Tuscany Handbell Experience
Preliminary Itinerary
SAT
Be Our Guest!
welcome & rehearse
Join us for a Welcome Reception and orientation at 3:00 pm. After getting to know our group a bit, we’ll head to our rehearsal space for a first read, then enjoy our first group dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, take an evening stroll and hang out with new friends.
SUN
Walking on Sunshine
rehearse & explore
Sunday is a full day of rehearsal for the group, but there will still be opportunities to explore Lucca. Grab lunch on your own and meet the group for a historical walking tour of the city. We’ll learn more about Lucca’s place in Tuscan history and more about Italy overall. There will be time for sectionals in the afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant will continue your understanding of your beautiful host country.
MON
Someone's in the Kitchen...
rehearse & explore
Music and food; what else do you need? Today we dive into the music as a group for some intensive rehearsal time. Lunch is on your own (maybe try some schiacciata), and you'll have time to relax or do a little shopping between rehearsals. The group will meet in the late afternoon at the International Academy of Italian Cuisine where Chef Gianluca will be waiting for his sous-chefs (us!). Together we’ll prepare the perfect Tuscan dinner AND then we get to eat it! Learn why Italian food is so popular all over the world.
TUE
Free Bird
rehearse & relax
We'll stay focused on music in the morning followed by a lunch with the group to continue our culinary discovery. Take the afternoon to relax, explore, or check out some of our recommended cultural sites. Optional activities like an e-Bike tour through the countryside or an Italian Language Lesson can be arranged for small groups. Opera lovers should check out the nightly Puccini concert before dinner on your own.
WED
Last Train Home
rehearse & explore
After a morning rehearsal and lunch on your own, we’ll meet at the Lucca Train Station for an afternoon adventure to famous Pisa. Upon arrival, we’ll stroll through the historic town, starting with Keith Haring’s iconic mural, Tuttomondo. From there, we’ll embark on a gelato crawl, stopping at three diverse gelaterias to sample and analyze our favorites.
Next, you’ll have the option to explore on your own, or visit the renowned Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the magnificent Cathedral, the acoustically-unique Baptistry, and, of course, the Leaning Tower. We’ll end the day with a group dinner at a beloved local trattoria, featuring a selection of Pisa’s most cherished dishes. After dinner, we’ll catch the last train back to Lucca.
THU
Pebbles and Marbles
explore & relax
The white marble of Carrara in all its grandeur awaits us. After lunch on your own, we'll head out to tour a quarry to see and touch first-hand the famous stone that Michelangelo used to carve the statue of David. We'll arrive in Viareggio in time for an afternoon stroll along the seaside boardwalk before preparing for our first concert!
FRI
If You Had a Vineyard
explore & perform
Our friends at Colle di Bordocheo arrange a walk through the grape vineyards and olive groves where we will meet Fausto Borella, Maestro d'Olio for a crash course on olive oil with a focus on tasting and discerning what makes a great olive oil. Lunch includes a wine pairing in the tasting room overlooking the Serchio Valley from the Colline Lucchesi. After lunch, our coach will deliver us to Gavinana, a small town in the hills, where we hope that everyone in town will come to our much-anticipated concert. You may or may not need a snack when you return to Lucca in the evening... maybe just a gelato!
SAT
Better Together
relax & perform
Spend your last full day in Lucca climbing one last tower, circling the walls one last time, or trying to get lost just because! Meet up with the group for the classic Italian Apericena, an early light dinner, before setting up for our collaborative concert with local gospel choir, Canticum Novum. We'll all go to the late-night pizzeria to celebrate our amazing performances and the unforgettable experience.
SUN
Just Can't Get Enough
relax
After enjoying one last breakfast at the hotel, it's time to pack up and check out. We’ll get everyone off to airports and train stations and bid farewell to our lovely Tuscan locale. If you've signed up for our programmed Tour Extension to Florence, we'll transfer by vans to the city center. After a Group Lunch, we'll walk through the heart of the Renaissance on our way to visit the Uffizi Galleries. From there, you can explore and find a classic spot for dinner on your own.
MON
Renaissance Man
FLORENCE EXTENSION
Meet in the morning for a walk to our favorite pastry shop for "second breakfast" followed by a walk through the charming Oltrarno neighborhood. We'll end up at the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens where you can experience history, inside and out. Wander the city or book additional activities on your own during the afternoon. The group will meet for one last dinner at a local favorite, La Casalinga.
TUE
Ciao Bella Ciao!
arrivederci
What a trip! You may choose to stay on in Florence or venture out into other parts of Tuscany and Italy. We'll assist you in getting to your next destination and look forward to seeing you again soon. Alla prossima!