A Musical Journey Through Italy (+Salzburg Option) June 24 - July 5, 2016

Transcription

1 Performing Travel Experience Designed Especially for MountainTop Strings Of California A Musical Journey Through Italy (+Salzburg Option) June 24 - July 5, 2016 ITINERARY OVERVIEW DAY 1 DEPARTURE FROM LOS ANGELES DAY 2 ARRIVAL IN ROME (3 NIGHTS) DAY 3 ROME - CONCERT PERFORMANCE DAY 4 ROME - INFORMAL CONCERT PERFORMANCE DAY 5 ROME - TUSCANY (3 NIGHTS) DAY 6 FLORENCE DAY 7 LUCCA - CONCERT PERFORMANCE DAY 8 TUSCANY - CREMONA - VERONA (2 NIGHTS) - CONCERT PERFORMANCE BY GROUP'S OWN ARRANGEMENT DAY 9 VERONA DAY 10 VERONA - VENICE (2 NIGHTS) - CONCERT PERFORMANCE DAY 11 VENICE DAY 12 DEPARTURE FROM VENICE OR CONTINUE TO SALZBURG (3 NIGHTS) (SEE SEPARATE ITINERARY) DAY 13 SALZBURG DAY 14 SALZBURG DAY 15 SALZBURG - MUNICH (DEPARTURE FROM MUNICH)

2 ITINERARY Italy calls to people in a unique way. The rich and colorful culture melts into a warm atmosphere filled with light and life. Ancient traditions combine with a spiritual pride expressed in the art and food that epitomize what we have come to know as La Bella Vita. Educational Tour/Visit Cultural Experience Concert Performance Transportation Recreational Activity LEAP Enrichment Sporting Fixture DAY 1 Friday, 24 June 2016 Relax and enjoy our scheduled flight from Los Angeles to Rome, Italy We will board a private coach for our transfer to our hotel. DAY 2 Saturday, 25 June 2016 Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure. We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the next nine days. For the next three evenings we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located Rome hotel, where daily breakfast will be included. Known to many as the "Eternal City", Rome is the capital of Italy, with an uninterrupted history spanning two and a half thousand years. As one of the founding cities of western civilisation, Rome is filled with incredible historical sites. It is a city with many faces, encompassing medieval, renaissance, and modern. To define Rome is an impossible task, but to enjoy Rome is a wondrous experience. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Experience a walking tour from Castel Sant--Angelo over the River Tiber to Piazza Navona, which is an elegant square built on the site of Emperor Domitian's ancient stadium. In addition to admiring Bernini's fountains and the local artists' works, you may also wish to sample the world famous "tartufo" ice cream for a true "taste of Rome." DAY 3 Sunday, 26 June 2016 During the course of our tour we will gain from the knowledge and insight of eight half-day local guides while we are here in Italy. 1

3 DAY 3 Sunday, 26 June 2016 Enjoy a guided tour, through the spectacular remains of the Roman Empire. The Colosseum, considered to be the greatest symbol of Ancient Rome's power and glory, was completed under Titus in 80 A.D. The Colosseum could hold 55,000 spectators, on a par with many of today's modern sports stadiums. Among the sights included is the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch finished in 315 A.D., commemorating the victory of Constantine I over Maxentius in the year 312 A.D. We will also tour the ruins and excavations of the Roman Forum, which features the remains of magnificent temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches that once formed the heart of the Empire. Enjoy free time today to explore Rome at your leisure. Your concert performance in Rome will be today. Our first choice, if possible, will be to perform at St. Peter's (subject to availability and permission). Additional venue options include the English School in Rome or the International School of Rome, with no restrictions on repertoire. For smaller instrumental groups, the Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali di Roma is one of the most important music museums in the world in terms of quality and quantity of instruments. Additional possibilities include the Parco della Musica, a large public music complex, and the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia, Rome's famous conservatory. DAY 4 Monday, 27 June 2016 Experience a specialist-guided tour of the Vatican City, including the Museums, home to one of the world's most impressive collections of art. Our tour includes the map tapestry rooms, the magnificent Raphael Rooms, and the spectacular Sistine Chapel, highlighted by Michelangelo's ceiling and his Last Judgment. We will continue into St. Peter's Square to visit St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the western world and the centre of Catholicism. Highlights of our visit include Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's magnificent Baldacchino over the high altar. We will spend some time in the Piazza Navona area. Built on the foundations of Domitian's Circus, this magnificent square was designed by Borromini in 17th century. It is full of life and is highlighted by one of Rome's most spectacular fountains, the Four Rivers designed by Bernini. The square is often filled with local artists. The surrounding neighborhood is also one of the best places in Rome to get a tasty tartufo or gelato ice cream. Also while in Piazza Navona, we will perform an 'impromptu' concert for the Italian locals. DAY 5 Tuesday, 28 June 2016 Today we will travel from Rome to Tuscany. Our hotel in the Lucca area will be our base for the next three nights. While here, we will enjoy breakfast and dinner at the hotel. Lucca s peaceful narrow lanes wind among medieval buildings, churches, tiny piazzas, and Roman ruins, taking visitors on a true journey through the town s long history. Founded as a Roman colony in 180 BC, the city center was shut off from traffic in the 17th century, making it a pleasant place to wander and explore. Enjoy a Tour of Lucca by Bike. Bike-friendly paths allow for a relaxing and scenic tour of Lucca, including its medieval walls and the surrounding scenic landscape. We will have some free time for shopping and exploration. DAY 6 Wednesday, 29 June 2016 Florence is so deeply connected to the Renaissance movement in art and literature that it is often called the Cradle of the Renaissance. A walk through the peaceful piazzas reveals the architecture and sculpture that have made this beautiful city one of the world s greatest artistic capitals. 2

4 DAY 6 Wednesday, 29 June 2016 Take a Walking Tour of the San Lorenzo area, long the commercial heart of the city. Enjoy spectacular views of the Church of San Lorenzo, most likely the oldest church in Florence and once the Medici family's parish church. Explore the leather stalls and souvenir carts of Florence's vast San Lorenzo Street Market, and conclude with a stroll down the elegant Via de Tornabuoni and its surrounding streets. Either lunch or dinner will be provided today. Enjoy free time to explore the wonders of Florence. DAY 7 Thursday, 30 June 2016 Visit the Birthplace of Giacomo Puccini and the Puccini Museum. Learn more about the life of the famous composer, including the Steinway piano at which he composed Turandot. Participate in a workshop, clinic, or master class with string players or a conductor at the Boccherini Institute. (subject to availability and permission) Your concert performance will be this evening. Venue options include the Cattedrale di San Martino and the Church of San Michele in Foro, which is also a venue for the annual Sacred Music Festival held in the spring. DAY 8 Friday, 01 July 2016 Today we will travel from Tuscany to Verona. En route, we will stop in Cremona. Cremona is most famous for its music, thanks to the composer Monteverdi and the violin maker Antonio Stradivari. We'll enjoy a guided tour of Palazzo Comunale. In one room stand five violins and a viola created by the masters, including Stradivari, all born here in Cremona. We'll also visit Cremona's international school of violin-making in Palazzo Raimondi, a 16thcentury building in the historic core of the city, where budding violin-makers are taught by the descendants of the old masters. We may also have the opportunity to hear a recital played on these magnificent instruments or play a short concert in Cremona. (These activities will be funded independently by generous donations to MountainTop Strings and are not included in the price of the tour) We will continue to the Verona area, which will be our base for the next two nights. While here, we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Verona is a vibrant city that has grown to be one of the most prosperous in northern Italy. Despite its magnificent Roman center and unique palazzi, the town is still primarily known as the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. DAY 9 Saturday, 02 July 2016 Take a guided Walking Tour, highlighting the city s most important landmarks and monuments, including the Casa di Giulietta, where we will see the balcony rumored to be that of Juliet, from Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet. Also along our walk we will view the picturesque Erbe and Lord s Squares, the Tombs of the Scaligers, Castelvecchio, and Scaligers Bridge. For those who prefer to bike, they may do so at their own expense. Attendance at a cultural event, such as an opera at the Arena di Verona, may be included based upon sponsorship availability. Alternatively we may atend a string concert, depending on sponsorship and availability. We will have some free time for shopping and exploration. DAY 10 Sunday, 03 July 2016 This morning we will make an early start to our touring. 3

5 DAY 10 Sunday, 03 July 2016 Today we will travel from Verona to Venice. Our base for the next two nights will be the Venice area, where breakfast will be provided at the hotel. Venice is one of the few cities in the world that can truly be described as unique. It was known as the gateway to the Orient, and during the Middle Ages became one of the most powerful city-states in the Mediterranean. Built on a series of islands connected by bridges and canals, Venice has survived all odds to become the intriguing and iconic city it is today. The vaporetto is Venices version of public transport, as no cars are allowed in this city on the water. While in Venice, we will each have a vaporetto pass for transportation and sightseeing. With our vaporetto pass, we will be free to explore further other treasures of Venice. We will give a concert in Venice today. Venue options include the Basilica di San Marco, built from the boundless wealth that Venice attracted in its heyday. This is a unique and breathtaking setting for a concert. If the weather is kind, the piazza in front of the cathedral can be an evocative setting. Also, the Campo Santo Stefano and the Church of San Stae are wonderful venues. Situated on the Grand Canal, Chiesa dei Gesuati is a well-known concert venue that attracts good audiences; your repertoire should be predominantly sacred, but some classical pieces may be allowed, at the discretion of the parish priest. Another of Venice's famous churches, Chiesa Santa Maria dei Miracoli is a wonderful venue for choirs with an excellent acoustics and good audience potential. Lastly, Il Redentore is a is a magnificent basilica situated on the Grand Canal and is a prestigious venue for sacred and a capella performances. DAY 11 Monday, 04 July 2016 Stroll through the city's narrow passageway to the Ponte Rialto (Rialto Bridge) the most elegant and famous of the bridges that span the Grand Canal. With our vaporetto pass, we will be free to explore further other treasures of Venice. On our final evening in Venice, we will attend a concert at the Four Seasons (by group's own expense and subject to schedule and availability at time of booking). DAY 12 Tuesday, 05 July 2016 Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day. Or, continue to Saltzburg: 4

6 Performing Travel Experience Designed Especially for MountainTop Strings Of California Salzburg Extension ( ) July 5 - July 7, 2016 ITINERARY OVERVIEW DAY 1 DEPARTURE FROM VENICE OR CONTINUE TO SALZBURG (3 NIGHTS) DAY 2 SALZBURG DAY 3 SALZBURG DAY 4 SALZBURG - MUNICH (DEPARTURE FROM MUNICH)

7 TOTAL PER PERSON TOUR COST BASED ON NUMBER OF FULL-PAYING PARTICIPANTS Main Tour: Full Paying Participants Price In USD This proposal is valid until Sunday, 09 November 2014 and this tour 45 4,399 cannot be operated in its present format with fewer than 10 participants. EZ Pay Option Enroll by 10/31/2014 and make 18 payments of $ every 30 days by automatic deduction from your bank account. The final payment of the series will be deducted no later than 45 days before travel. **Based on the bolded pricing ratio from above. How to Enroll The Trip ID for your program is and you can register today by credit card or echeck by going to: A $300 initial deposit is due by 10/31/2014. Please contact your Program Leader for further information. Program Leader: Sharon Rizzo Contact Details: sharon@mountaintopstrings.com Tour Prices Guaranteed at Time of Enrollment! Our Price Guarantee: Once you have accepted this proposal, the dates have been confirmed and the WorldStrides International Discovery Promotional Packs has been made available for your group s tour, the prices shown for the various group size levels will not change, regardless of any subsequent movements in airline fuel and taxes or currency fluctuations. What is Included: Round trip airfare with a major carrier on scheduled flights and guaranteed dates All airport taxes and fuel surcharges (which will not change after time of enrollment for any participant) Accommodation in three and four star hotels in triple or quad rooms with private facilities guaranteed throughout A continental breakfast everyday to get the day started well throughout your touring program Dinners on nights 5-7 (lunch OR dinner on day 6) Lunch on day 2 in Rome A full-time WorldStrides International Discovery programs Tour Director to accompany your group 24 hours a day from arrival to departure All venue fees and promotions The expertise and perspective of local guides during your tour All excursions, cultural activities and (several pre-booked) admissions as per your itinerary Transportation by private coach throughout your tour and public transportation included in Venice Provision of an international cell phone for the main Program Leader on your tour Basic health insurance while on tour (including medical treatment on tour up to $7,500) and $50,000 of coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation This Does Not Include: Lunches or beverages with meals (except lunch on day 2 in Rome) Dinners on nights 2-4 & 8-11 Visas (if required) Tips and gratuities for the guide and driver Any fees that might be imposed by the airlines at the airport for checked baggage Twin Room supplement at a rate of $50 per night (mandatory for anyone 24 or above) Travel insurance - We offer and recommend our Trip Mate travel insurance policy to all. This comprehensive policy includes health, property and cancellation coverage at a cost of $149 (unless your program price is $5,000+, in which case the cost is $199.)

8 TOTAL PER PERSON TOUR COST BASED ON NUMBER OF FULL-PAYING PARTICIPANTS Salzburg Extension: Full Paying Free Place Price In USD Participants Entitlement This proposal is valid until Sunday, 26 October 2014 and this tour cannot be operated in its present format with fewer than participants EZ Pay Option Enroll by 10/26/2014 and make 19 payments of $31.00 every 30 days by automatic deduction from your bank account. The final payment of the series will be deducted no later than 45 days before travel. **Based on the bolded pricing ratio from above. Tour Prices Guaranteed at Time of Enrollment! Our Price Guarantee: Once you have accepted this proposal, the dates have been confirmed and the WorldStrides International Discovery Promotional Packs has been made available for your group s tour, the prices shown for the various group size levels will not change, regardless of any subsequent movements in airline fuel and taxes or currency fluctuations. What is Included: Accommodation in three and four star hotels in twin or triple rooms in Salzburg, with private facilities guaranteed throughout A continental breakfast everyday to get the day started well throughout your touring program Admission to a concert performance in Salzburg (subject to availability and cost after booking) Salzburg extension (transfer to/from train station on day 12; train from Venice to Salzburg; 3 nights hotel accommodation & breakfast; airport transfer on final day) Provision of an international cell phone for the main Program Leader on your tour Basic health insurance while on tour (including medical treatment on tour up to $7,500) and $50,000 of coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation This Does Not Include: Tips and gratuities for the driver Any fees that might be imposed by the airlines at the airport for checked baggage Transportation, sightseeing, or meals during your stay in Salzburg that are not specifically mentioned Travel insurance - We offer and recommend our Trip Mate travel insurance policy to all. This comprehensive policy includes health, property and cancellation coverage at a cost of $149 (unless your program price is $5,000+, in which case the cost is $199.)