Tour Dates: July 1-11, 2009
We delight in introducing small groups (never more than ten guests) to lesser-known European music festivals, and the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, now in its 12th year, is unique among the festivals we have chosen.
More than a series of concerts, the festival is a vibrant gathering of internationally recognized artists and professors, who in addition to performing, give us the opportunity to observe rehearsals or master classes as they encourage the developing artists who have come to the festival.
In a selection of exceptional venues, from lush gardens of seaside villas, to historic cloisters or abbeys, we'll enjoy a variety of performances. Your four-star accommodation for the tour is a gracious seaside hotel in the town of Vietri-sul-Mare, set on the cliffs above a private beach.
Italy is a culinary adventure and we'll enjoy it to the fullest, from local mozzarella di bufalo in a Caprese salad, to fresh-from-the grove limoncello (a puckery-sweet lemon liqueur), to delicious pasta and fresh seafood. You'll relish sampling intensely flavored gelato and thin-crust pizza as the locals do.
Although our tours are designed for music-lovers, we don't spend all our time at concerts, but we also enjoy daily adventures, including a specially arranged tour of evocative Pompeii, a boat trip to the island of Capri, a cooking class from a local chef, an introduction to the area's best-buys and colorful open-air markets. For those who want to explore a little more of Italy, we offer a four-day Taste of Tuscany extension.
From our base in the historic town of Monte San Savino, we'll discover the wonders of Tuscany, touring Florence, Siena, and Cortona, traveling through the sensuous countryside seen in countless masterpieces of Renaissance art.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
In the afternoon you'll be met at the Naples airport or train station and brought to our hotel beside the sea. Check in, unpack, relax, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun before an introductory walking tour of Vietri sul Mare, the historic ceramics capital of southern Italy.
Under the bougainvillea on the hotel terrace, join musicians and music-lovers from around the world at the opening reception of the 11th annual Amalfi Coast Music Festival. Welcome Dinner (included) at the hotel. Optional Music after dinner - Four-hand piano concert of music by Brazilian composers at the beautiful Chapel of Arciconfraternita'.
Day 2: Amalfi and Ravello
Breakfast (included). Wind along the famous Amalfi Coast drive, admiring precipitous bluffs and crashing surf, before stopping in Amalfi to visit the glorious cathedral and walk the catacomb of cobbled lanes. Continue on to the mountain town of Ravello.
Lunch (included) with a breathtaking view of the coast. Wander around lovely Ravello before returning to Vietri. Dinner (included) at the hotel. Chamber Music with the Fine Arts Quartet at the majestic 12th century Salerno cathedral.
Day 3: Capri
Breakfast (included). Today we'll marvel at the exquisite coast, sparkling surf, and charming towns from the water, as we head for Capri for the day. Lunch (included) at a charming trattoria overlooking the blue grotto. Return to Vietri, and relax before dinner at the hotel, followed by an evening concert.
Day 4: Cava de' Tirreni
Breakfast (included), and we'll head up a winding road to the 12th century hill town of Cava de' Tirreni. We'll enjoy a walking tour of the elegant porticoed streets, taking time to visit intriguing shops and stop for cappuccino at an outdoor café. Chef Fabio will share his secrets in a cooking class at his terraced hillside restaurant, and a festive 5-course meal will be the reward for our labors (recipes and lunch included).
Before returning to Vietri, we will visit the awe-inspiring 12th century benedictine abbey of Cava de Tirreni. We are always amazed at this marble sanctuary tucked away in the quiet hills. Before dinner, sit in on a lecture or piano master class (optional). Dinner (included) at Vietri's favorite pizzeria. Another marvelous concert completes the day.
Day 5: Pompeii
Breakfast (included), and an early start to explore the excavations of Pompeii - one of the world's most important archeological sites revealing the social structue, art, and every day life of the ancient world. Lunch on your own.
We'll journey to Amalfi for an evening to remember, beginning with a delicious dinner (included) where we'll sample some of the Amalfi Coast's famous desserts: lemon profitoles and Baba au Rhum. In the exquisite Cloister of Paradise we'll enjoy chamber music with the Fine Arts Quartet.
Day 6: Positano
Breakfast (included), then we'll take to the sea for the best approach to Positano - don't forget your camera! We'll wander the lanes of this captivating town with its honey-comb of white-washed and pastel houses built into the cliff.
There will be time to explore the fashionable boutiques and try a beachside trattoria for lunch on your own. Back to Vietri for our farewell dinner (included), followed by a concert featuring award-winning young soloists.
Day 7: Departure, Optional Extension- Orvieto
Breakfast (included), then arrivederci to new-found friends before morning transportation to Naples airport or train station. For those who want to enjoy more of Italy, we offer a four-day Taste of Tuscany extension:
We will head north, passing Naples and Vesuvius, then Rome, before stopping for the night in the dramatically perched town of Orvieto. Surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, Orvieto is home to a magnificent cathedral, which we'll explore before becoming acquainted with the cobbled streets, intriguing museums, and architectural distinctives of the town. An alfresco dinner (included) will be our introduction to the delicious cuisine of the area, and a restored palazzo will be our resting place for the night.
Day 8: Siena
After breakfast (included), we’ll drive north to our base for the next three days, the historic town of Monte San Savino, where our lovely historic palazzo lodging awaits.
After a quick stop to drop our luggage, we'll wind through picturesque countryside to Italy's most perfect medieval city, Siena. From the shell-shaped campo, one of the world's most beautiful squares, and its impressive Palazzo Publico, to the superb Gothic cathedral, we'll become acquainted with this beautifully preserved town.
After a day of discovery, we'll return to Monte San Savino for a delicious dinner of Tuscan specialties (included).
Day 9: Montepulciano, Cortona
After breakfast (included) , we’re off to gorgeous southern Tuscany, and the world-renowned vineyards of Montepulciano. We'll be welcomed by a vintner, and have the opportunity to taste and buy Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This ruby vintage has been renowned for centuries, and was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson. We'll explore the hilltop village of Montepulciano, and then proceed to another lovely Tuscan town, Cortona.
We'll take some time to explore the town, and enjoy the beautiful Fra Angelico masterpieces in an intimate museum before another delicious dinner (included), this time at the locally popular Osteria Del Teatro.
Day 10: Florence
After breakfast (included), we’ll have a day of discovery in the bustling, art-filled birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence. Churches and museums overflowing with masterpieces, shops offering leather goods, gold jewelry, and exquisite paper goods, the Arno river flowing under historic bridges - so much to enjoy in a day!
After a relaxing dinner in a favorite trattoria (included), back to our lovely lodgings in Monte San Savino.
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast (included), you will be taken to the Florence Central Train Station or airport, or enjoy more adventures on your own!
* Schedule subject to program to be finalized in early June, 2009.
Price Includes:
- 10 nights accommodations.
- 10 breakfasts and a combination of ten lunches and/or dinners with select wines as indicated on the itinerary.
- Ground transportation to itinerary events.
- Concerts, tours, and events as indicated on the itinerary.
- All tips for housekeeping and for meals included in the itinerary.
- More unforgettable experiences than you can possibly imagine.
Price Does not Include:
- Air fares and train fares.
- Meals that are not marked as "included" in the itinerary.
- Tips for personal services and for meals.
- Cost of any extra charges such as telephone calls or mini-bar items from your room.
- Alcoholic beverages other than host-ordered at included meals.
- Insurance - We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for the trip. Among the coverage options you should consider are cancellation, medical, evacuation, lost luggage, and delayed luggage. We can recommend this source for travel insurance.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Amalfi Coast Festival. The cost for the 7 day tour is $3410 USD per person. A deposit of $1200 will secure your place and registration. The balance of $2210 is due not later than 60 days before Day 1 of the tour.
Taste of Tuscany. The cost for the 4 day tour is $1700 USD per person, double, or $1960 per person, single. A deposit of $700 will secure your place and registration. The balance of $1000, double, or $1260, single, is due not later than 60 days before Day 1 of the tour, which is May 3, 2008.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Cultural Journey
Food & Wine
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