We've done close to a dozen trips with The Aranis and I think I've seen enough to say it: they make it look easy. They've got the energy and sense of purpose to make it so the pieces all click together at the joints, and the tact to make you think they're having fun doing it, which means you have fun; perhaps they do too. We've got many fond memories of our trips with them and we look forward to more.

The eastern European opera tour with The Aranis was far beyond my wildest hopes. They are skilled, charming hosts and everything was smooth and delightful. The accommodations, opera seats, meals and tour guides were par excellent. The small group bonded and we found the balance between time on our own and introductory sightseeing just right. It was amazing how it felt like we were traveling with family or longterm friends. As this was my first time vacation traveling in Europe as a widow, I also appreciated the opportunity for togetherness and solitude. Cannot wait to learn about the 2013 itinerary and can't rave enough about this operation.

Before Joyce and I leave for our Easter jaunt to South Carolina I thought a quick e-mail was required to thank you for the recent Italian opera tour. We had an absolutely delightful time and you two were perfect hosts. We enjoyed everything about it: the hotels, food, operas, guides, Aspee’s commentary on Italian history, etc. It is not often that one return home feeling like they’d been on an excursion with family, rather than on a tour. Thanks again for making everything so comfortable for us. (Sounds of Northern Italy 2011)

Since we’d never been on a H.A.T. tour, we really didn’t know what to expect from the Northern Italy tour we’ve now just completed. Would the hotels be as good as suggested by the website? What would the city tours and tour guides be like? How good would the seats at the operas be? Would the inter-city transportation runs smoothly? Etc. Well, suffice to say that the tour exceeded our highest expectations!! The hotels, tours, tour guides, seats, and transportation were all terrific — and, most important, Aspee were there to make sure everything ran smoothly; to iron out the wrinkles that do inevitably occur on a tour, especially in Italy; to act as enthusiastic for our group; and to be charming and interesting travel companions. Keeping the group small also worked very well, maximizing enjoyment of the city tours and creating opportunities for wonderful new friendships. Count us in for future H.A.T. tours! (Northern Italy 2011, Westerne Europe 2012, Central Europe 2013)

Words fail me! You have produced another masterpiece, another unique and completely delightful travel experience -- a "germ" of a trip! How and where does one begin to express appreciation for all the thoughts and careful planning, the attention to details, the many "little extras" that make your tours so special that no other are really comparable? Not only are your tours a source of cultural enrichment and of many happy memories, but they are the basis for new and continuing friendships. You have established a kind of exceptionally congenial "travel family."

Thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful tour. We were so impressed by the efficiency of the organisation, the excellence of the accomodations and the quality of the seats. (Wagner's Ring Cycle in Budapest)

We were impressed by the efficient transport arrangements, the excellent seats at each of the performances, and the first-class hotel accommodation (often walking distance from the opera house). But most of all, we realized that the primary goal of HAT Tours was that we should get maximum enjoyment from our tour. This meant their constant attention to those details that make the difference between a “by the-number” tour and really memorable experience, like getting premium tickets to Anna Netrebko’s Violetta in Vienna (to the detriment of their budget). We look forward to our next trip with Hat Tours, which is already confirmed for 2012. (Central Europe 2009, India 2010, Northern Italy 2010, Germany and Austria 2011, Southern Italy 2012).

Just a note to tell you how much Rochelle and I enjoyed our HAT Tour with you. We felt like we were travelling with old friends. The accommodations were terrific as were our local tour guides and your signature dinners were out of this world. We’ll “sing your praises” to our Canadian opera friends. (Sounds of Eastern Europe 2011)

Wonderful work that you did for The Washington Opera trip to Budapest and Prague. Your expert handling of all the details made for a worry-free and pleasurable experience for all the trip participants. Starting with our arrival in Budapest where you met us at the airport with porters to take our luggage from the carousel and escorted us through customs, to the knowledgeable and interesting guides you provided for our city tours. The good choice of performances we attended in boht cities. Ending with the final dinner, in the wonderful restaurant New York in Prague, where we enjoyed such good food and wines. All of this made for a memorable trip.

I know that all the participants of our Washington Opera trip to Budapest and Prague have very fond memories of H.A.T. Tours and especially of your personal touch in everything you did for us. Thank you again and I hope to see you in the near future on another of your wonderful tours.

There will always be people interested in music, in spite of financial crisis. I shall certainly mention your product in my news letter to my members, especially as the ones who have attended your tour were impressed and extremey happy with your organization and the spirit of the tour. (Wagner's Ring Cycle in Budapest)

We really enjoyed the East German trip - up to the highest standards - and some interesting operas too!! Your personal attention can't be beat!·

To say we loved Vienna is an understatement. It was glorious, and you made it so. Everything you did, from the selection of the hotel, to the choice of guide, to your ever loving attention to us and to every detail of the trip, made it, as usual, a GREAT H.A.T. tour. You are the best! (Wagner's Ring Cycle in Vienna)

This How About That Tour was all and far more than I expected. You are a wonder. We appreciate how beautifully you handle all the problems of travelling. It's not surprising you have so many repeaters. I hope I will be one of them sometime soon.

H.A.T. Tours.
It stands for How About That?
It also stands for Human Artistic Treatment!
This tour has it all - Fun, great guides, perfect accommodation, great transportation, fabulous opera seats, gala dinners, even champagne in box seats.
How did I like H.A.T. Tours - Let me count the ways!

Your planning, knowledge and experience enabled us to have a thoroughly enjoyable trip...
I appreciated the talented tour guides you have chosen to enhance the experience. Hope to travel with you soon again.

We received such glowing reports on you personally and everything you did for our group. Sherwin just loved you as did the whole group. The concert was superb and they were delighted with lunch at your home. Thank you very much. There is no need to say they also enjoyed your level of knowledge.

Thank you so much for another glorious trip. Much of Prague, Budapest and Vienna are encased in our memory bank. The operas, the hotels, the dinners, and the sightseeing were superb.

My anticipation for this trip has been high. When I saw the sparkle in your eyes and bright smile I knew it would be wonderful - All my expectations exceeded - Every detail so wonderful.
Thank you.

I've never been on a trip where I felt as though I was travelling with family rather than just a tour group. Thanks you for a wonderful trip.

I have recently had the privilege of joining you and the other participants on the Central European Opera Tour. It turned out to be a marvelous trip and I cannot thank you enough for having made the whole experience a real treat. The choice of operas, the arrangements for my accommodations, the local guides who familiarized us all with the cities and countries we visited and the gracious way in which you entertained us during our stay all exceeded my Expectations. I look forward to joining you again in the future.

Travelling with H.A.T. tours is a feast for the senses, the mind, the heart. They plan the trips to include art, literature, food, culture and of course opera! Our trip this fall to Scandinavia and Russia was amazing. Images float into my mind giving me joy at such odd moments. Meeting new friends, eating dinner by a canal wrapped in a blanket, getting lost in the Hermitage, watching the people, being challenged by creative opera productions, thinking in a new way about the cultural distinctions among us. Now I must have candles lit for dinner, eat herring, watch for exibits by Max Ernst and plan more trips. (Scandinavia and Russia)

You are the very best guides - you create unforgettable experiences for us who travel with you.

My big Thank You.

You should know that the timé we spent with you and the delightful luncheon in your home was truly a highlight for our entire trip. You were both so gracious, warm, welcoming and generous. We learned so much from your incrediable knowledge of European history that goes far beyond the city/country that we were in. We so enjoyed hearing the wonderful story about your homestead that extend all the way to 'Siberia'! We tell about our two days with more than any other event on our trip!. You gave us a wonderful gift. We know for certain that if there were more people in the world like you two ... that the world would be a far better place. (Copenhagen)

The H.A.T. tour of Northern Italy was perfect in every respect: Hotel accommodations, opera experiences and, of course, congenial and very personal service from Aspeee and Grethe. (Northern Italy)

Thank you for the wonderful and enlightening trip to Scandinavia and St. Petersburg. As usual your choice of hotels and local guides were just terrific. This was my third trip and each have provided fond memories that I will always treasure. I also want to thank you for including the ballet on this trip. It was truly special to see the Royal Danish ballet and the Kirov in their home town.
When my friends and traveling companions had to cancel this last trip I was apprehensive about going on my own. But as you promised, I met wonderful people on the trip and you made me feel like one of the family. This is a wonderful tour for those who travel on their own because the tour naturally brings people together who share a love of music and the arts. Your friendly style also makes everyone feel welcome and a valued friend. I look forward to my next trip with or without my friends. (Scandinavia and Russia)

I want to thank you for the marvelous time I had on my recent opera tour with you to Copenhagen, Stockholm and St. Petersburg. From your welcome on my arrival, to your graciousness and attention to my welfare, to the tours you arranged for me to see the sights and·of course, the operas. The whole experience was a delight. Thanks again. (Scandinavia and Russia)

...Rounding a bend in the tree-lined road...a fresh discovery. The tour group applauds, for right there for everyone to see, is one of the tour highlights as promised. And then ... from atop a bright smile and below a raised eyebrow comes the cheery ...
'How about that?'

For a bespoke package offering an escorted multi-destination trip to Warsaw, Prague, Dresden and Budapest, ‘Sounds of Central Europe,' offered by H.A.T. Tours Inc.
(800-472-4448), is the best bet, with exceptional service and many years' experience in the field.

Thank you for such a marvelous trip around and through South Africa. I can't imagine anything that could be better than this has been. It always pleases me when I suggest to my family that this would be a GOOD trip to take and they couldn't have been more pleased - thanks to you both for your wonderful planning and execution for guides, lodging, timing, food, comfort, information and sheer enjoyment! I do run on but had to give another big cheer!

You can't possibly have even the slightest idea how much I enjoyed South Africa and how every day some aspect of it comes back to me and always the remembrance of all you and Aspee do for others.

The trip was fabulous! I enjoyed it tremendously and hope to see you next October. Hope Morocco was successful, but then your trips always are.

Every day I think of you all and the wonderful week we shared. There were so many interesting and diverse facets in this experience. Although I had been on trips and tours before, never have I enjoyed such individualized attention, such cherishing. You both made me feel quite special. Again, thanks for all the sweet courtesies and considerations you showed me. I treasure the memories of our trip and hope to join you again for another wonderful adventure.

I want to thank you for another wonderful tour that more than met all my expectations.

From the Christmas letter of E.M., Rockville, MD
The other sojourn was a HAT Tour with Grethe and Aspee Arani with whom we had traveled several times before - most recently to Russia in 1997. This time it was Prague and East Germany, including Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin and Potsdam. Everything was super - including the weather - mid September. I really enjoyed the Sounds of Northern Europe trip. As always, it was a wonderful blend of art, music and history. I also continue to appreciate the personal touch that you bring to each trip. Thank you very much for your efforts in getting wonderful tickets to all the musical events.

In a letter to fellow travelers:
I have to say once more how good it is to travel with HAT Tours as they are so special. But then you already know that

Dear Fearless Leaders,
We had such a delightful time in South Africa; you have utterly and completely spoiled us.

I have never taken any tour with you that wasn't a completely wonderful experience. When you propose an itinerary that strikes me, never fear - I'll be promptly in touch with you.

Speaking of praise, I would like to commend you folks for our fine tour of the Baltic. It was a very interesting trip. You arranged a fine program and also provided some delightful accommodations and meals. Many thanks for all your hard work!

Thank you for the most delightful tour of Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and Warsaw. The hotels and food were outstanding, the local guides knowledgeable yet personable, the concerts, operas, and ballet amazing with the tickets and venues the very best. Your personalized care and service were unforgettable. I appreciated being with such a small and intimate group of charming fellow travelers and look forward to my next trip with H.A.T. Tours!
Sounds of Europe Tour

Just a few more words to again let you know how much Harriet and I enjoyed the Sounds of Europe Tour. The music events were topnotch and the seats were as good as anyone could have. First rate productions.
Hotels were truly deluxe and the food as good as anyone could expect. We had anticipated set course meals but the ala carte selections were delightful.
Aspee's ever present support and assistance when needed was a pleasure to behold.
Enclosed you will find a list of some people who we think would be interested in receiving your brochures.
Sounds of Europe Tour

This tour was a dream come true 'As the first trip of my retirement years,' she continued, 'I couldn't have asked for more. M/S Polarlys is a modern-day mail ship making stops at cozy little villages and larger towns along the coast. The upper-deck cabins are so comfortable and I enjoyed delicious meals featuring the wonderful Scandinavian cuisine. But the scenery was the highlight - I sat on the deck for hours viewing one unbelievable sight after another. I also participated in the fascinating shore excursions. Combining the fairy tale charms of Denmark, the cruise of a lifetime, and the nordic pleasures of Oslo into one trip makes a travel masterpiece. Everyone should experience the resulting joy! Sounds of Europe Tour