EuropeanOperaTours

Day 1. May 7. (D)* DEPART FOR FLORENCE
Depart this evening aboard any airline of your choice to Florence, Italy. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.

Day 2. May 8. (B). FLORENCE
Independent arrival at Florence International Airport. We meet you at the centrally located deluxe HOTEL LUNGARNO, where we stay three nights. This evening we will see the opera DON CARLOS by Verdi, conducted by Zubin Mehta at Teatro dell'opera di Firenze. Briefing and Welcome drinks before the opera.

FLORENCE is one of the world's greatest artistic capitals and a testament to the Italian capacity for genius. The city was the cradle of civilization which nurtured the humanistic movement and the Renaissance in the first half of  the 15 C. In March of 1436, the architect-engineer genius Filippo Brunelleschi completed building the stupendous dome of the cathedral out of a double layer of brickwork. Today the multi-colored Cathedral is breathtaking, next to the marble-clad Baptistry with its famous guilded bronze doors.

Day 3. May 9. (B,D). FLORENCE
Morning sightseeing of this city dense with art and culture will include the Piazza del Duomo, the bronze doors of the Battistero and the Uffizi Gallery. Afternoon free to visit Museo dell' Opera del Duomo, to see Michelangelo's second statue PIETA. Gala Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4. May 10. (B). FLORENCE 
This morning we see the Palazo Pitti and Galleria Palatina with its marvelous collection of painting. Afternoon free to take in any of the fine churches exhibiting works by famous artists, or the Galleria dell' Accademia.

Day 5. May 11. (B,D). ASSISI - ROME
Today we drive south to stop first in the walled city of ASSISI closely associated with St. Francis. We will visit the Basilica di San Francesco and see the spectacular view of the valley below from Rocca Maggiore. We will arrive this afternoon in Rome, where we stay four nights at the centrally located deluxe HOTEL BERNINI BRISTOL near the Trevi Fountain. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6. May 12. (B). ROME
Morning orientation tour of the city includes seeing the Campidoglio hill that symbolized the power of ancient Rome, Fountain of Trevi, Spanish Steps and the Colosseum. Afternoon free. This evening we will see the opera RIENZI by Wagner at the Teatro dell'opera di Roma.

ROME, the “Eternal City” has an unmatched wealth of Classical antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. From its legendary origins of the twins Romulus and Remus, it has undergone millenniums of conflicts and power struggles until Giuseppe Garibaldi led the revolt that unified the country in 1871 and Rome again became the capital of new Italy.

Day 7. May 13. (B). ROME
Today we visit the Vatican City to see the most renowned Basilica of Saint Peter and Michelangelo’s powerful masterpiece, the PIETA, among other monuments inside this world famous edifice. Afternoon free to visit any of the many fine museums. This evening we will attend a concert at Teatro Santa Cecilia to hear REQUIEM by Cherubini and Symphony number 2 by Beethoven.

Day 8. May 14. (B,D). ROME
This morning we drive to take in views from the hills of Gianicolo, Aventino, Pincio and see the Pantheon. Afternoon free. Dinner at the hotel's roof-top restaurant with a beautiful view of the city.

Day 9. May 15. (B). MONTE CASSINO – NAPLES
Today we drive southeast to stop first in Monte Cassino to see the famous Benedict Abbey rebuilt after one of the most terrible battles of the Second World War fought between the Germans and Allied forces spearheaded by the Free Polish Corps on May 17, 1944. We arrive in Naples to stay four nights at the deluxe, centrally located GRAND HOTEL VESUVIUS.

Day 10. May 16. (B). NAPLES
Morning sightseeing tour of this vibrant city to include the Piazza del Plebiscite, the Royal Palace, with a visit to the Baroque Capella San Severo, and the church of Saint Francesco di Paola. Afternoon free to visit any of the fine museums.

NAPLES is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, its charm praised by poets and writers. Lofty Vesuvius that destroyed Pompei more than 2,000 years ago makes a stunning backdrop giving its denizens energy to move at a hurried pace with loud, zooming traffic crowding narrow streets and to talk fast. No wonder pizza originated in this vibrant city.

Day 11. May 17. (B,D). NAPLES - POMPEI
This morning we take an excursion to visit POMPEI and drive along the most picturesque AMALFI COAST. In Pompei we see the Forum, the Basilica and the Temple of Apollo. We return back to Naples driving along the Amalfi coast through Positano and Ravello, where Wagner was inspired by the gardens of Villa Rufolo to write the music for Parsifal. Gala Farewell Dinner at the rooftop garden restaurant of the hotel, with a magnificent view of Mount Vesuvius.

Day 12. May 18. (B). CAPRI - NAPLES
This morning we sail on a hydrofoil to see the famed island of CAPRI. This evening we will see the opera RIGOLETTO by Verdi at the Teatro San Marco

Day 13. May 19. (B). NAPLES – BACK HOME
Morning departure aboard your flight back home arriving the same afternoon. Arrividerci. See you soon on another H.A.T. Tour.

* B-Breakfast - L-Lunch - D-Dinner

Land Cost per person:
Double occupancy: 5,950 per person - Single supplement: $1350
Reservation deposit: $1,000 - Balance due: February 7, 2013

• Tour includes:
• Orchestra  level seats in theatres
• Deluxe centrally located hotels
• Four  dinners  with wine in gourmet restaurants
• Welcome reception with cocktails
• Private sightseeing in each city
• Experienced English speaking guides
• Entrance fees to museums
• Intercity coach services
• Transportation to and from theatre
• Baggage handling
• Guide, driver and bellboys gratuities
• Travelling with the owner at your service
• Maximum 15 persons in each group

Air fare is not included. Please make sure that your airline ticket reads from home to Florence and from Naples back home. We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since international departure times and flights can change. H.A.T. Tours does not accept liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with this tour. 
 
H.A.T. Tours has been conducting opera tours in Europe for the past 31 years, and is very familiar with this part of the world. Therefore, we offer special tours with many 'extras,' which comes from our long-term knowledge of the area.

Please send your deposit to:
H.A.T. Tours, PO Box 46876, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33741 
Phone toll free: (800) 472-4448 – Fax: (727) 360-8459
E-mail: operas@hattours.com -  www.EuropeanOperaTours.com