February 20 to 25, 2016

NEW PERSPECTIVES ON

ANCIENT MEXICO

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art,

As you make your travel plans for the coming year, we hope you will consider joining us this February when the Met travels to Mexico to visit great pre-Columbian landmarks. I am pleased to present an extraordinary itinerary to Mexico City with an optional postlude in Palenque.

Mexico City is a dynamic urban center that beguiles visitors with endless options. The city has become a world-class center for art and design and is enjoying well-deserved acclaim for its blend of mid-century modernism and cutting-edge contemporary architecture, combining the modernist legacy with a deep appreciation for craft and tradition.

In dialogue with our curators as well as various knowledgeable friends of the Museum, Academic Arrangements Abroad has designed an itinerary that includes the best of Mexico City’s great classical and modernist landmarks, with privileged access to exceptional collections. As we consider the most recent developments in pre-Columbian archaeology, we will also immerse ourselves in the expressive culture and history of Mexico from its earliest civilizations to its vibrant present.

My colleagues and I look forward to sharing with you what is certain to be a memorable experience at the source of some of the great artistic traditions we seek to bring to life in the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing.

With all very best,

Alisa LaGamma, PhD Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer Curator in Charge Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania & the Americas

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

.

B.C. – A.D. 150) in northern Guatemala. Before joining the Met, he held a postdoctoral appointment in Pre-columbian Studies at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection and taught art historical and archaeological seminars at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Doyle received his B.A. from Vanderbilt University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Brown University.

James Doyle, Assistant Curator for the Art of the Americas, oversees the Metropolitan’s collections from Mesoamerica and Central America. His specialty is the ancient Maya, and he conducted archaeological fieldwork on the Preclassic period (1000

T R A V E L I N G W I T H Y O U

T H E M E T R O P O L I T A N M U S E U M O F A R T

NEW PERSPECTIVES ON

ANCIENT MEXICOFebruary 20 to 25, 2016

February 20 NEW YORK | MEXICO CITYSaturday Depart New York on a midday flight. Upon arrival in Mexico City transfer to the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel

Mexico, D.F., located on the historic boulevard Paseo de la Reforma near Chapultepec Park. Dinner is at the hotel.

February 21 MEXICO CITYSunday Today we focus on the rise of the great Aztec Empire, beginning at the colonial and republican heart of Mexico

City, Templo Mayor, which today is the greatest ongoing active archaeological site in the Americas. See the evolution of the Great Temple, from its simple beginnings to its spectacular florescence in the late 15th and 16th century. View the remarkable new discoveries at the site’s museum, including the colossal monolith depicting the fearsome goddess, Tlaltecuhtli. Following lunch at El Mayor overlooking the ruins, continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral for a special behind-the-scenes tour of the bell towers. Conclude at the National Palace, constructed over the remains of Montezuma’s palace and containing Diego Rivera’s murals depicting the history of Mexico. This evening, enjoy a reception and dinner at a private home in one of the city’s most elegant neighborhoods.

February 22 MEXICO CITYMonday Rise early today and drive northeast to the Basin of Mexico to explore the awe-inspiring pyramids of Teotihuacan,

sometimes translated as “the birthplace of the gods.” This World Heritage Site flourished in the first five centuries A.D., and later became a place of pilgrimage for the Aztecs. At the on-site museum, view the murals that once graced the luxurious houses and sacred temples of this great city and walk along the Avenue of the Dead, which connects the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. After lunch, stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, visited by pilgrims and travelers from around the world, before returning to Mexico City. Dinner this evening is at the beautiful Azúl Histórico.

National Palace, Mexico City (left) and Teotihuacan (right)

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February 23 MEXICO CITYTuesday Visit the historic Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House, followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Then discover one of the world’s great museums, the spectacular Museo Nacional de Antropología, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez in 1964. Admire the masterpieces of Pre-columbian art, including the great Aztec Calendar Stone—now one of Mexico’s national symbols—and see the dazzling finds from the tomb of Pakal, a Maya lord who reigned at the site of Palenque in the 7th century. Dinner is in the fashionable Polanco neighborhood, at the acclaimed new restaurant, Biko.

February 24 MEXICO CITYWednesday This morning begin at Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL), Mexico’s premier fine arts museum, to admire

masterpieces of Mexican art, from colonial to modern. Highlights include the majestic landscape paintings of José María Velasco, a contemporary of Frederick Church, and Diego Rivera’s great Cubist portrait of Adolfo Best Maugard. Following lunch at Limosneros, discover two new additions to the city’s blossoming arts scene. The Museo Jumex (designed by David Chipperfield, architect of the Metropolitan Museum’s planned renovations) noted for its innovative exhibitions of international modern and contemporary art. Museo Soumaya, the striking museum presenting Carlos Slim’s eclectic collection of painting and sculpture, features works from the Pre-columbian period to the 20th century. Enjoy dinner at the celebrated restaurant, Dulce Patria.

February 25 MEXICO CITY | NEW YORKThursday Transfer to the airport for flights home.

Aztec calendar at the Museo Nacional de Antropología (top left), Museo Soumaya (above left), and entrance to Metropolitan Cathedral (right)

Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque

For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 u Fax: 212-344-7493 u E-mail: trips@arrangementsabroad.com u www.arrangementsabroad.com

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $1,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018-3721.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel Room p Double p Twin p Single (supplement of $995)

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OPTIONAL PALENQUE POSTLUDE

p I/We wish to join the optional postlude in Palenque ($2,780 per person; single supplement $495)

FORM OF PAYMENT

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Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program. I/We agree to full payment by check or wire transfer 120 days prior to departure.

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THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

New Perspectives on Ancient Mexico u February 20 to 25, 2016R E S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N

O P T I O N A L PA L E N Q U E P O S T L U D E

February 25 to 29, 2016

Discover Palenque, the most beautiful of all Maya sites, and other remarkable ruins during a stay in southern Mexico. Visit the Museo de Sitio Palenque, with more than 200 objects from different areas of Palenque that attest to the aesthetic expressions generated by the dynastic power of the old city. Then tour the site of Toniná, home of an aggressive city-state that was a bitter rival of Palenque. Highlighting our time in the area will be a visit to the awe-inspiring Maya ruins of Palenque, one of Mexico’s most impressive Classic period archaeological sites, located in the lush jungle of Chiapas. This UNESCO World Heritage site was a thriving city-state in the 6th through 8th centuries. Accommodations for three nights are at the luxurious Quinta Cha Nab Bal Hotel and one night back in Mexico City at the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F.

PALENQUE POSTLUDE $2,780 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement $495. Includes three nights accommodations at Quinta Cha Nab Bal Hotel; one night at the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F.; economy-class, round-trip airfare, Mexico City to Palenque; breakfast daily, four lunches, and four dinners; bottled water, tea / coffee with all meals, beer / wine with lunches and dinners.

AIRFARE Academic Arrangements Abroad (AAA) will be pleased to assist with air travel arrangements for this program, including specially negotiated group airfare when available, suggested flights, or individual requests for a processing fee of $40 per person. Complete details will be provided in your confirmation mailing.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE A deposit of $1,000 per person, payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees, is required with the reservation application. Final payment, by check or wire transfer only, must be received 120 days prior to departure.

HEALTH All participants must be in good health. This program involves extensive walking over uneven surfaces, climbing stairs at monuments and other locations not handicapped accessible, and climbing in and out of various conveyances. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time of your reservation.

PHOTOGRAPHY Photographs or, in some cases, videotapes of participants of Travel with the Met trips may be used for educational and promotional purposes by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

INSURANCE TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION PENALTIES ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED. AAA will send an insurance application upon receipt of deposit, although you may select any insurer of your choice.

CHANGES IN ITINERARY & COSTS The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and AAA. All prices quoted are based on prevailing fuel prices, airfares, and currency exchange rates in effect at time of brochure printing and are subject to change without notice. Deviations from the scheduled itinerary are at the expense of the individual.

RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE The participation of the Met is limited to educational sponsorship of the program described in this brochure (The Program). AAA acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations, and all other services, relating to The Program. AAA, the Met, and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error, or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident,

delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus, or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of The Program. The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the participant and the carrier. Nor will AAA or the Met and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages, or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, or other such causes in connection with The Program or anything beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or the Met. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. AAA and the Met reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from The Program at their own expense when such an action is determined by AAA or the Met to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety, or the general welfare of the other participants.

CANCELLATION POLICY AAA must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; ship charters; communication expenses; development/promotional expenses; and the loss of time that might have permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made in writing to the offices of AAA and are subject to a $350 non-refundable administrative fee. All refunds are limited to amounts actually received by AAA and are the sole responsibility of AAA; the Met shall have no liability for refunds. At the time AAA receives written notification of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will apply: cancellations received between 120 and 91 days prior to departure, 20 percent of the program cost per person; those received between 90 and 61 days before departure, 50 percent of the program cost per person; no refunds will be given for cancellations received within 60 days of departure. No refunds are given for cancellation on or after the day of departure, or for unused portions of the tour, for any reason. Air cancellation charges, if any, will be assessed in accordance with airline regulations. All group fare tickets must be issued no less than 30 days prior to departure. NOTE: Neither AAA nor the Met shall be liable for any airline cancellation penalties incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket. In the case of a cancellation due to shortage of participants, AAA will attempt to notify all participants at least 45 days prior to departure. However, AAA reserves the right to cancel The Program prior to departure for any reason and, in such case, reimbursement of refundable costs of the trip by AAA shall constitute full settlement with the participant. In the unlikely event that a dispute arises between a participant and AAA or the Met, the following conditions will apply: (a) the dispute will be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in New York, NY; (b) the dispute will be governed by New York Law; (c) the maximum amount of recovery to which a participant shall be entitled under any and all circumstances will be the sum of all monies actually received from the participant by AAA. The participant agrees that this is a fair and reasonable limitation on the damages, of any sort whatsoever, that a participant may suffer. Upon payment of the deposit to AAA, the participant agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions.

Copyright © 2015 Arrangements Abroad, Inc.

CST 2059789-40

TERMS & CONDITIONS

On the cover: Tlaltecuhtli goddess at Templo Mayor

PROGR AM R ATE PER PERSON $3,995

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $995

RATE INCLUDESu Five nights accommodations at the Four Seasons Hotel

Mexico, D.F.

u Breakfast daily, four lunches, and five dinners; bottled water, and tea / coffee with all meals; beer / wine with lunches and dinners

u Enrichment program of lectures and special events

u Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees

u Gratuities to guides and drivers

u Airport / hotel group transfers and porterage fees

u Taxes and service charges

NOT INCLUDED IN RATEInternational airfare; passport fees; alcoholic beverages other than beer/wine at lunches and dinners; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase; meals not specified; transfers for those not on suggested f lights; any other items not