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The Italian Experience: Che Gioia Vivere! |
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Program Number: |
11154RJ |
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and End Dates: |
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10/28/2012 - 11/2/2012;
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| Duration: |
5 nights |
| Location: |
St. Petersburg, Florida
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| Price starting at: |
$638.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city |
| Program Type:
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History & Culture
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| Meals: |
15;
5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners |
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| Meal
Options: |
Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian |
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Experience the passion for living born of Italy’s rich history, culture, architecture, art, foods, wines, peoples, and places. Sample Italian wines as you drink in the glorious ambiance of Rome, Florence, Venice, and more. During a field trip to the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, explore a palace echoing the grace and grandeur of Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, housing an extraordinary collection of masterpieces including a cast of Michelangelo’s magnificent “David” sculpture. Survey Italian civilization from literature to the science of DaVinci, the philosophy of Machiavelli, all the way to Italian-American pop singers. Special highlights include a live performance of Italian classical music and a traditional Italian meal. Buona salute!
Highlights
• Experience a field trip to Sarasota’s renowned Ringling Museum of Art’s 21 galleries of European paintings with an emphasis on Italian art.
• Learn why Florence-born Leonardo da Vinci is best known for his painting but as an inventor way ahead of his time influenced the imaginations of many other Italian inventors.
• Listen to the music of and learn about Italian American singers such as Frank Sinatra, Connie Francis and Perry Como, and enjoy a live Italian classical piano concert.
Activity Particulars
Some walking and standing.
Date Specific Information
10-28-2012
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.
Coordinated by Eckerd College.
St. Petersburg (Florida)
Known as the “Sunshine City” with an average of 361 sunny days per year, “St. Pete” has 234 miles of shoreline and boasts 125 city parks, as well as one of America’s top-ranked beaches and the largest municipal arena in the southeast.
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Accommodations
Comfortable, convenient on-campus accommodations in our adult education conference center, with swimming pool and tennis courts.
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The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.
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Day 2: |
History Through Art / Field Trip - Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota / Choral Performance
(Monday, October 29)
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| Breakfast: | Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted cereals, fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea | | Morning: | LECTURES: History Through Art. Our art connoisseur, Dedee Aleccia, will show you where Italy's glorious art and architecture is primarily located.
Take a short refreshment break midmorning
PLACEMENT OF CLASSES AND FIELD TRIPS ON THE SCHEDULE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. IN ADDITION, SOME LECTURE TOPICS MIGHT BE ALTERED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE | | Lunch: | plated lunch at the hotel | | Afternoon: | FIELD TRIP: What's Italy without a trip to a museum? We'll take you to the Ringling Museum of Art. Located on a 66-acre estate on Sarasota Bay, it is the official State Art Museum of Florida, offering 21 galleries of European paintings with emphasis on Italian art.
| | Dinner: | Plated dinner at the hotel | | Evening: | ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoy the musical stylings of a local choral group, the Chorus Angelorum, offering music from the Renaissance and a selection of their personal favorites. | |
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Day 3: |
Lectures on Literature of the Renaissance/ Science and Inventors / Italy on Stage and Screen / Performance
(Tuesday, October 30)
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| Breakfast: | Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted cereals, fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea | | Morning: | Absorb the literature of the Renaissance with our historian, Dedee Aleccia.
A mid morning refreshment break will occur. | | Lunch: | Plated lunch at the hotel | | Afternoon: | Ever wonder about the side of DaVinci that produced drawings of heliocopters and other such amazing inventions? A man well ahead of his time, Hal Hultman will show us how DaVinci also influenced the imaginations of other Italian inventors throughout the centuries. Enjoy a lively and inquiring lecture about these incredible scientists.
After a short break, film and theatre buff Jason Fortner will lead a discussion about Italy on stage and screen. | | Dinner: | Buffet dinner will be at the Eckerd College CEC Dining Room with a choice of entrees, fresh salad and desserts. | | Evening: | EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY: Special concert performance led by Susan Bailey Robinson | |
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Day 4: |
Lectures: / Italian Lunch / Free time in downtown St. Pete / Lecture
(Wednesday, October 31)
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| Breakfast: | Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted cereals, fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea | | Morning: | Italy's Musical Side - Nowhere is the voice more loved than in Italy - the birthplace of opera! The beauty of the melodic line in Italian music transcends vocal music and is evident in the instrumental works, as well. With Musician Susan Bailey Robinson, we will explore how this love of the singing line has influenced Italian music from Gabrieli's motets right up to the contemporary era. Start the morning with a survey of how the development of vocal music in Italy and the creation of opera influenced the melodies of Italian orchestral music. Also, how this love of the singing voice continues in the popular music of Italy today.
Take a short refreshment break mid-morning.
Italians are also known for their great expressiveness. Italian composers were some of the first to create visual imagery through their instrumental music. We will explore how this is apparent in the music of Italian composers from diverse musical/stylistic periods. This class will give you a look at programmaticism in Italian music from Vivaldi to Respighi. | | Lunch: | Today you will enjoy a break from the classroom as you head downtown to Grazzi Restaurant. There Domenic will discuss the foods of Italy. This will be followed by an authentic Italian lunch. | | Afternoon: | Spend some time this afternoon on your own to explore the beautiful and spacious waterfront area of St. Petersburg with shops, museums, galleries, an opulent hotel of the 1920's and more. Transportation provided to the Pier. | | Dinner: | Buffet dinner will be at the Eckerd College CEC Dining Room with a choice of entrees, fresh salad and desserts. | | Evening: | Jason Fortner will swtich gears tonight and discuss the Italian-American pop singers that were a hit in their day. Among those artists discussed will be Connie Francis, and others | |
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Day 5: |
Lectures:Italian Music, Modern Italy/ Special Italian dinner / evening presentation
(Thursday, November 1)
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| Breakfast: | Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted cereals, fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea | | Morning: | Our opera aficionado – Gerry Brody – will discuss the fertile soil from which Puccini, belatedly but gloriously, sprouted. This will be enhanced by Gerry’s demonstration, at the piano and by magnificent recorded examples, of the seminal mileposts in the 400 year-old history of opera culminating in Puccini. This will be followed by a discussion of Puccini’s initial failure to ignite (as a major successor to Giuseppe Verdi) in his first two mediocre attempts at full-length opera.
A brief refreshment break will be offered mid morning.
Then, through discussion and demonstration, with piano and indelible recorded examples, of Puccini’s ‘glory decade’ (1893-1904), explore his delving into modern harmonies and the unfinished final opera (TURANDOT) first performed in 1926 and conducted by the legendary Arturo Toscanini | | Lunch: | Buffet lunch will be at the Eckerd College CEC Dining Room with a choice of entrees, fresh salad and desserts. | | Afternoon: | LECTURE: Study the Italy of today - the financial meltdown and the cause and effect. This will be followed by an interest group - Circolo Italiano - with members of Eckerd College's Academy of Senior Professionals (ASPEC)
What would a trip to Italy be without wine and what a better way to appreciate its wine than through some sampling. Learn about the different regions of Italy, and be prepared to taste a red and a white grape wine before our dinner hour. | | Dinner: | Special Italian Dinner. Join the members of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College as you enjoy a special dinner catered just for you at Lewis House on the campus.
Formerly the home of the college president, this beautiful structure sits on the banks of the college's seawall overlooking beautiful Boca Ciega Bay. | | Evening: | A presentation of LA BOHEME (Act I), Puccini’s first internationally
acclaimed masterpiece, accompanied by commentary by Gerry Brody. This ‘magical’ 1993 production by the Australian Opera Company, directed by Baz Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge”), transplants early 19th c. Paris to the 1950’s. If this performance leaves you emotionless, “perhaps, just perhaps, Opera may not be for you”!
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Day 6: |
Lectures to complete the week
(Friday, November 2)
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| Breakfast: | Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted cereals, fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea | | Morning: | LECTURE: The Magic of Italy in the 21st Century: Take a broad spectrum look at Italy today, its history (through events), geography, administrative regions, demographics, climate, economic and environmental issues, government, transportation, military power, and so much more. With our instructor Julia Lewis, we will take a look at Italy's timeless and unmatched beauty from the majestic mountains of its Northern borders to the fascinating, culturally diverse, picturesque island of Sicily in the South.
There will be a short refreshment break mid morning.
| | Lunch: | Buffet lunch at the hotel. Program concludes with lunch today. | |
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| Meals
Included: |
Breakfast, Lunch |
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Free Time Opportunities |
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| St. Petersburg, FL |
Beach Drive & Downtown Waterfront
St. Petersburg's landmark Pier anchors a downtown shopping, dining and entertainment district that includes outdoor cafes and restaurants, world class museums and a dazzling array of shops, galleries, businesses, hotels and bed & breakfasts that line the city’s pedestrian-friendly streets. A continuous string of green parks winds along the seven-mile waterfront that is home to many special events and festivals each year.
Enjoy a stroll along Downtown St. Pete's Beach Drive featuring unique shops, world-class museums and galleries as well as amazing dining options for every taste and budget. Just across from Beach Drive you will find beautiful city parks and St. Pete's fabulous waterfront. To top things off, a horse drawn carriage ride in the evening will make your visit to Beach Drive a memorable experience and you will definitely be looking forward to your next visit to our city.
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Museum of Fine Arts
From a legendary permanent collection, to fascinating traveling exhibits, to exciting events in the heart of downtown’s scenic waterfront, the MFA is ready to inspire you with diverse and ever-changing opportunities to experience art. Discover 4,500 years of civilization in thousands of objects extending from antiquity to present – the only comprehensive art collection of its kind on Florida’s west coast. Highlights include masterpieces from Monet, Cézanne, Renoir and others, a sculpture garden, a Steuben glass gallery and one of Florida’s most respected photography collections.
Contemporary Prints by American Women: September 8, 2012 through February 2, 2013. More than 60 prints by American women artists, made after 1950, have recently joined the Museum’s collection – and it is still growing. Since 2008, longtime Museum friends Martha and Jim Sweeny have given prints from their own collection and substantial funds for purchases. This represents the first time that some of the most compelling works have been shown together.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon – Sat: 10 am - 5 pm; Thurs: 10 am - 8 pm; Sun: Noon - 5 pm.
For additional information, visit www.fine-arts.org
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Salvador Dali Museum
The Dali Museum Collection is rich in works from artist Salvador Dali's entire career (1904-1989), with key works from every moment and in every medium of his artistic activity. The Collection includes 96 oil paintings, many original drawings, bookworks, prints, sculpture, photos, manuscripts, and an extensive archive of documents. Founded with the works collected by Reynolds and Eleanor Morse, the Museum has made significant additions to its collection.
The third floor galleries in the Tom and Mary James Wing provide a chronological gathering of Dali's paintings. The small salons along the outer walls are illuminated by special skylights and display the large paintings over which Dali labored in the last decades of his career. The Hough Family Wing provides visitors a chance to see other aspects of the artist's work, featuring his films, photographs, objects and works on paper.
The distinguished building, which opened on Jan. 11, 2011, enables the Museum to protect and display our collection, to welcome our public, and to educate and promote enjoyment. In a larger sense it is a place of beauty dedicated, as is Dali's art, to understanding and transformation.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon, Tues, Wed: 10:00am - 5:30pm; Thurs: 10:00am - 8pm; Fri & Sat: 10:00am - 5:30pm; Sun: 12 noon - 5:30pm
For additional information, visit www.thedali.org
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St. Pete Beaches
Nestled on Long Key, St. Pete Beach offers accommodations ranging from world-renowned resort to mom-and-pop motels, to quaint bed and breakfasts. Upham Beach, located on the northern tip of St. Pete Beach, is one of the few spots along the Gulf of Mexico known for surfing.
St. Pete Beach was originally made up of four areas: Pass-A-Grille Beach, Don CeSar Place, Belle Vista Beach and St. Petersburg Beach. In 1957, the four communities merged into the City of St. Petersburg Beach. Later the City voted to shorten its name to St. Pete Beach.
Voted number 1 Beach in the U.S. and number 5 in the world in 2012, St. Pete Beach has so many activities that you may never leave the island! Spend the day shopping on historic Corey Avenue, dine at a waterfront restaurant, or spend the day skim boarding. No visit would be complete without visiting the Don CeSar Beach Resort. Built during the Jazz Age, the Don has hosted many famous celebrities and has been a beacon of the beach for more than 80 years.
For additional information, visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com
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St. Pete Museum of History
Have a fun filled day at the St. Petersburg Museum of History, located on the approach to the Pier in downtown St. Petersburg. Enjoy breathtaking views of the marina and downtown St. Petersburg where people also enjoy fishing, dining, shopping, and events.
Pinellas County’s oldest museum was founded in 1920 as the St. Petersburg Memorial Historical Society. Through the determination and effort of Mary Wheeler Eaton and others, the Society began collecting artifacts, natural history specimens, archival documents, photographs, papers, and “boxes of unknown treasures that were just dropped on our doorstep during the night.”
In 1922, the Society became incorporated and the city of St. Petersburg provided the use of an old aquarium building (located on the same site as today’s Museum) for the public display of the Museum’s collections.
St. Petersburg Goes to War 1941-1945. WW II Poster Exhibit Shows St. Petersburg on the Homefront. A colorful collection of World War II posters is now on display at the St. Petersburg Museum of History.
From “Rosie the Riveter,” flexing her biceps to instructions on how to “Win with Tin”, this exhibit looks back at The St. Petersburg Homefront, 1941-to-1945.
The display includes a selection of uniforms, weapons and personal memorabilia on loan from private individuals and the Armed Forces History Museum in Largo.
Remember, Uncle Sam would say, “I want you to see this exhibit !”
Titled “Piering into the past, pondering the future,” the exhibit begins with the first pier erected in 1899. Of particular interest is the damage to a pier by the 1921 hurricane, the only direct hit the area has experienced. The future is represented by models and illustrations of the three finalists selected to replace the present pier. It is the only place these prospective pier designs can be seen until the winner is selected.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Tue – Sat: 10:00am – 5:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Closed Mondays
For additional information, visit www.spmoh.com
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