AUTUMN OPERA IN PRAGUE 8-12 NOVEMBER   A late autumn visit to Prague will reveal this beautiful city in all its splendour, unencumbered by the overwhelming crowds of the spring and summer months. One of the joys of Prague is the possibility of enjoying three operas in as many nights in three contrasting, but equally fascinating theatres.
Daytime visits have been planned to show some of the city's glorious architectural heritage and to trace the lives of the great Czech composers.

THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER

Depart London Heathrow on British Airways at 1430. Arrive Prague Airport at 1725 and transfer by private coach to the 4 star Hotel Meteor Plaza. Centrally located in the Old Town the hotel is housed in an historic building. This evening join your travelling companions for a welcome drink in the hotel's 14th century wine tavern.

FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER

This morning join your expert guide for a tour of the Old Town. Visit the Estates Theatre, an 18th century jewel built by Lukas Hildebrandt, designer of the Belvedere in Vienna, and admire its elegant pastel coloured interior.

A tour of the theatre will provide an interesting prelude to Sunday evening's performance of Don Giovanni in the intimate theatre where the opera received its premiere in 1787, conducted by the composer. Continue to the Old Town Square where you will see the intriguing astronomical clock and the panorama of architectural styles that line the square, from medieval gothic through exuberant baroque to flamboyant art nouveau.

Pause at the Smetana Museum, a tribute to the standard bearer of Czech nationalism who gave a voice to Bohemians in the 19th century. Continue to the picturesque Charles Bridge where you can follow the procession of statues across the Vltava River.

Lunch in a nearby restaurant after the tour. Afternoon at leisure. Evening transfer to the National Theatre for a performance of JENUFA (Janacek).

SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER

This morning visit the Villa Amerika, the charming.18th century summer chateau which houses the Dvorak Museum. The collection includes the composer's piano, viola and desk as well as scores and photographs.

Antonin Dvorak was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by Oxford University and his robes are also on display. Optional matinee performance of RUSALKA (Dvorak) at the National Theatre. Or afternoon at leisure.

Evening transfer to the State Opera for a performance of TOSCA (Puccini).

SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER

Morning tour to Bertramka, the Dusek's villa on the outskirts of the city where Mozart stayed three times and is reputed to have written the overture to Don Giovanni hours before the opera's premiere.

Afternoon at leisure. Evening performance of DON GIOVANNI (Mozart) at the Estates Theatre.

MONDAY 12 NOVEMBER

Check out of the hotel and depart for a tour of Prague Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world. The vast complex that comprises the castle is almost a town within a town, spanning ten centuries of architectural development.

Visit the gothic St Vitus Cathedral and admire the luminous art nouveau stained glass windows by Alphonse Mucha. Continue to the Vladislav Hall and stroll along the Golden Lane, the haunt of alchemists in times gone by.

Following the tour lunch has been arranged in a local restaurant. After lunch transfer to Prague Airport and depart on British Airways at 1825. Arrive London Heathrow at 1925.

	PRICE per person 5 Day Tour Price £690.00 Single Room Supplement £115.00 Deposit required £195.00 Booking Deadline 30 JUN Tour Code PRA Tour price includes flights and airport taxes - transfers - accommodation - sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees - buffet breakfast daily - two lunches - top category ticket for Jenufa, Tosca and Don Giovanni - tour manager or local representative. Dress: Lounge suit Supplements Sat 10 Nov Rusalka £30.00