This March singers from Pomfret School will traverse through the Italian cities of Milan, Lucca, Florence, Rome, and Vatican City. On their eight day tour, they will perform at various concerts and churches. In addition, students will be fully immersed in Italian culture as they tour various museums and world-famous attractions. This blog serves as the most convenient way to learn about their travels. Stay tuned for more updates!
Itinerary
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015 | DEPARTURE10: 20 pm
Emirates Airlines flight 206 departs JFK bound for Milan, Italy. Select meals and snacks will be served on this overnight flight.
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2015 | ARRIVE IN ITALY11:15 am
Arrival in Milan. Upon arrival, collect your bags and proceed through customs. Your Music Contact International Tour Manager will greet you at the airport.
Together board your motor coach and transfer to Florence, making a stop on the way for lunch.
Arrive late this afternoon in Florence. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel:
Hotel Leonardo da Vinci
Via G Monaco, 12
50144 Florence Italy
+39 (055)357751
Take some time to get settled and join your tour manager on an orientation walk prior to dinner.
7:30 pm
Enjoy dinner arranged for the group at Il Portale, then return to the hotel for the remainder of the evening.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 | LUCCA | CONCERTSEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room this morning
10:30 am
Together with your local assistant, transfer to the Liceo Linguistico Serve de Maria
11:00 am
Perform a concert for an audience of Italian students. Following your concert, you will have the opportunity to socialize with your host students.
Return to the hotel and take some time for lunch on your own.
2:40 pm
Meet in the hotel lobby and walk with your local guide and tour manager to the Accademia, where you will begin a guided walking tour of the city of Florence.
After visiting the museum, which houses many of Micehlangelo’s most important works, including perhaps his most famous piece, David (1504). Also see Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s famous Duomo (cathedral); the Baptistry; Palazzo Vecchio, and the famous Ponte Veccehio—the oldest bridge in Florence.
Enjoy dinner on your own this evening
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 | FLORENCEEnjoy breakfast in the hotel dining room
8:45 am
Meet in the lobby
9:00 am
Depart on your motor coach for Lucca (approximate travel time 1 hour)
10:00 am
Approximate arrival in Lucca
10:30 am
Perform an exchange concert with the choir of the local high school, Liceo Artistico Passaglia. You will perform in the Sala Tobino of the Palazzo della Provincia, a beautiful space in the heart of the city. Enjoy this opportunity to interact with local students and bond over your shared love of music.
At the conclusion of your time with the students, enjoy lunch and some free time in the charming walled city of Lucca. You may choose to rent bicycles and explore the city from the ancient walls.
3:00 pm
Meet your motor coach and return to Florence.
4:00 pm
Approximate arrival in Florence. The remainder of the day is open for you to explore this beautiful city. Perhaps walk together with your tour manager to Michelangelo Square (about 45 minutes by foot from the hotel) for spectacular sunset views of the city . Or choose to climb to the top of the dome of the Duomo (entrance fee applies).
Dinner this evening will be individually arranged.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015 | TO ROME | OPENING CEREMONYAfter breakfast, check out of your rooms
7:15 am
Meet in the lobby with all your luggage and load the coach.
7:30 am
Depart Florence bound for Rome
11:30 am
Meet your local, English speaking guide and together embark on a guided tour of Rome. The combination of Roman antiquities, Christian monuments, and contemporary metropolitan features make Rome a fascinating city to explore. See the Circus Maximus, the location of the Roman chariot races; the Triumphal Arch of Constantine, and the massive Colosseum. Disembark the motor coach and see more of Rome’s piazzas and landmarks in the historical center, including the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, home to the famous fountains of Bernini. You tour will end in the ancient part of the city, where you’ll have some free time for lunch.
3:00 pm
Visit St Stephen’s International School, where you will perform for the local choir students.
4:30 pm
At the end of your visit, transfer via coach to Zagarolo and the opening Ceremony of the Festival of Peace and Brotherhood.
6:00 pm
Attend the Opening Celebration of the Festival of Peace and Brotherhood with a welcome by city officials and a concert by the host Italian choir.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, travel to Frascati and check in to your hotel
Hotel Antica Colonia
Via C. Montani No. 5
Frascati Rome Italy
+39 0694018061
9:00 pm
Dinner is served to the group in the hotel dining room.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015 | TOUR VATICAN CITY | CONCERTEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room
8:30 am
Depart on your motor coach for Vatican City, the world’s smallest state and the only European State still ruled by an absolute monarch, the Pope.
9:45 am
Meet your guide at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, and enjoy a half day visit to the museums, which include the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, with its breathtaking frescoes by Michelangelo. Your guide will lead you into St. Peter’s Basilica, designed in part by Michelangelo, decorated with sculptures and mosaics by Bernini, and now home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Pietà.
Following the tour, enjoy free time for lunch and exploration near St Peter’s Square.
2:45 pm
Meet at Terminal Giancolo (Via Urbano VIII, 16)
3:00 pm
Board your coach and return to the hotel to refresh and prepare for this evening’s friendship concert.
5:30 pm
Depart the hotel bound for Rocca di Papa and your friendship concert, hosted by Unisono
6:00 pm
Arrival at the Church of Madonna del Tufo, where the choir will perform this evening.
7:00 pm
Perform together with Unisono for an appreciative local audience.
Following your performance return to the hotel where dinner will be served.
10:00 pm
Dinner is served in the hotel dining room
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015 | TIVOLI | CONCERTEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room this morning
8:45 am
Together with your local guide, depart for Ciampino
9:30 am
Perform at Liceo Volterra for the students, faculty and staff. AT the conclusion of your performance, enjoy the opportunity to see more of the school and visit with the students.
Next transfer to Tivoli. After free time for lunch in Tivoli, enjoy a guided tour of the renaissance Villa d’Este. Built in the 1550s, the estate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well known for its breathtaking garden composed almost exclusively of water features. Fountains of every description dazzle the onlooker, from the grand Fountain of the Dragons and the Neptune Fountain to the Rometta, a miniature reproduction of Rome.
4:00 pm
Depart Tivoli bound for Rome.
5:30 pm
Enjoy an early dinner served to all visiting choirs at restaurant La Locomotiva
7:30 pm
Depart for the Basilica di San’Agnese fuora le Mura, the site of tonight’s Festival Concert Series
8:30 pm
Perform along with the other US choirs an an Italian host choir at the Basilica di Sant’Agnese fuori le mura in Rome.
After your performance return to the hotel for the night.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2015 | MASS AND CLOSING | CONCERTSEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room.
10:45 am
Together with your tour manager and local guide, depart the hotel for central Frascati.
11:30 am
Sing as part of the mass service at the Cattedrale di San Pietro in Frascati
Following mass, return to the hotel to change into street clothes and take a little time to pack your suitcases. Then return to Frascati for lunch on your own.
3:00 pm
Transfer to Palestrina for the final performance of the festival, held at Teatro Principe.
4:30 pm
Sing as part of the Festival Concert Series with choirs from Italy and abroad. Share your ensemble’s choral traditions and enjoy time to listen to the concert performances by the other guest choirs.
Transfer from Palestrina to Grottaferratta where the final festival dinner will be held.
8:30 pm
Enjoy a festive farewell dinner together with the other choirs. End your festival experience with time to socialize with the other choir members.
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 | DEPARTURECheck out of your rooms and collect a box breakfast
6:00 am
Depart your hotel bound for Central Rome and the Termini Railway station
7:30 am
Depart for Milan on board the Frecciarossa 9608
10:29 am
Arrive in Milan
Here meet a waiting motor coach, load your luggage, and transfer to the Milan Airport to check in for your return flight home.
3:00 pm
Emirates flight 205 departs Milan bound for JFK
7:00 pm
Arrive at JFK
source: http://music-contact.com/2015pomfret/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=13\
Emirates Airlines flight 206 departs JFK bound for Milan, Italy. Select meals and snacks will be served on this overnight flight.
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2015 | ARRIVE IN ITALY11:15 am
Arrival in Milan. Upon arrival, collect your bags and proceed through customs. Your Music Contact International Tour Manager will greet you at the airport.
Together board your motor coach and transfer to Florence, making a stop on the way for lunch.
Arrive late this afternoon in Florence. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel:
Hotel Leonardo da Vinci
Via G Monaco, 12
50144 Florence Italy
+39 (055)357751
Take some time to get settled and join your tour manager on an orientation walk prior to dinner.
7:30 pm
Enjoy dinner arranged for the group at Il Portale, then return to the hotel for the remainder of the evening.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 | LUCCA | CONCERTSEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room this morning
10:30 am
Together with your local assistant, transfer to the Liceo Linguistico Serve de Maria
11:00 am
Perform a concert for an audience of Italian students. Following your concert, you will have the opportunity to socialize with your host students.
Return to the hotel and take some time for lunch on your own.
2:40 pm
Meet in the hotel lobby and walk with your local guide and tour manager to the Accademia, where you will begin a guided walking tour of the city of Florence.
After visiting the museum, which houses many of Micehlangelo’s most important works, including perhaps his most famous piece, David (1504). Also see Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s famous Duomo (cathedral); the Baptistry; Palazzo Vecchio, and the famous Ponte Veccehio—the oldest bridge in Florence.
Enjoy dinner on your own this evening
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 | FLORENCEEnjoy breakfast in the hotel dining room
8:45 am
Meet in the lobby
9:00 am
Depart on your motor coach for Lucca (approximate travel time 1 hour)
10:00 am
Approximate arrival in Lucca
10:30 am
Perform an exchange concert with the choir of the local high school, Liceo Artistico Passaglia. You will perform in the Sala Tobino of the Palazzo della Provincia, a beautiful space in the heart of the city. Enjoy this opportunity to interact with local students and bond over your shared love of music.
At the conclusion of your time with the students, enjoy lunch and some free time in the charming walled city of Lucca. You may choose to rent bicycles and explore the city from the ancient walls.
3:00 pm
Meet your motor coach and return to Florence.
4:00 pm
Approximate arrival in Florence. The remainder of the day is open for you to explore this beautiful city. Perhaps walk together with your tour manager to Michelangelo Square (about 45 minutes by foot from the hotel) for spectacular sunset views of the city . Or choose to climb to the top of the dome of the Duomo (entrance fee applies).
Dinner this evening will be individually arranged.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015 | TO ROME | OPENING CEREMONYAfter breakfast, check out of your rooms
7:15 am
Meet in the lobby with all your luggage and load the coach.
7:30 am
Depart Florence bound for Rome
11:30 am
Meet your local, English speaking guide and together embark on a guided tour of Rome. The combination of Roman antiquities, Christian monuments, and contemporary metropolitan features make Rome a fascinating city to explore. See the Circus Maximus, the location of the Roman chariot races; the Triumphal Arch of Constantine, and the massive Colosseum. Disembark the motor coach and see more of Rome’s piazzas and landmarks in the historical center, including the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, home to the famous fountains of Bernini. You tour will end in the ancient part of the city, where you’ll have some free time for lunch.
3:00 pm
Visit St Stephen’s International School, where you will perform for the local choir students.
4:30 pm
At the end of your visit, transfer via coach to Zagarolo and the opening Ceremony of the Festival of Peace and Brotherhood.
6:00 pm
Attend the Opening Celebration of the Festival of Peace and Brotherhood with a welcome by city officials and a concert by the host Italian choir.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, travel to Frascati and check in to your hotel
Hotel Antica Colonia
Via C. Montani No. 5
Frascati Rome Italy
+39 0694018061
9:00 pm
Dinner is served to the group in the hotel dining room.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015 | TOUR VATICAN CITY | CONCERTEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room
8:30 am
Depart on your motor coach for Vatican City, the world’s smallest state and the only European State still ruled by an absolute monarch, the Pope.
9:45 am
Meet your guide at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, and enjoy a half day visit to the museums, which include the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, with its breathtaking frescoes by Michelangelo. Your guide will lead you into St. Peter’s Basilica, designed in part by Michelangelo, decorated with sculptures and mosaics by Bernini, and now home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Pietà.
Following the tour, enjoy free time for lunch and exploration near St Peter’s Square.
2:45 pm
Meet at Terminal Giancolo (Via Urbano VIII, 16)
3:00 pm
Board your coach and return to the hotel to refresh and prepare for this evening’s friendship concert.
5:30 pm
Depart the hotel bound for Rocca di Papa and your friendship concert, hosted by Unisono
6:00 pm
Arrival at the Church of Madonna del Tufo, where the choir will perform this evening.
7:00 pm
Perform together with Unisono for an appreciative local audience.
Following your performance return to the hotel where dinner will be served.
10:00 pm
Dinner is served in the hotel dining room
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015 | TIVOLI | CONCERTEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room this morning
8:45 am
Together with your local guide, depart for Ciampino
9:30 am
Perform at Liceo Volterra for the students, faculty and staff. AT the conclusion of your performance, enjoy the opportunity to see more of the school and visit with the students.
Next transfer to Tivoli. After free time for lunch in Tivoli, enjoy a guided tour of the renaissance Villa d’Este. Built in the 1550s, the estate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well known for its breathtaking garden composed almost exclusively of water features. Fountains of every description dazzle the onlooker, from the grand Fountain of the Dragons and the Neptune Fountain to the Rometta, a miniature reproduction of Rome.
4:00 pm
Depart Tivoli bound for Rome.
5:30 pm
Enjoy an early dinner served to all visiting choirs at restaurant La Locomotiva
7:30 pm
Depart for the Basilica di San’Agnese fuora le Mura, the site of tonight’s Festival Concert Series
8:30 pm
Perform along with the other US choirs an an Italian host choir at the Basilica di Sant’Agnese fuori le mura in Rome.
After your performance return to the hotel for the night.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2015 | MASS AND CLOSING | CONCERTSEnjoy breakfast served in the hotel dining room.
10:45 am
Together with your tour manager and local guide, depart the hotel for central Frascati.
11:30 am
Sing as part of the mass service at the Cattedrale di San Pietro in Frascati
Following mass, return to the hotel to change into street clothes and take a little time to pack your suitcases. Then return to Frascati for lunch on your own.
3:00 pm
Transfer to Palestrina for the final performance of the festival, held at Teatro Principe.
4:30 pm
Sing as part of the Festival Concert Series with choirs from Italy and abroad. Share your ensemble’s choral traditions and enjoy time to listen to the concert performances by the other guest choirs.
Transfer from Palestrina to Grottaferratta where the final festival dinner will be held.
8:30 pm
Enjoy a festive farewell dinner together with the other choirs. End your festival experience with time to socialize with the other choir members.
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 | DEPARTURECheck out of your rooms and collect a box breakfast
6:00 am
Depart your hotel bound for Central Rome and the Termini Railway station
7:30 am
Depart for Milan on board the Frecciarossa 9608
10:29 am
Arrive in Milan
Here meet a waiting motor coach, load your luggage, and transfer to the Milan Airport to check in for your return flight home.
3:00 pm
Emirates flight 205 departs Milan bound for JFK
7:00 pm
Arrive at JFK
source: http://music-contact.com/2015pomfret/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=13\