THE TOUR INCLUDES: - Top category seats for all performances as listed - 9 nights accommodations at the 4-star Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten Hotel in Covent Garden, easy walking distance to the Royal Opera - Full breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 3 dinners - 3 custom (private) city tours, including the most important historical and architectural sites, the National Gallery and the Royal Opera House - private Airport-Hotel transfers - tour direction by an Aria Tours director - a comprehensive tour handbook containing travel info, performance synopses and a detailed daily itinerary Cost: $7245 US Single Supplement: $1750 US The Coronation of Poppea (ENO): $200 Deposit: $2500 Balance due: August 15, 2007

OPTIONS FLIGHTS We will be happy to make any flight arrangements, including reward travel with your preferred carrier, for $75 per person. AIRPORT-HOTEL TRANSFERS We include airport-hotel transfers (group) on the published tour dates. Transfers are not include for early arrivals or extended stays, although we can easily make these arrangements for you. TOUR ADDITIONS The itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and desires. Please call us to discuss any changes or amendments you wish to make. INSURANCE We strongly recommend that all tour members purchase cancellation insurance upon registration. We can assist you with this, though you are welcome to purchase a policy at your own discretion. If you would like information on the policies offered by our supplier, please contact us for details, or click HERE for an insurance brochure and application.

Now that the mortals have joined the gods and monsters, the feeling is that Keith Warner's new Covent Garden 'Ring’—"tested” as individual performances over the past several years—has come into its own. This potent staging of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen is remarkable for the intelligent and focussed exposition of its text and the power of its imagery. Warner's purpose is sharpened—the dramatic leitmotifs are all in place. Yet more significant and thrilling is the way in which Warner places the ascendancy of humankind as a counterpoint to the demise of the gods. And Antonio Pappano and the orchestra rise to every moment of this most impassioned 'Ring'—with heart and soul.

We will enjoy top category seating for all performances. Cast includes John Tomlinson, Lisa Gasteen, John Treleaven, Peter Sidhom, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Plácido Domingo, Philip Langridge and Rosalind Plowright.

London is one of the world’s most vital and vibrant cities. Its tapestry of cultures is reflected through cuisine, shops, music and colourful festivals. Despite a population of over seven million, more than 30 percent of London is made up of parks and green space, greater than any other city of its size in the world. This space provides the perfect opportunity for walks and relaxation during leisure time. London also offers some of the best shopping opportunities in the world. From major department stores to designer boutiques and street markets—the choice is immense. As for nightlife on non-performance evenings, there are huge numbers of restaurants, pubs, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs plus live music and comedy venues. At any time of day, whatever the weather, you will always find something very special in London. We include several brief and informative guided (private) tours in and around the city, including a city overview, a tour of the National Gallery, and a tour of the Royal Opera House. Yet we will also make certain that tour members have plenty of leisure time in order to relax or explore London on their own.

In addition, you will have an opportunity to attend a performance of Claudio Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea (L'incoronazione di Poppea) on several of the "off" nights (October 18 [premier] or 20). Laurence Cummings conducts this Chen Shi-Zheng coproduction with the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston. The cast includes Kate Royal, Tim Mead, Christine Rice, Doreen Curran, Lucy Crowe, Robert Lloyd, Christopher Gillett, William Berger, Joana Seara, Katherine Manley, Jane Harrington and Sophie Bevan.

THE ITINERARY

Monday, October 15
Individual departures for London.

Tuesday, October 16
Arrival in London and transfer (included) to the elegant Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten Hotel, our 4-star accommodations in Covent Garden, a short walk to the Royal Opera House. Afternoon at leisure. This evening, we enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Wednesday, October 17
Morning: We meet for a private and guided city coach and walking tour, featuring the highlights of one of the world's great cities: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Fleet Street, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, Tower of London, Big Ben, Downing Street, The Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square. Lunch is included. Evening: 'The Ring' begins, with Das Rheingold at the Royal Opera. 7:30 start.

Thursday, October 18
Enjoy the full day at leisure. We will be happy to assist with any day trips you may wish to undertake. A performance at the English National Opera may be possible. Details in summer.

Friday, October 19
Morning: Guided tour of the The National Gallery, which houses one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world, including Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and countless masterpieces by Leonardo, Seurat, Cézanne, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens and many more. Evening: Die Walküre at the Royal Opera. Dinner is included at the opera house. 5 pm curtain.

Saturday, October 20
Enjoy the full day at leisure.

Sunday, October 21
Morning at leisure. Afternoon: Siegfried at the Royal Opera. 3 pm curtain.

Monday, October 22
Full day at leisure. Those wishing to partake in an excursion outside the city will be accommodated. Please contact the office for details.

Tuesday, October 23
Morning: Guided tour of the Royal Opera House. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner this evening is included.

Wednesday, October 24
Morning: at leisure. We enjoy a Farewell Lunch early afternoon. Late afternoon: 'The Ring' concludes with Götterdammerung at the Royal Opera. 4 pm start.

Thursday, October 25
Group departures (included).