-Day 1 Overnight Flight to Italy
Day 2 Ciao Milan
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Details: Milan city walk
Get a fascinating introduction into Italy’s second largest city and one of the fashion capitals of the world. Start with the gorgeous 18th-century opera house La Scala before continuing on to the Milan Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that took nearly 600 years to build. Finish off your walk with a visit to the country’s oldest shopping mall—a 19th-century arcade with a gorgeous roof made entirely of iron and glass—and take a gander at some of the luxury items that make the town famous.
Details: La Scala
La Scala Museum houses memorabilia relating to Toscanini and Verdi, including busts, portraits, and stage costumes.
Details: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
We will stroll around the four-story covered double arcade of shops in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II; it was originally designed in 1861 and built by Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1877. The imposing street is covered over by an arching glass and cast iron roof, and the central octagonal space is topped with a glass dome. The Galleria connects two of Milan's most famous landmarks, the Duomo and the Teatro Alla Scala.
Day 3 Milan--Parma
Travel to Parma
Details: Violin Museum visit
Explore the Stradivarius Museum and the Palazzo Communale to see some of the most famous and priceless violins in the world.
Details: Birthplace of Arturo Toscanini Museum visit
Visit Arturo Toscanini's Birthplace and Museum. The acclaimed conductor was born here in 1867. It is a pilgrimage for music students and enthusiasts from all over the world.
Details: Parma choir performance
Choirs often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repertoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 4 Parma
Details: Busseto and Mantua excursion
Busseto is a town near Parma in Emilia-Romagna. Le Roncole, one of its smaller communities, is best known as the home of composer Giuseppe Verdi. Mantua was an important Renaissance center, and is crucial to the development of opera. While employed by the Duke of Mantua, Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo was premiered here. In the 12th century, residents created three artificial lakes for defense. In addition to its rich history, Mantua has also served as a fictional destination. Romeo spent his exile in Mantua after killing Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. Verdi's Rigoletto is set here, as well.
Details: Villa Verdi visit
Visit the house and museum that Verdi owned from 1848 until his death in 1901. See the piano where he composed his middle period operas, including Rigoletto and Aida, and various memorabilia from his life.
Details: Palazzo Ducale visit
Visit the Ducal Palace, which was built between the 14th and 17th centuries by the noble Gonzaga family. With over 500 rooms, this beautiful palazzo contains many famous treasures, and served as the royal residence. The Camera degli Sposi (or Bridal Chamber) was commissioned by Ludovico III Gonzaga and painted from 1465 to 1474 by Andrea Mantegna.
Day 5 Parma
Details: Lucca excursion
Lucca's peaceful narrow lanes wind among medieval buildings, churches, tiny piazzas, and Roman ruins, taking visitors on a true journey through the town's long history. Founded as a Roman colony in 180 BCE, the city center was shut off from traffic in the 17th century, making it a pleasant place to wander and explore. Make sure to wander past the statue of Giacomo Puccini, who was born in this idyllic place. His home has been transformed into the Puccini museum!
Details: Parma choir performance
Choirs often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repertoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 6 Parma--Pesaro
Details: Travel to Pesaro via San Marino
The tiny nation of San Marino is Europe's oldest republic, founded in the 4th century on the slopes of Monte Titano. Only seven miles across at its widest point, San Marino is dotted with small towns. It is the walled capital that is the real draw, with its historic buildings and lovely views.
Details: Pesaro choir performance
Choirs often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repertoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 7 Pesaro--Verona
Travel to Verona via Ravenna
Basilica of San Vitale
Details: Oratory of Galla Placidia visit
Discover the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a 5th century chapel that contains exceptional mosaics dating from antiquity. Translucent panels bring the mosaics alive in all their grace and harmony, vivid with peacock blue, moss green, Roman gold, aubergine, and burnt orange. Visit the octagonal-domed Museum and Basilica of San Vitale, which dates from the mid-6th century. The mosaics inside, among the most celebrated in the Western world, are done in brilliant greens and golds.
Day 8 Verona--Milan
Travel to Milan
Details: Roman Arena visit
Tour Verona's Roman Amphitheater, the largest in the world. Completed in 30 CE, this arena has been the site of executions, fairs, bullfights, opera, plays, and, of course, gladiator combat.
Day 9 Flight home from Milan
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip airfare and other transportation described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in three- or four-star hotels in twin (or occasional triple) rooms with private facilities guaranteed throughout
- Plentiful daily breakfast to start the day energized and ready to go
- Appetizing, culturally representative, three-course dinner daily
- Full time, multilingual, WorldStrides tour director who is LEAP-trained in experiential education
- Local guide at sites and on city tours as described in the itinerary
- All of the venue arrangement fees and promotional costs for included concert performances
- LEAP! Learning through Exploration and Active Participation; trademarked immersive approach of learning by doing
- Entrances and transportation to sites and activities described in your itinerary
- Local guide and local bus driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
- 24/7 On Tour Emergency Support
- Basic Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation Insurance during trip
- Up to three college credits upon course completion (grades 9-12) or high school credit (grades 6-12)
- Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, costs for rental, transport of instruments or music stands, any passport or visa fees, or tips for the Tour Director or multi-day bus drivers. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid tips, or other customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
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