BEFORE WE SAIL

Over the last 15 years, the Castello di Gargonza overlooking the small Tuscan town of Monte San Savino is one of the few places we have ever revisited with the Castles and Concerts group. Over the years we have become friends with the Count and Countess whose family has owned this property since the time that Dante lived here while writing the “Divine Comedy”. On Wednesday, April 29th, the cast and crew producing the opera for Monte Carlo will gather for three days of rehearsals in this picturesque town and its’ 13th century citadel. On Saturday, the mayor of Monte San Savino will attend our final rehearsal and has invited us to a cocktail reception in the town hall, which was built as a summer palace for the Renaissance Popes. Directly across the street is the small 19th century opera house, which we will use for rehearsals. Along with all the rooms in the citadel, we have reserved for our exclusive use a charming hotel next door to the town hall.

Many of our guests choose to arrive a few days before the official start of these trips in order to relax before we board ship. Anyone who would like to spend a few days with the cast and crew before we sail will be welcome. Those who would like to help with the production will be invited to join the team during the rehearsals. Or, if you prefer, the staff of Gargonza will provide some optional day trips exploring the glorious Tuscan countryside with its’ charming wineries, towns and villages. Each evening we’ll all get together in the Castello for banquets, complete with music, wine and merriment.

Gargonza and Monte San Savino are located on the old road between Arezzo and Sienna, about 75 miles north of Rome and 40 miles southwest of Florence. Driving through the Tuscan landscapes provides some of the most beautiful views in the world. If you rent a car in Rome on your own, you can arrange to drop off your car on May 3rd in Civitavecchia where we will board the ship or you can drop it at the Rome airport where we will provide transportation to the Windsurf for boarding. We will also provide transportation from Gargonza/Monte San Savino to the ship and from the city center of Rome to the ship as well. Those details will be made available as the date gets closer.