Feb. 27-March 10, 2011

    Are you ready to escape the winter doldrums and explore the Rite of Spring as the ancients conceived it? The festival of Carnevale, in its various manifestations, has been celebrated by humankind since at least 600 AD. With origins in the orgiastic rites and rituals of Dionysus in early Greece. elements of the primordial Carnevale still enthrall and captivate us today. The Church abhorred the excesses of the pagan Carnevale but was unable to suppress it, so absorbed Carnevale into its Lenten calendar.

    From virtually all perspectives--from early Greek philosophers to twentieth century specialists--there is an agreement that artistic creativity and inspiration involve, indeed require, a dipping into pre-rational or irrational sources.  Carnevale provides us an opportunity to investigate our shadow side, as a witness or participant.

    Only a step away from Greece in Italy, Carnevale is enthusiastically celebrated in all its diversity, from the agrarian based folk festivals of Sardinia, the high-tech politically satirical parade in Viareggio, the boisterous medieval procession in Verona, to the elegant balls of Venice.  Join us in exploring the evolution of a belief system that has survived hundreds of years of culturization.

    The Venetian Carnevale retains the masks, costumes, and fascination with transformation, while adding its own sophisticated overlay. During your eleven day stay you will visit some of Venice's artistic and architectural masterpieces. You will tour the secret passageways of the Dodges Palace, attend  music and cultural performances, and go dancing in the streets.

    Carnevale is also a feast of the senses, embellished by the use of masks. Originally used in sacred rites performed at the beginning of the cycles of seasons, to propitiate fertility, masks absorbed magic qualities by representing deities, spirits, and the deceased. In medieval Verona you will visit the studio of one of Italy's most esteemed mask makers, and watch the Carnevale procession threading through the ancient, winding streets. Verona's floats excel in the art of satire, an old and crucial element to Carnevale.
A special addition to our trip this year will be our stay in a newly renovated 16th century Palace, located on a quiet canal  in our favorite district in Venice.

Itinerary: The Many Masks of Carnevale:

Sunday Feb. 27  Transit Depart USA on regularly scheduled flight for Venice.

Monday Feb. 28 Venice  Arrive in Venice. Transfer by water taxi to hotel. Happy hour party to sample some of the local wines and get acquainted with  your fellow travelers.

Tuesday March 1 Venice Morning orientation to various exhibits and events scheduled during Carnevale, and short class in basic Italian.
Guided walking tour of our historic neighborhood, the Accademia, to acquaint you with its most useful and important sites including a visit to Santa Maria alla Salute, the second most photographed church in Venice. Late afternoon we gather for the first of two lecture/slide shows on the art and history of Venice.

Wednesday March 2 Venice Morning seminar on the Commedia del Arte, highlighting the most common traditional masks that you will see during your visit. Walking tour of Venice's most important mask stores and a visit to a local mask maker in his studio. Demonstration of the process of mask making, followed by workshop to paint your mask. In the late afternoon, the conclusion of the slide presentation.
 
Thursday March 3  Venice Visit to the lively Rialto market then proceed down a secluded alley near the Rialto bridge to view the architecturally inspired Il Bovolo staircase.  We take the local vaporetto to join a guided tour of the Venetian Ghetto, including three historic synagogues. Neighborhood lunch. Late afternoon seminar on the history of Carnevale, followed by a a private visit to Saint Marks Cathedral, a highlight of this trip.
 
Friday March 4 Venice Morning (90 minute) train trip to historic Verona. Visit its most important and prolific mask making studio, tour the factory and meet the owner with an opportunity to purchase masks wholesale.  Afternoon Carnevale parade and festivities in the center of ancient Verona and a visit to "Juliet's house." Return to Venice.

Saturday  March 5  Venice  Guided  tour to view the visual masterpieces of the Accademia, followed by a walk to the Frairi church to take in the works by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, and Bossano. Lunch at a neighborhood favorite. Afternoon Costume parade in Saint Marks Square. Evening festivities in the Piazza San Marco or optional evening costume ball.

Sunday March 6  Venice Morning  guided tour of the Secret Passages of the Dodge's Palace, followed by time to visit the Palace itself and take in its extensive collection.  Today all the locals promenade in costume and visitors stream in from all over Northern Italy. Evening performance of dance or music.  

Monday March 7 Venice  Boat trip to the island villages of Burano, noted for lace and linen making, Murano, where glassblowing has been an art for centuries, and the quiet island of Torcello with it's famous mosaics.
 
Tuesday March. 8 Fat Tuesday  Venice The Peak Day in Carnevale. Time to join the locals in your mask and costume. Late afternoon Grand Parade in the Piazza San Marco. Evening festivities, shows, and pageants continue into the night.

Wednesday March 9 Venice First Day of Lent Day free to visit the galleries, museums, churches, markets, and architectural splendors of Venice. Evening farewell to Venice dinner party at our favorite Trattoria.

Thursday March 10 USA Transfer by boat to the airport for our flight back to the USA, or join us in Viareggio, close to Florence for further celebrations.

NOTE: No one is expected to attend all activities, however there will be no refunds for missed events. Anyone who leaves the itinerary at any time for any reason is on their own. Museums are subject to closure.

Details:
Trip Cost and Fees: $3550.00. The trip price (TBA) is based on two people sharing a double or twin-bedded room with private bath. Price is susceptible to currency fluctuation. Final payments due Jan. 15, 2011.

Ground Only:
You may arrange your own air and deduct $600.00 from the trip price. Ground Only does not include transfers from the airport to the hotel and return.

Roommates:
Single people may request to be matched up with a roommate as circumstances permit, and share a twin-bedded room with private bath. If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price for a Single Supplement: 400.00, However, there is only one single room at our primary hotel, and singles may have to reside at a neighboring hotel.

Cancellation Penalties and Refunds:
No refunds will be made after air departure. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended.

Meals:
Farewell feast and buffet breakfast. Although meals are not included, research and guidance in locating restaurants is provided, catering to various tastes and pocketbooks. Laura Sabbadin has extensive information regarding many of Venice's finest and most serious dining establishments, as well as economic and "old world" Trattorias. 2004 meal prices ranged from $15.00-$25.00.

Sightseeing:
All sightseeing will be carried out by train, private bus, city bus and boat.
Walking: It is important that all participants be able to walk at least 3 miles a day through the obstacle course of bridges and staircases that make up Venice's cityscape.

Passport, Visa, and Health Requirements:
US and Canadian citizens can enter Italy and stay for up to 3 months on demonstration of a valid passport. No inoculations required.
Masks and Costumes: Visits to mask makers with complementary discounts are a highlight of the trip and mask-painting workshop is included in this package as well. You may wish to attend one of Venice's famed mask balls and may bring your own costume or rent or purchase one in Venice. Access to a professional costuming service will be available for the optional ball.
 
Trip Organizer:
Judy Slattum MFA is the director of her own travel company and has been organizing and leading trips to Europe and Indonesia since 1975. She taught drama at the University of Maryland and Cabrillo College for 15 years, and currently  teaches classes in mask-making and performance through UCSC Extension, College of Marin, Esalen Institute, and other Colleges and Universities. She has curated numerous museum shows of masks, published many articles on traditional masks, is the author of Masks of Bali; Spirits of an Ancient Drama, and is currently working on a book about Carnevale in Italy. Judy's husband, Made Surya, leads travel programs to Indonesia.

Venetian Guide: Laura Sabbadin MA is a native Venetian, who recently completed an advanced degree in English literature. Several years ago Laura and several other professional guides created "Of Venice, By Venice, For Venice," a series of art and history presentations designed to raise funds for Venetian preservation projects.   Laura has enlightened film crews, authors, critics, and celebrities to Venice's many treasures, and has appeared in several PBS specials on Venice. Noted for her expertise in Venetian history, architecture, and art history, Laura is one of the few licensed guides in Venice. A Unique Trip Package---

March 10-14, 2011

One of the most famous destinations for scholars, artists, and Renaissance enthusiasts now and in previous centuries. Those of us who wish to continue our adventure will take this opportunity to explore Florence, as well as sample Florence's noted cuisine, at what is one of the few peaceful times in the Florentine year.

The seaside town of Viareggio, an easy train ride from Florence, stages Italy's most famous Carnevale, with gigantic, high-tech masked floats, sporting hosts of costumed dancers satirizing contemporary politics every Sunday for four weeks.

Itinerary

Thursday  March 10: Arrive by train from Venice in Florence Italy.  Check into our hotel.  Time to wander before dinner at one of Florence's best restaurants.

Friday March  11: Guided walking tour of city, including the most important sights: Museum of the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio. the Duomo and Baptistry, culminating at lunch at a typical Trattoria.  Afternoon walk to San Miniato Al Monte, arguably the prettiest church in Florence. Take in the panorama of the city and the surrounding hills, before admiring the Romanesque architecture, the frescoes and art treasures within. We’ll hear the monks sing vespers in Gregorian chants before leaving.  Next we stop at the adjoining cemetery to take in the wonderful collection of Italian funerary art, then visit the small shop run by the monks that sells medicinal elixirs and tasty liquors. Dinner at another of Florence fine restaurants

Saturday March 12: Spend the day with Michelangelo, visiting Casabuonarroti, then feasting on his visual work including the sculpture of David at the Academia, and paintings and sculpture at the Bargello. Afternoon free to visit the Uffizi or other sights. Evening feast of Florentine delicacies.

Sunday March  13: Morning free to visit one of Florence's fascinating flea market, churches or museums. Midday depart by train to Viareggio to experience the fabulous sunset parade of giant Carnevale floats. Stay on for dinner before returning to Florence .

Trip cost: Trip price $998.00 per person is based on two people sharing a twin-bedded room with bath. Single Supplement available: $128.00.

Deposit: A non refundable deposit of $100.00 reserves hotel space. Remainder of fees due Jan.15, 2011

For further information and a detailed itinerary, contact Danu Enterprises: 1-888-476-0543 or danu@earthlink.net