TWO VERY SPECIAL TOURS EXCLUSIVELY FOR READERS OF THE SPECTATOR

SPECTATOR READERS ARE INVITED BY CULTURAL TRAVEL SPECIALISTS TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS, TO SELECT A HOLIDAY AT TWO OF ITALY'S MOST FAMOUS MUSIC FESTIVALS FROM THE LIGURIAN TO THE ADRIATIC COASTS THIS SUMMER. TODAY'S CELEBRATED OPERATIC DUO: ANGELA GHEORGHIU AND ROBERTO ALAGNA PERFORM LEONCAVALLO'S POIGNANT 1 PAGLIACCI AT THE RAVENNA FESTIVAL CONDUCTED BY LA SCALA'S RICCARDO MUT!, IN TUSCANY THE ANNUAL PUCCINI FESTIVAL, HELD IN AN OPEN AIR AUDITORIUM IN THE GROUNDS OF THE COMPOSER'S VILLA PRESENTS TURANDOT AND A DOUBLE BILL OF CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA AND GIANNI SCHICCHI.

GHEORGHIU AND ALAGNA at the RAVENNA FESTIVAL

24-27 JULY 1998

Ravenna is a treasure trove of early Christian art. Your tour includes guided visits to the city's Byzantine churches decorated with astonishing 6th century mosaics as well as a visit to the nearby city of Ferrara, a jewel of the Italian Renaissance. Fly British Airways to Bologna and stay for four nights at the 4 star Park Hotel set in its own grounds in the outskirts of the city with a swimming pool and tennis courts. Tickets are included for a performance of 1 Pagliacci with Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna.

Four day tour price: 1795

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £79.00

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: SCHEDULED FLIGHTS AND AIRPORT TAXES - TRANSFERS ACCOMMODATION - BUFFET BREAKFAST - ONE LUNCH - ONE DINNER - SIGHTSEEING TOURS INCLUDING GUIDES AND ENTRANCE FEES - TOP CATEGORY TICKET FOR I PAGLIACCI.

PUCCINI FESTIVAL

and visits to gardens in Tuscany

6-9 AUGUST 1998

A four day tour to Tuscany to enjoy the works of Giacomo Puccini which are performed annually in an open air auditorium in the grounds of the composer's home on the coast at Torre del Lago. For the first time this year the programme includes a work by Puccini's contemporary, Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana to be performed in a double bill with Puccini's Gianni Schicchi. The tour includes guided visits to the medieval town of Lucca where Puccini was born as well as his villa and a full day excursion to see a hidden garden at a 16th century Florentine palace and the gardens of the Villa Ginori di Bevigliano at Fiesole. i It British Airways to Pisa and stay at the 4 star Grand Hotel Croce di Malta, set in 25 acres of parkland in this peaceful thermal resort.

Four (lay tour price: 1825

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £60.00 TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: SCHEDULED FLIGHTS AND AIRPORT TAXES - TRANSFERS - ACCOMMODATION - BREAKFAST - ONE DINNER

SIGHTSEEING TOURS INCLUDING GUIDES AND ENTRANCE FEES - CATEGORY II TICKETS FOR TWO FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES.

FOR FULL DETAILS AND TO MAKE A BOOKING PLEASE CONTACT:

TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS

117 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 8UR Tel: 0171-483 4466 Fax: 0171-586 0639 e mail: tfa@btinternet.com

THIS HOLIDAY IS ORGANISED EV TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF BLAIR TRAVEL & LEISURE LTD., A COMPANY INDEPENDENT OF THE SPECTATOR (1028) LTD.

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