Join YourClassical MPR host Julie Amacher on a ten-day journey through Bella Italia, designed for lovers of classical music, art and fine food. Celebrate the lives and legacies of Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini as you walk in the very places where they lived, worked, and found inspiration. In addition, you’ll tour the acclaimed Stradivarius Museum and enjoy private concerts.
Along the way, immerse yourself in Italy’s culinary traditions—visit family-run vineyards, olive oil estates, and artisanal cheese makers. Savor multi-course bistro dinners, browse vibrant country markets, and wander the storied hill towns that crown the Italian countryside.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
Hosted by YourClassical MPR Host Julie Amacher
Walk in the footsteps of Vivaldi, Mozart, Farinelli, Monteverdi, Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Toscanini, Pavarotti, and Stradivarius
Exclusive visits with food, wine and art experts
Wine, cheese, and balsamic vinegar tastings with the producers
Excursions to the Tuscan hill towns of Lucca, home of Puccini
An optional art-filled day in Florence
A small group of like-minded public radio art, food and wine lovers
This exclusive MPR classical journey offers a feast for the senses—an unforgettable celebration of the arts, in the heart of Bella Italia.
Meet Your Host
Julie Amacher
Julie Amacher's desire to introduce others to great music is what led her to radio. She began her professional broadcast career at a station in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She went from rock 'n' roll to the Rocky Mountains, where she found her niche in public radio at KUNC in Greeley, Colo. Julie spent 13 years at KUNC, where she managed the announcers and their eclectic music format. During that time, she earned four national awards for best announcer. She joined Minnesota Public Radio in 1997 as an on-air host and also produces New Classical Tracks, a weekly podcast critiquing a new release each week. Julie currently serves as the Program Director for YourClassical MPR.
YourClassical MPR Journey Begins...
Day 0: Sunday, October 11- Depart USA
Depart the US no later than October 11
Day 1: Monday, October 12 - Benvenuti Italia!
Welcome to Emilia–Romagna, land of Toscanini, Monteverdi,
Verdi, Rossini, Pavarotti, and Stradivarius. This region is celebrated for its musical heritage, exquisite cuisine, and
artisanal traditions.
This evening, enjoy a guided stroll through the old town followed by a festive welcome dinner with your MPR host, Julie Amacher. Overnight in Bologna (D)
Day 2: Tuesday, October 13 - Bologna: A Culinary and Musical Adventure
Begin with a guided walk through Bologna’s historic center, tasting your way through bottegas and the lively medieval market.
After lunch, step into musical history at one of the world’s oldest music libraries,
founded by Giovanni Battista Martini—mentor to Mozart and J.C. Bach. Marvel at
over 100,000 rare documents, antique instruments, and treasures like Rossini’s
Barber of Seville manuscript and Mozart’s personal music exam. Free evening. Overnight in Bologna (B, L)
Day 3: Wednesday, October 14 - In the Footsteps of Verdi, Toscanini and Pavarotti
Travel to Busseto, Verdi’s birthplace, for lunch at a Pavarotti favorite, an opera recital, and a tour of Verdi landmarks.
Continue to Modena for a balsamic vinegar tasting at a family-run estate. Overnight in Bologna (B, L)
Day 4: Thursday, October 15 - Ravenna: Mosaics and Flavors of the Past:
Journey to Ravenna, famed for its dazzling Byzantine mosaics. Visit the Basilica di San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and the Arian Baptistry.
Pause for a regional lunch—and savor some local specialties.
Overnight in Bologna (B, L)
Day 5: Friday, October 16 - Tuscan Wines and Countryside
In Greve in Chianti, explore the charming piazza, taste Chianti
Classico at a local enoteca, then tour a vineyard and cellar before sampling wines with regional cheeses and cured meats. Enjoy an included Tuscan lunch. Overnight in Montecatini (B, L)
Day 6: Saturday, October 17 - In Pursuit of Puccini
Discover Lucca, home of Puccini. Visit his birthplace museum, the church where he was baptized, and the elegant Teatro del Giglio. Enjoy a traditional lunch together, and free evening in Montecatini.
Overnight in Montecatini (B, L)
Day 7: Sunday, October 18 - Florence: A Renaissance Dream
Explore Florence with a private tour of the Uffizi Gallery, featuring works by Botticelli, Raphael, and Michelangelo. After an independent lunch, return to Montecatini, once frequented by Puccini, Verdi, and Rossini. Overnight in
Montecatini (B, D)
Day 8: Monday, October 19 - Cremona: Strings and Stradivari
Arrive in Cremona, former home of composer Claudio Monteverdi, for lunch and a visit to the Stradivarius Museum, home to exquisite violins and cellos crafted by the
legendary Antonio Stradivari. Continue to the lakeside town of Stresa and take in
the beautiful alpine views during a free evening to explore. Overnight in Stresa (B, L)
Day 9: Tuesday, October 20 - Italy’s Lake District
From Stresa, cruise to Isola Bella to tour the Borromeo Palace and gardens, then on to Isola Madre with its lush botanical gardens and roaming peacocks. Return for a farewell lunch, followed by time to stroll or relax by Lake Maggiore. Overnight in Stresa (B, L)
Day 10: Wednesday, October 21 - Arrivederci Italia
Depart from Malpensa Airport (MXP) (not Linate Airport, if possible) after 9:00
a.m. Have extra time? Take the train to Milan to visit La Scala and view Da Vinci’s
Last Supper.
It's Included
- A classical concert in Bologna's Museum of Musical Instruments
- A private opera recital in Verdi's birthplace, Busseto
- A concert in Verdi's studio and a recital in the Stradivarius Museum
- Private guided museum tours by local experts
- Ten nights of accommodation in hand-selected four-star hotels
- Transportation on board an air-conditioned, spacious motor coach
- All breakfasts, plus 10 additional meals featuring regional specialties served in local bistros and neighborhood restaurants
- All entrances listed in your itinerary
- Gratuities for your driver, guide and local guides
- A note about meals; in Italy, lunch is the main meal—often a leisurely multi-course affair starting around 1:00 p.m. Dinner is lighter and later, perhaps with a glass of local wine and cicchetti (Italian tapas) at a café. Many Italians end the evening with a gentle passeggiata—a stroll savoring the moment as much as the meal.
Pricing and Terms
$7,395 per person based on double occupancy; $2,795 single supplement
SAVE $200: MPR and Earthbound travel alumni save $100 per person * Pay your final balance by check and save $100 per person
Not Included: International flights, arrival day transfer, travel insurance, items of a personal nature, gratuities when not with the group and any activities or items not mentioned in your custom MPR classical itinerary.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Reservations and Deposits: A $1,000 per person deposit is needed to confirm your space on this journey. You can make a credit card deposit online or by phone. Deposits are refundable, minus a $250 per person cancellation fee, for 60 days from the processing date or 90 days prior to departure, whichever comes first. Deposits made 90 days prior to a trip departing are not refundable. Final payment is also non-refundable, which is why we strongly urge guests to purchase travel insurance.
Not Included: International airline tickets, alcoholic beverages, room service and gratuities
for hotel staff or ship crew, travel insurance, meals not listed in brochure, and any activities
or items not listed in your itinerary.
Physical Requirements: It is the responsibility of each guest to be aware of their physical abilities or limitations and to be in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Read “Is an Earthbound trip right for you?” on the Earthbound website or call the Earthbound office for more details.
Travel Insurance: Earthbound Expeditions strongly encourages the purchase of travel insurance coverage. We include information on trip insurance in your deposit information.
Events and Hosted Journeys: If a planned event is cancelled for any reason, another event will be included in its place. This is not cause for refund. Events are subject to change. Also, if a host or special guest is unable to attend as planned, Earthbound Expeditions will do its utmost to find another host who has similar interests, talents, and expertise. The inability of a host to participate in a tour is not grounds for a full or partial refund.
Full terms & conditions listed at Earthbound Expeditions website
Need more information?
Call us: (1) 206-842-9775 Earthbound Expeditions is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Contact us! Complete our contact form and one of our travel consultants will contact you to answer your questions and help you complete your reservation.