A JOURNEY TO ST PETERSBURG 11-16 MAY Guest Lecturer, Rosamund Bartlett   After the outstanding success of the Kirov Opera's summer residency at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and in response to many requests from clients, we are delighted to include a spring tour to St Petersburg in our brochure. With Valery Gergiev at the helm, the Kirov Opera has asserted itself as one of the finest opera companies in the world today and it provides a powerful reminder of the value of the ensemble in its large scale productions.

May is a good time to visit the city as the days lengthen, and we visit the imperial palaces in the environs of the city as well as some of St Petersburg's most fascinating places including a special visit to the Theatre Museum.

FRIDAY 11 MAY

Morning departure from London Gatwick Airport on British Airways at 1005. Arrive St Petersburg at 1625 and transfer by private coach to the 4 star Hotel Angleterre. Welcome dinner at the hotel followed by an introductory talk by your guest lecturer.

SATURDAY 12 MAY

Morning tour of St Petersburg concentrating on the city's cultural and architectural heritage. Admire the impressive frontage of the Winter Palace bordering the Neva River. Visit St Isaac's Cathedral. After lunch in a restaurant continue to the art nouveau town house which belonged to Mathilda Kschessinskaya, the famous ballerina, pupil of Petipa and mistress of Tsar Nicholas II. Visit a new exhibition devoted to her life and work and the history of Russian ballet. Afternoon at leisure.

SUNDAY 13 MAY

This morning a private visit has been arranged to the Theatre Museum which houses many treasures - from Anna Pavlova's ballet shoes to the piano on which Tchaikovsky is said to have composed Swan Lake, as well as recordings of Chaliapin and much other memorabilia pertaining to the Russian Theatre. Professor Stupnikov of the Mariinsky Theatre will give an informal talk and this will be followed by a recital on the Tchaikovsky piano. After time for an independent lunch continue to the Mariinsky Theatre for a backstage tour. Dinner in a local restaurant this evening.

MONDAY 14 MAY

Depart from the hotel for the Tsar's village (Tsarskoye Selo), the small town renamed Pushkin in honour of Russia's favourite poet and writer to commemorate the centenary of his death in 1937. The Catherine Palace is the work of the architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The exterior is a magnificent confection of blue, white and gold and the fabulous interiors typify the taste and style of the 18th century. Continue to Pavlovsk where lunch has been arranged in a restaurant. Visit the neo-classical palace designed by Scottish architect, Charles Cameron, stroll in the landscaped gardens and discover the numerous follies such as the Temple of Friendship and the Colonnade of Apollo.

TUESDAY 15 MAY

Morning visit to the Hermitage to see one of the world's greatest art collections. Catherine the Great initiated the collection which was added to by successive Tsars to form an extraordinarily comprehensive picture of European art. The tour is intended as an overview of both the palace and the collection and to provide inspiration for further individual visits. The afternoon is free to allow those who wish to return and see the palace at their leisure. This evening a farewell dinner has been arranged at the hotel.

WEDNESDAY 16 MAY

Mid-morning departure from the hotel and depart by hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland to Petrodvorets, the summer palace of Peter the Great. Virtually destroyed during World War II the palace has been painstakingly restored. The gardens leading down to the Baltic shore feature an avenue of cascading fountains. After lunch in a restaurant continue to St Petersburg Airport and depart on British Airways at 1725. Arrive London Gatwick Airport at 1800.

PERFORMANCE NOTE:

Due to the modus operandi of the Mariinsky Theatre it is still not possible to give reliable information about performance programmes until one month prior to departure. The tour will include two opera or ballet performances at the Mariinsky Theatre. There is also the possibility of optional performances at other venues. Clients booking on the tour will receive notification about performances four weeks before departure.

	PRICE per person 6 Day Tour Price £1495.00 Single Room Supplement £310.00 Deposit required £475.00 Booking Deadline 31 Jan Tour Code STPG Tour price includes Flights and airport taxes - transfers - accommodation - Buffet breakfast daily - 3 lunches - 3 dinners - sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees - top category tickets for two performances at the Mariinsky Theatre - tour manager or local representative. Dress: Lounge suit Supplements Additional tickets. Please request at time of booking. Visa Fee £50.00 NOTE ABOUT VISAS: Travel for the Arts will process your visa application on your behalf at a cost of £50 per person. Please see Terms and Conditions at the back of this brochure for full details.