Mountain Empire Academy Choral Tour to 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, Saturday June 10: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Sunday June 11: Rome

Arrive in Rome and meet your Tour Manager. Transfer to your hotel and check in, before a brief orientation tour of the area with your tour manager. Tonight you'll dive straight into the Italian way of life with a pizza making workshop for your dinner! (D)

Day 3, Monday June 12: Rome

This morning, you'll have special access to the spectacular St Peter's Basilica at the heart of the Vatican, before singing at the midday liturgy in this most sacred of spaces. This afternoon , enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4, Tuesday June 13: Rome

Today you'll experience two of the most iconic and historic sites in the city. First you'll visit the gladiatorial arena of Ancient Rome at the Coliseum, before moving on to the romantic Trevi Fountains. Enjoy lunch on your own and free time before transferring to Piazza Navona area. This evening, you will present your next concert performance of the tour at a local venue such as Chiesa Sant'Agnese in Agone. Following your performance, enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 5, Wednesday June 14: Montecatini

After breakfast check out and depart North towards Tuscany. The first stop today is the hilltop town of Assisi, where you'll get to sing a short recital in the famous St Francis Basilica. Continue to the pleasant Tuscan spa town of Montecatini Terme for your next hotel stop, before dinner together tonight (B,D)

Day 6, Thursday June 15: Montecatini

Today, you will spend the full day visiting the Renaissance city of Florence. This city is filled with such interesting history, evident from its many famous past residents: Galileo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante Alighieri, and the Medici family! While in Florence, your sightseeing will include entrance to the Galleria dell’Accademia where you can gaze at many significant artistic works, including Michelangelo’s “Il Davide.” After an early dinner, tonight's concert will be in one of Florence's beautiful churches, before returning to your hotel in Montecatini. (B,D)

Day 7, Friday June 16: Venice Mainland

Today you'll journey north to Venice, the final stop on your Italian adventure, with an en route stop in the historic city of Bologna, Italy's culinary capital! Continue to your hotel on the mainland close to Venice in time for dinner (B)

Day 8, Saturday June 17: Venice Mainland

Known as the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice is an archipelago of 118 different islands carved by nearly 150 canals. It is simply incomparable to any other! Transfer to Venice Island and discover why it is one of the most unique and iconic places in the world. Amongst Venice's many treasures you'll see are St Mark's Basilica and the Pieta Church, where the composer Vivaldi directed his famous orchestra. Later today, you will perform your final concert of the trip; venue options include the Chiesa di San Rocco in Venice itself, before a farewell dinner will be together in a restaurant today. (B,D)

Day 9, Sunday June 18: Departure

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