Saw a FB memory of 4 years ago today of the performance Mona Shores Orchestra did in Prague at the Czech Museum of Music . It was four years ago this week we visited Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. Here are a few pictures of that trip.
Day 8, Friday, April 8, 2016: A day in Milan.
Milan at last or as they say in Italy “Milano, Finalmente!” Milan is our last city of our Italian tour and this is our last day before our travel home begins.
Our day began with a short bus ride through the Brera neighborhood where many artists, fashion designers, people of influence in the design/art world, etc. live and then a short walk to Plazza della Scala. From the Plazza we began our guided walking tour where we were able to view the La Scala (The Opera House), Gallerie D’Italia and the entrance to the Victor Emmanuel II Galleria.
We made our way into the impressive Galleria Victor Emmanuel II. This impressive Galleria was this first of the modern era of a unified Italy built by the King, Victor Emmanuel II who either fatally fell or was pushed from the top of 4 Story Glass Dome. Since the beginning of the Galleria it has been home for the luxury shops of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. Our tour was briefly stopped for a quick limbo contest that some street entertainers were conducting to earn a few Euros, some in our group did an amazing job.
From the Galleria we made our way to Plazza Duomo. This is Milan’s main square and is very large. We made our away around the impressive and very large Duomo. The Duomo is a 14th century church and is the fourth largest church in Europe. The sculptures and the “Lego style” uniquely cut bricks make the structure very unique.
A walk through the Plazza del Duomo to our journey through the Brera Neighborhood ended in the courtyard of the Brera Gallery. The Gallery houses some of the top Italian collection of paintings as well as Napoleon’s looted art. The Gallery is also a very prestigious art college and it was graduation day when we visited. There were many graduates walking with their families in their graduation gowns and a wreath on their head.
From the Gallery we made our way deeper into the Brera neighborhood to get to the Sforza Castle. This brick 13th century military castle is a fortress within a fortress. It has a gate and city walls to protect from foreign enemies with a Renaissance palace inside another fortress to protect the Royals from enemies “within” the city walls. From outside the castle you can see the Branca Tower across the Palazzo Dell’Arte.
Our tour ended back at our original entrance of Sforza Castle at the Piazza Castello. From here we were able to venture out on our own to shop at the high end stores, lunch, or explore more landmarks in detail. This would also be our meeting spot to leave for our last Italian diner at Restaurant Da Cecco.
This was our last day in Italy. We had amazing weather, on a great trip, with a great group of people!! The only bad part of the trip was the air travel and the delays. For more information on the trip visit the previous Italian Day Trips Postings or view more pictures of the trip visit our Flickr Italy Group Page.
Previous Italian Day Trip Postings:
Day1-2: All Roads Lead To Rome
Day 4: Giorno di Viaggio per Firenze
Day 5: La Nostra Giornata a Firenze, Italia
Mona Shores Orchestra Italy Flickr Page
Day 7, Thursday, April 7, 2016: A day in Cremona and then travel to Milan for our final city in Italy.
We started our day with a guided walking tour of Cremona. Cremona is a northern Italian city with a long rich history since 400 BC that has been occupied, destroyed (Natural or War), and been rebuilt over the years but rich in Romanesque-Gothic art. The tour began outside a clothing store where a window beneath our feet to view a lower level revealing the original Roman Era streets, shows how the city has been rebuilt on the rubble.
The tour took us to the Piazza del Comune where Duomo di Cremona, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assent is. In the Piazza we are able to see how the Church and the local government occupy the Piazza this has had much influence on the city. Streets from the Piazza we able to see one of the many store fronts of master local violin makers.
We able to enter Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assent and get a small tour of the Frescoes on the walls. The cathedral is home some of the oldest frescoes, from the late 14th and 15th century, portraying the Life of Mary and Jesus.
Our guided tour ended at the Stradivari Museo del Violino. Here we able to see many priceless Stradivari instruments on display, learn the history of the instruments, process/tools into making the instruments, the important elements of the instruments, and much much more.
After lunch on our own, we made our way to Milan for late afternoon arrival. We had free time to take on some of the incredible shopping of Milan before dinner at Restaurant Scorpion. Dinner this night also included a Birthday Celebration for Alexis.
Note: Pictures and details of the trip will be posted over the next several days in chronological order of the trip.
More pictures of Day1-7 are on our Flickr Italy Group Page.
MSO Italy performance Group on top of the Fortress.
Day 6, Wednesday, April 6, 2016: Day is a travel day from Florence to Cremona with a performance in Livorno, Prestazoni a Livorno.
Our day began with a short one and half – two hour drive to Livorno, on the north western Italian coast of the Ligurian Sea. We arrived in Livorno before lunch, so the group had free time to explore the coast, eat on their own, shop, etc. Most of us enjoyed the very sunny day on the ocean with lunch on shoreline.
Early in the afternoon we met by our gracious host, Mr. Andrea Pellegrini, at the 14th century Fortezza Vecchio. We made our way through the fortress to performance room. The orchestra rehearsed and the remainder of the group explored the the rest of the fortress.
The fortress is being restored, into a more of a tourist friendly site and community use. The fortress has long history of use since the 14th century on the coast and has stood guarding Livorno. The fortress and Livorno received extensive damage during WWII in pre-invasion Allied bombing. For more information on the history of the fortress visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Fortress,_Livorno
After rehearsal Mr. Pellegrini took us across the channel for an amazing pizza dinner. We were able to see the pizza get hand tossed and made. Very good pizza!!!
We made our way back to the fortress for a pre concert reception. The concert in the fortress included a performance from the Livorno Municipal Concert Band. They are an amazing band and gracious hosts. After Livorno Municipal Band Performance Mona Shores took the stage playing various music from the US & Italian National Anthems to music from Italian Composers to some American classics. Below are a links to two of the pieces Mona Shores performed.
Shenandoah and America The Beautiful:
Stars and Stripes Forever:
At the after concert reception the students and members of the Livorno Municipal Band were able to meet and talk. It was a short reception because of our long drive/late check in to Cremona. I think all would have like the the reception to last longer.
Note: Pictures and details of the trip will be posted over the next several days in chronological order of the trip.
More pictures of Day1-6 are on our Flickr Italy Group Page.
Day 5, Tuesday, April 5, 2016: Day 4. Our day in Florence,Italy; La nostra giornata a Firenze, Italia. Our day began with a guided walking tour of Florence. More of a guided Renaissance walk through Florence with not your average tour guide. A tour guide who is also a university history professor, took us on the Renaissance journey of the history of the buildings, art history & political statements of the buildings, paintings, and the sculptures. He showed us how the birth place of the Renaissance was in Florence, how it affect the region to how Florence is a Fashion Capital of the world to how its influence even shapes all the Apple stores.
Our guided tour took us from Plazza di San Giovanni, to the Piazza della Repubblica, to the Strozzi Palace. Continued with a walk over the oldest bridge in Florence the Ponte Veechio and the to the Piazza della Signioria.
After our guided tour and free time for lunch we met back up at the Piazza della Duomo where we made our way to Accademia. Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s David and the unfinished Prisoners. The art work and sculptures in the Accademia are amazing. Some of the orchestra members while visiting Davis had a Hunger Games celebrity run in with actress Willow Shields (Correct me if I am wrong on the actress). They do have photos to prove it, maybe they will share.
We all had the rest of the afternoon off, to shop, stay in the Accademia, visit the leather markets, relax, get gelato, etc. till a pre dinner rehearsal for the performance the next day. We finished our day with dinner at Restaurant Alfredo. It was an early night with a performance in Livorno and traveling to Cremona the next day.
Note: Pictures and details of the trip will be posted over the next several days in chronological order of the trip.
More pictures of Day1-5 are on our Flickr Italy Group Page.
Day 4, Monday, April 4, 2016: Day 4 was a travel day to Florence,
giorno di Viaggio per Firenze. On our route to Florence we made two major stops. The first stop in the beautiful city of Siena and the second stop in Pisa to the Leaning Tower. It was a long day on the bus but the views of the Hill Towns through Tuscany were amazing.
Siena is a fortified medieval town built on top of three hills and competed with Florence for political and economic superiority. The city is made up of 17 neighborhoods and each neighborhood purpose was to organize and defend their city section from invading forces. This small city of 60,000 fits into a very small footprint on the hills with each neighborhood or Contrada is alive and very competitive with it fellow Contrada. The Contrada’s compete twice a year in Siena’s Palio. Palio is very competitive bareback horse race that take place in the Il Campo (The city’s square). The Palio is now a major sporting event in Italy attracting thousands to Siena and broadcasted on Italian TV.
Our guided walking tour began outside the city walls Porta Ovile walking through the Giraffa Contrade. The narrow streets wind up and down throughout the city. Each Contrade has its own church, and stable. We made our way to the Santa Maria Di Provenzano which was originally a hospital. We walk through the streets to the, Piazza de Mercarto, and Plazza Del Duomo. From Plazza Del Duomo we walked through some incredibly narrow, hilly streets to a stable tucked in the Contrade. We finished our tour in the Il Campo, where we had some free time for lunch and shopping.
After lunch we met at the base of Mangia Tower in Il Campo. We walked to the Church of San Domenico which is the resting place for Siena’s patron Saint Catherine (1347-1380) head and left thumb. Yes you read that right, they have on display her head and left thumb. We finished our time in Siena with a walk from the Church of San Domenico to the Siena Fortezza where our bus was waiting for us.
From Sienna we made our way to Pisa cutting through the countryside of Tuscany’s Hilltop towns on a small two lane road. The trip to Pisa was a needed rest after the hill walk through Siena. The countryside and views were spectacular.
The immediate surrounding area to Pisa is a mostly a industrial area and once into Pisa sights of the Duomo, the Baptistery and the tower its very touristy. Our trip to the tower was a very quick one, long enough for our driver to take a break, visit the WC and visit the tower.
The tower has one of the most amazing lawns you will ever see!!! Two things I found annoying at the Tower. First, the number of tourists trying to take to take pictures of them either pushing or holding up the tower. Second, the number of aggressive immigrants trying to sell Selfie Sticks and/or bracelets.
From Pisa we made our way to Florence where we will stay for the next couple of days. After we arrived at our hotel, Residence Palazzo Riscasoli, where we made our way for a late (Normal time for the Italians) dinner at a local restaurant. We on walk from dinner back to the hotel the city was alive with street musicians, people socializing at the church plazas, and of course the restaurants filled.
Note: Pictures and details of the trip will be posted over the next several days in chronological order of the trip.
More pictures of Day1-3 are on our Flickr Italy Group Page.
Day 3, Sunday, April 3, 2016: Roma and Performance at the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agnoe, Piazza Navona
Our first full day in Rome began with a early morning guided walking tour of Rome. Our charter bus left the hotel back tracking our route from the night before crossing the Arno River to run along the Vatican Walls. The Morning light of sunny blue sky day, fresh eyes, and spring in full blossom made it an amazing ride.
Our bus went through a few vatican permitter neighborhoods as it started to wind up a hill where we got our first glimpse of the Colosseum. The bus parked at the top of the hill at Parco del Colle Oppio which is the site of Nero’s Golden House. We met are guide here and made a short walk from the bus down to the back side of the Colosseum from the front entrance.
We were informed our timing was good, the scaffoldings were down from the cleaning and preservative measures of the Colosseum that had been up for a few years. Also being a Sunday, the roads around the Colosseum were closed for easy touring of the area. At this point in time we mainly saw locals doing their morning run, thinking we have beat most of the tourist to the colosseum. We were wrong because as we made the turn to the front, a massive multi-hour long wait line had formed to enter the Colosseum.
At the base of Colosseum we stood next to the Arch of Constantine, looking up at Palatine Hill to our left and the Colosseum to the right. Where our guide told us the history of the area we could see. The significance of leaders to pass through the arch as a symbolism of victory, including Napoleon and Hitler.
From the Arch of Constantine we continued our way past the Colosseum to get a great view of the Arch of Titus up to the Roman Ruins of Caesars Forum and Trajan’s Forum. From here we had some impressive views of Basilica Julia and the Arch of Septimius Severus.
Our walked continued to Piazza Venezia where we saw the Victor Emmanuel Monument. In the the Piazza we could see the balcony on Palazzo Venezia where Mussolini made many of his famous speeches and the building across where the Pope allowed Napoleons mother to live after he was banished from France.
From Piazza Venezia we made our way down some very narrow streets stoping to see the smallest Roman Church (Big enough for maybe 3 people) to the Trevi Fountain.
Once again our timing was awesome for Trevi Fountain, Jan informed me this was the first time in three years he had seen it without the scaffoldings up for cleaning and preserving the fountain. The fountain is the most massive, bright, clean, flowing fountain I have seen. The fountain was built to celebrate the reopening of several Romans Aqueducts and is a highlight of Baroque style architect and art. It is believed if you trow a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain you will return to Rome.
At Trevi Fountain we took a break to throw coins, take pictures and a much needed bathroom break. Luckily for us their was a bathroom in a gelato shop right across from the fountain. Bathrooms are very limited in Rome or Italy at this moment. To the complaints and apologizes from our Italian Hosts the bathrooms are closed for security reasons. I should also point out along this walk we have passed many combat ready soldiers guarding sites and routes, more on them later.
From Trevi Fountain we made our way to the Pantheon with a stop at the church of San Ignazio. We had a brief visit before we were asked to leave as a church service was beginning. The church is stunning with Baroque illusions of a false dome painted on the ceiling. At the Pantheon we are able to view the Piazza della Rotunda, the Egyptian obelisk known as Macuteo, and the Della Porta Fountain. The Pantheon was closed to tours for a church celebration in progress.
We made out way from Pantheon to Piazza Navona. We finished our guided tour at Piazza Navona. We learned the history that the Piazza was originally a stadium, the Four River Fountains represented the four known continents of 1650, and the history of the Church of Sant’Agnse in Agnoe who’s doors open to the center of the Piazza.
Our guided tour ended in Piazza Navona but we would spend the remainder of the day in the Piazza. The group had free time to get lunch on or around the Piazza, shop, relax, take in the sights etc. before the 4 PM performance at the Church of Sant’Agnse. For movie buffs Piazza Navona and the Four River Fountains was a major scene in the Tom Hanks movie Angels and Demons.
The Church of Sant’Agnse is one of Rome’s most famous churches. It was built in 86 AD over the remains of Roman emperor Domitian’s stadium. Its had many religious uses over the years but between 1644-1655 it was converted to the papal palace for Pope Innocent X. It was Pope Innocent X who commissioned Baroque architect Rinaldi to build the family chapel, the Piazza Navona and the Four River Fountains. The church has many years of frescos and statues commissioned throughout the ceilings and walls.
At at 2:30 we entered the Church of Sant’Agnse from the rear. Students changed into their uniforms in the family chapel. For us non performing members of the group we were able to tour the church, take pictures, and soak it all in to ourselves. At 3PM as the orchestra began to rehearse the church open it doors the tourists began to flood in. Hundreds, maybe even a thousand plus, of people stopped and watched the rehearsals and performance. The rotunda, the pews, and the lobby kept filling and rotating. The acoustics in the church were amazing, as can be heard in the performance of Capriccio Italien below.
After the performance we relaxed for a bit in the piazza for a dinner reservation on the opposite side of the piazza. The mood of the piazza changes in the afternoon to a very social hangout in the evening. Street entertainers, musicians, and dancers begin to fill the piazza trying to earn a few Euros from the crowds. One thing we learned was not to shop for shoes from DSW on your iPad while waiting in the piazza. Apparently, looking up at the church, typing on the iPad, looking up at soldiers, typing on the iPad, looking at the square, etc. will cause you to be surrounded by Italia Militia they think you might be on a recon mission. (I will leave our shopper nameless but if you need to hear the story from her or her sister.)
We finished up our day with dinner at Cantuccio Al Senato before heading back to the hotel. This day was one of the most memorable of the trip. Many sights seen and many more worth going back for longer stays to easily spend many days in Rome.
Note: Pictures and details of the trip will be posted over the next several days in chronological order of the trip.
More pictures of Day1-3 are on our Flickr Italy Group Page.
Dear Fellow Italy Trip Travelers,
After a long trek home from Italy it seemed a bit anticlimactic for me to pile out of the bus barely awake as we drove home with our families. Maybe we needed to count one more time or just yell Goodnight or say “See you at breakfast.” As I am trying to get back up to up speed, load pictures, edit pictures, get caught up on sleep, etc. I want to say before too much time as pass Thank You For A Great Time or Grazie Per Un Grande Momento!!!
Thank you to Italy for such great amazing weather, the sites, the history, the shopping, and the food. The Gelato might need its own thank you letter, in fact does anybody know someplace local where I can get my Gelato fix? To Jan Wemes for being our guide again in Europe. Jan’s love and knowledge of his now home country of Italy was apparent as he guided along our tour.
Thank you to all the parents who helped entertain my little ones, help Mrs. De Rose with supporting the orchestra, helping move luggage in line, etc. It was great traveling with you and it was great getting to know you!!
Thank you to the students for rehearsing for over a year, lugging your instruments & uniforms throughout the streets of Italy, and performing for us in some pretty amazing venues. Thank you for entertaining, playing, and making my little ones welcome. They had a blast with you and have not stopped talking about all you!!! Today at preschool Parker was using her “Pause Powers” and telling her classmates about all of you. Carter is now saying “No Way!” whenever we say something silly to him. You are all an amazing a group of kids, error, young adults.
Finally, I want to thank the person who made this happened. Without her this trip would not have happened. So thank you to my friend, my wife, and your teacher Mrs. Kelly De Rose.
Sincerely,
Bob DeRose
PS: In the next few days I plan to get my pictures loaded up on our Flickr Page and share blog posts with details of some of the pictures and videos. I have only had a chance to quickly preview them and I am excited to see them edited and ready for print.
Italy Trip Travelers,
Today you should have received an updated itinerary in your email from Mrs. DeRose, if not please contact her directly. Once you have some free time Google the hotels that are listed in the itinerary, they look pretty nice. Getting very Excited!!!!
Survival Tip: Walk!!! Sounds easy enough but with the cold temps and snow we start to slowly become couch potatoes or at least I do. From past MSO International Trips we walk, a lot!!! When you get tired the the tour guides will say going to the next venue or restaurant “Don’t worry its just a short walk.” Yes our guides speak English but let me help you so you are not Lost In Translation. Short walk by European definition is easily between 0.25-0.75 miles.
My tip is start walking, 1-3 miles a day now. It will do the body good and help you stay at the guides walking pace. If I was to recommend a second tip, use the stairs as well. Don’t have a tread mill and don’t want to face the call weather The Mall and our Mona Shores High School has indoor walking times.
Here are some walking sites if you want some training tips:
http://www.monashores.net/our-community/indoor-walking/
http://www.thewalkingsite.com/beginner.html
http://www.prevention.com/tags/walking
http://www.active.com/walking/articles/did-you-know-useful-tips-on-walking-and-fitness
http://www.familycircle.com/health/walking/tips/easy-ways-to-get-more-from-walks/
Students and family member going on the international trip next year here is a great opportunity to get your passport. The Muskegon downtown US Post Office is holding a Passport Fair Saturday Aug 29, 2015 from 10am-3pm. No Appointment needed. The USPS can even take your pictures but it much cheaper if you take the pics and bring them with you.
The USPS can help you do everything you need to get your passport but it is highly recommended to have your pictures with you and have your forms completed before getting to the USPS.
For forms, required documents, required guardians, directions, etc. visit the US Department of State website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports.html
Mona Shores Orchestra 