MAGGIO MUSICALE IN FLORENCE 15-19 MAY   FlorenceÕs Maggio Musicale is one of the major Italian Music Festivals, presided over by Cesare Mazzonis with Principal Conductor, Zubin Mehta. The 2001 programme has an emphasis on Verdi, combined with some earlier operas and some contemporary work. Travel for the Arts offers a five day tour including Il trovatore and The Verdi Requiem and the option of seeing HandelÕs Tamerlano. We take advantage of being in Tuscany at this time of year by spending a day visiting the magical town of San Gimignano.

TUESDAY 15 MAY

Depart London Gatwick on British Airways at 1000hrs. Arrive Pisa Airport at 1310 and transfer by private coach to the 4 star Villa Gabriele DÕAnnunzio. This evening a welcome drink at the hotel.

WEDNESDAY 16 MAY

This morning join an expert guide for a walking tour of Florence. Start from the Piazza del Duomo, the centre of Florence with its magnificent ensemble of buildings: the Cathedral with BrunelleschiÕs remarkable dome, perfectly complemented by GiottoÕs slender campanile and the Romanesque Baptistry famous for the bronze doors by Ghiberti.

Continue via the Piazza della Signoria, a meeting place for Florentines and an outdoor sculpture gallery to the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce where Galileo is buried. The church is famous for the Giotto frescoes and other works of art by Donatello, della Robbia and Brunelleschi.

Afternoon at leisure. Evening performance of IL TROVATORE (Verdi) at the Teatro Comunale. C. Zubin Mehta. Cast includes Fiorenza Cedolins, Ana Maria Sanchez, Larissa Diadkova, Roberto Alagna, Dennis OÕNeill, Carlo Guelfi.

THURSDAY 17 MAY

Morning departure from the hotel and drive through the Chianti wine-growing region to San Gimignano, famous for its Ôtowers of nobilityÕ, status symbols amongst the feuding families in mediaeval times. The towers make a striking silhouette on the skyline as you approach the town from the plain below.

Visit the 14th century Palazzo del Popolo and the frescoed Collegiata Church. Lunch in a restaurant in San Gimignano and return to Florence in the afternoon.

Optional evening performance of TAMERLANO (Handel) at the Teatro della Pergola. C.Ivor Bolton. Cast includes Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, Monica Bacelli, Sara Mingardo, Laura Polverelli Bruce Ford, Umberto Chiummo.

FRIDAY 18 MAY

Morning guided tour of the Uffizzi Gallery, the most important picture gallery in Italy. All the masters of the Florentine Renaissance are represented: works from the trecento by Cimabue and Duccio di Bonsegna, through the Quatrocento masters: Uccello, Piero della Francesca and Filippo Lippi to masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo and Verrocchio to name but a few.

Along the fascinating Vasari Corridor, built by the architect of the Uffizzi, Vasari to connect with the Pitti Palace across the River Arno are hung a fascinating collection of artistsÕ self portraits including works by Velaszquez, Rubens, Hogarth and many French artists.

Afternoon at leisure. Evening performance of THE MESSA DA REQUIEM (Verdi) at the Teatro Comunale. C: Zubin Mehta. Cast: Barbara Frittoli, Luciano DÕ Intino, Vincenzo La Scola, Roberto Scandiuzzi.

SATURDAY 19 MAY

Morning at leisure for last minute sightseeing and shopping, perhaps a visit to one of FlorenceÕs famous markets. Late morning transfer to Pisa Airport and depart on British Airways at 1455. Arrive London Gatwick at 1615.

	PRICE per person 5 Day Tour Price £895.00 Single Room Supplement £145.00 Deposit required £295.00 Booking Deadline 31 Jan Tour Code VFIR Tour price includes Flights and airport taxes - transfers - accommodation - buffet breakfast daily - one lunch - sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees - top category tickets for Il trovatore and the Verdi Requiem - tour manager. Supplements Tamerlano £80 Please request at time of booking.