Tuesday, July 18, 2017

May 25-June 4, 2017 Performance Today's Classical Music Italian Passages Cruise

Wow, what an adventure we had during a wonderful 10-day tour of the classical music, art, and history of northern Italy. It was hosted by Fred Child, of public radio’s Performance Today, and included over ten performances of classical music in various venues on piano, lute & antique instruments, Stradivarius violin, string ensemble, and solo violin. 

Just like on the radio, Fred Child provided insightful background on the musical pieces and introduced the musicians. Anthea Kreston, our "artist in residence", performed for us several times, both on and off the ship. Anthea is not only a fabulous violinist, but also a hilariously vivacious person. 

The high point for us, in the beautiful San Vidal Church in Venice, was Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by Anthea Kreston and joined by a local group of four musicians, the Interpreti Veneziani. 

Thanks to the kind people of National Public Radio, Earthbound Expeditions, and crew of the MS River Countess ship our tour was an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Our tour group of 107 people stayed 2 nighst in Milan and 8 in Venice. We also visited via bus and ship the towns of Busseto, Cremona, Vicenza, Ravena, and Bologna. 

Lodging for our first 2 nights was in the Rosa Grand Milan Hotel, just 2 blocks away from the Duomo (Milan Cathedral)

The Duomo was the first church of the tour, and for me the most impressive. 

I photographed the Duomo morning, noon, and night. Inside and out.







This risotto with black truffle shavings was the first of many courses in the restaurant at the top of a building adjacent to the Duomo!

The complimentary dessert served with coffee after the meal was a delicious surprise.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

A violin in the Stradivarius Museum. Cremona, Italy

Our ship, the MS River Countess

and luxurious cabin

The Grand Canal is a happening place!

View from the Rialto Bridge

Any collection of photos of Venice would be incomplete without at least one image of ... a Gondola!

Bob's colorful image of a Venice canal.

Trudy and mime posing for a photograph.

St. Marks Square ... was C R O W D E D !!

Vege market near the Rialto Bridge

Local guides kept us informed via audio devices during walking tours. Vicenza, Italy

The ever cheerful and informative Fred Child introducing Anthea Kreston at the Villa Godi Malinvertni, Vicenza, Italy

Anthea Kreston

Lunch for 107!!!!

Good Morning: This coffee machine made reeeally good coffee. And it was conveniently located just outside of our cabin.

The mosaics inside the Basilica of SanVitale were stunning. Ravenna, Italy




Late evening cruise down the Po River back to Venice.

Matthew Brumley, co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions, has been leading and creating adventures worldwide for over 25 years, and he is outstanding in his field

The Italian bread and wine was indescribably good.

And, I swilled my share of the Italian Birra Menabrea

Life is Good.