Compare Opera & Food by Vita Italian Tours vs Highlights of Italy in Winter by Intrepid Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
4.5 | Great
|
| Duration | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,726 | $ 2,240 |
| Price Per Day | $ 339 | $ 280 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
N/A |
| Meals Included |
10 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 10 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
The tour concentrates on the celebrated Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro and the open-air opera season in Macerata in the beautiful Le Marche Region. Between musical performances, there are guided visits to fascinating medieval and Renaissance towns. The tour begins in Rome highlighted by an afternoon guided walking tour to many of the Capital’s landmarks. The next day we travel to Le Marche Region in Central Italy. We will have four days in Macerata to experience its world renowned Opera Festival held at the imposing open air arena: the Sferisterio. After Macerata, we head north to the City of Pesaro situated on the Adriatic Coast, a city proud of its talented and famous son Rossini, born in 1792. Naturally, the city is a centre of musical appreciation with performances at the annual Rossini Opera Festival in August. The City of Pesaro is rich in culture and historical landmarks. From Pesaro we will visit the famous Renaissance town of Urbino with its Ducal Palace which houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche. There are also guided visits to Loreto, Recanati, Gradara, San Marino and Novilara. The tour includes 4 opera performances. There are 2 performances at the Sferisterio in Macerata and 2 performances at the Rossini Opera Festival of Pesaro. |
Ah, Italia. It seems a little unfair that one country does food, architecture, art, history and the central social square so perfectly. It’s just a shame the rest of the world feels the same way! But while most associate Italy with summer, relatively mild winters make Italy the perfect place to visit during the off season. On this trip, you’ll see all the fabulous spots with far fewer tourists crowding the squares and clogging up the lines. Take in the crumbling ruins of Rome, whimsical Florence and the floating 15th century city of Venice in this diverse tour. |
Day 1: Rome
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Your tour leaders Mario, Viny and Gianni will meet you at the hotel in the centre of Rome at 4.00pm. Introductions and a small talk on the tour will precede an afternoon stroll through some of the famous ‘piazze’ of Rome. The guided walking tour will include Piazza della Repubblica, Fountain of Trevi, Piazza della Rotonda, Piazza Navona and finally Campo de` Fiori. Then we travel to Trastevere with an early dinner in a family restaurant in this beautiful part of Rome.
Day 2: Rome/Ascoli Piceno/Macerata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we leave Rome for Macerata. We will travel in air-conditioned comfort through some of the most beautiful countryside of the Central Apennines. We make a brief stop at Ascoli Piceno for a tour of the historical part of the City. We will walk around the Piazza del Popolo and the other main square Piazza Arringo. After a quick lunch we then proceed to Macerata for check in at our hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant before an evening at the opera at the magnificent Sferisterio.
Day 3: Macerata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will spend the morning with a local guide who will take us through the city’s famous landmarks and museums. Lunch will be at a traditional restaurant. The afternoon is free for you to stroll through some of the beautiful streets of Macerata. A special dinner is organised at a local restaurant specialising in local cuisine and wines.
Day 4: Macerata/Recanati
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will visit the town of Recanati. This was the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi, Italy’s greatest romantic poet. It is also the home of the world renowned tenor Benianimio Gigli. We then visit the museum in Villa Colloredo-Melson on the outskirts of the town which holds Recanati greatest art treasures, a room with four of Lorenzo Lotto’s finest pictures. The afternoon is free. An early dinner before a performance again at the Sferisterio.
Day 5: Macerata/Loreto/Pesaro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we leave Macerata and travel to the northern most part of Le Marche Region and our stay for the next 6 nights is in the City of Pesaro. Pesaro is situated on the Adriatic Coast. On the way we will make a stop at Loreto for lunch, a beautiful hill town second only to Assisi and Rome as a place of religious pilgrimage. The town is a showcase of some of Italy’s greatest artists and architects. Dinner at the hotel will be preceded by an optional passeggiata through the historical centre of Pesaro.
Day 6: Pesaro/San Marino
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today after breakfast at the hotel, we travel just over the border of Le Marche for a day visit to the tiny Republic of San Marino. It is a day for shopping as San Marino is jammed with duty free shops. Apart from souvenirs, you will be able to pick up perfume, watches and leather bags at very reasonable prices. San Marino is also worth a visit for its history and pageantry and its magnificent hilltop setting which offers excellent views of the countryside. We travel back to Pesaro for a free afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Pesaro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast a local guide will accompany you as we stroll through the streets of Pesaro. We will visit the house of the Gioachino Rossini and the Rossini Conservatoire which hosts many items of Rossini memorabilia. We will explore the ancient centre of Pesaro with its Ducal Palace and Piazza del Popolo. Lunch will be at one of the local trattorias just off the Piazza del Popolo. The afternoon is at leisure. Dinner at the hotel before attending a performance at Teatro Rossini, one of the 3 venues used during the festival.
Day 8 Pesaro/Gradara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s visit is to Gradara, a medieval village dominated by its magnificent castle which overlooks the Adriatic Sea. We will tour the castle and the impressive old walled town. Gradara was made famous by the legendary love affair between Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini as immortalised in the 5th Canto of Dante’s Inferno. Lunch at Gradara with piadina and local wine. In the afternoon you will have time to relax before an optional tour of the Villa Imperiale. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 9: Pesaro/Urbino
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we explore the land once ruled by the medieval lords of Montefeltro. We visit Urbino one of Italy’s fascinating towns of the Renaissance. It is also the birth place of Raphael. A conducted tour of the magnificent Ducal Palace which houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche with its precious paintings by Piero della Francesca, Tiziano, Paolo Uccello and Raphael. A lunch is organised in a traditional osteria in Urbino. An early dinner at the hotel before our second opera performance.
Day 10: Pesaro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will visit the Civic Museums and several important churches and their art treasures. Lunch is organised at Novilara, a nearby hill town, in a traditional trattoria which is famous for its local produce and pasta e fagioli on the menu. After a pleasant stroll of Novilara, we travel back to Pesaro. There will be a special farewell dinner in a famous restaurant in Pesaro.
Day 11: Pesaro
Meals: Breakfast
The tour officially ends after breakfast. Mario, Viny and Gianni will farewell the group at the hotel.
Day 1 Rome
Welcome to Italy! There’s nowhere quite like Rome, a city where designer shops, restaurants and cafes are slotted among ancient ruins and religious monuments. After tonight's welcome meeting why not head out for your first taste of Italy during an optional dinner.
Day 2 Rome
Remember, the best attitude to embrace the chaos of this city is ‘when in Rome’! Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city and witness iconic sights such as the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine, the Forum (centre of ancient Rome), the Victor Emmanuel Monument, the Pantheon, via Condotti and the Spanish Steps. Your afternoon is free to explore further. Perhaps recharge with a slice of pizza and a strong espresso at the Piazza Navona or throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish to return to the 'Eternal City'. No visit would be complete without a trip to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Entry to the Basilica is free and there's a small charge to climb the dome for a panorama over the city. History buffs will enjoy a jaunt through the ancient halls of the Pantheon. Choose whether to have dinner with the group or find a spot on your own – there are plenty to choose from.
Day 3 Florence
This morning depart the eternal city and catch a train to Florence. On arrival, check into the hotel and go for a brief walk around the immediate area to get your bearings. Florence is one of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities in Italy, known to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. Food is a major part of the city's identity, so perhaps explore some of the culinary delicacies on offer from across Tuscany. Regional specialities are noted for their simplicity and fine flavour, and the use of high-quality olive oil, cannellini beans and fresh herbs. Meat lovers should try the bistecca alla fiorentina, a huge T-bone steak that's usually shared between two people, or ribollita, a thick delicious vegetable soup with bread, beans and greens. Panforte is the signature sweet treat.
Day 4 Pisa / Florence
Set out to the nearby city of Pisa (approximately 30 minutes by local train). A short orientation walk will help you to get your bearings in this easily navigable and small city. Then there'll be ample time for you to visit the quirky world-famous Leaning Tower, as well as the Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli, once the largest in Europe) and Pisa Baptistry (please note that it's not always possible to climb the tower). The tower was built in the 12th century, but its foundation was on shifting sand and clay, meaning that it now leans at an angle of 4 degrees (after restoration and stabilising work). Wander the narrow streets, which feature everything from high-end boutiques to speciality book and antiques stores, and perhaps enjoy an aperitif. Back in Florence take your time and be captivated by the culture-rich atmosphere, from family-run vineyards on the outskirts of the city to the Duomo’s magnificent marble facade. Maybe start with a visit the Galleria dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo's famous statue of David. Stop by the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries, or walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city – a lovely way to while away the afternoon.
Day 5 Florence / Bologna
This morning, jump on a train to Bologna. Often neglected by travellers, Bologna is a charming city filled with medieval and Renaissance buildings and art. Get acquainted with this orange-hued city during an orientation walk. Later, learn the fine art of Italian cooking with an evening class, crafting that king of comfort food – pasta. Of course, this being Italy, the class ends with the chance to stuff yourself silly with your carb creations.
Day 6 Bologna / Venice
Late morning, get the train to the watery wonderland that is Venice. Full of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas that remain practically unchanged since the 15th century, Venice is just as beautiful as you've always imagined. An orientation walk will help you to get the hang of the maze of the complex canal system, then you can set out on your own. Meet your group in late afternoon to explore Venice further, this time with your tastebuds. Cicchetti are small snacks that are served in most drinking establishments and cafes, and are a delightful surprise to many thirsty travellers. On this two-and-a-half-hour tour, you’ll snack and sip your way through the bars and taverns.
Day 7 Venice
Today is a day at leisure which you can spend as you wish. Perhaps board a traghetto (public gondola) and see the city from the water, as was intended, stroll over the Rialto Bridge and browse the endless amounts of boutique shops that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware. In the evening, why not visit busy San Marco square and listen to the sounds of orchestras and the rush of canals.
Day 8 Venice
Your adventure comes to an end on the final morning. There are no activities planned for today and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time before check-out. As there is so much to see in Venice we recommend you to stay a little longer. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Please speak to your booking agent at the time of booking.
