Arrive in Berlin on suggested flights and make your own 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.

In the late afternoon, join Scott and your fellow tour members for a welcome briefing, followed by dinner.

(D)

After breakfast, join Scott for a pre-performance talk about tonight’s performance. Then, visit the Stabi Kulturwerk – the Berlin State Library – to view Germany’s largest collection of musical manuscripts, including works from the great composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening, transfer by coach to the Deutsche Oper Berlin to attend a performance of Das Rheingold, the prelude to Der Ring des Nibelungen. Alberich is sung by Hawaiian baritone Jordan Shanahan and Scottish bass-baritone Iain Paterson sings in the role of Wotan.

(BL)

After a pre-performance talk in the morning, enjoy a private, guided tour of the Humboldt Forum, Berlin’s newest cultural landmark. Originally built in the 15th century and recently reopened after an extensive restoration, this stately royal and imperial palace has become a museum dedicated to human history, art and culture.

Then, spend the early afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Berlin at your own pace before attending a performance of Die Walküre. German-Canadian tenor Michael King and Norwegian soprano Elizabeth Teige appear as Siegmund and Sieglinde. The German soprano Ricarda Merbeth takes to the stage as Brünnhilde.

(B)

This morning, join Scott for an excursion to West Berlin. See the district’s renowned monuments and boulevards and visit the famous food hall at the KaDeWe department store. Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon are at leisure.

Enjoy an early dinner at a local restaurant, before transfering to the Berlin Philharmonie, to attend a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra playing Shostakovich’s Leningrad symphony and Clara Schumann’s piano concerto in A minor, featuring Italian pianist Beatrice Rana.

(BD)

After a pre-performance talk about this evening’s performance, enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure.

In the afternoon, head to the Deutsche Oper Berlin once again to attend a performance of Siegfried. Acclaimed heldentenor Clay Hilley will perform the role of Siegfried and Brünnhilde is again sung by Ricarda Merbeth.

After the performance, return by coach to the hotel to enjoy a light supper.

(BD)

Today, embark on a journey to learn about Berlin’s division after World War II and how it became the symbol of the Cold War. Visit the Tempelhof Airport, and learn about the airport’s significance for West Berlin during 1948 -1949, when Western allies started a massive airlift to counter the blockade imposed on that part of the city by the communist regime.

Then, continue to Alexanderplatz, which was restored by the German Democratic Republic after World War II. Enjoy a guided stroll through the district surrounding the square, which became the hub of East Berlin, and learn what life was like for citizens of the GDR. Visit the imposing Fernsehturm (Television Tower), one of the tallest monuments in Berlin.

In the afternoon, continue to the Berlin Wall Memorial, the central memorial site recalling the German division during the Cold War.

In the evening, walk to the Konzerthaus Berlin to attend a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica, performed by the Konzerthaus Orchestra conducted by Joana Mallwitz, principal conductor and artistic director.

(BL)

This morning, attend a final pre-performance talk before joining Scott and fellow travellers for a special farewell lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Later, return to the Deutsche Oper Berlin to attend a performance of Götterdämmerüng. Gutrune is sung by American soprano Felicia Moore, Hagen is sung by Austrian bass Albert Pesendorfer and Wellgunde by American mezzo-soprano Karis Tucker. After the performance, enjoy a final drinks reception with Scott and fellow tour members at the hotel.

(BL)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements, including extra nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, an airport transfer and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)

IMPORTANT: Travel insurance
It is a condition of travel with Renaissance Tours that you are covered by comprehensive travel insurance, including cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend that you purchase this insurance as soon as you have made your first non-refundable deposit. We are happy to assist you with securing cover – please enquire when you confirm your booking.