Madame Butterfly at Puccini's Torre Del Lago - The Four Seasons in Vivaldi's Venice - Verdi's Nabucco at the 2,000 year
old Roman arena in Verona! The very names of these world famous masterpieces bring anticipation and excitement to
lovers of classical music and opera.

Our music journey in 2008 will present all three of these wonderful, live performances in the magnificent settings of Bella Italia.

Puccini composed most of his operas at Torre Del Lago (Tower by the Lake) near the Mediterranean Sea. The Puccini Opera
Festival, dating from 1931, offers tribute each year to the unforgettable operas of the Great Master. We will attend a performance
of Madame Butterfly, Puccini's favorite and best known opera.

Johann Sebastian Bach's first biographer wrote that Antonio Vivaldi "taught him (Bach) how to think musically." Perhaps Vivaldi's
most famous work is his epic Four Seasons, written in 1723. Vivaldi lived in Venice; we'll attend a concert of his Four Seasons.

Guiseppi Verdi loomed as a colossus over the 19th century world of Italian Opera. Nabucco, his first triumph, is a dramatic work
on a grand scale. Verona's Roman Arena, built during the time of the Emperor Augustus, is an unforgettable setting for this
great opera.

The most famous violin maker in history was Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737). Today a Stradivarius violin would cost in the
millions of dollars. We will visit the Stradivari Museum in Cremona and hear the Museum Director play one of these extraordinary
instruments.

Walking tours with local guides are included in Florence, Venice, and Verona.

We will visit the Academy Museum in Florence to see Michelangelo's Statue of David, probably the most famous sculpture in the
history of western art. In Milan we will see the original of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper," painted around 1494-98.

The Lake Region is the most beautiful part of Italy and one of the most beautiful areas in Europe. We will stay two nights in
Stresa on Lake Maggiore.

At Lake Como, we will visit the lakeside village of Bellagio. The Italians call Bellagio "la perla del lago" (the pearl of the lake).
Combining Alpine grandeur with Mediterranean sensuality, Bellagio is perhaps the most enchanting spot of an extraordinarily
beautiful setting.

Finally, we will enjoy the Italians - a warm, genuine, friendly people, who make good eating and good living a celebration of life.

Hotels are four star. Breakfast is included each day; dinner is included nine evenings.

We hope that you will join us on this memorable journey of classical music and opera in Bella Italia.

1st Day: Wednesday, July 30 USA – Florence Back to Top

Fly this afternoon from your departure city to Florence. Beverages, dinner and continental breakfast will be served in flight. There is also a movie for your in-flight enjoyment. 2nd Day: Thursday, July 31 Florence Back to Top Florence: River Amo and Ponte Vecchio Arrive Florence in the morning, local time. Upon arrival, we will be met and transferred to our hotel. The brightest jewel of the Renaissance, known throughout the world for its treasures of art, this ancient capital of Tuscany in the foothills of the Apennines is justly called "La Bella" in Italy. From the Middle Ages onward, Florence has been the center of Italian intellectual and artistic life. It's the city of Dante, where the Italian language was born. It was here that Boccaccio and Machiavelli wrote, and Michelangelo, Galileo and da Vinci worked. This afternoon a walking tour with a local guide will introduce us to Florence. Visit the Piazza Della Signoria and the 13th century Cathedral with its remarkable dome and Baptistry. This evening we'll attend a get acquainted gathering (cash bar) to meet our trip director and fellow passengers. Dinner is included at a popular restaurant in Florence. 3rd Day: Friday, August 1 Florence Back to Top Michelangelo's David This morning we will visit Michelangelo's David, probably the most famous sculpture in the history of western art. This afternoon is at leisure. Dinner will be at a popular restaurant in Florence. 4th Day: Saturday, August 2 Florence: Pistoia – Lucca – Pisa– Torre Del Lago Back to Top The Leaning Tower of Pisa Victoria de los Angeles as Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly Continue to Lucca, which became a Roman colony in 180 B.C. The town's Roman legacy is still evident in the regular grid pattern of its streets. Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) was born in Lucca; we will visit his birthplace and small museum. In Lucca we will visit the small organ at the Mansi Palace, built by Ravani around 1650. In spite of its small size it has a beautiful sound and is considered one of the most precious organs in Italy. After lunch in Lucca, we will journey into the lovely Tuscan countryside and visit the organ at the Abbey of St. Stefano. Next, we will visit Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower, one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. Dinner this evening is in Viareggio, a lovely town by the Mediterranean Sea. After dinner and a lecture on Madame Butterfly, we will proceed to Torre Del Lago to attend a performance of Puccini's favorite and best known opera. As noted in the Grove Book of Operas, Butterfly is the apotheosis of the frail, suffering heroine portrayed by Puccini. Return to Florence after the performance. 5th Day: Sunday, August 3 Florence Back to Top Botticelli, The Birth of Venus, 1845 Uffizi Gallery, Florence Day at Leisure Full day at leisure in Florence. In addition to seeing the art treasures—in and out of museums — take time for leisurely strolling, or just relaxing in a café. For shopping, Florentine leather is perhaps the finest in the world. The Ponte Vecchio, spanning the Arno River, has interesting shops of handcrafted silver and gold jewelry. For more sightseeing, you may wish to visit the most glorious of the Florentine palaces, the Pitti Palace, once residence of the Kings of Italy and today one of the finest centers of Italian art. The extraordinary Uffizi Gallery is the pride of Italy and houses one of the greatest collections of art in the world. This evening is at leisure to sample a Florentine restaurant on your own. 6th Day: Monday, August 4 Florence – San Gimignano – Siena – Montepulciano Back to Top San Gimignano and its Towers Tuscany Wine Tuscany is a major wine producing region whose wines make ideal partners for the robust local food. Both reds and whites are made here, ranging from light, house wine (vino della casa) to the very best Europe can produce. The most famous reds, Brunello di Montalciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Chianti, are made from the Sangiovese grape and are produced on the hills of Tuscany. This morning we will proceed to San Gimignano. San Gimignano has a dramatic skyline with 14 towers. Little has changed here since the 14th century. There is still a weekly street market in the cathedral square, and water still flows from an ancient cistern in the Piazza del Popolo. San Gimignano seems beautifully untouched. We will visit the 11th century Cathedral and its organ, dating from the 16th century. The inside walls of the Cathedral are completely covered by frescoes. Continue to Siena. Beautiful, gentle Siena is built on three hills and is still surrounded by its historic ramparts. Its medieval center has streets lined with Gothic buildings in various shades of a reddish-brown color known as "burnt Siena." The city became one of Europe's major centers during the 13th and 14th centuries and is famous today for its medieval art and architecture. We'll enjoy a walking tour of the town and see the Piazza del Campo, site of the famed Palio horse race, and the city's Gothic cathedral. Next, we depart Siena and visit Montepulciano, one of Tuscany's most interesting hill towns and, at 1,950 feet above sea level, among the highest. The town is encircled by walls and fortifications built in 1511. Inside the walls the streets are crammed with Renaissance-style palaces and churches; the town is known for its excellent wine. Enroute,we will see themany vineyards of Italy's Chianti region. Our next organ visit will be among our most interesting. In Montepulciano we will visit the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and its antique organ dating back to 1600. All of the organ's more than 500 pipes are made of wood! The organ is the only one of its kind in the world; organists from many countries come to Montepulciano to play this unique instrument. Dinner this evening is at the Café Poliziano with its magnificent view overlooking the Tuscany countryside. 7th Day: Tuesday, August 5 Venice Back to Top

Venice: The Grand Canal Depart Florence this morning and proceed to Venice — perhaps the most fascinating city in Europe and certainly the most romantic. Venice is built on 117 small islands spanned by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges. The main "thoroughfare" of  Venice is the Grand Canal; enjoy a Vaporetto boat ride on this waterway and visit St. Mark's Square, called the "largest living room in the world." Visit the Basilica of St. Mark and the famous belltower in the Square. See the Palace of the Doges and the legendary Bridge of Sighs. This afternoon we will enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. Dinner this evening is at our hotel. Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice in 1678 and lived there most of his life. This evening we will be treated to a concert of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.           Virtuosi di Venezia: Vivaldi - Four Seasons

Depart Venice today and leave for Verona. “Friar Laurence: Hence from Verona art thou banished: Be patient, for the world is broad and wide. Romeo: There is no world without Verona walls, but purgatory, torture, hell itself: Hence banished, is banish'd from the world.” Romeo and Juliet - Act III, Scene 3 The Roman Amphitheatre at Verona Nabucco Illustrated title page of the pianoforte edition published by Ricordi Romeo exaggerates, of course, but his sentiment reflects the prestige and importance of Verona at the time of Shakespeare. We'll enjoy a walking tour of Verona, visiting the Central Square, Piazza delle Erbe, and the 12th century cathedral. Verona is the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and we'll see the balcony from that immortal play. After dinner and a lecture on Nabucco, we will proceed to the Roman Arena of Verona, an amphitheater, built in the first century A.D. during the time of the Emperor Augustus. The Arena is one of the greatest archeological monuments in Europe. First performed at La Scala in Milan in 1842, Nabucco was Verdi's first triumph. Deriving from biblical sources, largely Jeremiah, Nabucco has no major tenor role. As noted in the Grove Book of Operas, the true protagonist of the opera is the chorus. The choral lament "Va Pensiero" is the most famous piece in Nabucco, perhaps in all of Verdi. It became a symbol of Italian nationalism and unification, and has been called the "real" National Anthem of Italy.

Perhaps the most famous violin maker in history was Antonio Stradivari, maker of the "Stradivarius." We will visit the Stradivari Museum at Cremona, and the collection of old violins at the Palazzo Communale, where the director will play for us on an original Stradivarius. Next, we will proceed to Lake Como. “And Como! Thou, a treasure whom the earth keeps to herself… ye have left your beauty with me… sweet as love.” Wordsworth, The Prelude “I do not know of any place so conspicuously blessed by heaven.” Franz Liszt Bellagio at Lake Como The Lake Region is the most beautiful part of Italy and one of the most beautiful areas in Europe. We will visit the lakeside village of Bellagio. The Italians call Bellagio "la perla del lago" (the pearl of the lake.) Combining Alpine grandeur with Mediterranean sensuality, Bellagio is perhaps the most enchanting spot of an extraordinarily beautiful setting. Shop and stroll in Bellagio, and enjoy a cappuccino at a lakeside café. Continue to Stresa on Lake Maggiore.

Day at Leisure Isola Pescatori, Lake Maggiore Full day at leisure at Lake Maggiore. Which of the Italian lakes is the most beautiful? Garda? Como? Maggiore? This is perhaps a question without answer, for all are beautiful in their own way. Maggiore does not have the Roman and medieval heritage of Lake Garda, or the romantic image of Lake Como. But it is the largest of the Italian lakes and includes three beautiful islands just opposite Stresa. Today is at leisure to browse, shop, and sightsee. Opposite Stresa on Lake Maggiore are three picturesque islands - Isola Bella (Beautiful Island), Isola Madre (Mother's Island) and Isola Pescatori (Fisherman's Island.) You may wish to take a boat ride on the lake and visit one or more of the islands. Shuttle boats run about every half hour. On these magnificent islands, surrounded by Lake Maggiore, with the snow-capped Alps in the background, the setting becomes an unforgettable memory. Dinner this evening is at a popular restaurant in Stresa.

The Last Supper by Leonardo DaVinci Milan Cathedral (Duomo), theThird Largest Cathedral in Europe Milan is Italy's liveliest, most sophisticated and wealthiest city. Over the centuries, there have been countless reproductions of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper." Today we will see the original work at the Church of Santa Maria della Grazie. Restoration of the painting was completed in 1999 — after 21 years of work! Next, we will visit Milan's magnificent Cathedral, the third largest cathedral in Europe. We will hear and play the cathedral's Tamburini Organ, built in 1937 with 150 stops and 15,500 pipes. We will visit the two organs at the Basilica of Santa Maria Della Passione. The Antegnati Organ dates from 1558. This afternoon we will visit the Musical Instruments Museum at the Castello Sforzesco. The museum hosts a unique collection of more than 600 items, including Stradivari violins and 16th century harps. At the end of the day we will proceed to our hotel at Milan Malpensa Airport. Our farewell dinner at the hotel will include Italian music.

13th Day: Monday, August 11 Milan – USA

Back to Top

All good things must come to an end. This morning we will board our return flight to the U.S. Beverages and meals will be served in flight, and a movie will also be available. Arrive back in the U.S. this afternoon.

Hotels
Florence	Plaze Lucchesi, Hilton Metropole
Venice	Hilton Molino, Bauer Grunwald
Verona	Firenze, Holiday Inn
Stressa	La Palma, Regina Palace
Milan (airport)	Crowne Plaza, Domina

Prices
Prices Per Person, Double Occupancy
From the East	Boston, New York, Newark	$5,595
From the Mid-Atlantic	Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia	$5,695
From Chicago	Chicago	$5,695
From the Mid-West	Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis	$5,745
From Atlanta and the Carolinas	Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham	$5,745
From Florida	Miami, Tampa, Orlando	$5,745
From Texas	Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston	$5,795
From the West	Denver, Phoenix	$5,895
From the Pacific Coast	Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle	$5,995
Inquire about prices from cities not listed above. Land Only Price: $4,895 per person, double occupancy. Single Room Supplement $995. Triple Room Reduction $20 per person. Add $274 U.S. and foreign airport and security taxes

The Great Composers
	Puccini Puccini was born in Lucca, near Florence, descended from a long line of musicians, conductors and composers. He entered the seminary at age 9 and became organist at the Cathedral of Lucca. His first compositions, therefore, were for the organ. In 1876 Puccini walked from Lucca to Pisa to see Verdi's later opera, Aida. This was a transforming experience; he went to Milan and enrolled at the conservatory. In 1893 he gained success, fame and wealth with Manon Lescaut. Madame Butterfly premiered at La Scala, Milan, in 1904.
	Vivaldi Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice and lived there most of his life. His father, a professional violinist, taught Antonio to play the violin; father and son toured around Venice playing the violin. Antonio was ordained as a priest in 1703 but withdrew from the priesthood after three years. Although he composed numerous operas, and sonatas, as well as sacred music, Vivaldi's most important works are his more than 500 concertos.About 350 of these are for solo instrument and strings. Of these, about 230 are for violin; the others are for bassoon, cello, oboe, flute, viola d'amore, recorder, lute, and mandolin. Approximately 40 concertos are for two instruments and strings, and about 30 are for three or more instruments and strings. His most famous work is the Four Seasons, composed in 1723. The music resembles a tone poem. Vivaldi captures the moods of the four seasons without the use of percussion to dramatize the effects he sought to portray. The piece includes four violin concertos depicting nature scenes in music. The inspiration was probably the countryside around Mantua. They were a revolution in musical conception: Vivaldi represents flowing creeks, singing birds, barking dogs, buzzing mosquitoes, crying shepherds, storms, drunken dancers, silent nights, hunting parties, frozen landscapes, children ice-skating, and burning fires. Each concerto was associated with a sonnet, written by Vivaldi, describing the scenes depicted in the music. We will be treated to a concert of the Four Seasons.
	Verdi At the age of seven, Verdi was helping the local church organist. At 12 he was studying with the organist and had already written several compositions for the organ. His application to study at the Milan Conservatory was rejected! Verdi became the most influential composer of Italian opera in the 19th century. He surpassed the work of Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini. His works are performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have taken root in popular culture - such as "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto and "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" from La Traviata. Although Verdi's work is sometimes seen as tending towards melodrama, his great operas dominate the standard repertoire some 150 years after their composition.

Deposits and Final Payments
An initial deposit of $300 per person must be sent with the reservation(s). Final payment is due two months before departure.

Responsibility
These tours are under the operation and management of Matterhorn Travel Service, Inc., 3419 Hidden River View, Annapolis, Maryland 21403.
The Tour Operator shall be responsible for supplying the services and accommodations as outlined in this brochure, except to the extent that such
services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond its control, in which case the operator will use its best
efforts to supply comparable services and accommodations. The Tour Operator reserves the right at its discretion to change the sequence or alter
any part of the itinerary or hotel accommodations, without prior notice for any reason; but in the event of substantial reduction in the services rendered,
a proportionate refund will be made to tour participants upon written request to the Tour Operator. If there is a major change in the itinerary, participants
will be notified before departure and offered an opportunity to cancel with full refund.

In the absence of negligence by the Tour Operator, the Tour Operator accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes
in air or other services, sickness, weather strikes, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be borne by the passenger. The tour member waives
any claim against the Tour Operator for any damage to or loss of property or injury or death of persons due to any act of negligence of any hotels, or any
other persons rendering any of the servicesor accommodations included in the ground portion of the itinerary. The Tour Operator shall not be responsible
for any delays, substitution of equipment or any act of omission whatsoever by the carrier, its agents, servants and employees, and tour member hereby
waives any claim arising therefrom. Tour participants agree that the Tour Operatorhas no responsibility or liability of any nature whatsoever for loss, damage
or injury to property or person resulting from air transportation. The air carrier provides insurance for the protection of passengers and performance within
the provisions of its tariffs. The Tour Operator reserves the right to decline, accept or remove any tour member as a participant of these tours at any time.
If any tour member is removed from the tour, a proportionate refund for unused services will be made.

Cancellations/Refunds
Refunds cannot be made to any passenger who does not complete the tour. In the event of cancellation by the Tour Operator, Tour Operator's liability shall
be limited to a refund of all payments made by the tour participants to Tour Operator.

All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the Tour Operator. If cancellation in writing is received by the Tour Operator more
than two months before tour departure, an administration charge of $75 per person will be retained. For cancellations received within two months of
departure, the following cancellation charges apply:

Two months to one month before departure: 25% of the tour price
One month to one week before departure: 60% of the tour price
Less than one week before departure: No refund

Insurance
Trip accident, health and baggage insurance is recommended. Cancellation insurance is also available and is particularly recommended. Details will be
furnished upon request.

Baggage
One suitcase per person (50 pounds) may be taken on the trip. The liability of the carrier for loss or damage to personal baggage shall be limited to the actual
value of such baggage but not more than approximately $9.07 per pound in the case of checked baggage and approximately $400 per person in the case of
unchecked baggage or other property. (Domestic-actual value not to exceed $500.)

Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are provided only for passengers arriving and departing Honolulu via flights reserved by the Tour Operator. Passengers using different
flights are responsible for their own airport transfers.

Special Note
Prices quoted are based on air fares and taxes as of September 15, 2007. Prices are subject to change prior to departure. Participants will be notified in
writing at least two months before departure if there is any increase in tour price. There is no credit for unused services. Forwarding of participants'
deposit(s) indicates acceptance of these terms and conditions.

THE AIRLINES participating on this tour are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their airplanes
or conveyances. The issuance of the passage contract by the airline concerned shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the purchaser
of this tour and/or the passengers. In addition to the participating airlines, the services of any IATA and ARC carrier may be used in connection with
these tours.

This program is valid from May 1 to October 31, 2008.