Western Europe - Association of Rice Alumni

Bordeaux ◆ Brittany ◆ London
D-Day Beaches of Normandy ◆ Guernsey Island
Stepping Stones of
Western Europe
Guest Speaker
DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER II
accompanies you to the Normandy Beaches
Exclusively Chartered Small Ship
Five-Star M.S. L’AUSTRAL
April 23 to May 1, 2016
◆
Dear Alumni, Friends, and Parents,
Join us for this exclusively chartered, Five-Star small ship cruise featuring the stepping stones
along the coasts of France and Great Britain—often overlooked yet hugely important, as
each historic port on this powerful itinerary has contributed to the progress of shaping the
great continent of Europe we know today—and a grand finale sail up the River Thames into
the heart of London, where your ship will overnight beneath the illustrious Tower Bridge.
This one-of-a-kind itinerary features two great empires that have been bound together for
centuries by trade, culture, proximity, military positioning and a long, storied lineage of kings
and queens. Begin in Bordeaux, where Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Louis VII of France.
Then call at St. Malo, the maritime port where explorer Jacques Cartier was born in 1491
and set off for the New World. A highlight is sure to be your experiencing the hallowed
beaches of Normandy with special guest speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of
General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces
during World War II, where the course of world history was altered in 1944 with the historic
D-Day landings. Call on Belle-Île-en-Mer, held by British troops during the Seven Years War
and famously painted by Claude Monet, and Guernsey Island, loyal to the British crown but
strong in French culture, where the old Norman language is still spoken today.
En route, aboard the exclusively chartered, Five Star M.S. L’AUSTRAL, visit three
UNESCO World Heritage sites—the magnificent, fortified Mont-St-Michel and its impressive
abbey appearing to rise out of the sea; the outstanding 18th-century architecture in Bordeaux,
a result of the great success of the region’s world-famous wine industry; and the impressive
17th-century citadel on Belle-Île-en-Mer, built by military architect Vauban to defend the
borders of France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
There is a unique and exclusive opportunity to combine this voyage with a preceding
seven-night cruise from Lisbon to Bordeaux, calling at Oporto, Santiago de Compostela,
Bilbao, Biarritz and La Rochelle. More information is available on request.
I encourage you to make your plans early and reserve now while space and
Early Booking Savings are available for this unique offering and excellent value.
Sincerely,
Dan Stypa
Associate Director of Alumni Engagement
Please call the Traveling Owls at 713-34-TRIPS (87477) or email [email protected]
if you have questions.
“We had a wonderful experience with Gohagan.
Everyone was very helpful and very nice.”
—Rice traveler on the 2015 Traveling Owls trip
featuring Dwight David Eisenhower II operated
by Thomas P. Gohagan & Company.
Cruise up the River Thames to
London’s iconic Tower Bridge.
The Reigning Emblem of
Western Europe
The fleur-de-lis, a stylized emblem of a lily flower
said to signify perfection, light and life, has been
recognized as a symbol of the French monarchy
as far back as 1060. Its appearance in England
began with the beguiling story of Eleanor of
Aquitaine—one of the most powerful women
in the history of Western Europe—who served
almost consecutively as Queen of France then
Queen of England for 50 years, married first to
King Louis VII of France then to King Henry II
of England. With her second marriage in 1154,
the city of Bordeaux came under English rule,
remaining a flourishing English port, rich from
the wine trade, for 300 years. Many years
later, the distant grandson of Queen Eleanor,
King Edward III of England and rightful heir
to the French throne, adopted the fleur-de-lis
onto the English coat of arms when he declared
himself King of France in 1340.
Today, traces of this interlaced history
are found throughout the captivating ports we
will visit. The fleur-de-lis appears on Bordeaux’s
coat of arms, and the city motto “Seule la
fleur-de-lys régne sur la lune, les vagues, le
château et le lion” (the fleur-de-lis alone rules
over the moon, the waves, the castle and the lion)
suggests the power shift between France and
England for hundreds of years. Found on the
flags both of St. Malo and Belle-Île-en-Mer, and
crowning the British monarchy’s gilded gates
surrounding Buckingham Palace in London,
the fleur-de-lis remains an eternal symbol of
royalty associated with Western Europe that is
recognized the world over.
U.S.
Saturday, April 23
Depart the U.S.
Bordeaux, France
Sunday, April 24
Arrive in Bordeaux, voted the top European
Best Destination 2015, and embark the
Five-Star M.S. L’AUSTRAL.
Bordeaux
Monday, April 25
Port de la Lune, built on a bend of the
Garonne River shaped like a crescent moon,
is the lovely port city and UNESCO World
Heritage site of Bordeaux, a veritable delight
of enlightenment-age architecture and
one of the oldest trading ports in France.
Known the world over for its extraordinary
wines, Bordeaux’s wine trade began during
Roman times and expanded rapidly after the
discovery of the New World. The resulting
vast accumulation of wealth built the
magnificent city that stands today. See the
18th-century Place de la Bourse and the
beautiful 14th-century Porte Cailhau, the
original gate to the city. See the 13th-century
Cathedral of Saint Andre, where Eleanor of
Aquitaine married Louis VII, King of France,
then see the charming 18th-century
riverfront where the wine trade began.
Join the Captain on board the ship for
the Welcome Reception this evening.
Photo this page: Charming harbors dot the rocky coastlines and quaint
seaside hamlets of France’s Belle-Île-en-Mer.
Cover Photo: Begun in the 11th-century, the magnificent Gothic-style
Benedictine monastery Mont-St-Michel is located on a bay with Europe’s
highest tidal variations.
GREAT BRITAIN
White Cliffs
of Dover
LONDON
Atlantic Ocean
GUERNSEY
Normandy
Beaches
ST. MALO
CAEN
MontSt-Michel
BELLE-ÎLE-EN-MER
FRANCE
UNESCO
World Heritage Site
Cruise Itinerary
ST-ÉMILION
Air Routing
Land Route
BORDEAUX
The dramatic White Cliffs of Dover, formed more than 136 millio
to a composition of mostly soft, white chalk that has erod
Belle-Île-en-Mer
Tuesday, April 26
This afternoon, anchor at Belle-Île-en-Mer,
France’s “Beautiful Island in the Sea,” off the
coast of Brittany in the Bay of Biscay. Much of
the island’s current population is descended from
repatriated Acadian colonists who returned to
France from Nova Scotia in the mid-18th century.
See the charming island community of Le Palais
and visit the 18th-century Citadel, a UNESCO
World Heritage site built by the preeminent
military architect, Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban.
Admire the unique beauty of the island’s stunning
Côte Sauvage, which has inspired artists from
the time of Romans and medieval monks to
French Impressionist painter Claude Monet
and author Alexandre Dumas in his
adventures of The Three Musketeers.
Guernsey, Channel Islands,
Great Britain
Wednesday, April 27
A British outpost located off the coast of France,
Guernsey is a fascinating mosaic of fishing villages,
greenhouses and fields dotted with its well-known
chestnut-brown-and-white dairy cows.
The island’s unique culture is a delightful amalgam
of English tradition and French lifestyle.
Its capital, St. Peter Port, is an old
Regency town distinguished by granite
buildings and wrought-iron garden railings.
The Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror) fountain reflects
the grandeur of Bordeaux’s Place de la Bourse.
French writer Victor Hugo lived here from
1855 until 1870 while he penned his epic
novel, Les Misérables.
See the remnants of Germany’s 1940 to
1945 occupation of the Channel Islands, a
launching point for invading Great Britain
during World War II. Visit a historical
vestige of the German Occupation and see
Fort Hommet, the permanent fortifications
constructed to keep a German foothold
on Europe, during a scenic drive along the
spectacular coastal road.
This evening, enjoy an exclusive onboard
lecture by special guest lecturer and historian
Dwight David Eisenhower II.
St. Malo, France,
for Mont-St-Michel
Thursday, April 28
The UNESCO World Heritage site of
Mont-St-Michel is one of the most awe-inspiring
sights in all of France—its spectacular, soaring
spires rise majestically from a tidal plain
seemingly suspended above the sea. A pilgrimage
site since the early eighth century, this fortified
village began as a humble oratory and grew
into an influential Benedictine monastery
between the 12th and 13th centuries, becoming
a renowned medieval center of learning.
Experience the extraordinary beauty of its
cloisters, refectory, stained-glass windows and
The seaside town of Arromanches overlooks Gold Bea
the D-Day beaches and its associated artificial harbor
on years ago, owe their brightness
ded naturally since the Ice Age.
Since the early 1200s, the formidable Castle Cornet has stood guard over the
town and harbor of St. Peter Port on the island of Guernsey.
the Abbaye du Mont-St-Michel, a three story
Gothic masterpiece known as La Merveille
(The Miracle) since the 12th century.
Caen for Normandy Beaches
Friday, April 29
Dock in Caen and travel through the bucolic
countryside to the historic Normandy Beaches.
In the company of Dwight David Eisenhower II,
walk where Allied forces landed over 70 years
ago under the direction of his world-renowned
grandfather, Supreme Allied Commander,
Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 6, 1944.
Contemplate the solemn commemorative
crosses and Stars of David in the American
Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer
overlooking Omaha Beach. And, envision
the brave American rangers who scaled the
100-foot sheer cliffs to capture German gun
emplacements at Pointe du Hoc.
Enjoy lunch with panoramic views of
the Atlantic and continue to Arromanches
to see the remnants of Mulberry Harbor,
constructed by the British to support
Allied landings on the beaches. Here, view
exhibits chronicling the campaign at the
D-Day Museum overlooking Gold Beach;
alternatively, you may choose to see the
famous 230-foot-long Bayeux Tapestry, a
stunning visual chronicle of the Norman
conquest of 1066.
ach and Mulberry “B,” military code names for one of
that was used to land troops and equipment.
Cruising the English Channel/
White Cliffs of Dover/
The River Thames/
London, Great Britain
Saturday, April 30
Be on deck this morning as the ship cruises
past the famous, spectacular White Cliffs
of Dover, just 21 miles north of the shores
of France. These limestone bluffs served as
vital strategic defense sites for Allied Forces
during both World Wars.
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime cruise
up the River Thames into the heart of
London, a memorable passage possible only
by small ship. Enjoy a cup of afternoon tea
while passing the Thames Barrier; historic
maritime Greenwich, where the Cutty Sark
ship is moored and the prime meridian lies;
and the soaring skyline of Canary Wharf.
Culminate your voyage in a dramatic
approach to the iconic Tower Bridge.
Dock overnight on the River Thames
across from the Tower of London and
alongside the historic naval vessel
H.M.S. Belfast. Attend the Captain’s
Farewell Reception this evening.
London/U.S.
Sunday, May 1
Following breakfast this morning,
disembark and continue on the London
Post-Cruise Option or transfer to the
airport for your flight home.
London’s Royal History
Post-Cruise Option ◆ May 1 to 3
Experience stately London,
where living history makes each
successive visit more enjoyable
than the last. Visit the Tower of
London and see the magnificent
London
Westminster Abbey, both
Coat of Arms
UNESCO World Heritage sites;
then stroll through legendary
Hyde Park and see Buckingham Palace,
where history, tradition and modernity meet.
Accommodations for two nights are in the
elegant INTERCONTINENTAL PARK LANE HOTEL,
just steps from Hyde Park.
Pre- and Post-Cruise Options are available at additional cost.
Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
Five-Star, Small Ship
m.s. L’Austral
Small Ship, State-of-the-Art Design
The highly acclaimed, exclusively chartered
m.s. L’Austral, launched in 2011, represents
the newest generation of Five-Star small ships,
featuring only 110 Suites and Staterooms and
distinctive French sophistication.
Spacious 100% Ocean-View Suites and
Staterooms, 95% with Private Balconies
Stateroom with Balcony
Each air-conditioned deluxe Stateroom and
Suite (200 to 484 square feet) features a private
bathroom with shower and luxurious Five‑Star
hotel amenities. Most accommodations have
two twin beds that convert to one queen bed,
individual climate control, satellite flat‑screen
television, wireless Internet access, safe, minibar,
full‑length closet, writing desk/dressing table,
plush robes and slippers.
Chic and Casual Dining
International and regional cuisine is served in the
stylish, spacious Le Coromandel dining room
in single, unassigned seatings; alfresco in the
casual Le Rodrigues Restaurant; or from 24‑hour
room service. Continental and buffet breakfast,
buffet lunch, afternoon tea and a four‑course
dinner are served daily. Complimentary wine and
beer are served with lunch and dinner.
Dining Room
Spacious Public Areas/
World-Class Service and Facilities
In keeping with the low passenger density
relative to the ship’s size, the public areas are
spacious and inviting and can accommodate all
passengers comfortably. Enjoy views from the
Panoramic Lounge, nightly entertainment in the
Main Lounge and lectures, cultural performances
and film screenings in the state‑of‑the‑art theater.
There is a library, Internet salon, Sun Deck,
swimming pool, beauty salon, spa, Turkish
bath‑style steam room, full range of fitness
equipment and two elevators. The infirmary
is staffed with a doctor and nurse. The highly
trained international crew provides personable
and attentive service.
Lounge
Pool Deck
Respect for the Environment
The state-of-the-art propulsion system and custom-built stabilizers provide an
exceptionally smooth, quiet and comfortable voyage. By design, the ship is energy
efficient and environmentally protective of marine ecosystems and has been awarded
the prestigious “Clean Ship” rating, an extreme rarity among ocean cruising vessels.
The ship has two tenders.
Splendors of Bordeaux featuring St-Émilion and Médoc
Pre‑Cruise Option u April 21 to 24
Long distinguished as the wine capital of the world, the verdant Bordeaux region
has been producing, fermenting and bottling the grape since the eighth century.
Tucked away in the heart of the rolling French countryside and endless green
vineyards, visit the charming and legendary village of St-Émilion, a UNESCO
World Heritage site, famous for the Merlot grape grown here that produces rich,
Bordeaux full-bodied red wines. Visit the impressive medieval monuments of St-Émilion,
Coat of Arms including the Église Monolithe, one of the largest underground churches in Europe.
Just north of Bordeaux in the Médoc region, experience the grand cru classé,
Bordeaux’s distinguished wine classification, at a famous local château and enjoy a tasting
of their exquisite wines. Accommodations are for two nights in the deluxe Grand Hotel de
Bordeaux and Spa, located in the heart of Bordeaux’s historic center.
Included Features
Acclaimed Guest Speaker
Historian Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson
of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower,
will provide a lecture and accompany you to the
Normandy Beaches.
On board the exclusively chartered,
Five-Star m.s. L’Austral
Exclusive seven-night cruise from Bordeaux, France,
to Tower Bridge, London, Great Britain,
with port calls at Belle‑Île‑en-Mer, St. Malo
for Mont‑St‑Michel, and Caen for the
Normandy Beaches, France; and Guernsey,
Channel Islands, Great Britain.
◆◆ Spacious, Five-Star, ocean-view Suite or Stateroom
accommodations, each with a private bathroom.
◆◆ Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions.
◆◆ All meals—continental breakfast, buffet lunch,
afternoon tea and dinner—throughout the
cruise, featuring fine international and regional
cuisine, served at single, unassigned seatings.
◆◆ Complimentary wine and beer are served with
lunch and dinner.
◆◆ Excursion to the world-famous capital of the wine
region, Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site
and a treasure trove of 18th-century architecture.
◆◆ Panoramic tour of Belle-Île-en-Mer with its
citadel, one of Vauban’s UNESCO World
Heritage site fortifications.
◆◆ Panoramic tour of Guernsey, Channel Islands,
to see the remnants of Germany’s World War II
occupation, and leisure time in St. Peter Port.
◆◆ Walking tour of Mont-St-Michel and a visit to its
11th‑century Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
◆◆ Full-day excursion to the historic
Normandy Beaches where the D-Day landings
took place, including a visit to the American
military cemetery and a choice to visit the
D-Day Museum or the legendary Bayeux Tapestry.
◆◆ Cruise the Strait of Dover past the famous,
dramatic White Cliffs of Dover.
◆◆ Memorable, once-in-a-lifetime cruise up the
River Thames into the heart of London, with
overnight on board ship docked near the
legendary Tower Bridge.
◆◆
Enhanced Travel Services
◆◆ Transfers
and luggage handling abroad for
participants whose arrival(s)/departure(s)
coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
◆◆ All excursions and visits, as outlined above,
with experienced local guides.
◆◆ Gratuities to local guides and drivers on
included excursions and transfers.
◆◆ Hospitality desk aboard ship.
◆◆ The services of experienced Gohagan & Company
Travel Directors throughout the program.
◆◆ Complimentary use of a state-of-the-art
audio headset for each participant during
guided excursions.
◆◆ Travel document wallet, name badge and
pre‑departure information.
◆◆ Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy
for each participant ticketed on flights by
Gohagan & Company.
Featured Guest Speaker
David Eisenhower
There can be no more fitting way to
pay tribute to the Allied Forces, whose
courageous D-Day invasion changed
the course of World War II, than to
walk on the historic beaches of Normandy liberated by
American, Canadian and British forces. It is a privilege
to have David Eisenhower, our expert historian who
is personally familiar with one of the most powerful
world leaders of the 20th century and World War II,
present a dynamic lecture and accompany this
profound visit to the beaches of Normandy.
DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER II, grandson of
General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is a
noted historian of World War II and the Cold War.
His 900-page best seller, Eisenhower: At War
1943-1945, published in 1986, was a finalist for the
Pulitzer Prize in history.
David is Senior Fellow of the Foreign Policy
Research Institute and a Public Policy Fellow at the
Annenberg School of Communication and the School
of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania,
where he teaches “Communication and the Presidency.”
The Normandy Beaches
In a pivotal moment in the history and culture of
Europe’s Atlantic coastal regions, on June 6, 1944,
Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower gave
the order for 133,000 Allied troops to land along a
50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline.
The invasion, known as Operation Overlord, was
supported by 7000 ships and 11,000 aircraft, and
by day’s end, had gained the Allies a foothold on
the continent to begin their march to free Europe.
A portal to the region that altered the new world
order, the beaches of Normandy bring history to life.
Scheduled guest speaker may be altered due to circumstances
beyond our control. See Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk
and Binding Arbitration Agreement.
Allied forces landed at the beaches of Normandy
on June 6, 1944, launching the D-Day invasion.
M.S.
L’AUSTRAL
Deck 6, Mahé
Deck 5, Bengale
Deck 4, Chandernagor
Deck 3, Calicut
LAND/CRUISE TARIFF (per person, based on double occupancy)
Staterooms range from 200 to 484 sq. ft. and most have
Stateroom Descriptiontwo twin beds that convert to make one queen bed. All feature a private
Category* bathroom with shower and individual climate control.
Early Booking Price Regular Price
after
through
October 8, 2015
October 8, 2015
8
Ocean-view, one large window. Deck 3, Calicut, forward. (limited availability)
7
Ocean-view, small window and single door onto private, partial wall balcony.
Deck 3, Calicut, aft. (limited availability)
Ocean-view, small window and single door onto private, partial wall balcony.
Deck 3, Calicut, midship.
Ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto private,
partial wall balcony. Deck 4, Chandernagor, forward.
Ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto private balcony.
Deck 4, Chandernagor, midship.
Ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto private balcony.
Deck 5, Bengale, forward.
Ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto private balcony.
Deck 5, Bengale, midship.
Ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto private balcony.
Deck 6, Mahé.
6
5
4
3
2
1
Deluxe
Suite
Prestige
Suite II
Prestige
Suite I
Ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto private balcony
and sitting area with sofa. Deck 6, Mahé. (limited availability)
Two-room, ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto
large private balcony, two bathrooms, large sitting area with sofa, two closets,
writing desk and dressing table. Deck 5, Bengale. (limited availability)
Two-room, ocean-view, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door onto
large private balcony, two bathrooms, large sitting area with sofa, two closets,
writing desk and dressing table. Deck 6, Mahé. (limited availability)
$4195
$5595
$5195
$6595
$6095
$6995
$7195
$7095
$7995
$8195
$7595
$8595
$7895
$8895
$8395
$9395
$9995
$10995
$11195
$12195
$11695
$12695
◆ An Owner’s Suite (Deck 6, Mahé) is available upon request at a cost to be advised, on a first-come first-served basis.
◆ Singles are available in category 6 at $12190 and in category 4 at $13095 on or before October 8, 2015.
Add $1000 for reservations made after October 8, 2015.
◆ Taxes are an additional $549 per person and are subject to change.
*M.S. L’AUSTRAL has been specially contracted for this tour, and the applicable deck plan is available on request
from Gohagan & Company and reflects the only valid cabin categorization of the vessel.
STEPPING STONES OF WESTERN EUROPE RESERVATION FORM
Send to: Office of Alumni Relations - MS 520
Attn: Rice Alumni Traveling Owls
PO Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
Fax: 713-348-5210
Please call the Traveling Owls at
713-34-TRIPS (87477) or email
[email protected] to make
reservations, or with questions
regarding this tour.
_____ __________________________________________________ __________
Class Year
Title Full Name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
Please make my/our reservation(s)
in Stateroom Category:
1st Choice _____ 2nd Choice _____
❏
❏
❏
❏
Double occupancy (two twin beds).
Double occupancy (one queen bed).
Single accommodations.
I am reserving as a single but prefer to
share accommodations and will allow
you to select my roommate (shares
cannot be guaranteed).
_____ __________________________________________________ __________
Title Full Name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
Class Year ❏ Please send me/us more
information about combining this
____________________________________________________________________
voyage with the seven-night cruise
Street Mailing Address (no P.O. Box number please)
from Lisbon to Bordeaux.
______________________________________ ________ _____________-______ Please make my/our reservation(s):
City
State
ZIP Code
Splendors of Bordeaux Pre-Cruise Option
_________________________________ __________________________________ ❏ Double at $795 per person.
❏ Single at $1295 per person.
Telephone: (Home)
(Mobile)
❏
I am reserving as a single but prefer to
❏
I/We want you to book
my/our air from
share accommodations.
_________________________________ __________________________________
Email Address
(Business)
London’s Royal History
Post-Cruise
Option
____________________________________________________________________
Preferred Name(s) on Badge(s)
Tour No. 142-04/23/16-168 ❏ Double at $1075 per person.
❏ Single at $1775 per person.
Program reservations require a deposit of $800 per person plus $200 per person
❏ I am reserving as a single but prefer to
share accommodations.
Bordeaux Pre-Cruise Option and/or $200 per person London Post-Cruise Option.
By reserving and depositing on this program, I/we agree to the Release of Liability, Assumption
of Risk and Binding Arbitration Agreement as printed on the outside back cover of this brochure.
❏ Enclosed is my/our check(s) for $__________ as deposit.
Make checks payable to Thomas P. Gohagan & Company.
❏ I/We authorize you to charge my/our deposit of $__________ to:
❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard
__________________________
(fill in departure city)
to Bordeaux, France, with return from
London, Great Britain, at additional
cost to be advised.‡
____________________________________________________ _______________
Card Number
Exp. Date
Class: ❏ Economy ❏ Business ❏ First
____________________________________________________________________ ‡Note: Airfare is subject to change and
availability and is nonrefundable.
Signature as it appears on credit card
All FINAL PAYMENTS are required to be made by check or wire transfer by ❏ I/we will make my/our own
air arrangements.
January 19, 2016.
The Association of Rice Alumni and Rice University serve only in a capacity of assisting the undersigned travelers in making arrangements for
travel, services, accommodations, and products provided by the tour operator, certain land transport carriers, and other providers of services
and accommodations during the trip and in no way serve as agents for these businesses, or accept responsibility for their services and products.
Such travel, services, accommodations, and products are subject to the terms and conditions under which they are offered or provided.
Therefore, having read and understood the above, as well as the schedule of activities for this tour and the Responsibility statement appearing on this
brochure, the undersigned hereby agrees for and on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, to release and hold
harmless the Association of Rice Alumni and Rice University and any of their respective officers, agents, licensees, or representatives from any and all
liability for delays, injuries, or death, or for the loss of, or damage to, his property however occurring during any portion of, or in relation to the tour.
Signature______________________________ Date________________ Signature_______________________________ Date_________________
If the application is made for, or by, a person under 21 years of age, both parents or the applicant’s guardian must also sign the application.
Signature______________________________ Date________________ Signature_______________________________ Date_________________
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Gohagan &
Company
RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK
AND BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
RESPONSIBILITY: Thomas P. Gohagan & Company, the sponsoring
associations/organizations, and its and their employees, shareholders,
subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors or trustees, successors,
and assigns (collectively “Gohagan”), do 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, Gohagan is 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
timely 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. Specific room/cabin assignments are within the sole
discretion of the hotel or cruise line.
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.
Ship schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, sightseeing
events, special programs and guest lecture series (if applicable), are
subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Gohagan is not
responsible therefor and is not required to compensate passengers under
these circumstances. Gohagan may cancel a trip (or an option) for any
reason whatsoever; if so, its sole responsibility is to refund monies paid
by the participant to it. Gohagan is not required to cancel any trip for
any reason including without limitation, United States Department of
State, World Health Organization or other Warnings or Advisories of
any kind. 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 cancels the trip. Gohagan reserves the
right to substitute vessels, hotels or attractions of a similar category for
those listed in this brochure.
NOT INCLUDED: Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; personal
expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and Internet access; accident/
sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and
hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; baggage charges on
aircraft; local departure air/airport tax(es); airfare and associated local
taxes, airport facility and security taxes and federal inspection fees not
listed in the “Included Features” section of the brochure; transfers and
baggage handling to/from airport/hotel/ship on day(s) of arrival and/or
departure if you are arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier
or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due
to flight schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other
services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section.
AIRFARE: Airfare is subject to change and availability and, depending
on the fare basis, likely is nonrefundable. Your airline ticket
constitutes a contract between you and the airline, even if purchased
through Gohagan.
LUGGAGE: Luggage allowance policies are set by the airlines and may
change without prior notice. Please contact your airline(s) for the most
current luggage allowance policy.
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.
DISCOUNTED RESERVATIONS: Discounts apply only to those
reservations received in the offices of Gohagan in writing, accompanied
by the required deposit, by October 8, 2015. In the event a “discounted”
reservation must be cancelled, no “replacement” reservation can be
substituted at the discounted rate. A “replacement” reservation is
a new reservation and can be substituted only at the full-fare tariff.
Cancellation penalties may apply.
Rice University
Office of Alumni Relations, MS 520
Rice Alumni Traveling Owls
P.O. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
The soaring bell-tower of its monolithic church
dominates the picturesque skyline of St-Émilion, a
UNESCO World Heritage site amongst lush vineyards.
CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations for all or any part of the trip
including Pre/Post Program(s) reservation(s) will not be effective
until received in writing in the offices of Gohagan. Should you have
to cancel, the following terms will apply: reservation cancellation(s)
are subject to a $200 ($50 Pre/Post Program(s)) per person
administrative fee from the time of booking through 120 days
prior to departure; from 95 through 119 days prior to departure,
$800 ($200 Pre/Post Program(s)) per person; from 60 through
94 days prior to departure, 70% of the published full regular
tariffs; cancellations 59 days or less prior to departure, a no-show,
or early return from the trip will result in forfeiture of 100% of
the published full regular tariffs. In addition, any applicable
airline cancellation fees, optional excursion cancellation fees and
administrative fees may apply.
TRIP INSURANCE: Because our cancellation policies are
strictly enforced, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip
cancellation insurance. In the event that you must cancel your
participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the
only source of reimbursement.
RATES: Prices quoted are based on fares in effect at the time of
printing and are subject to change at any time. On land and/or cruise
programs, even after full payment, Gohagan reserves the right to
increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes
in supplier costs, currency fluctuations or fuel or energy surcharges
and all such increases are to be paid to Gohagan upon notice to
the tour participant of such increases. 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.
REGISTRATION: CST#: 2031868-40, WST#: 601 767 666,
OST#: TA 0905.
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, 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. The arbitrator and not any
federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority
to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability,
enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including
but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this contract is void
or voidable.
ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT: By forwarding of deposit, the
participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or
other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself
or other participants and accepts the terms contained in this Release
of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Binding Arbitration Agreement.
Photo Credits: AGE Fotostock, Alamy, Corbis, Glow Images, Photoshot;
all images are rights managed and cannot be used without permission.
07/15-1