EAST GERMANY Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig - 12 days Departure: May 03, 2017 Return: May 14, 2017

This unique tour offers you to see the rarely performed opera The Coronation of Darius by Antonio Vivaldi in Turin, two operas at La Scala in Milan Anna Bolina by Donizetti and La Gazza Ladra by Rossini and I Masndieri by Verdi at the Teatro Regio in Parma. Besides, we will visit the places where Verdi was born, grew-up in, his retirement home Sant’Agata and his resting place in Milan.

Opera Performances In Berlin: May 05 - La Traviata by Verdi at Schiller Theater May 06 - The Barber of Seville by Rossini at Schiller Theater

In Dresden: May 08 - Don Giovanni by Mozart at Semper Opera May 10 - The Poacher by Albert Lortzing

In Leipzig: May 13 - The Magic Flute by Mozart at Oper Leipzig

Wednesday, May 03. (D).* DEPART FOR BERLIN Depart today aboard any airline of your choice to Berlin, Germany. Dinner and light breakfast served on the plane.

Thursday, May 04. (B,D). BERLIN Upon arrival at the Berlin International Airport, take a taxi to the deluxe RADISSON BLU HOTEL, where we stay four nights. We will reimburse you the taxi fare. By special arrangements, our rooms are in Business class on the upper floors with a beautiful view of the historical and the new heart of Berlin. Briefing and cocktails at the hotel. Gala Welcome dinner at a gourmet restaurant.

Friday, May 05. (B). BERLIN Morning sightseeing tour to include Alexanderplatz, the Town Hall, the Palace of the Republic, the Humboldt University, the State Opera and Unter den Linden. We drive through the Brandenburg Gate for a tour of former West Berlin to see Potzdamer Platz, the newly restored parliament, the Reichstag, the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Charlottenburg Palace, the shop-lined Kurfurstendamm and Emperor William Memorial Church. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we will see the opera La Traviata by Verdi in the Schiller Theater.

BERLIN: From the building of its first wall 750 years ago to the recent destruction of its second wall, Berlin has had a tumultuous history. It belies its war-torn past. The well laid-out parks, clean streets, smart shops and restaurants make this one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities. In the heart of old Berlin is the great boulevard, Unter den Linden, planned by Frederick the Great as the central axis of his imperial capital. It leads from the Brandenburg Gate to Alexanderplatz. Here lies the Museum Island with the famous Pergamon Museum, which houses the Pergamon Alter, actually an enormous 2nd century Hellenistic temple brought in its entirety from Turkey. In January 2000, Berlin once again became the capital of the new Germany.

Saturday, May 06. (B). BERLIN This morning we walk to the Museum Island with the famous Pergamum Museum, which we will visit. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening we will see the opera The Barber of Seville by Rossini at the Schiller Theater.

Sunday, May 07. (B). BERLIN This morning we drive northwest to Potsdam to see San Souci an elegant baroque palace and visit Cecilienhof, where Truman, Stalin and Churchill signed the Potsdam Agreement to divide Germany after the war. Afternoon free.

Monday, May 08. (B). BERLIN - DRESDEN Today we drive south to arrive in Dresden, where we stay three nights at the deluxe KEMPINSKI HOTEL TASCHENBERG located a few steps from the Semper Opera House. Upon arrival we will do an orientation tour by bus to see the glorious rococo and baroque architecture of this city made famous by Augustus the Strong. This evening we will see the opera Don Giovanni by Mozart at the Semper Opera.

DRESDEN, splendidly situated on the banks of the Elbe River, is known as the “Florence of the North,” and has long held an attraction for artists. Dresden has been home to Friedrich Schiller, master of German poetry and drama, who while spending the years 1785 to 1787 here wrote the drama Don Carlos, upon which Verdi based his opera of the same name, and the Ode to Joy, which forms the text of Beethoven's Ninth, or Choral Symphony. Composer Carl Maria von Weber lived and worked here, as did Richard Wagner. Besides the Zwinger Palace, Dresden's second major attraction is the rebuilt Semper Opera, named for its architect, Gottfried Semper. Wagner and von Weber conducted and many Richard Strauss’ operas had their premiers here.

Tuesday, May 09. (B,D). DRESDEN This morning we will take a walking tour to see Dresden’s most famous landmark the Frauenkirche, The Procession of Princes, the collection of paintings by the Old Masters at the Zwinger Palace, and the fantastic collection of the precious objects in the Green Vault Museum. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at a gourmet restaurant.

Wednesday, May 10. (B). DRESDEN Today is free for you to explore this city on your own. The Electors and Kings of Saxony were enthusiastic collectors of art and acquired art treasures of immeasurable value over the course of centuries. So rapidly did the collectibles grow in number and variety that special museums were founded as far ago as the 18th century. Dresden is today one of the most important museum cities in Europe. This evening we will see the opera The Poacher by Albert Lortzing at the Semper Opera.

Thursday, May 11. (B). DRESDEN - LEIPZIG Morning drive north to Leipzig where we stay three nights at the deluxe centrally located RADISSON BLU HOTEL. Afternoon free.

Friday, May 12. (B,D). LEIPZIG This morning we visit the Thomas Church where Johann Sebastian Bach played the organ and is buried. On Whit Sunday in 1539, Martin Luther gave a Sermon here to inaugurate the reformation. We also visit the Old Town Hall and the home of composer Felix Mendelsohn. This evening we will have our Gala Farewell Dinner at a gourmet restaurant.

Saturday, May 13. (B,). LEIPZIG Morning free to stroll around the nearby city center or visit fine museum Grassi with its collection of arts and musical instrument or the Bach Museum. This evening we will see the opera The Magic Flute by Mozart at the Oper Leipzig.

Sunday, May 14. (B). LEIPZIG We will provide transfer from the hotel to the airport for departure aboard your flight back home arriving the same afternoon. Auf wiedersehn. See you soon on another H.A.T. Tour.

* B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner (including wine)

LAND COST DOUBLE: $6,750 PER PERSON SINGLE: $7,800 IN DOUBLE ROOM

TOUR INCLUDES  Transfers between airports and hotels on published arrival and departure days only  Five operas  Orchestra level seats in theaters  Deluxe centrally located hotels  Buffet breakfast daily and four dinners with wine in gourmet restaurants  Welcome reception with cocktails  Private sightseeing in each city  Experienced English speaking guides  Entrance fees to museums  Deluxe intercity coach services  Transportation to and from theaters  Baggage handling  Guide, driver and bellboys gratuities  Complete package with details of all operas listed H.A.T. Tours Address: PO Box 46876, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33741, USA Phone: (727) 367 3973 Fax: (727) 360-8459 Toll free: (800) 472-4448 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.EuropeanOperaTours.com