Performing Tour of Italy
ITINERARY
Charlotte – Milan
Monday, May 11
We will gather in the early afternoon at the Charlotte International Airport and check in for our flights to Milan. After departure we will enjoy dinner, an in-flight movie, some sleep, and breakfast before our arrival in Italy.
Tuesday, May 12
Milan – Verona – Venice
Buon giorno! Welcome to Europe. Morning arrival in Milan, Italy, the major commercial, financial, and industrial center of Italy and 2nd biggest city in Italy. After gathering our belongings we will board our deluxe motor coach for the short drive to the main square in the city where we will visit 14th century gothic cathedral (the Duomo di Milano), the largest Gothic cathedral and the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world. After our visit to the cathedral we will continue on to Verona to see Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta), with its famous balcony, before arriving at our hotel in Venice. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Wednesday, May 13
Venice
After a hearty breakfast we will meet our local guide for a sight-seeing tour of the city. On our tour we plan to visit the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica as well as other famous sites. The balance of the day is free to enjoy the city. You may want to visit the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs and the Santa Maria della Salute. Tonight you may wish to take a gondola ride on the canals to enjoy the romantic ambiance and have dinner in one of its restaurants. Dinner on your own. Overnight in our hotel.
ASU Jazz Ensemble Performing Tour of Italy – 2015
Thursday, May 14
Venice – Bologna – Montecatini
After breakfast we will board our motor coach for the drive to the medieval university town of Bologna. After time for sight-seeing and lunch, we will continue on to Montecatina Terme, the most famous of Tuscany’s spa towns. Mortecatini Terme has been attracting people since the 16th C with the curative power of its waters. Instead of visiting Bologna, a visit to Modena be done. Modena is known for its balsamic vinaeger but also being the Home of Ferrari and Maserati. Visit to one or two museums can be done. Upon arrival in Montecatini Terme, the balance of the day is free until dinner at the hotel. You may want to relax in one of the historic spas or enjoy a visit to the large park in the city center. There are a number of shops, bars, and restaurants. Dinner and overnight in our hotel.
Friday, May 15
Montecatini Terme – Florence
After breakfast at our hotel, we plan to catch a train to Florence, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Italy, the capital of the region of Tuscany. Florence, the center of Italian Renaissance, is the home of many of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. National Geographic says: A city-size shrine to the Renaissance, Florence offers frescoes, sculptures, churches, palaces and other monuments from the richest cultural flowering the world has known. Upon arrival in Florence we will meet our local guide for a sight-seeing tour of this great city. We plan to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, the home of Michelangelo’s glorious statue of David as well as the Hall of Colossus. You’ll enjoy the Grand Ducal collection of early instruments, as stated in the VisitFlorence.com website: The collection unveils that music played a primary role in the official celbrations of the Medicean Court. Discover the roots of the invention of the piano, created by Bartolomeo Cristofori for the Medici and explore the collection of harpsichords, violins, cellos, and wind instruments. Time to enjoy the city at leisure before we catch the train back to Montecatini Terme for overnight.Dinner on your own. Overnight in our hotel.
Saturday, May 16
Montecatini Terme – Pisa – Viareggio– Montecatini Terme
This morning we will take our motor coach to Pisa where we will visit the famous Leaning Tower, the bell tower of the city’s cathedral. There will be time for individual sight-seeing in the Piazza del Duomo (the Cathedral Square) where you can visit the magnificent Cathedral, the Baptistry, the Piazza dei Miracoli, and the Campo Santo. Short drive take us to Viareggio, a beautiful sea resort. We take a walk on the ‘Passeggiata’ or promenade, with its many cafés and shops. The city is also known as the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea”. After returning to Montecatini we will have the evening free for dinner and relaxation. Dinner on your own. Overnight in our hotel.
ASU Jazz Ensemble Performing Tour of Italy – 2015
Sunday, May 17
Montecatini Terme – Siena – Rome
A relaxing morning drive puts us in the delightful city of Siena, which has the first European square to become fully pedestrian. Siena, with beautiful flower-covered courtyards, churches, and a 300 bell tower, welcome us as we make our way to the famous Piazza del Campo in the Old Town. This is the square where they have the Il Palio, the horse race which is held twice per year. In Siena, there is the only Jazz School in Italy – Accademia Nazionale del Jazz – if of interest we could check if possible to do a joint lunch concert!? After our visit in Siena, we will continue on to Rome, the capital of Italy and the Province of the Lazio Region. Dubbed “The Eternal City” by ancient Roman writers and poets, Rome, one of the birthplaces of western civilization, is the only city with its own sovereign state contained with its walls – the enclave of Vatican City. Upon arrival in Rome we will meet our local, English-speaking guide who will show us the highlights of the city. After the tour we will check into our hotel and have the evening free. Dinner and overnight in our hotel.
Monday, May 18
Rome
Today is a free day in this magnificent city. After breakfast our local guide will meet us once more and offer a morning tour of famous sites we did not have time to visit yesterday. Included in our tour will be a special visit to the Vatican Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The evening is free to enjoy the nightlife of the city or to relax at the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight in our hotel.
Tuesday, May 19
Rome – Pompeii – Sorrento
Continuing south this morning we will drive to the Bay of Naples and its ancient city of Pompeii where we will be met by our local guide. Pompeii, along with Herculaneum and many villas in the surrounding area, were mostly destroyed and buried under 13 to 20 feet of ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 70 A.D. Departing Pompeii we will follow the coastal highway to Sorrento, a resort town beautifully situated between the mountains and the Mediterranean. Dinner and overnight in our hotel.
Wednesday, May 20
Sorrento – Amalfi – Sorrento
During our excursion today we will take a drive on the Amalfi Coast way. This is said to be one of the world’s most scenic drives. Don’t forget your camera! We will stop in Amalfi which is the heart of this magnificent Italian coastline and a must-see city. Upon our return to Sorrento we will have a free evening Dinner on your own. Overnight in our hotel.
ASU Jazz Ensemble Performing Tour of Italy – 2015
Thursday, May 21
Sorrento – Naples – Charlotte
An early departure is planned for our transfer to the Naples International Airport to catch our flights home. After our arrival at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport we will clear customs and board our coach back to Appalachian State University.
Happy Memories
End of Arrangements