TRAVELS IN...
arranged by andante travelsÂ
expert-led archaeological and cultural tours since 1985
travels in... INTRODUCING OUR WONDERFUL NEW SELECTION OF CULTURAL TOURS
We’ve made our name over the last thirty years by providing erudite and illuminating archaeology tours. During our many adventures, we realized that the history of the lands we visit is found in more than just the earth they stand upon, but also in the music, the art, and the food that have nurtured the soul of its civilizations for hundreds, if not thousands of years. So in 2017, we ask you to join us on some new adventures, and do more than just learn about different cultures — we are inviting you to embrace them.
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ART HISTORY
Florence|The City & its Artists Explore the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’ — and get up close and personal with extraordinary artworks, including Michelangelo’s magnificent David. Find out more on page 6...
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ART HISTORY
Paul Klee|Modern Art & Music Chart the life of this highly individual artist — whose work explored Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism and more — during this very special Switzerland escape. Find out more on page 8...
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ART HISTORY
Seville|The City & its Arts Discover an artistic legacy cultivated by an enduring melting pot of fascinating cultures — from Moorish architecture to Gothic cathedrals; fine art to flamenco. Find out more on page 10...
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Parma|Its Food & Valleys Prosciutto, parmigiano reggiano, real Lambrusco — these alone are three very good reasons to get excited about this Italian tour.
Northern Tuscany|Food off the Beaten Track Just when you thought there couldn’t be another side to Italian food... as far from the tourist trail as you can go.
Find out more on page 12...
Find out more on page 14...
FOOD & CULTURE
FOOD & CULTURE
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FOOD & CULTURE
Mexico|Multicultural Cuisine Get a sneak peek into our 2018 exploration of one of the world’s favorite cuisines... Surprises await: it’s much more diverse than you might imagine. Find out more on page 16...
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Verdi Festival Allow us to introduce you to the man and the music. From private recitals to exclusive performances and opulent operas, this is the perfect tour for classical music aficionados.
Wexford|Opera, Traditional Music & Dance Prepare yourself for forgotten masterpieces with an added injection of new life — discover a festival like no other in this charming area of Ireland.
Find out more on page 18...
Find out more on page 20...
MUSIC & DANCE
MUSIC & DANCE
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MUSIC & DANCE
New York|Opera, Music & Dance There are many reasons why we love New York — not least because it is an epicenter of the arts. Broadway, the Met, Carnegie Hall... need we go on? Find out more on page 22...
TRAVELING WITH US BRAND NEW TOURS, THE SAME GREAT SERVICE YOU’VE COME TO EXPECT... VACATIONS EVERYONE CAN ENJOY
HOW TO BOOK
Our groups include people of all ages and from all walks of life. All you need is enthusiasm and an enquiring mind. We have had wonderful tours, traveling with engaged guests of all ages.
There are many ways that you can secure your place on this scintillating new selection of tours. You can give us a call, send us an email, or visit our website, where you will find more details about each of the tours.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL ACCESS
The phones at Andante Travels are manned by the people who plan — and have often been on or led — our tours. They are always happy to answer any questions you may have, and are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm GMT, to advise on any and all aspects of your vacation.
Ever wanted to view the world’s best art, but away from the usual crowds? Visit the finest restaurants that never seem to have a vacancy? Or maybe you’d like to go behind-the-scenes at your favorite shows? Each of our tours features exclusive access to some of the greatest sites, monuments and museums in the world.
call Toll-free on 1-888-331-3476
tours@andantetravels.co.uk UK: 01722 713800 Australia: 02 9191 2623
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Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
TRAVELS IN... 2017 Dear travelers, It is with immense pleasure that I have been given the opportunity to share my passion for opera, art and food around the world. I don’t remember when it all started, but I know I was a child when my fascination with what places look like and how people live began. As a family we lived in London, but my parents came from Italy and we would spend every summer back in the village they were born and brought up in. We would go by car and the quickest way of getting there was by driving diagonally across France. Although we’d found the most direct route, I would annoy everyone by suggesting a different one each year and succeeded in getting my way, which meant diversions such as passing through Lourdes, Innsbruck and Liechtenstein. Since then I have continued to explore as much as I can everywhere I go. Having spent several years running my own grocery store in Italy (at a time when it was obligatory to sit an exam on the knowledge of the goods you were selling), I have become familiar with the vast variety of products available and have extended my interest in exploring cuisines around the world. I get a real sense of excitement when I am about to try something I have never heard of before, and usually want to find out how it is made. Whenever I go away I like to think I can return home having experienced something wonderful that I was not expecting, as well as, of course,
visiting the places I had set out to see. I look for the white roads on the maps and the strangesounding village names. I search menus for unusual dishes and try to find out where the ingredients are produced and how. If there is an opera house or art gallery nearby I will fit that in, too. In putting itineraries together for other people I always bear these things in mind, knowing that those special moments make a vacation very memorable. Let me welcome you, then, to my world of exploration and discovery. The tours I have put together will offer the best possible combination of key sites, museums or galleries, well-located hotels, good food and some free time. In addition, there will be exclusive events reserved especially for us. With expert leaders offering the best knowledge in their field you will get an in-depth insight into the people and places we explore with a slightly lighter touch here and there. I am therefore delighted to offer you the opportunity of looking through the vacations I propose, and to hopefully welcoming you on our tours.
Rosetta Ferrari New Product Coordinator
ROSETTA FERRARI Rosetta has not only organized and arranged all of our new tours, she will also join some of the tours as a Guide Lecturer in 2017. Rosetta was born in London to an Italian family. She has a great interest in food and culture and was previously a food tour guide in Italy. She is also a member of the exclusive Italian Society of Cheese Tasters! Rosetta started working for Andante 20 years ago, and although she moved away to live abroad, and then in London where she worked for the Royal Albert Hall, she continued to manage and guide tours for Andante.
FLORENCE | THE CITY AND ITS ARTISTS
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title as illustrious as the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’ is not given lightly, and the city of Florence is more than deserving of such acclaim. During our tour of the city, we examine the lives of the many artists that have left a lasting impression on the cultural landscape, viewing the exquisite works of Boticelli, Michelangelo, and more across the city’s main fine museums. An obvious highlight of our tour is a private audience with a true icon of the Renaissance,
Michelangelo’s David. The artist couldn’t have imagined the wonder future generations would feel, gazing upon his marble creation, when he said: “THE BEST ARTIST HAS THAT THOUGHT ALONE WHICH IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE MARBLE SHELL; THE SCULPTOR’S HAND CAN ONLY BREAK THE SPELL TO FREE THE FIGURES SLUMBERING IN THE STONE.” Join us to feast on world-class art and unmatched scenery.
Dec 18 – 22, 2017 5 Days | $3,100 (sgl. $400)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in Pisa. Our tour begins with a short guided walk around Florence. We learn more about the city during an introductory lecture at our hotel, before dinner tonight.
Day 2: Meeting David
We enjoy a hands-on introduction to the Renaissance during a private art workshop this morning, before viewing the real-life works at the Uffizi Gallery. The museum is one of the most famous in the world, thanks to the sheer number of unique artworks and masterpieces conserved within its walls. We end the day in a very special way at the Galleria dell’Accademia, where
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we attend a private viewing of Michelangelo’s iconic David.
Day 3: Restorations
Our day begins at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, home to a fine collection of Renaissance art and architecture. We continue to the city’s Cathedral and Giotto’s Tower. We take a special outof-hours tour of the Museo dell’Opificio this afternoon. The extraordinary museum is home to a wealth of semi-precious stone inlays. Our day ends in a very civilized way — with a private concert held by the Firenze Classica musicians, before dinner.
Day 4: Fresco Cycles
We take a walk across the river to the Brancacci Chapel — known as the Sistine Chapel of the Renaissance — this morning. The fresco cycle found within, depicting the story of St Peter, is among the most famous and influential of the Renaissance period. Your final afternoon is free to explore the city further, or to pick up souvenirs.
Day 5: Returning Home
On our final morning, we receive a private tour of the splendid frescoes and private art collection at the Palazzo Corsini, set in the heart of the city. We return to the airport for our flights home.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ART HISTORY
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
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MICHELANGELO’S DAVID | PRIVATE VIEWING Perhaps the most special of all our visits is a private viewing of Michelangelo’s David, a true icon of the Renaissance. Receive an uninterrupted audience with him at the Galleria dell’Accademia. RENAISSANCE PAINTING WORKSHOP Whether you’re a budding artist, or have never picked up a brush, we’re sure you’ll enjoy our private workshop at a Florence art studio. What better way to enter the mindset of the Renaissance masters than to practice their techniques and styles on canvas?
Day 3
MUSEO DELL’OPIFICIO | OUT OF HOURS Learn how mosaics are restored to their former glory during a private, out-of-hours tour of the Museo dell’Opificio. PRIVATE CONCERT Aside from the art itself, we also attend a private concert held by the Firenze Classica musicians. We will no doubt hear music that inspired the great works we have the privilege of seeing.
Day 5
PALAZZO CORSINI | EXCLUSIVE ACCESS Discover the splendid frescoes and private art collection at the Palazzo Corsini during a private tour. The monumental palace is a sight to behold in itself.
“The true work of art is but a shadow of Michelangelo the divine perfection.” EXPERT GUIDE Oren Margolis is a native of Canada. He studied for his doctorate in history at Oxford University, where he now teaches. Oren’s research has taken him to a number of Italian cities, including Florence, Venice, Naples, and Rome, where he has worked extensively in the Vatican library.
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - Oren Margolis • Professional Tour Manager • All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Hotel - 4 nights in central Florence • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Pay a visit to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and view their Italian Renaissance collection
• Read The Craftsman’s Handbook by
Cennino d’Andrea Cennini, a howto guide to Renaissance Art
• Listen to Gregorio Allegri’s
Miserere and be transported to Renaissance Italy
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PAUL KLEE: MODERN ART AND MUSIC IN SWITZERLAND
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aul Klee’s work exists not just across genres, but art forms too, mixing art with music and theory. Our tour has been designed in much the same way, with private performances by the Paul Klee ensemble and workshops designed to illuminate his process. We believe this is fitting way to explore the life of a man who viewed art not as a mere profession, but an intrinsic part of his very being:
“COLOR POSSESSES ME. I DON’T HAVE TO PURSUE IT. IT WILL POSSESS ME ALWAYS, I KNOW IT. THAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS HAPPY HOUR: COLOR AND I ARE ONE. I AM A PAINTER.” Looking to the wider art world, we examine Cézanne, Picasso and Klee’s other color theory contemporaries. Explore the life of an enigmatic artist, in a picture-postcard locale resplendent with cobbled streets and surrounding hills.
Jul 10 – 14, 2017 5 Days | $2,630 (sgl. $320)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We meet in Basel, and drive to our hotel in Bern. Our tour really begins with a private lecture and workshop on modern drawing techniques. Bring your sketchbooks and pencils along and create something of your own!
Day 2: Paul Klee Zentrum
This morning we explore the Paul Klee Zentrum. Designed by Renzo Piano, the gallery is a work of art in itself. Dedicated to Paul Klee, it is home to the largest collection of his work. We continue to Seerose am Moosee in Münchenbuchsee for lunch lakeside. Later, we take a walk around the town of
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Münchenbuchsee, birthplace of Paul Klee. We enjoy an exuberant end to the day, as the Paul Klee Ensemble perform a private concert for us.
Day 3: Rosengart Collection We drive to Luzern to see the Rosengart Collection — home to 125 watercolors, drawings and paintings by Klee, which cover all periods of his work. Other artists featured here include Picasso, Monet, Cézanne and Chagall. We stop for a picnic lunch, and enjoy a leisurely private boat trip on Lake Lucerne before our return to Bern this afternoon.
Day 4: KunstMuseum
We visit the KunstMuseum this morning, and receive a private tour of the museum workshops, gaining insight into the principles of conservation. Enjoy some free time to explore Bern this afternoon.
Day 5: Returning Home
Visit the Basel Kunstmuseum for another great collection of drawings and watercolors by Klee. We take a final look at Klee’s work during a visit to the Fondation Bayeler, housed in another museum designed by the architect Renzo Piano. We return to Basel airport this afternoon for flights home or onward travel.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ART HISTORY
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
Day 1
PRIVATE DRAWING WORKSHOP Challenge the notion that art should realistically represent the world around us in a lecture on modern art technique, and try out some experimental techniques for yourself during a handson workshop. What better way to start a tour?
Day 2
PAUL KLEE ENSEMBLE | PRIVATE CONCERT Discover the life of Paul Klee through a different medium to the one you might expect — music. Enjoy the unmistakable sound of the Paul Klee Ensemble during a private concert just for us.
Day 3
PRIVATE BOAT TRIP Lake Lucerne has a shape unlike any other lake in Switzerland, with several sharp bends and four arms — see it for yourself during a leisurely private cruise with an on-board picnic lunch.
Day 4
KUNSTMUSEUM | WORKSHOP Enjoy a private visit to the KunstMuseum workshops and gain insight into the principles of conservation. From air temperature and humidity levels to cleaning and repairs, a lot of work goes into preserving our favorite artworks.
“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, Paul Klee it makes the visible.” EXPERT GUIDE Susan Wilson is Senior Member of Faculty at The Royal Drawing School. She exhibits at Browse & Darby and is employed as an artist to work on ‘The Late Shift’ at The National Portrait Gallery. She travels constantly in Europe to view exhibitions and art collections and is currently working en plein air, on a series of mountain landscapes inspired by the Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler.
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - Susan Wilson • Professional Tour Manager • All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Hotel - 4 nights in central Bern • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Explore the breadth of modern art on show at MoMA
• Read Paul Klee: Painting Music by Hajo Duchting, exploring the artist’s many talents and inspirations
• Listen to Mozart’s opera Don
Giovanni, one of Klee’s favorite pieces of music
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SEVILLE: THE CITY AND ITS ARTS
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here is a rich artistic thread that runs through Seville’s history. What else would you expect from an area (mythically) founded by Hercules himself... “RAISED BY HERCULES, JULIUS CAESAR FORTIFIED ME, WITH HIGH WALLS AND TOWERS, I WAS CONQUERED FOR THE KING OF HEAVEN BY GARCÍ PÉREZ DE VARGAS”
It’s an eclectic thread too, confined not just to a colorful art scene that boasts canvases by Picasso. Our tour also takes in an abundant array of regal architecture, including iconic Moorish masterpiece the Alcazar Palace. We also learn how to dance like a local whilst learning more about traditional music, and sample the most sumptuous of all aperitifs during a Jerez sherry tasting. Join us and explore this most vibrant city — whose heart beats to a flamenco rhythm...
Nov 13 – 18, 2017 6 Days | $2,385 (sgl. $335)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in Seville in the evening and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2: Architectural Delight Discover more about the city’s architecture during today’s touring. Along our way, we stop at the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, Catedral de Sevilla. We discover the Moorish influence present in the city this afternoon, during an enlightening visit to the extraordinary Alcazar Palace.
Day 3: Fine Art & Tiles
The Seville Museum of Fine Arts is considered one of the finest for Spanish art of the 17th century,
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and it is here that we begin our day. We continue to the Centro Ceramica Triana, where we tour the interesting tile museum, and see how the tiles are made and decorated.
Day 4: The Art of Flamenco
We visit a number of wonderful churches this morning, including the Monasterio de Santa Paula and Iglesia San Pedro. Both feature an impressive selection of artworks. Our tour takes a different turn, stamp and tap this afternoon... Following a private tour of the Flamenco Museum, we feel the rhythms of the music during a dance workshop.
Day 5: A Private Picasso
You know you’re on vacation when sherry tastings start in the early afternoon. We sample the aperitif at a local bodega where we also view a private art collection that includes works by Picasso. We continue to the Museum of Contemporary Andalucian Art, housed in a former monastery and ceramics factory.
Day 6: Returning Home
We enjoy a tour of the Seville Opera House and the Museum of Arts and Traditions on our final morning. We enjoy some free time in Seville this afternoon, before returning to the airport.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ART HISTORY
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
Day 4
FLAMENCO MUSEUM After we’ve learned all about the music during a private tour of the Flamenco Museum, we will test out the dance moves for ourselves during a workshop. Get ready to feel the Spanish rhythms...
Day 5
PRIVATE ART COLLECTION We visit some exquisite galleries during our tour, but how many people can say they’ve viewed a private collection that contains an actual Picasso among its many canvases?
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Isidore of Seville EXPERT GUIDE Susan Wilson is Senior Member of Faculty at The Royal Drawing School. She exhibits at Browse & Darby and is employed as an artist to work on ‘The Late Shift’ at The National Portrait Gallery. She held the Richard Ford Award to Madrid and has written on Spanish Art and Culture. She has also served as Chair of ARTES (Latin American and Hispanic Culture Group).
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - Susan Wilson • Professional Tour Manager • All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Hotel - 5 nights in central Seville • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Put on your dancing shoes and find a flamenco club in your town
• Listen to Rossini’s comic opera,
The Barber of Seville (even if it is performed in Italian...)
• Host your own sherry tasting at
home — it pairs particularly well with a good cheese plate
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PARMA: ITS FOOD VALLEYS
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arma is one of the most prosperous cities in Italy — but its richness goes far beyond mere monetary value. This is the birthplace of Franco Nero and Verdi, but there is something much more sultry and satisfying that has inspired our tour... good food. As you’d expect, air-dried ham, and crumbling hard cheese feature throughout our tour — but so, too, do freshly foraged mushrooms, hearty homemade pies and sparkling wines.
Of course it’s not just the food, but the way it’s served. Every meal is an occasion, and has been going back through the centuries. There could be no more fitting analogy of what you can expect than this old Italian proverb: “AT THE TABLE WITH GOOD FRIENDS AND FAMILY YOU DO NOT BECOME OLD.” With that in mind, we urge you to bring your appetites — and prepare to fall in love with Parma’s food valleys.
Sep 10 – 16, 2017 7 Days | $2,890 (sgl. $455)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in Milan and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2: Luxurious Hams
We start the day at the stately Corte Pallavicina, where we learn about the Spalla Cotta and luxurious Culatello of Zibello hams. This afternoon, we can relax during a private boat trip on the river Po.
Day 3: Making Parmesan
After an early start, we travel to a local family-run Parmigiano Reggiano Caseificio, to see how Parmesan cheese is produced. We continue to a former farmhouse — now a tomato museum. We end
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the day with a private cookery class at Parma’s exclusive Barilla Academy.
to Parma via Bardi, many of whose former inhabitants went on to settle in Wales as ice cream sellers.
Day 4: Sparkling Reds
Day 6: Pattona Pie
Day 5: Into the Mountains
Day 7: Returning Home
This morning, we travel to Langhirano, where the best Parma ham is made. We continue to the nearby Torrechiara Castle, one of the best-preserved in the area. Some of the finest sparkling red wines are made here — we sample Vino Colli di Parma. How many days start with a mushroom foray? We travel high into the Apennine Mountains with a local expert to search. We return
A long drive takes us high into the mountains, for a walk in Corchia. The medieval village is famous for its chestnuts and pattona pie, which we will learn to make in a traditional oven. On our way back to Parma we will visit a farm, where we can see some rare breeds.
Enjoy some free time in Parma before our return flights — you may wish to explore the many tempting delicatessen shops.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
Day 2
PRIVATE BOAT TRIP After a hard morning learning about pedigree charcuterie in the beautiful environs of the Corte Pallavicina, we set sail for a serene afternoon on the River Po, on our own private vessel.
Day 3
FOOD & CULTURE
PRIVATE COOKERY CLASS Take more than just happy memories home with you — learn some Italian culinary skills during a class at the exclusive Barilla Academy in Parma and enjoy your creations afterwards.
Day 5
MUSHROOM FORAY Join a local expert, high in the Apennine mountains, searching for a delicious selection of mushrooms. We stop for lunch after our private expedition, and enjoy the mushrooms we’ve managed to forage.
“Parmigiano-Reggiano, for me, is the complete cheese, the king cheese.” L uigi Carnacina EXPERT GUIDE Rosetta Ferrari was born in London to an Italian family and is fluent in Italian. She lived in Italy for many years where, among other things, she ran her own food business and became a member of the exclusive Italian Society of Cheese Tasters. She has a great passion for food culture, and has been intimately involved in the preparation and running of cultural tours for many years.
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - Rosetta Ferrari • Professional Tour Manager • All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Hotel - 6 nights at the Hotel Stendhal • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Read Colin Hughes’ Lime, Lemon and Sarsaparilla: The Italian Community in South Wales
• Visit a local Italian delicatessen and try something new
• Eat your favorite pasta dish —
topped with generous shavings of parmesan cheese
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NORTHERN TUSCANY: FOOD OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
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top for a moment, and imagine Italy. What comes to mind? Rolling hills dotted with olive trees — a landscape Mother Nature can be truly proud of? Or perhaps a table bursting with chatter, and piled high with lovingly made food? These are pictures of the past though, aren’t they? A Hollywood dream long faded... Not quite. There are still points of Italy untouched by the inconveniences of the modern world, and Northern Tuscany
is a perfect example. Taste tradition, indulging in glorious food made just as it always has been, every bite a revelation. Look around you, and it is easy to imagine that Mark Twain had Tuscany in mind when he said: “THE CREATOR MADE ITALY BY DESIGNS FROM MICHELANGELO.” Join us and go off the beaten track, in search of culinary delights, across a forgotten landscape that will long linger in the memory.
Sep 17 – 22, 2017 6 Days | $2,385 (sgl. $400)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in Pisa, and transfer to our hotel in Aulla, where we enjoy a welcome drink before dinner.
Day 2: Taste Tradition
Our day begins with a cookery class, making a traditional pie at Montagna Verde agriturismo. We will sample our culinary creations at lunch. This afternoon we walk through the woods and visit a local mill to learn about honey.
Day 3: Olive Groves
We make our way through the olive groves and see an active olive oil press at Olio Moro at Caniparola this morning. Later, we
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venture into a unique landscape during a private tour of the marble quarries of Carrara. This is also where Colonnata cured lard — Lardo di Colonnata — is made. We sample it served with an aperitif.
Day 4: Vineyard Walks
We venture to the east of the Lunigiana area to learn about the importance of the chestnut to the locals, and to see how the Marocca di Casola bread is made. We take a walk through the vineyards and cellars of the Azienda Pascali where we will have the chance to taste some Vermentino DOC before heading to Pontremoli.
Day 5: Testaroli: Mad Tea
We pay a visit to a farmhouse, where traditional cast iron ‘testi’ ovens are still used for making Testaroli, this morning. Afterwards, we travel the steep winding roads to the Zeri Valley. Following a lunch of roast lamb at the Catinella in Patigno, we meet a local sheep farmer and taste some delicious pecorino cheese.
Day 6: Returning Home
We take a walk around Pontremoli during our final morning. We have the opportunity to sample amor pastry in the Swiss cake shop, and a little free time before we transfer to the airport for our return flights.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
Day 2
PRIVATE COOKERY CLASS Learn how to make a traditional pie at Montagna Verde, an agriturismo farmhouse in the mountains. The organic farm lies in the heart of Lunigiana.
Day 3
PRIVATE MARBLE QUARRIES TOUR Without Carrara’s quarries we may never have looked upon Michelangelo’s undoubted masterpiece — this special spot provided the marble for David.
FOOD & CULTURE
Day 5
LOCAL FARMHOUSE VISIT Anyone for a spot of ‘mad tea’? Testaroli, as they are also known, are on the menu at a local farmhouse today — the pasta-pancake hybrids are made in traditional cast iron ‘testi’ ovens. GUIDED WALK & TASTING Nothing makes you appreciate good food more than seeing where it comes from. Join a local sheep farmer and walk with the sheep whose milk goes into the delicious pecorino cheese we sample today.
Extend your experience...
‘Parma: Its Food Valleys’ – is the perfect first course to this Northern Tuscan adventure... Find out more about the preceding tour on page 12.
“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” Federico Fellini EXPERT GUIDE Rosetta Ferrari was born in London to an Italian family and is fluent in Italian. She lived in Italy for many years where, among other things, she ran her own food business and became a member of the exclusive Italian Society of Cheese Tasters. She has a great passion for food culture, and has intimately involved in the preparation and running of cultural tours for many years.
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - Rosetta Ferrari • Professional Tour Manager • All Meals Included - dinners with wine
• Hotel - 5 nights at Hotel Demy • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Read Tasting Tuscany: Exploring
And Eating Off The Beaten Track’by Beth Elon
• Chill a bottle of Vermentino, pour yourself a glass, and relax
• Prepare a cheese board, featuring
generous helpings of rich pecorino served with figs or honey
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MEXICO: A MULTICULTURAL CUISINE
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ood things come to those who wait — and our 2018 Mexican adventure is certain to live up to that promise.
Mexico has something to suit every travel taste, from its expansive deserts to its vibrant, teeming cities. The food on offer to many a passing traveler is as diverse as the landscapes we find it in; despite what some may say, there is so much more to Mexico than hot chilli sauces and bursting burritos.
Of course, the Mexican food we all know (and love) may not be as authentic as we think. As author Denise Chávez said: “YOU CAN BUY SOCALLED MEXICAN FOOD AT TOO MANY RESTAURANTS. BUT THE REAL FOOD, THE MOST SAVORY FOOD, IS PREPARED WITH TIME AND LOVE.” On tour, you can rest assured that you are sampling only the best and most authentic food the country can offer.
Apr 11 – 20 Apr, 2018 10 Days | $TBC (sgl. $TBC)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in Mexico City.
Day 2: Tequila
We take a walk through Mexico City to admire the markets and sample street food. We also visit the Museum of Tequila & Mexcal.
Day 3: Mexican Pasties
We travel to Mineral del Monte to explore the mining town that makes Cornish pasties today. We also visit Pachuca.
Day 4: Mole Poblano
We travel to Pueblato to learn how to make mole poblano — the base of many Mexican dishes.
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Day 5: Chillies & Ranches
We visit a ranch today, and enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch before a spicy afternoon at a chilli farm. Will you be brave and try some?
Day 6: Learning to Cook
We learn how to make a number of local dishes on our first day in Oaxaca during a cookery class.
Day 7:Vanilla Scented
Mexico is the birthplace of vanilla — learn more at a vanilla farm in Oaxaca. We continue to Teotitlan, to enjoy hot chocolate... with a kick.
Day 8: Agave Nectar
Agave is many things: medicinal
plant, sweetener, and important tequila ingredient — find out more at a plantation and Mezcal distillery. We continue to Zegache through the cornfields, for Calda de Piedra (cooking with stones) .
Day 9: Fine Dining
We begin the day in a fun way: with some chocolate-making. We dine in style tonight at Pujol – Mexico City’s finest restaurant.
Day 10: A Sweet Finish
Our tour ends on a sweet note as we examine Toluca Sugar Skulls, Mexican folk art at its best, before departing for the airport.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special: PUJOL RESTAURANT Sample local classics with a modern spin, from Chicatana flying ants to octopus and suckling pig, while dining at Pujo, frequently rated among the top restaurants in the world.
FOOD & CULTURE
COOKING MASTERCLASSES From chocolate-making to the fundamentals of Mexican sauces, you’ll return home with a wealth of new culinary skills. More special access will be confirmed closer to the departure date.
“Mexican food is far more varied than you think. It changes like dialects” Gael Garcia Bernal COMING SOON Want to know more about the 2018 program? From food glorious food to theatrical castles and much more, there are so many reasons to be excited. Stay up to date with the latest information about all of our tours, by visiting our website, and signing up to our mailing list: www.andantetravels.com/sign-up
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer • Professional Tour Manager • Internal Flights - Mexico City to Oaxaca
• All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Explore the Latin American Art collection at LACMA
• Read Mexico: The Cookbook by
Margarita Carrillo Arronte to peek at what’s in store for your palate
• Toast the start of your tour with a
shot of tequila... well, you are about to go on vacation!
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VERDI FESTIVAL IN PARMA
G
uiseppe Verdi is one of few artists whose genius was recognized during their lifetime. That perhaps says all you need to know about the composer’s enduring appeal; whereas he himself discussed the burdens of such fame: “OH BLESSED A THOUSAND TIMES THE PEASANT WHO IS BORN, EATS AND DIES WITHOUT ANYBODY BOTHERING ABOUT HIS AFFAIRS.”
Join us and we chart the life of the artist and his emerging creative vision. We trace his ascent from humble beginnings right through to his position as a cultural icon of ‘new Italy’. Perhaps it is his versatility that has enchanted us for so long. As we will see, his creative touch stretches far beyond opera, to later religious works and chamber music. At his death, 200,000 bystanders lined the streets of Milan to bid farewell to their hero. We prefer to celebrate his life musically — why don’t you join us?
Oct 6 – 11, 2017 6 Days | $2,750 (sgl. $395)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in Milan, and transfer to our hotel in Parma. We view the Monument to Verdi on our way to dinner at the Corale Verdi, where we enjoy a private concert from the Verdi singers.
Day 2: Musical Beginnings
We travel to Roncole Verdi to visit Verdi’s birthplace, stopping at the house where he was born. We continue to Busseto to see the Casa Barezzi, where Verdi met his first wife Margherita; and the Teatro Verdi, a 19th century opera house dedicated to the composer. We attend Verdi’s Requiem at the Teatro Regio tonight.
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Day 3: Private Performances We visit the 17th century Teatro Farnese, to which we will return this evening. We cross the Parma river to visit the Casa Toscanini, the house where conductor Arturo Toscanini was born. We enjoy a private recital by Icelandic soprano Halla Margret, before walking through Parco Ducale’s gardens and admiring its marble statues.
Day 4: Musical Evolution
Our day begins at the Casa del Suono, where we learn about the evolution of musical instruments. We continue to the Conservatoire Arrigo Boito in Parma with its collection of rare period
instruments, before attending La Traviata in Busseto tonight.
Day 5: Behind the Scenes
We tour the Teatro Regio and get an exclusive look behind the scenes. Enjoy some free time in Parma this afternoon, before watching Stiffelio at the Teatro Farnese tonight.
Day 6: Returning Home
This morning, we visit the Villa Pallavicino, a Renaissance palace housing a museum dedicated to the life and works of Verdi. Following a visit to Verdi’s country home, Villa Sant’ Agata, we return to the airport for flights home.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
Day 1
CORALE VERDI SINGERS Meet the Corale Verdi singers and enjoy their wonderful interpretations of Verdi’s music. What better way to start a vacation?
Day 3
PRIVATE PERFORMANCES Watch a privileged performance from Icelandic soprano — and former Eurovision Song Contest contestant —Halla Margret, who now lives in Parma.
Day 4
PRIVATE RECITAL Attend a private recital at the Conservatoire Arrigo Boito in Parma, home to a collection of rare period instruments.
Day 5
TEATRO REGIO | BEHIND THE SCENES Go behind the scenes at one of Italy’s most prominent opera houses and opera companies, and learn more about its fascinating history.
Festival Performances
What would the Verdi Festival be with a performance or two? We attend not one, but three: Verdi’s Requiem, La Traviata, and Stiffelio.
EXPERT GUIDE Professor Francesco Izzo is Co-Director of the American Institute for Verdi Studies and general editor of the critical edition The Works of Giuseppe Verdi. He is frequently invited as a speaker, contributor of program notes, and consultant at opera houses, festivals, and media outlets, including the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, the Welsh National Opera, and the BBC.
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - Francesco Izzo • Professional Tour Manager • All performances • All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Hotel - 5 nights at Hotel Stendhal • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Listen to ‘Rigoletto’ or ‘Falstaff ’, to get yourself in the mood for the musical adventure ahead
• Read ‘Verdi with a Vengeance’
by William Berger, a perfect introduction to the great composer
20
MUSIC & DANCE
“You may have the universe if I may Giuseppe Verdi have Italy.”
WEXFORD: OPERA, TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE
I
f it were not for Compton Mackenzie, many an operatic masterpiece may have been forgotten. The writer, commentator, and raconteur came up with the idea for the Wexford Opera Festival in 1951 — but wasn’t satisfied with it being just another opera event.
audiences to neglected and unjustly overlooked works. Opera is no longer an escape for the elite only — as Pavarotti perfectly puts forward:
From that first event, more than sixty-five years ago, to the present day, the Wexford Festival has operated on the same ideal: introducing
So join us in Wexford to discover operatic treasures within a wonderful ancient Viking town, nestled on the banks of the River Slaney.
“OPERA IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ART FORMS. IT SHOULD BE LISTENED TO AND APPRECIATED BY EVERYONE.”
Oct 25 – 28, 2017 5 Days | $2,495 (sgl. $230)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in Dublin and transfer to our hotel in Wexford. We enjoy a lecture prior to dinner this evening.
Day 2: Walking the Town
Our tour begins with a guided walk around the town alongside a member of the Wexford Historical Society. We will learn about the importance of its harbor, which has Viking heritage, and the now derelict Selskar Abbey with its long and rich history. In the evening, we are invited to a private reception at the opera house, where we will enjoy a privileged introduction with one of the talented artists.
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Day 3: Backstage Access
We meet with one of the organizers of the Wexford Festival and explore its background. We also go backstage during a tour of the opera house. This afternoon we meet with the Wexford Comhaltas, who will introduce us to the world of Irish dance, traditional music and instruments with a private performance.
Day 4: 800 Years of History
Hook Lighthouse is the starting point of our final full day. Set on a beautiful peninsula, this is the oldest working lighthouse in the world, having stood for 800 years. We return to Wexford for some free
time in the afternoon. As well as being a center for opera, it is also home to a thriving art scene. Take a seat by the harbor, where the ‘slow train’ passes by alongside those eager to take a look. We join together again this evening for a last dinner as a group.
Day 5: Returning Home
We depart for Dublin to visit Powerscourt Waterfall on our final morning. At over 395 feet tall, this is the highest waterfall in Ireland, and sits in a valley surrounded by Djouce Mountain and the Great Sugar Loaf. We return to the airport for return flights or onward travel this afternoon.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
Day 2
PRIVATE RECEPTION Receive a privileged introduction to the National Opera house and go behind the scenes to meet one of the company’s artists.
Day 3
WEXFORD OPERA HOUSE Explore the background of the Wexford Festival during a backstage tour of the opera house alongside one of the organizers. WEXFORD COMHALTAS Enter the world of Irish dance and traditional music and instruments during a special afternoon spent with the Wexford Comhaltas.
Festival Performances
This year, you can enjoy performances of three distinct operas: Luigi Cherubini’s Medea, Jacopo Foroni’s Margherita, and Franco Alfano’s Risurrezione.
EXPERT GUIDE Brian Kellow is the current features editor of Opera News of New York. He is a critically acclaimed biographer and cultural writer and editor with an extensive background in arts reporting, feature-writing and criticism for several media organizations. He has attended the Wexford Opera Festival for many years and has traveled Ireland widely.
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - Brian Kellow • Professional Tour Manager • All performances • All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Hotel - 4 nights in Wexford • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Listen to Balfe’s The Rose of Castille, the first opera performed at the Wexford Festival
• Read The Times Great Irish Lives
by Charles Lysaght, a unique and fascinating collection of obituaries
• Toast your coming tour with a pint
of stout or a generous dram of Irish whiskey
22
MUSIC & DANCE
“It is through art, and through art only, that we can realise our perfection.” Oscar Wilde
NEW YORK: OPERA, MUSIC AND DANCE
I
s there anywhere in the world that can compare with New York for artistic variety? This is, after all, the birthplace of hip hop, doowop, disco, punk rock and new wave, not to mention the home of world-famous theater district Broadway. Then there’s the dance: from the Salsa clubs to the ballet schools, the city is rife with fancy footwork. On this tour, we explore these facets of the city’s creative spirit, and more — opera, music and dance are all accounted for.
New York is unlike any other city in the world — it’s an overwhelming space, but as soon as you arrive, it’s as if you’re home. Inimitable author Tom Wolfe perhaps said it best: “ONE BELONGS TO NEW YORK INSTANTLY, ONE BELONGS TO IT AS MUCH IN FIVE MINUTES AS IN FIVE YEARS.” So join us, as we take our vagabond shoes on a musical journey through the city that never sleeps...
Sep 27 – Oct 1, 2017 5 Days | $3,480 (sgl. $535)
DAY BY DAY Day 1: Introduction
We arrive in New York City. Before dinner at a local restaurant, we enjoy a lecture on New York’s varied music scene.
Day 2: Backstage Ballet
We explore the Metropolitan Opera House, including backstage. The Met is home to some of the world’s pre-eminent conductors, composers, musicians, stage directors, choreographers, and dancers. This afternoon, we have the opportunity to meet members of the New York Ballet Company — one of the foremost dance companies in the world. We attend an opera or ballet this evening.
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Day 3: Carnegie Hall
We enjoy an exclusive visit to the National Opera Center of America today, and are lucky enough to watch a private demonstration at a recording studio. We continue to Carnegie Hall, where we will have a private tour. The iconic concert hall is one of the most prestigious venues in the world for both classical and popular music. The day doesn’t end here, as we also attend a concert this evening.
Day 4: On Broadway
We take a walk around Broadway this morning, learning some facts and secrets of the famous musical area along the way. We will attend
an opera or ballet this afternoon. If you aren’t tired out from the week so far, there will also be an opportunity to enjoy some ballroom dancing this evening — will we find a Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers among our ranks?
Day 5: Returning Home
Sliding into another side of NYC’s thriving eclectic scene on our final morning, we visit the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and enjoy a live musical demonstration. Take some free time in New York this afternoon, before transferring to the airport for flights home or onward travel.
Call: 1-888-331-3476 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPECIAL ACCESS As much as we’d like to say that all visits were created equal, some are just that little bit extra special:
Day 2
NEW YORK BALLET COMPANY We meet with the dedicated members of the New York Ballet Company who offer us insight into its rich history, their repertoire of ballets, and of course the world-class dancers. METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE Visit the Metropolitan Opera House for a backstage visit. It is the largest classical music organization in the USA; its repertoire consists of everything from Baroque and Bel Canto to Minimalism.
Day 3
NATIONAL OPERA CENTER OF AMERICA Get to the heart of what happens at a recording studio during a private demonstration at the National Opera Center of America. They work with artists to increase the creativity of opera productions. CARNEGIE HALL You know you’ve made it as an artist when you play Carnegie Hall. This, the world’s most famous concert venue, is part of the city’s cultural fabric — learn more during a private tour.
Day 5
NATIONAL JAZZ MUSEUM Harlem has produced an incredible roster of musical talent — particularly in jazz. Discover more about them at the National Jazz Museum and watch a live musical performance.
EXPERT GUIDE John Allison is editor of Opera and a music critic for The Daily Telegraph. From 1994–2005 he was a music critic for The Times, and from 2005–14 for The Sunday Telegraph. He has written for leading newspapers around the world, including the New York Times, and is a regular contributor to BBC Music Magazine. He also co-founded the International Opera Awards in 2013.
WHAT’S INCLUDED • Guide Lecturer - John Allison • Professional Tour Manager • All performances • All Meals Included - dinner with wine • Hotel - 4 nights in New York • Local Travel - air conditioned coach
GET INSPIRED There are many things you can do to get in the mood for your tour:
• Watch any number of classic
movies where the city is the star — from Manhattan to On the Town
• Read Christopher Winn’s I Never
Knew That About New York to learn more about the metropolis
• Just before you leave, listen to
Frank Sinatra croon about the “city that doesn’t sleep”
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MUSIC & DANCE
“If London is a watercolor, New York is Peter Shaffer an oil painting.”
travels in archaeology
hidden cities
At Andante, we are driven by a passion for the past. Founded and run by archaeologists, Andante remains unique among travel companies, putting archaeology at the heart of everything we do for over 30 years. However farflung or close to home the destination, our ethos remains the same: a real vacation, led by an expert guide, where every day is spent in good company, amid beautiful landscapes, immersed in the stuff of past lives...
Go one step further than all of our other all inclusive tours, combining the same conviviality and convenience you’ve come to expect with special access to incredible and often overlooked sites... Whether you are celebrating a special anniversary or big birthday, or just want to explore your favourite European destinations in greater detail, these are the tours for you. Uncover the concealed corners of history and submerged secrets of the past.
Relaxed Breaks
study days
Ancient stories, stunning sites, wonderful scenery and unrivaled expertise. Relaxed Breaks combine the expertise and information of our all inclusive tours with time to revisit sites or simply soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy plenty of free time, stay in one lovely hotel, and travel with a small group of like-minded adventurers. Our Relaxed Breaks are real vacations, with time to digest the sites and stories introduced by our expert Guide Lecturers. Join us for very civilized explorations of the ancient world.
Enjoy a bite-sized supplement to your 2017 travels. Whether your taste is for on-site learning in the fortresses of Roman Britain, behind-the-scenes handling sessions with artifacts from far-flung lands, a special sunrise at Stonehenge, or even all of the above — we can help. If you’re embarking on a European vacation this year, and would like to add one of our UK-based study days to the beginning or end of your tour, why not give us a call? We can help you to factor it in to your plans for a truly bespoke itinerary.
andante travels - the clock tower, 4 oakridge office park, southampton road, whaddon, salisbury, united kingdom, sp5 3ht Call 1-888-331-3476 -
tours@andantetravels.com - www.andantetravels.com