HE SPECTATOR READER OFFER PROMOTION

TWO EXCLUSIVE FESTIVE TOURS FOR READERS OF THE SPECTATOR

SPECTATOR READERS ARE INVITED BY TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS TO SELECT A CHRISTMAS OR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY TO COMBINE OPERA AND CONGENIAL COMPANY IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THE CHRISTMAS TOUR TO PRAGUE, THE CITY OF GOOD KING WENCESLAS, INCLUDES PERFORMANCES OF RIGOLETTO AND LA TRA VIA TA AS WELL AS A VISIT TO THE THEATRE WHERE MOZART CONDUCTED THE PREMIERE OF DON GIOVANNI. TOULOUSE IS THE DESTINATION FOR OUR NEW YEAR TOUR AND INCLUDES A PERFORMANCE OF FRANZ LEHAR'S LA VEUVE JOYEUSE (THE MERRY WIDOW) AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT COLLECTIONS OF PAINTINGS BY BONNARD AND TOULOUSE LAUTREC.

CHRISTMAS IN PRAGUE

24-28 DECEMBER 1998

Prague is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, divided by the Vlata River, it is dominated by Prague Castle which encloses the Royal Palace and St Vitus Cathedral. The visit includes two half-day tours of the castle area and the Baroque district of the Old Town both followed by lunch in a local restaurant. You will be staying at the first class Hotel Esplanade situated in the city centre just across the road from the State Opera where you will see Giuseppe Verdi's LA TRAVIATA. Also included in the tour is a performance of RIGOLEITO at the National Theatre. Prague's third theatre is the recently restored Stavovske where Mozart conducted the premiere of Don Giovanni and we have arranged a private tour of this neo-classical building.

5 Day Tour Price: /850.00 p.p. Single room supplement: £96.00 Deposit required: 1250.00 Travel insurance: 123.00

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES FLIGHTS AND AIRPORT TAXES - TRANSFERS - ACCOMMODATION BUFFET BREAKFAST CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER CHRISTMAS DAY AND BOXING DAY LUNCH SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS DESCRIBED INCLUDING GUIDES AND ENTRANCE FEES - STALLS TICKETS FOR TWO PERFORMANCES TOUR MANAGER

NEW YEAR IN TOULOUSE

30 DECEMBER 1998 - 2 JANUARY 1999

This four day tour to the French town of Toulouse offers you the opportunity for operetta, art and good food. Your four star hotel is situated on the corner of the main square a few minutes walk from the opera house. New Year's Eve will be spent at a performance of IA VEUVE JOYEUSE (The Merry Widow) followed by a champagne dinner of local specialities Two French artists are featured in the sightseeing programme with a visit to the Bemberg collection of paintings by Bonnard and some other Fauvistes and a full day excursion to Albi the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec. On New Year's Day relax in the surroundings of the medieval town of Carcassonne before enjoying a delicious lunch. Flights are with British Airways returning to London on Saturday evening.

4 Day Tour Price: £795.00 p.p. in a double/twin room Single room supplement: 150.00

Deposit required: 1250.00 Travel insurance: 123.00

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: FLIGHTS AND AIRPORT TAXES TRANSFERS - ACCOMMODATION ON BED AND BREAKFAST BASIS - TWO LUNCHES AND NEW YEARS EVE DINNER - SIGHTSEEING TOUR AS DESCRIBED INCLUDING GUIDES AND ENTRANCE FEES - ORCHESTRA STALLS SEAT FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE PERFORMANCE OF LA VEUVE JOYEUSE - TOUR MANAGER.

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 BY TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF BLAIR TRAVEL EI LEISURE LTD., A COMPANY INDEPENDENT OF THE SPECTATOR (1828) LTD.

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