At 09:30, meet your tour leader Phillip Sametz and fellow travellers at a central London hotel (to be advised) and travel by coach to Oxford. Upon arrival, enjoy a private, guided tour of the Ashmolean Museum, home to a range of rare stringed instruments. After lunch at leisure, continue to the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments for an exclusive, interactive visit exploring its remarkable collection of historical woodwind instruments.

Later, travel to Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, a refined riverside hotel and home for the next four nights. After some time at leisure, enjoy a welcome briefing and dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

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Following a talk by Phillip on the coming days’ performances, visit Stonor Park for a private, guided tour of the historic house and chapel. The house has evolved over more than 850 years, combining medieval, Tudor and later architectural features, while the 13th-century chapel remains one of the estate’s most significant historic buildings.

In the mid-afternoon, transfer to Garsington Opera at Wormsley Estate for a performance of Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), marking the first time the festival has staged a Wagner opera. Conducted by Douglas Boyd and directed by Rachael Hewer, this new production features the celebrated Philharmonia Orchestra, with Shenyang in the title role.

Enjoy a fine gourmet dinner during the interval.

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In the morning, enjoy a private, guided tour of Greys Court, a historic country house on a picturesque estate near Henley-on-Thames, with richly furnished interiors reflecting its long history. Within its grounds are a fortified tower built in 1347, the only remains of the medieval castle, as well as a Tudor wheelhouse.

In the afternoon, depart for an evening at Garsington Opera and a performance of Verdi’s Falstaff, conducted by Alexander Joel and directed by Bruno Ravella.

Dinner will be served in one of Garsington’s restaurants during the interval.

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Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel before departing in the afternoon for Garsington Opera.

Stroll through the grounds of Wormsley Estate, set amid the Chiltern Hills, before attending a performance of Handel’s Serse, conducted by David Bates and directed by Erica Whyman, with Lucy Crowe as Romilda.

Enjoy dinner during the interval.

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This morning, check out of the hotel and depart for Hatchlands Park, an elegant 18th-century country house with interiors designed by Robert Adam, including some of his earliest English works. Explore the house and discover the Cobbe Collection of musical instruments, including rare historic keyboards associated with composers such as Mozart and Elgar. Highlights include Chopin’s Broadwood grand pianoforte and the 1636 Ruckers harpsichord. After lunch at leisure, continue to East Grinstead and check into Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, a 19th-century mansion located in the heart of Ashdown Forest, and home for the next five nights.

Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure before dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

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In the morning, visit Chartwell, the beloved home of Sir Winston Churchill. Captivated by its panoramic views, he bought the dilapidated estate in 1922 and spent more than 40 years transforming the house and grounds. Enjoy an exclusive, private tour of the house and artist studio, preserved much as they were during Churchill’s lifetime, with pictures, books, photographs, maps and even a half-smoked cigar left unfinished.

After lunch, visit Penshurst Place, a manor house renowned for its medieval Baron’s Hall and Tudor court connections, and explore the historic interiors and formal gardens.

Tonight, dinner is at the hotel’s restaurant.

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Following a talk by Phillip on the coming days’ performances, visit Wakehurst, the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Explore the ornamental gardens, lawns and water features surrounding its Grade I-listed Elizabethan mansion.

In the mid-afternoon, depart for Glyndebourne Festival Opera near Lewes. Enjoy some time at leisure in the landscaped gardens before attending Rossini’s La Cenerentola, a new production directed by Max Webster, with Enrique Mazzola conducting the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The principal cast includes Svetlina Stoyanova as Angelina, Levy Sekgapane as Don Ramiro and Marco Filippo Romano as Don Magnifico.

During the interval, dinner will be served at one of the restaurants inside the opera house.

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In the morning, visit Standen, one of England’s finest examples of an Arts and Crafts country house. Designed by architect Philip Webb in the late 19th century, the house retains its original interiors, furnished and decorated with textiles, wallpapers and carpets designed by William Morris and his collaborators.

In the afternoon, transfer to Glyndebourne Festival Opera to attend Janáček’s Jenůfa, a new production directed by Yaël Farber, with Robin Ticciati conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The cast includes Yaritza Véliz in the title role, Anja Kampe as Kostelnička, Jamez McCorkle as Laca and Oleksiy Palchykov as Števa.

During the interval, partake in a Glyndebourne tradition – a fully catered picnic on the beautiful lawns.

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The morning is at leisure to relax or to explore the grounds of Ashdown Park at your own pace.

In the afternoon, drive to Glyndebourne to attend Verdi’s La traviata, a revival of Tom Cairns’ stylish production, conducted by Riccardo Frizza and featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Louise Alder, making her role debut, and Elisa Verzier, returning to Glyndebourne as Violetta, share the title role, opposite Amitai Pati or Julien Dran as Alfredo.

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After a leisurely breakfast, depart the hotel for London. Tour arrangements conclude upon arrival in central London at approximately midday.

For those returning home today, make your way to the airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist with additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, airport transfers and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

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