Feel The Rhythm in ITALY

Highlights

Special Events, Festivals, Extra Excursions & Add Onsfor Operas, Artists & Composers and Music Tradition

Included

  • Individual / FIT & Groups suggested Tour
  • Accommodation at Ignas Tour’s Selected Hotels
  • Transportation by Private Bus/Minibus/Car *
  • Official Tour Guides during the City Tours *
  • Entrance Tickets and Food & Wine Tastings *

* (according to the program – if mentioned)          

Book Tour

SUGGESTED TOURS & EXCURSIONS

#1 – STRADIVARI ITALY (Full Day Tour from MILAN & VERONA)
VIOLIN & MUSIC TRADITION IN CREMONA
Follow us into the City of Violin and Music: Cremona, world Capital of the art of violin and string making. Still today over two hundred violin makers workshops keep the tradition alive by following the footprints of world known Cremonese violin makers such as Antonio Stradivari, the Amati’s end the Guarneri’s. During the tour of Cremona admire all the monuments of Piazza del Comune, the Cathedral, Baptistery, Torrazzo, Palazzo del Comune and Loggia dei Militi. The tour will then continue with a visit of the Museum of Violin where will have an insight into the origin and history of the violin, the method of construction and the most important families of Cremonese violin makers. The museum hosts a beautiful collection of various string instruments made by the most known violin makers of all time: Amati, Guarneri and Stradivari. Lunch in a local restaurant to savor a succulent lunch based on typical cuisine. Following lunch continue with a pleasant walk to the district of luthiers to see the places where Antonio Stradivari lived. Stop for a visit to a contemporary violin maker’s workshop to discover the secrets and charm of modern lutherie. Then back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus Disposition
    • Full Day Tour Guide in Cremona (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee –  Museum of Violin (closed on Mondays)
    • Entrance Fee –  Visit to a Violin-making Shop 
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
#2 – VERDIITALY (Full Day Tour from MILAN, VERONA & BOLOGNA)
FOLLOWING VERDI’S FOOTSTEPS IN PARMA AND BUSSETO
Join us in the discovery of Verdi’s footsteps in Parma. Morning departure to Parma, the city of Music and Arts, worldwide known thanks to Giuseppe Verdi. During your tour you will admire Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral and Baptistery, the Teatro Farnese and visit the Museum of Sound. For lunch, we will continue to Langhirano famous for the production of Prosciutto. Lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Roncole to visit the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo which preserves the organ on which the young Verdi played the first notes. Finally, you will reach Busseto, where Verdi with the financial support and encouragement of Antonio Barezzi undertook with decision to study music. In the historical center of Busseto you will visit Teatro “Giuseppe Verdi” and Casa Barezzi. Return to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus Disposition
    • Full Day Tour Guide in Parma & Busseto (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee –  Museum House of Sound (closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)     
    • Entrance Fee – Birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi & Theater and Casa Barezzi
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
#3 – PAVAROTTIITALY (Full Day Tour from BOLOGNA)
DISCOVER MODENA THROUGH PAVAROTTI’S EYE
Discover with us the city of Modena through Pavarotti’s eye. Morning departure to Modena to explore the places dear to Pavarotti. Walk through the alleys of the historical center and discover the stores, the restaurants familiar to the great Maestro. We will discover Piazza Grande (the main square), the cathedral and the Ghirlandina Tower, all UNESCO World Heritage sites. We will then visit the amazing Luciano Pavarotti Opera House. Its acoustic excellence and elegant architecture contribute to making it one of the most renown opera houses in Italy and a must for lovers of opera, dance and music the world over. Afterwards lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit of Casa Museum Pavarotti (Pavarotti house and museum). Every detail reflects his personality. We will discover the rooms, admire his costumes and see videos and pictures as well as the many awards that describe his amazing 40 years long opera career.  After back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus Disposition
    • Full Day Tour Guide in Modena (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee –  Luciano Pavarotti Opera House
    • Entrance Fee – Casa Museum Pavarotti
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
#4 – PUCCINIITALY (Full Day Tour from FLORENCE, SIENA & CINQUE TERRE)
PUCCINI’S SOUND IN LUCCA
Discover with us the hometown of the famous Giacomo Puccini and city of incredible beauties- Lucca. Begin your guided tour with the Amphitheatre Square, then the Clock Tower, the Cathedral, San Michele and San Frediano and the famous walls of Lucca. Within the walls of the historic city of Lucca you will found Piazza Cittadella and Corte San Lorenzo, places full of memories which are directly related to the childhood and early youth of Giacomo Puccini. Discover the Puccini Museum Birthplace. Typical 3 Couses Lunch in a local restaurant with Lucca’s specialties. After lunch continue your visit passing by Teatro del Giglio, where in 1878, the young student Giacomo Puccini performed as a pianist accompanying a young singer, demonstrating his rare skills. Afterwards Torre del Lago, following to the footsteps of Puccini: the composer did not like the city noise and often retreated here, to enjoy the silence and look inward. Visit to Villa Puccini and enjoy the landscapes that admired the composer. Back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus Disposition
    • Full Day Tour Guide in Lucca (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee –  Cathedral of Lucca 
    • Entrance Fee – Puccini Museum Birthplace
    • Entrance Fee – Villa Museum Puccini
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
#5 – RIGOLETTOITALY (Full Day Tour from MILAN, VERONA & BOLOGNA)
DISCOVER RIGOLETTO: MANTUA & SABBIONETA
Prepare for a journey between fantasy and reality, following the footstep of the places of the most famous Giuseppe Verdi’s Opera, Rigoletto, set in Mantua in the 16th century. During this excursion you will visit the Ducal Palace, the immense residence of the Gonzaga Family during its four centuries of domination. The visit includes the “Camera degli Sposi” of Mantegna and other beautiful rooms. Walking tour through the streets and squares of the old town, the Teatro Scientifico Bibiena , the Palace of Accademia Virgiliana, the House of Rigoletto and St. Andrew Basilica. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch continue to Sabbioneta, the town built by the Duke Vespasiano Gonzaga,  an extraordinarily preserved example of architecture and urban design of the Renaissance. The visit includes a short route around the walls, view of  the Ducal Palace, the Garden Palace with the Gallery, the Synagogue and the Ancient Theater. Back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus Disposition
    • Full Day Tour Guide in Mantua & Sabbioneta (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee – Palazzo Ducale (closed on Mondays) 
    • Entrance Fee – Palace Garden & Gallery of Old Theater all’Antica, Doge’s Palace & Synagogue 
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
#6 – MODUGNOITALY (Full Day Tour from LECCE)
PIZZICA AND TARANTELLA IN SALENTO & MELPIGNANO
Enjoy a precious tour based on a typical Apulian folk dance: The Pizzica. The original legend tells that someone who had been bitten by the tarantula spider had to dance to an upbeat tempo to sweat the poison out. Arrival to Torrepaduli and visit the mysterious San Paolo and Tarantate’s Chapel where you will admire the miraculous well. Continue to Galatina to Casa Museo Centro del Tarantismo (Museum of Tarantella) to discover more about this particular tradition and dance. Lunch in the area at a typical restaurant. Following lunch participate in a workshop, where you will learn the secrets of this dance and learn its steps. Finish the tour with a visit to Melpignano, located in the heart of the Grecìa Salentina, one of Italy’s Authentic Hamlets. Reach the historic centre to visit the Palazzo Marchesale De Luca, a palace built in 1636 by Giorgio Castriota-Scanderberg with an amazing garden, a small green oasis belonging to the nobles of that time;  the quite unusual San Giorgio’s square boasts a colonnade built in the 16th century; the small Church of Annunziata and the Mother Church dedicated to the patron Saint San Giorgio. Following the tour back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus Disposition
    • Full Day Tour Escort in Salento & Melpignano (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee – Museum of Tarantella 
    • Entrance Fee – Pizzica and Tarantella workshop 
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
#7 – BAGLIONIITALY (Full Day Tour from GENOA & TURIN)
MEDITERRANEAN VIBES IN SANREMO & APRICALE
Join us in if you love a sun-dappled Mediterranean vibe. Visit the city of Sanremo, founded in Roman times in a large inlet on the western Ligurian coast, also known as City of Flowers for its colourful summer blooms and is famous throughout the world for its annual music festival of Italian songs, stage for the great singer Claudio Baglioni with his hit song of “Questo Piccolo Grande Amore”. Stroll around Porto Vecchio, the old harbor and wander along the seafront and the main boulevards in the town centre such as Corso degli Inglesi to see many of the grand villas and their surrounding gardens, many of them still beautifully maintained. Behind the harbor and just off Corso Matteotti is the medieval center of the town, which is largely pedestrianized and very pleasant to explore. Known locally as La Pigna (translation: pine cone) this area of tall medieval houses clustered close together along narrow streets provides an interesting contrast with the luxury of the grand villas found all around town. Time for a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant. Departure to visit Apricale, a little medieval village in Val Nervia. Its name means “exposed to the sun” that shines on the slate roofs and on the stone houses lying on the hill. Visit the Castle of the Lizard, built in the 10th century by the Counts of Ventimiglia and today houses a rich museum and the summer night-time outdoor performances of the Teatro della Tosse in Genoa on designs by Lele Luzzati. Apricale is a village frequented and loved by artists, above all painters, who have done about fifty murals on the facades of the houses. Afterwards back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus Disposition
    • Full Day Tour Escort in Sanremo & Apricale (3h + 3h)
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
#8 – DONIZETTIITALY (Full Day Tour from MILAN)
THE TRADITION OF LA SCALA THEATER IN MILAN
Come with us into one of the world capitals of opera: Milan. Home to important composers, musicians, librettists and singers who have marked the history of this musical genre. In the morning discover the history of the places and characters of the lyric world, starting from the Royal Palace, a converging point of social and cultural affairs, among its halls discover the four eras of the Palace: Neoclassical, Napoleonic, the Restoration and the Unification of Italy. Later, crossing Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a meeting place for singers and musicians, we will arrive at the Teatro dei Filodrammatici, where Giuseppe Verdi’s first real Milan debut took place. Narrating the history of the master of Busseto, we will reach Piazza della Scala, where we will discover stories and anecdotes of the musicians linked to the Scale theater created by the architect Piermarini after the fire that struck the Teatro Regio Ducale in 1776. After a 3-course lunch at local restaurant, visit the amazing “Museum of Teatro alla Scala” – a theatrical museum and library attached to the Teatro alla Scala. Admire the rich collection of paintings related to the world of opera and theater in general, scenographic sketches, letters, portraits, autographs and ancient musical instruments. Afterwards back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    
• Private Car, Minibus or Bus for Full day Excursion
    • Full Day Tour Guide in Milan (3h + 3h)
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)      
    • Entrance fee – Museum of Teatro alla Scala       
#9 – CARUSOITALY (Full Day Tour from NAPLES)
THE HISTORY OF TEATRO SAN CARLO IN NAPLES  
Immerse yourself in a full day tour to discover one of the oldest and most famous theaters in the world. In the morning visit “Memus” — The Museum and Historical Archive of San Carlo’s Theater. A place of memory and innovation of 300 square meters and a virtual 3D gallery has been set up to relive the great historical events held in the world-famous San Carlo Theater, from its foundation to the present day. After a 3 course lunch at local restaurant, go inside and visit the Historic Neapolitan Theater -“San Carlo” which foundation precedes the Scala theater in Milan by 41 years and the Fenice theater in Venice by 55 years. Next to Plebiscito Square, overlooking Piazza Trieste e Trento, it is located in the lower part of the Royal Palace, connected to it by a royal gate which allowed the King to enter the theater without going down the street. The theater can accommodate 3.300 spectators who in the years has assisted to performing names like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Josè Carreras, Enrico Caruso (who held his last controversial Neapolitan show at the San Carlo), Maria Callas, Montserrat Caballé and many others. Afterwards back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus for Full day Excursion
    • Full Day Tour Guide (3h + 3h)
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
    • Entrance fee — “Memus” The Museum and Historical Archive of San Carlo’s Theater.
    • Entrance fee — Teatro San Carlo 
#10 – ROSSINIITALY (Full Day Tour from VENICE)
THE ELEGANCE OF TEATRO LA FENICE & CASONOVA’S CHARACTER IN VENICE
Discover a less crowded aspect of Venice. Join us in a full day tour based on Venice literary culture. In the morning visit “Teatro La Fenice” one of the most important theaters in the city, home to important shows and rich theatrical seasons. Built in 1792, the theater was home to artists such as Rossini, Bellini, Verdi and Donizetti. The theater war strucked by 2 fiercely fires, the first in 1836 and the second in 1996. Fortunately like the phoenix that gives the theater the name, it reborn from the flames and was swiftly rebuilt proving a magnificent, elegant work that privileged the musical function of the structure. Time for a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon continue the literary experience by visiting “Casanova Museum & Experience” an exhibition that goes beyond the myth of Casanova, telling the real story behind the bright lights of eighteenth-century Venice and showing the fragility, full of solitude and insecurity, that makes Casanova an eclectic and complex character even today. Looking at the literature in which he is the central character, in his hand-written documents, and at objects and original clothes of the period, the most significant moments of Giacomo’s life are deduced. The exhibition mixes virtual experiences and immersive surroundings, alternating with interactive exhibits. Afterwards back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus for Full day Excursion
    • Full Day Tour Guide (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee — Teatro La Fenice (audio guide included)
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
    • Entrance Fee — Casanova Museum & Experience
#11 – BOCELLIITALY (Full Day Tour from VERONA)
THE MAGIC OF ARENA DI VERONA
Prepare to fell the magic of ancient times by visiting The Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater in Piazza Bra in Verona, built in the first half of the 1st century A.D., in the period which marked the end of the Augustus’s Empire and the beginning of Claudius’s. It is one of the largest and best preserved ancient structures of its kind; its elliptical shape produces perfect acoustics from any stand point and allows it to accommodate numerous spectators. Every year over 500,000 people see productions of the popular operas in this arena. Once capable of housing 20,000 people per performance (now limited to 15,000 because of safety reasons), the arena has featured many of world’s most notable opera singers. In the post-World War II era, they have included Giuseppe Di Stefano, Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi and Renata Tebaldi among other names. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. Time for a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant to taste Italian cuisine. In the afternoon a short drive into the hills of St. Peter to visit the Roman Theater built in the middle of Augustinian age. A building of spectacular grandeur which respects the architectural canons of this building type: the seating area for spectators, divided in two sections and vertically in wedges; the semi-circular orchestra at the foot of the staircase; the stage, for the actors. During the summer the theater hosts numerous theatrical and musical events (Estate Teatrale Veronese). Over centuries many civil and religious buildings were erected on the theater’s ruins; in 1834 a rich Veronese merchant, Andrea Monga, bought at this own expense some houses that were built in the area of the theater in order to begin archaeological excavations, which brought to light ruins of the Roman building. Afterwards back to your hotel.

✓ INCLUDED
    • Private Car, Minibus or Bus for Full day Excursion
    • Full Day Tour Guide (3h + 3h)
    • Entrance Fee — Arena di Verona (closed on Monday Mornings)
    • 3-Course Lunch at local restaurant (drinks excluded)
    • Entrance Fee — Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano (closed on Monday Mornings)

* The Tours & Ercursions are on request and rates are subject to the availability of the hotels at the time of booking.
Prices are subject to change if travel occur during trade shows, bank holidays or special events and supplements may be applied.

Included Features

  • Individual / FIT & Groups suggested Tour
  • Accommodation at Ignas Tour’s Selected Hotels
  • Transportation by Private Bus/Minibus/Car *
  • Official Tour Guides during the City Tours *
  • Entrance Tickets and Food & Wine Tastings *

* (according to the program – if mentioned)

Not Included

  • City Taxes – to be paid on spot
  • Extra Tips
  • Extra Expenses
  • Everything not listed under “INCLUDED”

Prices

TOURS40 pax30 pax20 pax10 pax
 #1 – STRADIVARIITALY 
(Full Day Tour from MILAN & VERONA)
VIOLIN & MUSIC TRADITION IN CREMONA
+ € 70,00+ € 80,00+ € 90,00+ € 130,00
#2 – VERDIITALY 
(Full Day Tour from MILAN, VERONA & BOLOGNA)
FOLLOWING VERDI’S FOOTSTEPS IN
PARMA & BUSSETO
+ € 80,00 + € 90,00+ € 105,00+ € 155,00
 #3 – PAVAROTTIITALY
(Full Day Tour from BOLOGNA)
DISCOVER MODENA THROUGH PAVAROTTI’S EYE
+ € 80,00 + € 90,00+ € 110,00+ € 175,00
#4 – PUCCINIITALY
(Full Day Tour from  FLORENCE, SIENA & CINQUE TERRE)
PUCCINI’S SOUND IN LUCCA
+ € 65,00+ € 70,00+ € 85,00+ € 140,00
#5 – RIGOLETTOITALY
(Full Day Tour from  MILAN, VERONA & BOLOGNA)
DISCOVER RIGOLETTO: MANTUA & SABBIONETA
+ € 70,00+ € 85,00+ € 100,00+ € 165,00
#6 – MODUGNOITALY
(Full Day Tour from LECCE)
PIZZICA AND TARANTELLA IN SALENTO & MELPIGNANO
+ € 50,00+ € 60,00+ € 75,00+ € 115,00
#7 – BAGLIONIITALY
(Full Day Tour from GENOA & TURIN)
MEDITERRANEAN VIBES IN SANREMO & APRICALE
+ € 70,00+ € 80,00+ € 90,00+ € 130,00
#8 – DONIZETTIITALY
(Full Day Tour from MILAN)
THE TRADITION OF LA SCALA THEATER IN MILAN
+ € 60,00+ € 65,00+ € 80,00+ € 130,00
#9 – CARUSOITALY
(Full Day Tour from NAPLES)
THE HISTORY OF TEATRO SAN CARLO IN NAPLES
+ € 75,00+ € 80,00+ € 85,00+ € 120,00
#10 – ROSSINIITALY
(Full Day Tour from VENICE)
THE ELEGANCE OF TEATRO LA FENICE IN VENICE
+ € 70,00+ € 80,00+ € 95,00+ € 150,00
#11 – BOCELLIITALY
(Full Day Tour from VERONA)
THE MAGIC OF ARENA DI VERONA
+ € 65,00+ € 75,00+ € 85,00+ € 130,00

Rates are Commissionable to Travel Agencies & Tour Operators
Rates Per Person / Per Tour & Excursion Package
Free Of Charge 1/21 Paying Pax for Tour Leader
* also available “without Transportation” option