Arrive in London 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.

At 18:00, join your tour leader Donna Cusack and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing followed by dinner at the hotel.

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After a talk on the coming days’ performances, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour that offers a glimpse into the artistry and history behind the Royal Opera House. Explore spaces not typically open to the public and discover intricate details about the creative process, from design to performance.

After lunch, enjoy some time at leisure to further explore London at your own pace.

This evening, transfer to Sadler’s Wells, London’s leading venue for contemporary dance, for a performance of Quadrophenia, based on The Who’s classic rock opera, and reimagined by choreographer Paul Roberts and director Rob Ashford.

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After breakfast, visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, the largest decorative arts museum in the world, and discover its Theatre and Performance collection. This remarkable collection offers a glimpse into the history of theatre, from Shakespearean times to modern-day productions. Explore an array of costumes, set designs, playbills and puppetry, and see iconic items such as original costumes from West End shows and stage designs by legendary artists.

Return to the hotel in the early afternoon.

Tonight, walk to the Royal Opera House for a pre-performance dinner before experiencing Lewis Carroll’s story The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland through The Royal Ballet’s choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s unique interpretation.

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In the morning, transfer to St Pancras Station and board the Eurostar for a train to Paris (train ticket included in tour price).

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

This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Paris’ charming restaurants.

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Following a morning talk by Donna, visit the Musée Jacquemart-André, a 19th-century mansion in the heart of Paris that now houses a remarkable collection of fine art. This elegant museum, once the private home of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of Parisian high society, with its richly decorated salons and impressive array of masterpieces.

After a private, guided tour of its permanent collection, enjoy lunch in the museum’s charming tea room.

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

This evening, transfer to the Opéra Bastille, the primary home of the Paris Opera Ballet, for Tchaikovsky’s great ballet masterpiece Sleeping Beauty, with choreography following renowned ballet choreographer Rudolf Nureyev’s version. The music score will be performed by the world-class Paris Opera Orchestra.

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This morning, 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 streets of the city.

In the evening, return to the Palais Garnier for a world premiere by renowned contemporary choreographer Hofesh Schechter, a protean artist who proposes that dance should be visceral, intense and electric.

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In the morning, transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for a flight to Hamburg (flight included in tour price), Germany’s major port city. The city is renowned for its many art museums and vibrant neighbourhoods showcasing 19th-century architecture.

Arrive in Hamburg in the early afternoon and enjoy lunch before checking in to the hotel.

This evening, walk to the Hamburg State Opera to attend John Neumeier’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with music by Sergei Prokofiev.

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

Tonight, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

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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, return to the Hamburg State Opera to attend a performance by the international guest ballet company as part of the annual Hamburg Ballet Days festival. Tonight’s performance is by the collective La Veronal, formed by the Spanish choreographer Marcos Morau, performing Sonoma, who premiered this production in Barcelona in 2020.

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After a morning at leisure, transfer to the Ernst Deutsch Theatre, the largest privately owned theatre in Germany, that is renowned for hosting thought-provoking productions and vibrant performances. There, experience the National Youth Ballet’s performance focused on the life and works of poet Oscar Wilde, choreographed and staged by John Neumeier.

Then, enjoy dinner at one of Hamburg’s fine restaurants before returning to the hotel.

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This morning, visit the Bucerius Kunst Forum, a renowned exhibition space in the heart of Hamburg. Housed in an elegant neoclassical building, this cultural gem hosts rotating exhibitions that explore art from ancient to contemporary periods.

In the early afternoon, attend the Hamburg State Ballet’s production of Death in Venice, where choreographer John Neumeier draws on the music of two of the most important composers, Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner, to bring Thomas Mann’s novella to life.

After the performance, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

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After a morning at leisure, enjoy lunch near the picturesque Jenisch Park along the Elbe River, on the outskirts of Hamburg.

Then, explore the elegant Jenisch Haus, a neoclassical villa offering a glimpse into 19th-century Hamburg life, with its beautifully preserved interiors and scenic views of the park and river.

Finish with a private, guided visit to the Ernst Barlach Haus, a museum dedicated to the powerful Expressionist sculptures and artworks of Ernst Barlach.

Enjoy the evening at leisure.

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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 World 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, Nijinsky. Choreographer John Neumeier was inspired by Vaslav Nijinsky’s work and life when choreographing this production.

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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).

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