Leading music and ballet holidays specialist Travel for the Arts has launched six escorted tours for 2019 with the publication of its latest brochure. The new tours include destinations such as Vicenza and Andermatt in the Swiss Alps, great performances with the likes of Plácido Domingo in Madrid, tenor and conductor José Cura in Stockholm and pianist Sir András Schiff at the Omaggio a Palladio Festival, and unforgettable experiences including a private concert in one of Arbanassi's historic churches in Bulgaria and a thrilling twin centre trip to Madrid and Barcelona.

Opera in Stockholm – 12 – 15 February 2019

An opportunity to visit the city of Stockholm in all its winter beauty whilst also attending two world-class productions at the Royal Swedish Opera, Puccini's La Bohème with renowned tenor and conductor José Cura set in a fictitious Stockholm; and Francis Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites with award-winning mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter. The itinerary also includes a private backstage tour of the Royal Opera House.  The tour costs £1375 and includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis, selected meals, visits and guides, first category tickets and synopses.

Czech Culture, Castles and Classical Music – 15 -20 March 2019

This is the perfect combination of great opera performances in atmospheric venues with fascinating cultural visits. This tour to Prague gives the opportunity to see some classical opera in three different venues including the magnificent neo-baroque Karlin Theatre, visit the city's key cultural sites, take a river cruise and enjoy an excursion to the historic village of Nelahozeves, which was occupied from the 10th century and was also the birthplace of Dvořák. The tour costs £1595 and includes flights, transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis, selected meals, sightseeing tours and guides, first category tickets and synopses.

Omaggio a Palladio Festival – 1 to 6 May 2019

A new destination without single supplement, this trip to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vicenza is the opportunity to attend three performances at the Omaggio a Palladio Festival with Sir Andràs Schiff as director and pianist. The itinerary includes a sightseeing tour of the city taking in some of the most remarkable buildings designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architects in history. The tour also includes a visit to nearby Venice and a full-day excursion to Castelfranco Vento and the Palladian Villa Barbero di Maser which contains frescoes by Veronese. The tour costs £2195 and includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis, selected meals, sightseeing tours and guides, first category ticket for each performance and synopses.

Swiss Alps Classic Festival – 28 June – 1 July 2019

Another new destination for Travel for the Arts, this holiday offers music fans the chance to discover Andermatt and the Swiss Alps with the Swiss Alps Classic Festival established to celebrate the symbolism of the Gotthard region. The group will attend three recitals including one by American soprano Marisol Montalvo. The itinerary includes a tour of Andermatt but also a visit of the famous tunnels excavated during the Second World War and the fortress Sasso da Pigna located under the Gotthard peak. The tour costs £1395 and includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis, selected meals, sightseeing tours and guides and first category tickets to each performance.

Opera in Historical Sofia and Plovdiv – 6 – 13 July 2019

With Plovdiv named European Capital of Culture for 2019, Bulgaria will firmly be on the map for lovers of opera and classical music where the group will attend two Wagner operas, Tristan und Isolde and Parsifal, at the Sofia Opera with the opportunity to meet the artists after the first performance. This is a new tour with highlights including a private concert in one of Abranassi's historic churches, a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Plovdiv, its Roman ruins and cobbled streets, regional Ethnographic Museum and Roman amphitheatre. The tour costs £1500 and includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis, selected meals, sightseeing tours and guides, first category tickets to each performance and opera synopses.

Verdi in Spain – 13 -17 July

This is a new twin-centre tour in Spain with two nights in Madrid and two nights in Barcelona with a chance to see three Verdi operas including Giovanna D'Arco with Plàcido Domingo at Teatro Real, Madrid. The itinerary is packed with some of the key sites in both cities, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España, Prado Museum in the capital city and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The tour costs £1995 and includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis, selected meals, sightseeing tours and guides and first category tickets for each performance.

A La Carte

Travel for the Arts can also organise trips to see performances around the world for independent travellers. The service is completely bespoke and we can typically arrange top category tickets to the most sought after performances, accommodation, transport and visits and experiences including backstage tours, sightseeing and restaurant bookings.

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For further information on Travel for the Arts, please contact Charlotte at Charlotte's Web Public Relations at charlotte@charlotteswebpr.co.uk or call 07867785091

Images for the new brochure can be accessed here

About Travel for the Arts

Travel for the Arts is a leading opera, ballet and classical music specialist travel company. It operates as a division of Specialised Travel Ltd who offers a complete travel service to the performing arts worldwide. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018, Travel for the Arts organises over 100 group tours each year with between 10 and 30 participants, each led by a professional tour manager or lecturer. Tours generally include best available category tickets for included performances, four or five star accommodation, transfers, opera synopses, restaurant guides and city notes as well as the services of a local guide. Some tours are available without a single supplement. An A La Carte service is also available for those wishing to travel independently.