Chinese History Tour, October 2019

Israel & Jordan, December 2019

Kites & Kutch, January 2020

Coromandel Coast, February 2020

Guizhou Minority Tour, April 2020

This tour is now full; however, you may register to add your name to the waitlist.

A 6-day/5-night tour will introduce you to the most important places and events of Chinese history from ca. 1050 BCE to the early 10th century CE, led by FOM’s own China expert who has led more than a dozen study tours to China over the past 14 years.

Sites visited (in chronological, but not necessarily travel order) begin with the largest ancient tomb explored in China to date, the No. 1 Qingong Tomb of the Qin Duke Jinggong with its 180 coffins containing 186 human remains, chariots and horses dating from the W. Zhou Dynasty (1050-771 BCE). We’ll compare this pit tomb with that of the founder of the Qin Dynasty (221 BCE), the Emperor Qin Shih Huangdi when we visit his tomb with its famous terracotta warriors and horses.

                  Our historical adventure continues with one of the most famous Han Dynasty sites—the Tomb of Huo Qubing, a distinguished military general of the W. Han (206 BCE-25 E), whose site contains amongst the oldest known Chinese stone sculptures. The second Han tomb site we visit is entirely different--the ultra-modern museum that showcases the Hanyangling Mausoleum, built to entomb the Emperor Jing and Empress Wang with its exceptional mingqi tomb figurines.

                  At the Tang Dynasty Qianling Mausoleum of the Tang Dynasty’s infamous empress Wu Zetian (China’s only reigning female emperor) we’ll see the statues of foreign emissaries and the stele left blank for history to fill in. Nearby are the beautiful murals of the tomb of the granddaughter she murdered, the Tomb of Princess Yongtai. The sites, the tombs themselves, and the artefacts buried with them will all enrich your knowledge of Tang Dynasty China. Our visits to three of the most important museums in central northern China (the Shaanxi History Museum, the Xi’an Museum, and the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Art) will help fill in any remaining gaps.

                  Traditionally, Buddhism is said to have entered China in the first century CE with the first Buddhist temple, the White Horse Temple, founded in Luoyang. We’ll follow Buddhism’s development in China by visiting the White Horse Temple site, plus several additional important Buddhist sites—the magnificent Longmen Grottoes of the N. Wei (386-557) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, and the famous Tang temple Famensi (which revealed long-believed-lost Tang treasures when renovated after its collapse; its treasures were featured in a special 2014 ACM exhibition). We’ll also visit the Big and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, built to house the Buddhist manuscripts the famous monk Xuanzang brought back from India.

                  And a special treat is a visit to the former Confucian temple, now known as the Forest of Steles, which houses the original Nestorian Stele (the rubbing of which is in an ACM gallery) together with a superb learning gallery of historic Buddhist steles, many of which are world-famous. And did we mention a popular night market and a visit to one of China’s oldest mosques?

                  How will we see all this in just six days? By an itinerary that encompasses local experts and travel by high-speed bullet train, and has been fine-tuned by your FOM tour guide and the local guide she has worked with over the last 10 years. Depart Singapore at 5:00 pm on Monday, 21 October to arrive in Xi’an at 11:35 pm (on Scoot) and return on China Southern Airlines on Sunday 27 October 11:00 am, to arrive in Singapore 11:35 pm that evening.

Trip cost is S$4,000, which includes all travel (airlines and hi-speed train), hotels (double-sharing basis), entrance fees, meals, F&B, tips to guides, travel insurance, and a contribution to the FOM general fund, but excludes personal expenses such as visa fees, telecommunications, laundry and meal extras.

Single room supplement is S$900.

All participants MUST travel with the group to and from China on the specified dates and flights; no exceptions will be made. First information meeting will be held on Monday, March 25 at 12 noon immediately following the MML. For more information contact Patricia Welch at pbjwelch@gmail.com. Limited to 15 participants. Four research preparation sessions will be held pre-departure Sept-Oct 2019.

To register: please follow instructions to register online, and then bring or send the following to the FOM Office:

1. a photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details), and
2. a deposit cheque of SGD$1,500 payable to “FOM” (deposit payments may also be made via PayPal)

FOM Office Mailing Address:

FOM Study Tours: China History Tour, 2019

Friends of the Museums

61 Stamford Road

#02-06 Stamford Court

Singapore 178892

PLEASE NOTE:

All travellers must have updated membership status with FOM.

This tour is now full; however, you may register to add your name to the waitlist.

Register Now for Last Few Spots!

From King David to a Startup Nation:  A Journey through Time to Israel & Jordan

November 28 – December 11, 2019  (including 2 nights Jordan Extension)

Sarah Lev will be leading another tour to Israel and this time to Jordan as well.

We will start our trip in Tel Aviv: visit the Tel Aviv museum and enjoy a food tour in the Carmel market. Stroll through the narrow alleys of Jaffa and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the Hall of Independence and the Rothchild Boulevard with its magnificent Bauhaus architecture.

Drive along the coast, to the Roman city of Caesarea, continue to the Crusader city of Akko (Acre) and visit Haifa located on the top of Mount Carmel where we can see the Baha'i Gardens and Shrine.

Drive to the Galilee, visit Safed the centre of Kabbalah, take a jeep tour of the Golan Heights and enjoy special hospitality in a Druze Village.

Visit the holy Christian sites along the Sea of Galilee: Capernaum, Mt. of the Beatitudes and Tabgha and enjoy a private boat ride on the lake.

Drive along the shores of Jordan River to visit the ruins of the Roman city of Beit Shean before arriving in Jerusalem.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem from the top of Mt. of Olives.

Visit the Old City of Jerusalem: Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Temple Mount area, including the newly excavated tunnels under the Western Wall.

Visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Have a guided tour at Yad Vashem (Holocaust memorial) and enjoy local food and spices in Mahne Yehuda market.

Drive to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, and take the cable car to the top of the fortress of Masada in the Judean Desert. Visit the ruins of Qumran where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Our tour will also include a visit to Bethlehem where we will see the Church of Nativity, birth place of Jesus.

For those taking the Jordan extension - cross the border to Jordan where we will have a unique opportunity to visit  the City of the Red Rock - Petra and the Al-Khazneh (known as the “Treasury” ) featured in the Indiana Jones movie, as well as the magnificent sand dunes of Wadi Rum desert.

Tour cost includes:

Round-trip airfare in coach class – no upgrades or deviation from the group (except for overseas members)

Round trip transfers: airport - hotel

Trip insurance (not applicable for overseas members)

Deluxe hotel accommodation – double occupancy (single supplement available)

All entrance fees

Sightseeing with a licensed government tour guide who has an MA degree in Archaeology

Deluxe coach throughout the tour

Bottled water and wifi on coach

All gratuities (tips for bellboys driver & guide)

All meals, including wine tasting

Special lectures by: museum professional staff and a Temple Mount archaeologist

Contribution to the FOM general fund

Price is based on a minimum of 15 participants – maximum 24

Approximate Israel Tour cost: $7700SGD per person – double occupancy

Deposit: $2000SGD per person

First payment: $4500SGD per person - to be paid by June 1

Final payment: amount to be determined - payment due by September 2

Jordan Extension: visa fees, transfers, sightseeing entrance fees, insurance and tips are included

2 nights hotel accommodation – double occupancy

All meals

Price based on a minimum of 10 participants

Cost and itinerary for the Jordan extension was provided during our first meeting on April 25

Tour Leader: Sarah Lev

sarahtustra@gmail.com

9127-4006

This tour is now fully subscribed.

Register now for last few spots!

Kites & Kutch 2020

After a successful and a very enjoyable Kites & Kutch Tour in January this year, Rashmi Panchal will be leading another Kites & Kutch Tour in January 2020. This tour will take you to Ahmedabad, to witness and participate in the International Kite Festival, which is celebrated every year in Gujarat to coincide with “Makar Sankranti” or “Uttarayan” on 14^th January. It’s a public holiday in Gujarat and people celebrate it with immense enthusiasm. You will also visit Gandhi Ashram, Adalaj Step-well, Calico Textile Museum, UNESCO World Heritage site in Champaner, Double Ikat weavers in Patan, UNESCO World Heritage site of Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Step well) in Patan, Modhera Sun Temple, the White Rann (desert) and the beautiful Vijay Vilas palace in Mandvi. Members will also enjoy visiting various tribal communities in and around Bhuj, along with artisans who excel at their crafts, like the baandhni (tie & dye) makers, Ajrakh printers, lacquer workers etc. You will also have the opportunity to purchase these crafts directly from the makers when we visit their homes. In 10 days we will get to see a very beautiful and culturally rich region of Gujarat, the western state of India.

Dates: 13^th - 23^rd January 2020

Cost per person (approx.): S$4,500 (member)

Max. Group size: 15 (including the leader)

Initial Deposit: 1,500$

Balance 3,000$ to be paid by Sept.1 2019

Please see general instructions on this page for guidance on how to register

You may sign up by clicking on the red Registration Tab that appears below the box describing the Study Tour you wish to register for.

Please use your FOM membership email and password to sign up, and also read and virtually sign the Release and Responsibility Statement which will now appear online. No printing and sending of the Release is required any more.

After 24 hours following the first meeting of the registrants with the Tour Leader, you will receive an email from the FOM office with a PayPal link to make your deposit payment. You are requested to pay this deposit amount within 3 days to confirm your spot on the tour. Please note that you do not need to have a PayPal account to make the payment via PayPal.

If you wish to make the deposit payment by cheque, please send it in to the FOM office within 3 days of registering online so that it can be banked 24 hours after the first meeting with the Tour Leader.  

Kindly make your cheque payable to FOM, write the Study Tour name on the back, and mail it to the FOM Office at: 

61 Stamford Road, #02-06 Stamford Court, Singapore 178892

In addition, please send the Tour Leader directly a copy of the first page of your passport (B&W or colour) upon registering online. You may scan and email this to the Tour Leader.

(New, improved procedure - passport copies do not need to be sent to the FOM Office, but straight to the Tour Leader). 

Note: On all tours, participants are confirmed on a first-come basis, based on the order in which the registrations are done online and the deposit payments and passport copies are received. FOM members living in Singapore have priority over overseas FOM members during the first 1 week of the enrollment period.

*If not too certain how to use the new activity sign up system, click here for full information. 

RECENTLY COMPLETED TOUR

We will be visiting Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat, and Kutch. Kutch is India’s Wild West and promises visitors a culturally enriching experience. We will arrive in Ahmedabad on the night of 12 January, in time to attend the Uttarayan Kite festival on 14 January. After spending the first two days, 13 and 14 January, in Ahmedabad, we will drive to Bhuj, capital of Kutch, on 15 January, and fly back to Singapore on 19 Jan from Bhuj via Mumbai.

Highlights of the tour:

- Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad, the only city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage City in India

- Calico Textile Museum in Ahmedabad  

- Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad (Gandhi’s Ashram)

- UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rani ki Vav

- Double Ikat Patola weavers in Patan

- Sun Temple at Modhera

-  Ajrakhpur, where the eco-friendly technique of Ajrakh block printing is still being used

- Baandhni (tie and dye) makers

- The White Rann (desert)

- Tribal communities who excel in producing beautiful embroideries and crafts

Estimated Cost: $3,750 per person based on twin sharing room; single room supplement is $600

Deposit to be paid at registration: $1,750 

Final payment to be paid by 1 November, 2018 : $2,000 

Accomodation in Kutch is very limited in supply, hence it is advisable to choose the twin sharing option.

The tour cost includes flights, accommodation, transport, meals, bottled water, guides' fees, entrance fees, tips, travel insurance and the FOM levy.

It does not include visa and personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, laundry or camera fees.

To register, please complete the online registration Study Tour Registration Form (click on the red bar below to access the form from May 1 onwards), and then send the following to the FOM office within three days of registering, to secure your spot on the tour:
i) a completed FOM Release Form (download & print from the website) 
ii) a photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details), and
iii) a deposit cheque of S$1,750, made payable to FOM (or pay via credit card details as indicated on the online registration form) 
FOM Office Mailing Address:
FOM Study Tours, Kite Festival & Kutch 2019, 61 Stamford Road, #02-06 Stamford Court, Singapore 178892

Do not hesitate to contact the tour leader or coordinator for this tour, Rashmi Panchal, for more details - click on her name below to email Rashmi.

RECENTLY COMPLETED TOUR

Tour Leader: Abha Kaul; email: abhadkaul@gmail.com
 

This historically rich study tour to India takes us to the southwestern state of Karnataka with its varied cultural offerings, notably the ruined medieval city of Hampi, now recognised as one of the great tourist sites of the world. In the centre and south of the state, Karnataka entices us with some of the most important, ancient Hindu, Jain and Muslim buildings, while in the north, startling, unique architecture is well worth a visit to admire the remains of mighty Muslim sultanates of the Deccan Plateau that once flourished here. There’s also an exciting, newly excavated Buddhist stupa and Emperor Ashoka’s original inscription to be seen on this carefully curated itinerary.

Our journey begins in Hyderabad, in neighbouring Telangana state, home to the ruins of Golconda, one of India’s greatest and wealthiest medieval cities, and the famed Nizams of Hyderabad. From there, we will drive to the iconic cities of Gulbarga, Bidar, and Bijapur – erstwhile capitals of Deccan Sultans who controlled vital trade routes, ruled over lands of plenty and created amazing art. Their classic forts and tombs attest to a bygone era of opulence and sophistication that was the envy of the Mughals in north India, and attracted numerous foreign visitors and professionals to these parts.

We will then switch gears to explore the magnificent early cave and temple art and architecture left behind by the Chalukya Dynasty, in and around their ancient capital of Badami, including Aihole and Pattadakal – to see the wonderful experimentation and evolution of oldest Indian temple styles.

The latter is one of two exclusive UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Karnataka, the other being the spectacular capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi, which we will visit next.

At the remote, exceptionally beautiful, ruined city of Hampi on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, we will see many of the Vijayanagar Empire’s great artistic and architectural masterpieces that have survived, from the time when this powerful Hindu empire controlled much of southern India – before the first Deccan Sultanate at Gulbarga, then Bidar. Imposing monuments dot a sprawling landscape of hills, water and outsized stone boulders. This region is considered to be the legendary site of Kishkinda from the epic Ramayana, the birthplace of Hanuman and the kingdom of monkeys that helped rescue Sita, Rama’s wife, from Ravana of Lanka.

Leaving Hampi, we will head south for the sacred temple complexes of the Hoysala Dynasty at Belur and Halebid – superb examples of Hindu temple art at its most intricate. Passing by several Jain shrines, we will lastly stop at the Jain pilgrimage town of Shravana Belagola to visit the enormous monolithic statue of Bahubali or Gomteshwara, the son of the first Jain Tirthankara. This is believed to be the place where the founder of the Maurya Dynasty, Chandragupta, went to die after embracing Jainism in the 3^rd century B.C.E.  

We will end the tour in Bangalore from where we will fly back to Singapore. All along, we will discover significant archaeological sites, vibrant living temples, museums filled with rare treasures, and other interesting sights. This unique tour expands our understanding and appreciation of India’s great civilisation and artistic traditions, and gives Indophiles a chance to travel on a special journey together with FOM history and culture buffs.

It is almost a two-week long trip, as we will drive along a wide arc across Karnataka from point to point. As always, this is not a typical holiday or tourist route with high-end or well-developed commercial infrastructure, other than in a couple of spots, but is a circuit for heritage lovers with modest amenities. Participants must be fully prepared for this, but we will stay in the most comfortable hotels available and travel in modern vehicles. It is a travel experience to be remembered as one that informs and expands our learning.

The approximate cost of this study tour is SGD$5,200 per person, which includes airfare, double-sharing accommodation in best quality hotels, all meals, bottled water, transport, entrance fees, guides, tips, and also travel insurance and a contribution to the FOM general fund. It does not include visa fees and personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, laundry or phone calls.

To register for the waitlist please fill and submit the online registration form linked to this page, and then bring or send the following to the FOM Office:

1. a completed FOM Release Form (to download and print from the FOM website)
2. a photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details), and
3. a deposit cheque of SGD$1,500 payable to “FOM” (deposit payments may also be made via credit card or bank transfer)

FOM Office Mailing Address:

FOM Study Tours: Deccan Heritage, India 2019

Friends of the Museums

61 Stamford Road

#02-06 Stamford Court

Singapore 178892

PLEASE NOTE:

All travellers must have updated membership status with FOM.

If you have questions, please contact Abha Kaul at 9825 1769 or abhadkaul@gmail.com

Safely returned from Bhutan!

Invoking Happiness – A Bhutan Study Tour

Dates: March 21-27, 2019

Tour Leader: Khatiza Van Savage

Through the sights and sounds of Bhutan we will understand and appreciate the concept of Gross National Happiness and its Four Pillars, a unique development philosophy as envisioned by His Majesty The Fourth King – Jigme Singye Wangchuk. You will be immersed in a rich cultural experience which takes you back hundreds of years. Our journey begins from Singapore to Paro, with a breathtaking entry into the valley. From Paro, we will travel to Punakha, the winter capital for the religious body as the furthest point in our triangular loop. From Punakha we will circle to Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan. We will return to Paro to scale the Taktsang Monastery in a hike and reward ourselves with hot stone baths and a cultural dance. Selected speakers and other experts will support the learning we will embark on before we arrive in Bhutan.

Highlights of the Tour: Paro Dzong / Museum – To appreciate Bhutanese Architecture; Taktsang Monastery – Hangs on a cliff and is a venerated pilgrim site for Buddhists; Dochula Pass - 108 memorial stupas commemorate fallen soldiers; Punakha Dzong – Winter residence of the religious leader Chimmi Lakhang; Temple of the Divine Madman also known as the Fertility God; Buddha Dordenma Point – Largest sitting Buddha; Royal Textile Academy and Museum – Dedicated to preserve and promote Bhutanese Textiles

Estimated cost: SGD $5,500 based on twin sharing room; single room supplement is SGD $360

Tour cost includes: FOM Levy, Travel Insurance, Singapore to Bhutan Flights, Bhutan Visa, Tourism Devt. Levy, Bhutan Hotels, Meals, Bottled Water, Transport with Guide and Driver, Cultural Immersion, Cultural Dance with National Dress Rental, Farewell Dinner, Hot Stone Bath, Gratuities, Speakers fees, donations

Tour cost excludes: Laundry, Telephones, Internet, Soft drinks, Alcohol, Pony Rental

To register, please complete the online registration Study Tour Form (click on the bar below to access the form) and send the following to the FOM Office within three days of registering to secure your spot on the tour: i) A completed FOM Release Form (download and print from the website) ii) A photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details), and iii) A deposit cheque for SGD $1,750 made payable to FOM (or pay via credit card details as indicated on the online registration from)

FOM Office Mailing Address: FOM Study Tours, Bhutan Journey 2018, 61 Stamford Road, #02-06 Stamford Court, Singapore 178892

Do not hesitate to contact the tour leader or coordinator for this tour, Khatiza Van Savage, for more details. Click on her name below to email Khatiza.FOMBhutan2018@gmail.com

Click Here To Register