Classical Florence

01/11/2017 -
06/11/2017
Florence, Italy
Classical music
Robert Dean
Small group - 20
£ 1890 - based on 2 sharing
£ 390 GBP - single supplement

Illustrations by Rosanna Tasker

Better than a Mary Berry Lemon Drizzle

Italy. What a wondrous place. Only last November we were in Venice, breathing in all that incredible city has to offer and then channelling our 5 nights of inner Serenissima into a final performance at St. Mark’s Cathedral. It was an unforgettable experience. With more zest than a Mary Berry Lemon Drizzle, Venice is perhaps one of those magical places that can’t be topped. Or can it?

Just 2 hours south-west, there’s yet another municipal confection that would make Mary weep into her cupcakes. The ultimate historical layer cake – the head honcho of western creativity. According to UNESCO, Italy is home to 60% of the world’s most important works of art. Half of that stuff is in this town. In so many ways, no other place on earth can hold a candle to Florence. The birthplace of the Renaissance and an endless source of creative genius : Dante, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Boccacio, Botticelli (all the B’s) – born, studied and worked in Florence. Of course there’s also Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Lippi, Bandinelli, Giotto….it’s like the ultimate who’s who – the most magnificent hand of Top Trumps.

The very best time to visit Florence in our opinion is between November and February. Come at any other time of year, and you’ll be knee-deep in selfie sticks, and the joys of Nikon festooned tourist groups.

In November, the authenticity of the city is restored as the 16 million tourists who visit each year have, for the most part, scuttled off back home. Now is the time to enjoy a glass of wine in a Florentine enoteca and, as you watch the well-dressed locals go about their business, reminisce on a day of avoiding queues, breathing in treasures and singing sublime music.

On this 5 night Luxury Classical Singing Holiday, we’re joined by guest conductor and great friend Robert Dean. With a CV as long as Dante’s Divine Comedy, Robert comes with an eye watering amount of skill and experience. As principal singing teacher at the Guildhall School of Music, Robert has taught, and is teaching, many of today’s opera stars. He’s also an international conductor and as leader of both the London Choral Society and Philharmonia Chorus he has worked under the auspices of Solti, Rattle and Barenboim. He’s a real smarty-pants!

Smarty pants notwithstanding, Robert has a great sense of humour and, just in case you’re panicking, he’s a complete softy. He’s delighted to help anyone and everyone so if you’re still vocally pinned to the shower curtain Florence may well be the perfect time to step into the warm towel of Singing Holidays bliss.

Our days will commence with a 3-hour master class with Robert, where we’ll be learning some appropriate classical repertoire for a performance on the penultimate day. A group lunch will be followed by free time to enjoy the ridiculous number of riches that are right on the doorstep. A further hour rehearsal in the evening before a delicious dinner in a choice Florentine ristorante will complete a typical day.

Singing Holiday Florence - Firenze Orologio

Firenze Orologio Breakfast

Singing Holiday Florence - Firenze Orologio

Firenze Orologio Front

Singing Holiday Florence - Firenze Orologio

Firenze Orologio Lounge

Singing Holiday Florence - Firenze Orologio

Firenze Orologio Hall

If you’ve got the time, we’ve got the place

On last year’s Classical Singing Holiday, we stayed at the Hotel L’Orologio (the watch) in Venice. Of course, it had all the Singing Holidays ‘must haves’ : luxury bedrooms, comfy beds, superb showers and scrumptious breakfasts. However, there were two things that set the L’Orologio di Venezia apart, two things that raised this stunning converted Palazzo above the competitive waterline. The Hotel L’Orologio excelled because its location and service were unparalleled.

If only there was another hotel like the L’Orologio di Venezia in Florence, I hear you ask. Well, funnily enough, there is! Owner and watch junkie Sandro Fratini opened his first L’Orologio in Florence 8 years ago. It took him six years to transform a perfectly positioned Palazzo into the most perfectly placed small, luxury hotel. As a Florentine who owns the world’s most extensive collection of designer timepieces, Sandro is uncompromising when it comes to detail and organisation. One can only imagine the state of his sock drawer! As with the hotel in Venice or indeed like one of his Patek Philippe timepieces, the service at the L’Orologio di Firenze is one of quiet and relaxed efficiency. Nothing is too much trouble, and there’s a feeling of being enveloped in an atmosphere of calm that’s second to none.

Also, like its sister hotel in Venice, the location of our pad in Florence is breathtaking. Situated right on the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, the views are jaw-dropping. With its completely glazed upper floor breakfast lounge, you can sip on a delicious cappuccino while drinking in the front aspect of one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Italy.

This is an inspirational five nights of singing in the world’s artistic epicentre, and it seems only fitting that the second hand of our accommodation mirrors the beat of our music making.

If you’ve got the time, I think we’ve found the place.

A little bird told me

Feefo independent reviews

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023

We are thrilled to have received an average of 4.9/5 and 5/5 through independent reviews on Feefo and Google. We sincerely thank all those who took the time to share their positive experiences and recommend us to others. Your trust, satisfaction and friendship are invaluable, and we remain committed to providing the best possible experience.

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023

We are thrilled to have received an average of 4.9/5 and 5/5 through independent reviews on Feefo and Google. We sincerely thank all those who took the time to share their positive experiences and recommend us to others. Your trust, satisfaction and friendship are invaluable, and we remain committed to providing the best possible experience.

Summary

Price

£ 1890 GBP

Based on two sharing a twin or double room.

£ 390 GBP

Single supplement.

Date

01/11/2017
06/11/2017

Everything but flights

The price quoted includes everything except flights and drinks outside mealtimes. From pick-up to drop-off, we’ll be on hand to take care of every expense and every need.

Included

  • Transfer from the designated pick-up and drop-off point (normally the destination airport).
  • Any group transfer during your holiday.
  • Any group trips or events within the timeframe of your holiday, unless otherwise specified.
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of your trip).
  • All tuition.
  • Accommodation.
  • Concert promotion.

Experts

All of our experts are obviously outstanding, inspirational artists, however they’re also lovely human beings. Their priority will always be 100% on you and your development. They are an integral part of the week, so be prepared to make new friendships.

Friendship

You can expect to be among like-minded people who love to sing. You can expect a supportive, non-judgemental group and many laughs.

Nurtured and taken care of

Témi and Alex organize and run every Singing Holidays event. Unlike most holiday companies, we’re with you from first contact right through to our sad farewells at the end of your stay. There are no reps, no faceless office staff, no strangers picking you up from an airport. Just us.

Food and accommodation

Témi and Alex spend weeks recceing each holiday, so you can get the very best from your stay. Nothing is by chance — we check every restaurant, we eat every menu, we jump on every bed, we take a toothbrush and magnifying glass to every bathroom, skirting board and wardrobe. When you arrive, you can relax in the knowledge that we’ve well and truly done our homework.

Direct contact

From first encounter to said farewells at the end of your holiday, you’ll be in direct contact with either Alex or Témi. Singing Holidays has been running events in Italy and beyond since 2010, and one of our core values is to also keep things small and contained, so we can give you the best experience.

Insurance & data protection

Singing Holidays Ltd has full liability insurance cover with First Underwriting Ltd. We adhere to GDPR to protect your privacy and any data you submit via our website or sister website singingnest.com is secured with 128-bit SSL encryption.

Covid-19

Booking a holiday during a pandemic isn’t for the faint-hearted. However, if you book a Singing Holidays event, and then you are unable to travel due to mandatory country restrictions, then you will be eligible for a full refund (including any ‘non-refundable’ deposit payment).

L'Orologio Firenze
L'Orologio Firenze Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 24
Toscana
Italia

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Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023
Sustainable Holidays

Sustainable holidays with award-winning service. We are contributing to global reforestation and repairing damaged ecosystems. Every time you book a singing holiday, we’re busy planting trees and buying up land – helping to mitigate climate change.

© 2023 Singing Holidays™ Est. 2009
Singing Holidays Ltd. No. 11691653

Feefo Gold Award Singing Holidays 2023
Sustainable Holidays

Sustainable holidays with award-winning service. We are contributing to global reforestation and repairing damaged ecosystems. Every time you book a singing holiday, we’re busy planting trees and buying up land – helping to mitigate climate change.

© 2023 Singing Holidays™ Est. 2009
Singing Holidays Ltd. No. 11691653

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