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.

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

(D)

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.

In the afternoon, attend a performance by the Dutch National Ballet in tribute to one of the leading lights of neo-classical ballet in the 20th century, Hans van Manen, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

After the performance, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

After breakfast, 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 the charming rooftop restaurant.

This evening, transfer to the Opéra Bastille, the primary home of the Paris Opera Ballet, for the celebrated ballet choreographer Rudolf Nureyev’s version of La Bayadère, a highlight in the Paris Opera Ballet’s repertoire with its virtuoso variations, impressive ensembles and iridescent scenes.

(BL)

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

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

Tonight, enjoy dinner at one of Hamburg’s fine restaurants.

(BD)

Following a morning talk by Donna, embark on a private, guided tour of the Kunsthalle Museum with its treasure trove of art dating from the Renaissance period through to the present day. Gain an appreciation for the collection of old masters’ paintings, from Rembrandt, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Rubens, to modern art works by Max Beckmann and Edvard Munch.

Tonight, walk to the Hamburg State Opera to attend a performance by an international guest ballet company (to be announced) as part of the annual Hamburg Ballet Days festival.

(B)

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

In the evening, return to the Hamburg State Opera for the world premiere of Wunderland, based on one of Lewis Carroll’s classics, Alice in Wonderland. Under the direction of one of the world’s most renowned choreographers, Alexei Ratmansky, Wunderland masterfully weaves classical ballet with a modern sensibility.

(BL)

After a morning talk by Donna, explore the famous Composers Quarter, where six dedicated museums bring to life the city’s rich musical traditions. From the exhibition on Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, to Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler, this ‘metropolis of music’ tells a diverse history, from the Baroque to the early modern age. Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some time at leisure.

This evening, attend John Neumeier’s ballet adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s drama, The Seagull, depicting the central conflict of the piece: the tension between art and love. Neumeier relocates the narrative in the world of dance, giving each character a representative dance style.

(BL)

In the morning, discover Hamburg’s pinnacle of architectural design: the Elbphilharmonie performing arts venue. The superimposed, shimmering glass structure overlooks the River Elbe and features state-of-the-art philharmonic and chamber music halls.

Tonight, enjoy an early dinner before proceeding to the Hamburg State Opera for a double- bill performance, called Romantic Evolutions. In this production, Hamburg Ballet performs a combination of La Sylphide, considered the epitome of romantic ballet whose premiere in 1832 marked the birth of the art form, and a world premiere called Ather, choreographed by its principal dancer, Aleix Martinez.

(BD)

After breakfast, depart by coach for Berlin, known for its rich history, world-class museums, vibrant modern culture and diverse art scenes. En route, stop for lunch at the atmospheric Schwerin Castle, situated on an island in a lake.

Arrive in Berlin in the late afternoon and check in to the hotel.

Later, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BLD)

Begin the day with a talk by Donna, followed by a private, backstage tour of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the capital’s largest opera house and home to the Berlin State Ballet. Originally opened in 1912 and rebuilt after the war under the direction of architect Fritz Bornemann, it is located in the Charlottenburg district, once an independent city and considered ‘the richest town of Prussia’.

This evening, walk to the Berlin State Opera, the world’s oldest state opera, to attend a production called Fearful Symmetries, choreographed by Christian Spuck. This dance piece explores the composition with the same name by John Adams, one of the most significant figures in contemporary classical music, bringing the music’s energy visually to life.

(BL)

This morning, travel to Potsdam for a private, guided tour of Sanssouci Palace, often counted among the German rivals of Versailles. The name meaning ‘without worries’ in French, the palace was built between 1745 and 1747 to meet Prussian King Frederick the Great’s need for a private residence where he could escape the pomp and ceremony of the royal court.

Then, enjoy a special farewell lunch with Donna and fellow travellers before returning to the hotel for some free time.

In the evening, transfer to the Deutsche Oper Berlin to enjoy Edward Clug’s unique interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Berlin State Ballet. Accompanied by music specially composed by Milko Lazar, this ballet production highlights the timeless essence of the play, of being in Shakespeare’s world where the boundaries between love, deception and self-discovery blur.

(BL)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those 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)