October 23, 2005 - 5:00pm
Do you dream about visiting the vineyards of France or touring ancient Greek temples and palaces?
Malaspina University-College is offering an Art Tour of Europe from April 27 to May 15, 2006.
"The tour will look at art and architecture from the ancient Greek and Roman periods up to the present day," said Jane Cole, instructor of art history at Malaspina. "We’ll visit London, Paris (Palace of Versailles), eastern France (vineyards and Colmar), Switzerland, Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Delphi and Athens."
The trip is open to students for credit courses and to the general public for pleasure. Participants may choose an optional four day cruise extension from May 15 to 19 to see Aegean and Greek palaces, temples and city sites. The cruise will visit the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Santorini and Crete, and also stop to see Ephesus in Turkey.
Two public information sessions about the tour will be held on Thursday, October 27 and Wednesday, November 16 at 12 noon in Malaspina’s Art Building 325 (room 204), 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo.
A tour company is looking after logistics of the trip, and participants who wish to extend their time in Europe may arrange to do so for a small fee. Persons with air miles can pay for the Europe portion only.
Cole took a group of 35 participants, ranging in age from 17 to over 60, on a similar art tour through Europe in the summer of 2004. "It’s a fantastic trip," said Cole. "While these kind of tours are fast paced, participants still enjoy free time to explore each location. As an instructor and tour organizer, it’s fun and rewarding to travel across Europe with an enthusiastic group of people who are interested in similar experiences."
The cost for the 2006 Art Tour of Europe is $3,837 for students, plus $744 for the cruise; and $4,527 for the general public (adults 26 and over). The optional cruise extension is $745 or $1,105. Fees include airfare to and from Europe, transportation by chartered bus, ferry and train, accommodation in 3 star hotels with private baths, all breakfasts and dinners, tips, and entrance fees for museums and sites included in the tour. The cruise price includes all meals and snacks, and amenities - live entertainment, dining, pool, discotheque, library, cinema, casino, etc.
Students can obtain university credit for a variety of courses, but must attend certain classes before departure and after returning from the overseas portion of the course.
As with all tours, participants are required to have good physical stamina because the trip involves a fair amount of walking. Questions can be directed to Cole at 753-3245, local 2294.
Tags: In the Community
