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Puccini Festival & Tuscan Wine
Thursday 24 - Sunday 27 July
Opera & Wine Tours
Lucca, Puccinis birthplace, was an independent city-state until the nineteenth century. It has a complete circuit of 16th century walls which enclose a labyrinth of medieval streets, Romanesque churches and stately palazzi along with designer shops, and great trattorias, delis and wine bars. We are great fans of Lucca, which is why this tour is based there. Sites include the C12th - C14th San Michele in Foro church on the site of the Roman Forum, with its magni½cent towering facade; the Cathedral with a striking green and white marble facade and the Piazza del An½teatro, which is a ramshackle oval of medieval buildings incorporating elements of the Roman Amphitheatre that once stood here. Our wine visits will show the best now coming from the Lucchesi Hills, with tastings and lunches at several estates in the region including Montechiari in Montecarlo and the superb estate of Tenuta di Valgiano in the Colle Lucchesi. Our ½rst lunchtime will be at the famous Tenuta di Capezzana, in
Carmignano in the hills near Florence. On Saturday well take you into Florence to give you several hours to explore. Our hotel, the best in Lucca, is a family run 4*, between the outer and inner city walls, and you can either stroll the short level walk into the centre or get around by bicycle, on loan from the hotel. As for gastronomy, Lucca has many restaurants and its classic dishes re¾ect the citys former wealth such as torta di erbe a vegetable pie studded with pine nuts and raisins and il buccellato a raisin and aniseed cake. The olive oil, which is mild to almost sweet, is also highly regarded. Just 18 kms away is Torre del Lago, where most years since 1930 a stage has been set up over the Massaciuccoli Lake to host a handful of performances of some of Puccinis most loved works. 2008 will be the 54th Festival and the ½rst in the newly rebuilt theatre, much improved and extended. We have included one ½rst class ticket to Turandot, with the option to attend Butter¾y on the last evening if you wish.
The Maestro in a Lucca wine shop
Puccinis La Bohème is performed at La Scala, Milan on the nights of 22 & 23 July. It is easy to combine Milan with this tour (or indeed to combine La Bohème in Milan with the Verona Opera & Wine 24 - 27 July). There are train connections in both cases. Alternatively extend your stay with two nights in Florence. The Wine Guide is Derek Smedley M.W.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Flight BA2600 Gatwick 08.00 / Pisa 11.10. Wine Estate lunch. 4* hotel central Lucca. Visit at Wine Estate. Dinner. Turandot. Visit & lunch at Wine Estate. Butter¾y (Optional). Wine Visit. Lunchtime & PM in Florence. Flight Pisa 20.25 / Gatwick 21.30. BA2619
Includes
Direct scheduled ¾ights Gatwick - Pisa (BA), all taxes, coach, 3 nights 4* hotel central Lucca, breakfasts, 3 meals with wines, visits & tastings, 1st category seat to Turandot. Tickets are available to Butter¾y. Extend in Florence. We will be happy to book our favourite riverside 4* hotel for you.
Travel Price £ pp Sole occupancy Deposit £ pp Room Upgrade
Flight
Tosca at Torre del Lago
1099
200
250
150
69
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