Trio of Operas - and a Zarzuela - in
* SPAIN *
Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid
April 21 - 30, 2010
* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *
Wednesday, April 21 - BARCELONA (D)
Arrival at Barcelona airport where you will be met and transferred to the MAJESTIC HOTEL. Remainder of the day at leisure. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Thursday, April 22 - BARCELONA (BL)
After breakfast, departure for a half-day Gaudí tour to include visits of CASA BATTLO, LA PEDRERA and the SAGRADA FAMILIA, or possibly a guided tour of the Liceu Theater, subject to confirmation. Lunch at a local restaurant and afternoon at leisure to explore Barcelona on your own.
This evening: Mozart’s DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL (Liceu Theater - 8:00 PM). The cast: Agneta Eichenholz, Hendrikje van Kerckhove, Pavol Breslik, Peter Marsh, Christoph Quest, Jaco Huijpen. Musical Director: Ivor Bolton, Stage Director: Christof Loy. This co-production is with Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, and the Frankfurt Opera.
Friday, April 23 - BARCELONA (B)
Day at leisure in Barcelona – a sophisticated, elegant, romantic town with all the energy of a port city. It has world-class museums such as the Fundació Joan Miró and the Museo Picasso, one of Barcelona’s most popular attractions. Housed in three palaces, the 3,000-piece collection is divided into paintings, drawings and engravings and features mostly works from his early years. The area around LA RAMBLA, PLAÇA DE SANT JOSEP ORIOL and the PLAÇA REAL is where you pick up the vibes of the city. Barcelona has an imposing Gothic cathedral with a Romanesque chapel and a beautiful cloister featuring a white marble choir screen depicting the martyrdom of the city’s patron, St. Eulalia. Just east of the cathedral is the fascinating MUSEU D'HISTRIA DE LA CIUTAT (City History Museum) that features a subterranean walk through excavated portions of ROMAN AND VISIGOTH BARCELONA.
Saturday, April 24 - VALENCIA (B)
Transfer to Barcelona rail station and board train to Valencia.. 1st class tickets included. Upon arrival in Valencia, accommodations at the HOTEL MELIA VALENCIA or similar – within walking distance of CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE, including Valencia’s new, amazing opera house.
This evening: Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA (Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofía - 8:00 PM). The cast: Marina Rebeka, Vittorio Grigolo, Gabriele Viviani. Musical Director: Lorin Maazel; Stage Director: Henning Brockhaus.
Sunday, April 25 - VALENCIA (BL)
This morning enjoy a city tour of Valencia – with a visit to the new opera house designed by the world-renowned Valencian architect, Santiago Calatrava – then lunch in a local restaurant. Balance of the day at leisure.
Monday, April 26 - MADRID (B)
Transfer to Valencia rail station for the train to Madrid. 1st class tickets included. Upon arrival in Madrid, transfer to the HOTEL HESPERIA.
Tuesday, April 27 - MADRID (BL)
Today is a full-day excursion to TOLEDO, the city of El Greco, perched on a hill above the Tagus River. The cathedral is considered the second finest Gothic masterpiece in Spain (after Burgos). The CHURCH OF SANTO TOME contains one of El Greco’s most famous paintings, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. The whole city is a treasure trove of Moorish, Jewish and Christian history. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Wednesday, April 28 - MADRID (BL)
This morning transfer to the PRADO MUSEUM for a private guided tour. The Prado Museum, one of the foremost museums of the world, is famous for its masterpieces of Spanish painters, most notably Velasquez and Goya. Lunch at a local restaurant and afternoon at leisure to explore on your own. Other important museums in Madrid are the MUSEO NACIONAL CENTRO DE ARTE REINA SOFIA, a museum of the 20th century, which features works by Miró and Picasso, including his Guernica and the MUSEO THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA, a magnificent museum based on the collection of Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and his son. Installed in the VILLAHERMOSA PALACE, this outstanding collection of over 800 paintings shows the history of Western Art from the Italian and Flemish painters up to Goya and Picasso.
This evening: Strauss’s SALOME (Teatro Real - 8:00 PM). The cast: Annalena Persson, Peter Bronder, Irina Mishura, Mark S. Doss. Musical Director: Jesús López Cobos; Stage Director: Robert Carsen.
Thursday, April 29 - MADRID (BD)
Day at leisure. Madrid has many broad avenues and attractive plazas. The PUERTA DEL SOL is in the heart of Madrid and is the point from which all road distances are measured. The PLAZA MAYOR, a pedestrian square surrounded by arcades, is the heart of Hapsburg Madrid and formerly the setting for bullfights and auto-da-fés. The PALACIO REAL, former home of the Bourbon monarchs, is well worth a visit; see the impressive throne room and banqueting hall, as well as other opulently decorated rooms. Before the performance, dinner at the hotel.
This evening: Barbieri’s CROWN JEWELS (Teatro de la Zarzuela - 8:00 PM). Musical Director: Cristóbal Soler, Stage Director: José Carlos Plaza.
Friday, April 30 - DEPARTURES (B)
Transfers to the Madrid Airport will be provided for all tour guests departing Madrid today.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Land Arrangements: $7,575.00 per person sharing a twin/double room
Single Room Supplement: $1,850.00
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $2,000.00 per person.
LAND ARRANGEMENTS PRICE INCLUDES:
* 9 nights hotel accommodation as detailed above. * Buffet breakfast daily. * Meals as indicated by (B), (B,L), (B,L,D) -- B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner. *All transfers and touring by private air-conditioned vehicles. * Best available tickets for 3 opera performances and 1 zarauela performance (subject to availability at time of booking and published 2010 rates). * Entrance fees for all included touring. * Meet & greet services at all airports for arrivals and departures. * Gratuities for two pieces of luggage per person. * 1st class train ticket on April 24 from Barcelona to Valencia and 1st class train ticket on April 26 from Valencia to Madrid. Land arrangements price is based on sharing a twin/double hotel room.
Land arrangements Price does NOT include: Entrance visas and departure taxes as required; items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls; both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; incidental expenses at hotels, etc.; gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel personnel which are at the client’s discretion; travel and medical insurance; meals not detailed above; air fare.
AIR TRANSPORTATION:
Any flights from any airport -- may be arranged with Dailey-Thorp's air agent in New York -- Mr. Christophe Buszkiewicz; Telephone 212-944-2121, ext. 2829 and/or ext. 2217. Having been the manager of Dailey-Thorp's air department for many years in New York, Christophe is familiar with all our tour operations. Or, tour guests may book their flights through their local travel agent or directly with the airlines.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATION:
Please note that, depending on the fluctuation of the Euro against the US Dollar, there may be a surcharge resulting from additional increases of the EURO. This will be established approximately one month prior to the commencement of the tour.
CANCELLATION OF TOUR:
LAND ARRANGEMENTS: For cancellation by the client, these charges will apply: Cancellations received 60 days or more prior to tour commencement = $250.00 per person; 59-31 days prior = 50% of land arrangements price; less than 31 days prior =100% of land arrangements price; no appearance/no written notice = 100% of the land arrangements price. No refunds will be made for any part of the tour package, such as sightseeing, meals, performances or transfers, which are voluntarily omitted by any tour member; the tour is sold as a package. We must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of the tour.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Cancellation of AIR FLIGHTS will be subject to the cancellation policy of the airline.
TRIP INSURANCE: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. An application for travel insurance will be included with our acknowledgment of your reservation. We suggest that you apply for it as soon as possible after signing up for a tour. Should it become necessary for you to cancel due to illness or business reasons the policy may cover your losses (subject to insurance terms).
All cancellations must be in writing.
All tour programs are subject to change by the operator.
CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS HEARTILY RECOMMENDED!
DT1023 --- 10/30/09
