EuropeanOperaTours

Day 1. May 24 (D).* DEPART FOR AMSTERDAM
Depart this evening aboard any airline of your choice to Amsterdam, Holland. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.

Day 2. May 25. (B,D). AMSTERDAM
Independent arrival at the Schippol International Airport. We meet you at the centrally located HAMPSHIRE HOTEL-REMBRANDT SQUARE, where we stay three nights. Briefing and Gala Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

Amsterdam is colloquially known as the Venice of the North with its impressive architecture and more than 1500 bridges. In the 17^th Century this small fishing village exploded into the most important trading center in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of trading with South Africa, India, Indonesia and China. In the 19^th and 20^th Centuries, the city expanded in all directions, with many neighborhoods and suburbs designed in Modernistic styles. Amsterdam is not the capital of Holland, which is The Hague. This gives the city an informal atmosphere, tolerant and progressive.

Day 3. May 26. (B). AMSTERDAM
A two hour orientation tour this morning to see the canals, old city houses on Damrak and many examples of designs from Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau to the Modern Amsterdam’s School. This evening we will see the opera LA TRAVIATA by Verdi at the Netherland Opera.

Day 4. May 27. (B). AMSTERDAM
Today is free to stroll, window shop, take a canal tour or go to Museum Square to visit one of the famous museums including ones housing only Van Gogh, the Anne Frank House or the Rijksmuseum with the most famous and the largest painting done by Rembrandt, the “Night Watch”.

Day 5. May 28. (B). BRUSSELS
Morning departure driving south to arrive in Brussels, where we stay two nights at the deluxe, centrally located ROYAL WINDSOR HOTEL GRAND PALACE. This evening we will see the opera COSI FAN TUTTE by Mozart at the Opera La Monnaie.

Brussels, the capital of Belgium is more renowned as a capital for the European Union. Brussels operates as a bilingual city where both French and Dutch (as in Holland) are official languages and displayed on all streets and signs. The Grand Place or the Market Square is surrounded by the city tower and a range of beautiful 300 year old buildings, which when lit by bright illumination in the evening make it an unforgettable sight. Just a short walk away is the most famous small bronze statue of the city, Mannekin Pis, performing one of a child’s most basic functions. Near the square are shops that sell the famous Belgium Lace even though today some of them are outsourced abroad. Ask for the country of origin, if interested in purchasing.

Day 6. May 29. (B,D). BRUSSELS
Morning sightseeing to include the Grand Palace, Atomium which is a vestige of the World’s Fair (in 1958), Palais de Justice and the area housing the European Commission. Afternoon is free to stroll, shop or take in any of the fine museums in the city including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Modern Art, Horta Museum housing Art Deco, and the Musical Instruments Museum. Don’t forget to visit the Maison Renardy shop to taste the delicious chocolates Godiva, Wittamar, Marcolini or Neuhaus while having a cup of tea or coffee. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7. May 30. (B). PARIS
Morning departure driving south to arrive in Paris, where we stay three nights at the centrally located HOTEL BEDFORD. This afternoon we will see the opera GOTTERDAMMERUNG by Wagner at the Opera Bastille.

Paris, the City of Light, dominates France’s intellectual artistic, scientific and political life. What began as a peaceful settlement starting end of the 5^th century, was constantly sacked by the Danish Vikings sailing up the Seine River to pilfer its abbeys until the Vikings back in Denmark themselves accepted Christianity around 9^th century. In 1136, Abbot Suger rebuilt the church of St. Denis in the revolutionary Gothic style which was soon copied by churches in Europe. The century of Louis XIV, beginning with the year 1661 produced extraordinary advancement of arts and literature, besides the splendor of court life. Two kings later, the monarchy came to an end with a public demonstration in front of the fortress Bastille on 14 July 1789. It took Napoleon Bonaparte to put down the revolution on 9 November 1799. He went on to create a vast French Empire extending up to Moscow, Russia. Having failed to establish control over Russia, his Grand Army marched back to face eventual defeat at Waterloo, Belgium in 1814.

Day 8. May 31. (B). PARIS
Morning sightseeing of this city full of monuments and museums. Among the sights are the Notre Dame Cathedral, churches of Sainte Chapelle, St. Germain-des-Pres, Eglise du Dome, housing Napoleon’s tomb, and Sacre-Coeure; Grand Palais, Les Invalides, Le Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Afternoon free.

Day 9. June 1. (B,D). PARIS
Today free to shop at the chic boutiques near our hotel or see any of the many famous museums of Paris. Gala Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 10. June 2. (B). PARIS BACK HOME
Morning departure aboard your flight back home arriving the same afternoon. Au revoire. See you on another H.A.T. Tour.

* B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner (including wine)

Land Cost per person:
Double occupancy: $5,950 – Single supplement: $1,250
Reservation deposit: $1,000 - Balance due: February 24, 2013

 

• Tour includes:
• Orchestra level seats in theatres
• Deluxe centrally located hotels
• Three dinners with wine.
• Welcome reception with cocktails
• Experienced English speaking guides
• Entrance fees to museums
• Intercity coach services
• Transportation to and from theatres
• Baggage handling
• Guide, driver and bellboys gratuities
• Travelling with the owners at your service
• Maximum 15 persons in a group

Air fare is not included. Please make sure that your airline ticket reads from home to Amsterdam and from Paris back home. We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since international departure times and flights can change. H.A.T. Tours does not accept liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with this tour.

H.A.T. Tours has been conducting opera tours in Europe for the past 31 years, and is very familiar with this part of the world. Therefore, we offer special tours with many 'extras,' which comes from our long-term knowledge of the area.

Please send your deposit to:
H.A.T. Tours
PO Box 46876, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33741
Phone toll free: (800) 472-4448 – Fax: (727) 360-8459
E-mail: operas@hattours.com
www.EuropeanOperaTours.com