in Scandinavia
April 2021 March 2021 Sea Cloud II Cruise May 2021
& Tour
Puglia to Pompeii: Gardens of Southern September 2021 Opera in New York
Classical Southern Italy England March 2021
March & October 2021 June 2021 St Petersburg
& Moscow Opera in Northern Italy
Sardinia & Corsica: Grand Tour of Spain: September 2021 March 2021
From the Stone Age Granada, Cordoba,
to Napoleon Seville, Madrid & St Petersburg &
March & October 2021 Barcelona Moscow: The Silver Age
September 2021 January 2021
Sicily & the Aeolian
Islands Great Gardens of Stockholm to
March & October 2021 Cornwell and Devon St Petersburg: A Baltic
June 2021 Journey
The Venice August 2021
Biennale: Modern & Greece: By Land & Sea
Contemporary Art in November 2021 The Eastern Balkans:
Venice & Beyond Albania, Macedonia,
Greece: Classical Romania & Bulgaria
June 2021 & Bronze Age October 2021
Venice: City, Republic April 2021
& Empire Vienna To Venice:
High Art in the Low The Crossroads of History
March & October 2021 Countries: Brussels, September 2021
Bruges, Delft,
Amsterdam Yorkshire to The Lake
May 2021 District: Gardens of a
Passionate Mind
Northern Spain June 2021
& Portugal:
Bilbao to Lisbon
April & October 2021
Portugal
September 2021

94 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

 THE AMERICAS AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST ASIA AUSTRALIA
& CENTRAL ASIA & NEW ZEALAND
Christmas In New York: Egypt: From the Great Hong Kong and From Gold to the Mallee:
Music, Theatre, Pyramid to Abu Simbel Shanghai: Contemporary Victoria’s Western
Art & Food January & November 2021 Art in China Districts
December 2021 March 2021 November 2021
Iran In Depth
Frank Lloyd Wright: April & October 2021 Japan Unmasked: From the Yarra Valley
Chicago to Fallingwater Art, History & Culture to Bendigo: Victoria’s
Morocco: Regional Galleries
October 2021 The Grand Tour May & November 2021
May 2021
New York: Art, April 2021 Japan’s Winter
Architecture, History Landscapes New Zealand: Nature,
The Caucasus: Georgia, Culture & The Arts
& Theatre Armenia & Azerbaijan January 2021
March 2021 March 2021
October 2021 Singapore Arts Festival
North East USA: Boston, January 2021 Tasmania: History,
Turkey: Classical, Art & Landscape
Washington & New York Byzantine & Ottoman Taiwan: Cultural
April 2021 February 2021
October 2021 Treasures & Inspiring
Stratford Festival: Uzbekistan & Landscapes
Ontario Canada Turkmenistan: March 2021
July 2021 A Journey Through
Thanksgiving in Central Asia
New York: Music, May & October 2021
Theatre, Art & Food
November 2021

Register your interest

for these tours today!

ACADEMY
EXPLORATIONS
Berlin: Study Tour Kolkata to Darjeeling
October 2021 January 2021
Havana: Study Tour Paris: Study Tour
January 2021 April 2021
Istanbul: Study Tour Shanghai: Study Tour
September 2021 October 2021
Italian Art Study Tour South Korea Contact us at info@academytravel.com.au
October 2021 April 2021
or 02 9235 0023. We’ll notify you as soon as
Jerusalem: Study Tour bookings are open and you will be among the
April 2021
first to receive a detailed tour itinerary.

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 95

Index: Tour Calendar
January – December 2020

START DATE CATEGORY TOUR NAME TOUR LEADER FITNESS PAGE

Jan 3, 2020 Study Tours Rome: Study Tour Dr Nick Gordon Grade 3 92

Jan 7, 2020 Italy Palermo & Naples Robert Veel Grade 2 16

Jan 9, 2020 Europe & Russia Moscow & St Petersburg Dr Michael Adcock Grade 2 36

Jan 16, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Egypt Lucia Gahlin Grade 2 69

Jan 16, 2020 Music & Theatre London & Paris Christopher Menz Grade 2 51

Jan 20, 2020 Asia Japan’s Winter Landscapes Dr Kathleen Olive Grade 2 79

Jan 23, 2020 Asia Singapore Robert Veel Grade 1 80

Feb 27, 2020 Italy Puglia to Pompeii Dr Estelle Lazer Grade 2 17

Mar 3, 2020 Asia Taiwan Judy Tenzing Grade 2 81

Mar 4, 2020 Italy Venice Dr Nick Gordon Grade 1 21

Mar 6, 2020 Music & Theatre Opera in New York Dr Robert Mitchell Grade 1 53

Mar 12, 2020 Australia & New Zealand New Zealand Dr Kathleen Olive Grade 2 85

Mar 14, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Israel & Jordan Ben Churcher Grade 2 71

Mar 15, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Egypt Chris Bradley Grade 2 68

Mar 15, 2020 Music & Theatre Opera in Northern Italy Royna McNamara Grade 2 54

Mar 17, 2020 The Americas New York Dr Matthew Laing Grade 1 63

Mar 18, 2020 Asia Hong Kong & Shanghai Dr Anita Archer Grade 1 77

Mar 20, 2020 Europe & Russia Sardinia & Corsica Dr Estelle Lazer Grade 3 40

Mar 27, 2020 Italy Sicily & the Aeolian Islands Dr Jeni Ryde Grade 2 19

Mar 31, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Morocco Sue Rollin Grade 3 72

Apr 3, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Iran in depth Dr John Tidmarsh Grade 2 70

Apr 12, 2020 Europe & Russia Grand Tour of Spain Elena Ortega Grade 2 29

Apr 14, 2020 Italy Grand Tour of Italy Dr Jeni Ryde Grade 2 13

Apr 17, 2020 Europe & Russia Vienna Christopher Menz Grade 1 46

Apr 19, 2020 Italy Lakes & Villas of Northern Italy Dr Kathleen Olive Grade 2 14

Apr 26, 2020 Music & Theatre Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Chicago Robert Gay Grade 1 57

96 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

Index: Tour Calendar
January – December 2020

START DATE CATEGORY TOUR NAME TOUR LEADER FITNESS PAGE

May 3, 2020 Europe & Russia Northern Spain & Portugal Dr Jeni Ryde Grade 3 38

May 3, 2020 Europe & Russia Greece Dr John Tidmarsh Grade 2 31

May 4, 2020 Europe & Russia Berlin & Beyond Christopher Menz Grade 2 25

May 5, 2020 The Americas New York: The Art of Fashion Dr Anna Lebovic Grade 1 64

May 6, 2020 Australia & New Zealand From the Yarra Valley to Bendigo Elena Ortega Grade 1 87

May 8, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Christopher Bradley Grade 3 75

May 9, 2020 Italy Umbria & Southern Tuscany Dr Nick Gordon Grade 2 20

May 11, 2020 Asia Japan Unmasked Ann MacArthur Grade 2 78

Frank Lloyd Wright:
May 17, 2020 The Americas Dr Matthew Laing Grade 2 62
Chicago to Fallingwater
Burgundy, Provence
May 28, 2020 Europe & Russia Dr Kathleen Olive Grade 2 26
& The Riviera
May 28, 2020 Music & Theatre Budapest to the Baltic Robert Gay Grade 2 48
Great Gardens of Cornwall
Jun 1, 2020 Europe & Russia Michael Turner Grade 2 30
& Devon
Jun 1, 2020 Europe & Russia Switzerland to Rome Dr Jeni Ryde Grade 2 45

Jun 17, 2020 Europe & Russia Art Along the Rhine Dr Nick Gordon Grade 2 23

Jul 1, 2020 Europe & Russia Scotland’s Gardens & Castles Michael Turner Grade 2 42
Munich & Glyndebourne
Jul 9, 2020 Music & Theatre Robert Gay Grade 1 52
Opera Festivals
Jul 16, 2020 Europe & Russia Siberia & The Russian Far East Dr Matthew Dal Santo Grade 3 43

Jul 21, 2020 Music & Theatre Italian Summer Music Festivals Royna McNamara Grade 2 50

Aug 24, 2020 Europe & Russia Stockholm to St Petersburg Dr Matthew Laing Grade 2 44

Sep 3, 2020 Europe & Russia Scandinavia Dr Mindy MacLeod Grade 2 41

Sep 4, 2020 Study Tours Madrid: Study Tour Elena Ortega Grade 3 91

Sep 7, 2020 Music & Theatre In the Footsteps of Beethoven Dr Tom Ford Grade 2 49

Sep 9, 2020 Italy North East Italy Dr Nick Gordon Grade 2 15

Sep 16, 2020 Europe & Russia Germany & The Netherlands Christopher Menz Grade 2 28

Sep 18, 2020 Europe & Russia Northern Spain & Portugal Dr Jeni Ryde Grade 3 38

Sep 20, 2020 Europe & Russia Croatia by land & sea Dr Matthew Dal Santo Grade 2 27

academytravel.com.au I 9235 0023 (1800 639 699 outside Sydney) I info@academytravel.com.au 97

Index: Tour Calendar
January – December 2020

START DATE CATEGORY TOUR NAME TOUR LEADER FITNESS PAGE

Sep 25, 2020 Europe & Russia Bohemia & Bavaria Robert Veel Grade 2 24

Sep 25, 2020 Europe & Russia Moscow & St Petersburg Geoff Winestock Grade 2 35

Sep 25, 2020 Europe & Russia Sardinia & Corsica Dr Jenny Lawless Grade 3 40

Sep 26, 2020 Europe & Russia Greece Dr John Tidmarsh Grade 2 32
America’s Two Capitals:
Sep 27, 2020 The Americas Dr Matthew Laing Grade 1 60
Washington & New York
Renaissance Courts
Sep 29, 2020 Italy Dr Kathleen Olive Grade 2 18
of Northern Italy
Oct 3, 2020 Europe & Russia Modern Art in the UK Gerald Deslandes Grade 2 34
Two Musical Cities:
Oct 7, 2020 Music & Theatre Robert Gay Grade 2 56
Hamburg & Berlin
Oct 8, 2020 Europe & Russia Portugal Dr Jeni Ryde Grade 2 39

Oct 11, 2020 The Americas The South: Charleston to Memphis Dr Matthew Laing Grade 1 66
The Caucasus: Georgia, Armenia Dr Matthew Dal Santo
Oct 11, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Grade 3 73
& Azerbaijan
Oct 12, 2020 Australia & New Zealand Flinders Ranges Dr Chris Carter Grade 3 84

Oct 13, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Turkey Dr Jenny Lawless Grade 2 74

Oct 13, 2020 Africa, Middle East & Central Asia Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Ben Churcher Grade 3 75

Oct 15, 2020 Europe & Russia Istanbul & Venice Robert Veel Grade 1 33

Oct 16, 2020 Italy Sicily & the Aeolian Islands Dr Estelle Lazer Grade 2 19
Naples to Barcelona:
Oct 16, 2020 Europe & Russia Dr Kathleen Olive Grade 2 37
Aboard the Sea Cloud II
Oct 19, 2020 Study Tours Berlin: Study Tour Thomas Abbott Grade 3 90
Oct 26, 2020 Australia & New Zealand To the Edge of the Outback Dr Chris Carter Grade 3 88
Nov 6, 2020 Asia Japan Unmasked Ann MacArthur Grade 2 78

Nov 18, 2020 Australia & New Zealand Adelaide & Surrounds Christopher Menz Grade 1 83

Nov 22, 2020 The Americas Thanksgiving in New York Stuart Barrie Grade 1 65

Nov 28, 2020 Music & Theatre Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Paris Robert Gay Grade 1 58

Nov 28, 2020 Australia & New Zealand Tasmania Robert Veel Grade 1 86

Dec 21, 2020 Music & Theatre Salzburg, Prague & Vienna Robert Gay Grade 2 55

Dec 21, 2020 The Americas Christmas in New York Dr Matthew Laing Grade 1 61

98 Maximum 20 in a group I Carefully planned itineraries I Expert tour leaders

LOCATION
Level 1, 341 George Street
Bank of New South Wales Building
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

MAILING ADDRESS
Academy Travel
GPO Box 5057
Sydney NSW 2001

PHONE
+61 2 9235 0023
(1800 639 699 outside Sydney)

EMAIL
info@academytravel.com.au

WEBSITE
academytravel.com.au

Set on an outcrop jutting over

the ocean and with a 210m-tall
minaret, the Hassan II Mosque
in Casablanca, Morocco, is the
largest mosque in Africa and
the 3rd largest in the world.