* ITALIAN OPERA GALA
*
Turin, Milan, Florence, Venice
May 20 - 29, 2010
Enjoy springtime weather and long days of special sightseeing in Northern Italy – all this together with an exciting musical program including masterpieces by three of opera’s greatest composers: Puccini (La Bohème), Wagner (Das Rheingold), and Mozart (Don Giovanni) and two concerts at Florence’s prestigious Maggio Musicale featuring pianist Daniel Barenboim and conductor Zubin Mehta.
* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *
Thursday, May 20 - TURIN
Upon arrival in Turin, all tour guests will be met at the Turin airport. Accommodations at HOTEL TOWN HOUSE. Welcome reception and dinner at a fine restaurant near the hotel.
Friday, May 21 - TURIN
Morning sightseeing in this ancient city will include a walking tour in the city’s Baroque center starting at the PIAZZA SAN CARLO, continuing to the PIAZZA CARIGNANO and ending at the PIAZZA CASTELLO with visits to the SAN LORENZO CHURCH and the CATHEDRAL where the HOLY SHROUD is kept. Lunch at the historic CAMBIO restaurant. Afternoon at leisure.
This evening: Puccini’s LA BOHÈME (Teatro Regio - 8:00 PM). The cast: Erika Grimaldi, Gianluca Terranova, Eleonora Buratto, Roberto De Candia, Diego Matamoros; Daniele Rustioni conducts.
Saturday, May 22 - MILAN
Leave Turin this morning for Milan. Accommodations in Milan at the STARHOTEL ROSA, right near La Scala.
Afternoon at leisure, or take a stroll with your tour director to visit the famous GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE, LA SCALA SQUARE, and the DUOMO.
This evening: Wagner’s DAS RHEINGOLD (Teatro alla Scala - 8:00 PM). The cast: René Pape, Stephan Rügamer, Katharina Kammerloher, Anna Samuil; Daniel Barenboim conducts.
Sunday, May 23 - MILAN
This morning a visit to the LA SCALA MUSEUM and the CASA DI RIPOSO, Verdi’s retirement home for musicians, followed by a tour to see the famous, completely restored painting of “THE LAST SUPPER” by Leonardo da Vinci.
Dinner at the stylish restaurant – BOEUCC, Milan’s oldest restaurant, opened in 1696.
Monday, May 24 - FLORENCE
Departure from the hotel by motorcoach for FLORENCE. En route, visit the Verdi sites in LE RONCOLE, Verdi’s birthplace. View his home and the 16th-century SAN MICHELE CHURCH where Verdi first began to play the organ. Continue to SANT' AGATA DI VILLANOVA to visit VILLA VERDI, bought by Verdi in 1848 for his parents. He himself began living there in 1851 and lived there for the rest of his life. Continue on to BUSSETO to include 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. Lunch in Busseto at I DUE FOSCARI.
In Florence, accommodations at the NH HOTEL ANGLO AMERICAN.
This evening: A CHOPIN PIANO RECITAL by Daniel Barenboim (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Teatro Comunale). The Chopin performances are in honor of the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth.
Tuesday, May 25 - FLORENCE
Our “MEDICI TOUR” is scheduled for this morning: the PALAZZO MEDICI-RICCARDI, the noble and austere building typical of the Florentine Renaissance, formerly a Medici residence; the church of SAN LORENZO, the Medici family parish church where most of the family is buried; the MEDICI CHAPELS with its Princes’ Chapel and New Sacristy, Michelangelo’s first architectural work. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure.
This evening: A CONCERT by the ORCHESTRA OF THE MAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINO. (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Teatro Comunale). Zubin Mehta conducts Bartók’s “The Miraculous Mandarin” and Chopin’s Concertos Numbers 1 and 2 with Daniel Barenboim pianist.
Wednesday, May 26 - VENICE
This morning’s sightseeing in Florence will include the PIAZZA DEL DUOMO with its marble monuments demonstrating the traditions of Florentine art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance: the BAPTISTRY with its famous bronze doors, Giotto’s BELL TOWER, the PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA, Florence’s political stage; and the PONTE VECCHIO, the oldest bridge in Florence. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Leave Florence today by motorcoach for Venice. Accommodations at HOTEL DUODO PALACE.
Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI (Teatro La Fenice - 7:00 PM). The cast: Markus Werba, Aleksandra Kurzak, Marlin Miller, Carmela Remigio; Antonello Manacorda conducts.
Thursday, May 27 - VENICE
Half-day walking tour of Venice including PIAZZA and BASILICA SAN MARCO, the BRIDGE OF SIGHS, and the DOGE’S PALACE.
Luncheon at the OSTERIA GALILEO on the Piazza San Marco. Afternoon and evening free.
Friday, May 28 - VENICE
Full day at leisure. Your tour director will be on hand to offer assistance in any plans you may wish to make.
Farewell dinner at ANTICO MARTINI, a Dailey-Thorp favorite.
Saturday, May 29 - DEPARTURE
Transfers will be provided for all tour guests departing Venice Airport today.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Land Arrangements: $6,745.00 per person sharing a twin/double room
Single Room Supplement: $1,275.00
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The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $2,000.00 per person.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
* Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 3 dinners. * Accommodations at leading hotels for 9 nights. * All performance tickets. * All taxes, entrance fees. * All transfers where necessary. * Wine with all included lunches and dinners. * Gratuity to the Dailey-Thorp tour director. Land arrangements price is based on sharing a twin/double hotel room. Land Arrangements Price does NOT include: Air fares; 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 and/or ext. 2217. 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, depending on the fluctuation of the Euro against the US Dollar, 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!
#DT1040 --- 2/22/2010
