WHITE NIGHTS FESTIVALS – 2008

RIGA, LATVIA and KIEV, UKRAINE

Enjoy the summer listening to operas in two of the most beautiful Opera Houses in Eastern Europe.

Opera performances:
In Riga:
11 June – SIEGFRIED by Wagner at the Latvian National Opera.
12 June – RUSALKA by Dvorak at the Latvian National Opera.
12 June – LA TRAVIATA by Verdi at the Latvian National Opera.
In Kiev: 
Not announced yet.

Departure from U.S.A.: 09 June 2008 – 10 days. Return: 18 June 2008

LAND COST including six tickets for operas/concerts in orchestra level seats:
Double occupancy: $3,650 per person -Single supplement: $1,250   
Deposit: $500 per person - Balance due ten (10) weeks prior to departure.

Day 1. – June 09. (D)*. UNITED STATES – RIGA
Depart this evening aboard any airline of your choice from U.S.A. to Riga, Latvia. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.

Day 2. – June 10. (B,D). RIGA
Independent arrival at the Riga International Airport. We meet you at the centrally located deluxe REVAL HOTEL, where we stay for four nights. Briefing and Gala Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3. – June 11. (B). RIGA
Among the sights to see in Old Riga are St. Peters Church, Riga Castle, the Monument of Liberty and the Dome Cathedral. This evening we will see the opera SIEGFRIED by Wagner at the Latvian National Opera.

RIGA is a wonderful surprise to many strangers. A big city in feeling and sophistication, she has come to life again after half- a- century of Soviet domination. The moment you walk her streets you understand why in the 1930s she was known as “The Little Paris of the North.” Perhaps the best indicator of Riga’s cultural strength is that far from old buildings being torn down to make way for high risers, they are being lovingly restored. Almost symbolically, one of the first to be brought back to its former glory was the Opera House.

Day 4. – June 12. (B). RIGA
Today we drive around Riga to see how Peter the Great enlarged this seaport on the Baltic and made it into the important trading center that it is today. See the Art Nouveau houses and the State Gallery. Afternoon free. This evening we will see the opera RUSALKA by Dvorak at the Latvian National Opera.

Day 5. – June 13. (B,D). RIGA
Today is free for you to stroll through the Old Town to see the Powder Tower or any of the museums. This evening we will see the opera LA TRAVIATA by Verdi at the Latvian National Opera. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6. - June 14. (B). KIEV
Today we fly to Kiev, Ukraine. We transfer you to the deluxe, centrally located PREMIER PALACE HOTEL where we stay four nights. This evening or the next we will see an opera at the National Opera of Ukraine.

Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, where in 982 A.D. the East Slavic civilization under Vladimir the Great accepted Christianity as the state religion. It was the capital of old Russia until the Mongol invasion in 1240 completely detroyed Kiev and the Russian capital was moved to Moscow. After the Mongols left, it was controlled by Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the 17th century, it was ruled once again by Russia. Kiev became the capital of the independent country of Ukraine following the 1917 Russian Revolition. However, in 1921 the dominant Marxist party formed the Ukranian Soviet Socialist Republic to join the Soviet Union. 70 years later, when the Soviet Union callapsed in 1991, Ukraine declared itself independent once again. Even today, there is a political tug-of-war to govern the country, between the western-oriented leaders and the Russian - influenced leaders. 

Day 7. - June 15. (B,D). KIEV 
Among the sights to see is the Independence Square where Ukraine's Orange Revolution (2004-2005) drew 1 million demonstrators to put up a large tent city on the square and the surrounding streets. We will visit St. Sophia Cathedral and the Golden Gate entrance to the fortified wall around the old city built in the 11th Century. Afternoon free. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8. - June 16. (B). KIEV
Today we will visit the Pecherska Lavra complex of churches, monasteries and catacombs with saints' relics built almost nine centuries ago, now included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage. Afternoon free. This evening we will hear a concert in the National Philharmonic of Ukraine.

Day 9. - June 17. (B,D). KIEV
Morning drive to see some architectural landmarks to include the Mariyinsky Palace, the monument to the legendary founders of Kiev and the statue St. Vladimir, the baptizer of Ukraine. Afternoon free to take in any of the fine museums in the city. Gala Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 10. – June 18. (B) KIEV - UNITED STATES
Morning departure on your flight back to USA arriving the same afternoon. See you on another H.A.T. Tour.

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

Airfare is not included. Individuals make their own flight arrangements. Please make sure that your airline ticket reads: U.S.A. to Riga, Latvia, from Riga to Kiev, Ukraine and Kiev back to U.S.A.  We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since international departure times and flights can change. Tours also can be cancelled due to low enrollment. 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. 

The group is limited to fifteen persons maximum. The Managing Director Grethe Arani and/or Aspee Arani will personally escort this tour. Local English-speaking guides are provided in each of the cities visited.

H.A.T. Tours has been operating in Central and Eastern Europe for the past 26 years, and is very familiar with this part of the world. Therefore, we conduct a special tour 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, FL 33741
Phone toll free: (800) 472-4448 or Fax (727) 360-8459
E-Mail: gnahat@EuropeanOperaTours.com
Web site: www.EuropeanOperaTours.com