Italian Journeys

with Isabella and Luigi  Dusi

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Copyright: L. & I. DUSI

ITALY BY DESIGN

Preliminary Itinerary

Tour of Italy

           12 - 24 October 2008

Please note:  Not all visits and appointments are yet finalised. When all visits are confirmed a Final Itinerary indicating hotels, events and visits will be provided.

Day 1. Milano – Benvenuti in Italia

Italy by Design will expose the scintillating heights of current design trends, not only in Italy, but influencing all of Europe. Over the coming days we will translate those trends into what is happening in the design world in Europe. We’ll be visiting furniture and textile manufacturers to examine production and talk with project developers about products and solutions; meeting with architects and designers, inspecting architectural and interior design projects under way and just completed.

No activities will be planned today. Some guests may need to rest after flights. We will be staying in this hotel for 4 nights. This evening we will gather for an aperitivo, introductions and dinner. Italians spend an inordinate portion of their income on the quality of what they eat, followed only by how they look. ‘Italian’ is served in restaurants all over the world, and prepared in homes all over the world – it is probably the most ‘exported’ of all international cuisines, but rarely is it served with the curiously simple combinations, which express an Italians respect for each ingredient and genuine love for the table. Dinner this evening – alla Milanese – will be accompanied by the wines of the region of Lombardia.

Overnight:  Lake Como. Dinner with wines included.

Day 2. Milan – Como

Located in a relatively small zone within easy reach of our hotel are dozens of Italy’s manufacturers of the latest in evolutionary furniture, constantly searching for alternatives, demanding Italy’s foremost designers and engineers to produce for an ever changing and ever more selective and competitive international market. This morning we’ll visit prominent manufacturers. We will experience, beginning today, the ultimate in design houses such as Zanotta, Cappellini, Giorgetti, Minotti and Molteni.

After a working morning you will be free for lunch. Our afternoon program introduces the company Rubelli s.p.a., founded in 1858 by Lorenzo Rubelli, and considered in the top three or four textile designers and publishers worldwide. The company relies upon its mill near Como to produce the bulk of its collection. We are awaited at the mill, which, with cutting edge technology supported by high tech computerized techniques, and last-generation-electronic jacquard weaving machines, produces the concepts of a tightly knit group of artists, designers and stylists. Later in your tour you will view the complete Rubelli collection in Palazzo Cornaro, a palace along the Grand Canal in Venice. At the end of the day you will be free in Como to promenade around the lake, do a spot of shopping for silks, or sip a glass of Prosecco overlooking a magnificent panorama. You will be free for the evening.

Overnight Lake Como.

Day 3. Milano – La Scala Opera Theatre

We have an appointment this morning with one of Milan’s most highly regarded designers. Her work is published frequently in AD in Italy and USA. Her clients vary from city wise Milanese businessmen to retirees in the Bahamas. With a team of architects, fabric designers and interior designers our designer is waiting to take us to inspect a project underway, or recently completed in Milan. It will be interesting to see how this design company operates. We’ll set aside time to catch up with recent installations such as the Flos Studio - and you may wish to stroll Via Montenapoleone for some haute couture shopping.

This afternoon also offers a cultural, architectural and design highlight. La Scala Opera Theatre re-opened in 2005 following years of restructuring and restoration. It was a complex project; the architects, engineers and designers faced heavy criticism and public opinion frequently turned against them. The work exceeded budget frighteningly – and the anticipated Opening Night was deferred. When La Scala re-opened, amidst harsh popular, professional and civic criticism, opera lovers from around the world finally had their chance to see what had happened to their beloved La Scala. You too will have that chance when we take a tour of La Scala Opera Theatre. Following the visit to the Opera Theatre you will be free for the early evening in Milan city and we will return to Lake Como in the evening.

Overnight Lake Como.

Day 4. Milan – Bellagio – Villa d’Este

Today you have choices.  If you wish you can relax at our hotel and stay beside the Lake, or you can choose to visit stunning Bellagio. Bellagio was a favourite Romantic Movement destination for writers and composers - especially those on the Grand Tour of Italy such as Longfellow, Byron, Browning, Goethe, Stendhal, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Bellini and even peppery Mark Twain, in the backlash against 18^th century rationalism. It remains a lush lakeside retreat for an aperitivo, exploring the steep cobbled alleys and browsing the stylish boutiques.

This evening we are expected at a magnificent lakeshore villa. Villa d’Este is set in a glorious park on the shore of Lake Como. It is now a luxury resort, carefully preserving traces of 16^th century splendours. Not only splendour but also murder is linked to this sumptuous villa. They still talk, in Milan, of the gala party on the night in 1948 when a shot rang out. Fun loving industrialist Carlo Sacchi fell dead – his jealous mistress grasping the gun. The villa garden is a gem of impeccable landscaping; mosaic covered walls decorate the exedra framing a view of the nymphaeum. Villa d’Este is the setting for Presidential receptions and a desired destination of European royalty and celebrities. This evening in these exemplary surroundings dinner will be served as we indulge in a menu prepared by the marvellous Chefs of Villa d’Este. Dress Code: Jacket and Tie essential. 

Overnight Lake Como. Dinner at Villa d’Este with wine included.

Day 5. Milan – Luciano Marcato - Florence

This morning luggage will be loaded onto the coach and we will make our way towards Milan, however we cannot depart without visiting the brilliant showroom of Signor Luciano Marcato, the second of three legendary textile houses which we will experience. Since 1962 Luciano Marcato has been a protagonist in the furnishing fabric sector and a leader in textile publishing. Sensitive to the slightest changes in tastes from even his earliest days, like a sagacious Venetian merchant, Marcato brings an enviable cultural and artistic heritage to the market with his own blend of modern research and ancient tradition. The collection includes moirè, stripes, jacquard, damask, lampass, velvet, fire-retardant contract fabrics and textures. Following our visit we will continue our journey to Florence.

Reaching Florence we have the rest of the afternoon at our disposal. We have the chance to visit a Renaissance hard stone technique workshop where Interior and Architectural installations take on a splendid dimension. A team of around 11 people has the capacity to design and install mosaics of enormous dimensions in places like the University of Design in Tokyo, Grand Hotels all over the world, and the White House. Working in lapis lazuli, malachite, jade, marble, stone, fossil and semi precious stone, projects of the highest quality range from commercial installations of huge dimensions down to exquisite table tops for homes and even faces for the world’s watchmakers.  We will be staying in this hotel for 4 nights.

Overnight Florence.

Day 6.  Carrara Marble Mine – Florentine Intarsia

Having studied the genius of Michelangelo in Carrara marble at the Accademia Gallery, this morning you have the opportunity to visit the Carrara marble mines. Aside from your interest in the use of white Carrara in projects, domestic and commercial, a visit to Carrara provides an awesome spectacle and tremendous insight into the dangerous work of extracting this material from the white mountain peaks of the Apuan Alps. There are numerous cave, and our guide will escort us and explain the methods of extraction. The ghostly white village of Colonnata derived its name from ‘colonia’, named by the slaves who worked in the pit. Marble was extracted here in Roman times. On our return journey we we’ll visit a master Florentine artisan and furniture maker, both in style and in the use of unusual antique finishes. Vittorio has preserved the rules of ancient decorating techniques for fifty years, his inspiration coming from the frescoes and historical interiors of Florentine palaces. The beauty, colours, wax finishes and intarsia in Florentine style combine to create refined furniture. You will be free for the evening.

Overnight Florence

Day 7. Renaissance Florence – Art and Architecture

This morning we have an appointment to visit the sculptural work of Michelangelo at the Accademia Gallery, and to view a selected number of works in the Uffizi Gallery. You will then be free to meander the city precincts investigating the renaissance architecture in palaces, churches and public buildings, or to visit the Boboli Gardens or more of the art and sculpture in galleries. Today is planned for you to relax in Florence, enjoy the ambience and indulge in the wonderful shopping. You may choose to climb Brunelleschi’s dome, an engineering and architectural highlight of Florence, or to stroll across the Ponte Vecchio window shopping in the goldsmith’s laboratories.

Overnight Florence.

Day 8.– Greve in Chianti - Volterra

This morning we travel a little deeper into Tuscany to a wine tasting of Chianti Classico and other Italian wines in an up-to-the-minute tasting room, and you will be free to have your lunch at the wine village of Greve in Chianti. The piazza is bordered by caffè and the boutiques offer a fascinating array of Tuscan products such as ceramics, terracotta, linen and local olive oil, cheeses and prosciutto.

In the afternoon we will visit Volterra, an Etruscan town straddling a ridge of tufo. Its urban face today is medieval, but it is not hard to visually scrape away layer after layer of civilisation and find yourself facing traces of Etruscan and then Roman walls, doorways and gates, or even to add a thousand centuries and discover glimpses of the renaissance in what was, in reality, a town whose citizens despised the conquering Florentines. This is the difficult environment for the architectural practice of our host. Paolo, who was born in Volterra, is an architect seeking always to expand the parameters of his projects, and yet faced continually with the impossibility of disregarding the past, which emerges with every shovel of dirt or blow of a hammer. Alongside Paolo we’ll talk about his projects underway: Perhaps a 500-year-old farmhouse undergoing restoration – perhaps a commercial installation. Whilst in Volterra you can investigate a precious material which has been worked in Volterra for 2,500 years. This is still a centre for working in alabaster, and many are the workshops producing common articles for passing tourists. There are also those whose vision is wider and whose work is sought all over the world for architectural and design installations. You will be free for the evening.

Overnight Florence.

Day 9.  Eurostar Train to Venice – Venezia

Our journey to Venice will be in first class pre-booked seats aboard the fast Eurostar train. A touring coach is of decidedly doubtful use in Venice, and we will be deposited by the Eurostar directly onto the islands of the Lagoon. The Eurostar is extremely comfortable, offers freedom of movement, and is equipped with a bar and dining car. On arrival at Santa Lucia railway station on Venice, luggage will be transferred to water taxis for transport to our hotel, which is located a few minutes walk from the Accademia Bridge over the Grand Canal, where we will stay for 4 nights.

Our days in Venice will be divided between visiting up-to-the-minute architectural installations, textiles of legendary fame, and the designs of the architect who, for more than four hundred years, influenced all who were to follow him. We begin our Venice program with a visit to one of the most renowned Venetian fabric manufacturers. This company has been producing fine fabrics for many generations. Isabella will lead a guided walk through Venice to acquaint you with our location and surroundings. You are free for the evening. You may like to form ‘tables’ and dine along the Grand Canal or meander around Venice by night when all is tranquil…. an aperitivo at Harry’s Bar….

Overnight Venice.

Day 10. Venice – City upon the Sea

Venetian metamorphism. Difficult to think about in a città which has to confront daily the myths and images of her past. Difficult to project, and difficult to construct - this is the image shared by administrators, architects and builders.  Venice is  “…a continuous vibration trying to avoid being tempted by its links to the iconographical tradition of the city, of which it morphologically keeps the rather tiny proportions of the single parts.” This is what the architect Giuseppe Samonà wrote way back in 1955, at the time of presenting a new installation on Venice. This led to the School of Venice at the University at which the most famous Italian architects taught. Architects like Samonà, Gardella, Tafuri, Aymonino, Benevolo, Levi, Scarpa and more recently Gregotti, Rossi and Valle. The history of Venetian architecture almost exclusively consists of missed opportunities. History and the idea of conservation raise insurmountable resistance, exposing the impotence of urban design and modern architecture. This morning we will be escorted to inspect the latest urban development on Venice.

Back at Como we were privileged to visit the mill of Rubelli, and later we visited La Scala Teatro in Milano. The love story between this famous theatre and the Venetian company, Rubelli, continues. This historic textile company took part in the recent project to restore La Scala, which followed the company’s previous supply of fabric for the boxes, seats, stools and backrests in 1977. In 2004 Rubelli supplied around 2,700 metres of scarlet damask, reproducing an historical fabric. All fabrics were produced at the mill at Como and for safety reasons were made from a silk warp and fire resistant weft, making them intrinsically fire retardant. This evening we will visit Rubelli headquarters and showroom, which is in the 15^th century Palazzo Cornaro on the banks of the Grand Canal. The palace was built between 1490 and 1521, designed by architect Mauro Condussi, and belonged to the grandson of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cypress, who arrived in Venice in 1489. Following our visit to this fabulous palace on the Grand Canal you will be free to make your own arrangements with co-travellers for dinner this evening in Venice.

Overnight Venice.

Day 11. Venice – Vicenza - Palladio

Early this morning a boat will deliver us to our coach for our land based excursion. Historians, in outlining the development of the Veneto villas, emphasized the fundamental importance of Andrea Palladio. His work in the 16^th century remained a model for succeeding centuries, imitated within and beyond the boundaries of Italy. The Patricians of ancient Rome, profiting from contact with other civilisations, gave the most complex form to the ’villa’, which has remained unchanged for over 2000 years. The mercantile mentality of Venetians, who always extracted the best from every experience, compared, evaluated, selected and acquired anything that might increase their prestige – in particular a villa on the mainland. Many of the characteristics of the villa reached full maturity with Palladio, summarized and spiritually elevating all the multiple and complex components, translating ancient and modern aspirations into urban architectonic terms. Hosted by CISA of Vicenza, we will visit Villa Almerico Capra, known as La Rotunda and perhaps the most famous of all Palladian villas, built on the outskirts of Vicenza and devoid of all agricultural functions.

Pausing in the small city of Vicenza so that you can lunch, we will then visit Teatro Olympico, an architectural gem, which Palladio did not live to see completed. After a splendid day we’ll return to Venice and you will be free for the evening.

Overnight Venice.

Day 12. The Maritime Republic of Venice

This morning we are visiting the island of Murano and a glass blowing company specialising in commercial installations as well as quality domestic pieces. Much of the glass to be found in Venice is of a ‘tourist’ quality…and very often the design is wanting…but the glass blowers and designers at Murano, with skills passed on through the centuries, practice this artisan craft at the highest level of their ancestors.

There is so much to see and do in Venice and you have the rest of the day to visit the Basilica of San Marco, the Palace of the Doge, one of the many galleries such as the Accademia which exhibits a visible ‘story’ of the accumulation of treasure on the islands of the lagoon. The Peggy Guggenheim Gallery is a destination in its own right, both for the historical legend of this great lady, and for the excellence of the modern works she collected whilst she lived for more than thirty years in her palace along the Grand Canal. Perhaps you will prefer to take advantage of the marvellous shopping, and put your tired feet up for an aperitivo at The Florian in Piazza San Marco – an extravagance each of us deserves at least once.

At the end of the day we’ll gather for our farewell dinner highlighting the exquisite cuisine of the Queen of the Sea – The Great Serenissima, the Maritime Republic of Venezia.  Dinner will be accompanied by the wines of the Veneto.

Overnight Venice. Farewell dinner with wines included.

Day 13. Departure

It is anticipated that guests will have varying requirements to depart Venice, and some guests may like to stay longer. Your host will be available to organise water taxis to the airport or railway station as may be required by guests individually. If a number of people are travelling at around the same time, the cost of each water taxi will be shared between the number of travellers. For your guidance for your ongoing travel plans, water taxi transport is estimated to arrive at Marco Polo Airport on the mainland at approximately 10 am. To be able to share the cost of a water taxi with fellow guests, it would be wise not to book on any flight departing Venice prior to 12 noon. Likewise, it is estimated that a water taxi will arrive at Santa Lucia Station at approximately 9.30 am. It would be wise not to book on any train departing prior to 10.15 am. If your onward travel plans do not coincide with the shared-cost departures to the railway station or airport, you will need to make your own private departure arrangements which will be solely at your cost. Your hosts do not take any responsibility for any delays of any kind whatsoever on the final morning and it is your responsibility to ensure you leave a wide and safe margin when planning and booking your departure arrangements.

INCLUSIONS

12 nights Accommodation Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation has not yet been confirmed. A detailed Schedule will be provided closer to the tour.

Meals:   Meals as listed on the itinerary including Gourmet Dinner at Villa d’Este, regional wine is included with each meal. You are free to choose your own wine from the wine list, however this will be at your expense.  There is no refund for wine not consumed.

Entry fees and costs for all visits and events scheduled on the itinerary are included. There is no refund if you choose not to attend any event. Included: La Scala Theatre tour, Carrara Marble mine excursion, Uffizi and Accademia Galleries  Florence, Tuscan excursion and Wine Tasting in Chianti, Palladio excursion including villa and theatre entry, Island of Murano excursion.

·     One pick up at Malpensa Airport Milan, Ground Floor, International Arrivals Lounge, at 12.30 pm on the day of the tour commencement. 

·     Travel to and from all appointments by deluxe air-conditioned touring coach.

·     First class pre booked seats on the Eurostar train Florence to Venice.

·     All boat transport where required for itinerary activities in Venice.

·     Porterage from coach to hotel foyer, and vice versa. You will be responsible for handling your own luggage on and off the Eurostar train. Help will be sought from railway porters, but this cannot be guaranteed. In normal circumstances the group assist one another with baggage. Water Taxi porterage of luggage from railway station to hotel at Venice. It is essential that all of your luggage is visibly and clearly labelled and that your surname is visible in large bold letters. You are responsible for your own hand baggage at all times.

G    Gratuities: Tips at restaurants for all group meals are included. The tip to the driver is included.  Hotels and porters tips are included.

TOUR PRICE:  WILL BE AVAILABLE MID TO LATE MAY 2008

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EXCLUSIONS

v     Travel Insurance – please note personal travel insurance is mandatory on all our tours and it is essential for you to insure your travel and tour holiday in case of cancellation due to sickness or any other cause. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate insurance and your attendance on tour will only be confirmed once you have signed and returned the Tour Operators Booking Form and Terms & Conditions.  Sundry items not included: Visas and passports, meals other than those specifically noted on itinerary, personal expenses, excess baggage, telephone, laundry,  hotel bar fridge, and bar drinks etc. are all at your expense.

v     Project Travel retains the right to make practical itinerary alterations deemed necessary or for reasons outside their control. Any such alterations are generally of a minor nature, however you are assured of an equal quality tour in both value and content.

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