Arrive in Valencia 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), private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 20:00, join your tour leader Christopher Lawrence and fellow travellers for drinks in the hotel’s bar.

Begin the day with a welcome briefing and talk by Christopher on the upcoming days’ performances. Then, depart the hotel for an orientation tour of Valencia. Located on the banks of the Turia River, Valencia is one of the oldest cities in Spain. Founded in 138 BC as a Roman colony, it has been shaped by various civilisations, including the Visigoths and the Moors.

Tonight, attend a performance of Strauss’s Salome at the architecturally striking Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia. Based on Oscar Wilde’s play, the opera depicts the biblical tale of the young princess who becomes obsessed with Jochanaan (John the Baptist). Salome is performed by Lithuanian soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė with American bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee as Jochanaan and British tenor John Daszak as Herodes.

(BL)

After breakfast, enjoy a private, guided backstage tour of the Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia. Located within the Arts and Sciences complex, its distinctive feature, the metallic feather-shaped roof, was designed by acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava. Learn about the building’s artistic significance and its role in shaping modern cultural life in Valencia.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to further explore Valencia at your own pace.

(BL)

Today, travel to Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, it is a cultural and economic hub known for its rich history, Catalan identity and vibrant arts, fashion and cuisine.

Tonight, enjoy a performance at L’Auditori, where the renowned orchestra Les Concerts des Nations will be conducted by one of its founders, Jordi Savall, and accompanied by vocal ensemble La Capella Reial de Catalunya.

PROGRAM:
Vivaldi – Dixit Dominus in D major, Psalm 110 (109), RV 594
Vivaldi – Magnificat in G minor, RV 611
Vivaldi – Gloria in D major, RV 589

(B)

After a morning talk by Christopher, visit the world-renowned Picasso Museum. Located in a former medieval palace, the museum holds thousands of the Spanish artist’s works, mostly from his formative years and youth. His Blue Period works and the multi-faceted Las Meninas series are also featured in the museum.

Continue with a walking tour of the Gothic quarter before lunch at a local restaurant.

This evening, attend a performance by world-renowned pianist Igor Levit at the stunning Palau de la Musica.

PROGRAM:
Schubert – Sonata no. 21 in B flat major, D960
Schumann – Nocturnes, op. 23
Chopin – Sonata no. 3 in B minor, op. 58

(BL)

This morning, visit Bellesguard, a modernist manor in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudí between 1900 and 1909 on the site of a medieval castle once owned by King Martin of Aragon. Inspired by the ruins, Gaudí created a neogothic structure enriched with mosaics, stained glass  and natural light. The name, meaning “Beautiful View,” dates to the fifteenth century and reflects its view over Barcelona.

In the early evening, walk to the Gran Teatre del Liceu for a concert performance of Semiramide. One of Rossini’s last operas, Semiramide tells the story of the Queen of Babylon, who finds herself caught up in a plot of revenge and secrets. Romanian soprano Adela Zaharia performs in the lead role with Argentine countertenor Franco Fagioli as Arsace.

(BD)

Following a morning talk, visit the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, located in the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc Hill. Discover the outstanding Romanesque and Gothic art collections, as well as Catalan art from the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries.

Tonight, return to the Gran Teatre del Liceu to attend a fully-staged performance of Massenet’s Werther, with Spanish tenor Xabier Anduaga in the lead role alongside German mezzo-soprano Kristina Stanek as Charlotte.

(BL)

Today, enjoy a day trip to the stately inland city of Girona, considered the centre of Catalan culture. Discover the fascinating historic structures in the old town, including the imposing cathedral.

After lunch, visit the impressive and well-maintained Jewish Quarter – Girona’s Jewish population was the second largest in Catalonia, after Barcelona – and see the city’s Banys Arabs (Arab Baths).

Return to the hotel in the late-afternoon for an evening at leisure.

(BL)

The day is at leisure to relax or to explore Barcelona at your own pace.

This evening, enjoy a performance at L’Auditori by the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, with violinist Kristine Balanas.

PROGRAM:
Mendelssohn – Violin concerto in E minor, op. 64
Bruckner – Symphony No. 3 in D minor

(BL)

Today, check out of the hotel and travel by high-speed train to Madrid. As the country’s political, cultural and economic capital, the city is renowned for its modern architecture, historical landmarks and thriving arts scene.

Check in to the hotel in the late-afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Enjoy a talk by Christopher before a walking tour along La Gran Vía, where early 20^th-century architecture merges modernist and eclectic styles. See the Metropolis Building, an iconic 1911 landmark adorned with sculpted columns, elaborate ornamentation and a gilded dome that reflects French architectural influence.

The afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring the city at your own pace.

This evening, see a flamenco performance at the world-famous Tablao Flamenco 1911. The tablao is located in the famous Plaza de Santa Ana and is the oldest flamenco tablao in the world.

After the performance, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of the historic centre of the city. Venture through the cobblestone streets and see Renaissance and Baroque architecture, together with iconic landmarks such as the Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa and the Royal Palace.

Tonight, attend a performance at the Auditorio Nacional by the Orchestra Gürzenich of Cologne, conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada with German soprano Christiane Karg.

PROGRAM:
Wagner – Overture from The Flying Dutchman
Richard Strauss – Capriccio, final scene
Mahler – Symphony No. 1 in D major, Titan 

(BL)

Today, travel to the historic city of Aranjuez, located on the fertile plain of the Tagus River south of Madrid, whose cultural landscape was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Established as a royal site in 1560 under Philip II, it is famed for the elegant Royal Palace and exquisite gardens such as the Jardín del Príncipe. Enjoy a wine tasting at the Bodega del Real Cortijo de Carlos III, an underground cellar where wines have been aged since the 18th century.

This evening, enjoy a performance by the Staatskapelle Dresden, under the baton of the acclaimed Daniele Gatti.

PROGRAM:
Wagner – Prelude to Parsifal, Act 3
Saint Saëns – Cello concerto no. 1 in A minor, op. 33
Debussy – La Mer
Wagner – Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde 

(B)

After a morning talk by Christopher, visit the Royal Collections Gallery, one of the most important museum projects in Spain in recent decades. Built in a wing of the Royal Palace complex, this remarkable museum features an extensive collection of paintings, tapestries, sculptures, decorative art pieces, armoury and sumptuous royal furniture collected by Spanish monarchs over five centuries.

Tonight, return to the Auditorio Nacional for a performance of Verdi’s Requiem by the Staatskapelle Dresden, with acclaimed Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča and French tenor Benjamin Bernheim.

(B)

Today is at leisure to relax or to explore Madrid at your own pace.

In the evening, attend the final performance of the tour by the National Orchestra and Choir of Spain at the Auditorio Nacional.

Afterwards, join Christopher and fellow travellers to celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner.

PROGRAM:
Boulanger – Psalm 24 & 129
Debussy – The Chosen Maiden, cantata for soloists, choir and orchestra
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 in E minor, op. 64

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Madrid 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 a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)