Arrive in Milan on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), a private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 18:30, join your tour leader Scott Curry and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and dinner at the hotel.

(D)

Begin the day with a talk by Scott on this evening’s performance. Then, enjoy a guided, walking orientation tour of Milan to admire the city’s architectural and cultural highlights, including the magnificent Duomo, a masterpiece of Gothic design, the Royal Palace, which once served as the residence of the Spanish and later the Austrian rulers of Milan, and the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world’s oldest shopping arcades and often frequented by Maria Callas during her time in Milan.  

Afterward, delve into Milan’s artistic heritage with a private, guided tour of the Pinacoteca di Brera, home to one of the foremost collections of Italian paintings from the 13th to the 20th century, including works by Raphael, Caravaggio and Bellini.

After an afternoon at leisure, enjoy dinner before a performance of Das Rheingold. Watch Alberich, sung by Icelandic baritone Ólafur Sigurdarson, steal the gold from the Rhinemaidens and hear Michael Volle in the role of Wotan, the father of the gods.

(BD)

After a talk by Scott following breakfast, visit the La Scala Museum, adjacent to the theatre. Apart from focusing on the history of the renowned opera house, the museum also explores Italian theatrical history more broadly, featuring displays on the commedia dell’arte and the legendary stage actress Eleonora Duse.

Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before returning to the hotel for some time at leisure.

In the late-afternoon, return to Teatro alla Scala for a performance of Die Walküre. German tenor Klaus Florian Vogt appears as Siegmund, while acclaimed Finnish soprano Camilla Nylund takes to the stage as Brünnhilde.

(B)

Today, enjoy a private, guided visit to the Ansaldo Workshops, where the stage sets for all the performances at La Scala are crafted and painted and where some 800 to 1,000 new costumes are sewn for each season.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by some time at leisure to explore the Navigli district, a vibrant Milanese neighbourhood known for its picturesque canals and eclectic mix of boutiques and artist studios.

Return to the hotel in the late-afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, attend a talk by Scott on the last two performances of the Ring Cycle. Afterwards, enjoy some time at leisure to relax or explore Milan at own pace.

In the late-afternoon, attend a performance of Siegfried. German tenor Klaus Florian Vogt performs the role of Siegfried and Brünnhilde is again sung by Camilla Nylund.

(B)

Depart on a full-day excursion to Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po River and renowned for its exceptional violin-making tradition. Visit the Violin Museum, formerly known as the Stradivarius Museum, housing a collection of stringed instruments, including violins, violas, cellos and double basses, crafted by legendary luthiers such as Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri and Andrea Amati. The museum offers a rare opportunity to admire over 700 original tools, moulds and drawings from Stradivari’s workshop.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy some time at leisure to explore Cremona’s Old Town, where cobbled streets lead to the picturesque main square, surrounded by the Cathedral with its striking Romanesque-Gothic façade, the Torrazzo, Italy’s tallest brick bell tower, and the elegant baptistery.

Return to Milan in the late-afternoon for an evening at leisure.

(BL)

Following a morning at leisure, enjoy a special farewell lunch with Scott and fellow travellers.

Then, return to Teatro alla Scala for a performance of Götterdämmerüng, the epic conclusion to Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

(BL)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Milan Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)