SOUNDS OF SPAIN Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia - 12 days Departure: May 03, 2017 Return: May 14, 2017 This This itinerary epitomizes the ultimate enjoyment of coming to Europe to see operas and visual arts. For fine art, you will see one of the best museums in the world, the Prado in Madrid, and in Barcelona the Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso museums. For architecture, in Barcelona you will see the beautiful curvilinear designs by Antoni Gaudi and in Valencia, the breathtaking monuments including the opera house by Santiago Calatrava. For foodies and wine lovers, Spain is a paradise. For operas, you will hear Ewa Podles, Javier Camarena, and Subima Puértolas in Barcelona. We stay at deluxe centrally located hotels throughout the tour. Opera Performances In Madrid: May 14 - Free Education and The White Cat by Geronimo Gimenez and Amadeo Vives at Teatro de la Zarzuela In Barcelona: May 16 La Fille Du Regiment by Donizetti at Gran Teatro del Liceu (Ewa Podles, Javier Camarene, Subima Puértolas) May 18 The Flying Dutchman by Wagner at Gran Teatro del Liceu (Attila Jun, Emme Vetter) In Valencia: May 20 Werther by Massenet at Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (Jean-Francois Borras/Anna Caterina Antonacci)
Friday, May 12. (D)*. DEPART FOR MADRID Depart today aboard any airline of your choice to Madrid, Spain. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane. Saturday, May 13. (B,D). MADRID Upon arrival at the Madrid International airport take a taxi to the super deluxe, centrally located RITZ HOTEL, where we stay three nights. We will reimburse you the taxi fare. Briefing, cocktails and Gala Welcome dinner at the hotel. Madrid is not as monumental as Paris, nor as romantic as Venice. However, it is full of charm with its own magnificent parks and impressive buildings. It is a city which is best explored by strolling through its streets and squares, its museum; the Prado is probably the greatest gallery of Classical paintings in the world. Sunday, May 14. (B). MADRID Morning orientation tour of this city includes seeing the Plaza Mayor Square, Plaza de la Villa, Royal Palace and the church of St. Francis the Great. This evening we will see two one act operas Free Education by Geronimo Gimenez and The White Cat by Amadeo Vives at the Theatro de la Zarzuela. Monday, May 15. (B). MADRID This morning we visit the world famous Prado Museum near our hotel. This afternoon we visit the Reina Sofia museum to see Pablo Picasso's masterpiece brought back to Spain from the Metropolitan museum of Modern Art in New York. Tuesday, May 16. (B). MADRID-BARCELONA Today we drive northeast in a luxury coach to Barcelona where we stay three nights a the deluxe centrally located HOTEL 1898, near the Rambla. This evening we will see the opera La Fille du Regiment by Donizetti at the Gran Teatro del Liceu, with Ewa Podles, Javier Camarena and Subima Puértolas singing.
Wednesday, May 17. (B,D). BARCELONA Morning sightseeing of this stimulating city will include the visit to the Sagrada Familia Cathedral and Park Guell designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi. Afternoon free. Dinner at a gourmet restaurant. Barcelona was founded by the Phoenicians. The Romans settled on Mount Taber, site of the present cathedral and a fortified wall was built in the 3rd century. Industrialization made Barcelona one of the most active towns in Europe and two international Exhibitions, in 1888 and 1929 were held here. The Olympic Games in 1992 brought about large-scale projects which had an enormous impact on the city s appearance. Thursday, May 18. (B). BARCELONA Today is free to take a stroll along the famous street La Rambla or visit one of the fine arts museum of Joan Miro of Pablo Picasso. This evening we will see the opera The Flying Dutchman by Wagner, at the Gran Teatro del Liceu, with Attila Jun and Emme Vetter. Friday, May 19. (B). BARCELONA VALENCIA Today we drive south in a luxury coach to Valencia, where we stay three nights at the deluxe centrally located HOTEL CARO. Saturday, May 20. (B). VALENCIA Morning sightseeing of this laid-back city will include the Cathedral and the spectacular City of Arts and Sciences, by the renowned architects Santiago Calatrava and Felix Candela. This evening we will see the opera Werther by Massenet at Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava. Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, founded by the Greeks in 138 BC, passed successively into the hands of the Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs. Over the past two centuries its people have been involved in every war and insurrections in Spain. During the Civil War, in March 1939 the city became the last refuge of the republican forces. The name Valencia became world famous because of its oranges grown from Roman times and exported throughout Europe.
Sunday, May 21. (B,D). VALENCIA Today we visit the Silk Exchange market recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and see the modernist Central Market, one of the largest in Europe. Gala Farewell dinner at a gourmet restaurant. Monday, May 22. (B). VALENCIA - BACK HOME We transfer you for departure abroad your flight back home arriving the same afternoon - Hasta la Vista. See you soon on another H.A.T. Tour. * B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner (including wine)
LAND COST DOUBLE: $7,150 PER PERSON SINGLE: $7,950 IN DOUBLE ROOM TOUR INCLUDES Transfers between airports and hotels on published arrival and departure days only Four operas Orchestra level seats in theaters Deluxe centrally located hotels Buffet breakfast daily and 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 Baggage handling Guide, driver and bellboy s gratuities Complete package with details of all operas listed H.A.T. Tours Address: PO Box 46876, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33741, USA Phone: (727) 367 3973 Fax: (727) 360-8459 Toll free: (800) 472-4448 E-mail: operas@hattours.com Website: www.europeanoperatours.com