Arrive in Copenhagen on suggested flights and make your 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), accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

In the late-afternoon, join your tour leader Donna Cusack and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and talk followed by dinner.

(D)

In the morning, embark on a walking tour of the historic centre of Copenhagen. See Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament, and stroll along the old town’s narrow streets, housing palace towers and copper roofed buildings such as Amalienborg, the winter residence of the Royal Family.

The afternoon is at leisure to further explore the Danish capital at your own pace.

Tonight, marvel at the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s fairy tale The Nutcracker, following George Balanchine’s much-loved production for the Royal Danish Ballet, keeping true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic.

(BD)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Copenhagen Airport for a flight to Amsterdam (flight included in tour price).

Arrive in Amsterdam in the afternoon and check in to the hotel.

Following a talk by Donna, enjoy a special dinner cruise as you glide along the city’s canals and enjoy the beautiful displays of the annual Amsterdam Light Festival.

(BD)

This morning, enjoy a private guided tour of the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, which offers an excellent overview of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages onwards, and of major aspects of European and Asian art. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Amsterdam at your own pace.

After an early dinner, attend the Dutch National Ballet’s production of Raymonda, following the choreography of acclaimed Russian choreographer Marius Petipa and revisited by Rachel Beaujean.

(BD)

Check out of the hotel and transfer to Amsterdam Centraal station. Travel by high-speed train to Paris (train journey included in tour price).

Arrive in Paris in the afternoon and check in to the hotel.

Enjoy some time at leisure before dining at one of Paris’ charming local restaurants.

(BD)

After a morning talk by Donna, walk to the nearby Palais Garnier 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 splendid Théâtre du Châtelet for a thrilling new production of West Side Story, featuring the legendary original choreography by Jerome Robbins.

(BL)

This morning, visit the Louis Vuitton Foundation, an art museum and cultural centre designed by the architect Frank Gehry. The museum’s collection, a combination of works owned by the Louis Vuitton Corporation and its Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, includes works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gilbert & George and Jeff Koons.

After lunch, return to the hotel for some free time.

Tonight, return to the Palais Garnier for a performance in four acts dedicated to the acclaimed Czech former dancer and choreographer Jiří Kylián, filled with eerie images on the border of reality and dream.

(B)

In the morning, explore 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.

The afternoon is at leisure to explore Paris at your own pace.

This evening, transfer to the Opéra Bastille, the primary home of the Paris Opera Ballet, for Rudolf Nureyev’s version of The Nutcracker.

(BD)

In the morning, transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for a flight to Berlin (flight included in tour price).

Arrive in Berlin in the afternoon and check in to the hotel. 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, embrace a true German-style Christmas Eve as you join Donna and fellow travellers for a special Christmas Eve dinner.

(BD)

After a morning talk by Donna, enjoy a private tour of the much-anticipated Edvard Munch exhibition at the Berlinische Galerie – State Museum for Modern Art, Photography and Architecture. Located in the creative district of Kreuzberg, the museum tells the story of modern art from 1870 onwards.

This afternoon, transfer to the Deutsche Oper for a performance by the Berlin State Ballet of Tchaikovsky’s great ballet masterpiece, Sleeping Beauty. Marcia Haydée, former ballerina with the Stuttgart Ballet, muse of John Cranko and a legend herself, recreates this key work in ballet history, following Marius Petipa’s version.

(BD)

After a guided tour of the Berlin State Opera (subject to rehearsal schedule), the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Berlin at your own pace.

In the late-afternoon, return to the Berlin State Opera for the final performance of the tour – Two Chapters Love. This evening of dance features the works of leading contemporary choreographers Sol León and Sharon Eyal, both celebrated stars of the international dance scene.

After the performance, enjoy a farewell dinner with Donna and fellow travellers.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

If you are returning home today, make your way to Berlin 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 any additional nights’ accommodation, either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)