We are at the airport hotel, just returned from pizza, kids up in their rooms for final packing and a quick 5 hours before the 4:15AM wake-up call.
The July 4 final concert in Florence was unbelieveable - very well attended, kids played like angels and the audience again would not let us leave. A fitting musical ending to a great trip.
We all made it through the Cinque Terre hike with flying colors, A great lunch at the castle restaurant overlooking the picturesque town and bay of Vernazza and a restful 3 hour ride back to Milan.
I'll make my final room check, grab a few winks and get ready for a long day of hurry up and wait in line.
See you in PDX at 11:30 tomorrow morning! Flight LH 468
Ciao
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Concert in Reggello a Triumph!
Since we left Florence the kids have enjoyed a ride up to the old city of Montecatini via funicular.
Again gelato, great views and much walking. The following morning was for rest, swimming, laundry and expoloring Montecatini. At noon, we left for Arezzo - home of our guide Sara. She gave us the cook's tour and even helped me arrange for a cake for Elton's 18th birthday. You can understand our love for Sara when you hear that she had her mother pick-up and deliver to our bus. When we arrived in the village of Reggello, we enjoyed a picnic dinner that Yvonne, Kristin and Sara made. Rounds of pecorino cheese, fresh pomodores, Tuscan bread, veggies, local olives, fresh mozzerella, pesto. Molto bene! After dinner, we surprised Elton with the cake and even though the numbers were backward (Happy 81st B-day Elton!), Elton was touched.
The priest of the church - who spoke no English - beckoned me to follow him to the church museum, which despite it's location had the security of Fort Knox. Inside were rooms of wonderful original paintings from the 14th century as well as many icons from the church history. It was overwhelming and I asked "Possible per la studenti attendare" and he seemed to understand and said "Si, Si" and I brought them all inside. It turns out that this is a pilgrimage stop for art lovers and that several of the works here are sought by both the Uffizi and the Louvre. Wow! I later found out that parts of the church were built in 600AD!
Our concert was stunning - the best yet. There were about 150 people there, none who spoke any English, but all who appreciated the music and the kids. The would not stop clapping and again we had to leave while they cheered.
We arrived back at our hotel very late and again cancelled the wake up call. During the night another orchestra arrived - this one from King's College in Cambridge. While they were rehearsing this moring, I overheard their young conductor use bribery to get the rehearsing right - saying "hurry up and you may get a chance to see the American babes in the pool"
The hotel is making pizza for lunch and then we board the bus for the second trip to Florence and our final concert. Our trip is nearly completed and I must say it has exceeded all of our expectations by miles. Other than a few coughs, minor colds and tired feet, there have been absolutely no problems. The kids have been the best ambassadors for our city and families! I am so very proud of them.
After tonight, we get very little sleep, have our challenging hike tomorrow and the final night in our hotel. Jake and Tyler leave after the concert with their families who have already arrived. Steve and Kathy leave after this afternoon's rehearsal in the church. The bus ride back to Montecatini tonight after the final concert has been reffered to as the journey of sobbing as the kids all realize our adventure is winding down.
I may not be able to post again. I look forward to delivering these fabulous kids back to your care, but have treasured every moment with them. They are the best.
Ciao!
CC
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Third Concert was a Blast!
Last night, Tuesday, July 1 was our third concert. The setting was at the top of the hill in beautiful San Gimignano. We were on the Piaza Duomo. We shared the concert with the Dutch Orchestra. We had a full day before the concert with a rehearsal, a wonderful 3 hours in Sienna and a great sit down dinner in a Tuscan restaurant. Again, the concert started just as the sun was setting - around 9:20PM. The towers and the Duomo surrounded us and we had an audience of around 600 sitting in chairs and on the steps of the Duomo. The kids played their hearts out again and even though the darkness and the slight wind was a challenge, the audience gave us our third standing "O". They were very, very appreciative. The Camerata kids really wanted to hang out with the Dutch kids - who had graciously given each of us a logo shirt for their orchestra. I was all for arranging more time to socialize until the conductor of the Dutch orchestra suggested that we all mix up on the bus ride home. At first, that sounded like a splendid idea, but then he invited me to ride on the Dutch bus as they had lots of good Dutch beer on board. As good as that might have sounded to me personally at that point, I declined the invite for all of us. Our long bus ride back to Montecatini got us home around 1AM, so I decreed immediate bedtime and gave them this morning off for swimming, sleeping, laundry, etc. We left at noon for Florence with sack lunch in hand. We just had a guided tour of Florence and now I have given them 1 hour free time to explore and shop. We meet next for sit-down dinner at Restaurant Toto in the heart of Florence. When we come back on Friday 24 of the 33 have elected to visit the Uffizi museum. The cost is high ($1,000 US) so thank you very much to our final concert donors. Tonight we will return home to our hotel and possibly take the funicular up to the alta citta. Tomorrow we visit Arezzo (the home of Sara -our terrific guide) and then to the Tuscan hillside tiny town of Reggello for our 4th concert. One neat thing that happened last night in San Gimignano was that several people who heard our first concert in Lucca followed us to San Gimignano for last night's performance. It seems we have groupies. Ciao!
O
Monday, June 30, 2008
On the road again
Sorry for the delay! First and foremost, I must tell you we had a stunning concert in a wonderful location (Terme Tettucio) - see the picture of the outdoor concert in the Roman ruins (scroll down). About 200 people and the kids put on a show. The artistic director of the International Festival was ecstatic and kept saying how fantastic the Camerata played. I was sooo happy. After the concert, we all walked into the main square for well earned gelato.
Today we had a very big day without music. We left at 9AM for a day in southern Tuscany and Umbria. We spent 3 hours in Cortona - a small very high hillside town with beautiful shops, trattorias, and a fortress at the top. The kids all found unique places to sample Tuscan food. We then drove even further south to Assisi where we all visited the Basilica - the home of St. Francis, shopped, tried more gelato and walked up many hills. It was a three hour drive back to Montecatini to shower, eat dinner and now venture into town again. The town is so vibrant. Young and old strolling all around, shops open even now at 10:30PM, a big colorful merry-go-round in the square and so much life everywhere.
Tomorrow morning we have our rehearsal with the Dutch orchestra and another long day travelling - this time ending with a joint concert in San Gimignano. In the middle of the day we will spend 3 hours in Sienna - possibly the most beautiful town in all of Italy. It will be the day before the Palio race - so the town will be bursting with festivities - costumes, marching bands, banners and so much color.
We are very lucky to have such a wonderful guide in Sara. She is just fantastic. Very friendly, always willing to help, flexible and happy. The kids adore her.
No pictures tonight as the internet cafe has no card reader. We will figure out a way and post them ASAP.
Ciao!
Today we had a very big day without music. We left at 9AM for a day in southern Tuscany and Umbria. We spent 3 hours in Cortona - a small very high hillside town with beautiful shops, trattorias, and a fortress at the top. The kids all found unique places to sample Tuscan food. We then drove even further south to Assisi where we all visited the Basilica - the home of St. Francis, shopped, tried more gelato and walked up many hills. It was a three hour drive back to Montecatini to shower, eat dinner and now venture into town again. The town is so vibrant. Young and old strolling all around, shops open even now at 10:30PM, a big colorful merry-go-round in the square and so much life everywhere.
Tomorrow morning we have our rehearsal with the Dutch orchestra and another long day travelling - this time ending with a joint concert in San Gimignano. In the middle of the day we will spend 3 hours in Sienna - possibly the most beautiful town in all of Italy. It will be the day before the Palio race - so the town will be bursting with festivities - costumes, marching bands, banners and so much color.
We are very lucky to have such a wonderful guide in Sara. She is just fantastic. Very friendly, always willing to help, flexible and happy. The kids adore her.
No pictures tonight as the internet cafe has no card reader. We will figure out a way and post them ASAP.
Ciao!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Greetings from Montecatini & Beyond
Internet access since Cremona has been difficult. Everything is going very, very well. We had our first concert last night in Lucca. We arrived from Cremona around 3PM and since it is soooo hot, the kids (and the adults) were ecstatic to find the swimming pool. We were able to swim and relax for an hour or two before we had to load up the bus for Lucca. The Festival had provided a van and driver to take all of the instruments and concert dress to the concert venue. Good thing as the temperture has taken some of the spring from our step. We rented the bikes (Thank you Greg K) and rode around the city wall and then the kids were free to find their favorite trattoria (no fast food allowed!). We regrouped at the Chiesa San Giovanna for a quick rehearsal before our concert. The Vivaldi quartet played outside in the piazza to help attract a crowd and many people listened, clapped and then came inside for the concert. The acoustics in the church were unbelievable! The sound would last quite strong for 3-4 seconds after a big chord or ending. The audience loved us and there was a standing ovation at the end. Camerata bought everybody gelato and we walked back to the waiting (air conditioned!) bus. A VERY GOOD NIGHT FOR OUR TEAM.
Today we had a late breakfast and drove to Pisa. We spent two hours visiting the cathedral, the babtistry and taking the typical holding up the tower pics. When we got back on the bus I told them to be quiet and listen and then I told them that I could hear the swimming pool calling all of their names. The kids are back at the pool or sleeping. Some are exploring the Alta Citta (old city) on the top of the hill. We have our second concert tonight at the Terme Tettucio - which are old Roman ruins around a thermal bath. Monticatini is a very nice city. The area we are staying is was built around the 1920's as a spa town. The kids are impressed with our hotel as it is quite nice with beautiful grounds directly accross from the Tettucio.
The Festival staff, the hotel clerks and even the bus driver are commenting on how great the kids are. They are all cooperating so nicely and all pitching in to help when needed. There are no whiners in the group! The heat has been a challenge, but we are slowly adjusting and the pool is a Godsend. Gerry will download pics to the picture site soon.
The kids are learning a lot about spirit, teamwork, hardwork, patience and support of each other. So far - everything is bellissimo!
CC
Today we had a late breakfast and drove to Pisa. We spent two hours visiting the cathedral, the babtistry and taking the typical holding up the tower pics. When we got back on the bus I told them to be quiet and listen and then I told them that I could hear the swimming pool calling all of their names. The kids are back at the pool or sleeping. Some are exploring the Alta Citta (old city) on the top of the hill. We have our second concert tonight at the Terme Tettucio - which are old Roman ruins around a thermal bath. Monticatini is a very nice city. The area we are staying is was built around the 1920's as a spa town. The kids are impressed with our hotel as it is quite nice with beautiful grounds directly accross from the Tettucio.
The Festival staff, the hotel clerks and even the bus driver are commenting on how great the kids are. They are all cooperating so nicely and all pitching in to help when needed. There are no whiners in the group! The heat has been a challenge, but we are slowly adjusting and the pool is a Godsend. Gerry will download pics to the picture site soon.
The kids are learning a lot about spirit, teamwork, hardwork, patience and support of each other. So far - everything is bellissimo!
CC
Friday, June 27, 2008
Fantastico!
FANTASTICO!!!!!
Parents, Romans, Countrymen & Women: It is midnight on Thursday (Milan time). We have been gone a bit over 30 hrs and we have done A LOT!
The flights were fine. A couple of misplaced passports and a whole bunch of hurry up and wait. All in all pretty smooth.
Our tour guide (Sara) was at the gate in Milano to meet us. We struggled mightily to get the cellos from the baggage claim (we opened them to check and all pieces were there) to the bus. It was hot loading the bus, but everybody pitched in – reinforcing what I already suspected in that we have a pretty good crew.
The first stop was the duomo and “wow”was the most heard explanation after laying their eyes on one of the world’s largest and ornate structures. We hoofed up the 250 stairs to the top and then we really were pooped. Gelato!
Brief visit to La Scala and then some more hurry up and wait before re-uniting with our bus and heading toward Cremona. I’ll bet the bus had not gone a mile before everyone was practicing the art of the ZZzzzzzzzzz. Into Cremona by 8PM and after the best showers in history, we showed up for our first Italian 4 course meal. The kids cleaned up nicely and we really enjoyed a fine meal of pasta, scallopini, salad and dessert.
The real fun came when about 15 of us ventured out to the “Piazza Centrale” after 10PM and found that the entire town, young and old were in the square and doing line dancing. It seemed like the “do see do” with Italian words. We even got Michael out tearin’ it up (pictures to prove it).
We will find and internet spot in the morning and post this along with a few choice pics. Kids are doing great. All of them. A few having some trouble with their ATM cards. I’ll take them to the bank and work it out in La Mattina.
What great ambassadors they are!
....................................................................................
Now it is noon, I am in an internet cafe in Cremona. We visited the cathedral (!!!!!!!), the collection of famous instruments and a consortium of makers where the kids all played several modern Italian instruments. They have free time to shop and find their first trattoria for lunch. Gerry is going back to hotel to get his computer and will download photos on the photo site.
So far, everything is perfecto!
Parents, Romans, Countrymen & Women: It is midnight on Thursday (Milan time). We have been gone a bit over 30 hrs and we have done A LOT!
The flights were fine. A couple of misplaced passports and a whole bunch of hurry up and wait. All in all pretty smooth.
Our tour guide (Sara) was at the gate in Milano to meet us. We struggled mightily to get the cellos from the baggage claim (we opened them to check and all pieces were there) to the bus. It was hot loading the bus, but everybody pitched in – reinforcing what I already suspected in that we have a pretty good crew.
The first stop was the duomo and “wow”was the most heard explanation after laying their eyes on one of the world’s largest and ornate structures. We hoofed up the 250 stairs to the top and then we really were pooped. Gelato!
Brief visit to La Scala and then some more hurry up and wait before re-uniting with our bus and heading toward Cremona. I’ll bet the bus had not gone a mile before everyone was practicing the art of the ZZzzzzzzzzz. Into Cremona by 8PM and after the best showers in history, we showed up for our first Italian 4 course meal. The kids cleaned up nicely and we really enjoyed a fine meal of pasta, scallopini, salad and dessert.
The real fun came when about 15 of us ventured out to the “Piazza Centrale” after 10PM and found that the entire town, young and old were in the square and doing line dancing. It seemed like the “do see do” with Italian words. We even got Michael out tearin’ it up (pictures to prove it).
We will find and internet spot in the morning and post this along with a few choice pics. Kids are doing great. All of them. A few having some trouble with their ATM cards. I’ll take them to the bank and work it out in La Mattina.
What great ambassadors they are!
....................................................................................
Now it is noon, I am in an internet cafe in Cremona. We visited the cathedral (!!!!!!!), the collection of famous instruments and a consortium of makers where the kids all played several modern Italian instruments. They have free time to shop and find their first trattoria for lunch. Gerry is going back to hotel to get his computer and will download photos on the photo site.
So far, everything is perfecto!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Our Itinerary
Corvallis Camerata Italy Performance Tour Itinerary
Wednesday, June 25 - Departure Day! J
· Depart Corvallis via bus at 8:00AM) Flight departs 1:20PM via Frankfurt, (2.5 hr layover)
Thursday 26 - Milano & Cremona
· 12:10PM arrival in Milano airport –Meet Italian tour guide. Visit the Duomo – walk to top for incredible view of Milano. Street lunch on walk to La Scala Opera House. First gelato!
· 6PM Bus to hotel in Cremona. Arrival 7:30PM -8:30PM dinner in hotel.
Friday 27 - Cremona
· 2PM Visit Stradivari Museum and Palazzo Comunale. Gelato!
· 6PM Dinner in hotel.-7-8:30PM Evening rehearsal and private practice
Saturday 28 Cremona & Montecatini Concert #1 Lucca
· 9:30AM transfer to Montecatini. Unpack, swim, rest. 3PM transfer to Lucca
· 4-6PM Bike ride around old city walls 6:30 PM dinner – Your first Italian trattoria!
· 8.15 PM set up and sound check 9:30 PM Concert #1 LUCCA Chiesa San Giovanni
Sunday, 29 Pisa + Concert #2 Montecatini Terme Tettuccio
· 10.30 AM bus to Pisa (65 km) 11.30AM estimated arrival in Pisa. Lunch on own
· Walk tour Piazza dei Miracoli (Leaning Tower) to the historical Center Piazza dei Cavalieri
· 9:15PM Concert #2 Montecatini Terme Tettuccio
Monday 30 Cortona, Lake Trasimeno & Assisi
· 9:00AM bus leaves for a day in southern Tuscany 11:00 Visit Cortona – (“Under the Tuscan Sun”) 1:00PM Visit Passignano on Lago Trasimeno for a light lunch on the lake
· 3.00 afternoon in Assisi . Visit Basilica (Home of St Francis) Gelato!
Tuesday July 1 Sienna & San Gimignano – Concert #3
· 9:00 - 10:45 AM Rehearsal with Vuurvogel Dutch Orchestra in Hotel du Park
· 11: 00 AM Bus to Siena -Free time to explore Italy’s most beautiful city. Lunch on own – find the best deli or trattoria in Siena. Gelato!
· 4PM Bus to San Gimignano -
· Concert #3 San Gimignano- Piazza de Duomo Concert with the Dutch Orchestra
Wednesday, July 2 Florence (The City of Art!)
· 12PM Bus to Florence for sight-seeing. Free time in the Piazza della Signoria
· Meet Florence mayor and delivery of Pastega gift. 3:30PM guided tour to Accademia to see the David. Florence tour
· 9:00PM Attend Festival concert in Montecatini Terme Tettuccio
Thursday 3 (Volterra & Reggello Historic Tuscan Hill Towns - Concert #4
· 11:30 AM Bus leaves for sight-seeing in Volterra. Gelato!
· 3:30PM Bus to Reggello (105 km) – a very small Tuscan hill town.
· 7PM Group dinner – Tuscan hillside picnic TBA
· 9PM Concert #4 Reggello Chiesa de Pieve – 14th century simple church
Friday 4 Florence – The Final concert!
· 1PM Bus to Florence - Walk to Duomo – possible visit to Uffizi. Final shopping
· 5.30 PM rehearsal in Chiesa Santo Stefano -7PM Farewell dinner – Restaurante Toto
· 9.30 pm Concert #5 Florence, Chiesa di Santo Stefano - International YO Festival
Saturday 5 Cinque Terre hike & Milano
· 1PM lunch in Vernazza. Bus to La Spezia, train to Riomaggiore, Hike to Vernazza for lunch and time on beach - Ferry back to Monterossa al Mare, bus pick-up transfer to airport hotel check-in by 9PM
· Dinner pizzeria Capo Nordest – Last Italian gelato!
Sunday 6 Journey back home! :(
· 4AM checkout of hotel airport. Breakfast boxes. Flight leaves 6:30 AM Arrive Portland 11:25AM.
Wednesday, June 25 - Departure Day! J
· Depart Corvallis via bus at 8:00AM) Flight departs 1:20PM via Frankfurt, (2.5 hr layover)
Thursday 26 - Milano & Cremona
· 12:10PM arrival in Milano airport –Meet Italian tour guide. Visit the Duomo – walk to top for incredible view of Milano. Street lunch on walk to La Scala Opera House. First gelato!
· 6PM Bus to hotel in Cremona. Arrival 7:30PM -8:30PM dinner in hotel.
Friday 27 - Cremona
· 2PM Visit Stradivari Museum and Palazzo Comunale. Gelato!
· 6PM Dinner in hotel.-7-8:30PM Evening rehearsal and private practice
Saturday 28 Cremona & Montecatini Concert #1 Lucca
· 9:30AM transfer to Montecatini. Unpack, swim, rest. 3PM transfer to Lucca
· 4-6PM Bike ride around old city walls 6:30 PM dinner – Your first Italian trattoria!
· 8.15 PM set up and sound check 9:30 PM Concert #1 LUCCA Chiesa San Giovanni
Sunday, 29 Pisa + Concert #2 Montecatini Terme Tettuccio
· 10.30 AM bus to Pisa (65 km) 11.30AM estimated arrival in Pisa. Lunch on own
· Walk tour Piazza dei Miracoli (Leaning Tower) to the historical Center Piazza dei Cavalieri
· 9:15PM Concert #2 Montecatini Terme Tettuccio
Monday 30 Cortona, Lake Trasimeno & Assisi
· 9:00AM bus leaves for a day in southern Tuscany 11:00 Visit Cortona – (“Under the Tuscan Sun”) 1:00PM Visit Passignano on Lago Trasimeno for a light lunch on the lake
· 3.00 afternoon in Assisi . Visit Basilica (Home of St Francis) Gelato!
Tuesday July 1 Sienna & San Gimignano – Concert #3
· 9:00 - 10:45 AM Rehearsal with Vuurvogel Dutch Orchestra in Hotel du Park
· 11: 00 AM Bus to Siena -Free time to explore Italy’s most beautiful city. Lunch on own – find the best deli or trattoria in Siena. Gelato!
· 4PM Bus to San Gimignano -
· Concert #3 San Gimignano- Piazza de Duomo Concert with the Dutch Orchestra
Wednesday, July 2 Florence (The City of Art!)
· 12PM Bus to Florence for sight-seeing. Free time in the Piazza della Signoria
· Meet Florence mayor and delivery of Pastega gift. 3:30PM guided tour to Accademia to see the David. Florence tour
· 9:00PM Attend Festival concert in Montecatini Terme Tettuccio
Thursday 3 (Volterra & Reggello Historic Tuscan Hill Towns - Concert #4
· 11:30 AM Bus leaves for sight-seeing in Volterra. Gelato!
· 3:30PM Bus to Reggello (105 km) – a very small Tuscan hill town.
· 7PM Group dinner – Tuscan hillside picnic TBA
· 9PM Concert #4 Reggello Chiesa de Pieve – 14th century simple church
Friday 4 Florence – The Final concert!
· 1PM Bus to Florence - Walk to Duomo – possible visit to Uffizi. Final shopping
· 5.30 PM rehearsal in Chiesa Santo Stefano -7PM Farewell dinner – Restaurante Toto
· 9.30 pm Concert #5 Florence, Chiesa di Santo Stefano - International YO Festival
Saturday 5 Cinque Terre hike & Milano
· 1PM lunch in Vernazza. Bus to La Spezia, train to Riomaggiore, Hike to Vernazza for lunch and time on beach - Ferry back to Monterossa al Mare, bus pick-up transfer to airport hotel check-in by 9PM
· Dinner pizzeria Capo Nordest – Last Italian gelato!
Sunday 6 Journey back home! :(
· 4AM checkout of hotel airport. Breakfast boxes. Flight leaves 6:30 AM Arrive Portland 11:25AM.
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