SARASOTA

With Il trovatore, La bohème, The Merry Widow and Susannah. Apprentice Artists Concerts and the Sarasota Orchestra.

Dinner cruise, superb tours/cuisine/wine, the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Our favourite winter opera festival always has an excellent and varied programme, and it's just a wonderful, warm (in every way) and unpretentious opera experience. What Maestro Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell and their team have done here is truly remarkable. We can't wait to get back to Sarasota.

The 2026 Sarasota Opera season features four operas by four different composers: Verdi’s Il trovatore, Puccini's La bohème, Lehár's The Merry Widow and Carlisle Floyd's Susannah. We will also include the always-popular noontime Apprentice Concert and a performance by the Sarasota Orchestra. We'll embark on a daytrip to St. Petersburg to visit the Dalí Museum, home to one of the most acclaimed collections of a single modern artist in the world, with over 2,000 works representing every moment and medium of Salvador Dalí’s creative life. The Dalí is recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide with a three-star rating, has been deemed “one of the top buildings to see in your lifetime” by AOL Travel News, and was named one of the 10 most interesting museums in the world by Architectural Digest. As always, we include superb meals at some of Sarasota’s finest restaurants, tours of the city and at the Ringling Museum, and we enjoy deluxe rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Sarasota's finest hotel quite near the Opera House.

Click here to register.

ITINERARY

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

Upon arrival in Sarasota you are met and transferred to the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Sarasota's most prestigious address.

19.00 Once settled in our rooms, we gather in the hotel's restaurant for a Welcome Dinner.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

10.00 Depart by coach to the Ringling Ca`d’Zan Mansion and Museum of Art, with a strong and varied collection.

13.30 Lunch is included at Crab & Fin on St. Armands Circle, then back to the hotel by 16.00.

19.00 Gather and depart for our first performance of the festival, Verdi’s Il trovatore. One of Verdi's most popular works, Il trovatore unfolds with the telling of a fiery execution that takes place during Count de Luna's childhood, an event that sets him in vengeful pursuit of the gypsy woman, Azucena. Unrequited love for the noblewoman Leonora and hatred for her lover, the troubadour Manrico, drive him to murderous passions. The story comes full circle, ending with another tragic execution, in this sprawling medieval melodrama. 19.30 curtain.

22.30 Gather in front of the opera house and transfer back to the hotel.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

10.00 Transfer to the Opera House for a special backstage tour.

11.45 Take our seats for an hour-long concert featuring Sarasota Opera’s Apprentice and Studio artists. Noon start.

13.00 Afterward, Sarasota Opera’s Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi and Managing Director Richard Russell will join our group in the courtyard to discuss all things related to Sarasota Opera.

15.00 Following a quick bite at leisure, we return to the Opera House for a brief concert of popular songs selected by company understudies.

19.00 This evening we dine at Ocean Prime, with spectacular views over Sarasota Bay.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

09.30 This morning we enjoy a private 2-hour tour of Sarasota by trolley.

13.00 Transfer to Sarasota Opera for La bohème. 13.30 curtain. Puccini's most beloved opera and one of the most performed in the repertoire, La bohème takes us through the streets of the Latin Quarter in 19th century Paris when the poor embroideress Mimì has a fateful chance encounter with the poet Rodolfo. Laugh and cry as a group of friends struggle and celebrate through the Bohemian lifestyle and experience the heartbreak of a lover's impending demise.

19.00 Tonight we dine at perennial favourite, the refurbished Bijou Garden Café.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

09.45 Depart by coach for St. Petersburg and the Dalí Museum. 13.30 Lunch is included at Birch & Vine, then back to the hotel by 16.00.

19.15 Make our way to the Opera House for Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow. 19.30 curtain. Wealthy widow Hanna Glawari is descended upon by an array of willing suitors from Parisian society. But plans go awry when Hanna's past paramour enters the ballroom. One of the most successful romantic operettas, The Merry Widow is the perfect blend of comedy, dance and unforgettable music.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

12.45 Following a morning at leisure, we transfer for the final performance of the tour—Carlisle Floyd's Susannah. 13.30 curtain. A re-telling of the Book of Susannah, the story follows a pretty, innocent young woman as she falls under the jealous scrutiny of her rural Appalachian community. When the Reverend Blitch appears at her door offering redemption, tragic events unfold that force Susannah to take a stand for her dignity. Honouring the 100th anniversary of Carlisle Floyd's birth and in the state of its premiere, Susannah is a timeless, gripping tale and one of the most popular American operas.

19.00 Tonight we say goodbye with a Farewell Dinner Cruise on board the Marina Jack, where we dine whilst watching the spectacular sunset on Sarasota Bay.

MONDAY, MARCH 23

Transfers (included) to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Details re-confirmed a few days prior.

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for 4 operas and 3 additional performances

• 6 nights Deluxe accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel

• Full breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 4 dinners 

• Private tours as listed

• Airport-hotel transfers 

• On-site Tour Direction

• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

FLIGHTS

Flights are not included in tour pricing. Return flights should be booked to Sarasota (SRQ) for arrival on March 17, departure on March 23. For assistance with flight bookings or for VIP airport service, click here.

TRANSFERS

We provide airport/rail station—hotel transfers for arrivals and on departure, within within 3 days of the start/end of our tour from the cities listed above. We also provide transfers for group meals and performances.

MOBILITY

There is minimal walking with some stairs and cobblestones during the guided tours. As for all of our tours, we are happy to accommodate you regardless of your mobility level. Please make clear your mobility concerns at the time of registration. We provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.

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. For more information about our travel insurance, click here.