* ITALIAN OPERA GALA *
Parma, Venice, Genoa, Milan
October 24 - November 4, 2008
featuring the exciting
PARMA VERDI FESTIVAL
* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *
Friday, October 24 - PARMA
Arrive Milan’s Malpensa Airport. A private coach transfer will be provided from Malpensa Airport to our hotel in Parma. We will try to include all tour guests in this transfer, departing Malpensa at 1:00 PM; however, this will depend on the flight arrival times. In the event you require a private transfer from Malpensa Airport to Parma, the cost is $500.00 per car (max 3 passengers) and will be charged separately from the tour price.
Upon arrival in Parma, accommodations at the 4-star STAR HOTEL DU PARC. Balance of day at leisure. Welcome reception and dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.
Saturday, October 25 - PARMA
Morning city sightseeing will include the imposing Romanesque EPISCOPAL CENTER with its DUOMO and BAPTISTRY, Italy’s most harmonious medieval monument. Lunch at GRAND CAFFÈ ORIENTALE. Afternoon free.
This evening: Verdi’s GIOVANNA D’ARCO (Parma Verdi Festival/Teatro Regio - 5:00 PM). The cast: Svetla Vassileva, Evan Bowers, Renato Bruson, Luigi Petroni, Maurizio Lo Piccolo; Bruno Bartoletti conducting.
Sunday, October 26 - PARMA
Sightseeing this morning to include the historic TEATRO FARNESE and the TOSCANINI MUSEUM where the displays include interesting documents, distinctions and decorations granted to the musician, sculptures and objects connected with the Toscanini family, Verdi and Wagner.
This afternoon: Verdi’s RIGOLETTO (Parma Verdi Festival/Teatro Regio - 3:30 PM). The cast: George Gagnidze, Franceso Demuro, Nino Machaidze; Massimo Zanetti conducting.
After the performance, dinner at RISTORANTE LA GREPPIA.
Monday, October 27 - PARMA
Morning at leisure. This afternoon motor to SANT'AGATA DI VILLANOVA to visit VILLA VERDI, bought by Verdi in 1848 for his parents. The composer began living there in 1851 and lived there for the rest of his life. Continue to BUSSETO to include the TEATRO VERDI and the BAREZZI HOUSE, home of Antonio Barezzi who, recognizing Verdi’s musical talent, invited him to teach music to his daughter Margherita who later became Verdi’s bride. Continue to LE RONCOLE to view Verdi’s birth house and the SAN MICHELE CHURCH where he played the organ as a youth. Dinner at I DUE FOSCARI.
This evening: Verdi’s IL CORSARO (Teatro Verdi in Busseto - 8:30 PM). The cast: Bruno Ribeiro, Irina Lungu, Silvia Dalla Benetta, Luca Salsi; Carlo Montanaro conducting.
Tuesday, October 28 - VENICE
Today transfer from Parma to Venice by coach. En route, stop in MANTUA to visit the PALAZZO DUCALE and the TEATRO BIBBIENA. Lunch in Mantua. In Venice, accommodations at the 4-star DUODO PALACE HOTEL.
This evening: A concert featuring Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” (San Vidal Church - 9:00 PM).
Wednesday, October 29 - VENICE
This morning sightseeing in Venice to include S. MARIA GLORIOSA DEI FRARI CHURCH with Titian's "Assumption", and the ACCADEMIA MUSEUM with its masterpieces of Venetian paintings. Lunch at DO FORNI. Later this afternoon, theater schedules permitting, we plan a tour and cocktails at LA FENICE before this evening’s performance.
This evening: Verdi’s NABUCCO (Teatro La Fenice - 7:00 PM). The cast: Alberto Gazale, Roberto De Biasio, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Paoletta Marrocu/Alessandra Rezza; Renato Palumbo conducting.
Thursday, October 30 - VENICE
Half-day walking tour in Venice to include the PIAZZA SAN MARCO and its surrounding monuments. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at ANTICO MARTINI, a Dailey-Thorp favorite.
Friday, October 31 - GENOA
Coach transfer from Venice to Genoa. Independent lunch en route. Accommodations in Genoa at the newly renovated HOTEL BRISTOL PALACE, located within walking distance of the opera house. Pre-opera dinner at a leading restaurant near the theater.
This evening: Bellini’s I CAPULETI E I MONTECCHI (Teatro Carlo Felice - 8:30 PM). The cast: Mariella Devia, Sonia Ganassi; Donato Renzetti conducting.
Saturday, November 1 - GENOA
A walking tour of Genoa this morning will include the beautiful SAN LORENZO CATHEDRAL, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture in LIGURIA, PIAZZA SAN MATTEO and CHURCH, as well as VIA GARIBALDI with its palazzi dating back to the 1600s. Lunch at SANTA CHIARA restaurant in BOCCADASSE. Afternoon and evening free.
Sunday, November 2 - MILAN
Leave Genoa this morning by private motorcoach for MILAN. In Milan, accommodations at the HOTEL DE LA VILLE. Independent lunch.
This afternoon visit the LA SCALA MUSEUM and then continue to the CASA DI RIPOSO, Verdi’s retirement home for musicians, followed by a pre-booked guided tour of SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE to see the famous, completely restored painting of “THE LAST SUPPER” by Leonardo da Vinci. Pre-operetta dinner at a leading restaurant.
This evening: Lehár’s DIE LUSTIGE WITWE (The Merry Widow) (Teatro all Scala - 8:00 PM). The cast: Eva-Maria Westbroek, Will Hartmann, Nino Surguladze, Wolfgang Bankl, Dmitry Korchak; Ascher Fisch conducting.
Monday, November 3 - MILAN
In the morning, leave the hotel for a walking tour to include a visit to the famous GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE and the DUOMO. Afternoon at leisure.
Farewell dinner at BOEUCC, another Dailey-Thorp favorite -- Milan's oldest restaurant, opened in 1696.
Tuesday, November 4 - DEPARTURE
Transfers to Milan’s Malpensa Airport will be provided for all tour guests today at an additional cost of $150.00 per car (max 3 passengers). Depending on flight departure times, every effort will be made to make sharing a car possible.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Land Arrangements: $7,995.00 per person sharing a twin/double room
Single Room Supplement: $1,375.00
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The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $2,000.00 per person.
LAND ARRANGEMENTS PRICE INCLUDES:
* Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 7 dinners. * Accommodations at leading hotels for 11 nights. * All performance tickets. * All taxes, entrance fees. * All transfers where necessary. * Wine with all included lunches and dinners. * Coach transfer from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to Parma, October 24. * Gratuity to the Dailey-Thorp tour director as well as for all other group services. Land arrangements price is based on sharing a twin/double hotel room. Land Arrangements Price does NOT include: Air fares; private transfers from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to Parma; private transfers from Milan to its Malpensa Airport upon departure on November 4; items of a personal nature; accident/baggage/cancellation insurance.
AIR TRANSPORTATION:
Any flights from any airport -- may be arranged with Dailey-Thorp's air agent in New York -- Mr. Christophe Buszkiewicz; Telephone 212-944-2121, ext. 2829. Having been the manager of Dailey-Thorp's air department for many years in New York, Christophe is familiar with all our tour operations. Or, tour guests may book their flights through their local travel agent or directly with the airlines.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATION:
Please note that, due to the fact that the EURO has gained so dramatically against the dollar in recent months, there may be a surcharge resulting from additional increases of the EURO. This will be established approximately one month prior to the commencement of the tour.
CANCELLATION OF TOUR:
LAND ARRANGEMENTS: For cancellation by the client, these charges will apply: Cancellations received 60 days or more prior to tour commencement = $250.00 per person; 59-31 days prior = 50% of land arrangements price; less than 31 days prior =100% of land arrangements price; no appearance/no written notice = 100% of the land arrangements price. No refunds will be made for any part of the tour package, such as sightseeing, meals, performances or transfers, which are voluntarily omitted by any tour member; the tour is sold as a package. We must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of the tour.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Cancellation of AIR FLIGHTS will be subject to the cancellation policy of the airline.
TRIP INSURANCE: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. An application for travel insurance will be included with our acknowledgment of your reservation. We suggest that you apply for it as soon as possible after signing up for a tour. Should it become necessary for you to cancel due to illness (but not business reasons) the policy may cover your losses (subject to insurance terms).
All cancellations must be in writing.
All tour programs are subject to change by the operator.
CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS HEARTILY RECOMMENDED!
#2880 --- 6/24/08
