Puccini was a native of Lucca and lived nearby at Torre del Lago, where every year the new opera centre on the lake puts on his most famous works.  Our tour visits Lucca, Pisa, the spa town of Montecatini, Pistoia and the grand villas and gardens in the Tuscan countryside.  We also spend a day in the mountains of the Apuan Alps, where the world famous Carrara marble is quarried.  We spend two evenings at the opera - Tosca and Madama Butterfly.  Prospect tour leader, Dr Trevor Joscelyne, is accompanying this tour.

Hotel: We stay at a 4-star Hotel in Montecatini Terme.

Itinerary

Day 1 – We fly to Pisa and transfer to our hotel in Montecatini Treme.  Late afternoon we have a guided walk of Montecatini, followed by dinner in the hotel.

Day 2 – A full day excursion to the Apuan Alps through the Apuan National Park visiting Barga, Aulla and Carrara and returning along the coast.

Day 3 – Today we visit two of the most beautiful villas in the surrounding countryside.  First, the Villa Reale in Marlia, which belonged to Napoleon’s sister. It has a fine 18th-century park, with water theatre and lemon garden. Then on to the Villa Mansi, a 16th-century villa, later redesigned into a Baroque country house, with statue-lined avenues in the park.  In the evening visit Torre del Lago for the performance of Tosca.

Day 4 – Lucca is a largely mediaeval town based on the form of a Roman military camp and later enclosed by ramparts. Within the ramparts there are narrow alleyways and small squares, palaces, churches, towers and the handsome Tuscan Cathedral..

Day 5 – Montecatini. A free day to explore Montecatini and visit a spa or take the funicular to Montecatini Alto or an optional visit to Pistoia with the tour leader . In the evening visit Torre del Lago for the performance of Madama Butterfly.

Day 6 – Pisa. The Campo del Miracoli is famous for its Cathedral and Leaning Tower. After our visit we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.

Tour Leader: Dr Trevor Joscelyne is a specialist in Renaissance literature and culture. He holds Masters degrees from the universities of Cambridge and London and his doctorate from the University of York. He has also undertaken research at the University of Pavia in Italy and in Venice. He has held senior positions at the University of North London and London Metropolitan University.

Montecatini, the Apual Alps and the Puccini Festival 2010
Price: £1,350 per person
No Single Supplement
Deposit: £250 per person

Departure date with performance details:

28 Jul - 02 Aug 2010       Tour Code: PUC10

30 Jul:      Tosca
01 Aug     Madama Butterfly

Price Includes:  5 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4-star Hotel in Montecatini Terme, five dinners, two opera performances, transfers to and from the airport for the suggested flights, excursions and guided visits as listed.

Travel: Please note that flights are not included in our price. You can make your own arrangements, or we can book them for you.

Suggested British Airways scheduled flights.