Viva Verdi! VERDI IN SOUTH AMERICA BUENOS AIRES RIO DE JANEIRO SANTIAGO DE CHILE 26 OCTOBER - 9 NOVEMBER

The most adventurous of our Viva Verdi! series so far is a whistle-stop tour of South America timed to coincide with celebrations of Verdi's work in no less than three different countries: Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The first stop is in Buenos Aires where the Requiem will be performed at the legendary Teatro Colon. We take you on a tour of the Pampas before moving on to the spectacular Iguazu Falls. Next you will spend four days in the exotic city of Rio de Janeiro where La traviata will be performed at the Teatro Municipal. The last stop is in Santiago de Chile where highlights include a visit to a wine-growing estate and a production of Falstaff directed by Michael Hampe with Haijing Fu and Alessandro Corbelli.

FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER

Depart London Heathrow for Madrid on Aerolineas Argentinas at 1805. After a short stop in Madrid continue to Buenos Aires.

SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER

Arrive Buenos Aires at 0605. Transfer by private coach to the Hotel Crowne Plaza Panamericano, conveniently located close to the Teatro Colon. Remainder of the day at leisure. Meet your travelling companions over a welcome drink this evening at the hotel.

SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER

This morning we explore the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. First we see the Casa de Gobierno, situated on the Plaza de Mayo, known as the Casa Rosada due to its pink hue, and housing the offices of the President of Argentina.

Other sights include the Municipal Palace, the Cathedral and the Recoleta Cemetery, the last resting place of Eva Peron and the site of some fascinating funerary architecture. Finally we see the suburb of La Boca well known for its brightly coloured houses.

After time for an independent lunch, there will be a backstage tour of the fabulous Teatro Colon. Optional evening Tango Show including dinner at El Viejo Almacen.

MONDAY 29 OCTOBER

This morning we leave the city and head for the Pampas. These extensive grasslands are the home of the gaucho, renowned for their virtuoso skills on horseback. Stop for lunch at an estancia en route before returning to Buenos Aires later in the afternoon.

Optional evening concert at the Teatro Colon. Orquestra Filarmonico de Buenos Aires.
C: Bruno d'Astoli. Programme: Mozart Clarinet Concerto, Shostakovich Symphony No. 14 and the World Premiere of a work by Sciamarella.

TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER

Full day at leisure to explore this elegant city.

Evening performance of MESSA DA REQUIEM (Verdi) at the Teatro Colon. Orquesta Estable del Teatro Colon, C: Mario Peruso, D: Vittorio Sicuri, Soloists include: Julia Varady (soprano), Markella Hartziano (mezzo), Frank Lopardo (tenor).

WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER

Leave the hotel after breakfast and transfer to Buenos Aires Airport. Morning flight to Puerto Iguazu. On arrival lunch has been arranged at a panoramic restaurant with breathtaking views of the Iguazu Falls.

The Falls, some of the most spectacular in the world, straddle the border between Brazil and Argentina. The 70m high falls spread over a 3km wide crescent. The Iguazu National Park, designated a UNESCO heritage site, is renowned for its variety of tropical flowers, birds and butterflies.

Stay for one night at the Tropical des Cataratas within the Park.

THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER

Morning free for further exploration of the National Park. Afternoon departure for Rio de Janeiro by plane arriving early evening. This dazzling Brazilian city is the home of the world's most famous Carnival and renowned for its Atlantic coast beaches.

Transfer to Le Meridien Copacabana. The hotel is well known for its excellent cuisine: leading Frech chef Paul Bocuse is the hotel's gastronomic consultant.

Evening at leisure.

FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER

This morning join your guide for a tour of this city and its environs. We see the world-famous beaches, including the Copacabana and Ipanema, before taking the funicular to the statue of Christ the Redeemer that dominates the city.

After lunch (included) take the cable car to the summit of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, which affords a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Return to the hotel late in the afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER

Full day excursion to Petropolis, the summer residence of Brazil's last emperor. A steep scenic mountain road from Rio leads to this summer resort, known for its beautiful flora and hill scenery.

We visit the neoclassical Imperial Palace, the former residence of Emperor Dom Pedro II, and the Gothic Catedral de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, where he and his wife are buried, before taking lunch in a restaurant within what was once the stables.

Following this we visit a beautiful mansion on a coffee plantation before returning to Rio. The evening is at leisure.

SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER

Late afternoon transfer to the Teatro Municipal where we enjoy drinks and canapes in the opulent Café Do Teatro before this evening's performance.

Evening performance of LA TRAVIATA (Verdi) at the Teatro Municipal. Orquestra Sinfonica do Teatro Municipal do Rio, C: Silvio Barbato. D: Sonja Frisell.
Cast: Krassimina Stoyanova, Giorgio Casciarri, Rodrigo Esteves.

MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER

This morning we enjoy a backstage tour of the Teatro Municipal. Afternoon flight to Santiago de Chile.

Late evening arrival and transfer by private coach to the Hotel Carrera, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and Santiago's most traditional hotel.

The hotel's facilities include a solarium, sauna, gym, racquetball court, rooftop swimming pool and sundeck with magnificent views of the Andes Mountains and the city.

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER

Our exploration of Santiago de Chile begins with a drive down the elegant, tree-lined Plaza de Armas. After stopping at the indulgently baroque Cathedral, we see the Casa Colorada, the home of the governor in the days of Spanish rule, and the Palacio de la Moneda. Once the mint, this now serves as the Presidential Palace.

Finally, we climb the hill of Santa Lucia, that provides commanding views of the city centre. Evening performance of FALSTAFF (Verdi) at the Teatro Municipal. Orquesta Filarmonica de Santiago,
C: Gabor Otvos D: Michael Hampe.
Cast: Alessandro Corbelli, Haijing Fu, Rachele Stanisci, Anat Efraty, Ann-Marie Owens.

WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER

The tour ends with a visit to one of Chile's leading wine-growing estates. Its colonial mansion is now a national monument. Enjoy a tasting, and tour the Maipo Valley, Chile's oldest and most renowned wine-producing region.

Following lunch we tour the Santa Rita estate before returning to Santiago. This evening there will be a farewell dinner in the hotel's award-winning restaurant.

THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER

The day is free for some last minute sightseeing.

Afternoon transfer to Santiago Airport and depart on Aerolineas Argentinas at 1805. After a short stop in Buenos Aires continue to Madrid.

FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Arrive at Madrid at 1340, before continuing to London Heathrow, arriving at 1715.

	PRICE per person 15 Day Tour Price £3690.00 Single Room Supplement £950.00 Deposit required £900.00 Booking Deadline 30 JUN Tour Code SAM Tour price includes all flights and airport taxes - transfers - accommodation - 5 lunches - 1 dinner - tickets for Verdi Requiem, La traviata and Falstaff - tour manager Supplements 28 Oct Tango Show £55.00 29 Oct Concert £40.00 Weather Note: This season is spring in South America and mean average temperatures for the time of year are as follows: Buenos Aires 16 degC Rio de Janeiro 23 degC Santiago 18 degC