Performance Tour to Italy
June 20 (or 21), 2024 - June 30 (or July 3), 2024

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Useful Links

For the latest itinerary, route map, etc., click on one of these bolded links:

Preliminary Itinerary showing current plans. This is a preliminary itinerary. There will be changes as the committee investigates other excursion options and as Music and Travel, our tour operator, makes arrangements in Italy.

Route Map showing where we are going.

Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) is a free and confidential service that notifies Canadian citizens outside the country of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. Signing up for the service ensures you’ll receive the latest information.

What's Included in Land-Only

Here are some highlights of what is included:
•  airport-hotel transfers in Italy for main trip, day-early option and Venice extension option (if flying on the primary Air Canada flights between Toronto and Venice)
•  8 nights of 4* hotel accommodation with daily breakfasts
•  extra-cost option to go a day early for an extra day in Cremona
•  extra-cost three-day Venice extension option
•  3 group meals including final day celebration event
•  one rehearsal and two performances in special venues, as per itinerary
•  rental instruments provided locally - cello, bass, large percussion, tuba
•  two high quality bus coaches with two tour leaders for the whole trip, one per coach
•  guided sightseeing tours of Verona, Mantova & Padova with local tour guides and audio headsets
•  entrance to Museo del Violino in Cremona
•  boat tour of Palladian Villas or Riviera Brenta

Free Time Activity Suggestions

Free time is included to allow you to experience these terrific locations at your own pace. Some optional (extra cost) activities are also available:

• Cremona, Italy is a beautiful city, here’s a video overview

• evening Verona concert or the Verona Opera Festival at the Arena

•  coach excursion to Lake Towns of Riva & Malcesine or
•  coach excursion to Palladian Villas of the Veneto & Vicenza or
•  train excursion to Venice

•  Lake Garda ferry to Sirmione or Salo (home of Gasparo da Salo, father of the violin) 

•  after the main tour - 3-day extension in Venice with tour leader for first day, includes guided morning walking tour to see St Mark’s Piazza & Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, Accademia, Bridge of Sighs and much more. 3.5 free days for personal sightseeing.

Pricing

Core trip, double occupancy: $3,200/person. Single occupancy surcharge: $1,300
1-day early arrival option: $350/person. Single occupancy surcharge: $65
3-night Venice extension option: $1,380. Single occupancy surcharge: $1,040
Airfare: book on your own

Payment to KWCO Trip Committee (includes Music and Travel fees plus rehearsal venue rental, instrument rental, hired players …)

1st payment of $1,000/person is due at time of registration.
2nd payment of $1,600/person is due on or before January 1, 2024.
Final payment balance is due on or before April 1, 2024 (remaining $600 + Early Arrival, Venice Extension and Single Supplement amounts)
Payments may be made by e-transfer to kwcotrip2024@gmail.com (preferred) or by cheque made out to ‘KWCO Trip 2024’, mailed to Mark Carbone, 212 Main St., Cambridge, ON. N1R 1W8.

More complete instructions will be provided as part of the registration process.

Registration

If you are interested in joining us, please contact kwcotrip24@gmail.com.

Hotels

Cremona - Hotel Continental
The Hotel Continental is an iconic hotel for the city of Cremona, the Continental Hotel was opened in 2012 after a complete renovation in order to inaugurate a new standard of elegance and hospitality. With its exclusive and elegant character, the hotel represent a symbol for the city not only for its position but also because it is provides first class services typical for a 4 star hotel.

Desenzano - Palace Hotel Desenzano
The Palace Hotel Desenzano is an ideal quiet hotel in Desenzano Del Garda. Nearby landmarks such as Monumento agli Aviatori del Reparto Alta Velocita (3.6 km) and Porto Vecchio (3.7 km) make Palace Hotel a great place to stay when visiting Desenzano Del Garda. You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a minibar, and you can stay connected during your stay as Palace Hotel offers guests free wifi. The hotel features a concierge and a rooftop terrace. Plus, Palace Hotel offers a pool and breakfast buffet, providing a pleasant respite from your busy day. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available. Travellers looking to enjoy some oyster can head to La Lepre Ristorante or Caffe Citta Desenzano. Otherwise, you may want to check out a sushi restaurant such as Sushi Zen, 133 Sushi Club, or Yumi Sushi Experience. Looking to explore? Then look no further than Castello e torre di Rivoltella (1.4 km), which is a popular Desenzano Del Garda attraction – and it is conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel.

Verona - Hotel Leon d’Oro
Hotel Leon d'Oro has always been synonymous of elegance and hospitality in Verona. The Hotel offers wide open spaces, elegant rooms and high quality technological services. The high attention to the customer together with our highly qualified staff guarantees our guests a perfect stay in every detail. Hotel Leon d'Oro is 1.5 km from Piazza Bra and the Arena, with a round-trip shuttle service during opera evenings.

Venice - Best Western Quid Airport Hotel
The environmentally friendly Best Western Plus Quid Hotel Venice Airport is strategically located within the new commercial directional Aev Terraglio area in Mestre, close to the highway off-ramp and directly connected to the Marco Polo Airport by a shuttle service.

Venice 3-Day Extension - Hotel Giorgione
Hotel Giorgione is a historic residence in Venice that the owners take care of like their own home. It is among the most appreciated of 4-star hotels for having maintained the characteristics of the ancient residencies of Venice. Spacious halls and a charming internal courtyard with an emotional pool, a unique feature for a hotel in Venice, a peaceful oasis.

Air Bookings and Travel Insurance

• You are responsible for booking your own flights.
• We understand that some group members may want to go earlier or stay later than the tour dates.
• Flights planned for the main travelling groups
• Toronto to Venice (Group 1 - Early Arrival): AC 420 / AC 818, 5:00 pm departure on June 20, arrival at 9:45 am, June 21; 1:19m stop in Montreal (stay on plane)
• Toronto to Venice (Group 2) Air Canada 816, 6:55 pm departure on June 21, arrival at 9:40 am on June 22, direct flight
• Venice to Toronto: (Group 1) Air Canada 817, 12:40 pm departure on June 30, 4:05 pm arrival on June 30; direct flight
• Venice to Toronto: (Group 2 - Venice Extension) Air Canada 817, 12:40 pm departure on July 3 departure, 4:05 pm arrival on July 3; direct flight
• If you are making your arrival own travel arrangements, please plan on meeting the rest of us at our Venice airport or our Cremona hotel.
• Health insurance coverage is compulsory.
• Cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended.
• For any assistance with air booking or insurance arrangements, please contact a travel agent. Let us know if you have any questions about air travel and insurance.

Repertoire

  • The Repertoire for the trip has been finalised.

  • All players will need to download and print their own parts. Parts for each instrument are available from Dropbox Folders (assembled by Lee Ann Rodgers - Thank you!)

  • Dan Warren has compiled a Playlist for all of the works we are performing.

Rehearsals

We will have four rehearsals in Kitchener-Waterloo in June, prior to the trip. Please plan to attend all if it is possible for you.

  • Sunday, June 9 afternoon

  • Sunday, June 9 evening

  • Saturday, June 15 morning

  • Saturday, June 15 afternoon

Two Performance Venues

Frequently Asked Questions

What tour company are we using? 

Music and Travel is based in the UK and are looking after us for the land-only portion of the tour. They were our tour company for our 2017 Performance Tour to the UK and did an excellent job for us. They specialize in group musical tours and were selected in 2016 based on their reputation and references from other musical groups. They are very focused on our performance venues and their European base gives us access to their extensive contacts and local knowledge.

Why do I need to book air on my own travel separately from the rest of the tour?

Making your own air arrangements allows more flexibility for everyone and simplifies registration. Some will travel early or stay later. If you wish to travel with the main group, please book a seat on the flights as outlined above.

What are typical costs for local meals and entertainment?

Visit here for typical costs in Verona.