Tuesday, May 8 Departures
Departures from North America to Florence.
Wednesday, May 9 Florence
Upon arrival in Florence (or Pisa—there are direct flights from New York), you are met and transferred to the luxurious Residenza del Moro in the heart of the old city, close to the Duomo, the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce. After settling in to your deluxe room, the afternoon is at leisure. This evening we meet for a welcome reception (light meal and cocktails) in the hotel lobby.
Thursday, May 10 Florence
After breakfast, included each day, we meet our guide (the very best in Florence) for a brief walking tour in the historic centre: Palazzo Davanzati, Ponte Vecchio, the Piazza Duomo and the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce, where Rossini, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo lay in rest. This evening, we gather for a wonderful dinner at a hidden gem restaurant in Florence.
Friday, May 11 Florence
This morning we meet Paola once again for a superb tour of the spectacular Pitti Palace, followed by a highlights tour of the Uffizi. Time permitting; we will visit the Accademia, solely to view Michelangelo's awe-inspiring David. This evening we attend a performance of the Richard Strauss’s masterwork Der Rosenkavalier at Teatro Comunale, featuring Angela Denoke and conducted by Zubin Mehta.
Saturday, May 12 Florence - Bologna
After breakfast, check out and depart by coach to Bologna, a very short drive north into Emilia-Romagna. On the way we will stop for a brief visit to the exquisite Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca on a hilltop just south of the city. The sanctuary was meant to house a miraculous icon of the virgin and a chapel had existed atop the hill for nearly a thousand years. The present church was constructed in 1723 using designs of Carlo Francesco Dotti. Upon arrival at the Grand Hotel Majestic, and following check-in we will enjoy a private lunch reception in the first floor drawing room, after which we will offer a short guided tour of the sights around the historic Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Galvani just outside the hotel; including the striking Basilica di San Petronio, the Municipal Library with its subterranean Etruscan and Roman ruins, and the anatomical theatre of the University of Bologna, the world’s oldest university, founded in 1088.
Sunday, May 13 Bologna
Following breakfast we meet for a guided tour of the International Museum and Library of Music. The building was reopened to the public after a long and careful restoration that brought the rich, interior frescoes back to their original splendor. Among the most valuable instruments now on display are the Trasuntino harpsichord of 1606, Rossini’s Pleyel piano of 1844, and the so-called “spinette of Padre Martini”, a rectangular Glonner from 1780. Following the museum tour we will explore the Piazza San Stefano, a remarkable one thousand-year-old complex where seven churches once stood. After restoration in the late 19th and early 20th century, the number was reduced to four: Chiesa del Crocifisso, San Sepolcro, Chiesa della Santa Trinitá and Chiesa Vitale e Agrica. Together, they form the world's fifth largest church. In the late afternoon, at the spectacular Teatro Comunale, we attend a performance of Rossini’s L'italiana in Algeri under the baton of Paolo Olmi, featuring Abramo Rosalen and Marianna Pizzolato.
Monday, May 14 Bologna
The day is at leisure to explore the "Red City" in your own fashion. Tonight we enjoy a memorable dinner at one of the finest restaurants in the city.
Tuesday, May 15 Bologna - Venice
After breakfast we check out and depart by private coach for Venice, stopping in Padua to view the Giotto frescoes at the Scrovegni Chapel, and for lunch at one of our favourite restaurants in the country. Upon arrival in Venice, we are met and transferred by private water taxi along the Grand Canal to the small and elegant Ruzzini Palace, in the heart of the city. The evening is at leisure in one of the world’s most romantic and beautiful cities.
Wednesday, May 16 Venice
We avoid the typical tourist sites today in favour of an informative walk in the sestiere of San Polo. We visit the famous Rialto market, with fish and seafood freshly arrived from the Adriatic in the early morning. It is a feast for the senses that you will not soon forget. Afterward, we visit the Scuola di San Rocco, with one of the most important collections of masterpieces in Venice, with an entire room full of works by Tintoretto. We will also trace the footsteps of Wagner and Vivaldi during our tour.
Thursday, May 17 Venice
Today we embark on an excursion to the islands of peaceful Torcello and then Burano, where the houses were painted bright colours to guide the fishermen home, and they remain so today. We will enjoy a guided tour and lunch on Burano, at another of Venice’s most acclaimed restaurants. Tonight we transfer by water taxi to Teatro La Fenice for a performance of Bellini’s La sonnambula with Giovanni Battista Parodi, Jessica Pratt and Shalva Mukeria and conducted by Gabriele Ferro.
Friday, May 18 Venice
Enjoy the full day at leisure in Venice. This evening we meet for a Farewell Reception before returning to La Fenice for a performance of La bohème conducted by Daniele Callegari and featuring Kristin Lewis as Mimi.
Saturday, May 19 Departures
Transfers to the airport in Venice are included.