“2026 Summer Opera in Tuscany & Veneto”© July 23 – August 1, 2026 (10 days, 9 nights)
Our 2026 “Summer Opera in Tuscany & Veneto"© is even more fabulous than our previous versions! We visit some of the most splendid locations in these regions, where music, art and architecture intertwine, and where the food, wine and settings are sublime.
PART I – LUCCA, PISA & Western Tuscany
The tour begins upon your arrival at the Galileo Galilee International Airport in Pisa, where you will be met by your licensed, Italian Tour Leader, who will remain with your group throughout the tour. Transfer via private, air-conditioned motor coach with Wi-Fi (used for all transfers throughout the tour) to a luxurious, private villa in the Tuscan countryside, a half hour outside of Lucca, for three nights. The remainder of the day is free to rest and roam this stunning estate until Aperitivo (Italian cocktail hour) when you will receive a tour briefing followed by a special Welcome Dinner in the Villa
On Day 2, following a bountiful breakfast buffet (provided daily), we depart for a guided tour of the Medieval/Renaissance city of Lucca. We visit the home of the great opera composer, Giacomo Puccini, and many of the beautiful sights of this walled city. After lunch together, and free time to shop, explore or walk atop the city walls, now an elevated park, we return to the villa (On each performance day, we will return to the villa or hotel in the mid-afternoon to allow for R&R prior to the evening events, which all end at midnight.) In the early evening, we depart for Torre del Lago Puccini, a small town on the shores of Lake Massaciùccoli, to attend the annual Puccini Festival Tonight we will dine lakeside and then enjoy Puccini’s magnificent “Turandot,” featuring the aria made notoriously famous by Lucciano Pavorotti, “Nessun Dorma.” Return to the villa.
On the morning of Day 3, we transfer to Pisa to see its iconic “Leaning Tower” in the Piazza dei Miracoli (Plaza of Miracles), one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. After a guided tour of Pisa’s famous Cathedral and its lavishly adorned Baptistry, we transfer to the seaside town of Viareggio, for relaxing sea views and lunch, then return to the Villa for the remainder of the afternoon.
In the early evening, we return to Torre del Lago for dinner and a stunning performance of Puccini’s beloved “La Boheme.” Overnight at the villa.
Part II- FLORENCE (Tuscany) / MODENA (Emilia-Romagna)
On Day 4 we check out and head for Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance!” We first arrive at the church and monastery of San Miniato al Monte, which overlooks all of Florence and offers a magnificent panorama from a vantage point above the iconic Piazzale Michelangelo After a brief tour of this Romanesque church (from 1013), we transfer to the historic center of Florence and check into a Renaissance palazzo, the 5-star Hotel Palazzo Bernini for three nights. The Bernini is just one block from Piazza Signoria, the political and cultural heart of Florence for almost one thousand years. In Florence you can enjoy some of the city’s world-famous museums and magnificent churches, with free time for shopping, people watching, and delicious food.
A few blocks away, we will enjoy the best pizza outside of Naples, followed by a leisurely “Renaissance Walk,” passing by the most famous edifices of Florence – churches, museums, plazas, fountains, shops, etc., for an introduction to the world’s favorite art city. We punctuate this walking tour with a coffee or wine break at the oldest and most famous caffè in Florence, the exquisite Caffè Gilli.
Next, you will be treated to a private tour of the Franco Zeffirelli International Center for the Performing Arts, to see sketches, sets, costumes, models and designs for opera, theatre, film and television, all created by the late Federico Zeffirelli. Walk across the street to our hotel for some free time before we dine together at a nearby Florentine restaurant.
Take the rest of the evening to wander on your own. Florence is safe, lively and full of local families and tourists strolling the streets until well into the evening. Join them in an evening tradition called La Passeggiata Grab a gelato and wander the bustling streets, people watch from a lively piazza or walk a few blocks to the Ponte Vecchio for gorgeous views and palazzo reflections on the River Arno Return to the hotel at your leisure.
On Day 5, we enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica di Santa Croce, including its Medici and Pazzi Chapels. This imposing Gothic church is adorned with layers of artistic history from the Medieval to high Renaissance. Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world, and the burial place of some of Italy’s most favorite sons, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and the composer, Rossini.
Around the corner at Acqua Flor, we discover a modern version of the famous Officina & ProfumoFarmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. This unique and exquisite shop offers fragrances for the body and home, as well as designer artifacts to create a Florentine atmosphere in your own home. Take the remainder of the day to shop at the many artisan boutiques in the area (leather, gold, paper, wood, original perfumes and herbals) and enjoy lunch on your own (suggestions provided). Private site-seeing tours are also available upon two-weeks advance request; multiple options are available.
Return to the hotel at your leisure. Later, we enjoy an very special dinner in front of the Duomo in the historic Ristorante Boca San Giovanni. Return to the hotel at your leisure.
On Day 6, we take a daytrip outside of the city, starting in the small Etruscan town of Fiesole, famous its northern overlook of Florence and scenes in the film “Room With a View.” We take a guided tour of Fiesole’s Etruscan walls and Roman amphitheater, with a coffee break in its central piazza.
Driving southwest of Florence, we stop for lunch and a guided tour of the tower-filled city of San Gimignano. We pause for gelato at Dondoli Gelateria owned by world-master gelataio, Dondoli. From here, take time to wander and shop, and then regroup to transfer to our next site: Tenuta Guicciardini-Strozzi, a noble wine estate in operation since 944! After a fascinating tour of the wine cellars and a portion of the home – featuring the family tree of La Gioconda (the Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci) whose great great…granddaughters own and manage the estate - we are treated to a tasting of its award-winning wines, including Tuscany’s most famous white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
The drive through Chianti to our next stop is breathtaking! We arrive in Panzano, home of the famous butcher shop, L’Antica Macelleria Cecchini, to feast at Officina della Bistecca where Dario Cecchini entertains and brings a festive close to the day. Transfer to Hotel Bernini and prepare to depart Florence in the morning.
On Day 7, we say “Arrivederci” to Tuscany, and journey north through the verdant hills of northern Florence to Modena, in the Region of Emilia-Romagna. Our first stop is a visit to the museum home of Luciano Pavarotti. Then we transfer to an acclaimed acetaia (vinegar producing facility) to learn about the production and aging of balsamic vinegar, and to sample the sweet, aged vinegar for which Modena is famous. After lunch and a brief tour of Modena’s city center, we continue north to the Veneto Region.
PART III – VERONA, LAGO DI GARDA, VICENZA (The Veneto)
In the late afternoon of Day 7, we arrive in Verona, the “City of Love.” Shakespeare set five of his works in the Veneto Region. Two of these (“The Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "Romeo and Juliet") were set in Verona, with its surrounding walls, its meandering Adige River, its long, wide streets, its memories of the Middle Ages and tranquil Roman bridges, its tall towers…On every corner, love is in the air!
We check into the luxurious and well-located 4-star Hotel Accademia for the next four nights. After settling in, we will enjoy a fabulous view and dinner from the panoramic, rooftop terrace of the 5-star Hotel Due Torri, which overlooks this romantic city and its winding River Adige. After dinner, wander the safe and enticing streets of the city center and return to our hotel at your leisure.
On Day 8, we take a walking tour of the city’s compact, historic center to visit its grand Piazza Bra, Via Mazzini, Verona’s impressive Cathedral, beautiful Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s Balcony, and other memorable sites. After much walking and “gawking,” and a lunch of authentic Veronese cuisine, enjoy a free afternoon.
In the evening, we savor a fabulous Veronese dinner and then stroll to the fascinating Piazza Bra, one of the largest piazzas in Italy We stand in view of the Roman amphitheater eager to take our seats in the Arena di Verona for an exciting performance of Verdi’s spectacular opera, “Aida!” Walk back to the hotel at your leisure.
On the morning of Day 9, we journey to Vicenza to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites We begin with an introduction to Palladian architecture at the Palladio Museum, followed by a walk along the Corso Andrea Palladio, the Piazza dei Signori, the Basilica Palladiana, ending with a tour of the Olympic Theatre. Having worked up an appetite, we leave the city center and transfer to lunch and a guided tour of Villa Rotonda del Palladio We return to our hotel in Verona for some rest (and packing) before our closing event, our Farewell Dinner - a gourmet extravaganza at the acclaimed Ristorante Le Arche! Return to the hotel at your leisure
Sadly, our journey through place and time is ending. It is Day 10, Saturday, August 1, and you must depart for your transatlantic flights from Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. (Departure time TBD.) After breakfast and checkout from our hotel, the group will transfer to Marco Polo Airport (outside Venice) for connecting flights to US.
When scheduling your return flights, please allow 2 hours after check-out from the hotel for bus travel to the airport plus the required 3 hours at the airport for check-in, security clearance, etc., prior to departure.
PLEASE NOTE: All hotels, restaurants, sightseeing venues and musical events are subject to availability. If a hotel, restaurant, event or site is unavailable, we will do our best to replace it with a venue of comparable value.
Additional personal services, such as private tours during free times, individual transfers to/from the airports (not with the group), personal appointments and other amenities, can be arranged for a fee upon sufficient notice.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to share these most special places, spectacular events and welcoming people with you!