
Swan Lake - Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris © Julien Benhamou OnP

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty © Johan Persson

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty © Johan Persson

Swan Lake © Staatsballett Berlin

Colourful German Christmas markets

Christmas and New Year festivities in London

The lavish gold interior of the Palais Garnier, Paris

Boulevard Haussmann, Paris by night
Christmas Ballet Spectacular
Ballet lovers are in for a treat with a flurry of beautiful ballet (and maybe snow too!) performed by the world’s leading companies during Europe’s most enchanting season.
Spending Christmas in Berlin, delight in the Berlin State Ballet’s Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Then continue to London for the Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker before heading to Paris for New Year and for more masterpieces of the classical and contemporary repertoire presented by the Paris Opera Ballet.
In between the glorious nights at the theatre, amble through Germany’s colourful Christmas markets, and see how Paris lives up to its reputation as the ‘city of lights’. Delight in a hand-crafted program of sightseeing and wonder at the history, architecture and culture during Europe’s most atmospheric season.
Arrive in Berlin on suggested flights and make your own way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.
In the evening, join tour leader Donna and fellow travellers for a welcome talk followed by dinner.
(D)
After a morning talk by Donna followed by a brief orientation walking tour, enjoy some time at leisure to explore Berlin’s colourful Christmas markets adorned with festive lights and the air filled with the scent of cinnamon apple, and browse the colourful shop window Christmas displays.
This evening, enjoy a special Christmas dinner at a local restaurant.
(BD)
Begin the morning with a private tour of the Berlinische Galerie – Berlin Museum for Art, Photography and Architecture. Located in the creative district of Kreuzberg, the museum tells the story of modern art from 1870 onwards.
After lunch, return to the hotel for some time at leisure.
In the evening, walk to the Staatsoper for a performance by the Staatsballett Berlin of Tchaikovsky’s great ballet masterpiece, Swan Lake, following renowned ballet choreographer Patrice Bart’s version. The “white acts” of this ballet classic are an iconic part of European Christmas festivities.
(BL)
This morning, enjoy a private guided tour of the interior of the opulent Berlin Staatsoper, one of the most attractive buildings on Berlin’s historic Unter den Linden boulevard, and explore 275 years of performance history. After lunch, return to the hotel for some free time.
This evening, transfer to the Deutsche Oper Berlin for a second performance by the Staatsballett Berlin of Tchaikovsky’s most famous ‘ballet-féerie’, The Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by Marcia Haydée.
(BL)
In the morning, transfer to Berlin Airport for a flight to London (flight included in tour price).
Arrive in London in the early afternoon and check in to the hotel.
This evening, attend Matthew Bourne’s enchanting re-interpretation of Sleeping Beauty, a wicked gothic delight with sumptuous sets and costumes, celebrating 10 years since its premiere at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
(B)
Following a pre-performance talk, enjoy a private visit to one of London’s key cultural attractions before lunch at a local restaurant.
The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore London at your own pace.
Tonight, marvel at the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s fairy tale The Nutcracker, following Peter Wright’s much-loved production for The Royal Ballet, keeping true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic.
(BL)
This morning, check out the hotel and travel by Eurostar train from London St Pancras station to Paris Gare du Nord (train included in tour price).
Arrive in Paris in the afternoon and check in to the hotel, located on the Haussmanian Avenue de l’Opéra. This evening, enjoy dinner in one of Paris’s charming restaurants.
(BLD)
Begin the morning with a pre-performance talk by Donna. Then, walk to the nearby Palais Garnier theatre for a private backstage tour of the magnificent theatre commissioned by Napoleon III and built by the architect Charles Garnier. Explore the 19th-century architectural masterpiece, including the lavish gold-leaf Grand Foyer, dominating Grand Staircase and impressive Auditorium.
After lunch, enjoy some time at leisure to stroll the glowing streets of the ‘city of lights’.
This evening, transfer to the Opéra Bastille, the primary home of the Paris Opera Ballet, to attend a performance of Kontakthof, the third piece of German ballet choreographer Pina Bausch to enter the repertoire of the company.
(BL)
In the morning, enjoy a private guided tour of the Palais Galliera – Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, housing more than 100,000 pieces of clothing and accessories that reflect the fashion trends and habits of France from the 18th century to modern day.
Continue to a local restaurant for lunch and spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring Paris at your own pace.
Tonight, walk to the Palais Garnier for a performance of Swan Lake, performed by the Paris Opera Ballet, following the choreography of acclaimed Rudolf Nureyev and Marius Petipa.
Return to the hotel and enjoy a special celebratory drinks reception with Donna and fellow travellers to see in the new year and to bid farewell to one another.
(BLR)
Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.
For those returning home, make your way to Paris Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, private airport transfers and travel insurance (a condition of travel).
(B)
Per person, twin-share
AUD 13,750
Single supplement
AUD 2,700
Deposit per person (at time of booking)
AUD 3,500
Final payment due
24 October 2022
Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.
Tour code
AB2201
Fitness level
Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions.
Suggested airlines
Qantas / Emirates
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.
Visa
Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for Germany, the United Kingdom and France.
Tour price includes
- Category 1 tickets (or best available) for all included performances
- Accommodation in four-star superior and five-star hotels with breakfast daily (B)
- Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner, R= Reception), including wine with meals
- Economy class flight from Berlin to London (baggage allowance 23kg)
- Standard Premium Eurostar train ticket from London to Paris
- Pre-performance talks with your tour leader, ballet expert Donna Cusack
- Comprehensive sightseeing, including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Transportation throughout on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
- Hotel porterage (one piece per person)
Tour price does not include
- Airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
- Airport/hotel transfers on arrival and departure (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
- Airport porterage
- Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, minibar, taxis etc.)
- Travel insurance (a condition of travel; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
Your hotels
Berlin – The Westin Grand*****
London – The Bloomsbury*****
Paris – Edouard 7****+
N.B. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.