An early spring visit to Berlin has become a regular and popular part of our program and is always appealing to those who wish to make the very most of their time away in Europe. With three major opera houses, the Philharmonie and numerous other performance venues, this is a city that takes music and opera very seriously. The Staatsoper’s General Music Director, Daniel Barenboim and the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Sir Simon Rattle continue to influence the city’s cultural life and are worthy ambassadors as they practice their art throughout the world. Our musical program includes two visits to the Staatsoper, now performing at the Schiller Theatre during renovations, for performances of Donizetti’s L'elisir d'amore and Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, an evening at the Philharmonie for a Bruckner program with the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra led by Maestro Zubin Mehta, and three further operas at the Deutsche Oper, Janáček's Jenůfa and two Verdi classics, Luisa Miller and Macbeth. Selective group sightseeing has been scheduled and free time can be filled with as many activities and museum visits as desired. The prestigious Regent Hotel is a most pleasant place to relax when it is the time to take a break.

Staatsoper:  L'elisir d'amore is a bel canto treat and brings together Anna Samuil and Rolando Villazón, two of the most sought-after present day artists in the roles of Adina and Nemorino. The colorful production is by Percy Adlon and led by Antonello Allemandi. Tristan und Isolde is the acclaimed Harry Kupfer staging, with Daniel Barenboim and an extremely strong Wagnerian cast, including Ian Storey, Waltraud Meier, René Pape, Ekaterina Gubenova and Roman Trekel in the major roles.

Deutsche Opera: Jenůfa is the work of operatic and social realism that launched Janáček's career and boasts an exceptional cast, with Michaela Kaune in the title role, Joseph Kaiser as Steva and Jennifer Larmore as the Kostelniůka. The new production is by Christof Loy and is conducted by Donald Runnicles. Macbeth is Oper Köln's Robert Carsen version with Thomas Mayer, Liudmyla Monastyrska and Ante Jerkunica as the principals. Paolo Arrivabeni leads the 2000 Götz Friedrich revival of Luisa Miller with Krassimira Stoyanova, Marcelo Álvarez as Luisa and Rodolfo.

At the Philharmonie the evening concert is Anton Bruckner's last Symphony, No. 8 in C minor (1892), dedicated to Franz Josef I of Austria. The Berliner Philharmoniker is led by Maestro Zubin Mehta.

A week is too short a time to fully experience everything that Berlin city and its surrounding region has to offer. It really does cater to all tastes. After several visits tour director Ian Sale is a good resource to guide you to places of interest for your private time. Group activities will include an orientation tour with our preferred guide Daniela Ebert, a day excursion to Leipzig and a visit to two of the city’s most important museums. An optional visit to Potsdam can also be arranged if numbers warrant. There are excellent dining choices in the immediate vicinity of the hotel and some will be included in the itinerary.

The Regent Berlin is one of the city’s landmark 5 star properties, enjoying a perfect location near the Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s most beautiful square, and within a comfortable walking distance of the Museum District and the prime retail area around Friedrichstrasse. Spacious Superior rooms have been reserved and a generous breakfast is included daily in the elegance of Fischers Fritz, the hotel’s noted Michelin- starred restaurant. Luxurious spa facilities are available in the hotel’s lower level.

Tuesday March 13
Air departures from North American cities.

Wednesday March 14
Independent arrivals at Berlin's Tegel Airport and transfer to The Regent Berlin at Charlottenstrasse 49. Personal time before gathering for a Welcome dinner at Guy restaurant.

Thursday March 15
Morning guided tour of the city and an independent afternoon. Evening at the Staatsoper's Schiller Theatre and L'elisir d'amore. Post-performance supper at a restaurant close to our hotel.

Friday March 16
Fully independent day and evening at the Deutsche Oper with Jenůfa.

Saturday March 17
Early departure for a day excursion to the city of Leipzig , with guided sightseeing and lunch. Return to Berlin late afternoon in good time for the evening at the Philharmonie and Berlin Philharmonic concert.

Sunday March 18
Enjoy a relaxed morning and then meet for lunch before departing for the Schiller Theatre and 4.00pm Tristan und Isolde.

Monday March 19
This morning we visit the world-famous Pergamon Museum (Pergamon Altar, Ishtar Gate) and the nearby Neues Museum (Egyptian Collection), with independent time in the afternoon. Evening transfer to the Deutsche Oper for the performance of Macbeth.

Tuesday March 20
An independent day and in the late afternoon we depart for Chef Karl Wannemacher’s excellent Alt Luxemburg restaurant to enjoy a celebratory dinner before our final opera, Luisa Miller, at the nearby Deutsche Oper.

Wednesday March 21
Independent departures.