| Day 1 | U.S. / Japan |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Kyoto |
| Day 3 | Kyoto |
| Day 4 | Nijo Castle & the Heian-jingu |
| Day 5 | Nara & Koya-san |
| Day 6 | Koya-san & Kyoto |
| Day 7 | Kyoto |
| Day 8 | Kyoto |
| Day 9 | Kyoto / U.S. |
| Optional extension available |
Japan: Kyoto and Nara
June 15-23, 2009
Faculty: Lawrence O. Goedde, Professor of Art History & Chair, McIntire Department of Art
Price:$3,650 per person, double occupancy, land only*
Air from San Francisco: estimated at $1,399
Book now and receive $200 off per person!
Please call us toll free at 866-765-2646.
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Registration is Open |
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Overview
Join U.Va. alumni and friends on a visit to fascinating Japan, as we explore the beautiful cities of Kyoto and Nara and experience Japanese Buddhist culture. Local experts will give us their insights into this country through a uniquely interactive educational program. We'll witness a tea ceremony, spend a night at a Buddhist temple complex, and learn to cook popular Japanese cuisine at a Japanese home. Don't miss this opportunity to enter into one of the most alluring and culturally rich destinations in the world.
Program Highlights
- Explore the cities of Kyoto and Nara, both recognized by UNESCO for their splendid collections of historic monuments and temples.
- Discover life in a Buddhist temple during an overnight visit to Koya-san, center of Shingon Buddhism for more than 12 centuries and a traditional pilgrimage site. This experience will allow you to get a closer look at an important part of Japanese Buddhist culture.
- Visit a Japanese villa to see a traditional tea ceremony.
- Wander through Nijo Castle, built in 1603, an excellent example of the architecture and opulent décor of the Momoyama period.
- Spend a morning in a Japanese home learning to cook traditional Japanese dishes. Then enjoy the results!
Accommodations
Spend six nights at the first-class Hotel Nikko Princess in Kyoto and one night at Shojoshin-in temple lodge at Koya-san.
^ back to topMeals
- Enjoy an extensive meal plan, including seven breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners. Coffee or tea is included with all meals. Take advantage of leisure time to try local cuisine independently.
- Sample authentic regional specialties featured at local restaurants.
- Gather with fellow travelers at a welcome reception and dinner at the Hotel Nikko Princess.
- Attend a farewell reception and graduation ceremony at the hotel, followed by a farewell dinner at a restaurant in Kyoto.
Faculty
U.Va. Professor Lawrence Goedde has taught art history in the McIntire Department of Art since 1981, and has served the department as Chair since 1996. He received his bachelor of arts in the history of art from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and went on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University. A scholar of Baroque art in Europe, Professor Goedde's areas of specialization include Northern Baroque art, especially 17th-century Dutch painting, early Netherlandish painting and Old Master prints. He has lectured and written extensively on the topics of seascape, landscape and still life, with publications including his book Tempest and Shipwreck in Dutch and Flemish Art: Rhetoric Convention and Interpretation, and various exhibition catalogues and essays. Professor Goedde has lead several of our alumni travel trips over the last few years and is well liked among alumni, parents and friends of the University. He has a way of speaking about art that we all can understand and his enthusiasm for art is contagious.
^ back to topItinerary
Day 1 - U.S. / Japan
Depart gateway city for Osaka, Japan, aboard scheduled jet service (provided for Air Program participants only).
Day 2 - Kyoto
Upon arrival, we transfer by motorcoach to the Hotel Nikko Princess in Kyoto (provided for Air Program participants only). The rest of the day is at leisure.
Hotel Nikko Princess
Day 3 - Kyoto
During a tour of Kyoto, we'll visit Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji, two of Japan's most famous Zen temples. On the grounds of Ryoan-ji is a famous rock garden built in the late 1500s. Its anonymous designer arranged 15 rocks over carefully raked white gravel. Centuries later, visitors still flock to the garden for a moment of reflection. Then we'll see Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Covered in gold leaf, it was originally built in 1397 as a villa for a shogun before it became a temple.
We enjoy lunch at the Daitoku-ji temple complex, where the specialty is shojin ryori, vegetarian temple cuisine.
After lunch we take a walking tour through Gion, the geisha quarter, famous for its teahouses and theaters, and then continue to Kiyomizu-dera. This spectacular wooden temple was constructed without the use of nails. The terrace offers expansive views of the city.
This evening, we gather at the hotel for a welcome reception and dinner.
Hotel Nikko Princess
Day 4 - Nijo Castle and the Heian-jingu
Nijo Castle, built in 1603, is considered to be the best example of the opulent architecture and décor of the Momoyama period. Notice the nightingale floors, which emit a distinctive squeak as you walk on them; they served as a 17th-century alarm system, alerting the residents of intruders. The Chinese-style Heian-jingu shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate Kyoto's 1,100th birthday.
We will enjoy a Western-style lunch at a restaurant in Kyoto.
We will experience Chado, the Way of Tea as we witness a traditional tea ceremony at Hakusason-so, a villa built in 1916 by Japanese painter Kansetsu Hashimoto.
Then we will tour the Kyoto Handicraft Center. This is an opportunity to see the many traditional arts and crafts of Japan, such as beautiful Kyoto dolls, woodblock prints and fans. We may also see artisans at work.
Hotel Nikko Princess
Day 5 - Nara and Koya-san
We'll pack our overnight bags for a unique Japanese experience. Today, we'll visit Nara on our way to Koya-san, a mountaintop complex of Buddhist temples. Nara was the first ancient capital (710-784) of Japan. Nara Park is famous for its temples and four-legged residents—deer that are considered to be messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion. Todai-ji temple is home to one of the largest statues of Buddha in Japan. Kasuga Taisha shrine is best known for the 3,000 lanterns lining the paths to the shrine.
After a Western-style lunch in Nara, we continue to Koya-san in the Kii Mountains. This is a popular pilgrimage destination because it is the center of Shingon Buddhism. There are 123 temples on the mountain. Koya-san is best experienced with an overnight stay in one of the temple lodges because we can observe the daily life of the monks.
Upon arrival, we check in at the Shojoshin-in temple lodge. We'll enjoy a traditional shojin-ryori dinner served by the monks. In the evening, we learn more about monastic life during a question-and-answer session with the monks.
Shojoshin-in temple lodge
Day 6 - Koya-san and Kyoto
Before breakfast, we will see the monks light the daily fire and conduct prayers. Back at the inn, the monks will serve us a delicious breakfast.
We will explore more of the temple complex before returning to Kyoto and take a walking tour of Okuno-in, a cemetery with more than 200,000 monuments and tombs, including the graves of many famous and powerful figures.
Then we return to Kyoto, where the rest of the day, including lunch and dinner, is at leisure.
Hotel Nikko Princess
Day 7 - Kyoto
Today, we will visit a Japanese home to learn how to make tempura and sushi, two staples of washoku, Japanese cuisine. Then, we will taste our creations! The rest of the day, including lunch and dinner, is at leisure.
Hotel Nikko Princess
Day 8 - Kyoto
The day is ours to enjoy on our own. A local resident will be available in the lobby of the hotel to offer sightseeing and shopping information and to provide directions.
A special graduation ceremony, farewell reception and dinner will be held at a Kyoto restaurant.
Hotel Nikko Princess
Day 9 - Kyoto / U.S.
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the return flight to our gateway city (provided for Air Program participants only).
Note: Itinerary may change due to local conditions. Many excursions in this program involve an element of walking as some of the finest attractions are not closely accessible by motorcoach.
Tokyo Post-Trip Extension*
Join this two-night Optional Extension to explore Japan's exciting capital. It features transportation to Tokyo via bullet train, first-class accommodations, daily breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour of Tokyo, a hospitality desk offering sightseeing suggestions, transfer to the Tokyo airport (provided for Air Program participants only) and the services of an AHI Travel Director.
Many Included Extras
- Consultation services of a Passenger Service Representative prior to departure.
- Tipping of all guides and drivers.
- Services of a professional Campus Director and expert English-speaking local guides throughout your stay.
- Services of an AHI Hospitality Desk to help you plan your leisure time.
- Detailed travel and destination information to assist you in your planning.
Program Fees
Price: $3,650 per person, double occupancy, land only*
Air from San Francisco is approximately $1,399 but will be determined at time of booking
Single supplement $350 to the per person, double occupancy rate
* Does not include value added tax of $145
Tokyo Extension price: $1,095 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement of $225 to the per person, double occupancy rate
Please call us toll free at 866-765-2646.
Air Program
For your convenience, AHI offers a flexible Air Program featuring special air fares available at an additional cost in conjunction with the Land Program.
AHI has designated specific Group Air Schedules for this departure utilizing round-trip scheduled jet service from North America to Osaka, Japan. Those participating on these flights will enjoy round-trip motorcoach transfers from the Osaka Kansai International Airport to the Nikko Princess Hotel, including baggage handling. Prices are dependent upon dates, air routes and class of service chosen and will be reflected on your Reservation Confirmation, which will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation. Air schedules will be sent with your final invoice approximately 90 days before departure. Prices quoted to you will include all Domestic and Foreign Governmental Airport Departure Taxes and Fees and any applicable Fuel Surcharges. AHI ticketed passengers will also receive Automatic $250,000 Flight Insurance, subject to policy terms.
^ back to topHow To Register
Ready to register? The best way to do this is by phone so that we can ensure we are meeting all of your needs. Please call us toll free at 866-765-2646. Or e-mail cavaliertravels@virginia.edu with your contact information and the best time to reach you.
A deposit of $500 per person is required to reserve your spot. Deposits can be made by check payable to AHI International or by using MasterCard or Visa.
Final invoicing will be done approximately 90 days (March 17) prior to departure. Reservations to be paid in full by 75 days (April 1, 2009) prior to departure.
^ back to topGeneral Terms & Conditions
Not Included: Fees for passports and, if applicable, visas; personal gratuities; laundry and dry cleaning; excursions, wines, liquors, mineral waters and meals not mentioned above under included features; travel insurance; all items of a strictly personal nature.
Mobility and Fitness to Travel: The right is retained to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of this trip who, in the opinion of AHI Travel, is unfit for travel or whose physical or mental condition may constitute a danger to themselves or to others on the trip, subject only to the requirement that the portion of the total amount paid which corresponds to the unused services and accommodations be refunded. Passengers requiring special assistance, including without limitation those who permanently or periodically use a wheelchair, must be accompanied by someone who is fit and able to assist them, and who will be totally responsible for providing all required assistance.
Air Transportation: The price of this trip is based on an Advance Purchase Excursion fare. After tickets are issued, penalties up to 100% of the ticket price may be levied. If connecting flights are requested, special promotional fares may be used, in which case penalties of as much as 100% may be assessed by the airlines if reservations are changed or cancelled after ticketing. After departure, if the reservations are changed, you will be charged the higher, all year economy class fare. VARIATIONS TO THE GROUP ITINERARY MUST BE REQUESTED NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Cancellation: In addition to airline cancellation penalties, all cancellations for any reason whatsoever will be subject to a $150 per person cancellation fee. Cancellation from 90-61 days prior to departure will result in forfeiture of 10% of the entire cost of the trip per person; 60-31 days, 30%; 30-15 days, 50%. Cancellation from 14 days up to the time of departure will result in forfeiture of the entire cost of the trip. TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS AVAILABLE. AN APPLICATION WILL BE SENT AFTER YOU RESERVE. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to AHI International Corporation.
Baggage: General airline regulations allow two checked pieces per passenger for which the total sum (length+width+height) should not exceed 107 inches. No single piece may exceed the three-dimensional sum of 62 inches nor a maximum weight of 50 pounds. One piece of carry-on luggage is allowed per passenger for which the total sum should not exceed 45 inches, nor a maximum weight of 40 pounds and must fit completely underneath aircraft seat. More restrictive baggage allowances may apply, depending on program carrier. Baggage allowances are subject to change by the carrier without notice. Excess baggage charges for additional or oversized/overweight pieces are expensive and not included in your trip price; plan your wardrobe accordingly. Liability is clearly stated on the passenger contract. In no event shall liability exceed the actual loss incurred, subject to proof of the amount lost.
Responsibility: AHI Travel and the Sponsoring Association act only as agents for the suppliers of travel conveyance, transport, accommodations or other service and have no responsibility for any delays, delayed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, death, damage or injury to person or property or accident, mechanical defect, failure or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other services or for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. Dates, Program Details and Tour costs, although given in good faith and based on tariffs, exchange rates and other information current at the time of printing, are subject to change at or before the time of departure. No revisions of the printed itinerary or its included features are anticipated; however, the right is reserved to make any changes, with or without notice, that might become necessary, with the mutual understanding that any additional expenses will be paid by the individual passenger. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times. If the entire program is cancelled for any reason, participants shall have no claim other than for a full refund. By forwarding the deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she has no physical, mental or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for himself/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event, during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances. The passage contract in use, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the company(ies) and the passenger and/or purchaser of this trip.
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