The Rossini Festival in Pesaro

A welcome return to Rossini’s home town of Pesaro for their annual festival dedicated to the works of its patron composer. The Teatro Rossini hosts a performance of La Scala di Seta and a new production of Adelaide di Borgogna, while the Adriatic Arena offers Mosè in Egitto.


Wed 17 Aug Midday arrival at Bologna airport and transfer to Pesaro to check in at the 5-star Hotel Excelsior Pesaro. Welcome dinner in the hotel.

Thu 18 Aug This morning join your guide for a morning walking tour of Pesaro. We visit the Conservatorio, founded by Rossini, where a range of exhibits is on show, including the composer’s piano and original manuscripts. We continue to Pesaro’s Palazzo Ducale, built for the Sforza family in the 15th century, and finish the tour with lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure. Evening performance at theTeatro Rossini.

Fri 19 Aug Today we take an excursion to Urbino, where we visit the Palazzo Ducale of the Dukes of Montefeltro, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Renaissance architecture of the cinquecentro. The palace contains many art treasures including works by Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello and Botticelli. Continue to the adjacent churches of San Giovanni and San Giuseppe, containing frescoes depicting the life of St John the Baptist and an exquisite life-size stucco crib. Lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Pesaro. Evening performance at the Teatro Rossini.

Sat 20 Aug Day at leisure to enjoy Pesaro. We highly recommend a visit to Rossini’s house where a large collection of memorabilia is displayed as well as a video library and projection facility. Evening performance at the Adriatic Arena.

Sun 21 Aug Morning at leisure for last-minute shopping and sightseeing. Transfer to Bologna airport for your homeward flight.

Flights: British Airways

Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.