Berlin Rising Historic Treasures and Modern Marvels June 7-14, 2015 This travel program is specially designed for Art Institute members. For more information or to become a member, please phone the Member Travel Department at (312)433-3115.
Dear Friends: You are invited to join us in discovering the heady blend of grand museums, historic and contemporary architecture, and cutting-edge culture in the avant-garde city of Berlin, recently deemed one the hottest destinations on the planet by the New York Times. Accompanied by popular Art Institute tour leader David Stark and an expert local guide, you will explore Berlin s impressive buildings and exciting art scene, and experience, first-hand and behind-the-scenes, the city s incredible transformation since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Highlights of our week-long itinerary include accommodations at the luxurious, five-star Westin Grand Berlin, located near the city s finest cultural attractions and best restaurants; visits to world-class museums, including the Hamburger Bahnhof, the Neues Museum, the Pergamon Museum, and the Gemäldegalerie; and examinations of extraordinary buildings by architects including Norman Foster, Daniel Libeskind, Mies van der Rohe, I.M. Pei, Helmut Jahn, and Frank Gehry. By special arrangement, we will visit two of Berlin s finest private art collections, one of which is listed in ARTnews top 200 collections in the world. We will also explore Berlin s Nazi and Cold War histories during visits to the Jewish Museum, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and Checkpoint Charlie. I hope that you will join us for this week of unique experiences in one of the world s most fascinating cities. Space is limited, so I encourage early reservations. Sincerely, Aleksandra Matic Associate Director of Member Travel Art Institute Study Leader David Stark, Director of Administration in the Department of Museum Education, received his Ph.D. in the history of art from Ohio State University. Previously, he directed the education department at the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design; was assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Morris; and currently teaches at Columbia College. Stark is author of the catalog European Painting in the Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota Duluth, and his articles and essays on 19th-century Belgian painting have appeared in European and American catalogs and journals. He has lectured on Art Institute trips to France, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe, and has conducted research in Germany and has lectured on the Düsseldorf school. For information, call International Seminar Design, Inc. at (202) 244-1448 or the Art Institute s Member Travel Department at (312) 443-3115.
Sunday, June 7 Departure Depart on independent flights to Berlin. Berlin Rising Custom Art Institute Itinerary Monday, June 8 Berlin Arrivals Upon arrival in Berlin, transfer to the Westin Grand Berlin, offering impeccable services and a perfect downtown location near many of Berlin s most important sites. Later this afternoon, take a walking tour of the area surrounding the hotel, seeing the Brandenburg Gate, American Embassy, and Frank Gehry s DZ Bank building. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a top Berlin restaurant. Westin Grand Berlin (Dinner) Tuesday, June 9 Berlin Orientation Walk through Peter Eisenman s soul-searching Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Then take a driving tour of the city, seeing Nikolai Quarter, Berlin s oldest district; the Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin s most elegant French-inspired square; Unter den Linden Boulevard; Kurfürstendamm, one of Berlin s most famous avenues; Checkpoint Charlie, the best-known Berlin Wall crossing during the Cold War; and remarkable embassies that showcase outstanding architecture. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then take a guided tour of the Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin s finest contemporary art museum. Westin Grand Berlin (Breakfast, Lunch) Wednesday, June 10 Museum Island Walk to Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at the German Historical Museum to see I.M. Pei s stunning addition to the original Baroque palace. Also see Berlin Cathedral and the Altes Museum, one of Germany s finest neoclassical buildings, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a prominent German architect who reshaped the relatively unspectacular city of Norman Foster s Reichestag Dome Berlin into a representative Prussian capital. Continue to the Pergamon Museum and view the colossal Ishtar Gate and the Roman Market Gate of Miletus. After lunch nearby, visit the Neues Museum by renowned architect David Chipperfield and view permanent collection highlights, including the remarkable bust of Nefertiti. Enjoy free time to visit other museums on the island before returning to the hotel. Westin Grand Berlin (Breakfast, Lunch) Thursday, June 11 Old Masters & Contemporary Art and Architecture View spectacular buildings by internationally acclaimed architects near the Potsdamer Platz, with a concentration on Renzo Piano s outstanding urban planning and architecture and Helmut Jahn s remarkable Sony Center complex. Continue to the Gemäldegalerie, housing a remarkable collection of Old Master paintings, including works by Dürer, Holbein, Giotto, Titian, Botticelli, Lippi, Bruegel, and one of the world s largest collections of works by Rembrandt. Stop at Mies van der Rohe s New National Gallery for an exterior visit before continuing to Kaufhaus des Westens, aka KaDeWe, a department store and important symbol of the West during the Cold War. Take a guided tour of the gourmet food stalls on the famed sixth floor and enjoy time for an independent lunch. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Westin Grand Berlin (Breakfast) Photo by Iratz
Historic Treasures and Modern Marvels Photo by Across the Globe Dürer: Hieronymus Holzschuher, 1526 Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Nefertiti Bust (Neues Museum) Friday, June 12 Contemporary Art Collections This morning, experience what ARTnews called one of the world s leading contemporary art collections. A curator will lead you through the collection, housed in a World War II bunker. Continue to the Jewish Museum for an architectural tour of the building, designed by Daniel Libeskind. Following lunch at a local restaurant, see Berlin from the water during a relaxing cruise along the River Spree. Westin Grand Berlin (Breakfast, Lunch) Saturday, June 13 Berlin s Art Scene This morning, walk to the Reichstag and enjoy a special art and architectural tour of the Bundestag building, including a visit to the parliament hall. Then visit the home of one of Berlin s most important contemporary art collectors to see her outstanding collection. This evening, return to the Reichstag for a special farewell dinner in the renowned rooftop Käfer restaurant, adjacent to the sensational dome designed by Norman Foster. Westin Grand Berlin (Breakfast, Dinner) Cover Photo: German Historical Museum, Pei building in Berlin, GNTB/Lehnartz GbRLehnartz, Klaus und Dirk Sunday, June 14 Depart for the United States Transfer to the airport for return flights home. (Breakfast) Frank Gehry s atrium at DZ Bankz. Photo by Liz Marjollet For additional information, phone ISDI at (202) 244-1448 -orthe Art Institute s Member Travel Department at (312) 443-3115.
Space is limited, so register today! Tour Cost: Land Only: $4,295 Single Supplement: $895 Tour price is per person based on double occupancy, with a minimum of 15 paying participants. Land prices are calculated as of October 2014 and are subject to change. Dates: June 7-14, 2015 Activity Level: Moderate; city walking tours Deposit & Final Payment: A deposit of $1,000 per paying participant is required to guarantee participation in the program. This deposit may be paid by check or by Visa or MasterCard. Final payment will be invoiced and is due on February 27, 2015 by check only to International Seminar Design, Inc. Registrants will be accepted beyond this date on a space-available basis with payment in full by check only. Flights: Airfare is not included in the tour price. Participants are responsible for all aspects of their round-trip air arrangements into and out of Berlin, Germany. Terms & Conditions: International Seminar Design, Inc. (ISDI) acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations, and all other services relating to this tour. ISDI, the Art Institute of Chicago, and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity, which may be caused by any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus, or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of the tour. ISDI and the Art Institute of Chicago reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason including insufficient numbers of participants, as well as the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time. If bookings fall below the minimum required, passengers will be advised of additional costs or itinerary alterations before departure date. Cancellations & Refunds: All cancellations must be received in writing by ISDI, and are subject to a non-refundable administrative fee of $500 per person. Written cancellation received by ISDI on or before February 27, 2015: full refund minus $500 per person administrative fee. Written cancellation received by ISDI between February 28 and April 24, 2015: 50 percent of tour cost per person. Cancellations received on or after April 25, 2015: no refund. After the tour has commenced, it is not possible to issue any refunds. No refunds for any unused portion of the tour including, but not limited to, occasional missed meals or any missed sightseeing tours. Costs for promotion, staff, and other group expenses are not refundable. In the case of cancellation, substitutions are not accepted. The tour cost is non-transferable. If ISDI or the Art Institute of Chicago cancels the tour, active registrants will receive a full refund of all tour payments. A package of cancellation, baggage, and medical insurance is strongly recommended. Travel Insurance: All tour participants are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance, regardless of present good health. Should one need to cancel participation in this travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. ISDI must strictly abide by the cancellation terms outlined above. Purchasing travel insurance is the best way to protect your financial investment in the trip against unexpected complications. A travel insurance brochure will be sent upon receipt of registration and deposit. Waiver and Release In order to participate in this travel program, you will be required to complete an Art Institute of Chicago Waiver and Release form that will be provided to you prior to departure. Tour Price Inclusions: 6 nights at the Westin Grand Berlin; breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, wine at dinners; Art Institute of Chicago study leader; services of an ISDI Tour Manager; entrance to all visits on itinerary; land transportation by private coach; 1 group transfer to/from the Berlin airport upon arrival and departure; gratuities to local guides and drivers. Tour Price Exclusions: Airfare, airline taxes, and fuel surcharges; individual transfers to and from the airport for individuals not using the group transfers; excursions, activities, or meals marked optional on the itinerary; personal items; personal services; travel extensions; personal insurance for health, baggage, and tour cancellation; any other items not specifically included in the itinerary. 2014 International Seminar Design, Inc. / CST 2072963-40 Name (as listed on passport) Name (as listed on passport) Address ROOMING OPTIONS: (please select) Double Occupancy ( We prefer separate beds) Single Supplement ($895) I will share a room with I would like a roommate but will pay the price of the single supplement if one cannot be found. SIGNATURE / DATE SIGNATURE / DATE Birthdate Birthdate City State Zip Daytime Telephone / Cell Phone E-mail Address please send mailings to my email to receive information more quickly / $ Number of Persons / Amount Enclosed DEPOSIT BY: Card Number Berlin Rising June 7-14, 2015 VISA or MASTERCARD CHECK (payable to ISDI) / / Exp. (mm/yy) Billing Zip Code (if different from above) The undersigned has read the tour itinerary and recognizes and accepts any risks therein. The undersigned also understands and hereby agrees for and on behalf of his/her dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the conditions set forth in the terms and conditions listed in this brochure and to release and hold harmless the Art Institute of Chicago and International Seminar Design, Inc. (ISDI) and any of their officers, trustees, agents, licenses, or representatives, from any and all liability for delays, injuries, or death or for the loss of and/ or damage to his/her property however occurring during any portion of, or in relation to, this tour. EACH PARTICIPANT MUST SIGN Registration invalid without signature Complete and return to: International Seminar Design, Inc. 4115 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 101 Washington, DC 20016 Fax: (202) 244-1808 / email: info@isditravel.com
Berlin Rising: Historic Treasures and Modern Marvels June 7-14, 2015 Enjoy accommodations at the luxurious, five-star Westin Grand Berlin, located near the city s finest cultural attractions and best restaurants. Examine Berlin s historic and contemporary architecture, including Norman Foster s remarkable glass dome that tops the Reichstag, Mies van der Rohe s New National Gallery, I. M. Pei s stunning addition to the German Historical Museum, Helmut Jahn s Sony Center complex, and Frank Gehry s DZ Bank building. View Berlin s many outstanding ancient treasures including the bust of Nefertiti and the Ishtar Gate at the Neues Museum and the Pergamon Museum. Tour Highlights Take a guided tour of the Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin s finest contemporary art museum, and see the remarkable collection of Old Master paintings at the Gemäldegalerie. Visit two of Berlin s finest private art collections, one of which is listed in ARTnews top 200 art collections of the world. Discuss Berlin s incredible cultural transformation since the Berlin Wall s collapse while touring the most historically significant sites in the city. Art Institute of Chicago Member Travel 111 South Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603 PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID ABR 20602 Grapple with Berlin s Nazi history and its tragic consequences at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Brandenburg Gate Photo by guilllenperez