Two years ago we began to construct an educational adventure in Switzerland and Italy slated for the Summer of 2011. Together we will be combining art/design and cycling; visiting grand cities like Geneva, Zurich and Florence, and rural areas including the Swiss mountain regions of Grindelwald and Tuscan countryside. You can take one or both college credit courses and depending on your schedule choose to visit one or both countries. Our trip departs in early July 2011 for 11 days in Switzerland and 7 days in Italy.
We’ve just returned from personally connecting with our colleagues in Europe and have organized a unique experience that we believe will fuel your passion for art/design, cycling and life. The cycling blogs and their photos to be added soon were created by Professor Turkel and her husband Tom who experienced the rides this past summer. All the additional photos in this blog were shot by Candice López in August 2009 and document the visual journey of the art/design class. We hope you will plan ahead and consider this opportunity to learn, grow and go with us in July 2011.
BIO PROFESSOR CANDICE LOPEZ
I am a professor of art/design at San Diego City College. Travel by Design is a unique course that I believe will help you on a personal and professional level. I’ve been teaching for 20 years and my father worked for United Airlines so I began to travel early and found my great passion. I did my thesis on International Education and have taught abroad in Italy, Spain and Switzerland as well as San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where I own a second home. I collaborate artistically with my Mexican born husband, illustrator Rafael López and we create murals in public schools and city streets. I developed the Urban Art Trail that transformed blocks of downtown San Diego with colorful murals and graphics-see www.urbanarttrail.com In 2009 I was named a national fellow by the American Institute of Graphic Arts and my work has been featured in a variety of art/design publications including Print, HOW and Step.
I believe that many people use travel to promote personal transformation. They have a desire to make a change and by visiting and exploring new places they are able to discover parts of themselves they are unable to find in any other way. As a result of travel they become fearless risk takers, more flexible and can solve problems that lead to a more fulfilling, inspired and productive life. This course will help you explore how to cultivate the spirit of a traveler in your life and work. Prior to departure you will have the opportunity to be part of an online experience where you can learn about the places we are going in depth, view maps and information to get the most out of your trip. We will be keeping a travel journal to document your experiences and insights along the way. What could be more exciting than breathing in the diversity of cities and countryside with others who share your spirit of adventure? In the verdant green mountain region of Grindlewald we will hike by indigo glacial lakes. Then we will take in vast fields of sunflowers and the gold leaf of Italy's master Renaissance painters. This course will make your senses come alive and is suitable for beginners to advanced students interested in developing their creativity and thinking skills through travel. You will have many opportunities to use your camera and if you long to experience art/design, food, culture, hiking, music, people and landscape this class is for you.
BIO PROFESSOR ELLEN TURKEL
My name is Ellen Turkel. I am a professor of Health and Exercise Science at San Diego City College and the co-coordinator of the Fitness Specialist program-a two-semester certificate program for personal trainers and group exercise leaders. A very avid road cyclist, I have been riding for 19 years and racing for the last 5 years. My passion is exploring and conquering new roads and mountains on my bike. I have cycled in Europe extensively three times. In 2003 and 2004, I followed various Tour de France stages, cheering for Lance and the boys, as well as climbing Mt. Ventoux, Le Alp'e Huez, Col du Galibier and dozens of other mountains. This summer, Candice Lopez and I previewed our trip in Switzerland and Italy, and I was very excited to ride some beautiful routes you will have a chance to do.
An active member of the San Diego Cyclo-Vets Master's Racing Club, I lead a time trial workout on Fiesta Island for the club on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Please come down and join us!
At City College, I teach spinning and will be teaching an outdoor cycling class on Tuesday mornings in the spring. Please consider taking this class, which will focus on beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. We'll build skills that lead to comfort and safety on the road and riding in groups, as well as improve fitness. I also teach exercise physiology, exercise testing and assessments, health, women's health, boot camp, weight training, swimming and water exercise at City College. When I was a high school freshman, I started running track. Long distance running is a passion, although my knees, can't take it now. I ran on the boy's team in high school and the men's cross country and track teams at SUNY Plattsburgh in New York State. In 1984 I attained my athletic goal of qualifying for and running in the first U.S. Olympic marathon trials for women. For the last 18 years, I have taught downhill skiing at Mammoth Mountain. Cross country skate skiing is how I stay fit in the mountains in the winter. It also gives me a chance to explore nature.
Traveling is my second passion after athletics. I have traveled throughout Europe extensively seven times. I’ve also explored Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Africa (climbed Mt Kilimanjaro) on bikes or by foot.
I hope you can join us in July 2011 for a outstanding cycling adventure.
We are extremely excited about our two multi-lingual on site coordinators in both Switzerland and Italy who were born respectively in Zurich and Florence. They are friends and colleagues who deeply understand our vision for this journey. They have the connections and personal know how to make the magic in our a-typical European adventure happen. Students will also be treated to personal walking tours with private guides in Geneva, Zurich, and Florence and local art guides in major museums. Cyclists will also benefit from the expertise and enthusiasm of local cycling guides from well respected companies in both countries.
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