italia 2021

Positano

Rome

Taormina

GrandTours 855 VILLAGE CENTER DRIVE #333 SAINT PAUL, MN 55127 T: 651.756.8885 F: 651-756-1327 www.grandtoursinc.com info@grandtoursinc.com

Join GTCYS’ Symphony on an exciting international concert tour to Italy that includes Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Rome.

Begin the tour in Sorrento on the Bay of Naples. While here we will explore the Isle of Capri and Amalfi Coast with a concert in Ravello.

Next it’s on to Sicily to visit the cities of Catania, Taormina, Cefalù and Palermo with concerts in the ancient amphitheater of Taormina and in the city-center of Palermo.

Conclude the tour in Rome—The Eternal City. Enjoy visits to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Saint Peter’s Basilica and the iconic Vatican Museums.

Your concert tour with GTCYS’ Symphony to Italy is sure to create memories to last a lifetime!

Mark Russell Smith, Artistic Director & Symphony Conductor Megen Balda, Executive Director

ITALIAN SERENADE! SORRENTO | AMALFI COAST | RAVELLO

CATANIA| TAORMINA | PALERMO | ROME

JUNE 17-28, 2021 Symphony online tour registration will be open from

mid-September through mid-October. An information meeting for families will be scheduled for September.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY Day 1 Thursday, June 17, 2021 Depart the USA Depart on your transatlantic flight from Minneapolis or Chicago to Rome with connections. Meals: Inflight Day 2 Friday, June 18, 2021 Rome | Sorrento Arrive in Europe and make a quick connection to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. Once in Italy, load the waiting deluxe motor coaches. You will travel through the region of Campania today. Travel to Pompeii for a guided tour of the this Roman town that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. Continue to Sorrento and check into the hotel. Welcome group dinner. Inflight B/D

Day 3 Saturday, June 19, 2021 Isle of Capri | Ravello Travel to the Marina Piccola and board a hydrofoil for a short crossing of the Mediterranean Sea to the Isle of Capri. Enjoy views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina from the sea. Ascend by minibus to Ana Capri for spectacular views all the way to Naples. Return to Sorrento with some time to rest. Rehearsal, dinner and evening concert tonight in Ravello sponsored by the Ravello Concert Society. B/D

Day 4 Sunday, June 20, 2021 Amalfi Coast| Sorrento Enjoy spectacular sightseeing along the Amalfi Coast seeing the village of Positano and then continuing on to Amalfi. Get lunch in Amalfi and explore the town. The St. Andrew’s Church is spectacular. Return to Sorrento with the evening free to get dinner and explore the town. B

Day 5 Monday, June 21, 2021 Sorrento | Catania Travel to the Bay of Naples today and board your morning flights to Catania, Sicily. On arrival, explore the historic city-center with local guides and get lunch. Check into the hotel. Enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner at the hotel. B/D

Day 6 Tuesday, June 22, 2021 Taormina | Catania Travel to Taormina. Rehearsal in the spectacular Roman Amphitheater and time to get lunch in the city-centre. Evening concert in the Teatro Antico di Taormina as the featured headliner in the Taormina Arts Festival. B/D

Day 7 Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Cefalù | Palermo Check out of the hotel and travel along the northern coast to the charming fishing village of Cefalù. Have time to explore and get lunch here.Continue to Palermo and check into the hotel. The evening is free to get dinner dinner in small groups and explore the city-center. B

Day 8 Thursday, June 24, 2021 Palermo Morning rehearsal at the Spasimo concert venue. Make an afternoon visit to nearby Monreale. See the Norman Cathedral famous for its Byzantine and Sicilian mosaics. Enjoy dinner and then perform an evening concert in Palermo with the Palermo Conservatory of Music. B/D

Day 9 Friday, June 25, 2021 Palermo | Rome Morning flights to Rome. On arrival get lunch and then enjoy an afternoon visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Check into the hotel. Take an evening walk through Rome from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. B

Day 10 Saturday, June 26, 2021 Rome Visit the Vatican Museums and the beautiful Sistine Chapel with the Michelangelo’s ceiling painting depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis. Discover St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit the prestigious Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia for an afternoon workshop or possible evening concert. B/D

Day 11 Sunday, June 27, 2021 Rome You have the entire day to enjoy Rome. Venture out in small groups and explore the city. You may wish to pre-book a visit to the stunning Borghese Gallery, walk along the Appia Antica, visit the Catacombs or visit one of the many spectacular museums. Return to the hotel in the late-afternoon. Final concert at the St. Ignazio Church and then enjoy a festive farewell dinner at Ristorante Papa Rex. B/D

Day 12 Monday, June 28, 2021 Rome | USA Early departure from Rome to Minneapolis or Chicago. Arrive home in the early afternoon or early evening. Clear U.S. Immigration/Customs on arrival. Welcome home! B/Inflight

Zakopane