Arrive in Paris 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 at a nearby restaurant.

(D)

Following a morning talk by Donna, visit La Samaritaine, one of Paris’s beloved major department stores. Closed for almost 20 years to undergo a major restoration, and reopened only in 2021, the store blends the building’s historic Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements with contemporary features and touches. Enjoy some free time for shopping, before dining at La Samaritaine’s charming rooftop restaurant for lunch.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening, walk to the nearby Palais Garnier for an enthralling production by Paris Opera Ballet of Bartok’s Bluebeard, featuring choreography by the acclaimed Director and Choreographer, Pina Bausch.

(BL)

This morning, return to 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 streets of the city.

This evening, transfer to the Opéra Bastille, the primary home of the Paris Opera Ballet, for Tchaikovsky’s great ballet masterpiece, Swan Lake, following renowned ballet choreographer Rudolf Nureyev’s version.  The musical composition will be performed by the world-class Orchestra of the Paris Opera.

(BL)

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.

This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Berlin’s charming local restaurants.

(BD)

Begin the day with a talk by Donna on the coming days’ performances. Then, enjoy a private guided tour of the Gemäldegalerie, home to one of the world’s leading collections of European art from the 13th to the 18th centuries, including masterpieces from artists such as Raphael, Rembrandt and Vermeer.

The afternoon is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace or to rest before this evening’s performance.

In the evening, walk to the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden for a performance by the Staatsballett Berlin of Adam’s Giselle, which closely follows the original choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot.

(B)

Enjoy a half-day tour to the nearby city of Potsdam. Delight in a private guided tour of Friedrich the Great’s royal residence, the Neues Palais (New Palace). This large palace complex features grand banquet halls, splendid galleries and regally designed suites, not to mention Sanssouci’s Baroque palace theatre in the southern wing. After lunch at a local restaurant in the Dutch Quarter, return to the hotel for some time at leisure.

This evening, transfer to the Deutsche Oper for a performance by the Staatsballett Berlin of Verdi’s Messa di Requiem. This significant work will be performed by the Rundfunkchor (Radio Choir) Berlin, and well-known vocal soloists, under the direction of Gijs Leenaars.

(BD)

In the morning, enjoy a private guided backstage tour of the Berlin State Opera. After lunch at a local restaurant, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore Berlin at your own pace.

This evening, return to the Deutsche Oper Berlin and attend the exquisite 20^th Anniversary Gala of the Staatsballett Berlin, presented by artistic director Christian Spuck. Maria Seletskaja, former soloist ballerina with the Stuttgart Ballet, will conduct the orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

(BL)

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel north west across Germany. Arrive at Schwerin Castle, a palace situated on an island in Lake Schwerin, and considered one of the most romantic castles of Germany. Enjoy lunch followed by a guided tour of the castle.

Later, continue to Hamburg, Germany’s major port city. The city is renowned for its many art museums and vibrant neighbourhoods showcasing 19th-century architecture.

(BLD)

After a pre-performance talk, visit the Kunsthalle for a private guided tour of the gallery’s treasure trove of art from the Renaissance period to the present day. Gain an appreciation for the collection of old masters paintings from Rembrandt, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Rubens as well as classic modern art works by Max Beckmann and Edvard Munch.

Tonight, transfer to the Hamburg State Opera to attend a performance by a leading international guest ballet company, to be announced at a later date, as a part of the annual Hamburg Ballet Days festival.

(BL)

Start the day with a visit to the city’s expansive Loki Schmidt Garden, named in honour of Hannelore “Loki” Schmidt at the University of Hamburg. This 24-hectare botanical garden is divided into three major themes – plants and people; plant systems; and plant geography – demonstrating the extensive flora of North and South America, China, Japan and Europe.

Tonight, transfer to the Hamburg State Opera to attend a second performance by the guest ballet company, to be announced at a later date.

(BL)

This morning enjoy a talk by Donna, before exploring the city’s Composers Quarter, where six dedicated museums bring to life the city’s rich musical traditions. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Hamburg at your own pace.

In the evening, return to the Hamburg State Opera for a performance by the Hamburg State Ballet of Tennessee Williams’ theatrical classic, A Streetcar named Desire.  This production is brought to life by acclaimed choreographer John Neumeier, filled with images of loss, love and violence.

(B)

This morning enjoy a talk by Donna, before visiting the city’s pinnacle of architectural design, the Elbphilharmonie. This gleaming glass edifice overlooks the river Elbe and is home to the world’s most modern philharmonic halls and chamber music rooms. Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant followed by the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening’s performance by the Hamburg State Ballet features another major work of contemporary choreographer John Neumeier interpreting Williams’ theatrical drama, The Glass Menagerie. Neumeier has translated Williams’ autobiographical drama, full of moving poetry, into meaningful movements through ballet.

(BL)

Today is at leisure to fully appreciate the fine summer weather and explore the city’s numerous cultural, music and art attractions. Perhaps visit the century-old Speicherstadt, a UNESCO heritage site and the world’s largest contiguous warehouse complex.

This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner with Donna and fellow travellers before attending the final performance of the tour – Dona Nobis Pacem. Artistic director and choreographer John Neumeier was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B minor when choreographing this production.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

If you are returning home today, make your way to Hamburg 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)