Charlottesville High School - Italy

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday June 19: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Tuesday June 20: Cremona

Benvenuti in Italia! Arrive in Milan and meet your Tour Manager at the airport. Transfer to Cremona for check-in and enjoy dinner together this evening. (D)

Day 3, Wednesday June 21: Cremona

Start the day off with a walking tour of beautiful Cremona to learn about the important heritage of violin-making in this city with your Tour Manager. You will visit the Museo del Violino where you will see its incredible collection of original Stradivarius violins. This afternoon, take part in a three hours workshop. Enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4, Thursday June 22: Montecatini

Travel to the small town of Langhirano where you will witness the production of the finest prosciutto products and have a chance to taste both prosciutto and the parmesan cheese also made on the premises. After lunch featuring both delicacies continue south to the very quarries in Carrara where Michelangelo found the marble that became his 'David'. The groups will split for visits to the interior excavation sites, learning both historical and modern marble quarrying techniques. We then come together inside the enormous white marble cavern for the potential opportunity of a short performance with an acoustic and setting that is truly unique, pending availability Continue to Montecatini where you’ll check into your hotel and have dinner together. (B,L,D)

Day 5, Friday June 23: Montecatini

After breakfast, your Tour Manager will take you on a walking orientation of Florence which shows you Santa Croce, the Duomo and Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors. You will also visit the Accademia to see Michelangelo's "David." This afternoon, prepare for your next concert of the tour which will take place this evening at a local venue such as the Tettucio Spa in Montecatini. Later after dinner together take the funicular to the old town of Montecatini Alto, and enjoy a delicious gelato whilst enjoying the stunning Tuscan views (B)

Day 6, Saturday June 24: Rome

Continue to Rome this morning, taking a panoramic drive on arrival including such highlights as the Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, and Monument of Vittorio Emanuele (Rome's "Wedding Cake"). Check into your final tour hotel and explore the Baroque area of Rome with your Tour Manager, before dinner together. (B, D)

Day 7, Sunday June 25: Rome

This morning visit the seat of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide, the Basilica of St Peter, and take in the historic Vatican Musuem and Sistine Chapel. This evening participate in that most typical of Italian culinary activities, a pizza-making workshop, before feasting on the results for your dinner (B)

Day 8, Monday June 26: Rome

This morning, you’ll visit two of Rome's most famous and ancient landmarks: the Colosseum and Roman Forum. You will learn about the heart of the Roman Empire and about Roman life in the capital. Later this afternoon, rehearse for tonight's final concert performance which will take place at the church of St Paul's Within the Walls or a similar available local venue. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate your tour (B)

Day 9, Tuesday June 27: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)