Eastern Europe Tentative Itinerary and Logistics Summer 2004 Geography Field School July 16 En route Calgary London/Amsterdam/Frankfurt Helsinki Finland July 17 Helsinki Arrival. Official school opening. Information meeting. Introductory/orientation lectures. Excursion to Fort Suomenlinna; study of the historical geography of the Baltic, and 19 th century art-nouveau architecture. July 18 Helsinki Morning lectures. Field study assignment of urban site and situation. Study of port facilities and importance to Baltic shipping. Evening assignment presentations; group presentations. Estonia July 19 Tallinn Mid-afternoon ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn (2.5 Hours). Transfer to hotel. Orientation lecture - Tallinn. July 20 Tallinn Morning lecture on the historical and political geography of Estonia and the former Soviet Union. Field study of the urban environment, including Viru Gate, Tallinn s old guild houses, and numerous medieval buildings and churches. Evening group presentations on Estonia. Latvia July 21 Riga Morning bus transfer to Riga. En route stops to observe coastal processes on the Gulf of Riga, and
rural settings and towns of Estonia and Latvia. Afternoon arrival in Riga. Orientation lecture of the old town, and its historical significance. July 22 Riga Walking tour of the old town of Riga (small groups) to observe the medieval architecture, and urban layout of one of Europe s most beautiful historic centers. Includes a visit to the Occupation Museum, an important resource for understanding the historical and cultural geography of Latvia. Lithuania July 23 Palanga Afternoon bus departure from Riga with itinerary including small towns along the Baltic coast. Evening arrival in Palanga. Orientation lecture of Lithuania. July 24 Palanga Day trip to Kursiu National Park on the Lithuanian side of the barrier island system on the Baltic coast. On-site lecture of coastal processes associated with the barrier islands in the Baltic Sea. Field work on Baltic pine forests, and importance in both current and historical economies. Study of Baltic pine ecosystems. July 25 Vilnius Bus transfer, including a stop at the Hill of Crosses, the Lithuanian peoples' monument to the war atrocities committed by both Nazis and Soviets. Afternoon transfer to Vilnius. July 26 Vilnius Orientation lecture of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. Field assignments based on the historical significance and physical urban setting of the city, and the significance of the urban layout. Afternoon visit to the Museum of the Genocide of the Lithuanian People, the former headquarters of both the Nazi and Soviet secret police. Visit to the Lithuanian State Jewish Museum, an important information source for the impact of the holocaust on the city during W.WII. Evening assignment presentations. July 27 Vilnius Daytrip to Trakai Castle National Park, a short distance from Vilnius. Field study of the medieval
fortifications of the castles, located on Lake Trakai. Afternoon return to Vilnius. Time to explore the many urban churches and historical sites. Poland July 28 Warsaw Transfer by bus to Warsaw. Afternoon stop at the Soviet Sculpture Park at Druskinkai, a theme park famous for its collection of Lenin and Stalin sculptures, as well as many other local Soviet politicians. In-situ lecture on the Soviet political system. Evening arrival in Warsaw. July 29 Krakow Morning orientation of the historical and political geography of Warsaw. Field study of the old town, re-built after WWII. Late afternoon train transfer to Krakow. July 30 Krakow Orientation lecture on Krakow. Explorations of the old town; field assignments based on site and situation, and the historical significance of the Market Square, old town churches, medieval buildings, and Wawel Castle. Evening lecture on environmental issues; presentations of field assignments. July 31 Krakow Study tour of Weiliczka Salt Mine. On-site lecture on the geology, and historical importance of the mine. Tour of the multi-level salt mine,dating from the 13 th century. Afternoon visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau, WWII Nazi concentration and death camps. On-site lecture and guided tour explaining the holocaust and the geographical significance of these camps. August 1 Zakopane Bus transfer to the mountain town of Zakopane. Afternoon field explorations of the surrounding Tatra mountains. Field assignment on alpine vegetation. Evening orientation lecture on the physical geography of the Tatras region.
Assignment presentations; group presentations on Poland. August 2 Zakopane Field assignment on tourism in the Tatra region. Explorations the alpine town, observing its unique architecture and culture. Evening assignment presentations. Czech Republic August 3 Olomouc Transfer to Olmouc. Orientation lecture. Exploration of this medieval center, featuring Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. August 4 Prague Further explorations of Olmouc. Evening train transfer to Prague, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Orientation lecture. August 5 Prague Explorations of the primate city of Bohemia; focus on Prague Castle, Charles Bridge area, old Jewish sector. August 6 Prague Morning lectures; exploration of Prague sited on the Vltava River; foci includes: churches, museums, and Gothic and Baroque architecture. August 7 Prague Field Study on specific locations: topics of interest will include market places, the main square, river front, and types of building materials; evening lectures on flood plains, climatic change, and extreme weather; student presentations. Austria August 8 Vienna Train transfer to Vienna. Afternoon arrival. Orientation lecture on Vienna. August 9 Vienna Exploration and field assignments on central Vienna, including the parliament, Museum of Fine Art, (Kunsthistorisches Museum), Natural History
Museum, Royal Chapel, and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Evening assignment presentations. August 10 Graz Train transfer to Graz, Austria (capital of the province of Styria). Transect study en route, comparing the human and natural landscapes of the Czech Republic and Austria; orientation lecture - Graz, European Center of Culture, 2003. August 11 Graz Morning lectures; small group studies of the city of Graz starting at the Schlossberg (Castle Hill), including the Hauptplatz (central square), and streets radiating out from this square. August 12 Graz Topical field assignments on the setting of the city and environs, the importance of the River Mur, and heritage infrastructure, including the cathedral and adjacent mausoleum, the armory, and the stadtpark (city park). Evening student seminars. Slovenia August 13 Ljubljana Train transfer to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Orientation lecture. Evening student seminars. August 14 Ljubljana Morning lectures. Explorations of Ljubljana with emphases on the Old Town on the Ljubljana River, Ljubljana Castle, and the produce market. August 15 Ljubljana Assignments relating to the urban and environmental geography. Evening lectures; student presentations. August 16 Bled Bus transfer to Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps. Orientation lecture - town of Bled and environs. Seminar on comparisons to the Canadian Rockies (especially for tourism). Explorations of Bled and surrounding areas including glacial Lake Bled, Bled Island (Blejski Otok) with its church and stairway, and Bled Castle.
August 17 Bled Day long study tour of Triglav National Park and its varied physical and environmental sites, including foci on Glacial Lake Bohinj, Mt. Triglav (2864 m), and Vintgar Gorge; on site lectures and student presentations. August 18 Bled Field notebook assignments related to the Julian Alps such as ecotourism, hotel and motel locations, recreation activities, and environmental impacts of tourism. Evening lectures. Italy August 19 Venice Bus transfer to Venice. Morning visit to the Skocjanske Caves. In-situ lecture on karst topography and geology. Visit to Postojnska Castle. Afternoon arrival in Venice. Orientation lecture on the historical and political geography of Venice. August 20 Venice Orientation lecture on the physical site and situation, and environmental implications of climate change. Field studies of Venice, including: Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal system, Rialto and Accademia Bridge, Venezia s numerous cathedrals and chapels, and squares. August 21 Venice Field assignments on the Islands of Venice: Murano, the Glass Blowing Island; Lido; Burano; and Isla San Michelle. Evening assignment presentations. San Marino August 22 San Marino Bus transfer to San Marino. Field study of a small republic. Foci on the unique ancient geology of the site in relation to the surrounding landscape, and historical political geography. Evening presentations.
Croatia August 23 Hvar Island Transfer by bus and ferry from San Marino via Ancona to Hvar Island. Accommodations in the town of Stari Grad. August 24 Hvar Island Morning orientation to Hvar. Study tour of Stari Grad. Afternoon field trip to the town of Hvar. Explorations of Venetian architecture and urban fortifications. Evening presentations. August 25 Dubrovnik August 26 Dubrovnik August 27 Dubrovnik August 28 Dubrovnik Ferry transfer to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Orientation lecture. Site studies of the city center, and especially the older sector(s) less affected by the war. Evening student seminars. Independent time to focus on detailed field notebook entries of individual interest such as the produce market, architectural styles, reconstruction activities, and neighborhoods. Morning lecture on the historical and political geography of Croatia. Study for examinations. Final Exams. Farewell dinner. August 29 Transfer