Franconia and the Romantic Road - DELETEDPAGES - Art History Abroad - Art History Abroad
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"The tutors were incredible, all bursting with information and energy. To us they were seen more as friends than teachers and this is what made the group so cohesive... To me it was worth every single penny, actually a lot more."
AMH - Summer '09
Franconia and the Romantic Road
"Before quoting Robert's amusing text from the original trip, I should say that the tour last December was all we had hoped for and more. Personally, after 25 years in pursuit of beautiful things, my time in Franconia was a true Renaissance. Throughout, the hairs on the back of my neck tingled at the sight of moving Riemenschneiders, elevating Tiepolos and clever Neumann. Less expected were the delights of Dürer and Cranach and the heroes of the German Renaissance painting. Warming to my subject now, the beer is marvellous, so too are the sausages and I will never forget a sturdy lunch after a morning of Rococo delight at Vierzehnheiligen. At Bamberg, not only was there a fantastic orchestra, but the hotel, with the river rushing by, has one of the most excellent kitchens I have ever enjoyed. Lastly, and perhaps most strangely, I came back with an expectant sense of Christmas not felt since childhood, such is the warmth of Christmas markets and civic pride in Germany.
We have made a few improvements, notably more time for Coburg where the precipitous castle has been donned one of the National Galleries of Germany and the collection of Renaissance paintings is magnificent." Nick Ross
It is our profound belief that prejudice is the child of ignorance. Certainly nothing but ignorance can account for the stubborn indifference of the English to Germany. It is a country of sublime art, beautiful landscape, outstanding wine, good food, few tourists and charming people. Anyone who thinks that Italian weather and the experience of great art in Italy is better should have queued with me for 50 minutes outside the Uffizi in 100% humidity to collect pre-booked, supposedly timed-entrance tickets. We have eaten every lunch and dinner alfresco in Germany for an entire week in May, and enjoyed crystal-clear winter sunshine for days on end in November and December, and had serious museums and important churches almost entirely to ourselves.
Why does the Germany shelf of an English bookshop's travel section have three books and the Italy section three feet of books? Why has every educated English person heard of Michelangelo and Bernini, while so few know Riemenschneider and Neumann? Why does spell check pass Michelangelo, but underline Riemenschneider in red zigzags? IGNORANCE!
No one in the world loves Italy more than we at AHA, but we have a passion for Germany and we are determined to share it. So we propose six nights and seven days in and around Franconia in northern Bavaria.
We have been incredibly lucky to secure the help and dazzling expertise of Richard Stokes, whom many of you will already know. He brought German to life for thirty years at Westminster while harbouring a profound love of Schubert's Lieder. Richard is now Visiting Professor of Lieder at the Royal Academy of Music and is lauded world-wide for his knowledge of German Song.
Nicholas Ross, Director of AHA, is in his second rush of love for Germany. Such enthusiasm together with a profound experience of European Culture brings lustre to gold, so to speak.
