WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA TOUR I: 29 OCTOBER - 2 NOVEMBER TOUR II: 1 - 5 NOVEMBER   The perennially popular Wexford Festival presents, as usual, a trio of operas unearthed from hidden corners of the repertoire.
We offer a choice of tours including a night in Dublin, which allows a more relaxed arrival in Wexford for your first performance. This year's tour includes a visit to the delightful town of Kilkenny.

TOUR - MONDAY 29 OCTOBER
TOUR 2 - THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER

Depart London Heathrow on British Midland at 1055. Arrive Dublin Airport at 1210 and transfer by private coach to the 4 star Clarion Hotel in the centre of Dublin. A list of recommended restaurants in the city will be supplied.

TOUR 1 - TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER
TOUR 2 - FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER

Morning departure for Wexford. Stop en route for a welcome lunch at Hunters Hotel in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow. Late afternoon arrival in Wexford and check in at White's Hotel, the acknowledged hostelry for festival goers.

A buffet table is available each day from 1100 to 1900 for the sale of sandwiches and hot drinks and after performances on demand. The hotel will also reserve tables in their choice of restaurants for those who wish to dine after the opera.

Afternoon at leisure. This evening rendez-vous at White's and proceed on foot to the Theatre Royal. Evening performance of ALESSANDRO STRADELLA (Flotow) at the Theatre Royal. Romantic opera in three acts to a libretto by W. Friedrich. The action is set in Venice and the countryside outside Rome.

TOUR 1 - WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER
TOUR 2 - SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER

Morning walking tour of Wexford. The origins of this harbour town date back to the Romans but it was the Vikings who were the first to establish permanent settlements in Eire as bases for their nautical trading and exploration.

The Normans arrived in 1169 and rapidly integrated with the native Gaelic community. The modern town offers a pleasant stroll through the narrow streets which link the ancient Gaelic and Norse market places. Evening performance of THE JACOBIN (Dvorak) at the Theatre Royal. The action is set in a country town in Bohemia during the French Revolution.

TOUR 1 - THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER
TOUR 2 - SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER

Full day excursion. First we visit Kilkenny, Ireland's most attractive Medieval market town where we tour its splendid castle. After time for independent lunch we continue to the Waterford Crystal visitor centre where we make a short stop before returning to Wexford.

Evening performance of SAPHO (Massenet) at the Theatre Royal. Pièce lyrique in five acts based on a libretto by Henri Cain and Arthur Brede after the novel by Alphonse Daudet. The plot carries echoes of 'La Dame aux Camelias'

TOUR 1 - FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER
TOUR 2 - MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER

Morning transfer from Wexford by private coach to Dublin Airport and depart on British Midland at 1520.

Arrive London Heathrow at 1625.

	TOUR 1 - PRICE per person 5 Day Tour Price £675.00 Single Room Supplement £105.00 Deposit required £250.00 Booking Deadline 30 JUN Tour Code WEX
	TOUR II PRICE per person 5 Day Tour Price £735.00 Single Room Supplement £105.00 Deposit required £250.00 Booking Deadline 30 JUN Tour Code WEX Tour price includes flights and airport taxes - transfers - accommodation - sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees - buffet breakfast daily - one lunch - tickets for Alessandro Stradella, The Jacobin, Sapho - tour manager. Dress: Lounge suit NOTE: The Festival has a policy of charging a uniform ticket price for all seats in the theatre. It is not possible to confirm at this stage the exact location of the seats but the sightlines at the Theatre Royal are good and there are no obstructions to a full view of the stage. One of the popular aspects of the Wexford Festival is the programme of assocated events including the daytime concerts in the Rose Street Church and White's Hotel and late evening recitals. Details will be published in July and will be circulated to all those who have booked on the tour, with the option of reserving tickets in advance.