ART ALONG THE RHINE STRASBOURG TO COLOGNE JUNE 17-29, 2020 TOUR LEADER: DR NICK GORDON

Overview The Rhine has been the heart of Western Europe since the early Middle Ages, when the Franks transformed what had been the border of the Roman and Germanic worlds into the centre of an empire that extended from Hungary to the Atlantic. The influence of this empire is hard to underestimate, and testaments to it are found throughout its heartland: Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel in Aachen, the Romanesque monuments such as Speyer Cathedral, where emperors were buried, and palaces and residences of the numerous princely families who ruled the Rhine. The region also has a rich intellectual legacy: Johannes Gutenberg printed from Mainz (where two of his early bibles are on display) and Germany’s oldest university, Heidelberg, where Luther debated his theses, played a lead role throughout the German Reformation. The extraordinary wealth generated along the Rhine extends from the Middle Ages to the present. It is evident in spectacular Gothic architecture, such as the soaring spires of Strasbourg and Cologne, as much as it is in the fabulous art collections, such as Frankfurt’s Städel, Cologne’s Museum Ludwig and the concentration of private collections. The Rhine too has fostered rich artistic traditions from the unique styles of medieval masters, such as Stephen Lochner and Matthias Grunewald, to the greats of contemporary German art, such as Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter, who cut their teeth in Dusseldorf’s Academy of Art. Explore the tremendous amount of art, history and architecture that has accumulated along the Rhine on this 13-day tour from Strasbourg to Cologne.

Your tour leader Dr Nick Gordon is a cultural historian and artist with over 10-years’ experience leading small group cultural tours to Europe.

Nick holds a University Medal and PhD in history from the University of Sydney. He taught at universities in Sydney for 10 years, and continues to lecture on art and history for the Nicholson Museum, WEA, Hazelhurst

Regional Gallery, and as part of Academy Travel’s lecture series in Sydney and Melbourne. Nick’s academic background is complemented by the deep, hands-on understanding of art he has as an artist, and he brings his passion for art, history and travel to his tours. Nick’s interests are wide ranging, from classical archaeology to art in all its forms, literature, architecture and philosophy. He has designed and led a number of art-focused and study tours to Europe, Asia and Australia for Academy Travel.

“Nick is a very kind person who quietly and efficiently handles everything, including all that wonderful knowledge imparted with such good grace.”

– Feedback from Nick’s Art Along the Rhine tour in 2017.

ART ALONG THE RHINE STRASBOURG TO COLOGNE

Tour dates: June 17-29, 2020

Tour leader: Dr Nick Gordon

Tour price: $8,260 per person, twin share

Single supplement: $1,910 for sole use of double room

Booking deposit: $500 per person

Recommended airline: Emirates

Maximum places: 20

Itinerary: Strasbourg (3 nights), Heidelberg (2 nights), Frankfurt (3 nights), Cologne (4 nights)

Date published: August 29, 2019

Enquiries and bookings

For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jamal Fairbrother at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email jamal@academytravel.com.au

Tour Highlights

STUNNING MEDIEVAL HERITAGE Explore the Middle Ages in depth, from Charlemagne’s UNESCO-listed Palatine Chapel at Aachen, to the beautifully preserved cityscapes of Colmar and Strasbourg, and the engineering of great cathedrals, such as Cologne and Mainz. But medieval heritage is also very much part of the present, and this region also reveals how the medieval Rhine shaped modern Europe.

OUTSTANDING ART COLLECTIONS Enjoy 600 years of art, from old and modern masters to major works by contemporary wunderkind in some of Europe’s leading galleries, including Frankfurt’s Städel, Cologne’s Museum Ludwig, and the fabulous collections of Dusseldorf – the pre-eminent centre of modern German art. The collections are diverse, reflecting the different states, art societies and private patrons who call the Rhine region home.

FASCINATING HISTORY The history of the region is fascinating and has been revolutionary – from Roman settlement, to a Europe united under Charlemagne, the birth of European printing at Mainz, the Reformation in Heidelberg and the beginnings of German democracy in Frankfurt. Get behind this enthralling history and understand how a loose federation of principalities and shifting allegiances created such a large legacy.

THE RHINE Enjoy the landscapes, history and cuisines of the Rhine and its tributaries, from the rolling hills and vineyards of Alsace, to the romantic cliffs and castles of the Middle Rhine, and discover the river’s role in history. The tour includes a cruise along the Middle Rhine, where it is at its most beautiful.

PALACES, GARDENS AND CASTLES The Rhine region was, from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the unification of Germany in the 19th century, ruled by a collection of different principalities and independent cities. Each ruling family sought to leave their mark, building castles to protect their borders and summer palaces for their pleasure. See how they lived across the centuries.

Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the symbols B and D.

Wednesday 17 June Arrival

The tour starts at Zurich Airport at 2pm this afternoon, from where we travel by coach to Strasbourg. After settling into our hotel, we take an orientation walk around Strasbourg, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Strasbourg. (D)

Thursday 18 June Strasbourg

Strasbourg cathedral is a landmark of Gothic architecture – it was the tallest building in Europe until the Eiffel Tower, and its spire, visible across Alsace, is a testament to the wealth and power of Strasbourg throughout the Middle Ages. We tour the cathedral and the town centre in the morning, ending with the fine collection of Old Masters in the Musée des Beaux Arts. In the later afternoon, we visit Strasbourg’s gallery of modern and contemporary art, whose collection includes a music room designed by Kandinsky and numerous works by Jean Arp, Strasbourg’s most eminent artist, and Gustave Doré. Evening at leisure. Overnight Strasbourg (B)

Friday 19 June Colmar

Alsace is renowned for its medieval heritage and Colmar is its best-preserved town. We travel by coach to Colmar today, where we explore its medieval streets and churches, including the beautiful canal district known affectionately as Little Venice. After a break for lunch, we visit the Unterlinden Museum, whose galleries are set in a medieval monastery and which has recently expanded with a new building designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Among its works is the exceptional Isenheim Altarpiece, painted in the 1400s by Matthias Gruenwald. In the mid-afternoon, we return to Strasbourg along the scenic route through the vineyards. Evening at leisure. Overnight Strasbourg (B)

Images left: The beautiful canals and traditional Alsatian town houses of the Petite France district of Strasbourg; The central panel of Gruenwald’s Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the most spectacular works of the Rhenish Renaissance; The rolling hills, vineyards and hamlets of Alsace – a postcard view at every turn!

Tour start & finish time

The tour begins at 2.00pm on Wednesday 17 June, at Zurich International Airport. The tour ends at after breakfast on Monday 29 June, at the Hotel Mondial in Cologne.

Images right: A detail of the Museum Freider-Burda, designed by Richard Meier; A view of Heidelberg, nestled between the forest and

the River Necker; Georg Baselitz’s Oberon in Frankfurt’s Staedel

Saturday 20 June Baden Baden

Today we travel to Heidelberg, stopping in Baden Baden, formerly one of Europe’s premier spa towns, where we visit the Frieder Burda collection. The museum, designed by Richard Meier, houses the private collection of a printing magnate who is one of Germany’s leading art collectors. After a break for lunch and time to stroll around Baden Baden, we continue to Schloss Favorite, the opulent 18th-century summer residence of the Margravine of Baden Baden who, among other things, had an entire room decorated with extremely expensive Florentine pietra dura. Arriving in Heidelberg in the early evening, we enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Heidelberg (B, D)

Sunday 21 June Heidelberg

Heidelberg was one of the intellectual centres of the German Reformation and hosts Germany’s oldest university. This morning we tour Heidelberg Castle, an impressive accumulation of fortifications and state rooms of the Prince Elector of the Palatinate, one of the most influential figures in the Holy Roman Empire. After our tour and a break for lunch in the Old Town, we travel the short distance to Mannheim, where we visit the Kunsthalle – an excellent museum with a very good collection of New Objectivity, the post-WWI art movement born in Mannheim. Returning to Heidelberg, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Heidelberg (B)

Monday 22 June Speyer and Schwetzingen

Today we explore the history of the central Rhine region, on our way to Frankfurt. In the morning we visit Schwetzingen Palace, the 18th-century summer residence of the Prince Electors. After touring the apartments, we enjoy the extensive gardens, which fuse elements of the French formal garden with the new craze for the English landscape garden. We continue to Speyer, where, after a break for lunch, we visit the impressive Romanesque cathedral, built by the Holy Roman Emperors and used as their burial chapel. In the mid-afternoon, we make our way to Frankfurt. Dinner and overnight Frankfurt. (B, D)

Tuesday 23 June Frankfurt

Frankfurt has been Germany’s banking capital since World War II – and its largest trading centre throughout the Middle Ages - and its art collections match its status. This morning we visit the Städel, an exceptional art museum with masterpieces by Jan Van Eyck, Vermeer, Botticelli, Picasso, Bacon and Baselitz. In the afternoon, there is time to explore the other excellent galleries along the riverside, visit the Goethe Museum or Frankfurt’s Museum of Modern Art. Overnight Frankfurt (B)

Wednesday 24 June Mainz

While Frankfurt has been a centre of the printed word – Gutenberg sold his first Bibles here – it was medieval Mainz where the magic happened. Mainz’s contribution to history goes beyond Gutenberg, however: it had been the religious heart of northern Europe in the Middle Ages and the centre of Imperial administration, and there was perhaps no city north of the alps with more scribes. Our tour of Mainz today includes the excellent Gutenberg museum (which has two Gutenberg Bibles and many other early printed works on display), the mighty Romanesque cathedral, and the stained-glass windows made by Marc Chagal at St Stephens. Returning to Frankfurt, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Frankfurt (B)

Thursday 25 June The Middle Rhine

The Middle Rhine is most spectacular: cliffs, forests, vineyards, castles, and the enchanting Lorelai Rock. We tour this section of the Rhine today by boat, from Rudesheim to Boppard, where we disembark to enjoy lunch in the medieval town. In the afternoon, we continue by coach to Cologne, stopping to visit Maria Laach, one of the most beautiful Romanesque abbeys in Germany. After arriving in Cologne and settling in, we have dinner together near the hotel. Overnight Cologne (B, D)

Friday 26 June Cologne

Cologne was founded by the Romans as a key part of their defensive network to protect their Empire from the Germanic tribes. It quickly became, however, a major trading city and the gateway between Roman and German worlds. This morning we explore the city’s Roman and German past on a walking tour, including the spectacular Cathedral which houses priceless works of art, such as the 12th-century Reliquary of the Magi by Nicholas of Verdun and stained-glass windows designed by Gerhard Richter. In the afternoon, we visit the world-class Museum Ludwig, which has the third largest collection of paintings by Picasso in the world, the largest collection of Russian modernism outside of Russia, and an excellent collection of contemporary European art. Overnight Cologne (B)

Saturday 27 June Dusseldorf

Cologne and Dusseldorf have a centuries old rivalry – they even brew beer using different methods. While Cologne’s museums are certainly impressive, Dusseldorf has been the pre-eminent centre of German art after World War II – Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Anselm Keiffer, Candida Hoffer and Andreas Gursky are just a few of the leading artists among its alumni. Today we explore the city and its exceptional collections, including visits to K20, the Kunsthalle and the Kunstpalast. Each gallery has a distinct collection, interesting history, and quite wide-ranging special exhibitions. We return to Cologne in the early evening. Overnight Cologne (B)

Above: The stained-glass windows of St Stephens, Mainz, made by Marc Chagall and Charles Marc

Below: A different style! Gerhard Richter’s stained glass windows in Cologne Cathedral, a playfully modern but ultimately sympathetic work to find in a gothic cathedral

Sunday 28 June Aachen

This morning is free to enjoy Cologne, and you may want to visit some of its other museums, such as the Wallraf Museum’s collection of Old Masters, or the Romano-German Museum near the hotel. In the early afternoon, we take the short coach journey to Aachen, the capital of Charlemagne, whose empire defined the political borders of Europe. The Palatine Chapel, the private chapel of the Emperor, is modelled on the Byzantine chapel of San Vitale in Ravenna, and is among the finest examples of early medieval architecture. After visiting the Palatine Chapel, we visit the museum of the chapel, which conserves some of the many gifts and bequests, from medieval manuscripts to carved ivory, jewellery and goldsmithing. Returning to Cologne, there is time to freshen up before we meet for our farewell meal. Overnight Cologne (B, D)

Monday 29 June Departure

The tour ends this morning in the hotel. Please check your individual travel arrangements for your onward journey. (B)

Hotels Four and five-star hotels have been selected principally for their central location, allowing you to more easily enjoy your stays in these historic city centres.

Strasbourg, Hotel Cour du Corbeau (3 nights)

One of the city’s leading hotels; four-star hotel in a recently renovated 16th century hotel. www.cour-corbeau.com/

Heidelberg, Crowne Plaza City Centre (2 nights)

Modern four-star a few steps away from the laneways of the old town. crowne-plaza-heidelberg.h-rez.com/

Frankfurt, Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof (3 nights)

Historic five-star hotel in the centre of Frankfurt. steigenbergerfrankfurt.hotel-rn.com/

Cologne, Hotel Mondial am Dom (4 nights)

Four-star hotel in the heart of Cologne; the old town and sites are at your doorstep. www.accorhotels.com/gb/

Images right: Max Ernst’s The Virgin spanking the Infant Jesus in front of three witnesses, in Cologne’s Museum Ludwig; The

interior of Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel in Aachen

Strasbourg Cathedral, celebrated as one of the most beautiful examples Gothic architecture in Europe

Fitness Requirements of THIS tour

GRADE TWO

It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.

Participation criteria for this tour

This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of physical activity per day on most days, including longer walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and a more demanding tour schedule with one night stops or several internal flights. You should be able to: keep up with the group at all times walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only

short breaks stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and

museums tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions such as cold,

humidity and heat walk up and down slopes negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites,

which are often uneven and unstable get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or

boat unassisted, possibly with luggage move your luggage a short distance if required

A note for older travellers

If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.

Tour Price The tour price is $8,260 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for a single room is $1,910 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour.

Tour Inclusions

Included in the tour price

12 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected four-star hotels

All breakfasts and selected dinners in hotels and local restaurants as noted in the itinerary

All ground transport via private air-conditioned coach All entrance fees to sites mentioned on the itinerary Porterage of one piece of luggage into and out of hotels Background talks and extensive tour notes Tips for local guides and drivers and at included meals

Not included

International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below) Travel insurance Meals not mentioned in itinerary Expenses of a personal nature

Air travel OPTIONS The tour price quoted is for land content only. The tour starts at Zurich airport and at the hotel in Cologne. Dusseldorf is the closest international airport to Cologne. Emirates offer direct flights between Australian cities and Zurich and Dusseldorf for the beginning and end of this tour. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business and First-Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. These may be group or individual transfers.

Enquiries & bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jamal Fairbrother at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email jamal@academytravel.com.au

Weather on Tour June is a pleasant time to travel in this part of Europe, with an average daytime maximum of 24C. The evenings and night time can still be a little brisk, however. We recommend you bring a light rainproof jacket, as there may be showers on some days, comfortable walking shoes and clothing that is easy to layer.