THE RIGA OPERA FESTIVAL 5-9 JUNE   Under the able stewardship of its General Director, Andrejs Zagars, Riga Opera has attracted considerable interest amongst international critics and opera goers including many enthusiastic Travel for the Arts clients over the last two years. In June the third Opera Festival will provide a showcase for the company's work featuring both Latvian singers on the international circuit and homegrown rising stars. The neo-classical opera house is one of Europe's finest and the city of Riga, with its winding cobbled streets and outstanding mediaeval buildings has enormous charm. This year's programme features works by Mozart, Rossini and Verdi.

TUESDAY 5 JUNE

Morning departure from London Heathrow on Scandinavian Airlines System at 1245. Change planes in Copenhagen and arrive in Riga at 1850. Private coach transfer to the 4 star Hotel de Rome. Welcome drink and remainder of the evening at leisure.

WEDNESDAY 6 JUNE

This morning join your expert guide for a tour of Riga, the most prosperous of the Baltic ports and a major centre for the export of grain, second only to Odessa. The Baltic was an important supplier to the Royal Navy in the days of Lord Nelson when masts of most ships came from this part of the world and through Riga. It was occupied by the Poles and Swedes before becoming absorbed into the Russian empire of Peter the Great in 1720. Latvia finally regained its independence in the early 1990s.

Start in the old part of the city on a walking tour through the cobbled streets lined with medieval town houses alongside Queen Anne and 16th century Dutch style. Pause at the Dome Cathedral which has one of the great organs of Europe made up of 6,668 pipes. Continue to Old Riga Castle which houses a museum of history and literature. After lunch in a restaurant continue the tour of the city by coach returning to the hotel. Evening performance of DIE ZAUBERFLOTE (Mozart) at the Riga Opera Festival.

THURSDAY 7 JUNE

Today a full day excursion has been arranged to Zemgale, 'the bread basket of Latvia'. Drive through the town of Bauska and visit the ruined castle. Continue to Rundale and visit the palace designed by the architect of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Tour the palace which is filled with 18th century furniture, paintings and china and stroll in the French-style park. Lunch at the palace restaurant before returning to Riga. Evening performance of DON CARLOS (Verdi) at the Riga Opera Festival.

FRIDAY 8 JUNE

Morning visit to the Latvian National Opera House, an outstanding neo-classical theatre described by John Allison in The Times as "one of the most beautiful theatres in Europe". Afternoon at leisure. Evening performance of IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA (Rossini) at the Riga Opera Festival.

SATURDAY 9 JUNE

Morning transfer to Riga Airport and depart on Scandinavian Airlines System at 1240. Change planes in Copenhagen and arrive at London Heathrow at 1555.

	PRICE per person 5 Day Tour Price £870.00 Single Room Supplement £190.00 Deposit required £325.00 Booking Deadline 28 Feb Tour Code RIGA 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 Die Zauberflote, Don Carlos, Il Barbiere Di Sivilia - tour manager or local representative. Dress: Lounge suit