The program «Traveling with the Stars» was created to unify tourism and charming Italian music. It helps our guests to become closer to the wonderful world of musicand also to be its part, since they will have a unique chance to meet with the music in the house of the famous Italian star — Albano Carrisi. You would certainly remember the world-famous song of the 80ties — «Felicita» (Happiness)! In the 80-90ties that song sounded as a wonderful fairy tale and nowadays you can immerse yourself in this very story by arriving at his private estate located in Puglia province. That place is now becoming more and more popular with the visitors due to its unique cultural and natural heritage being valued by UNESCO.
You will be staying in the villa belonging to Albano himself! The villa has 50 rooms, all of which are of different design, size and decoration. There is also a restaurant, a pool and SPA, with a nice water park nearby. The whole place looks like a parallel world in which old photos and nice melodies immerse every guest into a nostalgic and musical atmosphere of the 80-ties.
This program is recommended not only to those participants who had been studying music or has got some basic musical skills, but also to those who have long wanted to try their hand in this sphere. The teacher will pay attention for determining the level of skills and talent of each student and individual approach will be applied. While some participants are learning the principles of the Italian vocal in the professional recording studio of our Maestro, the others (who would not be singing at all) can spend the time with some other activities interesting for everyone: horse-riding, wine-tasting, cooking lessons and what not! Besides, our group will enjoy a special discount at the SPA, with a possibility of buying a ticket for the whole week. Our program includes a visit to the tourist attractions of the region, a fun evening with the general activities: lessons of Italian language (including Italian in songs), working on Italian pronunciation, karaoke with old famous songs in the new manner (for example, popular Italian hits in other languages).
The Art of Singing is primarily the art of proper breathing, which is the most important factor of one’s health. Singing in also excellent prevention of colds, it strengthens the respiratory system, develops the lungs and chest, and strengthens the heart.It’s not by chance the life expectancy of professional singers much above the average! It improves blood circulation and complexion, helps to correct posture and improve it, restores mental health and nervous system, relieves stress, cures for stuttering, and strengthens the growing organism. In addition, voice training is important not only for professional singers, politicians and speakers, the owner of a nice voice always beloved by other people.
The vocal lessons in professional records’ studio that belongs to Maestro will be held by the teachers from AC-production, the vocal school by Albano (www.albanocarrisi.eu/). They are very experienced and charismatic: Khasa Eklund, a professional teacher and a brilliant pianist, who has 20 years’ work experience with Albano and his team as a vocal teacher.
We offer a special program of lessons in a pleasant and relaxed form
Each lesson will last 2 academic hours + 30 minutes for those who want to play musical instruments
Lesson 1
- Exercise for ligaments’ warming
- Audition for an ear for music, the presence of rhythm &tonality
- Identification of the individuality of each (student)
- Selection of individual songs (for the final concert) according to the voice’ type
- Selection of a common song for the final concert
- Working on correct position while singing
- Test for the skills playing musical instruments (piano)
- Homework: reading Italian texts, working on correct pronunciation
Lesson 2
- Exercise for ligaments’ warming
- A set of sound and rhythmic exercises to individual voice development and in pairs / in group
- Setting voice with a help of musical instrument
- Working on the song selected and on the common song for the final concert
- BALANCE 30 minutes: working on skills connection (playing a musical instrument and vocal self-accompaniment — for those who can play)
- Homework: reading Italian texts, working on correct pronunciation
Lesson 3
- Exercise for ligaments’ warming
- Exercises to bargain voice strength and depth (“Shalyapin chanting”)
- Working on the song selected and on the common song for the final concert
- BALANCE 30 minutes: working on skills connection (playing a musical instrument and vocal self-accompaniment- for those who can play)
- Homework: reading Italian texts, working on correct pronunciation
Lesson 4
- Exercise for ligaments’ warming
- Exercises with various modulations, tone & voice height
- Features of the Italian vocal specialty and, in particular, the manner of Albano and his school (taking high and extremely high notes)
- Working on the song selected and on the common song for the final concert
- BALANCE 30 minutes: working on skills connection (playing a musical instrument and vocal self-accompaniment — for those who can play)
- Homework: reading Italian texts, working on correct pronunciation
Lesson 5
- Exercise for ligaments’ warming
- Working on the song selected and on the common song for the final concert
- BALANCE 30 minutes: working on skills connection (playing a musical instrument and vocal self-accompaniment — for those who can play)
- Homework: reading Italian texts, working on correct pronunciation
Lesson 6 – Consolidation of the material
- Exercise for ligaments’ warming
- Exercises with different styles and genres
- Working on the song selected and on the common song for the final concert
- BALANCE 30 minutes: working on skills connection (playing a musical instrument and vocal self-accompaniment — for those who can play)
Final Concert / Open Lesson
- At the end of this creative week a final mini-concert or an open lesson will be arranged, for which Maestro himself will be present as a spectator
- Each student will sing his/her song (individually), then all together — the common song selected and trained in advance.
- Open lesson can take place in the studio or may be held in the form of a dinner in the restaurant /near the pool
At the end of training, each participant will receive a special Diploma signed by Albano Carrisi personally.
PROGRAMME
Day 1
- Arrival to Brindisi (or Bari), transfer to the hotel (up to your wish & request)
- Lunch (up to your wish)
- Relax & free time in the SPA-centre
- 08:00 PM – dinner and getting acquainted with the group members
- 09:00 PM – common activities for the group
Day 2
- 09:00 AM – Vocal class (2 academic hours)
- 11:30 AM – excursion to Bari with a visit of St.Nickolas’ Temple
- Relax & free time for SPA
- 07:30 PM – dinner in the restaurant at the manor
- 09:00 PM – common activities for the group
Day 3
- 09:00 AM – Vocal class (2 academic hours)
- 11:30 AM – a guided tour to Alberobello town. This place is world-famous for its Trulls – very unusual conical houses and a fortress town of Ostuni, which is called «The White lady of Italy» for its particular colour.
- Time for the lunch(up to your wish)
- Relax & free time for SPA
- 07:30 PM – Dinner in the restaurant at the manor
- 09:00 PM – common activities for the group
Day 4
- 09:00 AM – Vocal class (2 academic hours)
- 11:30 AM – master-class of Italian cuisine + lunch. We will cook in Albano’s restaurant local types of pasta (2 different types) with typical sauce of that region.
- Relax
- 04:00 PM – excursion to the vineyards located close to the Manor, the winery and the old cellars with wine & local food tasting
- Dinner in SPA (with buffet)
Day 5
- 09:00 AM – Vocal class (2 academic hours)
- 11:30 AM — visit to the Apulian Baroque towns of Lecce and Brindisi. Lecce is the most southern tip of the region. It is known for its unique architecture in Baroque style: palaces and churches constructed in a typical style of Counter-reform, done in a very special way (after the conflict with the Turkey and under the influence of Spanish and Neapolitan traditions). Brindisi is an ancient Greek town and in the old times an important Roman colony, through which trading and cultural routes to the East were passing by.
- One of the first Roman roads — an ancient Appian way arrived to this place. Over there a lot of famous people of the ancient times lived, such as Mecenat, Orazio, Agrippina, Cicero, Virgil (the author of Eneida). During the 2nd World War the city was even made the capital of Italy (for a short period of time). Thus, such a constellation of famous characters and facts should be reflected on the town’s spirit & its outlook.
- Lunch during the trip (up to your wish)
- Relax & free time for SPA
- 07:30 PM — Dinner
- 09:00 PM – group activities
Day 6
- 09:00 AM – Vocal class (2 academic hours)
- 11:30AM – excursion to the caves of Kastellana (these are large karst caves famous for their white hall. It is very popular with Hollywood film-makers by being so unique and picturesque).
- Lunch in an unusual restaurant located in Palazzese grotto (up to your wish) and swimming close to a wonderful beach
- Visit to Monopoli, an old Greek townwhich a typical place of southern Adriatics
- Relax & free time for SPA
- 07:30 PM – Dinner
- 09:00 PM – common activities for the group
Day 7
- 09:00 AM – Vocal class (2 academic hours)
- Trip to ZOO (safari & dolphins) – Zoo Safari is a vast area where you can see the animals walking quietly (tigers, lions, bears and a lot of other kinds). It is prohibited to walk on the territory of the Zoo Safari because of the danger, the visitors are allowed to go by car only (via a fixed route); after that they would enter the pedestrian part to see the mammals, dolphins, monkeys, reptiles and exotic fish, poultry house, as well as to enjoy in a restaurant, visit bars, cinema, theater and other activities.
Possible option: walking and sun-basing in the sea-shore which is famous for its ports and fish & seafood restaurants
- 08:00 PM – Dinner in the restaurant at the manor and final concert
Day 8
- Check-out from the hotel
- Individual transfer to the airport or railway station (Brindisi or Bari)
- Various excursions (additionally, as per request)*
Total cost of the tour: Euro 1,850 (per person)
Included into the price:
- Residence in the villa
- Meals – half-board (breakfast & dinner)
- Transfer on the arrival date + during the week
- Excursions included into the program
- Master-classes
- Guide assistance during the whole trip
- Bus for the whole group
Not included into the price:
- Lunches
- Additional excursions (indicated as “up to your wish” in the above program)
- Flight
- Visa
- Medical Insurance
- Transfer to the airport/railway station on the last day
- Additional nights to be spent in Rome
Possible options:
- Single room (supplement) — 240€
- Cost for the child (3rd or 4th person in the same room) — 1180€
- Cost for a child without vocal lessons — 980€
- Triple occupancy of the same room (adults) — 210€ discount per room
- Four adults in the same room — 350€ discount per room
- Surcharge for a suit (based on double occupancy) — 160€ per person
Included into the price:
- English-speaking assistant for the entire period (24 hours per day, full period)
• Guides during all excursions that are included into the program;
• All activities described in the program;
• Vocal classes for children and adults (in groups of 5-6 people); total 12 hours (6 days x 2 academic hours each)
• 2 meals each day, tastings and master class on cooking;
• Acсommodation in the hotel.
Not included into the price:
- Transfer on arrival and departure, the price of an individual transfer is listed below
- Visa arrangement
- Medical insurance
- Lunch is not included in the program, food and drink from the menu
- Excursions marked *** in the program — additional fee is charged
- Additional vocal classes (individual)
- Entry tickets
Options (to be paid additionally):
- Transfer from Brindisi to the hotel — 60€ (option: transfer from Bari to the hotel — 150€)
- Tickets to ZOO-safari and the Dolphinarium in Fasano — 30€ per person
- Excursions (cost will depend on the number of people in the group)
- Lunch in Castellane grotto – starting from 70€ per adult
- SPA-centre — 15€ per ticket
Additional Excursions (as per request):
The Pearls of Salento in Adriatics. This coast characterized by high rocky cliffs, karst reefs and caves in the sea. Starting from Lecce, continuing the path of sea-shore with numerous watchtowers, such as the Tower of Orso, the city of Otranto, Bazisko port, thermal resort of Santa Cesarea with its Moorish motifs at the sunset – up to the Land’s End in the heel of Italy, in the city of Leuca.
The Pearls of Salento at the Ionian coast. This part of the Ionian Sea is so nice, clean and marvelous that it is often applied to as «The Italian Maldives». We can certainly drop in those wonderful beaches, while visiting the most important cities of this coast: an old port of Cesareo, then Gallipoli, a nice Greek town, ending the journey at sunset in the very «heel of the boot» — the city of Leuca.
«The Baths of Santa Cesarea». The whole day will be dedicated to this unusual thermal spa, with strong Moorish influence in decoration. This water resort is known since 2nd century BC. There are 4 mineral springs that also fill the sea caves, where you can possibly swim during the boat-trip, to explore the coast and the old towers.
«Fish and Seafood Market in Gallipoli». That is a beautiful town located on the island and connected to the mainland by a thin strait. It will immerse you into some kind of oriental, exotic atmosphere, with the bustle of narrow streets, bazaars and shops, ornate facades of palaces and churches. You should not miss a chance of swimming at the cleanest beautiful beach and enjoy visiting the fish market, where you can find a lot of fresh seafood typical for this region only and try the freshest seafood tartar or Carpaccio accompanied by a chilled white wine!
«Rock caves of Matera». The town of Matera is famous for its extraordinary scenery of a cross between a lunar landscape and Dante’s «Hell». It was the first place in southern Italy to be taken under protection of UNESCO. The peculiarity of this location — the churches made inside the caves which are painted with frescoes and also antique houses, dug in the rock, like the “Kasbahs” of the North Africa. This unique place has given an inspiration to a number of Hollywood directors; it served as a film set for such movies as «The Passion of the Christ», “Il Vangelo Secondo Matteo”, the Japanese film «Ghosts of Matera» and many others (a total of 37 movies have been filmed over there).
«The Italian Maldives». As you can see from the title, we are talking about a set of marvelous beaches that are also often applied to as “Italian Caribs”, for their white sand and azure water. We will visit several beaches (according to your wish) starting from wild and up to well-equipped, with their sandy shallows and towers.
Active tourism in Guacheto National Park. This tour is available during the summer period only: from June, 15 to September, 15. Enjoy the following types of activities: bicycle rides, snorkeling and tracking, while inspecting the park’s ecosystem. And afterwards we will have a picnic (B-B-Q) straight on the beach and relax on the soft Indonesian couches with local drinks tasting.
Possible continuation of your vacation (as per request):
- At the sea-shore, in a hotel up to your choice (starting from 450€ per person).
- Thermal resort of Santa Cesarea (starting from 560€ per person, bed & breakfast and SPA included)
- 3-day tour in Salento (starting from 800€ per person)
Day 1: Lecce. Orso tower — limestone reefs of San Andrew – Alimini lake — Turkish Bay at Otranto — Port Badisko — Santa Cesarea Thermal springs — an evening with an Italian family (local cuisine class — mozzarella cooking)
Day 2: Biking through olive groves, visiting the district of trulls and dolmens, tasting agaves and Indian figs – 2 hours’ visit to the caves — lunch at the «End of the Earth» point (in the very peak of the Italian “boot») — the town of Leuka –spending night in Gallipoli.
Day 3: Sea-trip & fishing on a trawler. Visiting a nice beach for taking a swim (beautiful “Italian Maldives”) — Porto Cesareo – Brindisi.
