Perhaps best described as a week-long immersion in the world of opera set against the backdrop of breathtaking Mediterranean scenery, the true highlights of this sojourn are the remarkable operas we’ve come to enjoy. Our nights are spent attending performances and discussing them over remarkable meals of regional Italian cuisine. We pass our days enjoying the unique and beautiful locations that surround us.  Along the way we endeavor to become more familiar with the fundamentals of opera by exploring the works of the operatic masters we have come to enjoy.

Mornings begin with an informal presentation from Professor Drummond during which he examines a particular element of operatic art or helps critique a performance the group has attended. In many cases, free time is scheduled in the afternoons.  And, because we travel to three different opera festivals in Italy, our journeys between locations are punctuated with lunch stops in locations of historic significance.

We also make certain to include plenty of free time in the schedule to afford participants the opportunity to pursue their own interests. In Viareggio, for example, a free afternoon and evening provide ample opportunity to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Tuscan Coast as well as make the short train journey to the celebrated city of Pisa for a peak at its famous landmarks.  If the beaches in Pesaro don’t provide enough temptation, we suggest an afternoon excursion to San Marino or the magnificent hilltop town of Urbino, a World Heritage Site.   Free time in Verona allows for plenty of shopping or perhaps for exploring the magnificent Roman ruins that are found throughout the city.

Three evenings during the week are also left entirely free, providing participants the chance to explore their own dining and entertainment interests.  Need suggestions?  Your Scholarly Sojourns Tour Manager is always on had to  recommend the best eateries and most interesting venues for an exciting and entertaining night out.  If you are eager for more group interaction, you’re invited to join your tour leader and tour manager for informal dinners at their favorite eateries.