* WHITE NIGHTS FESTIVAL *
ST. PETERSBURG
July 13 - 19, 2010
XVIII Stars of the White Nights Festival at the Mariinsky Theatre
and
A Private Concert in the Rimsky-Korsakov Apartment
St. Petersburg began its history with the capture of a Swedish outpost on the Neva River by the forces of Peter the Great in 1703, fulfilling his dream of a "window on the West." Three years ago the city celebrated its 300th anniversary and most major sites were restored and renovated. Music director Valery Gergiev, although frequently a guest in most international opera houses and concert halls, is devoted to keeping ST. PETERSBURG the cultural capital and home of the premier ballet and opera company of Russia. In recent years, the Stars of the White Nights Festival has taken its place along with Salzburg, Vienna, Munich and Zurich to become one of the great meccas for serious music lovers each summer. The special atmosphere of the romantic "white nights" bathes this northern Baltic city on the Neva River each June with a clear, bright light that illuminates the countless beautiful facades of the bygone czarist nobility and is reflected back into its many canals that give ST. PETERSBURG its apt nickname of "the Venice of the North."
We hope you will join us for this very special trip!
* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *
Tuesday, July 13 - ST. PETERSBURG (D)
Independent arrivals in St. Petersburg. All tour guests arriving St. Petersburg today will be met at the airport and accompanied to the COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT ST. PETERSBURG HOTEL - a perfect location to the historic city center. Welcome dinner in the hotel's fine restaurant.
Wednesday, July 14 - ST. PETERSBURG (B, L)
This morning our first visit to the magnificent HERMITAGE MUSEUM to enjoy the vast French Impressionist collection as well as the exhibit of Impressionist art looted from German collections during World War II. Also included is a visit of the GOLD TREASURY with its important Scythian Gold Collection. Luncheon at RUSSIAN RYUMOCHNAYA N 1 restaurant. Afterwards, visit the sumptuous YUSUPOV PALACE on the Moika River, the scene of Rasputin's murder. As the home of one of the richest families of Russia, the palace contains many treasures and one of the most beautiful private theaters in Europe.
This evening: Verdi's ATTILA (Mariinsky Theatre - 7:00 PM). Premiere of this production. The cast will include Evgeny Nikitin and Maria Guleghina; Valery Gergiev conducts. Direction by William Friedkin.
Thursday, July 15 - ST. PETERSBURG (B, L)
This morning an orientation tour of St. Petersburg. Drive down NEVSKY PROSPEKT, the city's great boulevard lined with many pastel-colored former palaces designed by Italian and French architects. Cross some of the many elegant bridges decorated with statues and traverse the former imperial capital's channels and rivers eventually leading to the ADMIRALTY and the WINTER PALACE SQUARE. Attend part of a morning service and hear some of the Russian church music at the TRINITY CATHEDRAL on the grounds of the ALEXANDER NEVSKY LAVRA before visiting the renowned cemetery containing the graves of famous Russian musicians, including Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin and Rubinstein. Afterwards, visit ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL, one of the world's largest cathedrals, with a magnificently gilded, carved iconostasis of gold and lapis lazuli and malachite. Continue to the PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS, the final resting-place of the czars from Peter the Great until Nicholas II. After much controversy, the last ruler, Czar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and family were finally laid to rest here in July 1998. Stop at the ENGINEER'S CASTLE, where Dostoyevsky studied.
Lunch at ASSEMBLY OF NOBILITY restaurant before continuing to the CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD, ordered by Alexander III to be built on the spot of Alexander II's assassination; it was closed for decades but now restored to its former splendor and known for its spectacular mosaic interior.
This evening: Bizet's CARMEN (Mariinsky Theatre - 7:00 PM). Conductor: Tugan Sokhiev; Stage Director: Alexei Stepanyuk.
Friday, July 16 - ST. PETERSBURG (B, L)
Depart for TSARSKOYE SELO (now known as the city of Pushkin in honor of the poet who studied at the local Lyceum) to visit CATHERINE'S PALACE (wife of Peter the Great) containing the world-famous AMBER ROOM; first thought impossible to replicate, it has been painstakingly restored and finished only recently. Then visit PAVLOVSK ("Paul's Palace", once belonging to the son of Catherine the Great). Lunch at PODVORJE, a typical Russian log cottage, with Russian specialties and Cossack folk songs and entertainment.
This evening: Tchaikovsky's SWAN LAKE (Mariinsky Theatre - 7:00 PM).
Saturday, July 17 - ST. PETERSBURG (B, L)
This morning our second visit to the HERMITAGE MUSEUM comprising the WINTER PALACE and its adjacent buildings, an unsurpassed ensemble of architectural splendor and one of the world's great art collections. The superb grand staircase, parquet floors, chandeliers, inlaid doors and stucco ornamentation vie with the exhibits on display for your attention. We also visit the recently opened BRILLIANT ROOM, displaying Imperial jewelry and objects made from precious stones and metals.
Luncheon at the FEODOR DOSTOESVKY restaurant, located in a wing of Vorontsov Palace. Afterwards, a visit to the RIMSKY-KORSAKOV APARTMENT followed by a short PRIVATE PIANO CONCERT.
This evening: Tchaikovsky's EUGENE ONEGIN (Mariinsky Theatre - 7:00 PM). Stage Director: Maestro Yury Temirkanov.
Sunday, July 18 - ST. PETERSBURG (B, C)
This morning drive to PETRODVORETS, the Palace of Peter the Great, located on the Gulf of Finland outside the city. Truly one of the most magnificently restored buildings of imperial heritage, it is a monument to the great French, Italian and Russian artists and craftsmen who created the superb interiors and is world famous for its beautiful fountains. Also visit the small MONPLAISIR PALACE and the CATHERINE BATH HOUSE. Stop for refreshments and cake before returning by hydrofoil (weather permitting) back to the hotel.
Free time for independent lunches and perhaps a chance to shop or explore more of St. Petersburg, such as the Russian Museum, on your own.
This evening: Minkus's LA BAYADÈRE (Mariinsky Theatre - 7:00 PM). Diana Vishneva will star, with Boris Gruzin conducting.
Monday, July 19 - DEPARTURE (B)
Independent departures. Transfers to the airport for departing flights will be provided.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Land Arrangements: $5,475.00 per person sharing a twin/double room
Single Room Supplement: $895.00
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $1,500.00 per person.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
* Breakfast daily, 1 coffee and cake stop, 4 lunches, 1 dinner. * Accommodations at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel for 6 nights. * All performance tickets. * All taxes, entrance fees. * All transfers where necessary. * Wine with all included lunches and dinner. * Gratuity to the Dailey-Thorp tour director as well as for all other group services. Land arrangements price is based on sharing a twin/double hotel room. Land Arrangements Price does NOT include: Visa fees; air fares; items of a personal nature; accident/baggage/cancellation insurance.
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.
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 (but not 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!
#DT1048 --- 4/30/10
