ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Saturday 21 JUNE 2025

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT GRAND HOTEL SITEA, TURIN

MILAN TO TURIN (D):

We meet in the morning at 10:30am at our Milan hotel, which we will be returning to later in the tour, the Rosa Grand Milano, and travel by private coach from Milan to Turin.

Turin is the capital city of Piedmont in Northern Italy, and was the first capital city of Italy from 1861 to 1865. In this beautiful city, stately baroque buildings and cafes line the boulevards and grand squares, and the city’s backdrop to the northwest consists of dramatic views of the Alps.

We arrive at our elegant 5-star hotel, Grand Hotel Sitea, conveniently located in Turin’s city centre and close to many of Turin’s attractions.

Following time to check in and unpack, we meet in the evening for a delicious welcome dinner of local specialities and for an introduction by our Tour Leader, Fiona Campbell, who will outline what is to come over the duration of the tour.

DAY 2 | Sunday 22 JUNE 2025

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT GRAND HOTEL SITEA, TURIN

GUIDED TOUR OF TURIN & TEATRO REGIO DI TORINO (B):

In the morning we have a private guided walking tour to introduce us to some of Turin’s spectacular and iconic sites. We walk through busy squares such as Piazza San Carlo and Palazzo Carignano, and we hear stories about the city’s history and culture. We visit Piazza Castello, flanked by the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista, the historic arcades of Via Po, with their bookshops, cafés, and stores. We call into Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo to view the impressive octagonal dome and original frescoes, and Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista, home of the famous Shroud of Turin.

In the early afternoon, Fiona Campbell will give a talk about the opera performance we will attend today. We then attend a performance at the spectacular Teatro Regio di Torino at 3:00pm.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - TEATRO REGIO DI TORINO, 3:00pm
Umberto Giordano Andrea Chénier

Andrea Battistoni conductor
Giancarlo del Monaco director
Gregory Kunde Andrea Chénier
Franco Vassallo Carlo Gérard
Maria Agresta Maddalena di Coigny
Sofia Koberidze Bersi
Federica Giansanti La contessa di Coigny
Manuela Custer Madelon
Adriano Gramigni Roucher
Nicolò Ceriani Pietro Fléville and Fouquier Tinville
Vincenzo Nizzardo Mathieu
Orchestra and Chorus Teatro Regio Torino

Following the opera, the evening is free to rest or for a stroll to acquaint yourself further with the beautiful city of Turin.

DAY 3 | Monday 23 JUNE 2025

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT GRAND HOTEL SITEA, TURIN

TURIN, GUIDED TOUR OF MUSEO EGIZIO & MOLE ANTONELLIANA (B):

We begin today with a private guided tour of Museo Egizio which, with its 30,000 artefacts including papyrus scrolls, sarcophagi and jewellery, has one of the world’s largest collections of Egyptian antiquities anywhere outside of Cairo, and it is Turin's most visited attraction. Dating back to 1824 and reopening in 2015 after a major renovation, the museum has four levels of permanent collections and special exhibits which offer a comprehensive examination of the art, culture, and history of ancient Egypt.

Following our tour of the museum, time is allowed for further exploration and for lunch.

In the afternoon we have a private guided tour of the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, housed in the spectacular and unique Mole Antonelliana. The museum has one of the most complete film collections in the world, including 7,000 film titles, and many thousands of film artefacts, including paintings, old prints, photographic documents, posters, magic lanterns, old cameras, scripts and even more memorabilia relating to movie making. 

Following our guided tour we take the panoramic lift to the viewing platform in Mole Antonelliana. Built in the second half of the 19th-century, and designed and named after architect, Antonelli, the imposing 279-metre-high structure, with its high dome dominates the city. From the viewing platform we can admire panoramic views of the city and the Alps. 

The evening is free to rest or to continue exploring Turin. You might consider taking a 10-minute stroll towards the Po River to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the largest square in Turin, which is filled with alfresco dining opportunities.

DAY 4 | Tuesday 24 JUNE 2025

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT GRAND HOTEL SITEA, TURIN

DAY TRIP TO LA VENARIA REALE (B, D):

This morning, we take a short drive through the lovely Piedmont region to La Venaria Reale, to enjoy a guided tour of the Reggia (Palace), the Castle of La Mandria and the Gardens.

The incredible Venaria's Palace was built in the 17th-century for Charles Emmanuel I, one of the Savoy kings, to serve as a legacy to him and his wife, and to establish a ‘little’ country lodge as a base for hunting trips while away from the city, in the cleaner air to the north of Turin.

The palace continued to grow as the power and wealth of the Savoy family increased, but when they were sent into exile, the neglected palace fell into disrepair. In the 1970s, the restoration of the palace and grounds began. One of the largest restoration projects undertaken anywhere in the world, the gardens alone saw nearly 11 million litres of water added to the artificial lake, and 40,000 new plants brought in to restore the grounds to their former beauty. Finally, in 2007, the palace opened to tourists. La Venaria Reale, with its enormous estate, palace, castle, royal residences and impressive art collection, is regarded by many experts as more impressive than the Palace of Versailles.

Following our guided tour, time is allowed for further independent exploration of the estate, and for lunch at one of the many cafes on site.

After our time at La Venaria Reale, we return to Turin for some time to rest. This evening we gather for a gourmet dinner at one of Turin’s top dining establishments.

DAY 5 | Wednesday 25 JUNE 2025

1ST OF 3 NIGHTS AT DUE TORRI HOTEL, VERONA

TURIN TO VERONA VIA SIRMIONE (B):

In the morning we leave Turin and travel by private coach to Verona. We break our journey in the delightful little town of Sirmione, a resort town located on a small peninsular jutting out into Lake Garda from its southern bank. In Sirmione, picturesque Rocca Scaligera, a medieval castle, overlooks the lake. At the tip of the peninsula, about 15-minutes’ walk from Rocca Scaligera is the Archaeological Site of Grotte di Catullo, which incorporates a Roman villa, a museum and olive trees. We have time to explore the charming town of Sirmione.

We then continue onto Verona and check into the 5-star Due Torri Hotel, a 14th-century palace, conveniently situated in the historic centre of Verona. This evening is free to rest or to begin your exploration of Verona.

DAY 6 | Thursday 26 JUNE 2025

2ND OF 3 NIGHTS AT DUE TORRI HOTEL, VERONA

EXCURSION TO MANTUA (B):

This morning we travel by private coach to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mantua, famous for its artistic and cultural heritage. On arrival we have a private guided walking tour of central Mantua to help us to understand and enjoy its history, architecture and artistic legacy. We proceed to a private guided tour of the Teatro Bibiena, designed in late Baroque or early Rococo style by Antonio Galli Bibiena. A few weeks after its official opening in December 1769, 13-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed a resoundingly successful concert here. His father, Leopold Mozart, wrote of the theatre: ‘In all my life, I have never seen anything more beautiful of its kind.’ We then have a guided tour of the grand Ducal Palace with its some 500 rooms. Built between the 14th and the 17th-century by the Gonzaga family as their royal residence, the buildings which comprise the palace are connected by corridors and galleries and are enhanced by inner courts and wide gardens.

We return by private coach to Verona where the late afternoon and evening are free.

DAY 7 | Friday 27 JUNE 2025

3RD OF 3 NIGHTS AT DUE TORRI HOTEL, VERONA

VERONA, GUIDED TOUR OF VERONA, & ARENA DI VERONA (B, L):

This morning we have a guided walking tour of central Verona to discover the city’s history, architecture and culture. The tour includes the busy Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe, in antiquity a Roman Forum and today one of the most picturesque squares in Italy. We see the Scaligeri family’s elegant gothic tombs, and we stroll through the Piazza dei Signori featuring, on its north side, the 15th-century Loggia del Consiglio, Verona's finest Renaissance structure, and the opulent Palazzo degli Scaligeri.

Following our guided tour, we gather at one of Verona’s most charming restaurants for a delicious group lunch.

After lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is free, for rest, or possibly further exploration. Some delightful attractions are close to our hotel. Two ancient, beautiful churches which contain stunning frescoes, sculptures and paintings, are Verona’s largest church, the neighbouring Gothic Basilica di Sant’Anastasia (13th to 15th centuries), and the Romanesque Duomo Santa Maria Matricolare (12th-century) which is only a 5-minute walk away. A 25-minute walk from the hotel will bring you to the magnificent Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore (10th and 14th centuries), one of Italy’s greatest Romanesque masterpieces. If you love gardens, a walk of just over 10-minutes will take you to the Giardino Giusti, the splendid annex to Giusti Palace. Started at the end of the 16th-century this late Renaissance garden still has all its original 16th-century features: fountains, acoustic caves, pergolas, mythological statues and a small yet complex maze, one of the oldest in Europe. The garden’s beauty inspired the German poet Goethe to include it in his travel writings.

In the early evening we have a talk by Fiona Campbell about this evening’s opera. We then walk together to Arena di Verona, Verona’s beautiful and remarkably well-preserved 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, where we attend Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - ARENA DI VERONA, 9:30pm
Giuseppe Verdi La traviata

Hugo De Ana director
Cast TBC

DAY 8 | Saturday 28 JUNE 2025

1ST OF 3 NIGHTS AT SPLENDID VENICE

VERONA TO VENICE & TEATRO LA FENICE (B):

In the morning we journey by private air-conditioned coach to Venice. On arrival in Venice, we travel by private boat to our canal-side hotel, Splendid Venice. The hotel is only a 5-minute walk from Saint Mark's Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and there is a breathtaking view from the hotel’s terrace overlooking the rooftops of the city.

Time is allowed to settle in to our beautiful Venetian hotel, and in the late afternoon Fiona Campbell will give a talk about the opera performance we will attend today. Following our talk, we will walk through the picturesque laneways of Venice to the historic Teatro la Fenice, for our early evening opera performance. Teatro la Fenice is a renowned landmark in the history of opera, especially in the 19th-century, when many operas were premiered here by leading composers such as Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - TEATRO LA FENICE, 5:00pm
Francis Poulenc Dialogues des carmélites

Frédéric Chaslin conductor
Emma Dante director
Julie Cherrier-Hoffmann Blanche de La Force
Anna Caterina Antonacci Madame de Croissy
Vanessa Goikoetxea Madame Lidoine
La Fenice Fenice Orchestra & Choir

Following the performance, the rest of the evening is free.

DAY 9 | Sunday 29 JUNE 2025

2ND OF 3 NIGHTS AT SPLENDID VENICE

VENICE, EXPLORING ART ‘IN SITU’ IN VENICE (B):

This morning we go on a guided walking tour with an art historian to see some of the great art ‘in situ’ in Venice. While many works by the great artists are in galleries, there is much still in the locations for which the art was commissioned. Our walk gives us the opportunity to visit Titian’s paintings in St. Mary of the Friars, and Tintoretto’s work in the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Our walk takes us across the Rialto Bridge with its glamorous shops, and ends with a gondola ride, which shows us the picturesque small waterways and water gates that are still essential to Venetian life.

Following our guided tour, we have a free afternoon. Wandering the narrow, picturesque streets of Venice, browsing through the attractive shops, stopping for a coffee or a gelato, photographing, or just enjoying the classic glimpses of canals, narrow streets and small squares and the Venetian life contained in them, can be a totally fulfilling activity without any need for a specific destination. However, if you would like a specific destination, you could visit the wonderful Gallerie dell'Accademia, a museum gallery with a rich collection of Venetian paintings ranging from the Byzantine to the Gothic periods, and reaching Renaissance artists, Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Tiziano and Tiepolo, and from the 1600's, Canaletto, Guardi, Bellotto and Longhi; all artists who influenced the history of European painting. The gallery is a 15-20 minute walk from our hotel.

In the early evening, there is an optional orchestral performance at Teatro la Fenice, featuring the La Fenice Orchestra and conductor Ivor Bolton, performing works by Stravinsky and Mendelssohn. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to attend this additional performance.

OPTIONAL ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE - TEATRO LA FENICE, 5:00pm

Igor Stravinsky Pulcinella
Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 Scottish

Ivor Bolton conductor
La Fenice Orchestra

DAY 10 | Monday 30 JUNE 2025

3RD OF 3 NIGHTS AT SPLENDID VENICE

VENICE, THE DOGE’S PALACE (B, D):

In the morning we visit the heart of Venice, the Piazza San Marco. There we have a private guided tour by an art historian of the Doge’s Palace, one of the grandest secular buildings in Italy.

Following our guided tour, we have a free afternoon. Wandering the narrow, picturesque streets of Venice, browsing through the attractive shops, stopping for a coffee or a gelato, photographing, or just enjoying the classic glimpses of canals, narrow streets and small squares and the Venetian life contained in them, can be a totally fulfilling activity without any need for a specific destination. However, if you would like a specific destination, you could visit the wonderful Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a modern art museum on the Grand Canal, one of the most visited attractions in Venice. Housed in an 18th-century palace, the collection includes works of prominent Italian futurists and American modernists working in such genres as Cubism, Surrealism and abstract expressionism. The gallery is a 15-minute walk from our hotel.

We meet in the evening for a gourmet dinner in one of Venice’s top dining destinations.

DAY 11 | Tuesday 1 July 2025

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT ROSA GRAND MILANO

VENICE TO MILAN (B, D):

This morning we depart Venice and travel by private boat and coach to Milan. Midway through our journey, time will be allowed for lunch.

Following our arrival into Milan, we check in at our hotel, the stylish Rosa Grand Milano, conveniently located in the heart of Milan, overlooking historic Piazza Fontana. It is a 2-minute walk from the glorious Milan Duomo, and an 8-minute walk to the renowned Teatro alla Scala. The tastefully designed interiors of the Rosa Grand create a warm, inviting atmosphere in an intimate and private setting. Elegant decor, accented in gold and pink, reflects quintessential Italian craftsmanship.

In the evening we come together to enjoy a gourmet 3-course dinner to welcome us to our final stop on our journey through Northern Italy.

DAY 12 | Wednesday 2 July 2025

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT ROSA GRAND MILANO

MILAN, GUIDED TOUR OF RENAISSANCE ART & TEATRO ALLA SCALA (B):

In the morning we have a private guided tour of Renaissance art, led by an art historian. Our journey begins at San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, originally attached to the most important female convent of the Benedictines in the city, and entirely painted with strikingly beautiful 16th-century frescoes from the school of Leonardo da Vinci. We then visit Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro, renowned for its ingenious false apse, an early and masterful example of trompe-l'œil, attributed to Donato Bramante.

The afternoon is free. You might decide to rest before the evening’s performance or you might like to visit The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is a few minutes’ walk from our hotel and one of the oldest enclosed shopping malls in the world. It is spectacular with its blue glass vaulted ceilings, mosaic flooring and a towering central dome, and it also offers elegant bars and cafés. If you feel like shopping, you might enjoy visiting La Rinascente, a department store close to the hotel and next to the Duomo. It opens every day of the week, sells luxury brands and expensive goods, and the top floor has a number of tempting restaurants and terraces.

In the early evening there is a talk by our Tour Leader, Fiona Campbell, about the performance we will attend this evening. We then attend an orchestral performance at Teatro alla Scala of Beethoven’s monumental Missa Solemnis.

ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE - TEATRO ALLA SCALA, 8:00pm

Ludwig van Beethoven Missa Solemnis in D major Op. 123

Tugan Sokhiev conductor
Alberto Malazzi chorus master
Rosa Feola soprano
Elizabeth DeShong mezzo-soprano
Sebastian Kohlhepp tenor
Hanno Müller-Brachmann bass
Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus

DAY 13 | Thursday 3 July 2025

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT ROSA GRAND MILANO

MILAN, CASTELLO SFORZESCO INCLUDING PIETÁ RONDANINI & GUIDED TOUR OF TEATRO ALLA SCALA (B):

This morning we have a private guided tour in Castello Sforzesco, originally a fortress, then enlarged into a princely residence, and now the home of several museums. One of these is the Museo d’Arte Antica, which features the Pietà Rondanini, Michelangelo’s final masterpiece.

In the afternoon we have the pleasure of a private guided tour of the legendary Teatro alla Scala. With an expert guide, we stroll through the foyer of the theatre, and visit the beautifully designed 18th-century auditorium. We have the opportunity of seeing the stage, chandelier and pit orchestra. This is a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of a theatre that is more than 240 years old!

The evening is free. You may like to rest but only a 5-minute walk from our hotel is the Museo del Novecento, a gallery with an outstanding collection of 20th-century art particularly emphasising Italian artists. Works are displayed chronologically, giving visitors an excellent introduction to modern Italian art history. There are also works from international avant-garde art movements, including masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee and Piet Mondrian.

DAY 14 | Friday 4 JULY 2025

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT ROSA GRAND MILANO

MILAN, DUOMO & TEATRO ALLA SCALA (B, L):

This morning we have a private guided tour by an art historian of Milan's Duomo, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, which has 135 spires and 3200 statues adorning its roof. As part of our tour we take an elevator to the rooftop for a close-up view, and to enjoy magnificent views of the city below.

Following our guided tour, we gather for our final farewell lunch in Milan.

The remainder of the afternoon is free. You might like to rest before this evening’s performance. However, if you feel like exploring something intimately connected to the city’s history you might like to visit the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, less than a half hour’s walk, or a 15-minute taxi journey from the hotel. Founded in the 4th-century by Saint Ambrose, the city’s patron saint, the basilica has been rebuilt, extended and restored since then. The present church is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, built in the 12th-century around the choir of the 9th-century church. Another option is to take a 20-minute walk from our hotel to the Pinacoteca di Brera, a major public museum housed in a palazzo in the Brera district, which has an eminent Italian art collection, especially focused on Venetian and Lombard paintings. The Brera District is also full of small art galleries and boutiques that you might enjoy.

In the early evening Fiona Campbell will give a talk about the performance we will attend this evening. We then attend our second performance at the renowned Teatro alla Scala.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - TEATRO ALLA SCALA, 8:00pm
Vincenzo Bellini Norma

Fabio Luisi conductor
Olivier Py director
Pierre-André Weitz sets & costumes
Freddie De Tommaso Pollione
Michele Pertusi Oroveso
Marina Rebeka Norma
Vasilisa Berzhanskaya Adalgisa
Paolo Antognetti Flavio
Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus

DAY 15 | Saturday 5 JULY 2025

TOUR ENDS (B):

Following our final breakfast at the hotel, the tour concludes.

INCLUSIONS

21 JUNE–5 JULY 2025 (15 DAYS)

AUD$15,950 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$3,600
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 21 February 2025)
Final payment due: 18 April 2025

INCLUSIONS:

• Performances: Premium seats to five performances including: an opera performance at Teatro Regio di Torino; an opera performance at Arena di Verona; an opera performance at Teatro la Fenice in Venice; and two performances at Teatro alla Scala in Milan (one orchestral and one opera). There is also an additional optional orchestral performance at Teatro la Fenice in Venice.

• Tour Leaders and Talks: Tour leadership and five exclusive private talks by Fiona Campbell.

• Tour Manager: An experienced Tour Manager to accompany the group throughout the tour.

• Hotels: 14 nights' accommodation including:

  • Four nights at the 5-star Grand Hotel Sitea, Turin in a Standard Room;

  • Three nights at the 5-star Due Torri Hotel, Verona in a Deluxe Room;

  • Three nights at the 4-star Splendid Venice in a Superior Room;

  • Four nights at the 4-star Rosa Grand Milano in a Deluxe Room;

  • Porterage of one piece of luggage at each hotel.

• Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach, boat transfer from our coach to the hotel in Venice, and another boat transfer from the hotel in Venice to our coach on departure.

• Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning at the hotel. Six lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee.

• Entry Fees and Guided Tours: Entrance fees for museums, art galleries etc. as stated in your itinerary. Expert local guides will be used at some sites.

• Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and for meals included in your itinerary.

• Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.

EXCLUSIONS:

• International/Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from airports and hotels at the beginning and end of the tour. Airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.

• Special Taxes: Special taxes and airport levies that can only be paid in cash at the destination. We will endeavour to advise you of these charges (if any) before you depart.

• Visas: Costs associated with obtaining visas for countries visited on your tour. From mid-2025, travellers entering European countries will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation. For further information on ETIAS applications, visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

• Travel Insurance: Please note that you are required to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you for the duration of your tour. If you live in Australia, Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.

• Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.

• Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.

SMALL GROUP SIZE

The tour will operate with 8 people. The maximum number on the tour will be 20 people.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 2

All members of the tour must have the ability to:

• undertake walking tours of two-three hours duration, including using stairs and walking on uneven ground;

• stand for long periods in museum, art galleries etc;

• climb staircases of 100 or more steps;

• embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.

OPERA & ART IN NORTHERN ITALY