Italia Bellissimo!
28 days of exclusive elegance!
Day 1: Fly and Arrive in Rome
A chauffer driven car and/or a first class connecting flight will transfer you to Sydney Airport where, after checking in Bravissimo invites you to a welcome reception in the Qantas First Class Lounge at Sydney Airport. Enjoy the comfort and luxury of first class air travel and be met at Rome's Fiumicino Airport by Bravissimo staff and be transferred to your 5 star hotel in luxury hospitality coach. A welcome dinner that evening at the hotel to sample to first of many culinary delights!
Day 2: Rome
You will be immersed in Roman history with a guided tour of the Coliseum and the ancient Roman Forum followed by lunch at a Roman Trattoria. The afternoon will be spent on a guided tour of Villa Borghese, to enjoy the grounds and the outstanding art galleries of the Villa. If that wasn't enough culture for your first day in Roma, dinner will be followed by Opera at Teatro dell'Opera, Roma.
Day 3: Rome
The day will be spent in another country - The Vatican! A guided tour of St Peter's Cathedral will be followed by lunch, and then an exclusive guided tour of one of the world's most valuable and artistically interesting art collections in the Vatican Museums. Dinner and an evening classical music recital will end your day in The Vatican.
Day 4: Rome - Spoleto
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Spoleto in the luxury hospitality coach and after lunch spend the afternoon on a guided walking tour of Spoleto's quaint streets and piazzas. Dinner will be followed by a performance at Festival dei Due Mondi, Spoleto.
Day 5: Spoleto
A day in the countryside surrounding Spoleto sampling local farm produce including the regional speciality of truffles. Return to Spoleto in time for dinner and a second performance at the Festival dei Due Mondi, Spoleto.
Day 6: Spoleto - Assisi - Macerata
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Assisi. This historic town associated with St Francis and the magnificent Basilica is the site of many pilgrimages. After lunch we will proceed to Macerata, stretch our legs before dinner and Opera at either the Sferisterio or Teatro Lauro Rossi, Macerata
Day 7: Macerata
A leisurely walking tour of Macerata andtour of Macerata and its interesting museum. Lunch followed by a behind the scenes tour of Sferisterio Opera House. Dinner and then Opera at either the Sferisterio or Teatro Lauro Rossi, Macerata.
Day 8: Macerata - Pesaro
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive through the Italian countryside to Urbino and view the Palazzo Ducale, a beautiful renaissance palace. After lunch continue to drive to Pesaro and some beach time on the Adriatic! Dinner and cocktails on the hotel terrace overlooking the Adriatic followed by an evening Rossini Recital.
Day 9: Pesaro
Walking tour of Pesaro including the composer Rossini's house. Lunch at a fish restaurant followed by some beach time on the Adriatic (if needed!) and then dinner and Opera at Rossini Opera Festival at Teatro Rossini, Pesaro.
Day 10: Pesaro - Bologna
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Bologna. Once checked into the hotel we will set off in search of Parma ham and Parmesan cheese, famous in this region. A walking tour of Bologna and museums followed by dinner and Opera at Teatro Comunale, Bologna.
Day 11: Modena/Bologna
An interesting day trip to Modena, the birth place of Luciano Pavarotti and the best vinegar in the world! Lunch and return to Bologna for shopping, dinner and an evening classical music recital.
Day 12: Bologna - Venice
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Venice will be followed by 'Carnevale' mask making for the "Carnevale' Dinner that night in a Venetian Villa. An evening Recital and dancing will follow.
Day 13: Venice
What trip to Venice would be complete without a Gondola Tour of Venice's canals and gliding underneath the Ponte Rialto being serenaded by a Gondolier! Lunch and a guided walking tour of Venice including St Mark's Cathedral and some lesser know gems of the fascinating city. Dinner followed by Opera at either Teatro La Fenice or Teatro Malibran, Venice.
Day 14: Venice
Another day on the water with a boat trip to Torcello, Murano (home to one of the famous glass factories in Venice) and Burano Island, with fish for lunch, of course! Dinner and an evening classical music recital.
Day 15: Venice - Verona
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive Verona. Lunch at a pavement cafe outside the Arena and then an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Arena di Verona. Dinner and then Opera at Arena di Verona
Day 16: Verona
As well as Opera, Verona has many interesting sights to see on a walking tour during the morning. Lunch and then visit a museum on the river. Dinner followed by another outstanding Opera at Arena di Verona.
Day 17: Verona - Lake Garda
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Lake Garda and a picnic by the lake, followed by a guided walking tour of Sirmione. Dinner and an evening classical music recital
Day 18: Lake Garda
A boat trip along the picturesque shores of the Lake to a lakeside restaurant for lunch, close to the Museum and Castle. Then back to the hotel for dinner
Day 19: Lake Garda - Milan
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Milan. Shopping and Il Duomo are close at hand before dinner and a special Opera experience at Teatro alla Scala
Day 20: Milan
Walking Tour of Milan's famous sights followed by lunch and a visit to two of the most important art collections in the world; Pinoteca Brera and Santa Maria delle Grazie. Dinner and Opera at Teatro alla Scala.
Day 21: Milan - Lucca
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to La Spezia on the Ligurian Coast for lunch and then continue on to Lucca for a tour of Puccini's house and then dinner
Day 22: Lucca/Torre del Lago/Pisa
A walking tour inside the walled city of Lucca, lunch and then to the Puccini Museum in Torre del Lago, followed by dinner and Opera at the Puccini Festival, Torre del Lago.
Day 23: Lucca - Florence
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Florence, via Pisa and its Duomo and Leaning Tower. Lunch in one of Florence's grand piazzas followed by a tour of the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzos of Florence. An evening cooking demonstration and dinner follows.
Day 24: Florence
An exclusive guided tour of the Uffizi Museum. Lunch and another exclusive guided tour of Il Duomo and San Lorenzo, followed by dinner and Opera at either Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino or Teatro Comunale.
Day 25: Florence
The day starts early with a truly magnificent balloon ride at dawn over the Tuscan countryside. On touch down a champagne breakfast will be waiting for you, followed by a lazy day in the Tuscan countryside, vineyards, wine tasting and alfresco-dining. Dinner under the Tuscan stars.
Day 26: Florence - Siena
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to Siena and tour its fascinating streets. Lunch will be followed by a presentation of Palio and a tour of Il Duomo. Dinner at the hotel with a classical musical recital.
Day 27: Siena - Orvieto - Rome
After a leisurely breakfast the tour group will drive to the medieval hill top town of Orvieto for a guided tour, lunch and then continue to Roma for a farewell dinner, prize giving for the opera and culture quiz, and a final recital.
Day 28: Fly Home
Transfer to the first class lounge at Rome's Fiumicino Airport for your flight back home. On landing you are met by a by private limousine to transfer you back to your home, after what has been a trip of a lifetime!
Exclusive Escorted Tour price includes:
- All Accommodation: 5 Star Accommodation (no compromises!) and all tips included (but please feel free to tip additionally for outstanding service at your own discretion)
- All Food and Drink : Finest quality a-la-carte dining with unlimited vintage wines, champagne and liqueurs
- Executive Transport with unlimited on-board food and drink service in luxurious first class comfort
- The professional services of dedicated Australian and Italian (English speaking) staff who travel with you are on hand to serve your every need for your entire holiday. Young talented opera stars also accompany the tour and provide professional insight and entertainment while you travel
- Opera Tickets: best seating positions with complimentary interval drinks, programs and refreshments
- Personalized behind-the-scenes Opera House tours
- A meeting with the stars after each opera
- A selection of books, synopsis, DVDs and CDs before you depart to help increase your enjoyment and appreciation of this outstanding country
- Recitals from up and coming opera stars during selected meals and private classical music performances
- An intriguing opera and culture quiz and the chance to win some outstanding prizes
- Visits to world class art galleries and exhibitions with professional guides. Bravissimo tickets enable you to bypass lengthy queues, especially at places like the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
- A hot air balloon ride over the Italian countryside with a champagne reception breakfast
- Guided tours around private villas enjoying vineyards and olive farms and a chance to sample fresh produce
- Al fresco dining with some of Italy's top chefs and Italian cooking courses
- Tours around medieval towns to explore important historical places and quaint back streets
- Private dinner in a Venetian Palazzo; an elegant Venetian dinner to enjoy some top wines and excellent cuisine.
- Dinners and recitals in selected museums as well as horse and carriage rides around towns where possible.
- Travel insurance to cover Trip Cancellation / Interruption, Emergency Medical including Evacuation / Repatriation, Baggage & Baggage Delay, Trip Delay / Missed Connection, Travel Assistance & Concierge Services, $1M flight accident protection
Price: AUD$ 34,650 or USD$ 27,260 per person (excluding flights)
Book before June 30th 2007 and receive a 10% discount!
Please note:
This is a sample itinerary only. There may be minor changes to fit in with opera festival performances at different times throughout the year
Bravissimo's Exclusive Escorted Opera Tours will begin in 2008 to coincide with summer opera festivals in July and August
