Artistic Riches of Rhode Island: Newport and Providence

June 10–14, 2013

Experience the art, architecture, and storied past of Newport and Providence with popular tour leader Meg MacDonald.

Monday, June 10
Arrive independently Newport and transfer to the Hotel Viking. This evening, gather on the rooftop terrace for Gilded Age cocktails and dinner at the hotel.

Tuesday, June 11
Today will focus on Newport’s history and culture from its founding in 1639 until its occupation by the British in 1776. Visits include Touro Synagogue (1763), the Museum of Newport History and the Great Friends Meeting House (1699)–the oldest surviving house of worship in Rhode Island. Following lunch at the legendary White Horse Tavern, visit one of Newport’s secret gardens. Continue on to the Redwood Library, America’s oldest lending library, to view their superb collection of 17th and 18th century portraiture, sculpture and furniture. This evening, enjoy dinner at the elegant Castle Hill Inn, located on a peninsula overlooking Newport Harbor.

Wednesday, June 12
Depart this morning for a full day in Providence. Begin with a curator-led tour at The John Brown House (1786) on historic Benefit Street, then take an architectural walking tour, stopping to visit a number of historic buildings. After lunch at The Providence Art Club, visit the Museum of Art at Rhode Island School of Design. We will focus on its collections relating to works by a range of Rhode Island artists as well as prominent international and American artists. We will also have the opportunity to view one of the museum’s current special exhibitions featuring cutting edge works of art. End the day with a visit to a private collection of early American antiques located in a historic home. Return to Newport where dinner and the evening are at leisure.

Thursday, June 13
Today we will concentrate on the residences along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive. Here the modest wooden houses built during Newport’s rise as a fashionable resort town during the 1830s were, by the turn of the century, literally overshadowed by opulent stone palaces — called summer houses, or "cottages", in remembrance of this former quiet summer colony. We will tour some of Newport’s grandest “summer cottages”, including The Breakers and Marble House. Enjoy lunch on your own at the marvelous Chinese Tea House which overlooks the seaside cliffs at Marble House. The afternoon ends with a visit to Rough Point, the legendary estate of Doris Duke and home to one of the area’s most remarkable private collections of art. This evening our farewell dinner is at Persimmon in Bristol.

Friday, June 14
Our last day begins with a visit to the Museum of American Illustration, which has the largest private collection of works by Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell, as well as artwork by other leading illustrators. Drive to Providence and visit a variety of galleries and artist studios- ranging from traditional to cutting edge. We will also visit art the studios of RISD alumni to see the latest in emerging art. After lunch at Al Forno, located on Providence’s riverfront, transfer to the airport for independently-arranged flights home.

Terms and Conditions

Cost: $2,695 per person based on double occupancy; single supplement add $495. Full payment is due at time of reservation and indicates acceptance of all group arrangements. Cost includes: Four nights’ accommodations at the Hotel Viking; breakfast daily at the hotel, three lunches, three dinners, and one reception; all activities described in the itinerary; transportation by private motor coach; airport transfers in Providence for those meeting designated group transfers; all taxes, gratuities, fees, and porterage; services of Meg MacDonald as tour manager and local docents and guides. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to and from Providence [contact the Member Travel department at (312) 443-3115 for suggested flights]; meals or beverages not specifically mentioned as included; items of a personal nature.
Upon registration, each participant will be provided with an Art Institute of Chicago Waiver and Release form that must be signed and returned to the Member Travel department prior to program departure.

Cacellation Policy

The Art Institute of Chicago (“AIC”) and Meg MacDonald/Travel Muse (“Tour Operator”) reserve the right to withdraw the tour or any part if it and to make such alterations in the itinerary as to it (or them)seems necessary and desirable. In the event of the cancellation of the Tour prior to departure, a full refund will constitute full settlement between all parties. No refund shall be due from AIC in conjunction with changes in rates or itineraries or substitution of suppliers. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour. AIC and/or Tour Operator reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour if AIC, Tour Operator, or both determine that the participation of that individual is objectionable and, in the event such authority is exercised, the participant waives any right and all claims for damages. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of owners at all times.

Cancellation notification must be in writing. Participants may cancel on or before April 29, 2013 with a cancellation fee of $100 plus any nonrefundable costs and cancellation fees incurred by hotels and other venues at the time of cancellation. After April 29, 2013, there will be no refund, unless canceled space can be filled from an existing waitlist. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended; an application will be sent with reservation confirmation.

To register, call (312) 443-3115.