Escape - Spring 2008

For many vacationers, travel is more than an opportunity to see a new place. It’s also the chance to learn a bit more about a different part of the world—particularly the inner life of less-discovered gems like Slovenia, Lithuania or Croatia.

Opportunities are emerging in many countries to learn about local culture through a range of educational activities. In addition, joining a tour with a knowledgeable guide is an excellent way to enhance one’s trip.

Eric Denker, a senior lecturer in the Education Department of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., will be leading the Smithsonian Journeys Pearls of Dalmatia tour of Venice and the Croatian coast in September 2008. The casual visitor might not realize that the famous Italian city and western Croatia, across the Adriatic, have much in common—but they do. “Venice, for most of its history, owned many of the seaports along that coast, except Dubrovnik,” Denker explains. As a result, churches throughout the area house rarely viewed paintings by Italian Renaissance masters.

The tour will feature historic Zagreb and Dubrovnik, visits to the third-century Palace of Diocletian in Split and two days in breathtaking Venice. Although Denker’s specialty is Venetian art, he is also well versed in the region’s broader history. Going on a tour with expert guides like Denker has many advantages; as Denker points out; “We can put [sites] in context and we can also make sure information is accurate.”

Bordering Croatia to the northwest is Slovenia. The town of Lipica, near the border with Italy, is home to the original stud farm of the world- famous Lipizzaner stallions, which was founded in 1580. Visitors can book a carriage or horseback ride or simply watch the high-stepping, snow-white horses go through their paces.

Another popular stop is Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana (pronounced loob-lee-AH-nah), whose history dates back five millennia, to the days of the Roman Empire. It was also a powerful city in the Middle Ages and during the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War II, Slovenia became part of commun.ist Yugoslavia, until it proclaimed its independence in 1991. As a result, Ljubljana’s architecture is a fascinating mix of styles.