10 Days Italy Music & Art Study Tour

Arrival in Malpensa Airport in Milan from Riga.
Transfer with private bus from airport to Castell’Arquato.
Arrival at Castell’Arquato.
Free time for individual visit and relax in a Coffee at leisure.
Transfer to hotel in Parma.
Arrival at the hotel and check-in.
Dinner in hotel.
Overnight stay.

Parma city centre
Breakfast at hotel.
Meet with the English-speaking guide at the hotel and guided walking tour of Parma city centre. Walk to the marvellous Piazza Duomo and visit to its Romanesque Cathedral and to the Baptistery in pink marble, a masterpiece by Benedetto Antelami.
Guided visit of Arturo Toscanini birthplace.

Lunch in local restaurant in Parma city centre.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight stay.

Parma city centre
Breakfast at hotel.
Meet with the English-speaking guide at the hotel and guided walking tour of Parma, Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy and Italian Capital of Culture 2020-21. Visit of the Monumental Complex of Pilotta that houses the unique and magnificent Teatro Farnese and the important National Gallery with masterpieces by Leonardo, Correggio and Parmigianino together with other famous artists.
Lunch at leisure.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight stay.

Giuseppe Verdi Homelands
Breakfast at hotel.
Meet with the English-speaking guide at the hotel and transfer by private bus to Verdi’s Land.
Arrival in Verdi’s Land, in Roncole Verdi, in the province of Parma where Giuseppe Verdi, the greatest composer of all time, was born on October 10, 1813. Here you can visit Giuseppe Verdi Birth House, the small, humble house where it all began for the Great Maestro.
Transfer to Busseto.
Visit to Barezzi House and Museum. In the hall, where the Maestro’s first performance was held, the piano on which he practiced is preserved. The Museum, on the other hand, houses various Verdi memories and memorabilia.
End of guide service. Transfer to Culatello di Zibello cellars.
Lunch at the restaurant nearby the medieval cellars.
At the end of the lunch, short walk and guided visit to the ancient cellars and the ancient Villa.
Return transfer by private bus to Parma.
On the way back, visit to Rocca Sanvitale di Fontanellato.
Fontanellato’s Rocca Sanvitale stands enchantingly at the heart of the village, surrounded by a wide water-filled moat. It houses one of the masterpieces of Italian Mannerism—the painted chamber by Parmigianino from 1524, which depicts the myth of Diana and Actaeon.
Arrival at the hotel. End of bus service.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight stay.

Food tour
Breakfast at hotel.

Note: to make the food tour in Parma and the visit to Parma city of art and then have some leisure time to rest and prepare for opera, it is necessary to start early in the morning. This way the group arrives early at the Parmigiano Reggiano production and can easily see the milk processing to Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese.

08:00 Meet the English-speaking guide at hotel. Transfer by private bus and visit to a Dairy producing Parmigiano Reggiano PDO. 08:30 Meeting with the cheese makers, tasting of the different degrees of maturation of the cheese, visit of the amazing maturation rooms, discovery of the secrets of cheese making.
Transfer to the green hills near Parma.
Visit to a family-owned ham factory to learn about the production steps and the secrets to recognise the quality of Prosciutto di Parma PDO.

Tasting light lunch at the Parma Ham producer.
Transfer to Torrechiara Castle.
Guided visit to the Castle of Torrechiara, perched on the hill overlooking the valley, surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye can see. To reach Torrechiara Castle, visitors must park their vehicles in the designated parking area at the foot of the hill. From there, the castle is accessible on foot via an uphill path of approximately 300 meters.
Time to relax in the ancient village.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Arrival at the hotel. End of guide service.
Time to rest.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight stay.

Free day
Breakfast at hotel.
Free day
Overnight stay at hotel.

Modena and Pavarotti
Breakfast at hotel.
Meet with the English-speaking guide at the hotel and transfer by private bus and transfer to Modena, the city of Ferrari and Pavarotti
Arrival in Modena and visit the Pavarotti House Museum.
Transfer to a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar cellar near Modena
Lunch at the vinegar loft and visit to the balsamic production.
Transfer to to the Galleria Ferrari Museum in Maranello and guided visit.
Return transfer to Parma.
Arrival at the hotel and end of guide service.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Opportunity to attend the grand finale of the Toscanini Festival — the music festival celebrating the Maestro born in Parma. Experience the magic of the final open-air concert beneath a starry sky in the stunning Piazza Duomo, right in the heart of the city. – DATE TO BE RECONFIRMED.

Cremona
Breakfast at hotel.
Meet the English-speaking guide and the driver at the hotel for transfer to Cremona.
The bus can enter the city center (we buy a special permit).
Visit to Cathedral in Cremona.
Visit to Violin Museum: it offers a journey through the history of violin making, showcasing masterpieces by Stradivari and other great luthiers.
Walk to the restaurant.
Lunch in a local restaurant in the city center.
Free time in Cremona.
Return transfer to Parma.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.
Meet with the English-speaking guide at the hotel and walk to the city centre.
Visit to the Fondazione Renato Bruson. The foundation preserves Bruson’s artistic legacy, showcasing original costumes, sketches, and personal memorabilia. Those who step into this private world can explore the depth of his interpretations, character development, and artistic heritage, gaining a profound connection to opera.
Visit to the backstage of the Teatro Regio di Parma: it includes the tailoring and costume departments, set design room, rehearsal room, dressing rooms, and the stage.
Lunch at leisure.
Free time in Parma city centre.
Farewell dinner with a fine-

Breakfast at hotel. Check-out.
Transfer by private bus.
Arrival at Malpensa Airport.