|
Puccini Festival, Wine & Opera Tour...
Wine Tours main menu -
Opera Tours main menu -
Italy main menu - 0845 003 2211 or 01543 258631
We
are pleased to be teaming up with the leading Wine Tours specialist, Arblaster &
Clarke to present a Gourmet Opera and Wine tour featuring the Puccini festival
at Torre del Lago, with performances with La Fanciulla del West and the much
loved Turandot. We can also arrange tours for individuals taking in the
festival, plus as much (or little) wine, gastronomy and culture as you like.
Most years since 1930, a stage has been set up over the Massaciuccoli Lake to
host a handful of performances of some of Puccini’s most loved works. 2005 will
be the 51st Festival and we have tickets for both the operas on during our stay,
Turandot and La Fanciulla del West.
We are based in an excellent, traditional 4*
hotel in Lucca, which is only a short drive from our evening Opera venue. The
tour includes operas on two of the three nights.
Our wine visits will show the best now coming from the Lucchesi Hills,
with tastings and lunches at several estates in the region. Our last lunchtime
will be at the superb estate of Tenuta di Capezzana, in Carmignano in the hills
towards Florence. We are extremely fortunate that the jovial Charles Metcalfe,
former opera singer and a highly regarded wine consultant is our wine guide on
this trip.
 |
  |
Lucca Puccini’s birthplace, was an independent city-state until the nineteenth century. The complete 16th century walls enclose a labyrinth of medieval streets, Romanesque churches and stately palazzi along with designer shops, mouthwatering delis and great trattorias and wine bars. Sites include the C12th and C14th San Michele in Foro church on the site of the Roman Forum, with its magnificent towering facade; the Cathedral with a striking green and white marble facade and the Piazza del Anfiteatro, a ramshackle oval of medieval buildings incorporating elements of the Roman Amphitheatre that stood here. Lucca is just 18 kms away from Torre del Lago
The Hotel: Our hotel, a good family run 4*, is between the outer and inner city walls, and you can get either stroll the short level walk into the centre or get around, like the locals do, by bicycle as these are on loan from the hotel.
The Itinerary is relaxed with late starts and great lunches after wine tastings at good Tuscan wine estates in the area. There will be plenty of time to enjoy Lucca’s Medieval sites, elegant shops, bars and restaurants. 4 meals with wines are included. 3 of these are lunches at wine estates, the fourth is on our night in Lucca.
Price: £1099 per person in twin. £180 single supplement. Upgrade rooms available.
Includes: Scheduled flight Gatwick / Pisa. 3 nights 4* hotel; breakfasts, 4 meals with wines; visits & tastings; Coach transfers though out. Wine Guide & tour Manager. (The tour is available without the flights from the UK too).
The Opera tickets:
First tier tickets to La Boheme are included. Options to purchase
ticket and transfer to Torre del Lago for Turandot at £90 per person first tier
or £70 per person second tier.
Private Tours taking in the Puccini Festival
Include
Various flight choices. (optional Bespoke arrangements may be ground only).
Choice of Hotels: There are very few good hotels in prime positions nearby and
obviously they are very popular at this time of year, however we will do our
best to find something to suit you. Your choice of transport and itinerary.
Price:
Subject to travel arrangements, hotels 3* - 5*, operas & excursions required,
length of stay and party size. (From individuals to groups). Prices vary
accordingly, from much less than our escorted tour price, to rather more. Please
call us on 0845 003 2211.
The Wines: Carmignano is the best known of the local wines. It is a sub-region of Chianti just west of Florence. Many of the wines are a blend of the indigenous Sangiovese and Cabernet-Sauvignon. The Colli Luccese, the area immediately around Lucca is viewed as up and coming, in particular there are good wines from Monte Carlo. On the coast there are some interesting whites made from Vermentino.
Gastronomy: Lucca’s classic dishes reflect the city’s
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 very highly regarded.
27 - 30 July
We visit several very good producers, the best known of these is leading
Carmignano estate Tenuta di Capezzana. We take leading estates in Montecarlo,
Gino Fuso Carmingnani and Fattoria del Buonamico. Down by the coast we also
visit Cima, whose wines we found very impressive.
Bespoke Arrangements
We can arrange a series of superb tastings. A private wine tour can be
arranged to leading wine estates nearby, either self-drive or by limousine,
espace or mini bus.
To check availability & book please call us on 0845 003 2211 or 0845 003 2211
Wine Tours main menu - Opera Tours main menu - Italy main menu