Day 1-2 (4/9-10/2004) - We're off to Italy!
- After a very long day and night we landed in Milan with no problems. Customs in Canada and Italy were great and after loading the instruments into the truck and ourselves into 2 large buses we were off to Milan for some sightseeing.
- In Milan we toured a fortress in the center of town and then had a guided (whirlwind) tour of the Milan famous shopping area (the Galleria), Duomo (Cathedral) and La Scala.

We even ran into some of the parents on the companion tour in the Galleria.

- No time for shopping (our shoppers were not happy) since we had a 2 hr. ride to our hotel and dinner in the small Spa town of Salsomaggiore.

- Dinner was great, a multi-course Italian style dinner.
- Then off to bed after a very long day!
- The weather was wonderful today - sunny and about 60 degrees.

Day 3 (4/11/2004) - Buona Pasqua , Happy Easter
- Breakfast early and then a Tour to Cremona or Easter mass...
- In Cremona (beautiful small Italian town) we visited the Stradivari statue and the towns famous collection of 16th - 18th century violins.
- The mass (in Italian) was in the local church where our students were welcomed by the local people.
- We all met back at the hotel for a very special holiday luncheon (more courses than yesterday) which included the breaking of a 3 foot chocolate egg (an Italian tradition).

- Students were able to stroll through the streets on their way to the rehearsal for tonight's first concert. A festival in town made the stroll more exciting (Olive booths, cheese, sausage, homemade meats, breads, music, gelati everywhere, and lots of people)
- The rehearsal went well and we returned to the town where everyone could visit a restaurant of their choice for dinner (and more gelati).
- THE CONCERT! The concert was scheduled for 9 PM, although started quite a bit later. (Time moves at a slower pace here.) The orchestra was excellent and the audience of over 300 people were very appreciative and moved by their performance. We saw several people "conducting" along with Dr. Harman and people singing along with the Italian opera pieces. We even saw many who had tears in their eyes after two encores. What a wonderful way to start the tour.
- Weather was near perfect - sunny, clear, cool

Day 4 (4/12/2004) - Easter Monday - a holiday in Italy - Bologna
- The morning found us having breakfast in the hotel with an early morning drive to the city of Bologna.
- The rainy weather today (really rainy!) put a damper on some of our activities in the city. We began with a guided tour - at least until one of the guides just said, "Sorry I have to go now." :-) The groups explored the narrow streets and local attractions. Many climbed one of the famous towers in town, and saw the leaning tower (not Pisa) as well. NO SHOPPING AGAIN - being a holiday everything was closed. One girl commented, "If I don't spend all my money soon I don't know what I'm going to do." The groups were able to have lunch at many Italian pizzerias, cafes, and even McDonald's (a taste of home).

- We explored the beautiful cathedral in town and after several hours, and more gelati, it was back to the bus for the ride to our second hotel in Pieve di Cento, and another multi-course meal.
- The kids spent the evening socializing, bowling in the hotel, and then off to bed.

Day 5 (4/13/2004) - A day in Imola
- We have just returned from Imola as we write this entry. WOW what a day!
- We began with the bus ride to the world famous Formula One race track in town. The buses were allowed onto the track for a "race". The double deck bus had a "little trouble" fitting under the bridge on the track so we took turns riding in the single deck bus. Watching the next Formula One race which will be held here in a few weeks will certainly have more meaning for us!
- Then on to City Hall for a greeting by some local music students and dignitaries, and an official welcome by the mayor of Imola. The students were treated to maps of the town and a beautiful reception. Then it was on to a local hotel for the most incredible multi-course (8 to be exact) luncheon. A local ceramics company treated us to this beautiful affair. (Be sure to ask all of the students which of the 4 forks, 2 spoons, and 3 knives are used, in which order, when being proper.) As lunch was "in progress" for 2 1-2 hours, we were surprised with a visit from the major of Sarajevo, who was visiting Imola today, as well.
- On to La Rocca, the famous fortress in Imola. A city official gave us a guided tour of the facility, and also had taps played for us at the memorial that Imola has created for the victims of September 11, 2001.

- Rehearsal time was awaiting, and we walked from the buses with concert clothes in hand to get ready for the concert which all of Imola was excited about. There were posters everywhere in town, and many residents stopped us in the streets to express their excitement.
- The Teatro Communale was an opera house style theater. There were five levels with private boxes all around the theater. Very impressive. They will be renovating the theater soon, and our guide believes that we are the last group to perform there before the renovation.

- How can we explain what an INCREDIBLE performance the students gave tonight? Their warm welcome as special guests to Imola definitely made the kids want to perform at their very best and they certainly did! A standing ovation and two encores capped the evening.
- Back to the hotel, and into bed.
- The weather today brought scattered showers, but clearing is predicted for tomorrow.

Day 6 (4/14/2004) - Concert and Modena
- The day began early with a 7 A.M. wakeup call. Breakfast followed in the hotel, then off to the Auditorium Pandurera for a short rehearsal and concert for local middle school students.
- A special surprise during rehearsal was when Dr. Harman asked our tour courier, Tassos, to conduct one of the pieces. The kids were thrilled, as was Tassos, a musician and conductor, himself.

- The orchestra was well received by the Italian students, and our students played very well. The chaperones were also thrilled with the cappuccino bar in the lobby!
- On to a pizza luncheon provided by the municipality.
- The afternoon brought a trip to the beautiful town of Modena, famous for their balsamic vinegar and extensive SHOPPING! Yippee, we finally have found clothes, shoes, sunglasses . . . Modena is glad we came, as we definitely added to the local economy today.

- We left Modena about 6:30 P.M. and headed for a country restaurant surrounded by vineyards. This was definitely a local treasure. We continue to be treated like royalty at all of the places we visit. Your children are getting used to multi-courses. Please plan ahead - risotto is now a popular first course.
- Back to the hotel for some free time with friends, and a DJ arranged by Susan Basu.
- It was into rooms and then packing for tomorrow's trip to Florence.
- Weather was gorgeous - perfect again. Sunny, blue skies, and about 70°. Chilly tonight.
- A very special THANK YOU to the hotel late night staff for letting us use their computer after hours to provide these updates. Don't know when we'll be able to do the next update, as we're moving to a hostel, and we'll need to make friends with the night staff first!! Arrivederci.

Day 7 (4/15/2004) – Finally some shopping...
- "Wakie Wakie" Early Early - 7:00 AM!
- Breakfast in the hotel, then off to Florence...
- Beautiful country - we're in the Tuscany region but not under very much Tuscan sun.
- The trip took a little longer then expected due to a traffic jam.
- Checked into the Sette Santi Hostel - a new experience for most. Many now know what some dorm life can be like... and what is a bidet for?
- Next some SHOPPING SHOPPING – The best yet.
- Made a major dent in the cow population of Italy. The busses smell like rich Corinthian leather. If a leather jacket was your gift idea for the next holiday or birthday, never mind!
- Other purchases included purses, shoes, t-shirts, miscellaneous undergarments, jewelry (on the Ponte Vecchio – hold on to your wallets!)… and more gelato.

- Dinner was again multi-course at a Trattoria Baldovino near the Piazza Sante Croce.

- Another hour after dinner strolling on the beautiful streets of Florence
- As we gathered together to go back to the buses Tassos entertained the group with an aria or two. Then it was back to the hostel for some leisure time and bed.

Day 8 (4/16/2004) – Florence then on to Rome
- "Wakie Wakie", 7:00 AM again. A little quicker today, seems like it’s a little easier to rise and shine in a hostel.
- The hostel breakfast: old world Italian style – Fresh bread, fresh mozzarella with various meats, croissants and more…
- To the buses at 8:15 then on to the “Accademia” for our tours and a viewing of Michelangelo’s David (recently restored and 500 years old this June).
- Our tour continued to the Duomo of Florence, the Baptistry and back to the Piazza Della Signoria.
- One more chance for shopping and lunch, then back to the buses just as the rain begins.
- It’s on to Roma. The trip was a little wet but still nice scenery
- Checked into the Hotel Domus Pacis – a few more amenities than at the hostel.
- Left almost immediately and worked our way around the city to catch a glimpse of the Vatican, Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and some of the other sites we will see tomorrow.
- We got off the buses and took the scenic route walking to the restaurant and ran into a display of about 30 Ferrari’s – including a couple of classics, but most new. The boys have found their shopping interest, however they had spent their souvenir money in Florence, Phew!

- We had a wonderful “farewell” dinner - another 4 courses – at Restaurant La Capricciosa – a beautiful old restaurant near the river.
- Walked back to the buses along the Tiber River, then back to the hotel and right to bed. A big day and final concert tomorrow.
- The weather began cloudy and cool, but turned to rain as the day progresses.
- A late wake-up call scheduled for 8:00 AM tomorrow! They are so excited!

Day 9 (4/17/2004) – Rome
- Wake-up call at 8 and a nice buffet breakfast in the hotel.
- Onto the buses and headed to the Colosseum
- It started out sprinkling, but turned into a downpour just in time for the umbrella vendor feeding frenzy at the bus drop off. A “teachable moment” on bartering skills. “Don’t pay more than 3 Euros for the “high quality” umbrellas” (the original asking price was 5 Euros).
- the Colosseum was incredible and luckily there are still some covered sections standing! Our guides told us that this kind of downpour never happens in Rome. “Never say never”.
- Back to the hotel for lunch (yes, multi-course), a few kind words from Jared thanking so many of the people that made the trip possible and then time to leisurely change for the concert. By the way during lunch the rain stopped and the sun came out! Rome is beautiful in the sunlight. The city is full of palm trees and other exotic vegetation.

- Off to the University of Rome for rehearsal in the Aula Magna (a large performance hall with vibrant, resounding acoustic qualities. The stage floor and walls were all marble with a beautiful 1930s mural providing the “shell” on stage.
- The chorus – “Associazione Musicale Coro Franco Marie Saraceni Degli Universitari Di Roma” –,which was an adult group, arrived to rehearse prior to the concert.

- The concert began around 9. The sound was incredible and the audience was extremely appreciative, providing ongoing applause after every song.
- The companion tour and several other independently touring families arrived to enjoy this last performance of the tour.
- After the concert we packed up the instruments for tomorrow’s trip home.
- We arrived back at the hotel by 12:30 or so where the students gathered for a late night snack and many farewells and thank yous. Gabriele and Tassos, our couriers, were given a card signed by all and Liz Spector (oboe) created a hand drawn cover depicting both of them.
- Dr. Harman spoke to the beauty of the music they have made and the impact the students had on those who were fortunate enough to have hear them.

- Jared Hendrickson ended the evening with more thanks to Dr. Harman, Mrs. Basu, the chaperones, couriers, bus drivers, and instrument truck driver. He concluded with warm and special thanks to Dr. Kim (for all his work keeping us healthy) and Insung Kim without whom the tour never would have happened.

- We can’t say we went “off to bed” as it was then 1:30 AM and many were still excited about the whole experience and there need to pack for the trip home (leather coats, purses, shoes, etc. take up space!).
- Wakeup call is scheduled for 5 AM!

Day 10 (4/18/2004) – Time to go home.
- "Wakie Wakie" at 5 AM after little or no sleep. All managed to grab a bagged breakfast and then it was off to the buses (6 AM) and we headed off to the Airport.
- We unloaded the instrument truck, checked in, and passed through security. Our flights to Frankfurt and then to Toronto were fine, although delayed to wait for all the instruments on both flights. Many thanks to Lufthansa who waited twice for the instruments before taking off.
- We made it to Toronto without incident and all the instruments all made the trip in near perfect order.
- It was then on to Canadian and US customs with no problems. We arrived in Rochester at 11 PM.
Wow! That was one long day.

Written by: Helen Tortorici and Vince Tutino
Photos by: Vince Tutino