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A tour designed for the discerning traveller who wishes to explore the musical life and the beautiful countryside of Umbria in the heart of Italy. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of an exclusive house party at a private villa, situated halfway between Florence and Rome. Immerse yourself in classical music at open-air concerts. Sample gourmet food accompanied by fine wines of the area, served in beautiful, panoramic surroundings.

Quote “After searching the internet for weeks and looking at hundreds of villas across Europe we found ourselves here at Casa Fontana and have loved every moment.” - Danny and Charlotte, London

The programme centres around three of the Trasimeno Festival Classical Concerts, organised by Angela Hewitt. The distinguished musician is generally regarded as one of the foremost pianists of our time and her recordings have received high critical acclaim.(www.angelahewitt.com}

Besides the concerts, there will be an opportunity to get to know this lovely part of Italy, rich in history and culture and to see the best in late medieval and Renaissance art.

It is not just “food for the soul”, however, there will be long, leisurely meals and good wines taken on Casa Fontana’s panoramic terrazzo, accompanied by lively conversation. In addition to excellent cuisine, guests can enjoy all the amenities of Casa Fontana: a good size pool, a large olive grove offering long walks with breathtaking views.

ACCOMMODATION:
Your accommodation is a private apartment in an Umbrian villa. Casa Fontana www.casafontana.net is a recently converted farmhouse set in five acres of terraced hillside with a secluded pool offering panoramic views over valleys and mountains. Each comfortable apartment is subtly individual in style. They all have lounge / kitchen, double bedroom, shower room with WC, outside patio and dining area. Your apartment is equipped with cooker, fridge and dishwasher.

MEALS:
Your apartment contains breakfast provisions. The main meal is in the evenings (except for lunch on one occasion), taken on the spacious loggia. Sourced from fresh local ingredients, it consists of several courses, such as:

# Bruschette con Pepperoni
(Chargrilled Roast Pepper toasts, dressed with a hint of garlic and Casa Fontana’s own cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil)
# Prosciutto di Parma, dolce e staggionato (A platter of two kinds of Parma ham: the tender fresh as well as the mature, well seasoned varieties)
# Insalata di Fagioli e Sedano
(A salad of rich borlotti beans with crisp celery and aromatic, mild red onions)
# Fettucine con Finocchi
(Home made fresh pasta with fennel in a creamy saffron sauce)
# Faraone con rosamarino e pancetta
(Locally farmed guinea fowl baked with rosemary and smoked bacon on a bed of fluffy potato puree and leeks)
# Panna Cotta alla Frutta di Bosco con Limoncello Frappe
(A cream mould with vanilla seeds, served with berries and leaves of mint, accompanied by Limoncello liqueur on crushed ice)
# Wines:
Sparkling: Prosecco del Veneto
White: Grechetto della Cantina Goretti
Red: Nero d’Avola di Sicila

Castle of the Knights of Malta, Magione
Giovanni Angeleri, violin
Angela Hewitt, piano
Bach: Sonata for violin and keyboard No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017
Brahms: Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100
Paganini: Introduction and variations on the aria "Nel cor piu non mi sento" by Paisiello
Beethoven: Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No. 2

Monday 29th June Orvieto, a Jewel in a Renaissance Landscape
- A late start, an opportunity for a lie- in or a swim or both
- Excursion to Orvieto, an artistic treasure trove of a town on a high plateau, dominating a landscape of vineyard and olive groves dotted by cypresses. Visit to one of the wonders of Renaissance Italy, Orvieto Cathedral. View Signorelli’s great fresco cycle depicting the Last Judgement, said to be Michelangelo’s inspiration for the Sistine Chapel. Many take the view that the master was at least an equal to the pupil! Lunch* at one of Orvieto’s many leafy garden restaurants. Taste the famous Orvieto Classico, the delicious white wine of the area. Shop for quality gifts.
- Rest and relaxation back at the Casa, followed by a leisurely dinner

Chiesa di San Pietro, Perugia
Orchestra da Camera di Mantova
(Carlo Fabiano, lead violin)

Giovanni Angeleri, violin
Rossana Calvi, oboe
Dame Ann Murray, mezzo-soprano
Angela Hewitt, piano
Bach: Double Concerto for oboe and violin in C minor, BWV 1060
Bach: Keyboard Concerto in E major, BWV 1053
Haendel: Opera Arias ("Va tacito", "Ombra mai fu", "Sta nell’ Ircana")
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat major, K. 595

Wednesday 1st July Castiglione Market, Cortona and Concert
- Mid morning departure for not-to-be-missed Castiglione del Lago market. The whole of this small, medieval town, occupying the promontory on Lake Trasimeno, becomes a maze of market stalls on Wednesday. Not just fruit and vegetables - you can buy everything from salami to handbags!
- On to Cortona of “Under the Tuscan Sun” fame. Visit to a splendid cinquecento palace, its aspectacular position dominating the Cortona hillside.
- Back to the Casa in time for a swim and a change .
- Dinner at the Casa

Thursday 2nd July Spoleto, the Hidden Treasure of Umbria
- Departure for picturesque Spoleto. That much quoted phrase, a hidden gem, could not be more appropriately used than in the case of Spoleto. It is set in a dramatic landscape over -a deep gorge. Though not well known outside Umbria, there is much to see here, from an ancient Roman Amphitheatre to the dramatic castle of Rocca Albornoziana. Spoleto Cathedral is the main monument of the city, a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture, though a “modern” porch and belfry were added in the 15th and 16th c. respectively.
- Dinner at Casa Fontana

Friday 3rd tJuly Assisi, a A Feast of Magnificent Art, Concert
- Early departure for Assisi to visit the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis. The upper and lower churches are a late medieval masterwork with the famous Giotto frescoes depicting the life of the saint.

- Visit to the Wine Museum, a very accessible and charming collection of wine making and drinking paraphernalia.
- Pre- dinner at Casa Fontana

Castle of the Knights of Malta, Magione
Angela Hewitt piano
Beethoven Piano Sonatas:
Op. 10 No. 2 in F major
Op. 10 No. 3 in D major
Op. 27 No. 2 in C-sharp minor ("Moonlight")
Op. 57 in F minor ("Appassionata")
-

Saturday 4th July Umbria’s Riviera and Gala Dinner
- Off for a relaxing day at Lago Trasimeno, the fourth largest lake in Italy. The lake was the scene of Hannibal defeating the Romans in April 217 BC.
- A leisurely boat trip over placid waters takes us to one of its three islands, Isola Maggiore, It has a charming fishing village known for its lace and association with St Francis. Most of the buildings, including the ruins of a Franciscan monastery, date from the 1300s.
- Lunch* at one of the island’s many excellent waterside restaurants
- Another gentle boat trip to visit Pasignano, the “Trasimeno Riviera”. This little spa town hugs the western shore. The high slopes behind it are the typical local landscape of vines and olives, with grand villas and ancient castles overlooking the green waters of Lago Trasimeno. Coffee* by the lake will complete the trip.
- Gala Dinner: not only to say farewell after an action-packed and entertaining week, but also to celebrate Independence Day. A temporary fusion of Italian and American cuisines!

NB: We shall be happy to advise guests who wish to extend their stay in Italy and travel onto other destination and to help with arrangements.

*not included in tour price

Musical House Party- June 28th to July 4th 2009

Cost per person $####
Includes:
• All transport in Italy, including airport transfers
• Accommodation in a comfortably furnished apartment. Towels, linen, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, coffee, tea making equipment, crockery, glasses, dish washer, fridge and ice box are provided.
• Use of pool
• All entrance tickets to concerts and museums
• Meals:
- • Half - board comprising continental breakfast (every day except arrival day), an evening meal with wine every day except on Monday when lunch will be provided.
- • Meals at the Casa consist of at least four courses (sometimes more!) according to Italian custom. Antipasto (cold starter) 2. Pasta 3.Carne (meat and vegetable) 4.Dolce (dessert)
- • Appropriate wines
- • Your fridge will contain the ingredients for a continental breakfast. In addition you will receive freshly baked rolls every morning, together with that evening’s menu so that you can choose lunch accordingly.
- • *Other refreshments are available on request, at retail prices

Not included:
• *Flight to and from Rome
• *All refreshments taken outside Casa Fontana, such as meals at restaurants, coffee stops etc.
Travellers should have their own personal insurance, which is their individual responsibility.