EuropeanOperaTours

Day 1. Sept. 01. (D).* DEPART FOR PRAGUE
Depart this evening aboard any airline of your choice to Prague, Czech Republic. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.

Day 2. Sept. 02. (B,D). PRAGUE
Independent arrival at the Prague International airport. We meet you at the deluxe centrally located HOTEL PALACE, where we stay four nights. Briefing and Gala Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3. Sept. 03. (B). PRAGUE
This morning we visit the Old Synagogue and Museum, the Jewish Cemetery as well as the Old Town Square with its world-famous Astronomical Clock. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we will see the opera MADAMA BUTTERFLY at the State Opera.

PRAGUE is called the Golden City of One Hundred Spires. If you stand on the ramparts of Prague Castle and look across the old town, you understand why. As far as the eye can see, the sun is reflected on the glittering surfaces of the spires, steeples and domes. It is also one of the loveliest cities in all of Europe. Hradcany Castle and the Old Town are fine examples of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Day 4. Sept. 04. (B,D). PRAGUE
Our sightseeing this morning will take us to the Castle District where we will visit Hradcany Castle, the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane and the Charles Bridge. Afternoon free This evening we will have dinner at a fine local restaurant.

Day 5. Sept. 05. (B). PRAGUE
Today is free to take in one or two of the many fine museums in the city, including The Czech Museum of Music and the Mucha Museum dedicated to Alfons Mucha, originator of the Art Nouveau in 1895, which spread all over the world at the beginning of the 20th century. This evening we will see the opera AIDA at the National Theater.

Day 6. Sept. 06. (B). BRATISLAVA - BUDAPEST
This morning we drive south through the lovely, picturesque Bohemian countryside of the Czech Republic and cross the border into Slovakia, to arrive in Bratislava where we will have a walking guided tour of the charming historic city. We continue our drive south to cross the border into Hungary and arrive in Budapest, where we stay for two nights at the the deluxe MARRIOTT HOTEL. By special assignment all our rooms have a view of the Danube River. This evening or the next we will see an opera (to be announced) at the Hungarian State opera.

Day 7. Sept. 07. (B,D). BUDAPEST
Morning sightseeing of this famous twin city will start in Buda with a visit to the 13th century Matthias Church and the Fisherman Bastion. In Pest, the commercial center, we will see St. Stephen's Basilica, the Hungarian Parliament, Hero Square and the newly restored Synagogue. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we will have dinner the world famous GUNDEL Restaurant.

BUDAPEST is that paradox among Eastern European capitals, a city where the pleasure of the table has lost none of its zing. Happily for visitors enticed by monuments to an opulent past, Hungary's former imperial city is filled with architectural treasures that have been handsomely preserved. Divided by the wide stately bends of the Danube River, Budapest is two cities in one. The halves present a startling contrast. On the east bank modern, bustling, industrial Pest spreads across the low-lying Hungarian piedmont. On the west, 2000-year old Buda - the historic heart of the city and a pedestrian's delight - wanders into a bastion of secluded hills.

Day 8. Sept. 08. (B). VIENNA
This morning we drive west to cross the border into Austria and arrive in Vienna where we stay two nights at the deluxe, centrally located MARRIOTT HOTEL. This evening we will see the opera TOSCA at the Vienna State Opera.

VIENNA: From the time the Romans selected the site of a Celtic settlement for the location of one of its most important Central European forts, Vindobona, the city which grew up in the Vienna Basin of the Danube, has played a vital role in European history. Austria grew up around the city and developed into a mighty empire, but the Viennese character formed during the long history of the country can only be said to be a rich amalgam of the blending of cultures that have made Vienna what it still is today: a city whose people devote themselves to the enjoyment of the good life - music, art, literature, theatre, architecture, education, food and drink - all are part of  gemütlichkeit of Vienna. Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, the Strausses (all of them), Gluck, Mahler, Brahms, Liszt, Haydn, Weber, Schonberg - in the music world alone these are some of the outstanding names which are a part of the soul of Vienna.

Day 09. Sept. 09. (B). VIENNA
During our sightseeing this morning we will see the Ringstrasse, the Vienna State Opera House, the Parliament, the Hofburg, the former Imperial Palace, the bustling Inner City, St. Stephen's Cathedral from where we walk through the old city of Vienna and include some of the many homes and museums of famous composers such as Beethoven and The Figaro House, one of Mozart's homes in Vienna, where he wrote the opera, 'The Marriage of Figaro.' Afternoon at leisure. This evening we will see the opera LA TRAVIATA at the Vienna State Opera.

Day 10. Sept. 10. (B). VIENNA - BACK HOME
Morning departure aboard your flight back home arriving the same afternoon. Auf wiedersehn. See you soon on another H.A.T. Tour.

* B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Land Cost per person:
Double occupancy: $5,450 - Single (in double rooms): $6,700
Reservation deposit: $1,000 - Balance due: June 01, 2013

• Tour includes:
• Orchestra level seats in theatres
• Deluxe centrally located hotels
• Three dinners with wine in gourmet restaurants
• Welcome reception with cocktails
• Private sightseeing in each city
• 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 Prague and from Vienna 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 30 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