Happy birthday to Mr. Doctor

Greetings from the Rome Fiumicino Airport

Palos Verdes Peninsula HS made it to Italy

Just a quick note that Palos Verdes Peninsula HS Touring Choir landed safely in Italy and was greeted by Incantato Tour Manager Stefania La Rosa.

Safe travels to Italy - Incantato's Stefania welcomes you in Rome tomorrow

Dear Members of the 2013 Palos Verdes Peninsula HS Touring Choir to Italy,
the day of departure has arrived. Both our American and European team wish you a very safe journey from Los Angeles to Rome where Incantato Tour Manager Stefanie LaRosa will be welcoming the group at the airport.

Enjoy your time in Europe,
Your Incantato Tours Team 

Your Personal Incantato Weather Forecast for Rome, Pompeii and Naples

As the Palos Verdes Peninsula HS Performance Tour to Italy will start on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, Incantato Tours had a look at the weather forecast. 

On Thursday, June 13, 2013, Rome will welcome you with a sunny sky - no clouds. The highest temperature will be around 80° F and it looks like the weather will be the same in Pompeii and Naples.

Travel Tip: What to Pack?

Time goes by so fast and very soon you will arrive in beautiful Rome, Italy. You maybe started packing already or you thought about it but are not sure what to pack.
You are not alone with that problem - for most people, packing is the most difficult part of the journey. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, but as a colleague explains it:

"You'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back 

from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!" 

Her advice: 

"Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is 

to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle." 

Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing only tank tops or shorts. A scarf is a good solution to this code. And shorts should always go to your knees (both for Ladies and Gents).
Incantato also plans a farewell dinner for the tour groups, so bring something comfortable and dressy.

Here are a few things that we think are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings and with the weight of your bag - remember, we allow only one checked bag per person and a small carry-on such as a bag pack or small duffel.
Yes Ladies, you may have a small purse in addition, gents a camera case is fine too, but again, you will be the one carrying it all from the bus to the hotel and vice versa, so better test if you can move all your travel belongings without needing to make two trips or help from someone else. Here is a sample packing list (just a suggestion):

• Rain jacket, maybe with fleece insert 
• Umbrella 
• An adapter plug/converter (if bringing electronic devices) 
• Camera and batteries or charger with adapter 
• At least two pair of jeans/pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses too 
• One sweater or two 
• Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans) 
• Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes 
• A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry on any valuables) 
• Choir music and attire 
• Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, good everyday shoes, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach. 
• Put all liquids that are in your carry-on into a zip-lock bag. And remember the 3-1-1 rules. 
• All scissors, fingernail clippers, etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounzes. Bring enough contact lense solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip. If you forget anything there are plenty of shops where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
• Carry emergency phone numbers in your wallet
• And last but not least, but very important: Your passport! It is always a good idea to make copies of your passport and leave one at home and carry the other one with you separately from the original. 

HERE is a good and very funny example how you better not pack - thank you, Mr. Bean.

Sightseeing in Capri - Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele in Anacapri was the dream home of the Swedish physician, Axel Munthe.
His first visit in Capri was in 1885 and he fell immediately in love with the beautiful area. So he decided to built his house on the ruins of the Roman Emperor Tiberius's villa.

 "My house must be open to the sun, to the wind, 

and the voice of the sea, just like a Greek temple, 

and light, light, light everywhere!"

(Axel Munthe)

The result was a building articulated on various levels, 327 meters above sea level: the study is on the first floor, the loggia crosses pergolas and columns to reach a circular viewpoint which looks out across the beautiful Bay of Naples. 

In Villa San Michele a number of ancient artifacts are displayed - mostly objects found by Munthe himself in Capri, Anacapri and elsewhere. Some were donated by one of his friends.

According to Munthe, most of the finds were bought under unusual circumstances. In his book, for example, is the fantastic account of how the head of Medusa appeared to the physician as if it had been a cameo on the seabed. Besides the head of Medusa, considerable objects are the tavolo cosmatesco (a table built following the style of the Cosmati) the marble bust of Emperor Tiberius and the Egyptian sphinx, which gazes out over the whole Island of Capri.

Examples of Roman sculptures are mostly funerary monuments and fragments of sarcophagi, that cannot possibly date back to the imperial villa.

In the garden you can see a series of typically Mediterranean plants, as well as plants coming from other latitudes. From the colonnade you enjoy an extraordinary view of the Gulf of Naples. Do not miss the whole view of the garden, the architectural structure and the artistic collection.

The physician described the construction of the villa also in his bestselling "The Story of San Michele", published in 1929, which has been translated into 45 languages.

With the exception of a few sporadic absences, Munthe lived on Capri for more than 56 years. His love of the island coincided with the growing popularity of Capri and the arrival of rich and famous travelers from all over the world. Today his villa is, together with the Grotta Azzurra, the most visited place on the whole of Capri.

Munthe shared his love of music, animals, and nature with the Swedish queen, Victoria, who spent long periods of her life on Capri for health reasons.
Axel Munthe's concern for the birds on the island, which were shot in disastrous numbers, led him to acquire the rights to the Barbarossa Mountain in order to create a sanctuary for migrating birds.

Here you will find an inspiring video about Villa San Michele.

Villa San Michele Museum

How to get here: from Capri take the bus to Anacapri. Get off at Piazza Vittoria (the main stop), walk up the steps opposite the bus stop and continue along the little lane to the left.
Opening hours: the museum is open 7 days a week, all year round, from 09:00 am until an hour before sunset.
Ticket: 6 EUR

Pictures and information are taken from http://www.wikipedia.org/ and http://www.villasanmichele.eu/