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Mysterious China: A Voyage Without Passports

Program Number: 6634RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/3/2013 - 3/8/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Price starting at: $668.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: History & Culture
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt; Gluten Free    

Travel to the other side of the world and join us on a journey to China, both past and present. Study with our China scholars the customs, lifestyles, myths, legends, history, politics and film. Explore China's place in the modern world and prospects for the future. End the week with a traditional Chinese meal. A genuine Chinese experience without long lines or the need to renew your passport!




Highlights

• Learn about the Silk Road, one of the world's oldest and most historically important trade routes, and its influences on the culture of China.
• Observe the intricate and beautiful Magic Characters of the Chinese language.
• Investigate the spiritual world of Tai Chi and practice what you learn.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking and standing on this program.




Date Specific Information

3-3-2013

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.
Accommodations
Full service resort located on Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, FL; two swimming pools, private beach, tennis and shuffleboard courts, bicycle rentals, fitness center, free wireless, refrigerator and coffeemakers in each room.
Meals and Lodgings
   Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
  St. Petersburg, FL 5 nights
 Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Type: Hotel
  Description: With two pools and private beach, this full service 18-acre tropical resort is located directly on Tampa Bay. Convenient to nearby Gulf beaches and area attractions and all there is to do in St. Pete and the Tampa Bay area.
  Contact info: 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane
St. Petersburg, FL 33711 USA
phone: 727-867-1151
web: http://www.marinacoveresort.com
  Room amenities: Clock radio; coffee maker; free local phone calls' hair dryer; microwave (on request); refrigerator; 2nd floor rooms have a balcony
  Facility amenities: Arcade and game room; ATM; bar and lounge; fitness center; gift shop; wireless internet access in public areas; laundry facilities; private beach; hot tub; 2 outdoor swimming pools; shuffleboard, tennis and volleyball courts.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: call for prices Call the hotel directly at 727-867-1151 for prices.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: call for prices Call the hotel directly at 727-867-1151 for prices.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Approximately 5:00pm. You will be staying at Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove that night.
  End of Program:
1:00pm. You will be staying at Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking is free and available close to the accommodations.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  St. Petersburg, FL
  Nearest city or town:  Tampa/Clearwater
  Nearest highway: I-275
  Nearest airport:  Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: St. Petersburg, FL
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

To/From Magnuson Hotel

 

To Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Amtrak
phone: 813-221-7600
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
   

5251 110th Avenue North Pinellas Park Square, Suite 101 Clearwater, FL 33760 Taxi: Yellow:813-253-0121 United:813-253-2424
 

To/From Magnuson Hotel

 

To Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Greyhound Lines
phone: 727-898-1496

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
   

To/From Magnuson Hotel 727-8981496 To/From Greyhound Lines-7 Miles (For Greyhound Only) Greyhound Lines 180 9th Street North St. Petersburg, Fl 33705 Taxi: United:727-535-0000 Clearwater Yellow:727-799-2222
 

Magnuson Hotel /St. Petersburg

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
See below

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

5 miles
   

United Cab: 727-799-2222 Clearwater Yellow: 727-799-2222
 

Tampa International Airport & St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Supershuttle
phone: 800-282-6817
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for current rates
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 minutes to 1/2 hour 
 

Distance:

 

25 miles
   

Website: supershuttle.com Reservations are recommended but not required. Travel from airport to the campus is very convenient - all interstate.
 
Driving Directions
  Northeast of St. Petersburg I-4 or I-75 south, merging onto I-275 (St. Petersburg). You will travel approximately 20 miles, all the way through Tampa, across Tampa Bay and past the downtown St. Petersburg exits. Take I-275 south to exit 16. Turn left at the stop. Turn right on Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your left.
  Southeast of St. Petersburg I-75 north to I-275. Cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge ($1.00 toll). Take exit 16, right onto Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your right.
  St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport Turn left onto Roosevelt Blvd. (686) as you exit the airport. Follow to Ulmerton Road. Take I-275 south to exit 16. Turn left at the stop. Turn right on Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your left.
  Tampa International Airport I-275 south (St. Petersburg). You will travel approximately 20 miles, all the way through Tampa, across Tampa Bay and past the downtown St. Petersburg exits. Take I-275 south to exit 16. Turn left at the stop. Turn right on Sunshine Skyway Lane. The Magnuson Hotel will be on your left..
Elevation Note: sea level.
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.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival/Welcome/Orientation
(Sunday, March 3)
   
 Afternoon: Check-in at Magnuson Hotel front desk. Report to assigned classroom for registration.
 Dinner: At the hotel
 Evening: Program coordinator will conduct an orientation and introduction program. Final itinerary will be provided.
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Chinese New Year and the Horoscope / Understanding Chinese History Through Art / Tai Chi
(Monday, March 4)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juice, coffee and tea.
 Morning: LECTURE: Professor William Tang will start the week with a dsicussion of the Chinese New Year and the Horoscope. Tang Long is a historian, specializing in ancient Chinese history, especially military history.  He is a self-employed cultural consultant/linguist (three dialects of Chinese and Spanish), and is the author of “Tales of the Dragon – The Book of Lore,” an anthology of Chinese legends, fables, and historical anecdotes.  He lectures on Chinese history and culture at the Eckerd College, Saint Petersburg, Fl.   There will be a short refreshment break mid morning. LECTURE: Explore the wide scope of Chinese History through an understanding of its Art with our East Asian Humanities Professor, Dr. Andrew Chittick. Behold the magnificant brush paintings and photographs of ancient buildings, temples and bridges of China. Continue with the exploration of Chinese History through an understanding of its Art with Dr. Andrew Chittick. As Associate Professor of East Asian Humanities, Professor Chittick came to Eckerd in 1998. He has his BA in history and physics from Pomona College in Southern California, and a MA and Ph.D. in Chinese History from the University of Michigan, in Ann Harbor. He has travelled all over East, Southeast, and South Asia and along the length of the Silk Road. Professor Chittick coordinates the East Asian Studies program at Eckerd College. In addition, he studies and teaches Chinese History, and local culture and festivals. LECTURE TOPICS AND FIELD TRIPS MAY VARY FROM PROGRAM TO PROGRAM AND CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
 Lunch: Campus Dining Room
 Afternoon: LECTURE: Continue with the exploration of Chinese History through an understanding of its Art with Dr. Andrew Chittick. Enjoy a tour of the campus afterwards.
 Dinner: Campus Dining Room.
 Evening: LECTURE: T'ai Chi with Professor Hong Gu. Hong was born and raised in Shanghai, China and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Shanghai dialect, as well as familiar with a number of other Chinese dialects. He has also studied Russian and French. Professor Gu has taught Chinese language, literature, culture and history and English composition at Hamilton College, NY; Northwestern University, Chicago; Ivy Tech, Indiana; and Purdue University. Hong received his BA in English language and literature from East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; his MA in English Language and Literature from Southeast Missouri University and his PhD candidate in Modern British Literature and Literary Theory at Purdue University. Hong has studied calligraphy, Northern-style martial arts T’ai Ji and Qi Gong.
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Culture of China / Chinese Film / Field Trip / Movie
(Tuesday, March 5)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juice, coffee and tea.
 Morning: Dr. Hong Gu, Professor of Chinese Language and Culture at Eckerd College will begin our course on the culture of China. There will be a short refreshment break mid morning. Dr. Gu will continue with the second part of Culture of China bringing us into the more modern era.
 Lunch: Campus Dining Room
 Afternoon: Dr. Jing Shen will discuss the films of the internationally known Chinese Director, Ang Lee. Dr. Shen will show clips from such well known films as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "The Wedding Banquet." Then, spend some time this afternoon on your own or explore the beautiful and spacious waterfront area of St. Petersburg with shops, museums, galleries, an opulant hotel of the 1920's and more. Transportation provided to the Pier.
 Dinner: At the Hotel
 Evening: Enjoy Ang Lee's film, "Eat Drink Man Woman"
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Chines Village Elections / Principals of Feng Shui / Decline of Dynasties / Special Dinner / Confucius & Modern Religious Policy
(Wednesday, March 6)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juice, coffee and tea.
 Morning: LECTURE: Professor Jing Chen will discuss Chinese Village Elections and US Influence. Professor Chen received her BA in International Politics at Beijing University, and her PHD in political science at Princeton University. Her research interests include Chinese politics and East Asian international relations. She has published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including China Information and The Journal of Contemporary China. She is currently working on a book manuscript concerning the effect of China’s Petition System on its authoritarian regime. She is an assistant professor of political science at Eckerd College. Then after a short refreshment break, learn about the principals of Feng Shui with Joy Katzen-Guthrie
 Lunch: Campus Dining Room.
 Afternoon: LECTURE: Dr. Chittick will explore the historical decline of the Chinese dynasties followed by the rise of Communism. Then after a short refreshment break, learn from our expert and consultant to international companies, the impact that globalization is having on China as well as China's impact on the United States.
 Dinner: Special Chinese Dinner
 Evening: Learn all about Confucius & Modern Religious Policy in China with Joy Katzen-Guthrie
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Business in China / Chinese Language / free time / Musical Entertainment
(Thursday, March 7)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juice, coffee and tea.
 Morning: LECTURE: Ever wonder about business in China. Explore this angle with Professor Morris Shapero. There will be a brief break with refreshments. LECTURE: Dr. Gu will continue the morning discussing the magic characters of the Chinese language.
 Lunch: At the hotel .
 Afternoon: Spend some time this afternoon on your own or explore the beautiful and spacious waterfront area of St. Petersburg with shops, museums, galleries, an opulant hotel of the 1920's and more. Transportation provided to the Pier. Depart for local museum. Transportation provided.
 Dinner: Campus dining room
 Evening: ENTERTAINMENT: Enjoy an evening of music.
   
Accommodations: Magnuson Hotel - Marina Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lectures: Women in China: Yesterday & Today / Ancient & Modern Jewish Communities in China
(Friday, March 8)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel with at least one hot item. Assorted fruit, juice, coffee and tea.
 Morning: LECTURE: Joy will start the morning with her class on the changing roles of women in China.After a short refreshment break LECTURE: Joy will end the week with a discussion on the Ancient & Modern Jewish Communities in China
 Lunch: At the hotel. Program concludes with lunch today.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  St. Petersburg, FL Websites-Places of Interest
Dali Museum: www,salvadordalimuseum.org Fine Arts Museum: www.fine-arts.org South Florida Museum: www.southfloridamuseum.org Holocaust Museum: www.flholocaustmuseum.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. 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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