Our Escorted Puccini Festival & Tuscan Wine Tour: 28 July - 1 August, 2010.
We are based in an excellent, traditional 4 star hotel in Lucca, which is only a short drive from our evening Opera venue. The tour includes one first class ticket to Turandot, with the option to attend Tosca on the last evening. Our wine visits will show the best now coming from the Lucchesi Hills, with tastings and lunches at several estates in the region. Our first lunchtime will be at the superb estate of Tenuta di Capezzana, in Carmignano in the hills towards Florence. We are also visiting some of the other leading names in this relatively unknown wine section of Tuscany, such as Montechiari and Valgiano. If you would like to extend at the end of the tour for a few days, perhaps in the glorious renaissance city of Florence, please call the office to discuss.
Lucca: Puccini’s birthplace, was an independent city-state until the nineteenth century. The complete 16th century walls enclose a labyrinth of medieval streets, Romanesque churches and stately palazzi along with designer shops, mouth-watering delis and great trattorias and wine bars.
Sites include the C12th and C14th San Michele in Foro church on the site of the Roman Forum, with its magnificent towering facade; the Cathedral with a striking green and white marble facade and the Piazza del Anfiteatro, a ramshackle oval of medieval buildings incorporating elements of the Roman Amphitheatre that stood here.
The Puccini Festival: Just 18 km away is Torre del Lago, where Puccini lived and wrote many of his Operas. Most years since 1930 a stage has been set up over the Massaciuccoli Lake to host a handful of performances of some of Puccini’s most loved works.
2010 will be the 56th Festival and we have included one first class ticket to Turandot, with the option to attend Tosca on the last evening if you wish for an additional cost.
The Hotel: Our hotel, a family run four star, is between the outer and inner city walls of Lucca. You can either stroll the short level walk into the centre or get around, like the locals do, by bicycle as these are on loan from the hotel.
The Opera tickets: First tier tickets to Turandot are included. There is an option to purchase ticket and transfer to Torre del Lago for Tosca at £165 per person for first tier.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet in Florence. You may check into your room from 15.00 and your Wine Guide will meet you at the hotel at 17.00 to walk to the tasting. Tutored comparative wine tasting. Join your wine guide for dinner (not included) or explore on your own. Overnight, 4* hotel Florence.
Day 2: Optional Uffizi Gallery visit. Visit & lunch at Selvapiana. Join your wine guide for dinner (not included) or make your own choice of restaurant. Overnight, 4* hotel Florence.
Day 3: Visit & lunch at Tenuta di Capezzana. Tonight's Opera is Tosca, and if you choose this option we will leave Lucca in time to visit Puccini's House before the performance (subject to it being re-opened). You will be accompanied by a local guide who will give a talk on Puccini en-route. (Optional extra). If you prefer to stay in Lucca, your wine guide will accompany you to dinner to one of our favourite trattorias in Lucca, if you wish. Overnight, 4* central hotel Lucca.
Day 4: Wine tasting. Free time for lunch & afternoon in Lucca. Dinner on the lake side at our favourite restaurant in Torre del Lago. Tonight's Opera is Turandot and a First Category ticket is included. Return to Lucca by coach after the performance.
Day 5: Winery visit and lunch. Drop off at Pisa Airport for the evening British Airways flight BA603 which is currently advertised as departing at 19.50(subject to change). From here you can also catch the train into Florence if you are planning to stay on.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 3 nights 4 star hotel central Lucca
- Breakfasts, 3 meals with wines
- Visits & tastings
- 1st category seat to Turandot
- Coach.
This tour is not suitable for children.
Notes:
- Travel: Meet in Florence
- Sole Occupancy: £225.00
- Deposit: £400.00
- Room Upgrade: £150.00.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Local Culture
Food & Wine
Festival Tours
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