Excursions

The festival program 2013 includes day trips to Cremona and Venice, a tour in the Dolomites and a ride with a gondola cableway to the Alpe di Siusi/ Seiser Alm.

From antiquity until the mid-17th century, Italy was considered as the central place of Western culture. During this period, Italy gave birth to a number of famous painters, sculptors, poets, musicians, mathematical and architects. Music writing began in Italy. Therefore Italian words are used to tell us how music is played. All countries have adopted technical terms in their Italian form — a demonstration of the crucial role played by Italy in the history of music.

Cremona

Cremona is a famous musical centre. Some of the instruments that are often associated with classical music, including the piano and violin, were invented in Italy, and many of the existing classical music forms can trace their roots back to innovations of 16th and 17th century Italian music (such as the symphony, concerto, and sonata). From the 16th century onwards, Cremona was renowned as the capital of the violin-making, beginning with the violins of the Amati family, and later included instruments made by Guarneri and Stradivari. On a day trip to Cremona you will visit The Stradivari Museum which hosts a unique collection of violin-making tools used to create the earliest violin. Italy was the birthplace of opera, and for generations the language of opera was Italian, irrespective of the nationality of the composer. On the way to Cremona you will have an oportunity to discover a mystery of the Villa Verdi, the house where the greatest Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi, lived and worked for the most part of his life.

Venice

In addition to the festival program we offer a day trip to one of Europe’s most romantic cities, Venice.

Founded in the 5th century and spread over 118 small islands, Venice http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394 became a major maritime power in the 10th century. The whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the world’s greatest artists such as Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and others. (© UNESCO World Heritage Centre)

The day trip to Venice is optional, and will take place only if more than 50 festival participants register for it. Space is limited to the first 70 to register. The cost for one person is US$60. A modern comfortable bus will bring you to Venice and back to the festival location, a tour guide will help you to discover the beauty of the city.

Hiking tour in the Dolomites

In the leisure time between recitals, master classes, rehearsals and practicing, you will find yourself in the heart of the picturesque nature reserve Naturpark Schlern-Rosengarten. On June 26, 2009, the UNESCO Council nominated the Dolomites as a Natural World Heritage Site. This is what the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) says:

“The Dolomites display unparalleled geological, botanical and scenic qualities, which make them stand out among all the mountain ranges of the world. They especially stressed the variety of herbs and flowers that can be found here. The Dolomites feature over 2,400 types of plant and an extended Nature Reserve and National Park area (a total of approx. 142,000 ha).”
You will have an oportunity to discover the beauty of the Dolomites on a hiking tour in the mountains. Even if your fitness level is not too high you will be able to enjoy the tour.

Alpe di Siusi/ Seiser Alm

The Alpe di Siusi, the sunny side of the Dolomites, is the largest high alpine pasture and one of the most famous ski and excursion areas of Europe with its 52 km² mountain surrounded alpine pastures. The Alpe di Siusi is well-known all over the world for its colourful flowers in the summer and its glittering blanket of snow in the winter.

The ultra-modern cable railway Alpe di Siusi connects Ortisei, the main village of the Gardena Valley, with the 2000 m high Alpe di Siusi. The widest plateau of Europe and the unique view are reachable in only a few minutes and very comfortably. Here you will find a breath taking mountain scenery consisting of the Gruppo del Sella, Gruppo del Sassolungo, Catinaccio and the Sciliar surrounding the Alpe di Siusi. In summer the top station of the cable railway is an ideal starting point for walks and ambitious excursions or just a relaxing place with a beautiful view.

You won’t be able to forget the panorama expanding in front of you while rising in a gondola cableway up to the mountains.