The Dei Laudes Choir Tour

Italy 2006

 

Highlights

 

  • The art and architecture of the churches, palaces and museums – WOW!!
  • The ruins of the ancient Roman Empire – Amazing, even after 2000 years of wear and tear
  • The beauty of the Tuscany countryside – Would be a great place to live.
  • Vino e Gelato (wine and  high-end “ice cream” like dessert)
  • Italians (in the small villages and towns) – Pleasant and friendly

 

Low Spots

 

·        Heat – Mid to upper 90’s with clear skies most days, lots of walking, little shade.

·        Transportation – The hotels selected for us were far away from the attractions. We spent hours on the bus every day.

·        Tour Guides – Control freaks who wanted to explain what we were about to see instead of letting us see it our self and ask questions

·        Costs – Prices for basic things were high not to mention the constant tipping. For example 3 to 5 Euro ($4-$6.50) for a 12 oz Coke. They also charged for water and using the public toilets.

·        Italians (in the large cities) – Rude and obnoxious

 

 

And now to the tour (click on images to view pictures)

 

 Roma

 

We arrived in Rome during what appeared to a baggage handler strike since it took 2 hours to get our luggage. We were met by our Tour Director, Tomas, and bused to the Hotel Regent in the Pariolo (an exclusive suburb of northern Rome). The Regent was a 4-star hotel and the lobby/public areas were nice. But the room was what you would expect for an average Motel 6 in the United States and the 4-person elevator (2 with luggage) was slow and sweaty. In Rome, the choir sang at high mass in the St. Peter’s Basilica (at the Vatican) and a mass at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

 

 

 Toscana

 

The Tuscany country side is a beautiful patchwork of acres of sunflowers and hay, rows upon rows of grapevines and olives trees dotted with quaint stone villas. Within the Tuscany region we visited the cities of Florence and Siena along with the town of San Gimignano. We also visited the Tenuta Torciano winery outside of San Gimignano. Although the art and architecture was spectacular, driving through the Tuscany landscape was nothing short of awesome. During this time, we stayed at the Hotel Manzoni in Montecatini Terme.  Even as a 3-star hotel, our room was nicer than the one in Rome.

 

 Siena

 

Siena, one of the many fascinating cities in Tuscany. The Duomo  di Siena  dominates the skyline with its Tuscan Gothic architecture. Only a few of the mosaics on the floor were uncovered. The choir sang in this spectacular medieval cathedral.

 

 

San Gimignano

 

San Gimignano, the Town of Beautiful Towers, started as a cluster of huts around the Duomo along the Via Francigena (the Roman road that connected modern day France with Rome) that ran through the Tuscany country side. It served as a rest stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome, but quickly grew into a 13th century city-state. The many towers were strongholds and symbols of power for the ruling families in the region. The choir sang in the Sant’ Agostino church which is well known for the frescos depicting the life of St. Augustine behind the altar.

 

 

Firenze

 

Florence, the birth place of the Renaissance and hangout of Michelangelo. Well known for Il Gigante (Michelangelo’s David), Ghiberti’s Gates of Heaven, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, the ancient Etruscan bridge (Ponte Vecchio), etc. The choir sang in the Basilica di Santa Croce.

 

 

Venezia

 

Venice, city of canals and Gondolas and of course magnificent churches and palaces From a humble refuge of huts in a swamp to a symbol of power and wealth. St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace  are just two of numerous spectacular buildings. Also Vivaldi and other musicians had residences in Venice.  The choir sang at St. Mark’s Basilica and a mass at Chiesa di San Moise'. We spent one night at the Hotel Bolognese Villa Pace. A nice hotel, but we didn’t have much time to enjoy it.

 

 

Milano

 

Even in a city is large as Milan, the Duomo with its elaborate gothic architecture stands out. We were able to take an elevator to the roof and see the spires and ornate stonework close up.  Highlights included the choir singing in the Duomo di Milano, attending a performance of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas at Italy’s premier opera house, the Teatro alla Scala  and spending the night at the Una Hotel Malpensa, a futuristic hotel that George Jetson would have loved.