Of all the cities in the world, only Paris comes remotely close to matching Venice in terms of sheer beauty and romance. You’ve seen it in photos and films, but there’s no substitute for the reality — the shimmering Grand Canal, the gondolas slipping down watery alleyways, the elegant palazzos emerging straight from the sea.

Venice once ruled the Mediterranean as a shipping power, amassing vast wealth and producing some of Europe’s greatest artistic and cultural treasures. But over the centuries Venice has declined a bit and now has less than half the population it had at its peak. What remains of its former grandeur — the crumbling palaces, the sumptuous art in its museums and churches, the fantastic rituals of Carnevale — makes Venice a living tribute to the past.

Full Article Here

By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

As everyone knows, Pisa has the famous tilted tower you can climb, but an unspoiled Renaissance wall you can bike encircles the lesser-known Lucca.

These two Tuscan towns, near Florence and each other, make for an easy day-trip from Florence. But if you have time for more than a touristy quickie, each offers great Italian city scenes — offering visitors the chance to savor Pisa’s rich architectural heritage, and bask in Lucca’s genuine charm.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most iconic images in the world, but it’s not the only sight in town. It leans near the town’s other biggies — the cathedral and baptistery. This creamy white threesome floats regally over the green-grass Field of Miracles. Imagine arriving in Pisa as a sailor in the 11th century — the sea came to just outside the surrounding walls, the church was the biggest in the world, and spread out before you was an ensemble of gleaming white marble. Even choked with street-market stands probably then and certainly now, the square still lives up to its name: the Field of Miracles.

Full Article Here

By Paula Newton
CNN

FUMICINO, Italy (CNN) — Under a canopy of elegant Italian pines, the foundations of a mini Roman Coliseum are at once unmistakable and exhilarating.

The structure at “Portus,” the Romans’ ancient Mediterranean port, has remained undiscovered for eighteen centuries until now.

University of Southhampton archaeologists have just this summer uncovered the remains of an amphitheater, a Roman warehouse and the ruins of an Imperial palace even though archaeologists have been digging at this site since the 19th Century.

“It’s true I think also to say that we have kind of rediscovered it because the great Italian archaeologist Rodolfo Lanciani reported the discovery of a theater in the 1860s but nobody could actually find it,” says Professor Simon Keay, a leading expert on Roman Archaeology at the University of Southhampton.

Full Article Here

What to Wear in Vatican City and Other Vacation Etiquette Questions Answered

Column by LESLEY CARLIN TripAdvisor.Com Editor
August 11, 2009

Q: I’m going to Rome later this month. The temperature is supposed to be in the mid-80’s or higher. I heard I can’t wear shorts to the Vatican. Seriously?

A: Seriously. Very seriously. You’re not getting into St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican Museums in shorts, a miniskirt or anything exposing your shoulders. The Swiss Guard turns people away all the time for inappropriate dress. (And they’ll be wearing this, so don’t even think about trying to persuade them that you’re really hot.)

By CLARK BENTSON
ROME, July 28, 2009

The regions of Italy are similar to the states in America, administrative areas that can be as different as Texas is to Vermont. Over the years, a few of Italy’s regions have become household names in the United States thanks to books, films and travel. Most people will have heard of Tuscany, Umbria, and Sicily.

The mention of Tuscany brings visions of rolling hills, vineyards and the names of a number of well-known books; Umbria might stir thoughts of hill towns, St. Francis of Assisi and Perugino chocolate; and Sicily might first be thought of as the original home of the Mafia although there is much more to Sicily than the mob.

Foreigners by the droves have purchased rustic farm houses in these areas, restored them and rented them to even more foreigners in a way that perpetuates the love for these famous regions.

But there are 20 regions in Italy and each has their own peculiarity that makes it special to Italians, but is often overlooked by visitors planning a visit. That is not to say the tourists don’t flock to all parts of the country, but they probably don’t choose Venice (in the Veneto region), the Cinqueterre (in the Liguria region) or to the Dolomites for hiking and skiing (in the Alto Adige region) because of their familiarity with the regions. And of course tourists flood Rome, which is not only the capital of Italy, as most people know, but they probably didn’t know it is also the capital of the Region of Lazio.

The vast majority of Lazio is often overlooked by tourists, who leave Rome and head for the more famous regions that surround it. But Italians know well that there are a lot of treasures to be found here, and the regional government — happy to take more of the tourist dollars — is eager to promote it.

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“Voyages of Discovery - Celebrating American Music in France and Italy,” the recently completed tour undertaken by two symphonic choruses from Florida — Key Chorale of Sarasota and the Southwest Florida Symphony Chorus of Fort Myers — and managed by Music Celebrations International, has been pronounced a great success by all those involved.

The trip, which took place from July 6 - 16, began in Geneva, Switzerland with a relaxed city tour before the 118 participants boarded buses to drive to Chamonix, France, at the foot of Mont Blanc, where three days were spent rehearsing the various tour programs and indulging in various activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking and exploring the mountain before giving a well-attended concert in L’Eglise St. Michel. Next stop was Nice, where a visit to the Marc Chagall Museum was a high point. Tours to Monte Carlo and Cannes were followed by a concert for a large and appreciative audience in the Basilique Notre Dame de Nice.

Moving on to Italy, the group toured the Duomo of Milan and had a private visit to the interior of the famous La Scala opera house. In Bresso, a suburb of Milan and the home of one of Key Chorale’s supporters, Piero Rivolta, the group was treated to a lunch in the gardens of Villa Rivolta, next door to the IsoRivolta Automotive Design museum, still under construction, before a “sold out” concert in the San Carlo church, at which the city’s brass band and government officials gave the group a special welcome. The next day saw a move to Treviso, the Sister City of Sarasota, and a concert in the Asolo Duomo, celebrating the “twinning” of the two cities at a special reception and a ceremony with local officials.

The final day was spent in Venice, with tours of the Ducal Palace, gondola excursions and a visit to the Murano glass factory before the grand finale: A sung mass in the magnificent surroundings of the Basilica San Marco, a moving and magical experience and a fitting close to an outstanding tour.

Throughout the trip, guides, drivers, food and accommodations were of very high quality, thanks to meticulous preparation by MCI.

Richard Storm
Executive Director
Key Chorale

With the release of the iPhone 3GS and the instant access we have to information, you may rest assured that when you tour with MCI, we understand your need to connect. I found this article quite interesting and for those of us who have busy lives, a comfort. When you tour with MCI, we want you to know you can still speak with your family, and if you’re one of the touring directors, still email those you were discussing important matters with. Below is a well-informed article that will provide some clarity on how you can connect wirelessly in Europe.

“With my mantra being “pack light,” I used to be against packing electronics of any kind. But now, I bring my laptop, iPod, digital camera and mobile phone to Europe. With hotels retiring their fax machines in favor of email, mobile phones getting cheaper and easier to buy, and Wi-Fi hotspots popping up everywhere, it’s never been simpler to get connected.

If you tote your own laptop, you’ll find that many hotels and cafes offer wireless access — sometimes it’s free, other times, you’ll have to buy a drink or pay a fee — while some towns have Wi-Fi hotspots scattered around highly trafficked areas. Just pay for a password, park yourself on a bench in your favorite idyllic spot — overlooking a sandy beach, on a floodlit piazza or along a bustling people-watching boulevard — then log on and surf away.

It’s handy to travel with a mobile phone, whether you’re calling a hotel for directions or getting in touch with that lost travel buddy who missed the train. If you want to use a mobile phone in Europe, you have two choices: Take your own, or buy one once you’re there. ”
By: Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

Traveling international with MCI? Not only will you be experiencing an educational and life-changing musical tour but you’ll also be given the opportunity to indulge in a few cuisines that you may not find in the States. Not only is MCI dedicated to insuring a quality tour, but we’re also interested in the cultural experiences you’ll engage in. This article shows a glimpse of what you might find in some of these infamous countries.

By: Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

Eating and drinking in Europe is sightseeing for your taste buds. Every country has local specialties that are good, memorable, or both. Here are many of the fun experiences that stick in my mind after 30 years of travel. Seek out any of these on your next trip.

Germany’s wurst is the best anywhere, and kraut is not as “sauer” as the stuff you hate at home. Only a tourist puts the sausage in a bun like a hot dog. Munch alternately between the meat and the bread (”that’s why you have two hands”), and you’ll look like a local. Generally, the darker the wiener, the spicier it is.

The hallowed vineyards of Burgundy surround the French city of Beaune. Its venerable Marche aux Vins (wine market) welcomes serious wine buyers and tourists into a subterranean, candle-lit world, where fine wines sit seductively in bottles atop old oak kegs, just waiting to be tasted. Pick up a “tastevin” (shallow, stainless-steel tasting dish) and a shopping basket, descend into the dimly lit caverns, and work your way through the proud selection. Sampling a world of $100 bottles in the company of people who live for their fine wine can be both inspirational and intoxicating.

In Italy, sip wine with college students at an outdoor bar in Padua’s market square. Pour some fine olive oil on a dish, season with salt and pepper, rip a long strip from your bread, dip it, and bite. The last time I was there, a student explained I was making the “scarpette” — the little shoe. Soaking up the oil along with the conversation, we travelers become human “scarpette,” sopping up culture as we explore Europe.
Wherever you travel, it’s fun to meet people over food and drink. It’s part of understanding the culture of a country. Take the initiative not to just see your destination, but to experience it.

Read the FULL ARTICLE

By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) — Italy’s Cinque Terre is a quintet of villages clinging to a bit of rugged coastline between Genoa and Pisa. Long cut off from the modern world, this remote chunk of the Italian Riviera only became easily accessible with the coming of the train.

Each village is a variation on the same theme: a well-whittled, pastel jumble of homes, filling a gully like crusty sea creatures in a tide pool. Locals are the barnacles — hungry, but patient. And we travelers are like algae, coming in with the tide.

Since my mind goes on vacation with the rest of me when I’m here, I think of the towns by number, east to west: no. 1 Riomaggiore (a workaday town), no. 2 Manarola (picturesque), no. 3 Corniglia (on a hilltop), no. 4 Vernazza (the region’s dramatic cover girl), and no. 5 Monterosso al Mare (the closest thing to a beach resort).

To preserve this land, the government has declared the Cinque Terre (CHINK-weh TAY-reh) a national park. For a small entrance fee (about $8 for a one-day pass), visitors can hike the trail connecting all five towns, a trek that takes about five hours.

Full Article Here

It was an excellent tour! We really enjoyed it. You can’t go wrong with sight-seeing in Italy—there is so much to see and do!

Our MCI Tour Manager was wonderful! She quickly became friends with students and chaperones alike. She made the tour run very smoothly. We give her our highest recommendation!

Besides gelato, the highlight was the exchange concert. A very enthusiastic response from the audience.

I will gladly serve as a reference for Music Celebrations International.

Dr. Janene Kessler, Band Director
Lake Forest High School

Our tour to Italy was a great success! The sightseeing was great, and we did as much as was possible with the time we had. The performance in Rome at St. Paul’s was a highlight for all of us. It was well attended and the audience was very appreciative and gave a standing ovation that lasted 5-7 minutes or so. We were also all very excited to visit Cremona and to see the Stradivari museum. I guess my personal highlight was the Sistine Chapel, but the entire trip was amazing. Our tour manager was excellent and we look forward to seeing her again when we visit Italy on our own. I will gladly serve as a reference for Music Celebrations.

Howard Hudiburg, Orchestra Director

By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) — Smart budget travel isn’t just about saving money — it’s about maximizing your experience. Let me stoke your travel dreams by sharing some of my favorite European experiences from 30 years of crisscrossing the Continent.

In Dublin, be the only tourist among 50,000 cheering fans at a hurling match — that uniquely Irish game that’s as rough and tumble as airborne hockey (with no injury timeouts). Matches are held most Saturday or Sunday afternoons in summer at Dublin’sCroke Park Stadium. Choose a county to support, buy something colorful to wear or wave, scream yourself hoarse, and you’ll be a temporary local.

In Northern England, hike the best-surviving stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. Picture being a soldier posted there back in ancient Roman times to keep out the scary Scots. For a good, craggy three-mile walk along the wall, hike between Housesteads Roman Fort and Steel Rigg. Free maps are available at the Once Brewed National Park Visitor Centre.

Full Article Here

By Giovanna Dell’Orto
For The Associated Press

ROME — The light splashes liquid gold over marble columns in the Roman Forum and the faded facades of Baroque palaces in the distance. Nearby, a heated dialogue resonates in the hearty Roman accents that infuse everyday interactions with playful theatricality.

I am standing in the center of Rome, amid its absurd profusion of gorgeous monuments, historic sites, religious wonders — and everyday contemporary life.

A man on a scooter drops off dry cleaning next to a 1,900-year-old temple. A woman in extravagantly high heels heads to her office, housed in 17th-century Papal palaces.

This is why Rome, majestic and down-to-earth, has a hold on me like no other city. Every turn down a cobblestone street hides yet another magnificent piece of art and history that feels decadently ignored and singularly mine.

Trying to get in all the sights is virtually impossible — I didn’t make it even when I lived here a few years ago for six months. Now that I barely manage a weekend a year, I have developed my own walking itinerary of favorite spots. Here is my personal pick of what to see in Rome if you only have two days. Best of all, every site listed here is free, except for the Vatican Museums (about $20) and the Roman Forum, which includes the Colosseum.

Full Article Here

Dear John and staff of MCI;

Please accept my sincerest thanks for an inspiring and superb trip this past summer. It was indeed an honor to be invited to serve as an Artistic Director for the prestigious Lucerne International Choral Festival. The program was first-rate in every way; it was administrated and organized to a “T”; everything was professionally and smoothly handled. The concert hall was truly magnificent- stunning- acoustically a conductor’s dream, and the Santa Maria Orchestra did a wonderful job, demonstrating a completely supportive attitude. The singers from the eleven different ensembles from across the USA arrived thoroughly prepared and participated with enthusiasm in every rehearsal, delivering an inspiring performance.

Special thanks must also go to all of the directors for preparing their singers so well, and for being supportive throughout the festival. Each of them proved a delight to work with, and must share in the kudos for this wonderful event.

Thanks also for your “on-the-spot” assistance and flexibility- securing of fans and straws and such (those who were present know to what I am referring), and to accommodating us with utmost professionalism throughout the trip. Your entire staff deserves five stars in my book.

The Collegiate Chorale from Bowling Green State University also enjoyed a significant “post-Lucerne” tour, traveling to Italy, Austria and Hungary, and had the privilege of singing in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Karlskirche and Stefansdom in Vienna and Esterhazy at Eisenstadt, and Matthias Church in Budapest. Again, every detail was so well cared for; every person working for MCI including bus drivers and tour guides, and our hosts throughout the trip were professional, personable, courteous, and wonderful to work with- they became part of our tour and community, making it very special indeed. The audience responded so beautifully to us- it makes me again realize that music is THE universal language, and connects us all; perhaps the greatest benefit of a trip like this is to realize that in the most profound and intimate way.

At the center of our tour was music, certainly, and people. We truly had the “trip of a lifetime,” starting with Lucerne and ending in Budapest.

Again, I thank you for inviting me to serve as Artistic Director of this wonderful event, for inviting the Collegiate Chorale from BGSU, and for sponsoring us on a magnificent tour. This is my third tour with MCI, and I am decidedly an MCI fan; I recommend you and your staff with the highest marks possible, and look forward to more endeavors with you in the future.
Sincerely yours,

Dr. William Skoog
Director of Choral Activities
College of Musical Arts
Bowling Green State University

Click here to read more about the tour.

I so loved our tour [to Italy]. On the whole this was absolutely spectacular. I have always felt that the thing that separated you (MCI) from the other companies is heart. It is evident in the letters you write to your clients before they sign, before they go, and after they return.

I would recommend MCI in a heartbeat to anyone who is considering a tour.

Putting these types of tours together involves God knows how many variables, with details that are never the same and always changing. By and large everything was as it should have been.

I would indeed travel with you again, and I look forward to the next time that we do!

Sincerely,

John Anthony
Director, Central Islip High School Concert Choir

Ordinance passed to protect monuments, limit effects of mass tourism

(CNN) ROME - Don’t chow, bella! At least not on the steps of Roman monuments.

City Hall is banning all those enjoying a Roman holiday this summer from snacking near the sights in Rome’s historical center with fines up to $80.

Officials say they want to preserve artistic treasures and decorum in a city that has millions of visitors every year.

Full Story

New York Teacher - May 6, 2008
— Sylvia Saunders

In the midst of a Long Island district that struggles with poverty and a poor graduation rate, the Concert Choir at Central Islip High gives voice to the transformational power of music.

The gifted young men and women wowed NYSUT’s annual convention last month, singing everything from the uplifting harmony of the “Lord of the Dance” to the soulful spiritual “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel.” Many in the audience were moved to tears. Delegates spontaneously passed the hat and raised more than $6,500 toward the group’s summer trip to perform in Italy, including the Vatican.

But perhaps the biggest applause came after NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi, who spent 34 years as a teacher in Central Islip, added that last year every one of the choir’s graduating seniors went on to college. This year’s seniors expect to repeat that amazing feat.

“Now that’s music to all our ears,” Iannuzzi said, to a standing ovation from the crowd. The graduation rate at Central Islip is less than 62 percent.

Students in the 70-member ensemble attributed their success to music teacher John Anthony, an energetic leader who cares, pushes them and demands that they do their school work and keep out of trouble if they want to stay in choir. Choir members thrive on long hours and strict structure, complete with military turns as they entered and exited the concert hall.

High expectations pay off: the group was the only Long Island high school choir selected to perform at Disney Honors in 2005 and 2007. In 2006, they represented New York at a music festival commemorating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth in Austria. While in Europe, the group also performed in Prague and Vienna.

This summer, the group will travel to Italy to take part in the American Celebration of Music, with performances in Venice, Milan, Rome and the Vatican. Outside the high school, a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa marks their progress through the year in raising some $180,000 for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“You know what people say about this town,” Anthony said. “You’ve got to prove them wrong.”

Returning to school

By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) — Siena seems to be every Italy connoisseur’s pet town. More than a sum of places to see, Siena itself is the sight. Grab a gelato, join in the evening stroll, and end up at the town’s glorious red brick main square, Il Campo. Lean up against a pillar as the setting sun plays games with the colors of the stone and the sky. At twilight, first-time poets savor that magic moment when the sky turns into a rich blue dome as bright as the medieval tower that holds it high.

Seven hundred years ago, Siena was a major military power in a class with Florence, Venice and Genoa. With a population of 60,000, it was even bigger than Paris.

To say that Siena and Florence have always been competitive is an understatement. In medieval times, a statue of Venus stood on Il Campo. After the plague hit Siena in the 14th century, the monks blamed the pagan statue. The people cut it to pieces and buried it along the walls of Florence. The dirty trick didn’t work and the plague was disastrous for the town. Siena’s loss became our sightseeing gain, as its political and economic irrelevance pickled it Gothic.

Today, Siena’s thriving historic center, with traffic-free, red brick lanes cascading every which way, offers Italy’s best Gothic city experience. Most people visit Siena, just 30 miles south of Florence, as a day trip, but it’s best experienced after dark. While Florence has the blockbuster museums, Siena has an easy-to-enjoy soul: courtyards sport flower-decked wells and alleys dead-end at red-tiled rooftop views.

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FEE FOR THE FORUM
Starting March 5th, 2008, a visit of the Roman Forum will require an entrance fee payment of Euro 12.10 per person.

UFFIZI GALLERY LIMITS GROUP SIZE
In order to improve entrance flow, and to adhere to new security regulations, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence now accepts group reservations up to a max of 30 persons. Larger groups have to be split in two, with a 30 minute gap between the two entrances. Music Celebrations will of course plan this carefully with larger groups that want to include the Uffizi so that the half hour gap is not a problem.

NEW OFFICIAL RULES RE GROUPS VISITING VATICAN MUSEUM
Groups must have a reservation to visit the Vatican Museum (Sistine Chapel, etc.). In effect since January 2nd, 2008, here below are the new official rules that all tour operators must follow when visiting the Vatican Museum:

Open: 08:30 / Last entrance 15:45 / Close: 18:00

New reservation time ranges:
A. 08:30-09:30
B. 09:30-10:30
C. 10:30-11:30
D. 11:30-12:30
E. 12:30-13:30
F. 13:30-14:30
G. 14:30-15:45

The new booking fee is EUR 5.00 per person in addition to the entrance fee.

Booking conditions:
o Reservations can no longer be cancelled free of charge. Once booked, a cancellation fee of EUR 5.00 per person will be charged.
o It is possible to modify the number of visitors ONLY ONCE. The drop-off cannot exceed 10% of the original passenger count and any reduction, even within the 10% limit, incurs a EUR 5.00 per person cancellation fee. Reductions of more than 10% of the original reservation incur cancellation fee of EUR 5.00 + the entrance fee per person.
o Minimum number of passengers for a reservation is 5.
o In regards to the specific booking time, the Vatican Museums will allow a flexibility of 10 minutes. After 10 minutes the group will lose its reservation and will have to get in line.

By Rick Steves
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) — Bella Italia, my favorite country in Europe, is a wonderful work in progress. Here’s a look at what to expect in 2008.

Italy is gung-ho for restricted traffic zones in its city centers. This is great for pedestrians, but not for drivers who are finding $100 fines in their mail when they arrive home. If you drive in Rome, Florence, Milan, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Orvieto or Verona — in restricted areas marked by a Zona Traffico Limitato sign — your car’s license plate will be photographed and you can be fined without ever being stopped by a cop. Pay attention to signs, get parking advice from your hotelier, and park outside restricted areas.

With a revolution brewing among the throngs of tourists stung by the Vatican Museum’s stingy hours, the museum has agreed to stay open longer in 2008: Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4:00 p.m.); as usual, it’ll be closed on Sunday except for the last Sunday of the month, when it’s free and open 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 12:30 p.m.). While some Catholics would love a private audience with the pope, those passed away with John Paul II — Pope Benedict XVI doesn’t do them.

Full Article Here