ITINERARY

DAY 1 | WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2026

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL CONTINENTAL, OSLO

ARRIVE OSLO (D):

Arrive at our hotel, the 5-star Hotel Continental, Oslo, one of the finest luxury hotels in the city, conveniently located just 150 metres from the city’s main street, Karl Johans Gate. Hotel check-in is at 3:00pm and we recommend arriving at the hotel at this time.

In the early evening, we meet our Tour Leader, Guy Noble, and our fellow guests. Together we enjoy pre-dinner drinks followed by a delicious dinner.

DAY 2 | THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2026

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL CONTINENTAL, OSLO

PRE-CONCERT TALK, WALKING TOUR OF OSLO & OSLO PHILHARMONIC CONCERT (B):

This morning begins with a talk by our Tour Leader, Guy Noble, to introduce us to the music that we will hear in this evening’s concert.

Following our morning talk, we set off to discover the architectural treasures and history of the fascinating city of Oslo. From Viking roots to contemporary cultural hubs, Oslo’s story is as rich as its scenic beauty. Our morning walking tour will take in the Royal Palace, the National Theatre, the Norwegian Parliament, Oslo City Hall and Oslo Cathedral, among many other architectural wonders.

This evening, we make the short journey on foot to Oslo Concert Hall, where we will attend a concert by the Oslo Philharmonic. The Oslo Philharmonic’s roots go back to 1871, when Edvard Grieg and Johan Svendsen founded the Christiania Musikerforening (Christiania Musical Association). Their Music Directors over the years have included such notable names as Herbert Blomstedt, Mariss Jansons, André Previn, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Vasily Petrenko and their current Director, Klaus Mäkelä.

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT - OSLO PHILHARMONIC
Oslo Concert Hall, 7:00pm

Johannes Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1
Pyotr Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 Pathétique

Alexander Melnikov piano
Maxim Emelyanychev conductor
Oslo Philharmonic

DAY 3 | FRIDAY 1 MAY 2026

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL CONTINENTAL, OSLO

EDVARD MUNCH MUSEUM & LUNCH (B, L):

This morning, we travel to another striking architectural wonder of Oslo, the Edvard Munch Museum, or MUNCH, as it is now known.

With a total of 13 floors and 11 gallery spaces, MUNCH offers a wide range of approaches to Edvard Munch and his art, and juxtaposes his work with that of both other modernists and contemporary artists. Our guided tour will introduce us to one of Norway’s most well-known artists, and will of course, include one of the three versions of The Scream which are on display here - a painting, a drawing and a print. Please note, only one of the three versions is visible at any given time. Munch created all versions of The Scream on cardboard or paper, making them more fragile than oil paintings on canvas. As such, light exposure must be limited.

Following our guided tour, time is allowed to continue your exploration of this enthralling gallery.

After our visit, we stroll to a nearby restaurant for a delicious group lunch together, before returning to the hotel for a free evening.

DAY 4 | SATURDAY 2 MAY 2026

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT HOTEL CONTINENTAL, OSLO

PRE-CONCERT TALK, BACKSTAGE TOUR OF OSLO OPERA HOUSE & PERFORMANCE AT OSLO OPERA HOUSE (B):

This morning, we begin with a talk from our Tour Leader, Guy Noble, on the performance we will hear this evening.

After our morning talk, we make the short drive over to Oslo Opera House for a wonderful backstage tour. Impressively designed by architectural firm Snøhetta, and made from white granite and marble and evocative of a floating glacier, Oslo Opera House is a widely recognised landmark in Oslo. Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, it boasts a magnificent auditorium and complementary performance spaces for a variety of musical and dance performances. Our tour takes in the public areas, the main stage and the backstage areas of this impressive venue, as we find out what it takes to stage an opera in this iconic venue.

After our guided tour, we return to the hotel for a restful afternoon, or for more independent exploration of Oslo.

This evening, we return to the Oslo Opera House for a ballet performance by the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet.

BALLET PERFORMANCE - NORWEGIAN NATIONAL OPERA & BALLET
Oslo Opera House, 6:00pm

Ludwig Minkus La Bayadère

Natalia Makarova after Marius Petipa choreography
Ludwig Minkus composer
John Lanchbery arranger
Natalia Makarova producer
Pier Luigi Samaritani set design
Yolanda Sonnabend costume design
Norwegian National Ballet, Opera Orchestra

DAY 5 | SUNDAY 3 MAY 2026

OVERNIGHT FERRY FROM OSLO TO COPENHAGEN

OSLO NATIONAL MUSEUM & OSLO TO COPENHAGEN OVERNIGHT FERRY (B, D):

Following a relaxed morning at our hotel, we check out of our rooms and store our luggage for a later collection.

We then take a short walk to the nearby National Museum for a guided tour. The new National Museum, which opened its doors in June 2022, has a permanent exhibition of about 6,500 objects, and a total collection of over 400,000 items. Design, arts and crafts, fine art, as well as contemporary art, is exhibited alongside each other. Our guided tour will introduce us to some of the highlights of the collection, which includes one further version of Edvard Munch’s The Scream, which is on permanent display here.

Following our guided tour, time is allowed for further exploration of the museum.

After our visit to the National Museum, we return to the hotel to board our coach and make the short journey to the Oslo Ferry Terminal. Once here, we board our overnight ferry and check in to our Sea View Cabins for our relaxed overnight journey to Copenhagen. After we have set sail from Oslo and begun our journey along Oslofjord, we enjoy a group dinner together.

DAY 6 | MONDAY 4 MAY 2026

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT PHOENIX COPENHAGEN

ARRIVE COPENHAGEN, COPENHAGEN WALKING TOUR AND CANAL CRUISE, OPERA PERFORMANCE (B):

This morning we enjoy breakfast on board our ferry, ahead of our arrival into Copenhagen at 10:00am. We then make the short coach journey to our hotel, Phoenix Copenhagen, where we deliver our luggage for a later check in.

We then set off on a walking tour of Copenhagen to discover more about the second Scandinavian capital city on our tour. Copenhagen, the city of Hans Christian Andersen and home to one of Europe’s oldest royal families, is a delightful mix of history, culture, and cutting-edge cuisine. Our tour will take us through the heart of this pocket-sized city, including the history of the Amalienborg Palace and the iconic Frederiks Kirke, the picturesque scenery of Nyhavn, the harbour lined with colourful 17th-century townhouses, and The Old Stage, the theatre built in 1874 that is home to the Royal Danish Opera, Ballet & Orchestra.

Following our walking tour, time is allowed for an independent lunch in the picturesque Nyhavn area.

In the early afternoon, we re-group to discover more about this fascinating city on a canal boat tour, to enjoy a picturesque journey around the city’s bustling harbour. Following our boat cruise, we return to our hotel to check in.

This evening, we gather for our pre-concert talk on the opera we will attend this evening.

We then stroll to the exquisite Old Stage for a performance by the Royal Danish Opera of Monteverdi’s L'incoronazione di Poppea.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - THE ROYAL DANISH OPERA
The Old Stage, 7:30pm

Claudio Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea

Lars Ulrik Mortensen conductor
Christoph Marthaler director
Anna Viebrock set and costume design
Kerstin Avemo Poppea
Meili Li Nero
Anne Sofie von Otter Ottavia
Morten Grove Frandsen Ottone
Kyungil Ko Seneca
Annika Beinnes Drusilla
Stuart Jackson Arnalta

DAY 7 | TUESDAY 5 MAY 2026

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT PHOENIX COPENHAGEN

BACKSTAGE TOUR OF COPENHAGEN OPERA & DINNER (B, D):

This morning, we make our way to Copenhagen Opera House, one of the most technologically impressive and expensive opera houses ever built, for a backstage guided tour. The Copenhagen Opera House is designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen, and several Danish artists have contributed to the decor, among them Per Kirkeby, who created four bronze reliefs, and Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, who contributed the three light sculptures for the foyer. The Opera House is clad with German Jura Gelb limestone, and the foyer features Sicilian Perlatino marble. The wall of the auditorium facing the foyer is clad with maple wood, and the ceiling in the main auditorium is adorned with 105,000 sheets of 24-carat gold leaf, equivalent to 1.5 kilos of gold. Our guided backstage tour takes in many of these impressive public areas, as well as moving behind-the-scenes to find out more about the impressive workings of this state-of-the-art theatre.

Following our backstage tour, we return to the hotel for a free afternoon.

This evening we gather at one of Copenhagen’s top dining destinations for a meal inspired by traditional Danish cuisine, but with a contemporary twist.

DAY 8 | WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2026

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT PHOENIX COPENHAGEN

GUIDED TOUR OF CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE (B):

This morning, we make our way to Christiansborg Palace, where we have a guided tour of the Royal Reception Rooms. The tour takes us through the Throne Room where Danish monarchs are crowned, the richly decorated Queen’s Library, the grand Royal Banqueting Hall and the Great Hall, where a series of tapestries chronicle Denmark’s past.

Following our guided tour, time is allowed for further independent exploration.

DAY 9 | THURSDAY 7 MAY 2026

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT PHOENIX COPENHAGEN

GUIDED TOUR OF ROSENBORG CASTLE & BALLET PERFORMANCE (B):

This morning, we enjoy a talk on this evening’s performance by our Tour Leader, Guy Noble.

We then take a picturesque stroll through Frederiksstaden to Rosenborg Castle, where we then enjoy a guided tour. Our guided tour will delve into the history of Rosenborg Castle, which began as Christian IV's dream of an elegant garden with a pleasure pavilion and evolved into a magnificent castle that for centuries has been the setting for royal events and precious treasures. This impressive Renaissance castle houses the Danish crown jewels, which are still worn by the reigning queen on special occasions. Time is allowed following our guided tour to continue your exploration of this fascinating Castle.

This evening, we attend our second performance in Copenhagen, this time by The Royal Danish Ballet. Renowned choreographer Akram Khan embarks on his first full-length ballet - drawing inspiration from one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated tragedies to create an entirely new work. His productions are deeply resonant and emotionally stirring, often delving into themes of identity, migration, and cultural heritage. Khan’s reimagining of Lady Macbeth is poised to be a groundbreaking fusion of classical ballet and his signature contemporary language.

BALLET PERFORMANCE - THE ROYAL DANISH BALLET
Copenhagen Opera House, 8:00pm

Akram Khan Lady Macbeth

Vello Pähn conductor
Akram Khan choreography
Vincenzo Lamagna and Mathias Friis-Hansen composers
Mathias Friis-Hansen music arrangement
The Royal Danish Orchestra

DAY 10 | FRIDAY 8 MAY 2026

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE WESTIN HAMBURG ELBPHILHARMONIE

COPENHAGEN TO HAMBURG VIA RØDBY TO PUTTGARDEN FERRY & CONCERT AT ELBPHILHARMONIE (B):

This morning, following breakfast at our hotel, we depart Copenhagen via coach for the Danish town of Rødby, on the shores of the Baltic sea. Here, we board the ferry from Rødby and cross the border to the German town of Puttgarden. The crossing takes 45 minutes, during which time we will have an opportunity to get lunch.

After arriving on the German island of Fehmarn, we continue our journey on to Hamburg. On arrival in Hamburg, we check in to our fantastically located hotel, the Westin Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, overlooking the historic Speicherstadt, HafenCity and the Elbe River.

In the early evening, we enjoy a talk on the performance we will attend this evening from our Tour Leader, Guy Noble.

We then attend our first performance in Hamburg at the Elbphilharmonie. The Elbphilharmonie officially opened in January 2017, and has become an attraction for Hamburg residents and visitors from across the globe. The concert hall lies on the banks of the Elbe and is surrounded on three sides by water, perched on top of a former harbour warehouse with a new glass structure that rises up to a height of 110 metres above ground level. The Grand Hall is at the heart of the Elbphilharmonie, a stunning concert hall where no member of the 2,100-strong audience is seated more than 30 metres away from the conductor.

CONCERT PERFORMANCE
The Elbphilharmonie, 8:00pm

Joseph Haydn Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze, Hob. XX:1A
Wolfgang Herrndorf Arbeit und Struktur

Riccardo Minasi conductor
Birgit Minichmayr actor
Ensemble Resonanz

DAY 11 | SATURDAY 9 MAY 2026

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE WESTIN HAMBURG ELBPHILHARMONIE

PRIVATE BARGE CRUISE OF HAMBURG, LUNCH & OPERA (B, L):

This morning, we enjoy a pre-performance talk from our Tour Leader, Guy Noble, on the opera we will attend this evening.

Following our talk, we enjoy a private harbour tour of Hamburg in a traditional barge ship. Amongst other sights, the harbour tour will explore Speicherstadt, Hamburg’s spectacular and historic warehouse district. Located in the Port of Hamburg, this is the largest warehouse district in the world where the buildings stand on timber pile foundations, which in this case are oak logs. It was built from 1883 to 1927 to be a free zone used to transfer goods without paying customs. Since 2009, the district has been redeveloped and in July 2015 it was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After our barge cruise, we enjoy a delicious group lunch.

This evening, we attend a performance of Puccini’s much-loved opera Madama Butterfly at the Hamburg State Opera.

OPERA PERFORMANCE - HAMBURG STATE OPERA
Hamburg State Opera, 7:30pm

Giacomo Puccini Madama Butterfly

Alexander Joel conductor
Vincent Boussard director
Vincent Lemaire set designer
Christian Lacroix costume designer
Barno Ismatullaeva Cio-Cio San
Ida Aldrian Suzuki
Aebh Kelly Kate Pinkerton
Atalla Ayan Pinkerton
Kartal Karagedik Sharpless
Daniel Kluge Goro
William Desbiens Il Principe Yamadori
Tigran Martirossian Lo zio Bonzo
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper

DAY 12 | SUNDAY 10 MAY 2026

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE WESTIN HAMBURG ELBPHILHARMONIE

DAY TRIP TO LÜBECK WITH WALKING TOUR (B):

This morning, we travel by private coach to the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. On arrival, we are joined by an expert local guide who will show us the historic sites of this charming city. Lübeck, the Queen of all the Hanseatic cities, was founded in 1143 as 'the first western city on the Baltic coast'. Historical and cultural attractions still dominate the wonderful cityscape today and hark back to the city's glorious past as a Free and Hanseatic city. Surrounded by water, the Old Town with its seven towers and five main churches is testament to 1,000 years of eventful history. As such, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour will take in the Holstentor, the mediaeval city gate, the Salzspeicher Lübeck, the Stadtverwaltung Hansestadt Lübeck and the impressive Marienkirche. Following our tour, time is allowed to continue your exploration of the beautiful old town.

After our trip to Lübeck, we return to Hamburg.

DAY 13 | MONDAY 11 MAY 2026

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE WESTIN HAMBURG ELBPHILHARMONIE

GUIDED TOUR OF HAMBURGER KUNSTHALLE, FAREWELL LUNCH & CONCERT AT ELBPHILHARMONIE (B, L):

This morning, we enjoy our final pre-performance talk from our Tour Leader, Guy Noble.

We then travel to the Hamburger Kunsthalle, one of the largest art museums in Germany, for a guided tour. The three impressive buildings that make up this gallery host one of the most significant art collections in Germany, which features masterpieces from the Middle Ages through to the modern day. Our guided tour will take in the highlights of this impressive collection, and time will then be allowed to continue your exploration further.

Following our visit to Hamburg’s premiere art gallery, we enjoy a gourmet farewell lunch, to mark our final day in Hamburg, and the last day on our tour.

In the early evening, we enjoy a talk on the performance we will attend this evening from our Tour Leader, Guy Noble, and then attend our final performance of the tour at the Elbphilharmonie.

CONCERT PERFORMANCE
The Elbphilharmonie, 8:00pm

Jean Sibelius Valse triste, from the incidental music Kuolema, Op. 44
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in D minor, K. 466
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A major, K. 488
Joseph Haydn Symphony in F-sharp minor, Hob. I:45, Farewell Symphony

Khatia Buniatishvili piano
Academy of St Martin in the Fields

DAY 14 | TUESDAY 12 MAY 2026

TOUR ENDS (B):

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

Please note: There may be some changes to the itinerary depending on the final confirmation of performances.

INCLUSIONS

29 APRIL–12 May 2026 (14 DAYS)

AUD$16,750 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$4,200
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 22 December 2025)
Final payment due: 24 February 2026

INCLUSIONS:

• Performances: Premium tickets for seven opera, ballet or music performances.

  Please note: The venues will announce their 2026 seasons in mid to late 2025. There may be some changes to the itinerary depending on final confirmation of performances.

• Tour Leaders and Talks: Tour leadership and seven exclusive private talks by Guy Noble.

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

• Hotels: 13 nights' accommodation including:

  • Four nights at the 5-star Hotel Continental, Oslo in a Deluxe King Room;

  • One night on the ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen in a Premium Sea View Cabin;

  • Four nights at the 4-star Phoenix Copenhagen in an Executive Room;

  • Four nights at the 5-star Westin Hamburg Elbphilharmonie in a Premium City King Room;

  • Porterage of one piece of luggage at each hotel.

• Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach, one overnight ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen, and one ferry crossing from Rødby to Puttgarden.

• Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning at the hotel. Six lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee.

• 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 tours. 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. From mid-2026, travellers entering European countries will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation. For further information on ETIAS applications visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

• 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.

OPERA & MUSIC IN OSLO, COPENHAGEN & HAMBURG