
TRASIMENO MUSIC FESTIVAL
& THE SPOLETO TWO WORLDS’ FESTIVAL
Enjoy the 21st edition of the classical Trasimeno Music Festival in the heart of Italy, created by pianist Angela Hewitt.
TOUR STATUS
Limited Places | Maximum 16
TOUR DATES
Jun 21 - Jul 6, 2026 | 16 Days
TOUR LEADER
Kate Bolton-Porciatti | View Bio
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The tour starts at 2.00pm on Sunday 21 June, at Rome Fiumicino Airport for our group transfer to Cortona.
The tour ends after breakfast on Monday 6 July, followed by a group transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport.
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Grade Two. This tour is designed for people who lead active lives.
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15 nights’ accommodation in
centrally located 4 and 5-star hotels. Airport-Hotel transfers as indicated. All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners. Premium tickets to 9 performances. Services of an expert Tour Leader and an experienced Tour Manager throughout. All ground transport, entrance fees and tipping. -
$14,280 AUD per person, twin share (land content only)
$2,520 AUD supplement for sole use of a hotel roomA $1,000 AUD non-refundable deposit is required per person to confirm your booking on tour
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Limited Places. Five or less available
OVERVIEW
Italian summers are marked by some of the most vibrant music festivals in Europe, bringing together international artists with performances in historic towns and captivating venues, offered in picturesque landscapes.
On this sumptuous musical and cultural journey spanning 16 days, join Kate Bolton-Porciatti as we take in two of Italy’s finest festivals: the week-long ‘Trasimeno Music Festival’, named after the serenely beautiful lake that provides the backdrop for many of its concerts, and the ‘Festival of Two Worlds’ in the gorgeous Umbrian hill town of Spoleto, a musical event that bridges the Old World with the New.
Our tour takes us through Tuscany and Umbria, two of central Italy’s most spectacular regions, which allows us to immerse ourselves in Italy’s cultural magnificence and the rhapsodic scenery of central Italy. From our base in the Etruscan town of Cortona, we explore Pienza, Montepulciano, the Unesco-inscribed Val d’Orcia and the crown jewel of the region, Lake Trasimeno. Moving into Umbria, known as the green heart of Italy, our bases of Perugia and Spoleto are perfect for visiting the medieval hill top-towns of Assisi, Gubbio, Spello, and Todi.
Blending exquisite art, music and history with stunning scenery and tantalising cuisine, this tour is a true feast for the senses.
Disclaimer: The dates of this tour are now confirmed, allowing you to book flights with confidence.
Please note, however, that the itinerary remains subject to change depending on final performance schedules.
The 21st Trasimeno Festival
Six festival performances
Founded in 2005 by the internationally acclaimed Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt, the Trasimeno Music Festival has blossomed into one of the most atmospheric classical music events in Italy. Under Hewitt’s direction, the festival stages solo, chamber and orchestral concerts in magical settings: historic churches, theatres, castles and piazzas. Some concerts take place in the Etruscan-medieval city of Perugia; others in enchanting little towns around the hill-clasped Lake Trasimeno.
The 21st festival promises to be an unforgettable experience. Hewitt, who is widely established as one of the greatest Bach pianists of our time, will perform in many of the concerts and she’ll be joined by her friends and associates, all of whom are international performers of the highest calibre.
We’ll also enjoy two gala dinners at the Festival - delightfully convivial events where there’ll be a chance to meet Angela Hewitt and other musicians.
Catch up with Angela as she discusses what inspired her to create this festival, how the repertoire is selected and what we might expect at the 20th Festival.
The Festival of Two Worlds
Three festival performances
Taking place in Spoleto, Umbria, and founded in 1958 by the Italian composer Gian Carlo Menotti, ‘The Festival of Two Worlds’ (Festival dei Due Mondi) has gained international fame for its creative programming and inter-disciplinary events.
Its guiding ethos is to provide a meeting ground between New World and Old World cultures and to celebrate the ‘arts in all their shapes’. The varied and eclectic programme embraces music, dance, drama, and visual arts. Concerts take place in Spoleto’s opera house, historic theatres, churches and scenographic piazzas, creating a warm-hearted and convivial atmosphere.
© Festival dei Due Mondi Andrea Veroni
tour highlights
The aim of every Academy Travel tour is to provide a rewarding, in-depth travel experience.
Kate Bolton-Porciatti (MPhil.)
your expert tour leader
Kate is a professor of Italian cultural history at the Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici in Florence, where she teaches BA and MA courses in the humanities. She also lectures regularly at the British Institute, Florence, and at the Chigiana Academy in Siena. Before moving to Italy permanently in 2005, she was a senior producer and broadcaster for BBC Arts & Classical Music in London and has won prestigious Jerusalem and Sony Awards for her programs.
Accompanied by an Experienced Tour Manager
Alongside your expert tour leader, an experienced tour manager will accompany for the entirety of the tour. They oversee logistics, ensure your comfort and safety, and provide friendly support – whether offering tips for free time, sharing a chat over dinner, or giving you space to relax.
tour ITINERARY
Cortona (4 nights), Perguia (7 nights), Spoleto (4 nights)
Included meals are shown with the letters B, L and D
Hotels have been selected principally for their central location. All hotels are a comfortable four-star standard.
Tour Accommodation
Cortona, Hotel Villa Marsili | 4 Nights
Nestled just outside Cortona’s pedestrian zone, this exquisitely restored mansion features rooms decorated with frescos and antique furnishings.
Perugia, Hotel Brufani | 7 Nights
A historic luxury hotel dating from 1884, set in the heart of medieval Perugia with sweeping views across Umbria’s green valleys.
Spoleto, Hotel San Luca | 4 Nights
A Venetian hideaway just steps from St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, offering genuine local hospitality in the heart of the city.
tour booking
$14,280 AUD per person, twin share (land content only)
$2,520 AUD supplement for sole use of a hotel room
A $1,000 deposit is required per person to confirm your booking on tour. This deposit is non-refundable.
Hold a Place
Still deciding? We are happy to hold a tentative place for 7 days while you make your final arrangements.
Book Online
To secure your place(s) on tour, book online below with “Athena”, our virtual tour consultant.
DOWNLOAD FORM
Download a printable booking form. You can also complete the form on screen and submit via email.
your tour consultant
The consultant for this tour is Jamal Fairbrother. For further information or to discuss the tour, please call 9235 0023 (Sydney) or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email jamal@academytravel.com.au
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