Viva Italia Updated 2023

VIVA ITALIA! PUCCINI FESTIVAL, VERDI FESTIVAL AND VERONA OPERA

Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Tosca, Aida, La Scala Gala and two Verdi operas! Plus gourmet food, iconic hotels and villas and the charm of small towns.

22 AUGUST - 26 SEPTEMBER 2023

This is a trip of a lifetime where operas, amazing hotels and experiences all align. We are delighted to invite you to join us to celebrate the vibrancy of Italy, Viva Italia! on a 33-day opera tour. The trip includes the Puccini, Verdi and Verona Opera Festivals. We avoid tourist traps and luxuriate in rich musical and gourmet experiences in the small, intrinsically Italian towns and beautiful regions which inspired Verdi, Puccini and Pavarotti to produce some of the greatest music of all time.

Experience the Exceptional...

• Two great Puccini operas at the Puccini Festival, Torre del Lago overlooking the lake: Madame Butterfly and La Boheme, operas are confirmed in great seats!

• Three operas/opera concert at the Verona Festival: Aida, Tosca and La Scala Gala with soloists, chorus and orchestra from La Scala, all performances are confirmed in great seats!

• Two operas at the Verdi Festival (confirmed). Opera titles to be confirmed when the festival programme is released.

• Long stays in idyllic historic hotels: Tuscany region near Lucca (4 nights), Rapallo (3 nights), Verona (5 nights), Venice (4 nights), Florence (4 nights), Reggio Emilia (5 nights), Parma (7 nights).

• Foodies immersions in the gastronomic Emilia Romagna and Parma regions, where we will enjoy cooking classes, balsamic vinegar, wine and parmigiana tastings, and gourmet meals at vineyards and villas!

• Puccini immersion including visiting Puccini’s house plus operas and enjoying Lucca!

• Verdi immersion in Parma, including operas, private concerts, tours of theatres, foodie experiences, violin museum, organ promenade recitals, tours of churches and museums significant to Verdi.

• Visit Pavarotti’s house with a private gala concert in his music room, plus drinks and dinner - a premium event plus gala concert with dinner in a historic salon and at I Dodici Monaci Abbey near Parma.

• Numerous music and arts experiences including Mantua, setting of Verdi’s Rigoletto and the birthplace of opera, Palladian architecture, Uffizi and Accademia, Florence, organ and private concerts.

• A beach stay in the charming Rapallo and visits to Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera.

• Escorted by our great operatic tenors Bonaventure AllanMoetaua and Cameron Barclay. Operatunity owners Susan and John Cameron will be joining for some of the trip!

Cameron Barclay

Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua

John Cameron

OUR ARTISTS FOR THIS TRIP

Susan Boland

PLACES WE STAY

Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort, Tuscany (4 nights) is the old family villa of a poet, in the heart of Tuscany, set in a large park with a thermal spring and an incredible thermal grotto.

Grand Hotel Bristol, Rapallo (3 nights - new dates TBC) This property is only 3 minutes walk from the beach. We enjoy oceanview rooms with views of the Gulf of Tigullio. Grand Hotel Bristol offers a large outdoor pool and a wellness centre.

Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista, Verona (5 nights) is a 5-star hotel and a living art gallery housed in a 16th-century villa. It has a delightful garden, swimming pool, fountains, amazing Baroque interiors and incredible art.

Hotel Saturnia & International, Venice (4 nights) is a fourstar superior hotel located 5 minutes walk from St. Mark’s Square and La Fenice Opera House. It is truly Venetian, being partly a 14th century palace.

Hotel Piazza San Paolino, Florence (4 nights) is situated in the Santa Maria Novella district in the heart of Florence. The design of the hotel is eclectically inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy with a quirky, arty feel.

Hotel Posta, Reggio Emilia (5 nights) is a boutique 4-star hotel, one of the most ancient in Italy, with frescoes from the XIII century. The owner will personally welcome us with cocktails and other events including dinner at his hilltop villa.

Grand Hotel de la Ville, Parma (7 nights) is the only 5-star hotel in Parma and is within walking distance of the historic centre and all the sights of the city, located in the exclusive Barilla Centre.

Byblos Art Hotel, Villa Amista

Grand Hotel Bristol, Rapallo

Hotel Posta, Reggio Emilia

TRAVEL FROM BOLOGNA AIRPORT TO GROTTA GIUSTI WITH TIME OFF TO RELAX AND GET OVER OUR LONG FLIGHT.

TUSCANY (4 NIGHTS) - GROTTA GIUSTI THERMAL SPA RESORT

Highlights in Tuscany include:

• A perfect base to explore Lucca and Vinci and relax after our long flight. Grotta Giusti is located just a few kilometres from Florence, Pisa and Lucca. Set in a private park with lots of trees, the early nineteenth century villa, now a prestigious Hotel, is full of antique furnishings and paintings. The Hotel is directly connected to the Spa, which has an open air pool with 750 square metres of thermal water, picturesque cascade and underwater hydro-massages and the large millennial Grotta (cave) to end the day with a beneficial, relaxing steam bath.

• Verdi visited this grotto and called it the eighth wonder of the world!

• Two great Puccini operas at the Puccini Festival, Lucca: Madame Butterfly and La Boheme, operas are confirmed in great seats!

• Puccini Immersion Day tour of Lucca including tour of Puccini’s house plus walking tour of Lucca.

• Free time in Lucca to enjoy walking around this lovely town plus free time to relax at our resort.

• Visit Vinci, a well-preserved medieval town that’s known internationally for being the birthplace of the great genius of the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo Da Vinci.

• Visit to the Museo Leonardiano in Vinci, which hosts a collection of models built from Leonardo’s original designs, inventions brought to life by contemporary engineers.

TRAVEL FROM LUCCA TO RAPALLO VIA PISA

Highlights in Pisa include:

• Walking tour of Pisa including entry to the Leaning Tower and Baptistery.

RAPALLO (3 NIGHTS) - GRAND HOTEL BRISTOL

Rapallo is a town on the Italian Riviera coastline. It’s known for the hilltop Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro, a pilgrimage site with sea views. The Castello di Rapallo, a 16th-century fortress, sits on the waterfront.

Highlights in Rapallo include:

• Free time to enjoy our own walks, drink cocktails with extraordinary views over the sea sitting by the swimming pool!

• Visit the extraordinary steep villages of Cinque Terre of coastal Liguria that maintain the charm of Italian yesteryear with lunch in a local restaurant.

• Enjoy the Portofino and Rapallo towns with a chance to shop, wander and enjoy lunch!

TRAVEL FROM RAPALLO TO VERONA VIA PIACENZA

Piacenza is famous for its beauty, museums, palazzo and basilica. Free time to enjoy these at leisure, have lunch and explore the lovely streets and squares.

Cinque Terre

Lucca

VERONA (5 NIGHTS) - BYBLOS ART

HOTEL VILLA AMISTA

Opera in the ancient outdoor Verona Arena, home of Romeo and Juliet. We stay for five nights staying in a magnificent villa in the countryside near Verona. Our operas, are presented in the original pink marble Roman amphitheatre built in 1AD which boasts wonderful acoustics, so opera presented here is a magical experience.

Highlights in Verona include:

• Three operas/opera concert at the Verona Festival: Aida, Tosca and La Scala Gala with soloists, chorus and orchestra from La Scala, all performances are confirmed in great seats!

• Stay in a 16th century villa in the countryside with swimming pool, fountains and a Baroque interior which houses an amazing art collection, worth millions of dollars.

• Dinner in an elegant restaurant where Maria Callas and other famous singers dined with a view of Verona Arena.

• Visit Castelvecchio Museum plus free time for shopping.

• Dinner and concert from our escorts in the magnificent gardens of our hotel.

• Half day walking tour of Verona including seeing Juliet’s balcony.

• Free day for relaxing at our Italian villa, swim or sit in the lovely grounds and enjoy Verona.

• Full day tour to Mantova (Mantua) with visits to 14th century Palazzo Ducal and castle, home to famous Duke of Mantua and setting of Verdi’s opera Rigoletto.

• Tour of Bibiena Opera House where Mozart appeared many times - the place where Italian opera was born plus tour of the town and we visit the statue of Rigoletto.

TRAVEL FROM VERONA TO VENICE VIA VICENZA

Discover Palladian architecture visiting villas and famous buildings designed by Palladio including Teatro Olimpico, the oldest indoor theatre with the oldest stage set constructed in 1585!

VENICE (4 NIGHTS) – HOTEL SATURNIA AND INTERNATIONAL

City of love, iconic buildings, San Marco Square, palazzi and canals.

Highlights in Venice include:

• Boat ride entrance to Venice.

• Dinner and concert at our al fresco hotel restaurant plus a Gondola ride serenaded by our handsome tenors!

• Morning guided sightseeing tour including reserved entrances to Doges Palace and San Marco Basilica.

• Tour of La Fenice Opera House & stroll to Venice markets.

• Visit to the famous Accademia Gallery with its priceless art.

• La Traviata concert in a historic palace!

• Cruise to Burano, the Fishermen’s Island for a superb lunch and time at leisure.

• Time to stroll and enjoy the beauty of this most romantic of cities.

Verona Ampitheatre

Florence

TRAVEL FROM VENICE TO FLORENCE VIA FERRARI MUSEUM

Visit to Ferrari Museum, lunch at a cute local restaurant followed by a tour of a parmigiana factory and the owner’s private collection of Maserati!

FLORENCE (4 NIGHTS) - HOTEL PIAZZA SAN PAOLINO

A great base to continue to explore Tuscany Countryside Tour as well as the beautiful historic city of Florence.

Highlights in Florence Include:

• Guided city sightseeing with reserved entrances for the Uffizi, displaying some of the greatest paintings in the world from the Old Masters and Accademia Galleries, including Michelangelo’s ‘David’.

• A traditional Tuscan dinner with opera concert.

• Tuscan experience day - scenic day around Tuscany, visit to San Gimignano, long lunch on the terrace with view of San Gimignano.

• Full day of leisure to explore the markets and sights including the Medici Palace.

TRAVEL FROM FLORENCE TO REGGIO EMILIA VIA BOLOGNA

Highlights in Bologna include:

• Bologna Tour including guided walking tour: Archiginnasio Anatomical Theatre, which is part of the oldest university in the world and where the first dissection was performed for its medical students! Other great sights in this lovely city include Stabat Mater Hall where Rossini’s Stabat Mater was first performed, Piazza Maggiore, the miles of porticos throughout the city and two of its many churches: Basilica di San Petronio which houses the first European Meridian Line dating from 1576 and the Catholic Cathedral, Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro.

EMILIA ROMAGNA REGION (5 NIGHTS) - HOTEL POSTA, REGGIO EMILIA

We base ourselves in Reggio Emilia in this historic town, a perfect place to enjoy a wonderful area of music, gourmet foods, vinegar, cheeses and wines!

Highlights in Emilia Romagna Region and Reggio Emilia include:

• Premium event - visit and tour to Pavarotti’s house, private gala concert in Pavarotti’s music room with local professional singers and pianist using the great tenor’s own Steinway piano, followed by drinks on the terrace and dinner.

• A chance to immerse ourselves in this charming historic town and see how the locals live!

Numerous foodies and music experiences including private dinner at the family owned hilltop restaurant where they produce balsamic vinegar with cooking class plus cheese and wine tastings!

• A private gala event with our tenors and guests in the historical Sala del Capitano del Popolo.

• Walking tour of Modena, home to Pavarotti’s Theatre and balsamic vinegar.

Bologna

Pavarotti’s House

Emilia Romagna

GRAND HOTEL DE LA VILLE

We spend seven nights immersed in Verdi country experiencing two of his great operas plus visits to Verdi’s houses, special concerts, organ recitals on the organ which Verdi learnt his music. Explore Cremona, birthplace of Stradivarius the maker of the greatest violins. Visit the violin museum, see a working factory and hear a violin recital, as well as gourmet food experiences.

Highlights in Parma include:

• Two Verdi operas as part of the famous Festival Verdi including Opera Premiere of Festival Verdi at Teatro Regio di Parma (operas yet to be announced at time of printing). We enjoy dinner before the opera at Gran Caffè del Teatro inside the Teatro Regio di Parma.

• Guided visit to the Teatro Regio backstage: Foyer, Ridotto Hall, Scenography Room, Costume Room.

• Verdi Homelands day including visit to Verdi’s birthplace, the most evocative monument of Verdi, guided visit to the nearby San Michele Church with the organ where Giuseppe Verdi learned to play music. Lunch and meet 1 Michelin Star chef at the ancient medieval restaurant, where the environment and the dishes tell the story of an important tradition.

• Walking tour of Parma including a visit to the Teatro Farnese, a breath-taking wooden theatre of the 15th century, to the Romanesque Cathedral with the dome frescoed by Correggio and the pink marble Baptistery by Benedetto Antelami.

• A private concert and the chance to meet some members of Club dei 27, a very exclusive club where each person is one of the operas of Verdi, their names are: La Traviata, I Due Foscari, Nabucco and they all know anecdotes about the opera and about Verdi in general.

• Foodies day in the Parma Hills including visit and tasting of Prosciutto di Parma (Parma Ham) factory, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and lunch of local gourmet delights at a local winery overlooking the medieval Torrechiara Castle. Visit to Torrechiara Castle dated 1460, with its history of battles and of love!

• Full day excursion to Cremona which includes: tour of the Museo del Violino, private Stradivarius violin concert inside the Auditorium of the Violin Museum, a visit to a violin maker’s workshop with demonstration, a tour of the 12th century Cathedral Romanesque Baptistery.

• Organ promenade tour with short recitals inside Santa Cristina Church, the cathedral, Organ recital inside San Giovanni Church including the exclusive visit to the library and Benedictine complex.

Highlights in Milan include:

• Guided tour of Milan.

• Guided tour of La Scala Opera House and La Scala Opera Museum.

• Free time in Milan.

TRANSFER TO MILAN AIRPORT WITH TIME TO ENJOY A TOUR OF MILAN BEFORE OUR LATE FLIGHT TODAY.

Verdi

Parma

Torrechiara Castle, Parma

EXPLORING TOUR

This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace. Please note: No booking will be accepted for this trip without the initial deposit.

At the time of printing all Operatunity travellers will be required to be vaccinated. In Europe, all regulations are subject to change, but at present vaccine passes are required for all travellers in Europe.

This trip is one of our special boutique Travel of Note tours where the number of passengers is limited to 18 plus 2 escorts.

First and second deposits are refundable minus office costs of up to $500. After the final balance due date, we are unable to give refunds. This becomes an insurance claim. All itinerary details are subject to change but any changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

• Return airfares, Auckland - Bologna// Milan - Auckland, via Dubaidirect economy flights on Emirates. Then a full day off in our resort to recover from long flights.

• Long stays in idyllic historic hotels: Tuscany region near Lucca (4 nights), Rapallo (3 nights), Verona (5 nights), Venice (4 nights), Florence (4 nights), Reggio Emilia (5 nights), Parma (7 nights).

• Two great Puccini operas at the Puccini Festival, Torre del Lago overlooking the lake: Madame Butterfly and La Boheme, operas are confirmed in great seats!

• Three operas/opera concert at the Verona Festival: Aida, Tosca and La Scala Gala with soloists, chorus and orchestra from La Scala, all performances are confirmed in great seats!

• Two operas at the Verdi Festival (confirmed). Opera titles to be confirmed when the festival programme is released.

• Foodies immersions in the gastronomic Emilia Romagna and Parma regions, where we will enjoy cooking classes, balsamic vinegar, wine and parmigiana tastings, and gourmet meals at vineyards and villas!

• Puccini immersion including visiting Puccini’s house plus operas and enjoying Lucca!

• Verdi immersion in Parma, including operas, private concerts, tours of theatres, foodie experiences, violin museum, organ promenade recitals, tours of churches and museums significant to Verdi.

• Visit Pavarotti’s house with a private gala concert in his music room, plus drinks and dinner - a premium event plus gala concert with dinner in a historic salon and at I Dodici Monaci Abbey near Parma.

• Numerous music and arts experiences including Mantua, setting of Verdi’s Rigoletto and the birthplace of opera, Palladian architecture, Uffizi and Accademia, Florence, organ and private concerts.

• Other musical events include opera concerts in Florence and Lucca, La Traviata concert in Venice, organ recital in Parma, violin recital at Stradivarius Museum and private concerts from our singers at special venues.

• Gourmet food experiences including foodies tours and visits to vineyards, balsamic vinegar, Parma ham and parmigiana producers with tastings, long lunches, gourmet dinners and cooking demonstrations.

• Reserved entrances, therefore no long queues, to Uffizi Gallery, Accademia, Baptistery, Cathedral & Leaning Tower of Pisa, guided tours include Vinci, Mantua, Florence, Parma, Verona, Bologna and Vicenza with all entries included.

• Other special experiences include staying in Italian grand villas and historic hotels, cruises on the Italian Riviera to the Cinque Terra, architecture tour of Palladio works, Ferrari museum, opera house tours, tour to the oldest university in the world, churches and art galleries plus visits to small towns and places of interest!

• All tours, boat cruises, coach transfers included as listed on itinerary plus reserved entrance and entrance fees to all sights and sites as listed in itinerary.

• All breakfasts, 17 dinners and 10 lunches, tips, porterage and taxes included.

• Escorted by operatic tenors, Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua and Cameron Barclay and Operatunity owners Susan and John Cameron.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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