Blue Danube

Journey along the
October 17 to 29, 2016
Blue Danube
Transylvania and the
Danube Delta to Vienna
William Wohlforth ’89 Ph.D.
Daniel Webster Professor of Government, Dartmouth College
Dear Yale Traveler
From the dawn of civilization, the Danube River
has ranked among the world’s most storied waterways. It has
seen the passage of Roman legions and crusading knights, the
indomitable Janissaries of the Ottomans and the proud Hussars
of the Habsburgs. A channel for commerce, culture and conquest
since its banks were first settled, the Danube links the heartlands
of Central Europe with the nations of the Black Sea and the
Orient beyond. Join us for an extraordinary opportunity to cruise
nearly the entire length of this fabled river, from the Black Sea and
the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Danube Delta to the
Habsburgs’ imperial capital of Vienna.
This unique and exceptional travel program
features six countries, three UNESCO World Heritage sites and
the enchanting eastern Danube River Valley, a mystical,
seldom-visited region steeped in natural beauty that remains
virtually untouched and unknown to American travelers.
Cruise for nine nights aboard the exclusively chartered,
deluxe M.S. AMADEUS ROYAL, newly renovated in 2015; spend two
nights in Romania’s elegant capital of Bucharest, whose splendid
architecture earned the city its nickname, “Little Paris,” and visit
mythical Transylvania, where authentic medieval castles and local
lore keep the legend of Dracula alive. A rich mosaic of medieval
cities, charming villages and rugged countryside awaits you
amidst the ancient lands of Bulgaria and Serbia, the spectacular
Carpathian Mountains, Hungary’s fabled Puszta (plains), the
glittering palaces of Budapest and the magnificent grandeur
of Vienna. Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates dividing
the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains—the last natural barrier
on the Danube River, where no fewer than six languages are
spoken—and experience the fascinating Slavic heritage of
medieval Belgrade.
We hope you will join us on this unique travel offering!
With best wishes from Yale,
Kathy Edersheim ’87
Senior Director, International Alumni Relations and Travel
Association of Yale Alumni
yaleedtravel.org/danubefall16
Study Leader
William Wohlforth ’89 Ph.D.
William Wohlforth is the Daniel Webster
Professor of Government at Dartmouth College.
A widely recognized expert in
international relations, he has published works
on topics ranging from the Cold War to European security,
Russian foreign policy and contemporary U.S. grand strategy.
He is the editor of five books and the author of three
others, including America Abroad: The United States’
Global Role in the 21st Century (Oxford 2016) with
co-author Stephen G. Brooks. He has published some
60 articles and book chapters and his work has appeared in
journals including Foreign Affairs, International Security,
American Political Science Review and World Politics. He is
a member of the editorial boards of the Cambridge Studies
in International Relations; Princeton Studies in
International History and Politics; Security Studies; and
International Security. He is a member of the Council on
Foreign Relations and has served as a consultant
for the National Bureau of Asian Research and the
National Intelligence Council.
Before going to Dartmouth in 2000, Wohlforth held
faculty appointments at Princeton University and
Georgetown University. He has taught undergraduate courses
on a wide array of topics, including international politics,
Russian foreign policy, leadership and grand strategy,
violence and security and decision-making.
Vienna Post-Program Option
The former seat of the Habsburg Empire and one of Europe’s
most beautiful cities and vibrant cultural centers, Vienna
showcases an open-air museum of splendid Baroque architecture
in its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour this
remarkable city’s most important landmarks, including the
lavish Hofburg Palace and the Habsburgs’ summer estate
at Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Accommodations are for two nights in the Five-Star
INTERCONTINENTAL WIEN HOTEL, ideally located in the heart
of the city and steps away from beautiful Stadtpark, home to
a glorious, gilded bronze statue of Johann Strauss, famous
composer of “The Blue Danube” waltz.
The Post-Program Option is available at additional cost. Details will be
provided with your reservation confirmation.
Reader’s Corner
Want to learn more about
the history and culture of the
Danube River Valley?
Here’s a good start:
The Danube: A Cultural History
by Andrew Beattie
An entertaining and informative
exploration of the lands through
which the fabled river flows.
The Danube: A Journey Upriver from
the Black Sea to the Black Forest
by Nick Thorpe
A BBC journalist details his year-long
voyage along the full length of the
Danube River.
Danubia: A Personal History
of Habsburg Europe
by Simon Winder
An erudite exploration of the
Habsburg Dynasty and its lasting
influence on Europe.
Upcoming Trips
Walled Cities of Bavaria
09/01/2016 - 09/10/2016
Prof. Michael Holquist
yaleedtravel.org/germany16
National Parks of the Rockies
09/12/2016 - 09/20/2016
Prof. John Mack Faraghe
yaleedtravel.org/rockies16
A Yale Week in Rome
10/15/2016 - 10/22/2016
Prof. Harold W. Attridge
yaleedtravel.org/rome16
Peru: A Family Holiday in the Land
of the Inca
12/23/2016 - 01/02/2017
Prof. Elihu Rubin
yaleedtravel.org/perufamily16
Yale Educational Travel
Association of Yale Alumni
Box 209010, New Haven, CT
06520-9010
Reservations: 203.432.1952
[email protected]
UNESCO
World Heritage Site
Cruise Itinerary
Air Routing
Land Routing
SLOVAKIA
BRATISLAVA
BUDAPEST
VIENNA
Puszta
AUSTRIA
HUNGARY
MOHÁCS
ROMANIA
Transylvania
Danube Delta
KALOCSA
Iron
Gates
BUCHAREST
tic
ria a
Ad Se
FETEŞTI
anu
be River RUSE
D
BELGRADE
ST. GHEORGHE
SVISHTOV
SERBIA
VELIKO
TÂRNOVO
Black
Sea
BULGARIA
Itinerary
U.S./BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Monday-Tuesday, October 17-18
Depart the U.S. and arrive in Bucharest.
Check into the Five-Star ATHÉNÉE PALACE
HILTON BUCHAREST. Attend the
Welcome Reception Tuesday evening. (R)
BUCHAREST/TRANSYLVANIA
Wednesday, October 19
Travel to Transylvania and into central
Romania’s rich medieval heritage.
Enjoy the autumnal glory of the spectacular
Carpathian Mountains, an evocative
backdrop of grand medieval castles.
Tour 14 th-century Bran Castle, commonly
known as Dracula’s Castle, which Romania’s
beloved Queen Marie transformed into the
royal family’s summer residence.
Visit the fairy-tale Peleş Castle,
arguably the most beautiful castle in all
of Europe, containing over 170 lavishly
furnished rooms. (B/L/D)
BUCHAREST/EMBARK SHIP
Thursday, October 20
In the morning, enjoy a panoramic tour
of this dynamic capital city. Visit the
National Art Museum in the 19 th-century
Royal Palace, housing Romania’s finest
collection of artistic treasures and see the
immense Palace of Parliament, Europe’s
largest administrative building.
Drive through the rolling Romanian
campii (plains) en route to Feteşti to
embark the deluxe M.S. AMADEUS ROYAL.
(B/L/R/D)
ST. GHEORGHE/DANUBE DELTA
Friday, October 21
Enjoy a private cruise of the Danube Delta
Biosphere Reserve, one of Europe’s largest
and best preserved wilderness areas.
The fertile marshlands of this UNESCO
World Heritage site shelter extensive
numbers of fish and birds—over
300 avian species have been observed
here, including the rare red-throated
diver and the dalmatian pelican—many
of them migrants from Northern Europe
and the Central Asian steppes. (B/L/D)
CRUISING THE DANUBE RIVER
Saturday, October 22
Enjoy the colorful autumn scenery
of the lower Danube, seldom seen
by Westerners, and attend specially
arranged onboard lectures. (B/L/D)
ARBANASI, BULGARIA/
VELIKO TÂRNOVO/SVISHTOV
Sunday, October 23
In the 12 th-century hillside village of
Arbanasi, where nearly 90 historical
buildings are protected monuments,
visit
the
perfectly
preserved
Konstantsaliev House and admire the
elaborate icons and frescoes in the Birth
of Christ Church.
The historic center of the
medieval town of Veliko Târnovo is an
open-air museum. See the impressive
Tsarevets Fortress and walk through lively
Samovodska Charshia, Veliko Târnovo’s
old marketplace street. (B/L/D)
THE DANUBE RIVER/
IRON GATES
Monday, October 24
Cruise through the legendary Iron Gates,
naturally carved by the Danube River
in the course of its passage through the
Transylvanian Alps. (B/L/D)
BELGRADE, SERBIA
Tuesday, October 25
One of the oldest cities in Europe,
Belgrade traces its origins back to the
Stone Age. See historic Terazije Square
and the domed Temple of St. Sava.
yaleedtravel.org/danubefall16
What is Included:
Tour Kalemegdan Fortress, one of the
world’s oldest fortresses, constructed by
Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 535, and
visit the famous “House of Flowers”
memorial dedicated to Josip Broz Tito.
(B/L/D)
MOHÁCS, HUNGARY/KALOCSA
Wednesday, October 26
Dock in Mohács and enjoy a scenic drive
across Hungary’s protected Puszta, one
of Europe’s largest expanses of rolling
grassland plains. Visit a traditional horse
farm to see a performance of authentic
Hungarian horsemanship. Enjoy lunch
and folk entertainment in the farm’s
tavern, then continue to Kalocsa,
known for its intricately patterned,
brightly hued embroidery. Here, visit the
fascinating Paprika Museum for insight
into the cultivation of paprika, the spice
that locals refer to as “red gold.” (B/L/D)
BUDAPEST
Thursday, October 27
Buda and Pest, the twin cities facing
one another across the Danube, the
embankments along the river and
the Buda Castle Quarter together are
designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tour Pest, where the elegant
limestone Parliament Building towers over
the Danube. Pass through Heroes’ Square,
admire the monuments honoring the
Magyar chiefs who conquered Hungary in
896 and visit the Renaissance Revival-style
Hungarian State Opera House.
The imposing Chain Bridge links
Pest to the hills of Buda. On Castle Hill,
visit the stately Fisherman’s Bastion and
the ornate St. Matthias Church.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
(B/L/D)
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Friday, October 28
Slovakia’s capital showcases 21 st-century
life amidst its 1000-year-old history.
Enjoy a walking tour of the city’s
Staré Mesto (Old Town); its medieval,
Renaissance and 19 th-century architecture
are among the finest in Europe. Visit the
Romanesque Cathedral of St. Martin and
the elaborate Primatial Palace and see
St. Michael’s Gate, Bratislava’s oldest
preserved medieval fortification.
This afternoon, cruise through
Austria’s scenic Donau-Auen National
Park, which preserves the last remaining
major wetlands in Central Europe.
(B/L/R/D)
VIENNA, AUSTRIA/U.S.
Saturday, October 29
Disembark in Vienna and continue on the
Post-Program Option or transfer to the
airport for your flight home. (B)
Included meals indicated each day as B/L/R/D
= Breakfast/Lunch/Reception/Dinner.
• Program of lectures and discussions
with Yale alumnus and Dartmouth
profess0r William Wohlforth.
• Services of Travel Director during
the tour as per the itinerary.
• Accommodation on twin sharing
basis as per the itinerary.
• All meals—early risers’ coffee,
buffet breakfast and lunch,
afternoon tea, four-course
dinner and late-evening snack—
throughout the cruise featuring
fine continental cuisine served at
single, unassigned seatings.
• Complimentary wine and beer
served with lunch and dinner.
• Welcome and Farewell Receptions.
• Gratuities to ship personnel and
local guides and drivers on included
excursions and transfers.
• Transfers and luggage handling
abroad for participants
whose arrival(s)/departure(s)
coincide with the scheduled
group transfer(s).
• Travel document wallet,
name badge and
pre-departure information.
• Taxes.
• Medical evacuation insurance
through UHC.
• Automatic $250,000 flight
insurance policy for each
participant ticketed on flights
by Gohagan & Company.
What is Not Included:
• Expenses of a personal nature
including laundry, telephone/fax
calls, medical expenses, airport
departure tax, etc.
• Any insurance other than
specified above.
• International airfares.
• Any meals or beverages
that are not specified in the
above inclusions.
• Expenses caused by factors
beyond our control including
airplane delays, roadblocks, vehicle
malfunctions, political disturbances,
taxes, lost luggage, etc.
• Any other services not mentioned
in the inclusions.
M.S.
Program Cost
A MADEUS R OYAL
Su Deck
Sun
Mozart Deck
M
Strauss Deck
St
Haydn Deck
H
Lido
Bar
Pool
CATEGORY 6
$4,660
Stateroom with window. Haydn deck, aft.
(limited availability)
CATEGORY 5
$5,260
Stateroom with window. Haydn Deck, forward.
(limited availability)
CATEGORY 4
$5,860
Stateroom with window. Haydn Deck, midship.
Single Pricing: $9,260
Sun Deck
Restaurant
314
310
308
306
304
302
309
307
305
303
301
316
312
311
318
317
315
320
319
323
321
Reception
E
Boutique
220
218
216
214
212
223
221
219
217
215
211
Amadeus Club
208
222
225
207
E
224
227
210
226
229
209
230
228
231
Mozart Deck
Panorama Bar
Doctor
110
108
104
102
105
103
112
115
106
114
117
111
116
119
109
118
121
107
124
122
120
127
125
123
Strauss Deck
E
Fitness Center Hairdresser
Haydn Deck
M.S.
CATEGORY 3
$6,160
Stateroom with French balcony
(floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with railing).
Strauss Deck, aft. (limited availability)
CATEGORY 2
$6,660
Stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling
sliding glass doors with railing). Strauss Deck, midship.
Single Pricing: $10,260
CATEGORY 1
$7,160
Stateroom with French balcony
(floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with railing).
Mozart Deck, midship and aft.
JUNIOR SUITE
$7,860
Suite with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling
sliding glass doors with railing), tub/shower,
larger seating area, minibar and bathrobes.
Mozart Deck, forward.
A MADEUS R OYAL
The deluxe M.S. AMADEUS ROYAL, newly renovated in 2015, offers 69 river-view,
air-conditioned, spacious, stylishly appointed Suites (237 square feet) and Staterooms
(162 square feet). All Suites and select Staterooms feature a French balcony
(floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with iron railing), two twin beds (convertible to
one queen bed), private bathroom with shower (Suites have bathtub with shower),
individual climate control, direct dial telephone, flat-screen television, writing desk,
safe and hair dryer. Public facilities are spacious and include the Panorama Bar,
Lido Bar, Amadeus-Club with Internet station, beauty salon, boutique, fitness studio
with massage services and early morning exercise classes and Sun Deck with outdoor
dipping pool and chess board.
Terms and Conditions
RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK
AND BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Passengers are allowed two
checked bags per person on international flights. Airlines have various policies concerning the number of bags
and the weight allowed without excess baggage charges.
PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY: All programs
require physical independence and mobility.
Any physical or mental condition that may require special
medical attention or physical assistance (for example, the
need for a wheelchair) must be reported in writing when
you make your reservation. Travelers must be able to
embark or disembark motorcoaches alone or with minimal
assistance from your traveling companion and climb
stairs and step over raised thresholds without assistance.
Travelers requiring assistance must travel with a companion
who will be responsible for handling equipment.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: All cancellations
must be submitted in writing to Yale Educational Travel.
Written cancellation through 91 days prior to departure—
full refund minus a $500 per person administrative fee
(covers main and post tours). Written cancellation
90 days or less prior to departure could result in forfeiture
of the full program price, contingent upon the degree of
recoverable costs from independent providers of services.
Program reservations are not transferable except at the sole
discretion and with the explicit approval of the Association
of Yale Alumni and Thomas P. Gohagan & Company.
Cancellation on day of departure or after tour departs—
no refund. Cancellation of tour by the Association
of Yale Alumni or our tour operator—full refund.
We strongly urge applicants to consider purchasing trip
cancellation insurance.
INSURANCE: Yale Educational Travel strongly
recommends
that
participants
purchase
trip
cancellation insurance. However, Yale does not recommend
a particular insurance company. It is wise to cover the cost
of trip investment in case one needs to cancel due to illness
or emergency. The cancellation penalties listed in the program
brochure will apply. Please review your medical insurance
coverage to determine what is and is not covered while
traveling abroad before contacting an insurance company.
Journey along the Blue Danube
RESERVE YOUR JOURNEY ALONG THE BLUE DANUBE TODAY
October 17 to 29, 2016
To register, return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per
person to YET. Final payment is due July 19,2016.
payment options
❏ Pay by check made out to “Thomas P. Gohagan & Company”
Please charge the deposit of $1,000 per person to:
❏ amex ❏ visa ❏ mastercard ❏ discover card
1) name as on passport
card number
date of birth
yale connection
passport origin
relationship to other guest
expiration date
security code
accommodations
2) name as on passport
preference
date of birth
yale connection
passport origin
relationship to other guest
❏ i wish to have a single (limited availability – please call)
❏ i will share accommodations with:
travel options
Vienna Post-Program Option
contact information
(per person)
❏ double $595
address
❏ single $895
❏ I/We confirm that I/We have carefully read the Terms and
city/state/zip
Conditions and Responsibility section of this brochure and
agree to their terms on behalf of myself and the members
primary phone
of my party named above.
secondary phone
e-mail
signature(s)
date
To book, return the above form with credit card authorization or check payable to “Thomas P. Gohagan & Company” to
Yale Educational Travel, P.O. Box 209010, New Haven, CT 06520-9010. Phone: (203) 432-1952. Fax: (203) 432-0587.
or
Visit yaleedtravel.org/danubefall16 to book online
There are many insurance companies to choose from.
Please understand that there is a very short window of time
(anywhere from 7 days to perhaps 21 days from the time one
pays the trip deposit) when insurance bought within that
window will qualify for pre-existing condition coverage.
If this is important to you, please do not wait to purchase
travel insurance. Your Yale licensed tour operator may be
able to send you an insurance application but you may
not receive their insurance application in time to meet the
window for pre-existing condition coverage.
ITINERARY: The itinerary is subject to change.
RESPONSIBILITY: Yale University, the Association of
Yale Alumni and Thomas P. Gohagan & Company, its
and their employees, shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors or trustees, successors, and assigns
(collectively “Gohagan”), does not own or operate any entity
which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip
including, for example, lodging facilities, airline, vessel, or
other transportation companies, guides or guide services,
local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional
excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc.
All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a
result, Yale University, the Association of Yale Alumni, and
Gohagan are not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure
to act of any such person or entity or of any other third party.
In addition and without limitation, Gohagan is not
responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience,
delay, or damage to person or property in connection with
the provision of any goods or services whether resulting
from, but not limited to, acts of God or force majeure, acts
of government, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or
revolt, bites from or attacks by animals, insects or pests,
strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities
of any kind or the threat thereof, sickness, illness, epidemics
or the threat thereof, the lack of availability of or access to
medical attention or the quality thereof, overbooking or
downgrading of accommodations, mechanical or other
failure of airplanes, vessels or other means of transportation,
or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive
or depart on time or safely.
If due to weather, flight schedules or other
uncontrollable factors, you are required to spend an
additional night(s), you will be responsible for your own
hotel, transfers and meal costs. Baggage is entirely at
owner’s risk. The right is reserved to decline to accept as a
trip participant, or remove from a trip, without refund, any
person Gohagan judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors
and requirements of participating in the activities, or who is
abusive to other trip participants, leaders or third parties, or
who Gohagan determines to detract from the enjoyment of
the trip by others. Passenger certifies not to have any mental,
physical or other condition or disability that would create a
hazard for him/herself or other passengers.
Gohagan reserves the right to change the itinerary or
trip features at any time and for any reason, with or without
notice, and Gohagan shall not be liable for any loss of any
kind as a result of any such changes. All fares, as well as ship
schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special
programs and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject
to change or cancellation without prior notice. Gohagan
shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare or
make any other compensation under these circumstances.
Gohagan is not responsible for penalties assessed by air
carriers resulting from operational and/or itinerary changes,
even if Gohagan makes the flight arrangements or trip
cancellation. Gohagan reserves the right to substitute hotels
of a similar category for those listed in this brochure.
BINDING ARBITRATION: Any controversy or claim
arising out of or relating in any way to this Release of
Liability, Assumption of Risk and Binding Arbitration
Agreement, to the Responsibility Clause, to the brochure,
or any other information relating in any way to the trip,
or to the trip itself, shall be settled solely and exclusively
by binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois in accordance
with the commercial rules of the American Arbitration
Association then existent. In any such proceeding, the
substantive, but not procedural law of Illinois will apply.
RATES: Prices quoted are based on fares in effect at
the time of printing and are subject to change prior
to departure. On programs which include Gohagan
purchased interstate or international air (which
originates or returns to the United States), no increased
costs will be passed on after final payment except for
subsequently imposed governmental tax increases.
Upon payment of a deposit, tour participant(s) indicates
acceptance of the terms contained in this Release of Liability,
Assumption of Risk and Binding Arbitration Agreement.
REGISTRATION: CST: #2031868-40. WST: #601
767 666. OST: #TA 0905.
PHOTO CREDITS: AGE Fotostock, Alamy, Corbis,
Estock Photo, Superstock; all images are rights
managed and cannot be used without permission.
Association of Yale Alumni
Box 209010
New Haven, Connecticut
06520-9010
Cruise the Danube River from the Delta to Vienna
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 519
New Haven, CT
Journey along the Blue Danube
William Wohlforth ’89 Ph.D.
October 17 to 29, 2016
Daniel Webster Professor of Government, Dartmouth College
The legendary Danube River is a great symbol of the
epic histories and diverse cultures that have unfolded
along its venerable banks for centuries.
Declared “the greatest of all rivers” by Herodotus,
the Danube has captivated and inspired musicians,
writers, artists and travelers from all over the world.
The wild beauty of the Blue Danube and the
spellbounding region it graces form the subjects of
many artistic masterpieces, from Strauss’s waltzes and
Altdorfer’s landscapes to Stoker’s Dracula.