THE TOUR INCLUDES: Top Category seats for 4 operas & 1 concert 4 nights superior accommodations in downtown Sarasota, near the opera house Full breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 3 dinners Tour of the Opera House, plus 2 optional tours (Selby Gardens, Ringling Museum) Private airport-hotel transfers On site Tour Direction Comprehensive Tour Guidebook Deposit: $1000 US Balance due: December 11, 2009 Cost: $2475 US Single Supplement: $500 US Deposit: $1000 US Balance due: December 11, 2009

OPTIONS FLIGHTS We will be happy to make any flight arrangements, including reward travel with your preferred carrier, for $75 per person. Return flights should be booked to Bradenton International Airport in Sarasota. AIRPORT-HOTEL TRANSFERS We include airport-hotel transfers (group) on the published tour dates. Transfers are not included 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.

What better way to escape the winter chill than in Sarasota, with one of the most unique and enjoyable opera experiences in North America. Our days will be spent soaking up the sun and sea air, enjoying the views of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and touring the most significant cultural sights in the area.

Our nights will be filled with the strains of Verdi, Leoncavallo, Humperdinck, Mozart and Mascagni, and will see us retire to charming accommodations at our secret hotel in Sarasota. Sarasota is one of Florida's cultural centers, home to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the FSU Center for the Performing Arts (home of the Asolo Theatre Festival), and of course, the Sarasota Opera. Sarasota Opera continues to offer outstanding productions true to the vision of the composers whose works it presents.

Reviews of the recently-restored Sarasota Opera House lead us to believe that 2010 will be a superb experience in every way. "With the dimensions of the Opera House, which almost guarantee an engaging experience between audience and singers, and DeRenzi's full throttle approach to each work, whether he's conducting it or not, a dull performance at the Sarasota Opera is hard to come by." — OPERA NEWS

THE ITINERARY

Thursday, March 11
Arrivals in Sarasota and transfers (included) from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to our secret hotel near the marina. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we gather in the hotel lobby for introductions and a Welcome Dinner at the superb Selva Grill.

Friday, March 12
Late morning we gather for a behind-the-scenes exploration of the newly renovated Opera House, followed by a Scenes at Noon concert in the Peterson Great Room. Lunch is included at Mattison’s City Grill. In the evening, we meet once again in the hotel lobby and depart for the Sarasota Opera and the traditional double bill presentation of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci.

Saturday, March 13
Following a morning at leisure, we transfer to the Sarasota Opera for a matinée performance of Humperdinck's Hansel & Gretel (sung in English). Afterward, we enjoy early dinner at the award-winning Bijou Café, near the Opera House. We then return for our second performance of the day, Mozart's beloved The Magic Flute.

Sunday, March 14
Today is at leisure for soaking up sun. We also offer two optional guided tours: AM - Selby Botanical Gardens; PM - Ringling Museum of Art and Cà d'Zan Mansion. Each tour is $50. This evening, we gather for a Farewell Reception (cocktails and light meal) before transferring to the opera house for our final performance, Verdi’s Giovanna d’Arco.

Monday, March 15
Following breakfast, transfer (included) to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport for departing flights.