October 9 – 21, 2024
Featuring opera at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, the Verdi Festival in Parma and Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Please note that tour members visiting Italy should be able to walk some distances, often on uneven ground, and should be able to climb stairs. This especially applies to the day excursion to Pompeii.
Operas you will see on the Tour
- Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples
- Britten’s Peter Grimes at the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome
- Verdi’s Macbeth (French version) at the Teatro Regio in Parma
- Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera at Teatro Verdi in Busseto
- Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier at Teatro alla Scala in Milan
Tour Costs
- Guild Members: Cdn $7,890 per person sharing
- Non-Guild: Cdn $7,990 per person sharing
- Single supplement: Cdn $2,180
Prices quoted in this brochure are in Canadian dollars based on a full tour, and foreign exchange rates in effect at time of printing (January 2024). We reserve the right to adjust the tour cost if there are substantial price changes.
OPERA TICKETS FOR ALL PERFORMANCES ARE IN HIGH DEMAND IN OCTOBER AND SUPPLIERS ARE REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DEPOSITS.
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO ENSURE AVAILABILITY OF THESE TICKETS.
Tour Includes
- Accommodation for 12 nights at hotels listed, or similar
- Welcome reception, daily breakfast and a farewell drink
- Five opera tickets
- Guided tours as described in the itinerary
- Entrance fees where applicable
- Coach and driver for tours and transfers
- Gratuities to drivers and guides
- Full-time Italian tour escort
- Vancouver Opera Guild Tour Director
- $300 donation to the Vancouver Opera Guild ($400 for non-members)
Tour Does Not Include
- Airfare (Great Expeditions will be pleased to assist with airline reservations )
- Airport transfers
Tour Schedule
(subject to minor changes)
October 9, 2024: Arrival Day in Naples
Arrival day in Naples (depart Vancouver Tuesday, Oct. 8).
Welcome reception at the hotel this evening. Accommodation for four nights at the 4-star Hotel MGallery Palazzo Caracciolo in the centre of Naples.
October 10, 2024: Naples
A combination bus and walking tour of Naples. We see the sea promenade with a beautiful view over the Castles (Castel dell’Ovo and Castel Nuovo, also known as the Maschio Angioino). We walk through the historical centre and see the “royal” quarter with the Teatro San Carlo, the Galleria Umberto, the Royal Palace and one of the most famous squares in Italy: Piazza del Plebiscito.
October 11, 2024: Naples
Roman city, Pompeii was buried under meters of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The preserved site features excavated ruins of streets and houses that visitors can freely explore.
8:00 p.m. performance of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples.
October 12, 2024: Naples – Ischia excursion
Ischia is a picturesque island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Naples. We reach the island by ferry and then travel by bus to the Gardens La Mortella, a stunning botanical garden, created by the English composer Sir William Walton and his wife Lady Susana Walton. The garden showcases a diverse collection of Mediterranean and exotic plants. We have some free time in the main village before returning to Naples.
October 13, 2024: Naples – Caserta – Rome
We leave Naples for Rome this morning and stop in Caserta for a visit to the magnificent Royal Palace with its fountain filled gardens. Continue to Rome and accommodation for three nights at the 4-star Hotel FH55 Palatino situated in the Monti district, a few steps from the Colosseum.
October 14, 2024: Rome
All day at leisure to explore the grandeur of Rome including the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon and then perhaps move on to the Vatican. There are also several Hop-On-Hop-Off bus opportunities.
October 15, 2024: Rome
A timed entry this morning to the Villa Borghese Gallery. Discover stories of the past through the museum’s interior design and frescoes. See Raffaella’s “Entombment of Christ” and Bernini’s “Apollo and Daphne”. Admire hundreds of masterpieces by Caravaggio, da Vinci and other artists.
8:00 p.m. performance of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes at the Teatro dell’Opera.
October 16, 2024: Rome – Montepulciano – Parma
We leave Rome this morning by bus for our full day excursion to Parma. We will make a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval and Renaissance hill town in southern Tuscany. There will be free time to look around the town. Continue to Parma.
Accommodation for three nights at the 4-star SINA Hotel Maria Luigia, a short walk from the Teatro Regio.
October 17, 2024: Rome – Mantua excursion
The highlight of Mantua is the Palazzo Ducale which houses numerous rooms and halls and is the sixth largest palace in Europe. Although most famous for Mantegna’s frescos in the Camera degli Sposi (Wedding Room), they have many other very significant architectural and painted elements. Piazza delle Erbe is the main square of Mantua, surrounded by colourful buildings and lively cafes – a great place to enjoy a coffee and explore the nearby markets.
8:00 p.m. performance of Verdi’s Macbeth (French version) at the Teatro Regio in Parma.
October 18, 2024: Parma
Full day tour visiting Verdi’s homelands including a guided tour of his birth house, Teatro Verdi and Casa Barezzi Museum.
3:00 p.m. performance of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera at the 300 seat Teatro Verdi in Busseto
October 19, 2024: Parma – Milan
Leave Parma for Milan this morning and check in to the 4-star Hotel Cavour, in the city centre.
7:00 p.m. performance of Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier at Teatro alla Scala.
October 20, 2024: Milan
Free day to shop or explore on our own.
Enjoy a farewell drink at the hotel this evening.
October 21, 2024: Departure Day from Milan
End of tour. Stay on in Milan, travel elsewhere or fly home.
CONTACT
Lis Dawson 604-922-8008
Genny MacLean 604-738-5535
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This paragraph defines our responsibility with respect to all our tours. Please read it carefully. Payment of deposit represents an acceptance by purchaser of the following terms and conditions. Great Expeditions, its owners, outfitters, agents and employees, gives notice that all arrangements for accommodation, transportation and/or, all related travel services, have been made by Great Expeditions only as agent, upon the express condition that Great Expeditions shall not be liable for any injury, damage, delay, mishap, inconvenience or irregularity occasioned through the default of any company or individual engaged in providing the arranged accommodation. Great Expeditions cannot be responsible for negligent conduct or financial irresponsibility of these suppliers, since they maintain no control over them. Such passenger conveyance, hotel accommodation, etc. is subject to the laws of the state or country where provided. In addition, Great Expeditions assumes no liability resulting directly or indirectly from any of the following causes: acts of God, detention, annoyance, weather, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbance, theft, government regulations, etc. over which it has no control. Great Expeditions reserves the right to substitute hotels and leaders and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip prior to departure upon the refund of all payments received which shall release Great Expeditions from any further liability. Great Expeditions reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person or member of any tour should such person’s actions or general deportment impede the operation of the tour or the rights or welfare or enjoyment of other members of the tour, and it is agreed a refund of the amount recovered from suppliers of unused land services is the limit of Great Expeditions responsibility.
CARRIER’S RESPONSIBILITY
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RESERVATIONS
A deposit of $2,000 per person is required at time of booking. A second payment of $2,000 is due by May 21 with balance due by August 30.
CANCELLATIONS
All payments are non-refundable unless space can be resold.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that tour members purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect themselves against money loss in the event of cancellation due to personal or family illness. We also offer comprehensive insurance which includes trip cancellation/interruption plus excess hospital/medical benefits, baggage and travel accident. Some exclusions for pre-existing conditions do apply. Insurance premiums are age banded. Please ask for an insurance quote at time of booking.