presents

Performance Tour to Italy
Departure Date June 16, 2009

Highlights
Mestre • Venice • Montecatini • Florence • Rome • Siena • Lucca

Updated February 12, 2009

Tuesday, June 16       Depart
Group arrives at Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 11:00am.
Begin checking in - Passport is needed. 

Group departs Chicago on US 740 for Philadelphia at 1:50pm, arriving in Philadelphia at 4:56pm.  After changing flights, group departs for Venice aboard US 714 at 6:25pm.

Wednesday, June 17   Mestre
Group arrives in Venice at 9:00am.  Today upon arrival in Venice, you will be met by your English-speaking tour escort who will remain with you for the remainder of your stay in Italy. Transfer to your hotel.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before your welcome dinner with the group. Overnight in Mestre.

Thursday, June 18      Mestre/Venice/Montecatini
After breakfast, travel by vaporetto to Venice’s Piazza San Marco for a half-day guided walking tour. The tour will focus on the immense Piazza San Marco, once dubbed ‘Europe’s living room’ by Napoleon and the majestic Basilica di San Marco. Prior to entering this massive edifice, your guide will explain in detail the beautifully decorated façade, including the intricate mosaics just under the entrance, along with the basilica’s many tiny domes.
           
Following the tour the group will transfer to Montecatini. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy dinner with the group. Overnight in Montecatini.

Friday, June 19          Montecatini/Florence/Montecatini
This morning travel to Florence for a full-day excursion. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour  that will commence at the beautiful Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly known as the ‘Duomo’. From the outside, you can admire the Neo-Gothic façade with its contrasting white, pink and green Tuscan marble, along with a striking view of Giotto’s Campanile and Brunelleschi’s imposing cupola. Once inside, your guide will lead you through the hidden treasures of this cathedral.

At the adjacent Baptistery, from the outside, your guide will explain the fascinating history which led up to the creation of Ghiberti’s brilliant ‘Gates of Paradise’, almost lost to the floods of 1966. Once inside, you will have a chance to admire some of Tuscany’s most intricate mosaics illustrating the Last Judgment.

You will then visit the Accademia Museum to visit Michelangelo’s famed “David”, a sight of true artistic genius.

The afternoon is free at leisure. Return to Montecatini for dinner and your overnight.

Saturday, June 20        Montecatini/Lucca/Montecatini
Following breakfast you will depart for an escorted excursion to the town of Lucca, the birthplace of the great opera composer, Puccini. Here you will have ample time to wonder abut this ‘pedestrian only city’ which was born from an ancient Roman Amphitheater.

This evening you will have a performance. Return to Montecatini for dinner and your overnight.

Sunday, June 21           Montecatini/Siena/Rome
This morning check out of your hotel in Montecatini and depart for your final destination, Rome. Before arriving in Rome you will make an en-route stop in Siena for an escorted visit.

Siena is home to the famous annual Palio horse races. In Siena, your escort will lead you through tiny streets, past tall towers and under portico-covered walks to the immense Piazza del Campo and to the main Cathedral, with its striking black and white marble.

After lunch on your own, continue to Rome. Upon arrival you will have a guided panoramic tour of Rome followed by a guided walking tour of the Roman Forum. After check-in you will have the evening free on your own. Enjoy dinner with the group and your overnight in Rome.

Monday, June 22         Rome
Begin your day with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, the stunning frescoes found in the Sistine Chapel.  Also visit the grand and imposing, treasure-filled Basilica of St. Peter during the tour. It is here where you may view the imposing Chair of St. Peter.

This afternoon or evening you will have a performance either at Sant’Andrea della Valle church or in Palestrina with a local youth orchestra.

Following the performance you will have dinner with the group. Return to the hotel in Rome for your overnight.

Tuesday, June 23           Rome
This morning is free at leisure.

This afternoon you will participate in a performance in the Gallicano or Palestrina area, located south of Rome, accompanied by a local youth orchestra (upon confirmation).

Return to Rome for your farewell dinner and your overnight.

Wednesday, June 24     Rome/USA
Transfer to the airport in Rome for your flight back to the United States. Depart Rome for Philadelphia aboard US 719 at 11:15am, arriving in Philadelphia at 2:55pm. Transfer planes and depart for Chicago aboard US 741 at 6:00pm, arriving at 7:31pm.

 

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