2009 Tours
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Art Cities of Umbria & Tuscany    
 In conjunction with the Art Gallery Society of NSW  

WEDNESDAY 03 TO WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2008
EURO 4050 or AUD 6650 per person in twin share

Call 1 300 65 66 79 (Australia) to reserve a place

  

A unique experience introducing you in a relaxed way to life in Italy's least exploited region for 14 nights staying in Montefalco, with guided visits to Spoleto, Perugia, Orvieto and Assisi in Umbria as well as Siena, Arezzo and San Sepolcro in Tuscany

Click here for the tour extension  PAINTING UMBRIA

  
 
   
 
         
 
   
 
Combine an exploration of late Medieval and early Renaissance frescoes in Umbria with the discovery of a region rich in history and architecture - Etruscan arches, Roman roads and Romanesque churches decorated by familiar and unfamiliar masters, and ancient piazzas which at the same time are the centres of modern Italian life. Day trips across the Valley of Umbria will take you to exciting hilltowns where extraordinary treasures such as the cycles by Giotto at Assisi, Fra Filippo Lippi in Spoleto, Benozzo Gozzoli in Montefalco, Pinturicchio in Spello, Perugino and the young Raphael in Perugia, as well as Fra Angelico who is well represented in the National Gallery of Umbria. Architectural wonders like the great Gothic cathedral of Orvieto with the apocalyptic fresco cycle by Luca Signorelli, and Perugia's Etruscan gate await you. A day trip into Tuscany takes us to visit the mystic works of Piero Della Francesca in Arezzo and in his birthplace at San Sepolcro.

The tour is organised around guided day trips to impressive locations where you will benefit from the expertise and knowledge of your guide, artist and historian Neil Moore (www.neilmoore.it), who has lived in the area for many years. Neil is equally at home explaining the details of Roman architecture or Renaissance frescoes. This is a unique experience and will introduce you in a relaxed way to real life in one of Italy's least exploited regions.

Whether wandering through local markets, delightful piazzas and truffle-rich oak forests, participating in regional cooking classes and wine tastings, or admiring the many architectural and artistic features that enrich the central Italian province of Umbria, you will be brought face to face with a vibrant and attractive way of life that has deep roots in an ancient past.
   
 
  Highlights
 
*An exploration of the artistic heritage of Central Umbria, including works by Giotto, Piero Della Francesca, Perugino, Pinturicchio and Gozzoli
*Talks by Neil Moore (www.neilmoore.it) on specific art works to be visited.
*Tasting of Montefalco's award winning wines
*A Cooking class in a nearby villa
*A concert in one of Umbria's evocative venues
   
 
  Accommodation
You will be staying in one comfortable centrally located accommodation at the Fabrizi family estate located just outside the walls of the medieval hilltown of Montefalco. The accommodation is ideally situated for our visits to nearby towns and villages. In 1991 a cluster of four of the farm buildings was converted into high quality accommodation, with a swimming pool added later. There are twenty-two rooms, all with their own bathroom and private entrance. Meals are held in a pleasant dining room and there are lounge areas in two of the buildings. There is a garden and terrace with spectacular views across the Vale of Umbria to Assisi, Trevi and Spoleto. This is often used as an outdoor eating area but is also a wonderful place to read or just take in the sun. The rooms are not air-conditioned, but the thick walls and shady trees keep the temperature pleasant even on hotter days. The region also produces some of the finest natural produce in Italy. The estate is still a working farm producing its own wine and olive oil which are used to prepare the delicious simple meals which are such a feature of the tour. Dinner is usually at the accommodation unless otherwise described.
   
 
  Detailed itinerary
The itinerary has been altered to accommodate the 2008 seasonal activities, local festivals and music performances. The essential contents of the itinerary remain the same. B L D means that breakfast, lunch and/or dinner will be included that day.

Wed 3 Sept                       Rome to Montefalco                                          L D
You will be met at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino at 10.30am. Coach transfer to Montefalco in Umbria. Late lunch and afternoon at leisure. The evening meal is at the accommodation every night unless described otherwise.  [We highly recommend - arriving one day early and staying overnight at the Airport Hilton Hotel to refresh after the flight.]


Thu 4 Sept              Montefalco& Benozzo Gozzoli                                B L D 
In the afternoon Neil Moore will introduce you to Montefalco with a walk around the town while describing the local history and art. The Welcome Lunch will be held in a local restaurant where a feast of regional specialties will be served. Then we visit Montefalco's beautifully presented Museum which contains a fine fresco cycle by Benozzo Gozzoli on the life of Saint Francis, work by Perugino and many other examples of late medieval and early Renaissance art. An evening meal will be served at the accommodation  

Fri 5 Sept              Spoleto & Filippo Lippi                                            B L D     
Spoleto is a town rich in Roman and medieval history. The guided town visit begins by crossing the magnificent medieval aqueduct and includes the church of San Pietro Fuori Le Mura with its outstanding Romanesque façade, as well as an exploration of the ancient Roman centre with the Duomo and Filippo Lippi's final fresco cycle. Included in the day is a visit to an exhibition in Spoleto by Australian Virginia Ryan.

Sat 6 Sept     Cooking Class  & Baroque street theatre in Foligno       B L
This morning we walk around the ancient walls of Montefalco to a cooking class where we explore the regional Umbrian cuisine. Lunch is included.  We leave at 5pm for Foligno for the Notte Barocca - a Baroque evening. See the programme of street theatre following here: - translation pending !

La Notte Barocca coinvolge quest’anno le principali vie e piazze della città, ma il centro della festa è piazza della Repubblica, che viene attraversata da tutti gli spettacoli itineranti e dove vengono proiettate meravigliose visioni a grande formato.
Il programma della 'Notte' prevede le seguenti iniziative:
17.30  - Living Staues  of Henry White transform the Parco dei Canapè into a Baroque Garden;
17.45 Pantomime “Leonardo e la Primavera” e “Eros e Psiche” un viaggio dal Rinascimento al Barocco e all’interno della favola di Amore e Psiche;
21.00 l’Associazione Commedia Harmonica propone, all’Auditorium San Domenico, lo spettacolo ideato e realizzato per Segni Barocchi “Le veglie di Siena” (1605) di Orazio Vecchi: una rappresentazione, in prima assoluta, da non perdere;
21.00 alle 23.30 e dalle 01.30 alle 03.00, nella Corte di Palazzo Trinci, vengono proiettati i video di Segni Barocchi Festival e del Carnevale di La Louvière;
22.30, con partenza da Porta Romana e conclusione in Piazza della Repubblica, Azar Teatro di Valladolid presenta “Barroco Roll”: uno spettacolo itinerante meraviglioso e sorprendente
23.45, dal Portico delle Logge, la Compagnia La Paranza del Geco inizia il suo percorso con lo spettacolo itinerante “Carnascialia: il rito, la festa, la strada” che si conclude alle 01.45 a Largo Carducci;
23.45- la Corte di Palazzo Trinci, , ospita il concerto di Almalatina dedicato alla poesia e alla musica di una capitale antica: Napoli.
24.00 alle ore 02.00 le Statue viventi si trasferiscono in Piazza Matteotti che diventa così “Piazza Barocca”;
Sun 7 Sept            An artist’s home & Optional Concert                           B L D
Morning visit to Neil Moore’s studio home in a 13th century tower in a small village where he will provide an etching demonstration.  Lunch at the accommodation and the afternoon at leisure. In the evening optional concert in our host town.

Montefalco
Conductor Lorenzo Tozzi,
sopranista Angelo Manzotti, soprano Alla Gof
Serenade for 2 voices
“Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra” (1725) di John Adolph Hasse
 


Mon 8 Sept                     Orvieto                                                            B D     
Perched on a cliff looking over a plain covered in vineyards. The Duomo is among the greatest of all Italy’s cathedrals and contains the dramatic work of Luca Signorelli.

Tue 9 Sept                      Truffle hunt                                                      B L D
We are accompanied into the forest by a professional truffle hunter and his trained dogs and afterwards join the family for a simple meal of wine, bruschetta, pasta and truffles at the truffle hunter's home. Late afternoon at leisure.  After dinner a talk with slides on the fresco cycles by Giotto and Simone Martini in the Basilica at Assisi. 

Wed 10 Sept                    Siena                                                             B D
The city contains many art treasures including Pinturicchio's fresco cycle on the life of Aeneas Piccolomini. This particular work is a masterpiece of the elegant manner of his style with its landscapes of descriptive clarity, his lyric narrative fitting well with the medieval setting of the cathedral. Free time to explore the shops and streets of the town.

Thu 11 Sept                     Arezzo                                                            B D
A well-preserved ancient town in southern Tuscany of Etruscan origin which houses frescoes of the great Renaissance master Piero della Francesco. After lunch we travel to San Sepolcro, birthplace of the artist and home to two of his great masterpieces.             

Fri 12 Sept                      Spello & Optional Concert                                   B L    
The town market is on this morning and you should also visit some of Montefalco's artisan outlets including traditional weaving using Renaissance designs.  In the afternoon we explore the delightful hilltown of Spello including a visit to the Baglioni Chapel decorated with superb frescoes by Pinturicchio.  This evening an optional performance is available in Spello


 Spello, Santa Maria Maggiore - 2008
 Umbrian Devotional Song      “Vexilla regis prodeunt”
Cori delle Confraternite di Gubbio, Colfiorito e Costacciaro, Gruppo Vocale Armoniosoincanto. In collaboration with the 'Festival Internazionale di Musica Antica nei luoghi storici dell’Umbria'



Sat 13 Sept                    Perugia  & Included Concert                             B L D
Morning at leisure. Lunch at the accommodation. In the afternoon we drive to Perugia, an important city since Etruscan times. Our itinerary includes the medieval ghost town under the Renaissance Rocca Paolina, the Etruscan Gate and the National Gallery with works by Perugino and other great artists of the Renaissance. Free time for shopping.

Teatro Morlacchi Perugia - 2008
 Opening Night   Sagra Musicale Festival of Perugia

Beethoven: Missa Solemnis op. 123
ORCHESTRA HAYDN OF  BOLZANO & TRENTO
Coro dell’ Accademia del “Tirol Festspiele Erl”
Gustav Kuhn, direttore
Monika Riedler, soprano
Hermine Haselböck, mezzosoprano
Wolfram Wittekind, tenore
Liang Li, basso

 

Sun 14 Sept       Assisi                                                                              B D
The home of St Francis, Italy's favourite saint. We visit the medieval castle overlooking the town, the Roman remains under the still-standing temple of Minerva and the Basilica of San Francesco decorated with frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Pietro Lorenzetti and Simone Martini.  After dinner there will be a talk on the frescoes of Pinturicchio. 

Mon 15 Sept        Cellar visits, Wine tasting & Optional Concert                  B L D  
The town market is on this morning and later in the morning we visit a selection of wine cellars in the countryside around Montefalco where you will taste the award winning Sagrantino wine.  Lunch at the accommodation. and afternoon at leisure. For those interested we travel on to Perugia again for an optional performance. Otherwise dinner is at the accommodation

Perugia, Chiesa Santa Teresa degli Scalzi - 2008
 THE HILLIARD ENSEMBLE
Roger Marsh: Il Cor Tristo (dal Canto XXXIII dell’Inferno di Dante)
Madrigali di: de Rore, de Wert, Willaert, Dufay

       
Tue 16 Sept              Bevagna, Deruta                                                 B L 
This morning we travel to Bevagna, a little known treasure house of Roman and medieval antiquity. It has one of the finest small piazzas in Umbria with two austerely beautiful Romanesque churches. We also visit the remains of the Roman baths with original mosaic floors and the vaults of the old Roman theatre on which are built medieval houses. Our final lunch at the accommodation. In the afternoon we travel to the ceramics town of Deruta and stay on for an optional evening performance i

Deruta, Chiesa di San Francesco - 2008
 MICROLOGUS
Ballata, i vo’ che tu ritrovi Amore
Dante e la musica
Ave Maris Stella, Inno
Guirault De Borneilh: Reis Glorios (alba),)
Virgen Madre gloriosa (Cantigas - Festa da Virgen n. 2)
Laude Novella - Lauda (Cod. Cortona 91)
O divina Virgo flore - Lauda (Cod. Cortona 91)
Lo ferm voler qu’el cor m’intra
Arnaut Daniel: Chanson dol motz
Ductia, danza strumentale
Bernart de Ventadorn: Can vei la lauzeta mover
Folquet de Marseilla: Tant m’abellis l’amoros pessamens
Bertran de Born: A limousin (sirventese)
Estampie real VII danza strumentale
Marcabru: L’autr’hier jost una sebissa, pastourelle
Dolce lo mio drudo, ballata (testo di Federico II di Svevia)
Lucente Stella, ballata (cod.Vaticano Rossi 215)
Amor mi fa cantar alla Francesca, ballata (cod.Vaticano Rossi 215)
Manfredina e Rotta, danza strumentale


Wed 17 Sept           Departure     
Morning coach transfer to Rome airport where you arrive at approximately 12 noon. (B)

   
 
  How much does it cost?
The price of the tour is EURO 4050 (AUD 6650) per person in twin share accommodation. A deposit of EURO 600 (AUD 1000) per person is required to reserve a place on the tour. This deposit is non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled. A limited number of single supplements is available at an additional cost of EURO 800 (AUD 1350). DUS (Single use of a double room)  EURO1200 (AUD 1800). The full balance is due 60 days before departure. The tour is costed on a minimum of sixteen (16) people travelling and is limited to the 20 rooms available at the accommodation. Subject to final tour numbers and exchange rates the price may vary slightly. You will be notified immediately of any change.
   
 
  What is included?
 

  • Airport transfers from and to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport at Fiumicino

  • Full board on 7 days and half board on 7 days

  • Meals prepared with fresh local produce

  • An exploration of the artistic heritage of Central Italy, with relevant art lectures

  • A booklet detailing the included art and artists

  • A cooking class with lunch, and a wine tasting

  • Guided visits to the culturally rich and scenically beautiful hilltowns of Umbria

  • Admission to all galleries, museums and historical sites included in the itinerary

  • A concert in one of Umbria's ancient venues

  • Free time to simply relax and take in the pleasures of your surroundings

  • The services of a tour leader throughout

  What is not Included?
  • Airfares
  • Travel insurance (this is a pre-requisite of the tour)
  • Entry fees to places other than those specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals on excursions except where specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • An optional excursion may be offered which is not included in the tour price
  • Personal transport costs, phone calls or tips
  • Drinks outside normal meal times, or additional wine in restaurants
  • Laundry: the staff at the accommodation will do your washing and ironing for you at a cost of Euro 20,00 (approx.$30) per machine load
  Talks and lectures

A series of lively and informative background lectures on the music we will be hearing and on the history and culture of the region will be given during the tour. Topics to be covered include:

  • Perugino and Pinturicchio
  • The Giotto fresco cycle in Assisi describing the life of Saint Francis
  • The frescoes by Luca Signorelli in the San Brizio Chapel in Orvieto Cathedral
   
 
  Additional Information
What kinds of people go on Living Italy tours?  The single feature which distinguishes the Living Italy groups is their desire to understand and appreciate in depth the places they visit. The interests of the group are usually wide-ranging - history, fine arts, music, architecture, food, reading etc. The age of group members varies greatly, but most would be more than forty years old and have travelled. With a maximum of twenty-eight places on the tour the group is large enough for you to find like-minded friends, but small enough for us to get to know you all.

What will the weather be like? Late summer is a delightful time to visit central Italy. Daytime temperatures can be warm with a range from 18 to 26 degrees and the evenings are warm but cooling. You will need a warm jumper or jacket and a scarf for the evenings, and it is reasonable to expect rain on a few days.

How fit do you have to be?  In order to visit and enjoy the natural attractions of the countryside and the historical centres of towns it is necessary to be able to walk well, as bus and car access can be difficult. While there are no medical restrictions on who may book a place on the tour, you should be fit enough to stroll for periods of up to an hour (with short breaks) and you should specially note that the towns are not called 'hilltowns' for nothing!. Wherever possible we break up walking tours with coffee stops and extended lunches and we have tried to mix busy and relaxed days in the itinerary. Remember that it is always possible to take time off from the program whenever you like.
   
 
  Your Hosts

You will be accompanied throughout the tour by a local team of intelligent and charming local Italians including Analita our official Umbrian tour guide, Cristina, Carol or other local Umbrians who will travel with you most days, and featuring father and son Piero and Giuseppe Fabrizi who own and run the excellent accommodation at Montefalco. The team has collaborated now for over ten years and will ensure events run smoothly for your holiday experience.

Neil Moore (www.neilmoore.it) B.A. (Hons) is a painter and etcher of exceptional ability who has lived with his young family for the last twelve years in the Umbrian countryside. Having graduated and then taught in the Department of Fine Arts at Sydney University, he made a second career as a newspaper illustrator for the National Times, the Sydney Morning Herald and other Australian publications. Now an established artist in his own right who exhibits in Europe and Australia, he divides his time between creative work and operating the Living Italy program together with his wife Carol Searle. Neil’s extensive knowledge and love of the history, art and society of Umbria will become evident as he leads you through this largely undiscovered part of the world.