ITINERARY

DAY 1 | FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER 2024

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI BERLIN

ARRIVE BERLIN:

Arrive at our hotel, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, a luxury 5-star hotel located on Unter den Linden, the main boulevard in the central Mitte district, directly opposite the Brandenburg Gate. Hotel check-in is at 4:00pm and we recommend arriving at the hotel at this time.

In the early evening we meet our Tour Leader, Graham Abbott, who will introduce the tour. Together we enjoy pre-dinner drinks followed by a delicious dinner.

DAY 2 | SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2024

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI BERLIN

BERLIN:

This morning will begin with a private guided tour of the remarkable Berlin Philharmonie. Our tour will visit both the Philharmonie and the Chamber Music Hall and will give guests an interesting and comprehensive insight into the architecture and acoustics of the buildings as well as into the history of the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Following the tour, the afternoon is free. Guests may be interested to go to Museum Island and visit one of the spectacular museums or the Berlin Cathedral. Immediately beyond Berlin Cathedral is the Spree River, where you can take a river tour of Berlin. On the river tour a guide indicates where East and West Berlin were divided, and points out the varied and imaginative government buildings, including the reconstructed Reichstag.

In the early evening we gather together for Tour Leader Graham Abbott's first talk of the tour about the Berlin Philharmoniker’s concert that we will be attending this evening.

We then attend a performance at the Berlin Philharmonie.

CONCERT PERFORMANCE - BERLIN PHILHARMONIE, 7:00pm
Berliner Philharmoniker

Herbert Blomstedt conductor
Leif Ove Andsnes piano

Mozart Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
Bruckner Symphony No. 9 in D minor

DAY 3 | SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER 2024

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI BERLIN

BERLIN:

This morning will begin with an informative talk by Graham Abbott, centred on the works to be performed this evening.

We then travel by private coach to the Gemäldegalerie where we have a private guided tour of a selection of core works. Since its foundation in 1830, the collection in this art museum has been developed with a systematic and scholarly eye to the history of European painting from the 13th to 18th-century. This thoughtfully selected collection is the basis for its many incomparable masterpieces and for the gallery’s world-class reputation today. Works range from Italian masterpieces such as those by Giotto, Fra Angelico, Raphael and Titian to the richly detailed pictures of Bruegel, works by the Flemish master van Eyck and the most notable figures in early German painting such as Dürer, Baldung, Grien, Cranach the Elder and Holbein. There is one of the largest and most exquisite Rembrandt collections in the world and a splendid collection of 18th-century paintings including works by Canaletto, Watteau, and Gainsborough.

Following the tour, the early afternoon is free and, with approximately 1000 masterpieces on display in the upper galleries in any one period, you might like to spend a little more time at the gallery to enjoy them.

We come together in the late afternoon to attend a performance at the beautiful Staatsoper Unter den Linden, in the heart of historic Berlin.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - STAATSOPER UNTER DEN LINDEN, 4:00pm
Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Alexander Soddy conductor
Andrea Moses director
Christopher Maltman Hans Sachs
Christof Fischesser Veit Pogner
Hanna-Elisabeth Müller Eva
Klaus Florian Vogt Walther von Stolzing
Siyabonga Maqungo David
Katharina Kammerloher Magdalene
Andrés Moreno García Kunz Vogelgesang
Jaka Mihelač Konrad Nachtigall
Johannes Martin Kränzle Sixtus Beckmesser
Jan Martiník Fritz Kothner
Siegfried Jerusalem Balthasar Zorn
Paul Mcnamara Ulrich Eisslinger
Florian Hoffmann Augustin Moser
David Oštrek Hermann Ortel
Kurt Rydl Hans Schwarz
Olaf Bär Hans Foltz
Friedrich Hamel Nachtwächter
State Opera Choir
State Orchestra Berlin

DAY 4 | MONDAY 23 DECEMBER 2024

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI BERLIN

BERLIN:

We start our morning with a private talk by Graham Abbott, about the music we will hear in this evening’s performance. Following this we enjoy lunch together.

The afternoon is then free. There is so much to see and do in Berlin and this afternoon offers the opportunity to pursue your own particular interests. Berlin has great shopping areas, important historical sites and many world-class museums, including the Jüdisches Museum Berlin, the largest Jewish Museum in Europe.

One of the great joys of being in Europe at Christmas time is having the opportunity to visit some of Europe’s magical Christmas markets. Berlin’s most popular and luxurious Christmas market, the WeihnachtsZauber, is located at Bebelplatz, a 20-minutes’ walk, or a 5-minutes’ taxi ride from our hotel. Over a thousand shining Christmas baubles and lights ensure a festive Christmas atmosphere. In the heated arts and crafts tent, glass blowers, goldsmiths, candle makers, tailors and many other exhibitors offer their treasures for sale and, also in heated tents, all sorts of culinary delights are available in a festive environment. Bustling, atmospheric markets can also be found around Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the heart of old West Berlin, and Charlottenburg Palace is home to one of the most prominent Christmas markets in the city.

In the early evening we attend a performance at the prestigious Deutsche Oper Berlin.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - DEUTSCHE OPER BERLIN, 5:00pm
Janáček The Cunning Little Vixen

Marko Letonja conductor
Katharina Thalbach director
Joel Allison Ranger
Stephanie Wake Edwards Forester, Woodpecker
Clemens Bieber Schoolmaster, Dachshund
Andrew Harris Priest, Badger
Jared Werlein Harasta
Meechot Marrero Vixen
Maria Motolygina Innkeeper
Arianna Manganello Fox
Maria Vasilevskaya Cricket, Jay
Lilit Davtyan Grasshopper
Chance Jonas-O'Toole Rooster
Children's Choir of the Deutsche Oper Berlin
Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin
Opera Ballet of the Deutsche Oper Berlin

DAY 5 | TUESDAY 24 DECEMBER 2024

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARIA HOTEL PRAGUE

BERLIN TO PRAGUE, VIA DRESDEN:

This morning we leave Berlin and travel to Prague, making a stop on the way to explore Dresden, one of Europe’s greatest Baroque cities, which also has a dramatic and enthralling history. Saxon rulers lavishly erected palaces and churches there, and also bequeathed to the city vast collections of art and antiquities; however, the city suffered almost complete destruction in World War II, followed by 45 years of post-war neglect under the Soviet regime. The Dresden we visit has risen from the ashes of its 20th-century devastation. Palaces glitter, museums display their many riches, and the dome of the magnificently restored Frauenkirche again stands out above the skyline.

On arrival we have a guided walking tour. We see the Frauenkirche, completed in 1743 and destroyed during Allied bombing in 1945, and we hear how the ruins of the old building were catalogued and stored for use in its reconstruction, so that when it reopened in 2005, nearly 4,000 original stones had been included. Our stroll includes seeing the dramatic Procession of Princes mural, visiting Theatreplatz, dominated by the sumptuous Semperoper, and seeing the Zwinger, a magnificent early 18th-century palace in the centre of the city, which houses part of the Dresden State Art Collections.

Following the walking tour, time is allowed for lunch and for some individual exploration of Dresden. You may like to enjoy Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, considered to be the oldest Christmas market in Germany. It also boasts other outstanding features, such as the world’s tallest, 14.61-metre-high Ore Mountain step pyramid, what is likely to be the world’s largest walk-in candle arch, and a daily programme of cultural Christmas events.

We then continue our journey to the beautiful, historic city of Prague. On arrival we check into the boutique 5-star Aria Hotel Prague. The hotel is located a short walk from the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. The hotel is inspired by music with each room dedicated to a specific style of music or a particular artist or composer.

After settling into our hotel rooms we come together for drinks and canapes to celebrate Christmas Eve.

DAY 6 | WEDNESDAY 25 DECEMBER 2024

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARIA HOTEL PRAGUE

PRAGUE:

After a leisurely breakfast we meet for a talk by Graham about the performance we will attend this evening. Following this we celebrate Christmas lunch together.

In the early evening we attend a performance at the stunning State Opera.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - STATE OPERA, 5:00pm
Puccini La bohème

Jiří Štrunc conductor
Ondřej Havelka director
Oreste Cosimo Rodolfo
Pavol Kubáň Marcello
Kateřina Kněžíková Mimi
Vera Talerko Musetta
Michal Marhold Schaunard
Jan Hynk Colline
Roman Vocel Benoit
Jan Ježek Alcindoro
Benjamín Hájek Parpingol
Libor Novák Sergeant
Andrey Styrkul Customs Officer
Petr Jirsa Waiter
Vladimír Pilař Corporal
State Opera Chorus
State Opera Orchestra
Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir

DAY 7 | THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2024

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARIA HOTEL PRAGUE

PRAGUE:

This morning we have a guided tour of Prague’s Municipal House (Obecní Dum), designed in the early 20th-century and an outstanding example of art nouveau architecture. From Smetana Hall, the grand concert venue, to every light fitting, chair, and tile was specially designed by leading artists of the day. Smetana Hall is the crown jewel of the building, with a large glass dome over the auditorium.

The early afternoon is then free to explore more of Prague or to relax before this evening’s performance. If you feel inclined to enjoy a little exploration you might enjoy visiting the Mucha Museum. This is a small museum dedicated to the life and work of the great Czech Art Nouveau artist, Alphonse Mucha (1859-1939), which displays paintings, posters, drawings and lithographs.

In the late afternoon we have an informative talk by Graham Abbott. We then attend an early evening performance at the State Opera.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - STATE OPERA, 5:00pm
Verdi La traviata

Anna Novotná Pešková conductor
Arnaud Bernard director
Jana Sibera Violetta Valéry
Alejandro Del Angel Alfredo Germont
Svatopluk Sem Griorgio Germont 
Kateřina Jalovcová Flora Bervoix
Michal Bragagnolo Gason
Roman Vocel Baron Douphol 
Miloš Horák Marquis d’Obigny
Oleg Korotkov Doctor Grenville 
Lucia Bildová Annina
Libor Nokák Commissionar
Jindřich Nečesaný Servant 
Michael Skalický Domestico di Flora
State Opera Chorus
State Opera Orchestra
National Theatre Opera Ballet

DAY 8 | FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 2024

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARIA HOTEL PRAGUE

PRAGUE:

This morning we have a guided tour of spectacular Prague Castle which sits in majesty on a hill looking over the surrounding city and the Vltava River. The castle complex, established in 880 took 700 years to complete. We tour the old castle and St Vitus Cathedral, where royals were christened, married and buried, and where, until 1836, the Kings of Bohemia were crowned. We visit stunning Vladislav Hall, built between 1493–1502, which has a complex stone vault spanning sixteen metres. St George's Basilica, founded in 920, the oldest surviving church building in the castle complex, is also on our tour.

The afternoon and evening are free. One lovely activity would be to stroll over the historic Charles Bridge and walk to the Christmas Markets at Prague’s beautiful Old Town Square. The Old Town Square was a marketplace for merchants touring Europe in the 12th-century. Formerly referred to as the Big Square, it grew in significance over the years to become the most important historical site in the Czech Republic and, with its ancient buildings, the Gothic Tyn Cathedral, the Baroque St Nicholas Church and the 80-metre-high Prague Orloj, it is one of the most picturesque sites in Europe. Wenceslas Square, a further 10-minutes away, also has a Christmas market that you might like to explore. The markets, located in brightly lit, decorated wooden huts, sell local handicrafts and also offer a wide range of local food and wine.

DAY 9 | SATURDAY 28 DECEMBER 2024

1ST OF 5 NIGHTS AT HILTON VIENNA PLAZA

PRAGUE TO VIENNA VIA MORAVSKÝ KRUMLOV:

This morning we depart Prague and travel by private coach to Vienna.

We break our journey to visit Moravský Krumlov, a town in the South Moravian Region of Czechia, where Art Nouveau painter Alphonse Mucha’s Slav Epic is on display in the chateau. The Slav Epic is a series of twenty monumental artworks which depict the history and mythology of the Slavic civilization and people. The series, which took Mucha from 1910 to 1926 to complete, depicts twenty key episodes from the Slavic past, ancient to modern, with ten episodes from Czech history and ten showing historical episodes from other Slavonic regions. Mucha hoped the Slav Epic would serve to unite the Slavic people through their mutual respect for peace and learning and through their common history. In 1928, Mucha and Crane, his American patron, presented the complete series to the City of Prague as a gift to the nation.

After viewing the Slav Epic, we continue our coach journey to Vienna. On arrival we check into our hotel, the 5-star Hilton Vienna Plaza, located on the historic Ringtrasse boulevard opposite the Stock Exchange. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the elegant Graben shopping street and a 15-minute walk from St Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of Vienna.

After settling into our hotel rooms, we come together in evening to enjoy dinner in Vienna.

DAY 10 | SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 2024

2ND OF 5 NIGHTS AT HILTON VIENNA PLAZA

VIENNA:

This morning we visit Schönbrunn Palace, where we enjoy a private guided tour of this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace, one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in Austria. Schönbrunn Palace was built in 1642 as the summer residence of the powerful Habsburg dynasty. This baroque palace, with rooms decorated lavishly in the Rococo style, is now a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

The afternoon is free. You might like to rest or you could visit spectacular St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral with its multi-coloured tile roof being one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. Mozarthaus Vienna, where Mozart lived from 1784 to 1787 is only a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral. This is Mozart’s only surviving Viennese residence and it is now a museum, presenting information about the composer in combination with historical exhibits and audio-visual installations. It was in this imposing first floor apartment that Mozart wrote some of his greatest compositions, including one of his most popular operas, The Marriage of Figaro.

In the early evening we have a talk by Graham Abbott about this evening’s performance.

We then attend our first performance at the Vienna State Opera. This magnificent Renaissance Revival venue, built from 1861 to 1869, was the first major building on the Vienna Ring Road. It was inaugurated as the ‘Vienna Court Opera’ in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria. It became known by its current name after the establishment of the First Austrian Republic in 1921.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - VIENNA STATE OPERA
Verdi Rigoletto

Carlo Rizzi conductor
Pierre Audi director
Dmitry Korchak Duke of Mantua
Amartuvshin Enkhbat Rigoletto
Nina Minasyan Gilda
Ivo Stanchev Sparafucile
Monika Bohinec Maddalena

DAY 11 | MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2024

3RD OF 5 NIGHTS AT HILTON VIENNA PLAZA

VIENNA:

This morning we go on a private walking tour through Vienna’s Old Town seeing and hearing about such highlights as the Hofburg Palace, some of Vienna’s beautiful gardens, and the stunning architecture of the Parliament and the Rathaus der Stadt Wien, located on the elegant Ringstrasse.

The afternoon and evening are free. You might consider indulging in the very elegant, but relaxing atmosphere of one of Vienna’s coffee houses. In October 2011 the ‘Viennese Coffee House Culture’; was listed by UNESCO as part of Austria’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, a place ‘where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.’ A 20-minute walk or a short taxi journey from the hotel is Café Sacher Wien, which offers an elegant setting for sampling the typical Viennese coffeehouse atmosphere, and possibly also trying a slice of Original Sacher-Torte. A 10-minute walk will take you to the famous and very inviting Café Central, opened in 1876, and in the late 19th-century a key meeting place of the Viennese intellectual scene, including such regular patrons as Freud, and Trotsky.

OPTIONAL OPERA PERFORMANCE - VIENNA STATE OPERA
Humperdinck Hansel & Gretel

Axel Kober conductor
Adrian Noble director
Jochen Schmeckenbecher Peter
Regine Hangler Gertrud
Szilvia Vörös Hänsel
Florina Ilie Gretel
Norbert Ernst The Gingerbread Witch

DAY 12 | TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2024

4TH OF 5 NIGHTS AT HILTON VIENNA PLAZA

VIENNA:

We start the day with a talk by Graham about this evening’s performance. We then take a private guided tour of the magnificent Vienna State Opera House.

After the guided tour, the late afternoon is free. A very popular, traditional way of celebrating New Year’s Eve in Vienna is by attending one of its magnificent New Year’s Eve concerts, and we are fortunate to be attending the New Year’s Eve Concert given by the Vienna Symphoniker, at the Vienna Konzerthaus. However, outside there is another celebration, the Wiener Silvesterpfad (Vienna New Year's Eve Trail), an exuberant street party where people can enjoy various performances and concerts, and buy food and drinks, all in several key locations in the old city centre. Towards midnight people gather at Stephansplatz in front of the cathedral to hear the Pummerin’s midnight chimes, and at Rathausplatz in front of the town hall, for a communal waltz and firework display. The Silvesterpfad typically begins at 2:00pm on December 31st, so you may like to visit one of the key locations and catch a glimpse of the start of the celebrations before you prepare for this evening’s concert.

In the evening we attend a much in demand New Year’s Eve Concert of the Vienna Symphoniker at the Vienna Konzerthaus. When, in 1913, the Vienna Konzerthaus was officially opened after only two years in construction, it was a very modern building setting new standards for its architecture, visitor-friendly atmosphere, construction technology and modern facilities. The entrance hall and staircases were specially constructed to allow a free flow of around 4,000 people, while the three halls, all of which are on the same level but are acoustically separated from each other, can be used individually or together, for different events. The venue is home to the Vienna Symphoniker, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Wiener Singakademie and Klangforum Wien, and has performances by the Vienna Philharmonie and other organisations.

Following the concert, we come together for a celebratory, gourmet New Year’s Eve dinner.

CONCERT PERFORMANCE - VIENNA KONZERTHAUS, 7:00pm
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

Marie Jacquot conductor
Ewa Płonka soprano
Ekaterina Gubanova mezzo-soprano
Benjamin Bruns tenor
Mika Kares bass
Wiener Symphoniker
Wiener Singakademie

DAY 13 | WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY 2025

5TH OF 5 NIGHTS AT HILTON VIENNA PLAZA

VIENNA:

We come together in the late morning for Graham’s final talk.

Following this we enjoy a special farewell lunch together.

We then come together in the evening for our final performance of the tour at the world renowned Vienna State Opera.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - VIENNA STATE OPERA
Strauss Die Fledermaus

Bertrand de Billy conductor
Otto Schenk director
Günther Schneider-Siemssen revival director
Georg Nigl Gabriel von Eisenstein
Hanna-Elisabeth Müller Rosalinde
Wolfgang Bankl Frank
Daria Sushkova Prinz Orlofsky
Jörg Schneider Alfred
Clemens Unterreiner Dr. Falke
Ilia Staple Adele
Michael Niavarani Frosch

DAY 14 | THURSDAY 2 JANUARY 2025

TOUR ENDS:

Following our final breakfast at the hotel, the tour concludes.

INCLUSIONS

20 DECEMBER 2024–2 JANUARY 2025 (14 DAYS)

AUD$13,450 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$3,350
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 20 August 2024)
Final payment due: 17 October 2024

INCLUSIONS:

• Performances: Premium tickets for eight performances including: an opera at the Deutsche Oper Berlin; a performance at the Philharmonie in Berlin; an opera at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden; two opera performances in Prague at The State Opera; two opera performances at the Vienna State Opera, the New Years Eve Concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus.

  Please note: The venues will announce their 2024-2025 seasons in early-mid 2024. There may be some changes to the itinerary depending on final confirmation of evening performances.

• Tour Leader and Talks: Tour Leadership and eight exclusive background talks by Graham Abbott.

• Tour Manager: An experienced Tour Manager to accompany the group throughout the tour.

• Hotels: 13 nights' accommodation in 5-star hotels including:

  • Four nights at Hotel Adlon Kempinki Berlin in a Deluxe Room;

  • Four nights at Aria Hotel Prague in a Deluxe King Room;

  • Five nights at Hilton Vienna Plaza in a King Plaza Room;

  • Porterage of one piece of luggage at each hotel.

• Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach.

• Meals/Drinks: Full breakfast each morning. Six lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee. Drinks and canapés on Christmas Eve.

• Entry Fees and Guided Tours: Entrance fees for museums, art galleries etc. as stated in your itinerary. Expert local guides will be used at some sites.

• Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and meals included in your itinerary.

• Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.

EXCLUSIONS:

• International/Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from airports and hotels at the beginning and end of the tour. These can be arranged at an additional cost.

• Special Taxes: Special taxes and airport levies that can only be paid in cash at the destination. We will endeavour to advise you of these charges (if any) before you depart.

• Visas: Costs associated with obtaining visas for countries visited on your tour. Please note that Australian and New Zealand passport holders are required to complete an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.

• Travel Insurance: Please note that you are required to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you for the duration of your tour. If you live in Australia, Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.

• Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.

• Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.

SMALL GROUP SIZE

The tour will operate with 8 people. The maximum number on the tour will be 20 people.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 2

All members of the tour must have the ability to:

• undertake walking tours of two-three hours duration, including using stairs and walking on uneven ground;

• stand for long periods in museum, art galleries etc;

• climb staircases of 100 or more steps;

• embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR IN EUROPE

SOLD OUT | WAITLIST ONLY

This tour is now sold out. To register your place on the waitlist, please fill out the form below, or contact us on 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or contact@hayllarmusictours.com