* SANTA FE OPERA *
August 9 - 14, 2010

Photo by Robert Reck

We invite you to join us for our annual visit to attend performances by the wonderful SANTA FE OPERA. The reputation of this outstanding company is worldwide; the performances are on an international level of quality and feature many leading artists. This season's repertoire is enough to lure anyone to visit this magical area, be it your first trip here or a return visit. There is a wonderful musical and sightseeing experience in store for you -- a "must" in opera and travel experience!

Enjoy the unique opera house -- all seats are covered, but there are still views of the sky through the sides of the amphitheater and the back of the stage. English titles appear on a small screen in front of every seat together with an on/off button allowing individual control of each unit. Arthur Kaplan, our opera expert and your tour director, will join you to offer interesting and informative talks about the operas you will attend.

Such a marvelous, exciting opera venue! We would be delighted if you would join us in Santa Fe. We are prepared to make this a wonderful stay in the American Southwest. You will enjoy our tradition of presenting Santa Fe and its fascinating surroundings with expertise and high quality. After all, we've been offering opera patrons this tour longer than anyone else on the face of the earth -- and our tour directors are experts in music, lecturing and keeping everything running smoothly. Do join us!

* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *

Monday, August 9

Independent arrivals in Santa Fe. Accommodations have been arranged at the delightful INN AND SPA AT LORETTO -- in the heart of the city -- only steps from the historic Plaza and Canyon Road. The hotel offers a year-round heated pool and private fitness center -- and many other inviting amenities. At 5:00 PM, our welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.

Puccini's MADAME BUTTERFLY (Santa Fe Opera - 8:30 PM). The cast: Kelly Kaduce, Elizabeth DeShong, Brandon Jovanovich, James Westman; Antony Walker conducts. Direction by Lee Blakeley.

Photo of Kelly Kaduce

Tuesday, August 10

This morning we have made plans for a backstage tour of the Santa Fe Opera House including a lecture demonstration by one of the leading directors of the Santa Fe Opera.

This afternoon explore Santa Fe, an ancient area rich in history with a blend of three distinct cultures: Spanish, Indian, and Anglo-American. Begin with a walking tour around the main square and a visit to the PALACE OF THE GOVERNORS. The plaza was laid out in 1610 on the order of King Philip II of Spain. The tour also includes a visit to LORETTO CHAPEL, known for its spiral staircase, built without nails, dowels, or visible support.

Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE (Santa Fe Opera - 8:30 PM). The cast: Ekaterina Siurina, Charles Castronovo, Erin Morley, Timothy Oliver, Joshua Hopkins, Andrea Silvestrelli, Dale Travis; Lawrence Renes conducts. Direction by Tim Albery.

Photo of Joshua Hopkins by Marty Umans

Wednesday, August 11

OPTIONAL EXCURSION: CHIMAYO TOUR & WINE TASTING. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Drive through the beautiful sandstone formations into the Chimayo Valley. Going north of Santa Fe along the "High Road," pass through several small 18th and 19th century Hispanic farming communities before arriving at the village of Chimayo, located at the foothills of the SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS. Stops include the SANTUARIO DE CHIMAYO, the most important Catholic pilgrimage site in the Southwest, Centinela Weaving, and Rancho de Chimayo and Estrella Vineyards for lunch and wine tasting. $145.00 per person (including tax), based on 10 guests.

Offenbach's THE TALES OF HOFFMANN (Santa Fe Opera - 8:30 PM). New Production. The cast: Erin Wall, Kate Lindsey, Jill Grove, Paul Groves, Mark Schowalter, David Cangelosi, Gidon Saks, Harold Wilson; Stephen Lord conducts. Direction by Christopher Alden.

Photo of Erin Wall by Alexander Vasijiev

Thursday, August 12

Morning at leisure. Late this afternoon, attend a Preview Buffet with a brief lecture about this evening's performance of "Life is a Dream" -- based on the famous Spanish Golden Age play by Calderón. Music by Lewis Spratlan, libretto by James Maraniss.

Lewis Spratlan's LIFE IS A DREAM (Santa Fe Opera - 8:30 PM). World premiere production. The cast: Ellie Dehn, Roger Honeywell, James Maddalena, John Cheek; Leonard Slatkin conducts. Direction by Kevin Newbury.

Photo of Roger Honeywell by Tim Leyes

Friday, August 13

OPTIONAL EXCURSION: BANDELIER & SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Travel northwest out of Santa Fe to BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT and descend into a canyon filled with the ruins of the ANASAZI INDIANS, colloquially "The Ancient Ones." Located on the PAJARITO PLATEAU of the JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, Bandelier was the home of the Anasazi from the 11th to 14th centuries. Excavated over 90 years ago, these ruins were once home to over 200 people, ancestors of today's Pueblo Indians. Walk along easy paths past the remains of ancient Pueblo dwellings, to the cliff dwellings where you can climb ladders to peer inside. If time permits, take a walk further up the path that leads to the CEREMONIAL CAVE, where the Anasazi and later descendants held spiritual rites and celebrations. On the return trip, stop at SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO. San Ildefonso is famous for its "black on black" pottery. Maria Martinez, perhaps the most famous of all Pueblo potters, was from this village and many of her descendants still reside and make pottery here. More than any other single artist, Maria was responsible for generating western interest in American Indian pottery. We stop in for a visit to see Dora Tse Pe, a renowned Southwest potter, for a pottery demonstration. Cost: $145 per person: includes transportation, entry to monument and pueblo, lunch, guide, pottery demonstration, tax and driver and guide gratuities. Price is based on a minimum of 10 persons.

Britten's ALBERT HERRING (Santa Fe Opera - 8:30 PM). New production. The cast: Christine Brewer, Celena Shafer, Jill Grove, Kate Lindsey, Judith Christin, Alek Shrader, Mark Schowalter; Sir Andrew Davis conducts. Direction by Paul Curran.

Photo of Alek Shrader by Peter Schaaf

Saturday, August 14

Independent departures from Santa Fe. Check-out time at the Inn and Spa at Loretto is 12:00 Noon.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
Tour Price: $3,375.00 per person sharing a twin/double room
Single Room Supplement: $845.00
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $1,500.00 per person.

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The Inn & Spa at Loretto

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

* 1 welcome reception and dinner, 1 buffet supper. * Accommodations at the Inn and Spa at Loretto for 5 nights. * All performance tickets. * All taxes, entrance fees. * All transfers where necessary. * Wine with the included 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: Air fare, items of a personal nature; accident/baggage/cancellation insurance.

DEPOSIT and FINAL PAYMENT may be made by personal check in US Dollars or by American Express, Visa or MasterCard Credit Card. Thank you.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION:

Santa Fe is served by two airports -- Santa Fe Airport for commuter planes and the Albuquerque International Airport, about 70 minutes from Santa Fe. A limousine service, the Sandia Shuttle Express, can be reserved for direct transportation between the Albuquerque Airport and the Hilton for approximately $25.00 per person (payable upon boarding the Shuttle).

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.

TEMPERATURES anticipated for this tour range from 50 to 85 degrees F.

WARDROBES should consist of casual summer clothing remembering Santa Fe's high altitude (6,954 ft.) where days are hot and evenings can be cool, even cold. Therefore, a warm coat or wrap is usually needed. For the opera, a casual long dress, pants suit, skirt or a dressy short dress for the ladies and a dark suit for the men, keeping in mind that the most important thing is to be warm.

CANCELLATION OF TOUR:

LAND ARRANGEMENTS: For cancellation by the client, these charges will apply: Cancellations received 60 days or more prior to commencement of the tour = $200.00 per person: 59-31 days prior = 50% of land arrangements price; 30 days prior to commencement of the tour through completion of tour =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 purchased by the client, such as sightseeing, meals, performances, transfers, which are voluntarily omitted by any tour member; the tour is sold as a package.

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, if insured, the policy would cover you up to the amount of the insurance purchased. Please note that reasons of business are not covered.

All cancellations must be in writing.
All tour programs are subject to change by the operator.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS HEARTILY RECOMMENDED!

DT1067 --- 2/8/2010