Cultural Tours & Music Holidays 2019 | Kirker Holidays

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c u lt u r a l t o u r s & m u s i c h o l i d ay s

CULTURAL TOURS & MUSIC HOLIDAYS F O R

D I S C E R N I N G

T R A V E L L E R S

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ARCHITECTURE

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GARDENS

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ARCHAEOLOGY

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HISTORY

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MUSIC

CULTURAL TOURS: ALBANIA • belgium • FRANCE • italy • Jordan • morocco • Portugal • Russia • Spain EXCLUSIVE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVALS: alfriston • eastbourne • ischia • villa medici giulini • Lake como • mallorca st. mawes • TENERIFE • music cruises 2019

ESCORTED Holidays TO LEADING MUSIC FESTIVALS & events: amsterdam • berlin • Buxton dresden • three choirs • GRAFENEGG • grange festival • La FENICE, venice • LA SCALA, milan • leipzig • malta • naples • new york north Norfolk • the ruhr • schubertiade • thuringia & saxony • puccini • vienna

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2019 DEPARTURES This list of holidays is updated regularly with additional tour departures added throughout the year. Please visit our website or telephone 020 7593 2284 to speak to an expert consultant for the most up-to-date information.

JANUARY 12th The Kirker Music Festival in Tenerife 21st Malta Baroque Music Festival 28th Venice & Opera at La Fenice

9 30 21

FEBRUARY 7th La Scala, Milan 28th The Canary Islands & Madeira Music Cruise

20

14

MARCH 2nd 7th 11th 12th 15th 17th 20th 21st 24th 25th

The Metropolitan Opera & Art Galleries of New York Opera & Music in Berlin The Kirker Spring Music Festival at the Hotel Tresanton, St. Mawes Seville & Andalucía Jordan – The Land of T.E. Lawrence Dutch Masters in Amsterdam & The Hague Opera & Art in Vienna Madrid & Old Castille Venice & Opera at La Fenice Venice,Veneto & Prosecco

32 26 11 48 56 16 19 47 21 41

APRIL 2nd 5th 7th 7th 17th

23rd 24th 24th 25th 26th 27th 27th 27th 30th

Art of the Cote D’Azur The Bay of Naples Sicily – An Enigmatic Island Gardens of the Riviera Opera & Music in the Ruhr Umbria – The Essence of Italy The Italian Lakes – Gardens & Villas of Como & Maggiore The Duke of Wellington & The Peninsular War La Scala, Milan The Palaces & Galleries of St. Petersburg The Kirker Music Festival at the Grand, Eastbourne Carcassonne & Albi Málaga – Picasso & Beyond The Ring Cycle in Leipzig

44 40 43 45 28 39 38 52 20 54 12 46 50 29

MAY 1st 2nd 2nd 6th 7th 7th 10th 19th 19th 22nd 26th

28th 29th 30th

Ravenna, Urbino & Ferrara Gardens of Marrakech Art, Music & Literature in Moscow Parma, Cremona & Mantua Villa Medici Giulini with Melvyn Tan Discovering Castille & León Opera & Art in Vienna The Grandeur of Rome Puglia – A Land of Conquest The Dresden Music Festival Villas & Gardens Around Rome Venice & Opera at La Fenice The Kirker Music Festival in Mallorca Teatro San Carlo, Naples & a visit to La Mortella

36 57 55 37 8 49 19 34 42 27 35 21 13 31

JUNE 4th 5th 12th 13th

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Opera & Music in Berlin The Italian Lakes – Gardens & Villas of Como & Maggiore Genoa – City of the Doges The World of JS Bach – Thuringia & Saxony

26 38 40 25

16th 19th 20th 20th 21st

La Scala, Milan Opera & Music in the Ruhr Opera & Art in Vienna The Grange Festival, Hampshire An Introduction to Albania

20 28 19 23 51

JULY 8th 17th 27th 31st

The Buxton International Festival The Buxton International Festival The Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester The Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester

22 22 24 24

AUGUST 8th 12th 23rd 28th

The Puccini Opera Festival in Tuscany The North Norfolk Music Festival The Schubertiade Festival The Grafenegg Music Festival

31 23 18 17

SEPTEMBER 2nd 2nd 2nd 6th 6th 9th 10th 10th 11th 15th 19th 23rd 25th 26th 30th

The Kirker Chamber Music Festival in Afriston, East Sussex Umbria – The Esssence of Italy Carcassonne & Albi An Introduction to Albania The Palaces & Galleries of St. Petersburg Venice & Opera at La Fenice The West Coast of France: Bordeaux, Rouen & Brittany Music Cruise Art of the Cote D’Azur Genoa – City of the Doges Gardens of the Riviera Teatro San Carlo, Naples & a visit to La Mortella The Kirker Music Festival on Lake Como Ravenna, Urbino & Ferrara Discovering Castille & León Parma, Cremona & Mantua

10 39 46 51 54 21 14 44 40 45 31 7 36 49 37

OCTOBER 1st 4th 5th 6th 6th 10th 11th 13th 14th 15th 20th

24th 27th 30th 30th 31st

The Schubertiade Festival The Palaces & Galleries of St. Petersburg La Scala, Milan Venice & Opera at La Fenice Villas & Gardens Around Rome Art, Music & Literature in Moscow The Kirker Ischia Music Festival Puglia – A Land of Conquest Venice,Veneto & Prosecco The Duke of Wellington & the Peninsular War Sicily – An Enigmatic Island The Battles of Monte Cassino The Grandeur of Rome The Western Front – The Road to Victory Jordan – The Land of T.E. Lawrence Madrid & Old Castille

18 54 20 21 35 55 6 42 41 52 43 53 34 53 56 47

NOVEMBER 8th The Bay of Naples 12th Seville & Andalucía 12th Málaga – Picasso & Beyond

40 48 50

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FOR DISCERNING TRAVELLERS

4 WATERLOO COURT • 10 THEED STREET • LONDON SE1 8ST Tel: 020 7593 2284 • Fax: 020 4593 1461 • culturaltours@kirkerholidays.com • www.kirkerholidays.com

Welcome to the Kirker Cultural Tours & Music Holidays brochure for 2019.We look forward to welcoming you on one of our escorted holidays soon – whether it is a cultural tour with a focus on art, history, architecture or gardens, one of our holidays to a major music festival or opera house, or perhaps an exclusive Kirker Music Festival.

The success of our holidays is based on meticulous research and carefully planned itineraries which often include visits to places that are not usually available to visitors. Many of our clients enjoy the social aspects and so we include a number of dinners at some of our favourite local restaurants, as well as free time for independent exploration.

Many of the tours have become familiar favourites and so we shall be returning once again to St. Petersburg, the Côte d’Azur – for both its art and its gardens – Sicily and Rome. More recent, but increasingly popular, additions include parts of Europe not yet on the beaten path, such as Salamanca, Puglia and Albania. Each year we also include some new destinations, and for 2019 we are pleased to offer a tour of the dazzling gardens of Marrakech in the spring, and a new itinerary that combines Venice with visits to the Palladian villas and prosecco vineyards in the Veneto countryside. For those interested in military history, look out for tours to the battlefields of Monte Cassino, the Peninsular War and the Western Front.

It is always interesting to see how some places reinvent themselves; two such examples in this brochure are Málaga which, as the birthplace of Picasso, was perhaps well placed to evolve into an art city of major importance, and Essen, in the previously industrial Ruhr Valley, which is now a region of parks and lakes, with a striking Alvar Aalto opera house.

Our exclusive Kirker Music Festivals are enjoyed by those who relish spending a holiday in the company of acclaimed musicians – as well as hearing them perform. For the 14th successive year, Ischia in the Bay of Naples leads the way, whilst our new Italian festival with Melvyn Tan, at Villa Medici Giulini north of Milan, promises to be a great addition. On board Fred.Olsen’s Black Watch (with its intimate theatre ideal for chamber music concerts) we have two music cruises planned; to the Canary Islands & Madeira in February and the west coast of France in September.

Kirker’s carefully-selected tour leaders play a crucial role in the success of our holidays and remain loyal and dedicated.They seamlessly bridge the gap between erudition and conviviality to ensure you can relax and enjoy your holiday in the company of like-minded travellers.

If you are considering a private tour, perhaps to celebrate a special occasion with friends, or travelling with a local society, please do contact us to discuss your plans.We would be delighted to help and enjoy sharing our many years of experience and knowledge – please call 020 7593 2284 to speak to an expert.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ted Wake

Barry Cheesman

Joint Managing DireCtor anD DireCtor of sales & Marketing

Cultural tours senior exeCutive

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE – HIGHLY COMMENDED TOP TOUR OPERATOR 2018 CLASSIC FM – 25TH ANNIVERSARY ‘SILVER TRAVELLER’ AWARD WINNER 2017 COMUNE DI VENEZIA – LION OF ST. MARK GOLD AWARD FOR TOURISM 2016 SUNDAY TIMES TRAVEL MAGAZINE – WINNER ‘BEST VALUE TRAVEL COMPANY’ 2016

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DESTINATIONS EXCLUSIVE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVALS

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England The Kirker Chamber Music Festival in Afriston, East Sussex

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The Kirker Spring Music Festival at the Hotel Tresanton, St. Mawes

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The Kirker Music Festival at the Grand, Eastbourne

12

Italy The Kirker Ischia Music Festival

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The Kirker Music Festival on Lake Como

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The Villa Medici Giulini Concerts with Melvyn Tan

8

Spain 9

The Kirker Music Festival in Mallorca

13

Music Cruises The Canary Islands & Madeira

14

The West Coast of France: Bordeaux, Rouen & Brittany

14 15

Austria

Albania An Introduction to Albania

51

The Western Front – The Road to Victory

53

France Art of the Côte d’Azur

44

Gardens of the Riviera

45

Carcassonne & Albi

46

Italy The Grandeur of Rome

34

The Grafenegg Music Festival

17

Villas & Gardens around Rome

35

The Schubertiade Music Festival

18

Ravenna, Urbino & Ferrara

36

Opera & Art in Vienna

19

Parma, Cremona & Mantua

37

The Italian Lakes – Gardens & Villas of Como & Maggiore

38

England The Buxton International Festival

22

Umbria – The Essence of Italy

39

The North Norfolk Music Festival

23

Genoa – City of the Doges

40

The Grange Festival, Hampshire

23

The Bay of Naples

40

The Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester

24

Venice,Veneto & Prosecco

41

Puglia – A Land of Conquest

42

Germany The World of JS Bach – Thuringia & Saxony

25

Sicily – An Enigmatic Island

43

Opera & Music in Berlin

26

The Battles of Monte Cassino

53

The Dresden Music Festival

27

Opera & Music in the Ruhr

28

The Ring Cycle in Leipzig

29

Holland Dutch Masters in Amsterdam & The Hague

Jordan The Land of T. E. Lawrence

16

56

Morocco Gardens of Marrakech

Italy

57

Portugal The Duke of Wellington & the Peninsular War

52

La Scala, Milan

20

Venice & Opera at La Fenice

21

The Palaces & Galleries of St. Petersburg

54

The Puccini Opera Festival in Tuscany

31

Art, Music & Literature in Moscow

55

The Teatro San Carlo, Naples

31

Malta Malta Baroque Music Festival

30

USA The Metropolitan Opera & Art Galleries of New York

4

33

Belgium

The Kiker Music Festival in Tenerife

ESCORTED HOLIDAYS TO LEADING MUSIC FESTIVALS & EVENTS

CULTURAL TOURS

32

Russia

Spain Madrid & Old Castille

47

Seville & Andalucía

48

Discovering Castille & León

49

Málaga – Picasso & Beyond

50

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EXCLUSIVE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVALS Each year Kirker organises a series of Exclusive Music Festivals on land and at sea, featuring private concerts by highlyacclaimed musicians in beautiful settings. Each of these holidays is unique, and includes a special programme of music prepared by our Director of Music Simon Rowland-Jones, and performed exclusively for Kirker clients by international musicians of the highest calibre. Artists, concert programmes and venues have all been carefully arranged to create an atmosphere akin to a country house party where audiences and musicians alike will share in the experience – groups are larger than on our normal Music Holidays, and we might have 50 or 60 participants.

One of the highlights for many clients who return year after year, is the opportunity to not only hear the performers in concert, but to meet them after the recitals, during our private drinks parties and over dinner.The musicians too relish the opportunity to perform before the same listeners over the course of several days, building a rare rapport with their audience.

During each holiday there will be both included excursions and free time to explore the local region – whether a guided tour of ancient Herculaneum with a local expert during our Ischia Music Festival, a visit to the spectacular Mount Teide National Park in Tenerife, or a gentle walk alongside the River Cuckmere in East Sussex.

2019 kirker MUSIC FESTIVALs There will be 10 Exclusive Kirker Music Festivals during 2019 – three in England, three in Italy, two in Spain and two at sea on board Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch. Highlights include winter sunshine in Tenerife, the Cornish spring at The Tresanton in St. Mawes, and late summer sun at La Mortella on the island of Ischia, where we return for the 14th consecutive year. ●

The Kirker Music Festival in Tenerife – page 9 12 January Featuring:The Gould Piano Trio; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Ilona Domnich, soprano; Mark Risi, piano

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The Kirker Spring Music Festival at the Hotel Tresanton, St. Mawes – page 11 11 March Featuring:The Castalian String Quartet

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The Kirker Music Festival at The Grand, Eastbourne – page 12 27 April Featuring:The Maxwell String Quartet

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Villa Medici Giulini Collection – page 8 7 May Featuring: Melvyn Tan, piano

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The Kirker Music Festival in Mallorca – page 13 29 May Featuring:The Phoenix Piano Trio; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Marta Fontanals-Simmons, soprano; Lorena Paz Nieto, mezzo-soprano; Sholto Kynoch, piano

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The Kirker Chamber Music Festival in Alfriston, East Sussex – page 10 2 September Featuring:The Navarra String Quartet; Adam walker, flute; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola

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The Kirker Music Festival on Lake Como – page 7 23 September 2019 Featuring: Luis Gomes, tenor; Sergio Vitale, baritone; Melvyn Tan, piano; Simon Rowland- Jones, viola; Elisabeth Perry, violin; Iain Burnside, piano

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The Kirker Ischia Music Festival – page 6 11 October Featuring:The Carducci String Quartet; James Gilchrist, tenor; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola;Tim Horton, piano

2019 MUSIC festivals at sea For those who enjoy listening to sublime music as you glide between fascinating ports of call, our annual series of Music Festivals at Sea offer the perfect solution. Departing from Liverpool and Southampton on board Fred Olsen’s recently refurbished Black Watch, our two sailings in 2019 will include a series of private concerts and carefully-planned exclusive Kirker shore excursions at key ports. For more detailed information, please call us on 020 7593 2284 to request a copy of our 2019 Music Cruise brochure. ●

Kirker Music Festivals at Sea - The Canary Islands & Madeira – page 14 28 February Featuring:The Piatti String Quartet; Adam Walker, flute; Matthew Hunt, clarinet; Paul Janes, piano; Katherine Broderick, soprano

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Kirker Music Festivals at Sea - The West Coast of France: Bordeaux, Rouen & Brittany – page 14 10 September Featuring:The Chilingirian String Quartet; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Carole Presland, piano; Henry Neil, baritone

Valldemossa, Majorca

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exclusive kirker music festivals

THE KIRKER ISCHIA MUSIC FESTIVAL A SEVEN NIGHT HOLIDAY | 11 OCTOBER 2019 Over the past thirteen years we have presented a series of concerts on the beautiful island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples with some of the world’s most distinguished chamber musicians, pianists and singers. All six concerts are private and arranged exclusively for our clients and they are held in the concert hall at La Mortella, next to the study where Sir William Walton composed.

The hall is reached via the glorious garden at La Mortella which was created

by Lady Walton over many years.This year the music programme will include two Schubertiade concerts.

the musicians the ITINERARy We stay at the 5 star Albergo San Montano with its stunning hilltop location and panoramic views around the Bay of Naples. It is just a few minutes’ drive from the pretty village of Laco Ameno; a minibus shuttle operates on request throughout the day. The hotel has several pools, (one thermal), a spa, terraces, a bar and restaurant. We include a guided tour of the garden at La Mortella and a half-day sightseeing tour of Ischia. There are three optional tours; one to Herculaneum and the Villa Oplontis, one to Naples where we see two paintings by Caravaggio, visit the Cathedral of San Gennaro and take a tour of the Teatro San Carlo; the third is a half-day exploration of the Ischia countryside during which we visit a vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting with local produce.

music programme 12 October: Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Tim Horton, piano Schubertiade No.1: Piano Sonata in A D959 Arpeggione Sonata in A minor D821 13 October: Carducci Quartet Haydn: String Quartet in D major Op.20 No. 4 Verdi: String Quartet Beethoven: String Quartet in F minor Op.95 No.11 14 October: Carducci Quartet; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 2 in A major Op 68 Brahms: String Quintet in G minor Op.111 15 October: James Gilchrist, tenor; Tim Horton, piano Songs by Chopin and Liszt, Rückert-Lieder by Mahler, and Preludes for Piano by Simon Rowland-Jones composed for Tim Horton.

16 October: Carducci String Quartet; James Gilchrist, tenor; Tim Horton, piano Schubertiade No. 2: Adagio and Rondo Concertante D 487 in F major for piano quartet A selection of songs including ‘Death and the Maiden’ String Quartet No.14 in D minor ‘Death and the Maiden’ 17 October: Carducci Quartet; James Gilchrist, tenor; Tim Horton, piano Walton:Two Pieces for strings from Henry V Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge Wolf: Italienisches Liederbuch Wolf: Italian Serenade Liszt:Venezia e Napoli

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One of the leading quartets of their generation, the Carducci String Quartet has a keen and loyal following.They won the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award in 2016 and have extensive discography recording on their own label.They will perform works of Bartók and Kurtág in King’s Place, London in the autumn of 2018.

One of the best-known English tenors, James Gilchrist is equally at home as a concert soloist and a recitalist. Future highlights include performances of the Monteverdi Vespers in Germany, a performance at Oxford Lieder and a concert of his new programme, Debussy Mirrored.

Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, has had a long and distinguished career as performer, teacher and composer, and is editor of the new Peters Edition of the Haydn String Quartets.

Tim Horton, piano, needs no introduction to Kirker audiences.

A player of immense charisma, his performances are characterised by both deep intelligence and great sensitivity. He studied at Chetham’s School of Music and then at Trinity College, Cambridge. He is a member of Ensemble 360 and of the Leonore Piano Trio and gives many solo recitals.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 11 October £2,489 £350 Prices based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

Upgraded room supplements (per room): garden view with balcony £120; side sea view £160; front sea view £398. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick 13.00 arrive Naples 16.40 Depart Naples 17.30 arrive London Gatwick 19.25 Alternative flights available from Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bournemouth and East Midlands − call us for details what we include

• Return flights to Naples • Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner • Six private concerts plus a concert given as part of the Walton Concert Series

• A half day tour of Ischia and a private guided tour of the gardens at La Mortella

• The services of the Kirker Tour Leaders

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exclusive kirker music festivals

THE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVAL ON LAKE COMO a seven night holiday | 23 september 2019 Our first Kirker Music Festival on the shores of Lake Como in the spring of 2018 was a highlight of the season. Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Europe – calm and mysterious, its deep waters edged by elegant cypress trees and low-arching mountains. No wonder Goethe’s Mignon spent her life yearning to return to the land where citrus trees blossom.The lake has inspired countless writers, poets and composers, including Vincenzo Bellini who stayed in Moltrasio and whose statue reclines languidly by the hotel.

Hotel Imperiale

music programme the ITINERARY

We will visit the elegant Villa Balbianello, beautifully sited on its promontory. Afterwards we will sail across the lake to the lovely resort of Bellagio for some free time. We will drive inland to the Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, a private villa with a splendid interior and views out across the garden to the mountains beyond. Lunch at one of Europe’s finest hotels, the Villa d’Este, is also included in our tour.

It is on the shores of the lake in the neighbouring village of Cernobbio. We stay in the 4 star Grand Hotel Imperiale in Moltrasio, a small village on the shores of the lake. The hotel has a lakeside restaurant, renovated bedrooms, spacious lounges and a spa with an indoor pool. There will be free time for you to use the extensive ferry services that leave from right in front of the hotel.

Moltrasio has several excellent restaurants for you to enjoy.

The Musicians The Portuguese tenor Luis Gomes studied at the National Opera Studio and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Later, he was invited to join the Jette Parker Young Artists programme at Covent Garden where he sang many roles including Beppe and Fenton. In 2018 he was awarded the Audience Prize at one of the most prestigious competitions in the world – Placido Domingo’s Operalia - and was presented with his prize by Domingo himself.

Sergio Vitale is one of Italy’s leading young baritones. He comes from Caserta and studied at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome and at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. His teachers included Renata Scotto and Renato Bruson. He has sung in almost every Italian opera house including at the Teatro Regio, Parma where he appeared with Mariella Devia in Roberto Devereux.

The pianist Iain Burnside has worked with leading singers for forty years. He is a well-known broadcaster, his programme Voices having been one of the most popular on BBC Radio 3.

Three musicians from the early years of the Yehudi Menuhin School, the violinist Elisabeth Perry, Simon RowlandJones, viola, and the pianist Melvyn Tan reunite to play a series of concerts together. optional visit to la scala, milan ON 27 SEPTEMBER L’elisir d’amore by Donizetti. A starry, all-Italian cast is led by Rosa Feola as Adina and René Barbera as Nemorino.

Ambrogio Maestri is Dulcamara and Massimo Cavalletti is Belcore.We will write to you with further details and prices in January.

24 September: Elisabeth Perry, violin; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola Mozart: Duo in G K423; Haydn: Duo in F; Martinu: Madrigals Bach: A solo violin sonata; Rowland-Jones: Duo for violin and viola 25 September: Melvyn Tan, piano Melvyn’s solo recital will include works by Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven 26 September: Elisabeth Perry, violin; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Melvyn Tan, piano Britten: Lachrymae Brahms: Sonata in E flat for viola and piano Op. 120 No.2 Ravel: Sonata for violin and piano 27 September: Elisabeth Perry, violin; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Melvyn Tan, piano Beethoven: A sonata for violin and piano; Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata D821; Debussy:Violin Sonata 28 September: Luis Gomes, tenor; Iain Burnside, piano Luis’s programme will include arias from operas by Lehar, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi and songs by Tosti, Rachmaninov and DeCurtis plus fado songs from his native Portugal.

29 September: Sergio Vitale, baritone; Iain Burnside, piano Sergio Vitale has sung many leading roles in opera houses throughout Italy and in this recital he will sing a selection of arias from those operas and songs by Italian composers.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 23 September £2,947 £580 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. Supplement for room with lake view: £554 per room flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.00 arrive Milan Linate 15.00 Depart Milan Linate 14.20 arrive London Heathrow 15.55

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what we include Return flights from London Heathrow to Milan Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Five dinners and one lunch at the Villa d’Este All sightseeing as described, entrance fees and gratuities Five concerts and one talk as described The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

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exclusive kirker music festivals

THE VILLA MEDICI GIULINI COLLECTION ‘THE progress of the piano’ with melvyn tan a four night holiday | 7 MAY 2019 We were delighted when one of the world's best known pianists, Melvyn Tan, introduced us to Fernanda Giulini's matchless collection of historical keyboard instruments at her villa in Lombardy. Staying in the villa you will be able to admire these beautifully decorated instruments and hear them played as Melvyn brings them to life in a series of talks and recitals.We will also visit Monza Cathedral, the elegant Villa Cicogna and take a boat trip on nearby Lake Como.

DAY

the Itinerary

VILLA MEDICI GIULINI

We fly to Milan Linate airport and transfer to the Villa

Built in the 17th century,Villa Medici Giulini is located in the village of Briosco, 20 miles south of Como. The Marignano branch of the Medici family lived here in the 19th century and it is now the home of Fernanda Giulini. On the piano nobile we find the main music room with frescoes by Zuccarelli, and throughout the villa we will see the unique collection of pianos and harpsichords from different periods. Adjoining the main villa is a sympathetically designed extension that houses the well-appointed bedrooms in which we will stay. When capacity is reached additional rooms will be provided in a hotel nearby.

1 Medici Giulini in the heart of the Brianza countryside, a journey of 40 minutes. At the welcome drinks’ party, Melvyn Tan will give a short introduction to Fernanda Giulini’s collection. This will be followed by dinner at the villa.

DAY

This morning we focus on the instruments in the collection

2 that composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Bach would have known, and Melvyn Tan will play a selection of pianos by various makers. After lunch we will drive to nearby Monza to visit one of the most beautiful and important cathedrals in Italy. We will return to the Villa Medici Giulini for our first concert, a programme played on the Johann Schanz and Anton Walter pianos.

DAY

We drive Lake Como and board a private boat to sail to the

3 Villa Balbianello, romantically sited on its own promontory, before continuing to Lenno where we have lunch at a lakeside hotel. Back at the Villa Medici Giulini we will take a look at the exquisitely decorated harpsichords and virginal in the collection.

At this evening’s concert Melvyn will play music by Beethoven and Schumann on Conrad Graf ’s fortepiano.

DAY

This morning there will be a talk on Pierre-Orphée Erard

4 and his pianos. We then drive to the Villa Cicogna, where we will enjoy the impressive interiors and views across the garden to the mountains. We will have lunch here before returning to the Villa Medici Giulini. This evening Melvyn Tan will play his final concert on a piano by Pleyel.

DAY

5

After breakfast we will return to Milan Linate airport.

Sala di Orfeo,Villa Medici Giulini

Price £1,947 per person to include flights with British Airways from Heathrow to Milan Linate (depart 11.55, return 14.00); four nights’ accommodation with breakfast; four dinners and two lunches; talks and concerts as described; a copy of the illustrated souvenir guide to Villa Medici Giulini; all sightseeing, entrances and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Leader (single supplement £198).

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melvyn tan One of the world’s best known pianists. Melvyn Tan came to the UK from Singapore as a small boy and studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music. He has played in concert halls around the globe. Melvyn writes: ‘Although I have been performing from the collection for the best part of 30 years, I am still discovering new musical miracles.With the instruments from Mozart and Haydn’s time we hear a brittle, glass-like sound which was very much the kind the composers heard, and was reflected in the music they wrote.

Beethoven of course, when he became the toast of Vienna a few decades later, disliked these instruments and encouraged piano-makers to strive for a fuller sound, so the player could achieve a ‘cantabile’, a singing quality to imitate the singers and string players of the day.The rest, as they say, is history, and the concept of the piano as we know it today was born.’

music programme The recitals will be planned chronologically so that Melvyn will take you on a musical journey in which the development of the piano comes alive, in a setting of the utmost grandeur and intimacy. He will give musically-illustrated introductions to pianos associated with Haydn and Mozart, through to Beethoven and Schubert and finally to Liszt and Chopin.

The pianos at Villa Medici Giulini and their makers: Johann Schanz (1762 – 1828) opened his own workshop in Vienna in the 1780’s. Beethoven admired his pianos and recommended them to his patrons. Anton Walter (1752-1826) was appointed as Imperial Organ Builder and Instrument Maker. Beethoven had a Walter piano in his collection. Conrad Graf (1782- 1851) was appointed the Royal Court Piano and Keyboard Instrument Maker and became famous throughout the Hapsburg Empire for the quality of his work.

Sebastien Erard (1752-1831) produced pianos for the French court.

He fled to London in 1792 to escaped the revolution and set up his business. He was succeeded by his nephew Pierre-Orphée Erard (17961855) and won many distinguished admirers including Mendelssohn, Liszt and Queen Victoria. Ignace Pleyel (1757-1831) pianos found favour with the leading composers of the time, notably Chopin who became a close friend of Camille Pleyel, Ignace’s son. Pleyel pianos continued to be popular with later composers such as Debussy, Ravel and Stravinsky.

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THE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN TENERIFE a seven night holiday | 12 january 2019 Escape from the rigours of the British winter for a week of music-making in the sub-tropical Canary Islands.We return to Tenerife in January for our fourth festival, staying at the splendid Hotel Botanico surrounded by lush gardens in Puerto de la Cruz.We will present a series of six concerts in the hotel as well as in the nearby Casa Abaco, a grand 18th century Canarian mansion. Mass tourism is confined to an area far away from where we will be staying, and our tour will show you the island’s unspoilt volcanic landscape, well-preserved colonial villages and lush gardens. A visit to the Mount Teide National Park is one of the highlights of a fascinating week.

the ITINERARY In addition to our programme of concerts there will be a number of sightseeing excursions throughout the island. We will visit the Botanic Garden located just across from the hotel, and then go to the Sitio Litro Orchid Garden where more than three hundred varieties can be seen. Another excursion will visit Mount Teide National Park. There will be a drive along the spectacular north coast route to Maca, a tiny village clinging to a steep ravine, and to Garachico with its 17th century Franciscan convent. A half-day tour to the wild Anaga Mountains with their mysterious and primeval cloud forest will complete the programme.Visits to Santa Cruz, La Laguna and Oratava are easily accessible by local bus services or taxi.

the hotel The 5 star Hotel Botanico is a long established and much loved property, surrounded by six acres of impeccably maintained gardens. There are spacious lounges, a bar and four restaurants. In addition, the hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and an extensive spa. All the well-appointed bedrooms have balconies and look out either to the sea or inland to Mount Teide.

The Musicians Ilona Domnich, soprano, was born in St. Petersburg and has lived in London for many years. She studied at the Royal College of Music with the great Vera Rosza and has sung many leading roles including Magda in La rondine, Gilda in Rigoletta and Tatiana in Eugene Onegin. She sang all the heroines in Offenbach’s Les contes D’Hoffman, a rare tour de force which demonstrated her vocal and theatrical skills to the full. During 2018 she will sing with the CBSO and give a recital with the Gould Piano Trio in Leeds as well as sing Scheherazade in St. Petersburg. She gave the first performance of her cabaret one woman show in Bury Court Opera in the autumn of 2017.

Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, is a leading chamber musician, composer and teacher who also finds time to plan and organise the programmes for the many Kirker Music Festivals each year.

He was a founder member of the Chilingirian String Quartet, teaches viola at the Royal College of Music, and Chamber Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The Gould Piano Trio is one of the world’s most popular and busy piano trios and celebrated their 25th anniversary during the 2017/18 season.They have an extensive discography and have their own festival in Northumberland every summer. Regular visitors to Wigmore Hall, they have been playing all Beethoven’s piano trios and have also created and directed an extensive series of concerts in Leeds.

music programme 13 January: Gould Piano Trio; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Turina: Piano Trio No1 Op.35; Dvořák: Piano Quartet in E flat Op.87. The programme will also include a Haydn piano trio 14 January: Ilona Domnich, soprano; Mark Risi, piano Voix de Cabaret: An intimate evening of cabaret with the first half devoted to French chanson and the second centring on the decadent world of Berlin in the 1930’s 15 January: Gould Piano Trio; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Beethoven: Duet for Viola and Cello with Obligato Eyeglasses De Falla: Seven Spanish Popular Songs arranged for piano trio and viola. A selection of works by Spanish composers for solo piano 16 January: Gould Piano Trio, Saint-Saens: Piano Trio No.1 in F major Op.18; Schubert: Notturno D897; Brahms: Piano Trio in B Op.8 17 January: Ilona Domnich, soprano; Benjamin Frith, piano.

Songs by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky and arias by Puccini and Verdi and others.

18 January: Ilona Domnich, soprano; Gould Piano Trio; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Schumann: Piano Trio No.3 in G minor Op.110; Rowland-Jones: ‘Whirling’ a song cycle for voice, viola and piano, set to texts by Rumi; Fauré: Piano Quartet No.2 in G minor Op.45

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 12 January 2019 £2,698 £375 Prices based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick 13.50 arrive Tenerife South 14.35 Depart Tenerife South 19.05 arrive London Gatwick 23.35 Alternative flights are available from regional airports – please call us for details what we include • Return flights to Tenerife • Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Six dinners • Six concerts • All sightseeing, entry fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Leader, Christopher Monckton

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THE KIRKER CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ALFRISTON, EAST SUSSEX a three night holiday | 2 septeMBER 2019 We have been presenting our popular chamber music concerts in Alfriston for eight consecutive years. Many clients have been returning to Deans Place year after year, enjoying this pretty and historic Sussex village in the heart of the South Downs.

There are superb views from the hotel and you can enjoy gentle walks along the winding River Cuckmere. In the village you will find the 14th century Alfriston Clergy House as well as a number of interesting shops and galleries and a very fine bookshop. If you want to explore independently you can visit Berwick Church to see the once controversial murals

by Duncan Grant. More of his work can be seen at Charleston Farmhouse with its associations with the Bloomsbury set.You may also wish to visit the excellent Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne.

Clergy House

the hotel

the musicians Since its formation in 2002, the Navarra Quartet has built an international reputation as one of the most dynamic and poetic string quartets of today. Selected for representation by the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) from 2006 to 2010, they have won prizes at the Banff, Melbourne and Florence International String Quartet Competitions and have appeared at major venues throughout the world including Wigmore Hall and at numerous international festivals.

Born in Nottinghamshire in 1987, Adam Walker became the youngest musician ever to be appointed a principal in a London orchestra when he joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 2009. He appears as a soloist with other orchestras around the world and spends time with his Orsini Ensemble, a group of five distinguished wind players who made their debut at the 2018 Aldeburgh Festival. Adam studied at Chetham’s School, Manchester and at the Royal Academy of Music.

Performer, editor, composer and teacher, Simon RowlandJones has always led a busy and multifaceted musical life. He was founder violist of the Chilingirian Quartet, in which he played for ten years. He subsequently performed with many other leading chamber groups. Simon teaches viola and chamber music at the Royal College of Music and is codirector of the North Norfolk Music Festival.

tour information

The staff at the 3 star Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston, can be relied upon to provide the warmest of welcomes to our clients. The hotel has just 36 bedrooms and is set in four acres of impeccably maintained gardens. It is a few minutes’ walk to the village, which has a number of interesting shops. There is a comfortable lounge, a restaurant and a bar. The hotel does not have a lift but staff are on hand to help you with your luggage.

music programme 2 September Navarra String Quartet; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola Haydn: String Quartet in F Op.50 No.5 Janáček : String Quartet No. 1 ‘ Kreutzer Sonata’ Dvořák : String Quintet in E flat Op.97 3 September Navarra String Quartet; Adam Walker, flute Mozart: Flute Quartet in D K285 C S Bach: Sonata for Flute in A minor Wq132/H562 Villa-Lobos: ‘The Jet Whistle’ for flute and cello Debussy: Syrinx Debussy: String Quartet in G minor Op.10 4 September Navarra String Quartet; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola Beethoven: String Quartet in F Op.59 No.1 Brahms: String Quintet in G Op.111

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 2 September £968 £129 Our prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room.

• • • • • •

what we include Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners Three concerts as described with programme notes Two musically illustrated talks by Simon Rowland-Jones All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Leader The Navarra String Quartet

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THE KIRKER SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE HOTEL TRESANTON, ST. MAWES a THREE night holiday | 11 MARCH 2019 Our annual visit to Olga Polizzi’s fabled Hotel Tresanton in St. Mawes combines a relaxing spring escape in Cornwall with a series of worldclass chamber music recitals, and is a highlight of the Kirker calendar. Performances in 2019 will be given by the Castalian String Quartet and will include works by Brahms, Haydn, Elgar, Schubert and Beethoven. In addition to the wonderful music on offer we will also enjoy a visit to the private garden at Lamorran, inspired by Lady Walton’s garden on the island of Ischia.

MUSIC PROGRAMME

the hotel The 5 star Hotel Tresanton enjoys a wonderful position overlooking the sea. Olga Polizzi and her brother Sir Rocco Forte have won accolades around the world for their work as renowned hoteliers.

The hotel has 29 bedrooms, a terrace and a cosy bar. The menus for the three candlelit dinners will be carefully selected by the hotel’s chef to ensure guests enjoy the best locally sourced ingredients.

Please note that there is no lift at this hotel.

the musicians The Castalian String Quartet are now Young Concert Artist Trust artists which ensures their prominence at home and overseas. They have enjoyed a residency at the BrittenPears School in Aldeburgh and have been chosen by Wigmore Hall to take a prominent role in its forthcoming Haydn quartet cycle. Early in 2018 the quartet were presented with the inaugural Merito String Quartet Award/Valentin Erben Prize and the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship Award in recognition of their achievements. They will perform at Lincoln Center in the Great Performers Series in April 2019.

Concerts take place in the Old Methodist Hall which has excellent acoustics for chamber music. Simon Rowland-Jones will give two musically illustrated talks with the quartet during which the works by Britten and Elgar will be discussed.

11 March: Haydn: String Quartet in D minor Op.76 No. 2 ‘Fifths’ Beethoven: String Quartet in B flat Op.18 No.6 Elgar: String Quartet in E minor Op.83 12 March: Britten: String Quartet No. 2 in C Op.36 (1945) Schubert: String Quartet No. 13 in A minor D 804 ‘Rosamunde’ 13 March: Beethoven: String Quartet in G Op.18 No.2 Schumann: String Quartet in F Op.41 No.2 Brahms: String Quartet in A minor Op.51 No.2

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 11 March £1,175 £265 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

Extra night available for £115 per person (single occupancy £215). Supplement for suites available on request. what we include • Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners at the hotel • Three concerts, each preceded by a musically illustrated talk • A visit to Lamorran Gardens in St. Mawes • The services of the Kirker Tour Leaders Please make your own way by car to the hotel or by train to St. Austell station. optional excursion

Lanhydrock House (13 March, 9.30am – 2.30pm) £60 per person. Rebuilt after a fire in 1881, Lanhydrock is a perfect example of a late Victorian country house and estate.

Our visit includes a private tour and a light lunch with time to enjoy the gardens The Castalian String Quartet

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THE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE GRAND, EASTBOURNE A three night holiday | 27 April 2019 Described by the 11th Duke of Devonshire as ‘the jewel in Eastbourne’s splendid crown’,The Grand enjoys a majestic position in this elegant seaside resort, which was developed by the Cavendish family in the late 19th century and is the perfect home for our new exclusive music festival. It is a benchmark of comfort and style from that romantic period, more reminiscent of the grand hotels of the capitals of central Europe than of the English coast. Music has always been a central feature of life at The Grand: Debussy, Elgar, Dame Nellie Melba and many others stayed at the hotel.

music programme The Maxwell String Quartet plays at every concert and will perform their own arrangements of Scottish folk songs each evening. Simon Rowland-Jones will present two musically illustrated talks on selected works during the festival.

The Grand Hotel

the hotel The 5 star Grand overlooks the English Channel, a short walk from the centre of Eastbourne and from Devonshire Park and the Towner Art Gallery. It has spacious public lounges, restaurants and bars, and an impressive spa with indoor pool. You can choose between an inland facing room or a room with a sea view.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) at the Grand Hotel A certain M. et Mme. Claude Debussy checked into the Grand Hotel on 24 July 1905 but in truth the guests were M. Debussy and his mistress, Emma Bardac. They had left Paris to avoid the final judgement in Debussy’s divorce. News of the settlement, which went against the composer, together with acerbic observations from the judge, came through to them on 2 August. The couple stayed on in Eastbourne until 30 August. Debussy corrected the score of his masterpiece, La mer, while at the Grand – a perfect location for such work. His stay in Eastbourne played no part in the history of La mer but while in Eastbourne he did compose ‘Reflets dans l’eau’, part of his Images pour piano.

the musicians The Maxwell String Quartet was internationally recognised after winning First Prize in the 9th Trondheim Chamber Music Competition in 2017. They very soon started to appear in leading chamber music venues throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, with performances in Copenhagen, Stavanger and Amsterdam. The quartet is comprised of players who grew up together and who played both classical music and Scottish folk music across Scotland. They studied with the Endellion String Quartet and have been mentored by current and former members of the Belcea Quartet, Krysztof Chorzelski and Alasdair Tait. They have a very busy performing schedule planned for the 2018/9 season with performances in Trondheim, throughout Scotland, and nine concerts on a tour of the United States. At the start of 2019, they perform at St. John’s Smith Square and at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge.

27 April Haydn: String Quartet in E flat Op.20 No.1 Joey Roukens (born 1987): ‘Visions at Sea’ A short piece by the Dutch composer written in 2011 Schubert: String Quartet in D minor No14 D810 ’Death and the Maiden’ 28 April Mendelssohn: String Quartet in A minor Op.13 Debussy: String Quartet Op.10 Schumann: String Quartet in A minor Op.41 No.1 29 April Shostakovich: String Quartet No.9 in E flat Op.118 Beethoven: String Quartet in B flat Op.130

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 27 April £996 £180 Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

Supplement for a room with a sea view £240 per room.

• • • •

what we include Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners All concerts and talks as described The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

The Maxwell Quartet

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THE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MALLORCA a six night holiday | 29 MAY 2019 We are back on the glorious north coast of Mallorca for the seventh consecutive year for our Music Festival in Mallorca, staying as always in the family-owned Mar I Vent Hotel. Our visit has become part of a tradition in the village.Three concerts are given in the village church, a very short walk from the hotel. Chopin and his aristocratic lover George Sand, Baroness Dudevant, stayed on the island for just three unhappy months but their visit is an important part of the island’s history. Our carefully planned visits will show you the very best parts of this beautiful island.

the ITINERARY Soon after leaving the airport we are introduced to the spectacular scenery along the unspoilt north coast of Mallorca. The drive to Banyalbufar takes just 45 minutes, but as we approach the Serra de Tramuntana, the beauty of the area where our festival is based quickly becomes apparent. We include a number of excursions, first to Palma where we spend the day visiting the cathedral, the old quarter and the Fundació Joan Miró. We will go to La Granja, a beautiful patrician hacienda close to Banyalbufar. Another day is spent on a visit to the delightful port of Sóller. We board the historic train which travels through the mountainous heart of the island, and we visit the estate and villa of the Hapsburg Archduke Luis Salvador at Son Marroig. There will be two evening concerts in the villa here overlooking the sea. We will also visit the pretty village of Valldemossa where Chopin and George Sand stayed during the winter of 1838/39. We stay at the Mar I Vent in the heart of the quiet village of Banyalbufar. It has been owned and managed by the Vives family since 1928 and is a simple three-star hotel selected by us for its warmth and its location on one of the island’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. It has 29 bedrooms, all of which have balconies and sea views.

music programme

Valldemossa

The Musicians The Phoenix Piano Trio formed in 2011, and two permanent members of the trio, the violinist Jonathan Stone and the pianist Sholto Kynoch, will be joined by a guest cellist for these concerts.

The Catalan-British soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons studied at the University of Birmingham and then at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama where she won the coveted Gold Medal in 2015. In 2016 she made her debut at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

Mezzo-soprano Lorena Paz Nieto studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and is currently on the opera course at the Royal Academy of Music. She has attended masterclasses by legendary singers such as Joan Rodgers and Jane Manning.

Simon Rowland-Jones has had a long and distinguished career as performer, teacher, composer, and editor of the new Peters Edition of the Haydn String Quartets. He currently holds positions at the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

30 May: Phoenix Piano Trio Chopin’s beautiful early Piano Trio Op.8 written at the home of Prince Radziwill Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in D minor Op.49 31 May: Phoenix Piano Trio The programme will include solo works for violin and cello by J S Bach, the Canonic Studies by Schumann and a selection of solo piano pieces by Chopin.

1 June: Phoenix Piano Trio with Simon Rowland-Jones, viola; Marta Fontanals-Simmons, soprano and Lorena Paz Nieto, mezzo-soprano Turina: Piano Quartet Op.67 A selection of Spanish songs Simon Rowland-Jones: Duo for violin and viola Brahms: Regenlied and a selection of Preludes by Chopin including the ‘Raindrop’ Prelude Op.28 No.15 Brahms: Sonata for violin and piano in G Op.78 2 June: Marta Fontanals-Simmons, soprano and Lorena Paz Nieto, mezzo- soprano; Sholto Kynoch, piano A recital of songs by Obradors, Rodrigo, Schumann,Wolf and others 3 June: All the musicians will take part in the final concert Works by Saint-Saëns, Brahms, Richard Strauss, Beethoven and others.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 29 May £2,290 £189 Prices based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. Supplement for superior room: £196 per room. flight details There are flights to Palma from a wide range of airports throughout the country. Please tell us which is the most convenient and we will make arrangements accordingly

• • • • • •

what we include Return flights to Palma Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Six dinners & two lunches Five concerts All sightseeing as described and all entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Leaders

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KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVALS AT SEA IN 2019 In addition to our popular Festivals at venues in the UK and Europe, we also arrange an annual series of Kirker Music Festivals at Sea on board Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch, a traditional vessel that spent the last month of 2016 undergoing a multimillion pound refurbishment of both public areas and cabins. Our forthcoming cruises are summarised below; for full details please visit our website or ask for a copy of our Kirker Music Cruise brochure.

THE canary ISLANDS & madeira A fourteen NIGHT CRUISE on the black watch | 28 FEBRUARY 2019 Southampton – La Coruña – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Santa Cruz, La Palma Funchal, Madeira – Lisbon – Southampton What antidote to months of cold and gloom could be better than to head south to three Canary Islands and Madeira for a spell of much needed warmth? We will stop at La Coruña on its promontory in Galicia and on the voyage back home we call in to Lisbon, one of Europe’s most beguiling capitals.We will be joined on board by some of our favourite musicians: the outstanding Piatti String Quartet, flautist Adam Walker, clarinettist Matthew Hunt, pianist Paul Janes and multi-award winning soprano Katherine Broderick.

the Itinerary La Coruña is a vibrant and colourful port, its harbour guarded by the Tower of Hercules, the oldest Roman lighthouse still in use. The old quarter is a maze of picturesque and narrow streets. Our first port of call in the Canary Islands is Santa Cruz, dominated by Mount Teide. We’ll see the striking concert hall designed by Calatrava on the city’s sea front. We’ll have the opportunity to visit Puerto de la Cruz to enjoy an optional excursion to include visits to a historic Canarian manor house and a wonderful orchid garden. We sail across to nearby Gran

Canaria and visit Las Palmas where you will be able to walk to the historic old town to see the cathedral and the Casa de Colón, visited by Christopher Columbus in 1492. In sharp contrast we will stop at the unspoiled island of La Palma which has glorious and rugged scenery. Our final island is Madeira, a paradise for plant lovers. We’ll be offering an optional excursion to the renowned Blandy garden here. Our final call will be Lisbon on the banks of the majestic River Tagus and full of reminders about Portugal’s glorious history when it was the centre of a great empire.

Prices range from £2,345 per person for an inside cabin to £4,210 per person for a Superior Suite. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and a midnight feast are all included, as well as private drinks parties, all concerts, plus exclusive talks and interviews.

THE WEST COAST OF FRANCE: BORDEAUX, ROUEN & BRITTANY A TEN NIGHT CRUISE ON THE BLACK WATCH | 10 SEPTEMBER 2019 Liverpool – Lorient – Gironde & Garonne Rivers – Bordeaux – River Seine – Rouen – Saint-Malo – Liverpool Combining the rugged scenery of the Brittany coast, river cruising on the Seine, Garonne and Gironde, and overnight stays in two fascinating historic cities, our September music cruise is the perfect antidote to the end of summer. Musicians performing on this cruise include the Chilingirian String Quartet who will be reunited with their founder viola player, Simon Rowland-Jones, pianist Carole Presland and baritone Henry Neil.

the Itinerary After one day at sea, the Black Watch will arrive in Lorient. Known as the Five Port City, Lorient has a rich naval history and was at various times the headquarters of the French East India Company and a base for the French Navy. From here we will visit the prehistoric site of Carnac, where over 3,000 standing stones still mysteriously guard their secrets.

Heading south we shall then spend two days in Bordeaux, a city that has been revitalised over the past decade or so, with its grand facades now gleaming and more handsome than ever. Bordeaux exudes a sense of style and sophistication and is renowned as the world’s wine capital – surrounded by the most celebrated appellations including Medoc, Paulliac, Margaux, Sauternes, Pomerol and St. Emilion – and we will have time to visit several nearby vineyards.

Sailing around the Brittany peninsula, we will travel almost 70 miles

up the Seine as far as Rouen, a city of great historical importance Liverpool due to its association with Joan of Arc, Richard the Lionheart Rouen (overnight) and Monet, who St-Malo Lorient painted a series of views of the cathedral Bordeaux (overnight) – his beautiful gardens at Giverny are just an hour away. Our last port of call is the picturesque ancient walled town of Saint-Malo, close to the spectacular Mont St. Michel with its towering spire and maze of medieval fortifications.

Prices range from £2,635 per person for outside cabin to £3,795 per person for a Terrace Balcony Suite. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and a midnight feast are all included, as well as private drinks parties, all concerts, plus exclusive talks and interviews.

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ESCORTED HOLIDAYS TO LEADING MUSIC FESTIVALS & EVENTS For those who enjoy opera, classical music and ballet, our range of Music Holidays includes tickets for some of the most important festivals, concerts and events throughout Europe and beyond. Each year we select the finest performances at magnificent venues – from legendary opera houses including La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York to Valletta’s Baroque Teatru Manoel or Grafenegg’s striking ‘Tower of the Clouds’ in the Wachau Valley of Lower Austria.

In 2019 we will also visit Amsterdam for its great art galleries and a performance at the famous Concertgebouw (see page 16), and explore the heartland of Germany where JS Bach lived and worked – in the company of organist and BBC Music Magazine editor OIiver Condy (see page 25). Itineraries are carefully-planned to include not only music of the highest calibre, but also sightseeing excursions to a range of important museums, galleries and monuments, and perhaps lesser-known points of interest in each destination – as well as a certain amount of free time for rest, relaxation, or independent exploration.

OPERA HOLIDAYS

UK HOLIDAYS

Many Kirker clients enjoy a holiday which includes an opera performance at a famous opera house – it is a magical experience, whether you are an experienced opera aficionado or an enthusiastic amateur. Our popular opera and art holidays to key cities include New York, with three stand-out performances at the Met, Milan, Venice,Vienna and Berlin. The Puccini Festival in Tuscany offers the perfect combination of summer sun and alfresco Italian opera, whilst opera lovers in search of the more esoteric will enjoy our visit to the Aalvar Aalto Opera House in Essen – or perhaps a Ring Cycle in Leipzig, the city of Wagner’s birth.

Closer to home, the North Norfolk Music Festival is featured once again, as is a tour to the Three Choirs Festival which takes place in Gloucester in 2019, and opera destinations will include The Grange Festival in Hampshire, and the Buxton Opera Festival in the beautiful Peak District. Please note that travel to and from the start of the tour is not included for holidays within the UK. ● ● ● ●

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Opera & Art in Vienna, page 19 La Scala, Milan, page 20 Venice & Opera at La Fenice, page 21 Opera & Music in Berlin, page 26 Opera & Music in the Ruhr, page 28 The Ring Cycle in Leipzig, page 29 Teatro San Carlo, Naples, page 31 The Metropolitan Opera & Art Galleries of New York, page 32

MUSIC FESTIVALs We have selected the very best festivals around Europe: many are world famous, like the Schubertiade Festival in Austria, and others are less well known but equally as enthralling, such as the Dresden Festival. A common theme is that they all take place in beautiful surroundings – none more so than the Grafenegg Festival in Lower Austria – and include excursions to local historical and architectural sights. If you are a fan of Baroque music, we highly recommend Malta’s Music Festival which is taking place in January. ● ● ● ● ●

The Grafenegg Music Festival, page 17 The Schubertiade Festival, page 18 The Dresden Music Festival, page 27 Malta Baroque Music Festival, page 30 The Puccini Opera Festival, page 31

The Buxton International Festival, page 22 The North Norfolk Music Festival, page 23 The Grange Festival, Hampshire, page 23 The Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester, page 24

OPERA & CONCERT TICKETs For every performance included in one of our Music Holidays, tickets will always be of a high category, to ensure that you get the most out of the experience. The exact category booked depends on the venue and the performance – and we select the tickets which offer the best combination of acoustics, view and value for money (they may not always by the very top category). Please speak to one of our experts for details. If you have any particular requests for seating at a specific theatre, don’t forget to ask at the time of booking.

GROUP SIZES & MOBILITY We operate our tours with a smaller number of participants to ensure a more personal experience. Typically, there will be between 10 and 22 participants accompanied by a guest lecturer and, where necessary, a local guide to help with the smooth running of your holiday. Our holidays have been created to show you as much as possible of your chosen destination, and often the best way to do this is on foot. Should you have any concerns whatsoever, please speak to one of our team who will provide you with all the advice you need and perhaps recommend holidays that may involve easier walking.

We are constantly adding new holidays to our programme so please refer to the music holidays section of our website for the latest picture, or call us on 020 7593 2284.

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escorted Holidays to leading music festivals & events

DUTCH MASTERS IN AMSTERDAM & THE HAGUE WITH PERFORMANCES AT THE CONCERTGEBOUW AND BY THE DUTCH national ballet A four NIGHT HOLIDAY | 17 MARCH 2019 Combining visits to exceptional art galleries with world-class music and ballet performances, our new holiday to Amsterdam has all the key elements for a cultural spring short break.The masters of the Dutch Golden Age, from Rembrandt and Vermeer to Franz Hals and Paulus Potter, form the focus at the magnificent Rijksmuseum and The Hague’s Mauritshuis, but we shall also visit the excellent Van Gogh Museum and Amsterdam’s Hermitage, and take in performances including Sheku KannehMason at the famous Concertgebouw concert hall, and Swan Lake at the Dutch National Ballet.

Mauritshuis

the Itinerary DAY

On arrival we will transfer to our hotel, the NH Museums

1 Quarter (3 Star Superior), which is conveniently located

close to the Museumplein. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant and comfortably furnished bedrooms.

DAY

We will enjoy a canal cruise which will leave us at the 2 Hermitage Amsterdam where important works from the collection of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg are beautifully displayed in an historic building overlooking the Amstel.

DAY

This morning we go to the Van Gogh Museum where over

3 200 paintings, drawings and letters are on display. Afterwards we will visit the most important art museum in Holland, the Rijksmuseum. Designed by Pierre Cuypers and first opened in 1895, the Rijksmuseum was reopened in 2013 after a ten-year restoration project, and houses the world’s greatest collection of Dutch paintings dating from the 17th century, Holland’s Golden Age, which includes Rembrandt’s eminent The Night Watch.

DAY

Today we drive to The Hague, a sedate and dignified town of

4 great charm. Here we visit the Mauritshuis with its

wonderful collection of works by Dutch and Flemish masters, including Vermeer’s ‘The Girl with the Pearl Earring’ and ‘The Goldfinch’ by Carel Fabritius.

DAY

5

We drive to the airport for the flight back to the UK.

mUSIC Programme 18 March, 8.15pm: Concertgebouw The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra Leader and violin: Gordan Nikoli Cello: Sheku Kanneh-Mason Mendelssohn:The Fairy Tale of the Beautiful Melusine Op.32 Haydn: Cello Concerto in C Hob.VII6:1 Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Op.61 20 March, 7.30pm: Stopera Dutch National Ballet Swan Lake, choreography by Rudi van Dantzig after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov The Dutch National Ballet is one of the world’s most important dance companies. The company’s Director, Rudi van Dentzig (1933-2012), choreographed Swan Lake in 1988.

It has been performed regularly ever since.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 17 March £1,475 £249 Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 11.50 arrive Amsterdam 14.10 Depart Amsterdam 14.55 arrive London Heathrow 15.20 NB: Alternative flights from many airports in the UK are available on request – please ask for details. what we include

• Return flights • Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Two dinners • Tickets for one concert and one ballet • All entrances fees and gratuities as described • The services of a Kirker Tour Leader, Ger van den Munckhof Rijksmuseum

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THE GRAFENEGG MUSIC FESTIVAL A five NIGHT HOLIDAY | 28 august 2019 Grafenegg’s varied and starry festival in Lower Austria, just one hour from Vienna, runs throughout the summer and always closes with a feast of music making. Concerts are given in the spectacular Wolkenturm – the Tower of Clouds – an open air space with a stunning acoustic which is much loved by all the musicians who play here.

The Austrian pianist, Rudolf Buchbinder is the Director of the Festival and regularly brings the world’s great orchestras and soloists to the Festival.The holiday includes a number of excursions into the beautiful surrounding countryside. © Alexander Haiden

THE ITINERARY DAY

We fly to Vienna and transfer to Krems, a journey of about

1 an hour. Krems is an attractive town on the banks of the

Danube and is in the heart of the Grüner Veltliner wine producing region. We stay above the town at the 4 star Steigenberger. The hotel has a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and you can walk to the centre of the quaint village of Stein in 15 minutes.

DAY

During the morning we will drive alongside the Danube to

2 nearby Dürnstein, an attractive village perched high over the river. We have lunch at the Relais & Châteaux hotel overlooking the river.

DAY

Today we spend the morning cruising a beautiful stretch of 3 the Danube between Krems and the magnificent Benedictine abbey at Melk. After a tour of the abbey we will return by coach to Krems.

DAY

This morning we drive to Tulln where Egon Schiele was 4 born in 1890. A lovely museum has been opened in his honour. They are wonderful works from the artist’s youth and a far cry from the disturbing canvases with which art lovers are familiar.

We stay on for an independent lunch in the pretty town square.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 28 August £2,767 £198 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 11.35 arrive Vienna 14.55 Depart Vienna 15.45 arrive London Heathrow 17.10

• • • • • •

what we include Return flights to Vienna Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Five dinners and one lunch Tickets for five concerts as described All sightseeing as described, entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Leader, Andrew Biggs

DAY

This afternoon we drive to the village of Kirchstetten, close

5 to St. Pölten. Here we visit the house where W.H. Auden

lived with Chester Kallman from 1957, when he bought the cottage, until his death in 1973. We will see the house much as he left it, with his books and with photographs of many of the distinguished visitors who came to Kirchstetten, including Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Spender. Auden is buried in the tranquil churchyard in the village.

DAY

On the way back to Vienna airport we visit the mighty 12th

6 century Augustinian Monastery which overlooks the Danube river in Klosternenburg.

music PROGRAMME 29 August, 7.15pm: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Mirga Gražinyt Tyla, conductor; Kristiane Karg, soprano Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major Henri Dutilleux: ‘Correspondances’ for soprano and orchestra 30 August, 7.15pm: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Mirga Gražinyt Tyla, conductor; Katia and Marielle Labèque, pianos Poulenc: Concerto for two pianos and orchestra in D minor Debussy: La mer 31 August, 7.15 pm: Tonkünstler Orchestra; Peter Ruzicka, conductor; Krassimira Stoyanova, soprano Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs Brahms: Symphony No.4 in E minor Op.98 1 September, 11am: Chamber Orchestra of Europe; Rudolf Buchbinder, conductor and pianist Beethoven: Piano Concerto in E flat major Op.73; Piano Concerto No.1 in C major Op.15 1 September, 7.15pm: Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra; Lahav Shani, conductor and pianist Mozart: Piano Concerto in B major KV 595 Bruckner: Symphony No.5 in B major

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THE SCHUBERTIADE FESTIVAL SCHWARZENBERG: A SEVEN NIGHT HOLIDAY | 23 august 2019 HOHENEMS: A Seven NIGHT HOLIDAY | 1 october 2019 The Schubertiade is considered by many to be the most important chamber music festival in the world, with an astonishing number of distinguished musicians gathering in this beautiful setting.The concerts are divided between two different locations and so we stay in Hittisau for the Schwarzenberg concerts and in the village of Götzis for the Hohenems series. In order to make the most of the surroundings, we have designed different itineraries for each departure.

the Itinerary For the Schwarzenberg concerts in August, we stay in the 4 star Gasthof Krone in the village of Hittisau. A drive through the Vorarlberg Mountains, a visit to the Angelika Kauffman Museum and wine and cheese tasting are included. A number of easy walks start right in front of the hotel. For Hohenems, our base is the 4 star Am Garnmarkt in Götzis, just a few minutes’ drive from the acoustically splendid Markus-Sittikuss Hall where the concerts take place. This modern hotel has a bar and café and well-appointed bedrooms. All dinners will be taken in restaurants either in the village or in Hohenems. We will visit the Principality of Liechtenstein and see the castle and the art gallery with its collection of 19th and 20th century art; the great Romanesque abbey in St. Gallen and the museums in the Schubertiade Quartier of Hohenems. A stop to visit the superb Oskar Reinhart art collection in Winterthur will be included for both tours.

SCHWARZENBERG MUSIC Programme 24 August(4pm): Jerusalem Quartet; Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano Schubert: String Quartet in c minor 702 Beethoven: String Quartet in E major Op.74 Dvořák: Piano Quintet in A major Op.81 25 August (8pm): Andrè Schuen, baritone; Daniel Helde, piano Schubert: ‘Winterreise’ 26 August (8pm): Schumann Quartet; Kit Armstrong, piano Schubert: String Quartet in G major D887 César Franck: Piano Quintet in F minor 27 August (4pm): Artemis Quartet Tchaikovsky: String Quartet in F major Op.22 Schubert: String Quartet in D minor D810 ‘Death and the Maiden” 27 October (8pm): Martin Mitterutzner, tenor; Gerold Huber, piano Schubert: ‘Die Schöne Müllerin’ 28 August (4pm): Francesco Piemontesi piano Schubert: Four Impromptus D 899 and Sonata in D major D850 29 August (8pm): Julia Kleiter, soprano; Tara Erraught, mezzo soprano; Pavol Breslik, tenor; Andrè Schuen, baritone; Igor Levit, piano; Ryoko Morooka, harmonium.

Rossini: Petite messe solennelle A rare opportunity to hear Rossini’s mass in the chamber music version which was much preferred by the composer himself. The work was first performed in Paris in 1864.

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HOHENEMS MUSIC Programme 2 October (8pm): Emerson String Quartet Dvořák: String Quartet in E flat major Op.51 Schubert: String Trio D471 Schubert: Quartettsatz D 703 Beethoven: String Quartet in E minor Op.59 No.2 3 October (8pm): Christiane Karg, soprano; Sabine Meyer, clarinet; Malcolm Martineau, piano Schubert: ‘The Shepherd on the Rock’ and songs by Spohr, Meyerbeer and others.

4 October (4pm): David Fray, piano Schubert: Sonata in A minor D 845 and Sonata in A major D959 5 October (8pm): Modigliani Quartet; Laurène Durantel, double bass; Frank Braley, piano Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major D 667 ‘The Trout’ Schubert: String Quartet in D minor D810 ‘Death and the Maiden’ 6 October (8pm): Günther Groissböck, bass; Gerold Huber, piano Schubert: ‘Schwanengesang’ and other songs by Schubert.

7 October (8pm): Daniel Müller-Schott, cello; Francesco Piemontesi, piano Brahms: Cello Sonata in D major Op.78 – transcribed from the violin sonata Op.78 Schubert: ‘Arpeggione Sonata’ in A minor D821 Brahms: Cello Sonata in F major Op.99

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 23 August £2,498 £298 1 October £2,298 NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Price based on two people sharing.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.15 arrive Zurich 15.05 Depart Zurich 15.45 arrive London Heathrow 16.40 what we include

• Return flights to Zurich • Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner • One lunch (Hohenems only) • Excursions and concerts as described • The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

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OPERA & ART IN VIENNA a four NIGHT HOLIDAY | 20 March, 10 may & 20 june 2019 Vienna was the undisputed centre of musical life from the mid-18th century until the early years of the twentieth.

As the capital of a vast and wealthy empire,Vienna was able to provide all the conditions for musical creativity to flourish on a magnificent scale.The works of an impressive list of composers, some of whom were not even Austrian, let alone Viennese, are woven into the fabric of life in Vienna to this day. Artists too made Vienna the centre of cultural Europe from the late 19th century. Add to this the beauty and grandeur of the city’s architecture and its great art collections, and you have one of the world’s leading cultural destinations.

Belvedere Palace

THE hotel We stay at the 4 star Superior Kaiserhof, a hotel of excellent quality, located in a small side street just outside the south western corner of the Ringstrasse and ten minutes’ walk from the opera house. It was built in 1896 and has 76 elegantly furnished rooms. A delicious full Austrian buffet breakfast is served, whilst from noon the lounge offers snacks and drinks, with piano music most evenings. There is a fitness centre, steam bath and sauna.

the Itinerary DAY

1 We fly to Vienna and transfer to the 4 star Hotel Kaiserhof.

DAY

We start our visit at the Belvedere Palace with its collection

2 of works by Austrian artists, including Gustav Klimt’s The

Kiss. Later we visit the Leopold Museum with its collection of works by Austrian artists including Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka.

DAY

Today we visit the Mozart House where he wrote ‘Le nozze

3 di Figaro’ and which is now a museum dedicated to his life

opera PROGRAMME Each departure has a choice of two operas. If you would like to attend the second performance, tickets cost £248.

20 March departure: Simon Boccanegra by Verdi (22 March) Placido Domingo sings the title role. Eleonora Buratto is Amelia and Francesco Meli is Gabriele Adorno.

Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni and Pagliacci by Leoncavallo (23 March) A double bill: Elīna Garanča is Santuzza and Yonghoon Lee sings Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana; Marina Rebeka and George Petean sing the leading role in Pagliacci.

10 May departure: Macbeth by Verdi (11 May) Tatiana Serjan and George Petean are the murderous couple.

James Conlon conducts.

Rigoletto by Verdi (12 May) Christopher Maltman sings the title role; Joseph Calleja is the cynical Duke of Mantua and Aida Garifullina the luckless Gilda.

20 June departure: Aida by Verdi (22 June) The leading roles are taken by Ekaterina Gubanova, Elena Guseva, Gregory Kunde and Simone Piazzola.

Tosca by Puccini (23 June) Swedish diva Nina Stemme returns to Italian opera as Tosca, Piotr Beczala is Cavaradossi and Carlos Alvarez the lustful Scarpia.

in Vienna. We will also go to the Stefansdom Cathedral and then to the Kunsthistorisches Museum to see the Old Masters there.

DAY

The day is spent at the two Hapsburg palaces – the Hofburg

4 from which the empire was managed and Schönbrunn, the summer residence of the imperial family. We will have dinner together at the fabled Hotel Sacher.

DAY

We will depart the hotel at noon for the flight back to

5 London.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 20 March £1,998 NO SINGLE 10 May £1,998 SUPPLEMENT 20 June £1,998 Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 11.35 arrive Vienna 14.45 Depart Vienna 14.20 arrive London Heathrow 15.50 what we include

• Return flights to Vienna • Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Two dinners • One second category opera ticket and synopsis • All sightseeing as described, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Leader 19

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LA SCALA, MILAN a Four night holiday | 7 february, 25 april, 16 june & 5 october 2019 La Scala, Milan is, for most opera lovers, the world’s most revered and important opera house.The theatre opened in 1778 with a performance of an opera by Salieri and since then many of the greatest Italian operas have received their first performance on its hallowed stage: Two very different divas enjoyed their greatest successes at La Scala – Renata Tebaldi and Maria Callas triumphed here season after season at the height of their careers.

the Itinerary Included in our tour to Milan are visits to the city’s great Duomo, the Brera Gallery, which houses one of the most important art collections in Italy, Leonardo’s ‘The Last Supper’ at Santa Maria delle Grazie and the wonderful La Scala Museum with displays linked to all the great conductors, performers and designers associated with the opera house. Also included are visits to the Basilica Sant’Ambrogio, named after Milan’s patron saint, and Casa Verdi, founded by Giuseppe Verdi and dedicated to taking care of musicians who have devoted their working lives to opera. This is an exceptionally special visit for everyone with an interest in opera and those who perform it.

the hotel We stay at the very comfortable and well established 4 star Hotel de la Ville in the heart of Milan’s historic centre and just a short walk from La Scala and the Duomo. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and an indoor swimming pool overlooking the cathedral.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 7 February £1,795 £298 25 April £1,795 £298 16 June £1,795 £298 5 October £1,795 £298 Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.00 arrive Milan Linate 15.05 Depart Milan Linate 15.30 arrive London Heathrow 16.55 Flights from London City Airport with British Airways and on other airlines from regional airports are also available – please speak to one of the team when booking.

• • • • • • • 20

what we include Return flights to Milan Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast Two dinners in carefully selected local restaurants One opera ticket (stalls) and synopsis Visits and entrances as described Timed entry ticket to ‘The Last Supper’ The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

Duomo, Milan

opera PROGRAMME Each departure except 5 October has a choice of two operas. If you would like to attend the second performance, tickets cost £240.

7 February departure: La Cenerentola by Rossini (10 February) Ottavio Dantone conducts. Marianne Crebassa, Erwin Schrott and Carlos Chausson sing the leading roles.

La traviata by Verdi (8 February) Marina Rebeka is Violetta, Benjamin Bernheim sings the role of Alfredo and Leo Nucci is Germont senior. Myung-Whun Chung conducts.

25 April departure: Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss (26 April) In this new production by Frederic Wake-Walker, Krassimira Stoyanova sings the title role, the German mezzo-soprano Daniela Sindram is The Composer and Sabine Devielhe is Zerbinetta. Franz Welser-Möst conducts.

Manon Lescaut by Puccini (27 April) A new production by David Pountney. Riccardo Chailly conducts the Uruguayan soprano María José Siri in the title role, with Marcelo Álvarez as Des Grieux and Massimo Cavaletti as Lescaut 16 June departure: I masnadieri by Verdi (18 June) The first performance of ‘I masnadieri’ took place in London on 22 July 1847 and was conducted by Verdi himself. This new production by David McVicar is conducted by Michele Mariotti. The cast includes Michele Pertusi, Fabio Sartori and Massimo Cavaletti.

Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss (19 June) Cast changes bring two American singers – Brenda Rae is Zerbinetta and Tamara Wilson is Ariadne. Franz Welser-Möst conducts and Daniela Sindram is The Composer.

5 October departure: L’elisir d’amore by Donizetti (7 October) Italian soprano Rosa Feola returns to La Scala in another Donizetti role following her triumph as Norina, and her recital in the Kirker Music Festival on Lake Como in spring 2018.

She is joined by Vittorio Grigolo as Nemorino, with Ambrogio Maestri and Massimo Cavaletti. Michele Gamba conducts.

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escorted Holidays exclusive tokirker leading music music festivals festivals & events

VENICE & OPERA AT LA FENICE a Four night holiday | 28 january, 24 march, 28 May, 9 september & 6 october 2019 La Fenice in Venice is one of the world’s most historic opera houses.

Inaugurated in 1792 the opera house has, like its namesake the phoenix, been destroyed by fire and rebuilt, both in 1836 and 1996.The latest exquisitely restored La Fenice opened its doors in 2003. Along with the Teatro San Carlo in Naples and La Scala, Milan, La Fenice has always been one of the top three opera houses in Italy. During the 19th century many operas were first performed at La Fenice, including two of Verdi’s greatest and most popular works, ‘La traviata’ and ‘Rigoletto.’ Tickets for a performance are included, as are several walking tours and accommodation in one of our favourite Venetian hotels.

the Itinerary

the hotel

There will be a selection of carefully planned walking tours to some of the city’s churches and galleries. At the Accademia, the ‘National Gallery of Venice’, we see works by the most important Venetian artists from the 14th to the 17th centuries and the more modern Peggy Guggenheim collection at the palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal where she lived.Visits to the jewel-like Santa Maria Miracoli, to Santa Maria della Salute, Santi Paolo e Giovanni, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, and to Carpaccio’s fabulous cycle of the story of St.George in the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni will all be included. There will be free time each afternoon for independent exploration during which you can use your included Venice pass to visit the Palazzo Ducale, the Museo Correr and the Archaelogical Museum.

Ideally located between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, the 4 star Deluxe Hotel Splendid has become a firm favourite with Kirker clients. Although large (165 bedrooms) the personal service and cosy public areas give it the feel of a much smaller boutique property. All rooms are furnished to a very high standard and have extremely comfortable beds and luxurious bathrooms. There is a wonderful roof terrace and a restaurant offering a modern take on traditional Venetian recipes.

opera programme Each departure has a choice of two operas. If you would like to attend the second performance, tickets cost £220.

28 January departure: La traviata by Verdi (30 January) Werther by Massenet (31 January) – Sonia Ganassi sings the role of Charlotte and Piero Pretti is Werther 24 March departure: Otello by Verdi (26 March) – Marco Berti sings the title role and Carmela Remigio is Desdemona.

La traviata by Verdi (27 March) 28 May departure: Turandot by Puccini (29 May) – Oksana Dyka is the icy princess and Andrea Carè is Calaf.

Aida by Verdi (30 May) – Roberta Mantegna is Aida.

9 September departure: Madama Butterfly by Puccini (10 September) Tosca by Puccini (12 September) 6 October departure: La scala di seta by Rossini (8 October) – a little-known opera with a well-known overture.

Il barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini (9 October)

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 28 January £1,348 £160 24 March £1,348 £160 28 May £1,870 £360 9 September £1,870 £360 6 October £1,870 £360 Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick 11.50 arrive Venice 15.00 Depart Venice 15.50 arrive London Gatwick 17.00 Times vary according to departure date. Flights from London Heathrow and City Airport and regional airports are available – please speak to one of our team to discuss the option most convenient to you

• • • • • • •

what we include Return flights to Venice Water taxi transfers Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast Two dinners – one at the hotel and one at a local restaurant One opera ticket in the stalls at La Fenice Gratuities and entrance fees as described The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

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escorted Holidays to leading music festivals & events

THE BUXTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL A four NIGHT HOLIDAY | 8 & 17 July 2019 The Buxton International Festival prepares to celebrate its 40th birthday in 2019. Originally founded to present little known operas in the town’s magical opera house, designed by Frank Matcham, the Festival has extended its remit considerably in the past decade or so with one of the most varied and wide ranging programmes of any UK festival.The operas still hold centre stage but throughout the day visitors can enjoy recitals, concerts and a dynamic literary festival, all taking place at different venues throughout the town.Buxton is a lovely spa town in the heart of the glorious Peak District. Its imposing Crescent is about to be given a new lease of life when a new spa hotel opens later in 2019.

Developed by the 5th Duke of Devonshire, this long awaited project is being inaugurated by a new opera, Georgiana, which will be performed at the Opera House.

the operas 8 july tour Itinerary

17 july tour Itinerary

La vestale by Spontini.

July 9 evening and July 18 matinee This very rarely performed opera by Gaspare Spontini (17741851) is a perfect opera for Buxton. First given in Paris on 15 February 1807, Spontini’s opera acknowledges the classicism of Gluck and simultaneously looks ahead to Berlioz and Wagner.

The opera was famously performed at La Scala Milan in 1954 when Maria Callas took on the role of Julia, the vestal virgin of the title. Since then, very few performances have taken place despite the great theatrical and musical opportunities the opera offers to the singer brave enough to take on the role.

We stay at the long established and family run Lee Wood Hotel for this tour. Located about eight minutes’ walk from the opera house in Buxton, the hotel has a comfortable lounge, bar and restaurant.

There is also a spa. In addition to the visit to Chatsworth, there will be an excursion to Haddon Hall, a glorious Elizabethan house near Bakewell and one of the seats of the Duke of Rutland. A recital or chamber music concert will also be included on both dates.

Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky July 10 evening and July 19 matinee Here the Buxton Festival returns to more familiar territory with performances of Tchaikovsky’s best loved and most often performed opera based on the novel, written in verse, by Pushkin. The opera was first performed on 19 March 1879 at the Maly Theatre, Moscow.

This tour will be based at The Old Hall Hotel in the very centre of Buxton just opposite the Opera House. This historic hotel has a lounge, bar and restaurant. We will include two excursions. There will be a visit to Kedleston Hall, a magnificent neo-classical house

by Robert Adam designed for the Curzon family who still live in the Hall today. In addition to the magnificent collections here, visitors can enjoy the Eastern Museum which celebrates Lord Curzon’s time as the Viceroy of India – 1899-1905. The second visit is to Chatsworth, the glorious seat of the Dukes of Devonshire.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 8 July £1,228 £328 17 July £1,098 £132 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

Supplement for executive room at The Old Hall Hotel (8 July departure): £98 per room.

• • • • • 22

what we include Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast Four dinners Tickets for three operas and one chamber concert or song recital All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities Services of the Kirker Tour Leader

Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach July 11 matinee Offenbach turns the famous story of Orpheus and Euridice into an irreverent romp, a dazzling opéra bouffe which was a huge success for the composer after its first performance at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens on 21 October 1858. The opera ran for more than two hundred performances.

(Barry Cheeseman writes: Orpheus in the Underworld was the first opera I ever saw. This was in 1965 at Sadler’s Wells in the already-legendary production by the great Wendy Toye.

This set me on a lifetime’s journey of opera going!)

Georgiana July 20 evening This new work is an opera pasticcio with music from the time of Georgiana Cavendish (1757-1806) wife of the 5th Duke.

The opera will tell the story of her birth as Georgiana Spencer from Althorp, her rise and fall at the pinnacle of society, and her death, when gambling debts of almost eight million pounds in today’s values came to light.

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escorted Holidays to leading music festivals & events

THE NORTH NORFOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL a four night holiday | 12 AUGUST 2019 The North Norfolk Music Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2019. It was founded by Kirker’s very own Barry Cheeseman and musician Simon Rowland-Jones in 2005. Concerts are held in the beautiful 13th century church of St. Mary in the village of South Creake, a few miles inland from the North Norfolk coastline.We stay at a hotel overlooking the marshes at Titchwell.Visits include three impressive country houses – Holkham, Houghton and Raynham.

music PROGRAMME We attend six concerts with performances by the Castalian String Quartet, the pianist Melvyn Tan, and soprano Louise Alder. Former member of the Doric Quartet, Jonathan Stone, violin, will perform with Sholto Kynoch, piano; and British baritone James Newby, winner of the 2016 Kathleen Ferrier award, will give a recital with pianist Gary Matthewman.

The ITINERARY We stay at the 3 star Briarfields Hotel, overlooking the wide openmarshes at Titchwell, six miles from South Creake where all the concerts are given. We visit three of Norfolk’s greatest houses – Holkham Hall, seat of the Earl of Leicester; Raynham Hall, the home of Marquess and Marchioness Townshend which is not open to the public; and Houghton Hall, seat of the Marquess of Cholmondeley. The nearest railway station is King’s Lynn, and from there you can continue by Coast Hopper bus right to the hotel, orby taxi – fare approximately £40 each way.

Price £1,235 to include four nights’ accommodation with breakfast; two dinners at the hotel and two in the Festival Marquee; one lunch; all sightseeing as described; entrance fees and gratuities; NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT tickets and programmes for six concerts; the services of the Kirker Tour Leader.

For a more detailed day by day itinerary please visit the Cultural Tours section of our website kirkerholidays.com or call us on 020 7593 2284.

THE GRANGE FESTIVAL, HAMPSHIRE a three night holiday | 20 JUne 2019 The Grange Festival has been held every summer since 2002 at one of the country’s most magnificent neo-classical houses, Grange Park. It is located in the heart of the Baring family’s estate not far from Winchester and is arguably one of the most beautiful of all country house settings.Today the Grange Festival is in the hands of the countertenor Michael Chance who took on the role of Artistic Director in 2017.

We will attend two sharply contrasting operas – Verdi’s final work Falstaff and Handel’s Belshazzar and dine at Grange Park before each of the operas. Our tour is based in the heart of historic Winchester.

opera PROGRAMME 21 June, 5.30pm: Falstaff by Verdi Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor Francesco Cilluffo Sir John Falstaff: Robert Hayward; Ford: Nicholas Lester; Fenton: Alessandro Fisher; Alice: Elin Pritchard; Mistress Quickly: Susan Bickley; Meg Page: Angela Simkin

The ITINERARY We will spend one day in Winchester with visits to Winchester College dating from 1382. We will see the Chamber Court, the Scholars’ Dining Room and the Gothic Chapel. We will also go to The Great Hall, all that remains of Winchester Castle, to see King Arthur’s Round Table and go to the cathedral where Queen Mary 1 married King Philip II on 25 July 1554. We will also visit a private garden not far from Winchester. We stay in the Wessex Hotel adjacent to the cathedral – one dinner will be served at the hotel and two at Grange Park. In addition to the operas we will attend the annual Kirker Chamber Music Concert held in the lovely 12th century church of St. Cross.

Price £1,174 for three nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner each evening; tickets for two operas; the festival programme book, a ticket for the Kirker concert; all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and services of the Kirker Tour Leader. Single supplement £168.

22 June, 5.30pm: Belshazzar by Handel The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra conductor Harry Christophers Belshazzar: Robert Murray; Nitocris: Rosemary Joshua; Cyrus: Christopher Ainslie

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THE THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL IN GLOUCESTER a four or eight night holiday | 27 & 31 JULY 2019 It is the turn of Gloucester to take centre stage at the 2019 Three Choirs Festival, with performances taking place in the city’s magnificent 11th century cathedral, renowned for its matchless fan-vaulting – a technique thought to have been invented here.There are also other superb examples of mediaeval architecture which we will see in the city, as well as making excursions to a number of famous houses and gardens in the area.

The ITINERARY You can choose one of two four night holidays beginning on 27 or 31 July or stay for the whole festival (eight nights). We stay at the 3 star Mercure Bowden Hall Hotel, an elegant Georgian house set in parkland, five miles from the cathedral. The holiday commencing on 27 July will include a visit to Westbury Court with its perfect example of an 18th century Dutch water garden, and Buscot Park, an 18th century house with a garden that is a prime example of the Italian mode of the Arts and Crafts style. The holiday commencing on 31 July will include a visit to Cheltenham to see the Holst Birthplace Museum, and historic Painswick Rococo Garden, the only surviving complete garden of its kind in the country. Clients choosing to book the eight night holiday will follow both these itineraries and will also attend the morning concert on 31 July where tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Anna Tillbrook give a recital of works by Ian Venables and Ravel and, with the Carducci String Quartet, a performance of On Wenlock Edge by Vaughan Williams.

2 August (2.45pm): A concert to celebrate the musical legacy of the recentlyrestored Llanthony Secunda Priory on Gloucester Quay with the Glevum Consort.

2 August (7.45pm): Katherine Broderick and Roderick Williams Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony; Stanford: Songs of the Fleet 3 August (10.30am): Painswick Church. The St. Cecilia’s Singers will present a programme of music by Gloucestershire’s composers.

3 August (7.30pm): Holst:The Mystic Trumpeter; Beethoven: Symphony No 9

MUSIC PROGRAMME All evening performances are at Gloucester Cathedral.

27 July (7pm): La damnation de Faust by Berlioz with Sarah Connolly, Christopher Purves and Peter Hoare 28 July (3.30pm): Recital by the tenor Joshua Ellicott – songs by Finzi and Gurney 28 July (7.45 pm): Verdi Requiem, conductor Edward Gardner Cast includes Ailyn Perez, Christine Rice, David Butt Philip and James Platt.

29 July (8pm): Ex Cathedra perform Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil 30 July (7.30pm): BBC National Orchestra of Wales Joubert: An English Requiem; Elgar: Cello Concerto with Natalie Clein; Berlioz: La carnival romain 31 July (11am): This morning’s performance of Wenlock Edge with the Carducci Quartet and James Gilchrist together with works by Ravel and Ian Venables is included ONLY for those clients booking the eight night holiday.

31 July (7.45pm): Handel: The first concert performance in the UK of Mendelssohn’s arrangement of Israel in Egypt 1 August (11am): Recital by Roderick Williams – Tennyson’s poem, Maud, set to music by Arthur Somervell 1 August (7.45pm): Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Martyn Brabbins; Anna Stephany, mezzo soprano Stravinsky: Firebird Suite;Walton: Symphony No.1; Berlioz: Le nuits d’ete

24

South cloister, Gloucester Cathedral

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 27 July (4 nights) £1,039 £168 31 July (4 nights) £1,098 £168 27 July (8 nights) £2,137 £336 Our prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

• • • • •

what we include Accommodation with breakfast and dinner each evening Tickets for concerts as described Return transfers between the hotel and each concert All sightseeing as described, entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Leader, Andrew Biggs

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THE WORLD OF JS BACH – THURINGIA & SAXONY A SEVEN NIGHT HOLIDAY | 13 june 2019 The organist Oliver Condy is best known to a wide public as the editor of BBC Music Magazine. Oliver led this tour in 2018 which was unanimously praised by the participants and so we will be repeating the programme in 2019.

Once again we have timed the tour to coincide with the wonderful Bach festival in Leipzig. Oliver will give five recitals on five different organs associated with the composer, as we retrace Bach’s life and career through the historic towns and cities of Thuringia and Saxony.

THE ITINERARY DAY

We fly to Frankfurt and on arrival transfer by coach to Erfurt

1 where we stay for the three nights at the 4 star Hotel

Zumnorde am Anger. Erfurt is one of the best preserved cities in Germany, with mediaeval, Romanesque and Gothic buildings.

DAY

We begin our Bach journey in Eisenach, visiting the house

2 where he was born on 31 March 1685 and later exploring the town. Afterwards we go to Mühlhausen where we have a guided walking tour. This afternoon Oliver Condy will give a recital at the Divi Blasii Church. Bach was appointed organist here in 1707.

DAY

DAY

Leipzig has one of the most important musical histories of any

5 city in Europe. Richard Wagner was born here in 1813,

JS Bach worked in the city and Mendelssohn lived here. We visit the Grassi Museum and see the extensive collections of historic musical instruments. We will also visit the house where the Schumanns lived, and the house where Mendelssohn died in 1847.

DAY

This morning’s visit is to the Gedächtniskirche at Schönefeld.

6 There will be a recital by Oliver Condy here before we go to the Bach Museum and St. Thomas’s Church where Bach worked from 1723 until his death in 1750.

Our day begins in Arnstadt where Oliver Condy will give a

3 recital at the Bachkirche. It was here that Bach found his first job as an organist in 1703. Later we arrive in Dornheim for the second recital of the day, at the Traukirche.

DAY

We leave for Leipzig today, making a stop in historic Weimar, 4 one of Germany’s most cultural towns with its associations with Goethe and Schiller. Our visit includes the Stadtkirche St. Peter and Paul, the house where Goether lived for almost fifty years, and the newly opened Bauhaus Museum. We continue to Leipzig where we stay for four nights at the 4 star Radisson Blu hotel, directly opposite the Gewandhaus concert hall in the centre of the city.

DAY

We drive to Köthen today. Our visit takes place during an

7 organ festival, and we will attend a wonderful performance.

DAY

8 We depart for Berlin airport and the flight back to London.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 13 June £2,985 £336 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 10.55 arrive Frankfurt 13.40 Depart Berlin Tegel 14.30 arrive London Heathrow 15.35

• • • • • • • •

what we include Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners in Erfurt and two in Leipzig Four lunches Four organ recitals by Oliver Condy Tickets for performances as described, part of the Bachfest A copy of ‘Exploring the World of JS Bach’ Sightseeing as described, all admission charges and gratuities Services of the Kirker Tour Leader, organist Oliver Condy, and a local guide throughout

Erfurt Cathedral

BACH FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 16 June, 8pm: Nikolaikirche Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, Kristian Bezduidenhout, leader C P E Bach: O holder Tag, erwünschte Zeit JS Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.5 BWV1050 17 June, 8pm: St. Thomas’s Church La Cetra Baroque Orchestra, Andrea Marcon, conductor; Chouchane Siranossian, violin; Jörg Halubek, organ Vivaldi:Three concertos RV208, RV522 and RV 565 J S Bach: Three concertos BWV 594, BWV 593 and BWV 596 18 June, 8pm: Nikolaikirche Soloists from Collegium Vocale Gent; Merseburger Hofmusik; Michael Schönheit, leader J S Bach: Nur komm, der Heiden Heiland Telemann: Deus Judicium TWV 7:7 J S Bach: Overture in C major BWV 1066 Lully:Te Deum LWV 55 19 June, 8pm: University Church, St. Pauli Paulinum Aula; Sir András Schiff, piano English and French Suites

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OPERA & MUSIC IN BERLIN A six NIGHT HOLIDAY | 7 march & 4 june 2019 Berlin's historic opera house, the Staatsoper unter den Linden, reopens during the 2017/18 season having been closed since 2010.The building as we see it today opened in 1844 but it was destroyed twice during WWII. It held such an important place for Germans that it was rebuilt during the war in 1942 and destroyed again,reopening once more in 1955.The Berlin Staatskapelle plays at every performance and, since 1992, its chief conductor and music director has been Daniel Barenboim.

He gives many performances in Berlin throughout the year but the highlight is the annual Festtage when he invites his closest friends and colleagues to take part in a splendid series of concerts. Our music holidays will also include performances at the Deutsche Oper.The reopening of the Staatsoper puts Berlin back at the pinnacle of world class music making.

the Itinerary

7 - 13 MARCH MUSIC PROGRAMME 9 March: Deutsche Oper Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky, conductor Kirill Karabits.

Sir Bryn Terfel sings the title role.

10 March: Deutsche Oper Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky. Etienne Dupuis sings the title role, Matthew Newlin is Lensky and Tatiana is sung by Nicole Car 12 March: Berlin Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal Moscow Cathedral Choir: Missa Mystica – Music for a Russian Easter One of the world’s greatest choirs presents a spiritual programme linking East and West, from Gregorian songs of the West to the great traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The outstanding voices in the choir include the world’s deepest basses, known as octavists.

Optional Performances on 8 March: Choose between the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Schoenberg: Violin Concerto Op.36;Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E major Op.64 and Die Zauberflöte by Mozart at the Staatsoper: £120

We stay at the 4 star Marriott Hotel just off Potsdamer Platz, a mere five minutes’ walk from the Berliner Philharmonie. The hotel is stylish, with comfortably appointed bedrooms, bars, restaurants and an indoor swimming pool. We have opted for as much variety as possible and so in addition to the city’s world-class art collections at the Altes National Museum and the Gemäldegalerie we have included some visits which relate to more recent German history.

We will see how political changes affected the life of Berlin’s citizens through the dark years of World War II and the Cold War which followed it during our excursions to the Deutsch Histerischel Museum, Check Point Charlie and the Berlin Wall Museum.

We will drive to Potsdam, once the residence of the Prussian kings, which was developed by Frederik Willian I and, later, his son Frederik the Great into one of the greatest assemblages of Baroque architecture and magnificent landscaped parks and lakes. We will visit the magnificent palace of Sans Souci as well as many smaller, more intimate pavilions.

Afterwards, we visit the Max Lieberman villa on Wanasee which gives a fine introduction to more than 150 of the artist’s works, as well as the revolutionary garden that was designed for him.

4 - 10 JUNE MUSIC PROGRAMME 5 June: Staatsoper Rigoletto by Verdi. Cast includes Christopher Maltman in the title role, Michael Fabiano as the dissolute duke and the American soprano Nadine Sierra, whose performance of Gilda has been acclaimed on many of the world’s most important stages in the past two years.

8 June: Deutsche Oper Otello by Verdi American tenor Russell Thomas sings the Moor, George Gagnidze is Iago and Guanqun Yu is Desdemona.

9 June: Deutsche Oper Manon Lescaut by Puccini, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

Maria Jose Siri from Uruguay is the hapless heroine and Jorge de León is Des Grieux.

Optional Concert 7 June: Konzerthaus: Konzerthausorchester Berlin Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 Op.19; Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D: £60

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 7 March £2,139 £298 4 June £2,224 £336 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 13.00 arrive Berlin Tegel 15.55 Depart Berlin Tegel 14.30 arrive London Heathrow 15.35

• • • • • •

26

what we include Return flights to Berlin Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners Music programme as described including 2nd category tickets for opera performances All sightseeing as described, entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

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escorted Holidays to leading music festivals & events

THE DRESDEN MUSIC FESTIVAL A SEVEN NIGHT HOLIDAY | 22 May 2019 For more than forty years the annual Dresden Music Festival has added to the rich fabric of musical life in the Saxon capital on the banks of the Elbe. Dresden has been lovingly and meticulously restored so that today’s visitors quickly appreciate why the city was, in its heyday, compared to Florence.The Frauenkirche and the rococo Zwinger Palace, the Albertinum, the fine and decorative art collections of the Electors of Saxony, and Gottfried Semper’s opera house all combine to make Dresden a true city of culture.The city’s major concert hall is the Kulturpalast, an iconic example of GDR architecture which has been extensively modernised and its acoustics much improved.

Semperoper

THE ITINERARY We fly to Berlin and on arrival transfer to Dresden where 1 we stay at the 4 star Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe which is superbly located in the heart of historic Dresden, overlooking the Frauenkirche and Neumarkt. Behind the traditional façade, the hotel has well-appointed bedrooms and a restaurant and bar.

DAY

We meet our local guide and embark on a walking tour of 2 the city, including a visit to the Frauenkirche, which had lain in ruins from 1945 until its reconstruction between 1994 and 2004.

Later we will go to the Albertinum with its important art collection of German Romantic and Realist art, including works

by Caspar David Friedrich and Max Liebermann, as well as paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin and others.

DAY

5

We enjoy a morning concert today and the rest of the day is free to explore Dresden independently.

Today we will visit the Historic Green Vault and the New 6 Green Vault where we will see displays of many of the treasures from the collections of the Electors of Saxony.

DAY

DAY

Today we enjoy a boat ride along the Elbe to Pillnitz, the 3 summer residence of the Electors of Saxony. We visit the palace and the Carl Maria Weber Museum in the vineyards close to Pillnitz before returning to Dresden.

DAY

This morning we go to Schloss Wackerbarth, surrounded 4 by terraced vineyards. It was once a retreat for the Saxon court and today it is at the heart of Saxony’s burgeoning wine producing region. We have a wine tasting and lunch before returning to the city.

DAY

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 22 May £2,835 £298 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.45 arrive Berlin Tegel 15.40 Depart Berlin Tegel 14.30 arrive London Heathrow 15.35

• • • • • •

what we include Return flights to Berlin Tegel Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners and two lunches Tickets for five performances as described All entrance fees and gratuities Services of a local guide and the Kirker Tour Leader

This morning we see one of Europe’s most important 7 collections of Old Masters at the Zwinger Gallery. The afternoon is free.

DAY

DAY

8

We drive to Berlin for the flight back to the UK.

music programme 23 May, 8pm: Kulturpalast Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; Tugan Sokhiev, conductor; Yefim Bronfman, piano Programme includes: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor Op.64 Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor 24 May, 8pm: Frauenkirche Hesperion XXI; Jordi Savall, director Orient Occident – A tribute to Syria and the Syrians Jordi Savall and his group are joined by a number of leading Syrian musicians in tribute to Syria and the suffering of its people. This programme of classical Syrian music, performed in the building which itself has risen from the dust and ashes of war, promises to be a profoundly moving experience.

26 May, 11pm: Kulturpalast Chamber Orchestra Vienna-Prague; Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin Mozart:Violin Concerto No. 2 in D major KV211 Symphony No. 1 in E flat major KV216 Violin Concerto No 5 in A major KV219 27 May, 8pm: Frauenkirche Camerata Salzburg; Andrew Manze, conductor; Joshua Bell, violin Sibelius: Rakastava (The Lover) Op.14 Dvořák:Violin Concerto in A minor Op.50 Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major Op.36 28 May, 7pm: Semperoper Nabucco by Verdi Omer Meir Wellber, conductor

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OPERA & MUSIC IN THE RUHR the essen opera at the alvar aalto opera house a five night holiday | 17 april & 19 june 2019 We are very pleased to be returning to Essen for the second year running, following the success of our first tour in 2018.

Some eyebrows were raised when the holiday first appeared as, at first glance, it seemed an unlikely destination. Essen was chosen by Barry Cheeseman after his visit there to see Meyerbeer’s rarely performed opera, Le Prophète. He discovered that all the key ingredients were there in a lovely parkland setting just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Essen.There is a stylish opera house with a superb acoustic designed by one of the most distinguished architects of the 20th century, an adjoining concert hall, and a smart hotel just two minutes’ walk from your seat in the opera house. Our itinerary includes a couple of unusual visits which were much enjoyed by our clients on the first tour. Essen has reinvented itself during the past two decades and in 2017 it was named ‘Green Capital of Europe’ in recognition of the city’s efforts to embrace change.

We are pleased to present this music holiday once more.

the Itinerary During our stay we will learn how the Ruhr changed from an industrial powerhouse that played a vital role in Germany’s economic history, to a region of parks, lakes and museums. The Ruhr is a conglomeration of 15 cities, each with its own mayor. It is bordered by three rivers – the Rhine, the Lippe and the Ruhr.

We will visit the Zollverein Museum in a former coal washing plant – visitors follow the same route that a piece of coal would have done, but in more comfort. At the Villa Hügel we learn more about the Krupp family who built the villa between 1870 and 1873, and about Krupp’s association with Germany’s history during the 20th century. At Margarethenhor we see a model town based on the UK garden cities concept. It is named after Margarethe Krupp whose idea it was to provide pleasant living conditions for the Krupp employees. We will see Essen Cathedral and the Folkwang Museum with its important collection of art and sculptures.

Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) Alvar Aalto won the prize to design Essen’s new opera house in a competition in 1959. He died before the building was finished, but the signs of a genius at work are immediately apparent. The sweeping spaces, curving lines, and vast public areas make the audience feel relaxed and welcome. Its 1,100 seats must surely be the most comfortable in any theatre anywhere. The acoustically flexible ceiling makes listening to music here a joy.

the hotel We stay at the 4 star Sheraton Essen, a modern and well appointed hotel overlooking the city park and next door to the Philharmonie, the opera house is a very short walk away. The hotel has a bar, restaurant and a terrace.

Villa Hügel

tour information

music programme

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 17 April £1,580 £198 19 June £1,580 £198 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

The Essen Oper, like most companies throughout Germany, is made up of a permanent ensemble of singers. The Essen Phlharmonie has its own series of concerts in the Alfried Krupp Hall next door to the hotel.

flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 13.15 arrive Düsseldorf 15.40 Depart Düsseldorf 14.00 arrive London Heathrow 14.30

• • • • • • 28

what we include Return flights to Düsseldorf Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners First Category tickets for all concerts and operas as described All sightseeing as described, all entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

17 April departure 18 April: Salome by Richard Strauss 20 April: Luisa Miller by Verdi 21 April; Die Zauberflöte by Mozart Optional Performance 19 April: Essen Philharmonie – a concert of early music for Good Friday with the Hille Perl Viola da Gamba Ensemble and Ensemble Polyharmonique, a group of young singers £25 19 June departure 20 June: Essen Philharmonie, Tomáš Netopil, conductor, Gautier Capuçon, cello Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 2 Op33 Ravel: Ma mère l’oye Suite; La valse 22 June: Così fan tutte by Mozart 23 June: Tosca by Puccini

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escorted Holidays exclusive tokirker leading music music festivals festivals & events

THE RING CYCLE IN LEIPZIG A six NIGHT HOLIDAY | 30 april 2019 A Ring Cycle anywhere and at any time is always an important event for opera lovers, but for a Ring to be given in the city where the composer was born adds an extra frisson.The Ring had not been performed in Leipzig for several decades until this production began in 2013, the 200th anniversary of Wagner’s birth.The first complete cycle was given in June 2016 and was greeted with such critical acclaim that it was brought back to end the 2016/17 season.There was a further revival in 2018 and now the Ring is back on the stage of the Leipzig Opera in 2019. Leipzig has one of the most musical histories of any European city. Johann Sebastian Bach worked in the city for years, Clara Wieck married Robert Schumann here and Mendelssohn died here. Grieg had close connections with the city and a host of famous composers studied in Leipzig.The music publisher Peters Edition had its headquarters here and Blüthner pianos were made in its Leipzig factory.The house where Wagner was born no longer stands but we will visit the Nikolaischule where the young firebrand received his introduction to music through his piano lessons there. Our programme includes visits and excursions, but with plenty of free time between the performances.

St.Thomas Church, Leipzig

THE ITINERARY We fly from London to Berlin and transfer by coach to 1 Leipzig where we stay at the 4 star Radisson Blu Hotel overlooking the Gewandhaus and the Opera House.

DAY

There will be a walking tour this morning of the centre of 2 the city including a visit to the Nikolaischule, the Nikolai Church and St. Thomas’s Church and the Bach Museum. We will visit the Alte Nikolaischule and see the room where Wagner, who was born in Leipzig on 22 May 1813, learned to play the piano.

We will drive to Graupa today to see the Wagner Museum.

4 This occupies an old hunting lodge and the composer stayed here in 1846 when he began working on Lohengrin while he was employed in nearby Dresden.

DAY

DAY

We will visit the Schumann House and the Mendelssohn 3 House this morning. The houses are close to each other in the same bourgeois neighbourhood. The Schumanns lived in the first floor flat immediately after their marriage and in the Mendelssohn house we see the room where Felix died on 4 November 1847.

Today we go to Schönefeld Church in a leafy suburb of 5 Leipzig, It was here that Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck were eventually married on 12 September 1840. Later we visit the Grassi Museum which houses one of the world’s most important collections of historical instruments.

DAY

DAY

DAY

6 DAY

7

A free day for independent exploration before the final opera performance.

We will drive back to Berlin for the flight to London.

tour information

Der Ring des Nibelungen

by Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner

1 2 4 5

May: May: May: May:

The Gewandhaus Orchestra Choir of the Leipzig Opera Conductor: Ulf Schirmer, Director and Music Director of the Leipzig Opera.

Producer: Rosamund Gilmore The role of Brünnhilde is taken by two different singers. The Swedish soprano Iréne Theorin sings the role in Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung and the British soprano and Kirker favourite, Katherine Broderick, takes the role in Siegfried.

Das Rheingold at 5pm Die Walküre at 5pm Siegfried at 5pm Götterdämmerung at 5pm

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 30 April £2,798 £298 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.45 arrive Berlin Tegel 15.40 Depart Berlin Tegel 16.45 arrive London Heathrow 17.40 Flights also operate from London City to Berlin Tegel − please ask us for details at the time of booking

• • • • • • • •

what we include Return flights to Berlin Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Two dinners and three lunches Three intermission snacks at the Leipzig Opera Opera tickets for The Ring Cycle All sightseeing as described All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Leader, Andrew Taylor

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escorted Holidays to leading music festivals & events

MALTA BAROQUE MUSIC FESTIVAL a six night holiday | 21 January 2019 A visit to Malta and the Valletta International Baroque Music Festival is a splendid way for music lovers to celebrate the start of the New Year. A very impressive line-up of internationally known Baroque musicians perform in the capital's most historic buildings, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the beautiful jewel-like Teatra Manoel, one of the best surviving Baroque theatres in Europe.The programme is ambitious, varied and designed to complement the island’s 18th century architecture with music from the same period.

THE ITINERARY DAY

On arrival we will be taken to the famous Hotel Phoenicia

1 where the tour is based. Situated at the gateway to Valletta,

The Phoenicia has a majestic setting overlooking Marsamxett Harbour and reopened in Summer 2017 after a painstaking renovation. It has a wonderful Colonial feel about it with its large domed Palm Court lounge, fine dining restaurant, brasserie and veranda bar overlooking the lush terraced gardens and outdoor heated swimming pool.

DAY

This morning will be spent exploring Valletta which has 2 recently undergone a series of major restorations including the impressive ramparts and Renzo Piano’s new Parliament building.

We also visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral with Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Beheading of St. John’ and the Grand Master’s Palace.

DAY

DAY

Our day begins with a visit to the recently reopened

5 Hypogeum, a remarkable subterranean burial chamber carved into the rock, which dates from 4000 BC. After an included lunch in the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk, we will return to Valletta.

DAY

This morning we take a harbour cruise on board a

6 traditional Maltese ‘Luzzu.’ From the Grand Harbour, we can fully appreciate the remarkable fortifications of Valletta. Later we visit Casa Rocca Piccola, the home of the Marquis de Piro and his family.

DAY

The morning is free for you to relax before we drive to the

7 airport for the flight back to the UK.

We spend the day in the ancient capital of Mdina, known as

3 ‘The Silent City’. We begin with a walking tour through the narrow medieval streets which will take us past aristocratic town palaces to the Baroque cathedral. Following the concert we will enjoy lunch at the Xara Palace Hotel.

DAY

We sail across the narrow strait to Gozo, a verdant island of

4 fertile farmland, picturesque villages and monumental

Baroque churches. We visit the prehistoric temples at Ggantija and continue to the capital,Victoria, where we walk around the fortifications. After an included lunch, we follow a scenic route to the charming fishing village of Xlendi.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 21 January £2,870 £460 Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

Regional departures available on request. flight details Flights with Air Malta: Depart London Heathrow 11.25 arrive Malta 15.35 Depart Malta 16.55 arrive London Heathrow 19.25

• • • • • • 30

what we include Return flights to Malta Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners and three lunches Tickets for all concerts as described All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities as described The services of a Kirker Tour Leader, Christopher Monckton

music PROGRAMME 22 January, 7.30 pm: St. John Co-Cathedral Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, director John Butt JS Bach: St. Matthew Passion BWV 244 23 January, 12.00 pm: Aula Capitolare, Mdina Cathedral Marco Mencoboni, harpsichord JS Bach: Fantasia BWV 922 Cavazzoni: Madame, vous avez mon coeur Frescobaldi: Second Toccata And works by Couperin, Claude Benigne Balbastre and Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer 23 January, 7.30 pm: St. Catherine, Żejtun Choir and Orchestra Ghislieri with Giulio Prandi Niccolò Jommelli: Dixit Dominus Pergolesi: Mass in D Major 24 January, 7.30 pm: Teatru Manoel, Valletta Armonia Atenea, director George Petrou Handel: Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno 25 January, 7.30 pm: Church of St. Mary, Qrendi Valletta International Baroque Ensemble and the Monteverdi Project Monteverdi: Missa in Ilo Tempore SV205 26 January, 7.30 pm: Teatru Manoel, Valletta Les Passions de l’Âme, Bern, director and harpsichord Meret Lüthi JS Bach: Six Brandenburg Concertos BWV 1046,1047,1048,1049,1050 and 1051

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escorted Holidays to leading music festivals & events

THE PUCCINI OPERA FESTIVAL IN TUSCANY a five night holiday | 8 AUGUST 2019 Giacomo Puccini was born into a musical family in Lucca on 22 December 1858. He sang as a chorister in the Cathedral of San Martino and later received his musical education at the conservatory in Milan. His first opera, Le Villi, was performed in Milan in 1884. Puccini’s operas dominated the world’s stages for the next 40 years making him the most successful and beloved opera composer ever. Each summer his operas are performed on the peaceful shores of Lake Massaciuccoli where Puccini came every year to unwind.

The ITINERARY There will be a walking tour of Lucca which includes a visit to the house where he was born, two great Tuscan gardens – the Villa Reale in Marlia and the Villa Garzoni with its water cascades and to the Villa Grabau, one of the many handsome Lucchese villas. We will also visit the world’s smallest theatre in the countryside close to Lucca. We stay at the 3 star Albergo Celide, located just outside Lucca’s magnificent city walls.

Price £2,249 per person to include flights with British Airways from Heathrow to Pisa (depart 08.35 return 12.40); five nights’ accommodation with breakfast, one dinner in a local restaurant in Lucca and three pre-performance dinners at Torre del Lago, second category tickets for the three operas, unreserved seating for the concert in Lucca, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Leader (single supplement £389).

Lucca

opera PROGRAMME The tour includes three operas at Torre del Lago and a performance of Italian opera arias in the Church of San Giovanni in Lucca.

La boheme (10 August) Tosca (11 August) Madama Butterfly (12 August) For a more detailed day by day itinerary please visit the Cultural Tours section of our website kirkerholidays.com or call us on 020 7593 2284.

TEATRO SAN CARLO, NAPLES & A VISIT TO LA MORTELLA a four night holiday | 30 MAY & 19 SEPTEMBER 2019 Our new music holiday to Naples includes a performance at the distinguished Teatro San Carlo, located next to the Royal Palace. Founded by the Bourbon monarchs, the opera house opened in 1737 making it the world’s oldest opera house in continuous use.We will have a guided tour of the theatre and also visit two exceptional museums, the Capodimonte and the Archaeological Museum.We will spend a day on the island of Ischia where we have been presenting our own exclusive music festival every year since 2006.

Price £1,698 per person to include flights with Easyjet from Gatwick to Naples; four nights’ accommodation with breakfast; three dinners; one lunch; opera ticket(stalls) and synopsis; all sightseeing, entrances and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Leader and a local guide (single supplement £260).

operas 30 May tour: Madama Butterfly by Puccini (1 June) 19 September tour: La traviata by Verdi (22 September)

The ITINERARY Staying at the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia in the historical heart of Naples, we will spend two days exploring the city with visits to its two great museums. The Capodimonte houses an important collection of paintings and sculptures once owned by the mother of Charles VII, Elisabeth Farnese; and the National Archaeological Museum has an unrivalled collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and items from Pompeii and Herculaneum. We will also visit the cathedral of San Gennaro and see works by Caravaggio.

We will cross the Bay of Naples by hydrofoil to spend a day on the beautiful island of Ischia. Sir William Walton OM and his Argentinian wife, Susana, lived on the island from the 1950s until their deaths. Walton composed many works at their villa, La Mortella, overlooking the Bay of Naples. Susana Walton created the extensive garden, and today it is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most ravishing. We will tour the island, have lunch at the hotel San Montano, from which there are spectacular views of the Bay of Naples, and have a guided tour of the garden at La Mortella.

Our visit there will end with a concert by a young musician given as part of the Walton Foundation’s summer concert series, Incontri Musicali. These concerts ensure that Walton’s musical legacy lives on today.

For a more detailed day by day itinerary please visit the Cultural Tours section of our website kirkerholidays.com or call us on 020 7593 2284.

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the metropolitan opera & art galleries of new york a five night holiday | 2 MARCH 2019 Our visits to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City each season are amongst our most popular tours. Our itinerary will include visits to New York’s leading art collections including The Museum of Modern Art and The Frick Collection.

Since the arrival of Peter Gelb, the Met’s General Manager, performances from the Met’s stage are now enjoyed by millions thanks to high definition broadcasts, but there is nothing to match the thrill of entering the Met’s plush auditorium and settling down into your seat in the company of up to four thousand other opera lovers.There is a performance at the Met six nights a week and every Saturday afternoon so the organisation required to put on this number of performances every season is nothing short of miraculous.We will discover just how an opera house of this size and international standing functions on our enthralling back stage tour.

the Itinerary In addition to the three included opera performances we will have a backstage tour of the Met and visit a selection of the city’s fascinating museums and galleries. Highlights include the Whitney Museum of American Art, the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art where we shall enjoy a tour of its American Wing and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) where our private visit will take place before the museum opens to the public – a wonderful experience, which has been one of the most memorable moments for clients in previous years.We will also see one of the world’s finest private collections of art at the Frick.

At the Morgan Library and Museum we see the ever-changing exhibitions of the Morgan’s stunning collections of art, manuscripts and letters.Two dinners are included, one at a Kirker favourite local restaurant and one at The Grand Tier, the Met’s own restaurant.

the hotel We stay at the 4 star Hotel Empire, located just across the street from the Lincoln Center, and a couple of minutes’ walk from the Met, the perfect place to stay for opera lovers.The Empire has comfortably furnished bedrooms, a lobby bar and an enclosed rooftop bar, a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner and a branch of the iconic New York restaurant, PJ Clarke’s.

opera PROGRAMME – A VERDI TRILOGY Verdi fans will enjoy the opportunity to see three of his most popular, yet contrasting operas, on consecutive evenings at The Met. The operas span a period of more than 40 years.

4 March: Aida (1870) The Met’s production of Verdi’s Egyptian opera recreated the grandeur and magnificence of the Pharoahs as the protagonists struggle with the conflicting emotions. Sondra Radvanovsky, Olesya Petrova and Alexsandrs Antonenko take the major roles.

5 March: Falstaff (1893) Verdi’s sparkling comedy was the composer’s last work for the stage. American diva and Met favourite Ailyn Perez is Alice Ford and Italian baritone, Ambrogio Maestri, who has made the role his own around the world, is Sir John Falstaff.

6 March: Rigoletto (1851) The role of Gilda launched the glittering career of American soprano Nadine Sierra and she returns to the Met as the hapless, misguided daughter of Rigoletto. Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo is the lascivious Duke of Mantua and Roberto Frontali has the title role.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 2 March £2,659 £330 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

The Frick Collection, New York, Garden and Façade. Photo: Michael Bodycomb

flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 13.05 arrive New York JFK 16.20 Depart New York JFK 19.20 arrive London Heathrow 07.15 the following day what we include

• Return flights to New York • Five nights’ accommodation (room only) • Three tickets in the rear stalls with uninterrupted views of the stage

• Two dinners (including one at the Met’s Grand Tier) • All transfers, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Leader NB: Biometric passports are required for entry to the USA The Garden Court,The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Michael Bodycomb

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CULTURAL TOURS Our programme of Cultural Tours includes holidays that will appeal to a wide variety of tastes and interests – including art, architecture, archaeology, history and gardens. Each holiday is led by an expert lecturer who will help you experience the best of what your chosen destination has to offer, and reveal additional insights which you might otherwise miss.The itinerary is carefully-planned to include comprehensive visits, to not only the most noteworthy museums and monuments, but also some lesser-visited points of interest which most visitors overlook. In many destinations we are able to include private openings and visits that would not be possible for the independent traveller. However, we also allow plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings at a leisurely pace with the company of your fellow travellers, and each holiday includes some free time to relax or explore independently. A number of meals are included in both hotels and good local restaurants, which allow you to sample the regional cuisine, but most tours also allow for some independent dining – of course your Tour Leader or the Kirker Concierge would be delighted to recommend our favourite local restaurants.

EXCLUSIVE GROUPS We operate our tours with a smaller number of participants to ensure a more personal experience. Typically, there will be between 10 and 20 passengers, with a maximum number of 22 – the only exceptions to this rule are our Exclusive Kirker Music Festivals. All our cultural tours are in the company of a guest lecturer and, where necessary, there will also be a local guide available to help with the smooth running of your holiday.

TOUR SUBJECTS All our holidays are designed to include a wide range of sights and subjects, from art and architecture to history and archaeology, but certain itineraries have a particular focus, and we have highlighted a few key themes below: Art Tours Art of the Cote d’Azur, page 44 Madrid & Old Castille, page 47 Málaga – Picasso & Beyond, page 50 The Palaces & Galleries of St. Petersburg, page 54 Art, Music & Literature in Moscow, page 55 Garden Tours Villas & Gardens around Rome, page 35 The Italian Lakes, page 38 Gardens of the Riviera, page 45 Gardens of Marrakech, page 57 Archaeology Tours The Bay of Naples, page 40 An Introduction to Albania, page 51 Jordan – The Land of T.E. Lawrence, page 56 History Tours Ravenna, Urbino & Ferrara, page 36 Parma, Cremona & Mantua, page 37 Umbria – The Essence of Italy, page 39 Genoa – City of the Doges, page 40 Puglia – A Land of Conquest, page 42 Sicily – An Enigmatic Island, page 43 Carcassonne & Albi, page 46 Discovering Castille & León, page 49 Architecture Tours Grandeur of Rome, page 34 Venice,Veneto & Prosecco, page 41 Seville & Andalucia, page 48 Military History & Battlefields Duke of Wellington & the Peninsular War, page 52 The Battles of Monte Cassino, page 53 The Western Front – The Road to Victory, page 53

OUR TOUR LEADERS Each of our Cultural Tours is led by a lecturer, chosen not only for their expertise in their chosen field, but also for the charm and character which allows them to share their knowledge with ease and to look after the needs of all members of the party.

2019 Tour leaders include: • Simon Monckton, an expert on art and architecture in Italy and France, will lead tours to Rome, the Italian Lakes, Carcassonne (page 46) and the French Riviera (pages 44-45) • Christopher Monckton is one of Kirker’s most popular tour leaders and an expert on art, music and gardens in particular, Christopher travels to the Villas & Gardens Around Rome twice in 2019 (page 35) • Charlie Hall, knows all regions of Italy intimately and will lead our tours to Rome (page 34), Umbria (page 39), Genoa (page 40), Naples (page 40), Puglia (page 42) • Dr Neil Faulkner, historian, author and archaeologist, will take Kirker tours to Jordan (page 56) and Albania (page 51) • Sian Walters, an art historian who lectures for the National Gallery, will lead our tour to Madrid & Old Castille (page 47) • Neil Phillips, the ‘Wine Tipster’, will lead our tour of the vineyards of the Prosecco region (page 41), a personal passion of his.

• Robin Wallis, linguist, lecturer and long-time hispanophile, will introduce us to Castille & León (page 49) and Málaga (page 50) • Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan, military historian, will lead two different battlefields tours, focusing on The Western Front (page 53) and Wellington’s Peninsular War (page 52) • David Wheeler, founding editor of the horticultural journal Hortus, will lead our new tour of the Gardens of Marrakech (page 57) • Tatiana Shulga, St. Petersburg resident and Russian history expert, leads our popular holidays to St. Petersburg and Moscow (pages 54-55) • Richard Goldsbrough, veteran of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, will lead a fascinating tour to southern Italy on the trail of the Battles of Monte Cassino (page 53) • Andrew Allen has studied art history and is a specialist on Italian painting – he will lead visits to Emilia-Romagna (pages 36-37), Albania (page 51) • Caroline Howard, art historian and artistic director at La Mortella lives in Italy and will lead our spring holiday in the Italian Lakes (page 38) • Dr Alex Koller, an art historian born in Vienna, will lead our tour of Sicily (page 43), an island he knows well.

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cultural tours

THE GRANDEUR OF ROME A seven NIGHT holiday | 19 may & 27 october 2019 The 3rd century AD saw Rome at its imperial peak, a densely populated city spreading out over its seven hills, a testament to the power and wealth of the vast Roman Empire. Many of the glorious buildings and sites survive today but added to these are the great architectural and artistic achievements of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Our tour has been planned to show you the very best from its treasure trove, spanning more than two thousand years.

THE ITINERARY We fly to Rome and transfer to one of our favourite 4 star 1 hotels in Rome, the Marcella Royal, centrally located on the Via Flavia.

DAY

TOUR LECTURER, MAY: SIMON MONCKTON Simon Monckton studied Theology at Durham University. He is particularly interested in the influence of religion on great medieval architecture and how this differed throughout Europe.

Simon has led tours to destinations all over the world and has taken cultural tours to all regions of Italy on many occasions.

This tour has been planned in close co-operation with him to ensure that we include not only the city’s greatest monuments and galleries, but also some which are not so well known.

We start our visit at the Pantheon, the best preserved 2 building of ancient Rome, and then go to the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi where we see The Life of St. Matthew by Caravaggio. There will be some free time to enjoy the delights of the Piazza Navona and in the afternoon we will go to the Campo de’Fiori, admire the exterior of the Palazzo Farnese and see the Theatre of Marcellus and the Piazza del Campidoglio. Our day ends at the Capitoline Museum.

DAY

We start at the Ara Pacis – Augustus’s Altar of Peace and 3 then visit Santa Maria del Popolo with works by Caravaggio and Raphael. In the afternoon we go to the Villa Borghese with its superb picture collection and then to Santa Maria della Vittoria with its masterpiece by Bernini.

DAY

TOUR LECTURER, OCTOBER: CHARLIE HALL Charlie Hall has known Italy intimately since 1965 when his father set up the legendary John Hall Venice course for gap year students. Today Charlie runs the course and spends many months in Italy each year.Visits to Rome play an important part in the curriculum and he knows the city very well.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 19 May £2,198 £398 27 October £2,198 £398 Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.50 arrive Rome 16.20 Depart Rome 17.15 arrive London Heathrow 19.00 NB: Regional departures available on request

• • • • • 34

what we include Return flights to Rome Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Four dinners in local restaurants and one lunch All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

Trajan’s Markets, created by the Emperor in the 2nd century 4 AD, the Forum dotted with temples, triumphal arches and basilicas, and the beautiful Palatine Hill and the Colosseum make up our programme this morning. This afternoon is devoted to three of the most ancient and important churches in Rome where the entire history of the city comes to life – San Clemente, Santa Costanza with its 4th century mosaics, and Sant’Agnese.

DAY

DAY

5

We spend the day in Tivoli where we visit Hadrian’s Villa and the fabled and fanciful gardens of the Villa d’Este.

The morning is spent at the Galleria Doria Pamphili, 6 one of the greatest art collections still in private hands.

The afternoon is spent exploring the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

DAY

We begin at Bramante’s Tempietto, cool and serene on 7 the Janiculum Hill with its wonderful views over Rome.

Raphael’s glorious and colourful frescoes in the Villa Farnesina, Santa Maria in Trastevere and a walk through the lively Trastevere district complete the morning. Our last visit will be to the Baths of Caracalla, Rome’s second largest public baths built between 212 – 217 AD. DAY

DAY

8

Some free time this morning before we depart for the airport and the flight back to London.

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VILLAS & GARDENS AROUND ROME a five night holiday | 26 may & 6 october 2019 Italy not only has many of the greatest 16th and 17th century gardens in Europe, it also has some which have been extensively restored and indeed created in the 20th century.We visit two of these at Ninfa and La Landriana. Our tour will show you a wonderful selection of villas and gardens in the countryside around Rome as well as some in the city itself. We stay at the very comfortable 4 star Park Hotel Villa Grazioli in Frascati, a charming town surrounded by vineyards, which produce its eponymous wine, only 20 kilometres from Rome. Built in 1580 by Cardinal Carafa, the Villa Grazioli has been restored to its former splendour with vaulted ceilings and intricate 17th century frescoes.

Park Hotel Villa Grazioli

TOUR LECTURER: CHRISTOPHER MONCKTON Christopher was a choral scholar at Magdalen College Oxford, where he developed a passion for both performing and teaching. This led to a lifelong interest in history, music and art history. He has led countless tours all over the world covering many subjects and periods.

Christopher Monckton writes: “The gardens and villas around Rome have rich associations with some of Italy's most noble families.The country retreat of the great Farnese family at Capraola and the Aldobrandini villa at Frascati provide a vivid reminder of their immense power and influence. Even grander, the Emperor Hadrian created his villa and garden at Tivoli. For me, the highlights of this tour are the visits to La Landriana and Ninfa, two of the most perfect gardens in Europe.”

THE ITINERARY DAY

1

We fly from London to Rome and transfer to Frascati where we stay for five nights at the 4 star Park Hotel Villa Grazioli.

The day will be spent in Rome starting with a visit to the 2 Villa Borghese Gardens and Gallery which were formed in the early 17th century. We will have lunch in a family restaurant just off the Piazza Navona and then go to the Villa Torlonia, which recently reopened after a long period of restoration. This is a neoClassical villa once owned by the Torlonia family, one of the grandest in Rome in the 19th century.

DAY

Today’s gardens are the Villa Lante and the Villa Farnese.

3 The Villa Lante at Bagnaia is one of the greatest of all Italian Renaissance gardens: its symmetrical design is absolutely perfect.

The Summer and Winter Gardens of the Villa Farnese give way to a path which leads through a wooded landscape and eventually reaches the Casino, used by the all-powerful Farnese family as a private refuge. This evening we will drive through vineyards to have dinner at the Cantina di Santa Benedetta. There will be a tasting of Frascati wine with the winemaker, followed by dinner in the lovely old farmhouse.

DAY

Today is spent in Tivoli with its two great gardens: the Villa 4 D’Este and Hadrian’s Villa. The narrow terraces of the Villa D’Este create the effect of a dramatic hanging garden, opening out at each descending level.

DAY

The garden at La Landriana was created over a thirty year 5 period by the Marchesa Lavinia Taverna. The garden has over thirty separate compartments; some are devoted to a single species, some to a style and some to a colour. Our next garden is no less wonderful and even more romantic – the garden at Ninfa, planted a hundred years ago over the ruins of the 14th century walled town.

DAY

Before making our way to the airport we visit Villa 6 Aldobrandini, given by Pope Clement VII to his nephew in 1598. This is the finest of all the Frascati villas where much use is made of water features. This is a fitting end to our discovery of some of Italy’s finest gardens.

DAY

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 26 May £1,766 £298 6 October £1,766 £298 Our prices are per person, based on sharing a double room.

Supplement for single occupancy as shown. Prices are based on rooms in the hotel’s annexe connected to the main villa by an underground walkway. Supplement for room in main villa: £280 per room. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.50 arrive Rome 16.20 Depart Rome 17.30 arrive London Heathrow 19.10 NB: Regional departures available on request

• • • • •

what we include Return flights to Rome Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners and two lunches All transfers, entrance fees and sightseeing as described The services of our Kirker Tour Lecturer

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cultural tours

RAVENNA, URBINO & FERRARA A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 1 may & 25 september 2019 The first of our two holidays to this region focuses on three historic cities in the western part of Emilia-Romagna and Le Marche. Ravenna was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire, and remains a treasury of some of the world’s most dazzling mosaics and Byzantine architecture – memories of the final glowing embers of imperial glory. In Urbino in Le Marche we discover an idealised city state created by the Duke of Urbino and in Ferrara we will learn more about the powerful d’Este family whose court was based here.

Castello Estense, Ferrara

THE ITINERARY We fly to Bologna and on arrival transfer to Ravenna 1 where we stay for five nights at the centrally located 4 star Palazzo Bezzi.

DAY We spend the first day in Ravenna, famous for its ancient 2 monuments including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, with dazzling mosaics from the 4th and 5th centuries, Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, with its procession of martyrs depicted in mosaics, and the National Museum.

DAY This morning we will see the mosaic portraits of Justinian 3 and Theodora at San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe. A visit to the Cathedral Museum completes the day.

DAY We will spend today in Urbino, one of the most perfect 4 ducal hill top towns in Italy. This was the seat of the Dukes of Urbino and at the Palazzo Ducale, dating from the 15th century, we will see the art collection of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, which includes works by Piero della Francesca, Titian, Gentileschi and Raphael. Afterwards we will see the frescoes at the Oratory of St. John and Raphael’s house.

DAY Ferrara is today’s destination, where we see a collection of 5 outstanding buildings associated with the d’Este family – the Palazzo Schifanoia, the Palazzo Diamanti with its great art collection, and there will be some free time during which you may like to visit the Casa Romei.

DAY We drive to Bologna airport for the flight back to 6 London. Clients joining the second part of the tour will travel on to Parma.

TOUR LECTURER: andrew allen Andrew Allen read History of Art at the University of East Anglia and undertook his postgraduate study at the University of Essex, taking his MA in early Italian painting.

He worked for Phillips Auctioneers and lectured at Anglia Polytechnic University before beginning his extensive work in the travel industry. He is a prolific traveller, spending much of the year abroad (working and investigating medieval iconography). He often contributes articles to travel publications and has built up particular experience in Islamic art and architecture and the great cities of Europe.

Andrew Allen writes: “This is a tour of great contrasts and one which reinforces the image of Italy as the great cultural country of Europe. Seeing the magnificent architecture and art from the Byzantine period, before the capital of the Empire moved east, and a few days later being immersed in the great cultural city states of the Renaissance provides a matchless cultural experience.”

DAY

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 1 May £1,684 £298 25 September £1,684 £298 Our prices are per person, based on sharing a twin/double room. Supplements for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 08.00 arrive Bologna 11.10 Depart Bologna 12.05 arrive London Heathrow 13.25

• • • • • Ravenna mosaics, Sant’ Appollinare Nuovo

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what we include Return flights to Bologna Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners and one lunch All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

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cultural tours

PARMA, CREMONA & MANTUA A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 6 may & 30 september 2019 In the company of popular Kirker Tour Lecturer Andrew Allen, our second tour to this relatively unknown corner of northern Italy is based in Parma, a city synonymous with the very best food and produce in Italy, and includes visits to the art cities of Cremona and Mantua. Musically, too, the region has the finest credentials; Giuseppe Verdi was born in the small farming village of Roncole and Arturo Toscanini was born in Parma itself.This really is an exploration of the three things we most closely associate with Italy – art, food and music. A number of fine lunches and dinners are included and there will be an opportunity to learn more about the two specialities for which the region is world famous, ‘parmigiano e prosciutto’.

Cremona

THE ITINERARY We fly from London to Bologna, and transfer to Parma 1 where we stay for the duration of the holiday at the centrally located 4 star NH Hotel Parma.

DAY

Parma was once the seat of the influential Farnese family, 2 whose patronage allowed art and music to flourish. Together with a gastronomic reputation that’s renowned around the world, this makes Parma the most perfect of Italian cultural experiences.

At the city’s art gallery and former Farnese residence, the Palazzo della Pilotta, we will see works by Correggio and Parmigianino, before continuing to the Teatro Farnese, the wooden theatre of 1628, the first to be constructed with a proscenium arch. We will also see the city’s exquisite opera house, the Teatro Regio, and the frescoes by Correggio at the cathedral.

DAY

Nearby Mantua was the base of the rival Gonzaga family, 3 patrons of Mantegna and Romano. We will see works by both artists during our day in the city, as well as the family residence the Palazzo Ducale, and the elegant Palazzo Te on the outskirts. In the evening we drive to the banks of the River Po for dinner at the magnificent Antico Corte Pallavicino, a distinguished restaurant, which was once a farmhouse on the Pallavicino estate.

DAY

In Cremona, birthplace of Stradivarius and where members 4 of the Stradivari family created the world’s finest string instruments, we will see the Museum of the Violin. Recently opened, it has one of the world’s most important collections of historic musical instruments. Dozens of craftsmen still continue this tradition today and we will visit a working luthier’s atelier in the afternoon to see the craft in practice.

DAY

Today is devoted to the life and work of Giuseppe Verdi, 5 who was born in rural Roncole and who lived most of his life not far away in Busseto. Here we will visit the Villa Verdi where the composer lived for many years. Lunch is included at I due Foscari, a hotel once owned by the son of the great tenor, Carlo Bergonzi. The day ends at the Museo Nazionale di Giuseppe Verdi where the composer’s creative genius and his importance in the world of opera can be appreciated to the full.

DAY

DAY

6

We return to Bologna airport for the flight back to London.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 6 May £1,698 £260 30 September £1,738 £278 Our prices are per person, based on sharing a twin/double room. Supplements for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 08.00 arrive Bologna 11.10 Depart Bologna 12.05 arrive London Heathrow 13.25

• • • • • Parma Cathedral

what we include Return flights to Bologna Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Two dinners and two lunches All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer, Andrew Allen

Mantua

THE ART CITIES OF NORTHERN ITALY – Ten night combined tour Parma, Cremona & Mantua and Ravenna, Urbino & Ferrara run consecutively so why not book both for a ten night tour of northern Italy’s art cities?

The price to join both tours is £3,049 per person (single supplement £578).

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cultural tours

THE ITALIAN LAKES – GARDENS & VILLAS OF COMO & MAGGIORE A six NIGHT holiday | 24 april & 5 JUne 2019 One has to go far to find a more perfect and peaceful landscape than the shores of Lake Como, where this tour is based.Tranquil, serene and timeless, the mountains that fringe the crystal waters provide a dramatic backdrop as do the countless pristine villas that stretch up the hillsides from the lake shores.These villas that have been built over the centuries by wealthy Milanese families have superb gardens, which we will visit during the tour. A visit to the shores of Lake Maggiore, quite different in atmosphere from Lake Como, completes this discovery of one of the most beautiful regions of Italy.

THE ITINERARY We fly from Heathrow to Milan before transferring to the 1 lakeside town of Como where we stay at the 4 star Hotel Terminus for the duration of the tour. The Terminus is a small, privately-owned hotel located in the heart of the town. A 19th century property in Art Nouveau style, it has been recently refurbished and has a large hall with a painted ceiling. The attractive bar leads on to a terrace with views of the lake and the surrounding hills.

DAY

After a morning walking tour of Como, we travel by 2 hydrofoil to Bellagio, known as the ‘Pearl of the Lake’. At the Villa Melzi exotic species thrive in the warm climate – the garden is renowned in spring time for its riotous display of azaleas.

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We drive to Villa Carlotta which was built in the 19th 3 century and spreads over 14 acres that tumble down to the water’s edge. We then take a private boat to Villa Balbianello which sits on a promontory in an impossibly romantic setting.

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We spend the day at Stresa, the principal town on the shores 4 of Lake Maggiore. We will visit the beautiful Borromean Islands by boat and at Isola Bella will explore a magnificent palace surrounded by terraced gardens. At Isola Madre, we see brightly coloured annuals and other exotic species flourishing around a romantic unfinished villa. Lunch is included today.

Villa Balbianello

Today we visit two stately villas with elegant interiors and 5 formal gardens. First is the Villa Cicogna which is still owned and lived in by the ancestors of the family who built it in the 15th century. Our second garden is at the Villa della Porta Bozzolo. It clings to a steep hill leading from the centre of the village of Casalzuigno. Lunch at the Villa Cicogna is included.

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We will take the ferry the short distance to Cernobbio where 6 we’ll enjoy lunch at the fabulous Villa D’Este, one of the finest hotels in Italy. The afternoon is free for independent exploration; ferries depart from close to the hotel to numerous towns.

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On our way to the airport we will visit Monza Cathedral to 7 see the famous Iron Crown of Lombardy used at the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VII in 1312.

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TOUR LECTURER, APRIL: CAROLINE HOWARD Caroline Howard studied History of Art at Edinburgh University and now lives in Rome. She is currently the Artistic Director at La Mortella on Ischia where she organises the programmes given by visiting youth orchestras. She has led many tours throughout Italy.

TOUR LECTURER, JUNE: christopher MONCKTON Christopher is one of our most popular lecturers and has led tours to destinations all over the world. Italy is a particular passion of his and he has escorted Kirker clients to all regions of the country.

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tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 24 April £2,288 £460 5 June £2,457 £470 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

Our prices are based on superior double/twin rooms and standard double rooms for sole occupancy FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 15.00 arrive Milan Malpensa 18.00 Depart Milan Linate 15.50 arrive London Heathrow 16.55

• • • • • •

what we include Return flights to Milan Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners Three lunches, including one at the Hotel Villa D’Este All entrance fees and gratuities The services of our Kirker Tour Lecturer

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cultural tours

UMBRIA – THE ESSENCE OF ITALY A seven night holiday | 23 april & 2 september 2019 Perugia, the capital of Umbria and one of the finest cities in Italy is the centre from which we explore this fascinating region. Umbria is filled with historic art towns, perched on hilltops with wonderful views of the rolling countryside planted with olive groves and vineyards.We will visit the most important of these towns including Orvieto, Arezzo and Assisi – each of which is within easy reach of Perugia.Works by some of Italy’s most important artists will be viewed, including frescoes by Giotto, Filippo Lippi and Piero della Francesca.

THE ITINERARY We fly to Rome and transfer to Perugia where we stay for 1 the duration of the tour at the 4 star Brufani Palace Hotel.

Opened in 1884, the Brufani Palace is a traditional hotel in every sense with spacious public areas, well appointed bedrooms and a high level of personal service.

DAY

Perugia is the capital of Umbria and one of the country’s 2 most beautiful hill towns, still retaining the air of a bustling market town. We will visit the National Gallery of Umbria and the church of San Bernardino and see frescoes by Perugino in a merchant’s hall. The rest of the day is free.

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We visit the small town of Todi with its fine Renaissance 3 church, and then continue to Orvieto, a well-preserved ancient town with a number of interesting medieval buildings. It is dominated by the enormous cathedral with its shimmering marble and mosaic facade. Inside we will see the magnificent frescoes of the Last Judgement by Signorelli.

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Our first stop today is Spello, a small hilltop town of the 4 utmost charm where we see the frescoes by Pinturicchio in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. We then go to Spoleto, one of Umbria’s great cultural centres, nestled in the foothills of the Appenines. It is dominated by one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy, famous for its frescoed apse by Filippo Lippi.

DAY

The morning is spent in Gubbio with its dramatic piazza on 5 a hillside and a number of grand medieval palaces, including the Ducal Palace which was once part of the Duke of Montefeltro’s empire. There will be free time for independent exploration in Perugia later in the day.

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Today we drive to Arezzo in Tuscany where we see one of 6 the greatest works in all Italy – Piero della Francesca’s frescoes, ‘The Legend of the True Cross’, in the church of San DAY

Francesco. There will be time for an independent lunch here before going to Sansepolcro, the hometown of Piero, where we see his ‘Resurrection’ in the Museo Civico.

Today we visit Assisi to see the Basilica di San Francesco, the 7 home of the Franciscan Order. The frescoes by Giotto tell the story of the life of St. Francis. There will be time to wander through the picturesque medieval streets and enjoy the views.

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DAY

8

We drive back to Rome for the flight back to London.

tour lecturer : charlie hall Charlie Hall has known Italy intimately since 1965 when his father set up the legendary John Hall Venice course. Charlie now runs the course and spends many months in Italy.

Charlie Hall writes: “The miracle of Italy is that its regions are so distinct in character from each other.They all share an enormously rich artistic past but when visited, the individuality of each becomes apparent, none more so than in rural Umbria, known as The Green Heart of Italy.

Its art towns are all on a more intimate scale but together they add up to provide a wonderfully varied and rewarding experience.”

Christopher Monckton will lead the September tour.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 23 April £1,998 £378 2 September £1,998 £378 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 12.35 arrive Rome 16.05 Depart Rome 15.05 arrive London Heathrow 16.50 Please let us know if you would prefer to fly to Perugia direct from Stansted

• • • • • Arezzo Cathedral

what we include Return flights to Rome Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Four dinners – two at the hotel and two in local restaurants All entrance fees and gratuities The services of our Kirker Tour Lecturer

Spoleto Cathedral

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cultural tours

GENOA – CITY OF THE DOGES A five NIGHT HOLIDAY | 12 june & 11 september 2019

The ITINERARY

Portofino Harbour

One of the most beautiful coastlines in the whole of Europe, the Ligurian Riviera is also one of the least visited. Liguria is dominated by Genoa, a city that has only in recent years begun to attract visitors despite its artistic and architectural treasures. It rivalled Venice as an important maritime trading centre, and like La Serenissima, was ruled by powerful Doges.The legacy of this great wealth is still visible in the city’s magnificent palaces.

We stay in the 4 star Grand Hotel Savoia in the heart of the city and spend three days in Genoa exploring the via Garibaldi, the Palazzo Spinola, the Palazzo del Principe Doria Pamphili, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the Museo del Tesoro with its matchless collection of religious art and artefacts, brought back to Genoa during the Crusades. One day will be spent driving east along the beautiful Ligurian coastline towards Santa Margherita Ligure and on to Portofino where we have an included lunch at the fabled Hotel Splendido overlooking the picturesque harbour.

We also visit the medieval town of Chiavari to meet and have lunch with the owner of the Palazzo Ravaschieri. The tour will be led by Charlie Hall, one of our most popular lecturers.

Price from £1,873 per person to include flights with British Airways from Gatwick to Genoa (depart 08.45 return 12.55); five nights’ accommodation with breakfast) three dinners and two lunches including one at the Hotel Splendido in Portofino, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer (single supplement from £298).

For a more detailed day by day itinerary please visit the Cultural Tours section of our website kirkerholidays.com or call us on 020 7593 2284.

THE BAY OF NAPLES A six NIGHT holiday | 5 april & 8 november 2019 The Bay of Naples is synonymous with the Roman Empire, known best for the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. After the Empire’s decline, Naples continued to be a centre of great cultural importance.The Romans were followed by Byzantine influence, the Normans and the Bourbons making Naples and its bay arguably the greatest creative melting pot in Europe.Today, buzzing, vibrant Naples seems permanently perched on the edge of chaos, a thrilling and exciting city which often makes visitors feel as if they have left Europe behind. From the comfort of our 4 star hotel on the sea front in the centre of Naples we will explore this colourful city and visit its two most important archaeological sites – Herculaneum and Pompeii.

The April tour will be led by Charlie Hall and the November tour by Karina Miteas.

THE ITINERARY Our stay in Naples will include visits to the Capodimonte Museum, built by Charles VII of Naples and Sicily to house the magnificent Farnese collection of paintings and sculptures that had come to his family from his mother, Elisabetta Fanese. A visit to the Museum of National Antiquities introduces us to the impressive finds from the many sites located on the fringe of the Bay of Naples and beyond.

Works by Caravaggio, the dazzling interiors of the Cathedral of San Gennaro, the Palazzo Reale, a tour of one of Europe’s most important and historic opera houses, the Teatro San Carlo, a visit to Pompeii on the slopes of Vesuvius and a day exploring

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Pompeii

Herculaneum, sunk in mud and perfectly preserved, and the lovingly restored Villa Oplontis complete this comprehensive introduction to Naples and its beautiful bay.

Price £1,798 per person to include flights with British Airways from Gatwick to Naples (depart 14.30, return 10.50); six nights’ accommodation with breakfast, three dinners, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer (single supplement from £398).

For a more detailed day by day itinerary please visit the Cultural Tours section of our website kirkerholidays.com or call us on 020 7593 2284.

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cultural tours

VENICE, VENETO & PROSECCO A five NIGHT HOLIDAY |

25 MARCH & 14 OCTOBER 2019 Join prosecco expert Neil Phillips for an exclusive tour of Italy’s most famous sparkling wine region, including a stay in Venice and visits to three vineyards where we will enjoy exclusive access, specially-prepared menus and tutored prosecco-tastings.

In addition to prosecco there will be visits to the splendid villas designed by Andrea Palladio, the historic towns of Vicenza and Padua, and two days in Venice including a walking tour with a local food expert.

THE ITINERARY Fly to Venice from Gatwick with British Airways. On arrival 1 in Venice a private water taxi will meet the group and transfer you to the Hotel Splendid (4 star Superior) in the centre of Venice. The afternoon is at leisure, before we meet for a glass of prosecco before dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

We shall head to the nearby town of Vicenza today, where 5 we will visit Palladio’s famous Villa La Rotonda. We shall also see the Palladian Basilica and the Palazzo Chiericati, now home to an art gallery, and there will be time for an independent lunch.

This morning we will meet our expert local guide for a 2 three hour walking tour in Venice, including an opportunity to sample some local specialities in the city’s backstreet bacari or bars and restaurants. The afternoon is free to explore Venice independently, and you will be provided with entrance tickets for the Doge’s Palace, Accademia Gallery or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

We shall depart from the hotel in the morning, stopping for 6 lunch in the historic university city of Padua. We have a reserved visit for Giotto’s magnificent Scrovegni Chapel with its frescoes dating from 1303, and will also visit the vast 13th century Basilica of St. Anthony before our flight back home.

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You will be met by a water taxi this morning for the short 3 journey to Piazzale Roma, before boarding a coach for our journey through the Veneto countryside. We will call first at two of Andrea Palladio’s splendid villas, the Villa Cornaro, and the Villa Emo, before arriving in the charming small town of Asolo, where we will check in to our hotel the Albergo Al Sole (4 star). This evening we will enjoy a talk from Neil before dinner with matching wines at the nearby vineyard Loredan Gaspirini.

DAY

Today is devoted to the vineyards of prosecco country, and 4 we shall begin with a visit to Bisol, where we will have a tour and tasting followed by lunch at the Salis Restaurant, prepared by head chef Chiara Barisan. In the afternoon we will continue to the Villa Sandi, where we will visit the magnificent Palladian mansion at the heart of this family-owned estate, followed by a delicious dinner in a local restaurant in Valdobbiadene. We return to the hotel after dinner.

DAY

tour lecturer : NEIL PHILLIPS Wine and champagne expert, presenter and racing pundit, Neil Phillips has forged a unique career. He worked for Pernod Ricard and the champagne houses G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët before presenting on a freelance basis for producers including Pol Roger, Pommery,Tattinger, Heidsieck & Co and Laurent-Perrier. Neil also works on wine and food pairing presentations with top chefs, including Raymond Blanc, Michael Caines,Theo Randall, Alexis Gauthier and René Redzepi. He hosts masterclasses at Taste of London and is a regular fixture at events including The Ideal Home Show and The Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival.

Prosecco vineyards

Asolo

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 25 March £2,496 £498 14 October £2,496 £498 Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart Gatwick 08.25 arrive Venice 11.35 Depart Venice 20.20 arrive Gatwick 21.25

• • • • •

what we include Return flights from Gatwick to Venice Accommodation with breakfast for five nights Three dinners and one lunch served All sightseeing with entrance fees as described The services of the tour lecturer and a Kirker tour escort

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cultural tours

PUGLIA – A LAND OF CONQUEST A SIX NIGHT HOLIDAY |

Alberobello

19 may & 13 october 2019

Puglia, the ‘heel’ of Italy, is an ancient land that produces more olive oil and wine than any other region of Italy. It is highly fertile despite its harsh limestone landscape typical of the Mezzogiorno.

It was this remote corner of the peninsula that the Normans conquered in the 11th century, dominating the entire south of Italy and the island of Sicily by the mid-12th century. As they established themselves and their influence grew, great churches appeared on the horizons, built in a hybrid style combining architectural influences from France, Ancient Rome and Lombardy. Our tour is based in the pretty town of Martina Franca which is in the rolling hills of the Valle d’Itria, a region of vineyards, olive groves and trulli, the curious and distinctive beehive shaped houses unique to central Puglia.

THE ITINERARY We fly from London to Bari and transfer to the Baroque 1 town of Martina Franca where we stay for the duration of the tour. Our hotel is the privately-owned 4 star Hotel Villa San Martino which sits amongst mature gardens and is a short drive from the town centre. The hotel has a spa, a fine restaurant and a lovely swimming pool.

DAY

We enjoy a guided walking tour of the characterful old 2 town of Martina Franca this morning before driving to Alberobello, a UNESCO Site famous for its countless examples of trulli –the conical roofed stone houses unique to this region.

We will also visit the spectacular limestone Castellana Caves.

Discovered in 1938 this is Italy's longest natural subterranean network and is a series of interlinked galleries.

DAY

We explore the open countryside in the Valle d’Itria and 5 visit a cluster of picturesque villages, starting with Ostuni from where there are views out to sea, and Cisternino and the labyrinthine streets of Locorotondo. We’ll have lunch in a simple restaurant and sample the local produce.

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We head for the coast today and visit Trani with its great 6 Romanesque cathedral right by the sea and a visit to Castel del Monte.

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7

We drive back to Bari for the flight home.

Today we drive to Lecce, one of the best preserved Baroque 3 towns in Italy. Its honey coloured buildings all have rich sculptural decoration.

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We visit Matera, an extraordinary town built on the edge of 4 a steep ravine whose side is pockmarked with caves. People were still living in them as late as the 1950s, when the last residents were moved out. In 1993 Matera became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a number of the caves have been restored and are now open to the public.

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Matera

tour information tour lecturer : charlie hall Charlie Hall has known Italy intimately since 1965 when his father set up the legendary John Hall Venice course for gap year students.Today Charlie runs the course and spends many months in Italy each year. Charlie Hall writes: “The wide-ranging architectural styles one comes across in Puglia often make me think I am visiting several different countries simultaneously. Although the region feels so different from anywhere else in Europe, I admit to feeling at home here when I visit the great Angevin buildings and Norman cathedrals, remembering that it was these same conquerors who crossed the Channel to my own country in 1066”.

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DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 19 May £1,869 £288 13 October £1,869 £288 Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick 07.25 arrive Bari 11.15 Depart Bari 11.15 arrive London Gatwick 13.10

• • • • •

what we include Return flights to Bari Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Four dinners and one lunch All sightseeing as described and all entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

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cultural tours

SICILY – AN ENIGMATIC ISLAND A nine NIGHT holiday | 7 april & 20 October 2019 The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily’s strategic importance has given it a violent, eventful and colourful history.

Doric temples, Roman mosaics, elegant and powerful Norman architecture and a wealth of Baroque and Renaissance palaces and churches are a reminder of its great past. Add to this the beautiful Sicilian landscape dotted with remote and traditional villages, the friendly people and an agreeable climate; few places can offer such an uplifting, cultural discovery.

Agrigento

THE ITINERARY DAY

On arrival we make our way to the 4 star Grand Hotel

1 Ortigia in Syracuse where we stay for the first four nights of our tour.

DAY

Syracuse is a charming town and once the most significant city

2 in Magna Graecia.We visit the Greek theatre dedicated to

Athena and the important archaeological museum with a superb collection from the Greek, Roman and Early Christian eras. Later we will visit the historic island of Ortigia with its maze of streets.

DAY

Today we drive to Taormina, one of the loveliest resorts in the

3 Mediterranean. Located on the slopes of Mount Etna,

Taormina enjoys a glorious position between the volcano and the sea. We visit the Graeco-Roman theatre and the 13th century cathedral. In the afternoon there will be time for independent exploration.You may wish to take the funicular to the top of Taormina from where there are splendid views over the sea to Calabria. We visit a private palazzo in Catania before making our way back to Syracuse.

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Today we visit the Baroque buildings and churches of two of

4 the island’s most charming and unspoilt towns – Modica and

Noto. Modica became a UNESCO Site in 2002 and Noto is a place of great atmosphere with its grand palaces and crumbling façades.

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We leave Syracuse for Piazza Armerina to visit a luxurious villa

5 from the late Roman Empire where the floors are paved with

the most magnificent mosaics. We then drive to Agrigento where we spend one night at the 3 star Hotel Jolly della Valle, overlooking one of the most mystical and atmospheric sites of the ancient world – the Valley of the Temples.

DAY

This morning we visit the museum in Argigento and walk

6 along the Sacred Way overshadowed by the Temples of Zeus and Concord. After an independent lunch we travel on to Monreale tour lecturer : Alex koller Dr Alex Koller was born and schooled in Vienna. He studied Art History and Slavonic studies at the Universities of Vienna and Salzburg and then went on to obtain his PhD at Magdalene College, Cambridge (1998). Dr Koller is one of the most popular and well-travelled of all tour leaders. His interests cover all periods in the history of art and the ancient world and he has led many tours to Sicily over the years.

to visit the great Norman cathedral dating from 1172, its mosaics surviving intact from the Middle Ages. Its elegant but unexceptional exterior does not prepare the visitor for the splendours within where dazzling mosaics depict scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. The portrait of St. Thomas á Becket is of special interest.

We then continue on to Palermo where we stay for four nights in the 4 star Hotel Federico II. DAY

The whole day is spent in Palermo. We start with a visit to the

7 Oratorio di San Domenico and continue to the 13th century

church of St. Francis of Assisi and the cathedral before enjoying a guided tour of Palazzo Conte Frederico. Later we go to the opulent Norman Royal Palace where we see the Chapel of the Kings, the Palatine Chapel and the Ermeti Chapel.

DAY

Our first visit today is to Segesta to see the glorious Doric

8 temples and theatre, the best Greek site on the island, where we see thirty six temples which date from 430BC. Later we continue to the huge hillside site of Selinunte, which was founded in 650BC. DAY

This morning we travel to Cefalu to see the cathedral. In the

9 afternoon we return to Palermo and visit two impressive

Norman buildings, both of which have fine mosaics – the San Cataldo and the Martorana where we see a graceful Norman tower rising above the church, dating from 1153.

DAY

10 We drive to Palermo airport for the flight back to London.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 7 April £2,698 £456 20 October £2,698 £456 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with Easyjet: Depart London Gatwick 11.40 arrive Catania 15.40 Depart Palermo 19.00 arrive London Gatwick 21.00

• • • • • •

what we include Return flights Nine nights’ accommodation with breakfast Seven dinners All entrance fees and gratuities All visits and excursions as described The services of our Kirker Tour Lecturer

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cultural tours

ART OF THE CÔTE D’AZUR A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 2 april & 10 september 2019 French artists began to discover the attractions of the Côte d’Azur and the iridescent quality of the region’s dazzling light towards the end of the 19th century. Monet was the first artist to be lured to the Riviera, arriving there in 1885. Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and many more soon followed him.The simple villages they painted may have turned into smart resorts but the light and beauty have not changed and still inspire artists today.

THE ITINERARY DAY

We fly from London to Nice and transfer to the 4 star Hotel

1 Le Grimaldi in the centre of Nice.

DAY

We begin our tour with a visit to the Marc Chagall Museum.

2 When it opened it was originally intended to hold the 17

tour lecturer : simon monckton Simon Monckton studied Theology and is one of our most popular tour lecturers. Simon Monckton writes: “The climate of the stretch of coast between Cannes and Menton is the finest in Europe and provides ideal conditions for gardening and painting. It was because of this, together with the fact that before the Côte d'Azur became so fashionable, life here was relatively cheap, that so many of Europe’s leading artists and gardeners made it their home.”

canvases of The Biblical Message, which depict scenes from Genesis, Exodus and The Song of Solomon.Today, it holds many other works by the artist, primarily those inspired by religion. During the afternoon we go to Vence to see the Chapel of the Rosary, an ambitious project which took Matisse more than four years to complete.

DAY

We drive to St-Paul-de-Vence today to visit the Maeght

3 Foundation with its stunning collection of works by Picasso, Miró, Hepworth and many others. Later we go to the Hôtel Colombe d’Or for lunch and view their own collection of works.

DAY

We visit the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain and

4 then in the afternoon the Musée Matisse where the talents of

this artist can be enjoyed to the full. Here we see not just his paintings but also sculptures, ceramics and stained glass.

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We visit the Château Grimaldi in Antibes. Most of the paintings 5 by Picasso on display were donated to the town by the artist.

Afterwards we go to Le Cannet where Pierre Bonnard lived for many years.The town was the driving force in establishing a museum dedicated to the artist’s work, and in 2011 the Musée Bonnard opened in the Hôtel Saint-Viannay.The collection is constantly being expanded and in February 2014 the artist’s ‘L’Amandier’ was added to the impressive collection.

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6 We drive to Nice airport for the flight to London.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 2 April £1,749 £320 10 September £1,798 £320 Our prices are per person, based on sharing a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 11.35 arrive Nice 14.35 Depart Nice 15.25 arrive London Heathrow 16.35

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what we include Return flights to Nice Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners and one lunch All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

ART & GARDENS OF THE CÔTE D’AZUR Combined tours – ten nights

For those who wish to combine the exceptional art and wonderful gardens of the French Riviera, these two tours run consecutively departing 2 April and 10 September.The price to join both tours is £3,098 (single supplement £588).

Pierre Bonnard, Amandier en Fleurs, 1930. © Adagp, Paris 2014

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Le Musée Bonnard

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cultural tours

GARDENS OF THE RIVIERA A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 7 APRIL & 15 september 2019 There are many great gardens dotted along the Côte d’Azur between St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the border with Italy. Along with the artists, many gardeners were drawn to the Riviera, attracted by both its climate and its beauty.The legacy of these 19th century gardeners still survives, giving inspiration to today’s visitors.

Christopher Monckton, who lived for many years on the Riviera, leads the April tour, Simon Monckton leads the September tour.

THE ITINERARY DAY

We fly from London to Nice and transfer to Menton where

1 we stay at the family-owned 4 star Hôtel Napoléon.

Comfortably furnished and offering a high level of personal service, it has a swimming pool, terrace and a fine garden of its own. The hotel does not have a dining room but the centre of Menton is just a few minutes’ walk away and has many fine restaurants.

DAY

Our first visit will be to a garden in Italy, the famous

2 Hanbury Gardens at La Mortola. Established in the late 19th century, the garden has an impressive collection of exotic and tender plants and banks of cascading scented flowers. Later we go to Villa Piacenza Boccanegra in Ventimiglia. Since the 1980s Ursula Piacenza has cared for and expanded the garden created by Ellen Willmott in 1906.

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Villa Ephrussi Rothschild

We drive to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat where we visit the Villa

3 Ephrussi de Rothschild, as famous for its art collection as for its gardens, which harmoniously combine formal and contemporary styles. The villa was built between 1905 and 1912 for the Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild in the most beautiful spot on the Cap Ferrat peninsula. Nine gardens surround the villa, each with its own distinctive and contrasting theme. Later we go to Villa Kerylos, a contemporary and stylish recreation of a classical French villa.

DAY

Today we walk to the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden, close to

4 the hotel. The garden was developed from 1905 by Lord

Percy Radcliffe, and in the 1950s many unusual plants and trees began to be added. Next we go to the great garden of Lawrence Johnson, designer of Hidcote – Serre de la Madone. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the pretty resort of Menton.

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The Waterfield family have owned Clos du Peyronnet since

5 1915. There is much imaginative use of fountains, ponds and cascades which enhance the artful landscaping. During the afternoon we will drive to nearby Monte Carlo to see the impressive collection of succulents and cacti at the Principality’s Jardin Exotique. We have dinner at ‘Mirazur,’ chef Mauro Colagreco’s two michelin-starred restaurant.

DAY

6 We drive to Nice airport for the flight to London.

tour lecturer : simon monckton Simon Monckton has been leading tours covering art history, architecture, and gardens in Europe, the Middle and Far East for the past 20 years and is currently based in Tenerife.

Having lived on the Côte d’Azur for many years himself, he has an intimate knowledge of this region, which he looks forward to sharing with you.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 7 April £1,698 £268 15 September £1,878 £268 Our prices are per person, based on sharing a double room.

Supplement for a sea view: £156 per room.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 11.30 arrive Nice 14.35 Depart Nice 15.25 arrive London Heathrow 16.35

• • • • •

what we include Return flights to Nice Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

Menton

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cultural tours

CARCASSONNE & ALBI A SIX NIGHT HOLIDAY | 27 april & 2 september 2019 This tour is based at the pinnacle of the medieval citadel of Carcassonne where we stay at the luxurious Hotel de la Cité, built into the ramparts with panoramic views of the countryside. It is from here that we will explore the many distinctive regions of this beautiful part of southwest France.The arrival of the Cathars in the 11th century signalled the beginning of a turbulent and bloody period for the Languedoc as they fought with the established church to defend their religious beliefs.Thus began the Albigensian Crusades as the population struggled against the tyranny of Pope Innocent III.The precipitous mountain strongholds, majestic abbeys and breathtaking scenery all come alive as our tour lecturer Simon Monckton unravels the region’s complex history.

Carcassonne

THE ITINERARY DAY

We fly from London to Toulouse and transfer to Carcassonne

1 where we stay for the duration of the tour at the beautiful 5 star Hotel de la Cité, one of the finest hotels in France and certainly one of the most dramatically situated.

DAY

We spend the first day in Carcassonne, a town of two halves,

2 La Cité itself and the more modern town below the hill.

DAY

Today is spent in Pays de Foix. We visit the tiny church 3 carved deep into a rock at Vals and then continue to Mirepoix, a perfect example of a small bastide where ancient halftimbered houses line the streets. Finally, we see one of the most impenetrable of all Cathar castles at Montségur, which was the centre of Catharism.

DAY

Today we drive to Albi, a city whose buildings are made

4 of delicately coloured pink and ochre stone. Here we visit the 13th to 16th century Cathedral of Ste. Cécile and the wonderful collection of works by Toulouse-Lautrec in the museum.

DAY

The day is spent in Toulouse, a city still undeservedly little

5 known. Here we see the Musée des Augustins with its

important collection of Romanesque sculptures. We will also visit Europe’s largest Romanesque church, St. Sernin, an important stopping point on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

DAY

We travel to Narbonne which was the Roman capital of

6 Transalpine Gaul. While little remains from the Roman

period, it remained an important centre through to the 13th and 14th centuries when the present cathedral was begun in the ambitious northern Gothic style. We explore the old part of the city before heading to the former Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide.

DAY

7 We drive back to Toulouse airport for the flight to London.

tour information

Hotel de la Cité

tour lecturer : simon monckton One of our most popular lecturers, Simon Monckton studied Theology at Durham University and is particularly interested in the influence of religion on medieval architecture. Simon Monckton writes: “Over the years I have spent many weeks as a tour lecturer in south west France especially in the beautiful region where the Albigensian Crusades took place.We learn a great deal about this bloody period in French history but at the same time we will be able to enjoy some of the most dramatic and historically rich landscapes to be found anywhere in France.”

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DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 27 April £2,346 £478 2 September £2,346 £478 Our prices are per person, based on sharing a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. Supplement for deluxe room with garden view: £150 per room.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 16.10 arrive Toulouse 19.00 Depart Toulouse 17.40 arrive London Heathrow 18.30 what we include

• Return flights to Toulouse • Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners at the hotel – including one in the gastronomic restaurant ‘La Barbacane’

• All entrance fees and gratuities • The services of Simon Monckton, the Tour Lecturer

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cultural tours

MADRID & OLD CASTILLE a six night holiday | 21 March & 31 october 2019 Madrid not only has some of the finest art collections in the world at its many museums and galleries, it is also a wonderful base from which to explore the surrounding region. Our tour spends three days in the capital along with three visits further afield, to El Escorial,Toledo and Segovia. Naturally, Spanish art dominates the tour but we also see many works by Flemish masters, reminding us that the Spanish realm embraced the Low Countries. Charles V and Philip II were important patrons of Titian and we see several works by the artist during the tour.

tour ITINERARY DAY

We fly to Madrid and transfer to the 4 star Hotel Emperador

1 on the Gran Via in the very centre of Madrid.

DAY

We begin our stay in Madrid with a visit to the Prado where

2 we see Flemish masterpieces and a matchless collection by

Spanish artists spanning six centuries. After an independent lunch, there will be a complete change of mood when we see works by Joaquin Sorolla (1863 – 1923) at the house where he lived and worked. Sorolla’s bright and airy canvases depict an idealised and romanticised image of his native country.

DAY

We leave Madrid for Toledo, the capital of the nation and

3 empire from 1085 until the end of the 16th century. El

Greco lived here and we see his works in the eponymous museum, as well as in the cathedral and in the Church of Santo Tomé where we see his altarpiece ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.’

DAY

eight centuries take one on an unforgettable journey through the entire history of art up to the 20th century.

DAY

Segovia is our destination today. Here we see the cathedral,

5 the Alcázar and the 800 metre long Roman aqueduct, still in use today. During the afternoon we visit La Granja, a pretty small town where we see the palace built by the French born Philip V in the image of Versailles. The surrounding 18th century garden and park by Robert de Cotte is one of the finest 18th century landscapes in Europe.

DAY

Today, at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts we see works by

6 Goya, Zurbarán, Ribera and Murillo. In the afternoon we go to the collection of 20th century works at the Reina Sofia. Here we see paintings by Tàpies, Miró and Dalí and, of course, Picasso, whose Guernica is a permanent reminder of the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War.

Back in Madrid we spend the morning at the stunning

4 Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection on display in the 18th

century Palacio de Villahermosa. Masterpieces spanning more than

tour lecturer : sÎan walters Siân Walters studied History of Art at Selwyn College, Cambridge. She lectures for the National Gallery, The Arts Society (formerly Nadfas) and Surrey University and spends much of the year leading art history tours abroad. Her particular areas of interest are Italian Renaissance painting, the art and architecture of Spain and the relationship between art and dance.

DAY

The morning is spent in the sprawling and once remote El

7 Escorial in the Sierra de Guadarrama. This austere monastic complex was the residence of Philip II. The king died here in September 1598. After our visit we drive direct to the airport for the flight to London.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 21 March £1,898 £378 31 October £1,795 £288 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 10.40 arrive Madrid 14.10 Depart Madrid 18.10 arrive London Heathrow 19.30

• • • • •

what we include Return flights to Madrid Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Three dinners in local restaurants All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities The service of the Kirker Tour Lecturer and a local guide

The Alcázar, Segovia

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cultural tours

SEVILLE & ANDALUCÍA A seven Night tour | 12 march & 12 november 2019 Based in the city of Seville this itinerary has been carefully designed to give you plenty of time in this beautiful and historic city with its impressive cathedral, important art collections and famous tapas bars in the Barrio de Santa Cruz where we stay.We also visit Córdoba which was one of the greatest centres of learning in Europe until the Reconquista expelled the Moors, but they left their timeless legacy in the city’s buildings, notably the great Mezquita and the Juderia area of the city.

Excursions into the lovely rural Andalucían landscape with its picture-perfect villages and a visit to Jerez, the centre of the sherry trade, complete the holiday.

THE ITINERARY DAY

We fly to Seville and on arrival transfer to the Hotel Doña

1 Maria in the heart of the Barrio de Santa Cruz district in the centre of the city.

DAY

We begin our first day in Seville on foot with a walking tour

2 through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, its narrow streets and

alleys lined with picturesque town houses. Most houses keep their courtyard doors tantalisingly ajar to allow passers-by fleeting glimpses of the flower-filled courtyards so typical of Seville.

We will visit the world's largest gothic cathedral, Seville's fortified royal palace, the Alcazar and the elegant architecture and patio at the Casa de Pilatos, the finest example of a Mudejar town house.

DAY

Today we visit the art collections in the Museo de Bellas 3 Artes and the Hospital de la Caridad. Both collections are displayed in historic buildings and both have important works by Spanish artists including Zurbarán and Murillo. Later we visit the city's famous bullring. The rest of the day is free.

DAY

Today we drive south to visit the two prettiest ‘pueblos

4 blancos’, the famous white villages of Andalucía. We will go to Medina Sidona, perhaps the most exquisite example of the many villages which dot the rural landscape and to Arcos de la Frontera, overlooking the Guadalete River. We will have an included lunch before continuing to Jerez de la Frontera, the centre of the sherry trade. We will visit one of the most famous bodegas for a glass of refreshing, cool manzanilla before returning to Seville.

DAY

We travel to Córdoba, a journey of less than two hours.

5 On arrival we will visit the Mezquita to see the stunning mosque with its lines of arches encircling the cathedral built by Charles V. The Mezquita encapsulates the unique blend of Islamic and Christian history which makes Andalucía such an absorbing and beguiling destination. We will also visit the Alcazar and the noble Palacio de Vena.

DAY

The day is free for further independent sightseeing in Seville

6 and in the evening we drive for half an hour to one of our

favourite rural hotels in Spain, Hacienda de San Rafael, for dinner.

DAY

Today we drive to the neighbouring province of Huelva to

7 visit two beautiful hilltop villages. Almonaster la Real still has its three original Moorish town gates and a beautiful 10th century mosque next to a tiny bullring. Linares de la Sierra is a lovely village famous for its restaurants – we will have an included lunch of locally sourced gastronomic delights.

DAY

The morning is free and at noon we will drive to historic

8 Carmona, a Roman town that sits high on a hill overlooking a fertile plain. We will have a guided walk and enjoy a late lunch before leaving for Seville airport.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 12 March £2,145 £348 12 November £2,145 £348 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick 15.30 arrive Seville 20.05 Depart Seville 20.00 arrive London Gatwick 21.50

• • • • • • • Arcos de la Frontera

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what we include Return flights to Seville Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Four dinners including one at the Hacienda de San Rafael Three lunches Sightseeing as described All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer, Simon Monckton (March), Christopher Monckton (November)

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cultural tours

DISCOVERING CASTILLE & LEÓN a seven night holiday | 7 may & 26 september 2019 Our tour to the province of Castille & León will include visits to Zamora, Segovia as well as Salamanca and Ávila, home to the best preserved medieval city walls in Spain.We stay in Ávila before moving on to the charming Hacienda Zorita Hotel located in gently rolling countryside, 20 minutes from the beautiful university city of Salamanca, whose golden, honey-hued buildings seem to glow in the vivid Spanish light.The magnificent Plaza Mayor rivals Madrid for style and is at the heart of this dynamic city.This is the real Spain, a land of wide open landscapes dotted with farms and villages. It is the most important area in the country for breeding bulls, and as we drive along the open roads we will see them enjoying the pastures and sitting in the shade, like Ferdinand, smelling the flowers.

Ávila

THE ITINERARY We drive from Madrid to Ávila, a journey of approximately 1 one and half hours. After settling in at the 4 star Hotel Palacio de los Velada, there will be a walking tour of Ávila, whose city walls are the best preserved and most complete in the world. Our tour will include the cathedral, the Monastery of the Incarnation, Real Monasterio and the Romanesque Basilica of San Vicente.

DAY

We will begin today with an excursion to see El Escorial, 2 Philip II’s sprawling, isolated palace with an important art collection. The afternoon is then free to explore Ávila.

DAY

Today is spent in Segovia.The city is famous for its historical 3 buildings and for three main landmarks: its midtown Roman aqueduct, its cathedral (one of the last in the Gothic style to be built in Europe), and the castle.This afternoon, we will visit The Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, which became the summer residence of the Kings of Spain from the 1720s during the reign of Philip V. DAY

We depart from Ávila this morning and make our way to the 4 Hacienda Zorita, where we will stay for the next 4 nights.

We will drive out through the vineyards of the Ribera del Duero to the farm owned by the hotel. Here there will be an included lunch and a tasting of the region’s highly renowned wines.

DAY

Today we will enjoy our first of two visits to Salamanca, one 5 of the most beautiful cities in Spain – its Old City is a UNESCO listed Heritage Site. The golden sandstone of Salamanca creates a beautiful, picture-book cityscape of roofs, church spires, convents, academic buildings and elegant squares. We will see its famous university, founded in the 13th century, the Patio de las Escuelas and the city’s two cathedrals, the Old and the New, The Plaza Mayor and the Town Hall.

DAY

In Zamora, a beautiful old city on the ancient Via de la Plata, 6 spread out along the banks of the River Duero, we see the Arab castle, the 12th century cathedral and some Romanesque churches. Lunch will be included in the Parador, which was once the 15th century palace of the Counts of Alba y Aliste.

DAY

Another day in Salamanca where we will see the market, the 7 convent of San Esteban and the Casa Lis museum of Art Nouveau. After our walking tour there will be free time to explore on your own, or you can return to the hotel – transport will be provided. This evening there will be an excursion to Salamanca for an included dinner.

DAY

DAY

8

We drive back to Madrid airport for the flight to London.

tour information

Hacienda Zorita

tour lecturer : Robin wallis Robins Wallis studied Modern Languages at Downing College, Cambridge and International Relations at the London School of Economics. He has been Head of Spanish at two schools and as Principal Examiner, Cambridge International Examinations for Spanish ‘topics and texts’, he maintains an extensive range of cultural and current affairs knowledge of the country.

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 7 May £1,988 £398 26 September £1,988 £398 Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with Iberia: Depart London Heathrow 10.40 arrive Madrid 14.10 Depart Madrid 17.05 arrive London Heathrow 18.25 what we include • Return flights to Madrid • Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Six dinners and two lunches • Wine tasting at the Hacienda • All sightseeing as described, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

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cultural tours

MÁLAGA – PICASSO & BEYOND A six night holiday |

27 april & 12 November 2019

Until recently, it was the rare visitor indeed who, after landing at Málaga airport, took the trouble to discover the city. Most headed off instead to the beaches of the Costa del Sol or inland to the historic cities of Andalucía.Today this has all changed. Inspired by the fact that Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga, the city set about reinventing itself as a major art destination. Carmen Thyssen brought her collection of Spanish art to Málaga, and great cultural institutions from St. Petersburg and Paris reached out to establish branches here.The Contemporary Art Centre opened in 2003 in a former grocery wholesale building and quickly established itself as a major gallery. Picasso was the catalyst for the transformation of the city of his birth into a world class destination for all art lovers.

THE ITINERARY 1

We fly to Málaga and on arrival transfer to the 4 star Hotel Molina Lario where we stay for the duration of the tour.

DAY

We begin our exploration of Málaga with a visit to the house

DAY

2 on Plaza de la Merced where Pablo Picasso was born on 25

October 1881. Today the house is a museum and gallery with many works by Picasso from his formative years, including drawings and ceramics. There are also pictures by other artists on display. Although Picasso very seldom returned to Málaga he always thought fondly of his time there throughout his life. Next we go to the Museo Picasso Málaga which was extensively refurbished in 2017. Here over two hundred of Picasso’s works are exhibited in chronological order. Early portraits, works in the classical style and cubist paintings from the 1930’s are all here. The day will end with a visit to Málaga Cathedral, which dates from the 16th century.

DAY

This morning we go to the Museo Carmen Thyssen where

3 we see Baroness Thyssen’s personal collection of works by

Spanish artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. Zurbarán, Sorolla, Ortega and countless more are represented. The landscape paintings include many works depicting Andalucía.

This afternoon’s visit to the Museo Ruso will be in stark contrast.

At this Andalucian outpost of St. Petersburg’s Russian Museum, we will see art from medieval icons to 20th century Socialist Realism.

The museum presents two or three continually changing exhibits at any one time, covering different periods of Russia’s artistic heritage.

DAY

We leave Málaga for the day and travel to Granada where we

4 see the magnificent Alhambra. The Alhambra is the pinnacle of Moorish art and architecture, a royal residence of breathtaking

Ronda

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grandeur and beauty. We will see the Royal Chapel and the sublime Generalife Gardens that surround the palace. After the visit there will be an included lunch and time to wander through the historic Albaicín district before returning to Málaga.

DAY This morning we go to the Contemporary Art Centre to see 5 works by leading Spanish and other European artists. Later we go to the first ever branch of the Pompidou Centre outside of Paris, the Centre Pompidou Málaga, an impressive glass cube overlooking Málaga’s harbour. Works by Frida Kahlo, Francis Bacon, Léger, Picasso and others are on display here.

DAY

We leave Málaga and drive to Ronda, dramatically sited above

6 a gorge with views out across the Serranía de Ronda

mountains. We will visit the Palacio de Mondragón with its cool Moorish courtyards and patios, and then have some time to explore Ronda independently. We will have lunch in a favourite Kirker hotel, Fuente de la Higuera, originally an 18th century olive mill.

Afterwards we return to Málaga.

DAY

7 We leave for the airport and the flight back to the UK.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 27 April £1,954 £398 12 November £1,954 £398 Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick at 09.20 arrive Málaga at 13.20 Depart Málaga at 14.10 arrive London Gatwick at 16.10 There are flights to Málaga from many airports around the country. Our sales team will be pleased to book the flight most convenient for you what we include • Return flights to Málaga • Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners and two lunches • All entrance fees and gratuities • The service of the Kirker Tour Lecturer, Robin Wallis

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cultural tours

AN INTRODUCTION TO ALBANIA A seven night holiday | 21 june & 6 SEPTEMBER 2018 Whilst geographically compact, Albania’s location at the heart of the Balkans, wedged between northern Greece and Montenegro, and just 100 kilometres from the coast of southern Italy, has blessed the country with a diverse and vibrant landscape and compelling history.The direct flight to Tirana may be just three hours but it feels as if you have travelled far beyond Europe, to a fascinating country of exceptionally warm and friendly hospitality, delicious Mediterranean cuisine and some of the most beautiful and romantic ancient sites to be found anywhere.

THE ITINERARY We fly from London Gatwick to Tirana where we stay for 1 the first three nights. Tirana today is a lively, colourful city which has seen many urban improvements in the last decade.

We stay at the 4 star Rogner Hotel in a leafy residential area, a few minutes’ walk from the centre.

DAY

This morning there will be a panoramic tour of the capital 2 followed by a visit to the splendid National Historic Museum, which charts the history of the country from the days of the national hero, Skanderbeg, through its Ottoman era to the short-lived monarchy, World War II and the Communist epoch, which ended in 1990. Albania was littered with thousands of bunkers during the Enver Hoxha years and some of them are now being opened. We’ll visit one today, its terrifying gloom tempered by the art which is exhibited as part of the Bunk Art initiative.

DAY

We drive though the dramatic scenery of the Sari Saltik 3 mountain range to Krujë, where at the Skanderbeg Museum we learn how the eponymous hero saw off the forces of the Ottomans three times.

here among the romantic ruins with only local shepherds and their flocks for company. We arrive in Vlora, an attractive town on the sea, for a one night stay.

Leaving Vlora, we enjoy a magnificent coastal drive along 5 what is now known as the Albanian Riviera. We pass through densely forested mountain roads and pass pretty villages where houses are painted blue and white in traditional Greek style. We spend two nights in Saranda, famous for its fish restaurants.

DAY

The day will be spent in Butrint, located in an unspoilt 6 region between Lake Butrint, an inland lagoon, and the straits which separate Corfu from Albania. Dating back to the 7th century BC, this is a romantic site and whilst exploring it, visitors feel as if they are discovering it for the first time, in the same way as 18th century travellers must have done.

DAY

DAY

We leave Tirana and head to the coast to Durres, once an 4 important trading post linking Byzantium to Rome, and see its impressive Roman amphitheatre. Later we stop at Byllis, a 4th century BC settlement, the largest in southern Illyria. Its amphitheatre is built into the hills and overlooks an Arcadian landscape and the River Vjosa far below. It is easy to forget time DAY

Returning to Tirana, we stop in Gjirokastër, a town of 7 narrow streets and picturesque houses, dominated by its great citadel. This is now used as a repository for rusting war machinery stored by Enver Hoxha, who was born in the town in 1940. We stay for the final night of the tour in Tirana.

DAY

DAY

8

We will drive to Tirana Airport for our flight back to London.

tour information TOUR LECTURER, JUNE: ANDREW ALLEN Andrew Allen read History of Art at the universities of East Anglia and Essex. He is a great traveller, spending much of the year abroad (working and investigating mediaeval iconography).

He often contributes articles to travel publications and has travelled extensively through the Balkans and led many tours for Kirker throughout this complex region.

TOUR LECTURER, SEPTEMBER: DR NEIL FAULKNER Neil Faulkner was educated at King’s College, Cambridge, and the Institute of Archaeology, UCL. He is currently Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, Editor of Military History Monthly, and Co-director of archaeological field projects in Norfolk, Jordan, and Slovenia.

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 21 June £1,664 £235 6 September £1,664 £235 Our prices are per person, based on sharing a double room. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick 08.10 arrive Tirana 12.10 Depart Tirana 13.00 arrive London Gatwick 15.10

• • • • •

what we include Return flights to Tirana Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Seven lunches and seven dinners in local restaurants All entrances fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer and a local guide

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cultural tours

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON & THE PENINSULAR WAR A SEVEN NIGHT TOUR | 24 april & 15 october 2019 Military historian Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan leads our tour to Spain and Portugal, which combines fascinating history with spectacular scenery and delicious food and wine.The Peninsular War began in 1808, one year after Napoleon decided to stop Britain from trading with the rest of Europe. But Napoleon had neither considered that the Portuguese would prove to be a steadfast ally of Britain nor that the Spanish would be swept up in their own revolts.The Battle of Salamanca in 1812 saw the beginning of the end for Napoleon, which led to his abdication and exile in Elba.

Oporto

THE ITINERARY DAY

1

We fly to Oporto and transfer to our centrally located hotel, the 4 star Hotel Carris Ribeira for a two night stay.

Our first day begins in Oporto itself, spread out along the 2 banks of the Douro. We will have a panoramic tour of the city and see the spot where Wellington made his daring assault across the river in 1809. Later we drive to the battlefields close to the city where The Iron Duke won his unexpected victory over Marshal Soult’s occupying force. This evening we will enjoy a port tasting, followed by dinner, in the elegant surroundings of Taylor’s Port Wine lodge, overlooking the river.

DAY

Today we travel on the scenic railway which skirts the 3 flanks of the River Douro as far as the town of Pinhão, where we spend a night in the 4 star Vintage House Hotel. This charming property is set on the river bank in the heart of the UNESCO protected Douro Valley wine region. All the rooms here have balconies overlooking the river, there is a restaurant with a riverside terrace and an atmospheric library bar.

DAY

Leaving Pinhão, we cross into Spain and drive to the small 4 city of Ciudad Rodrigo, a key border fortress during the Peninsular Wars and the site of two major sieges. In 1810, Marshal Ney took the city for the French after a costly battle which delayed the French invasion of Portugal significantly, whilst in 1812 Wellington stormed the city, opening up the route into Frenchheld northern Spain for his Allied force. We stay in the historic Parador of Ciudad Rodrigo for two nights.

We will explore the open countryside today, visiting all the 5 important sites where key battles and skirmishes took place. The fortress of Almeida guarded one of the major roads between Spain and Portugal and was besieged by both sides, whilst the surrounding region became a crucial strategic battleground; we will visit the Côa Valley, Fuentes de Oñoro and Barba del Puerco.

DAY

Today we travel to the beautiful city of Salamanca, where 6 we stay for the final two nights at the 4 star Parador. The Battle of Salamanca was a decisive moment and not only led to the Allied army marching on to capture Madrid, but cemented Wellington’s reputation as a master tactician.

DAY

As well as a crucial strategic landmark, Salamanca is also one 7 of the most beautiful cities in Spain, and our visit today will explore the cityscape of tiled roofs, Gothic churches and elegant squares. The Plaza Mayor is one of the finest public squares in the whole of Spain, and we will explore on foot and see the Patio de las Escuelas, the university and both the new and old cathedrals.

DAY

DAY

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 24 April £2,239 £398 15 October £2,286 £398 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with TAP (outbound) & Easyjet (inbound): Depart London Gatwick 12.50 arrive Oporto 14.20 Depart Madrid 16.35 arrive London Gatwick 18.00

• • • • •

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what we include Return flights and transfers Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast Five dinners All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer, Hugh MacdonaldBuchanan

On our final day we will drive to Madrid airport, breaking 8 the journey at El Escoriál, a royal palace built for Philip II. Here we see the imposing Royal Apartments with works by Titian and other Venetian masters.

DAY

tour lecturer : HUGH MACDONALD-BUCHANAN Hugh MacDonald-Buchanan has led many battlefield history tours all over Europe. He read Geography at University College London and developed a lifelong interest in the Napoleonic period, particularly the Battle of Waterloo and the Peninsula War. Hugh MacDonald-Buchanan writes: “It is a great stroke of fortune that the Duke of Wellington’s campaigns took place in some of the most attractive regions of the Iberian Peninsula.

Starting our tour in Oporto we will follow Wellington’s progress close to the River Douro which flows through some of the loveliest scenery in Portugal. In the vast open spaces around Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca it is not hard to imagine the great battles that took place here. Endless vistas, mountains, mighty rivers and steep terraces of vineyards make this a most rewarding trip for anyone who wants to learn more about the extraordinary Duke of Wellington and enjoy this quiet, unspoilt corner of Iberia.”

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cultural tours

THE BATTLES OF MONTE CASSINO A seven NIGHT HOLIDAY | 24 OCTOBER 2019 The focus of our new tour is a study of the major battles which took place as part of the Allied invasion of Italy in 1943/44.

Starting in the area around Salerno, the tour moves northwards to Monte Cassino, allowing us to follow the events chronologically.We begin with the landings of the US 36th Infantry Division before travelling to the Allied headquarters at Caserta, learning about the four battles for Cassino and ending at Anzio where the last major Allied landings took place.

The tour takes us to the spectacular Amalfi coastline, to Paestum, and through the mountainous landscapes of Lazio and Campania.The tour will be led by Richard Goldsbrough who served in the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards of which he is the Regimental Historian and trustee of its museum in Cardiff.

The ITINERARY Based for the first two nights in the small resort of Vico Equense we visit the site close to Salerno where Operation Avalanche took place. This was the landing zone of the US 36th Infantry Division.

Afterwards we go to Paestum with its Doric temples overlooking the sea and get wonderful views of the landing sites from the village of Agropoli. Leaving the Sorrento Peninsula, we make our way to the Royal Palace at Caserta which, during the war, was the headquarters of General Sir Harold Alexander. We then visit San Pietro Infine where the American 143rd Regiment fought, and the Italian War Cemetery. At the summit of Monte Camino we see the scene of fierce fighting in the last months of 1943. We stay for three nights in Cassino and discover the village of Sant’Angelo in Theodice where the US 36th (Texas) Division tried but failed to cross the River Gari. We visit the site of the Amazon Bridge, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, the supply

route for the Allies, the German cemetery at Caira, the Polish cemetery, the Cassino museum, and the caves used by German paratroopers. Our final two nights are spent in Frascati from where we drive to Anzio to see the beachhead where the Operation Shingle landings took place. We then retrace the Allied advance north to the Wadi area and we visit the Anzio War Museum with its collection of WWII equipment abandoned in Italy.

Price from £2,160 per person (single supp. £290) to include flights (Gatwick to Naples at 14.25, Rome to Gatwick at 16.25) accommodation with breakfast, five lunches (some will be picnics) seven dinners, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer and a Kirker Tour Escort.

For a more detailed day to day itinerary please visit the Cultural Tours section of our website www.kirkerholidays.com or call us on 020 7593 2284.

THE WESTERN FRONT – THE ROAD TO VICTORY A five NIGHT holiday | 30 OCTOBER 2019 Lead by military historian Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan, we will visit the principal battlefields of the British Expeditionary Forces, starting at the notorious Ypres Salient which saw intense action throughout the war.We follow the progress of the troops until we reach Amiens where in August 1918 the Allies began their journey to victory. In between, we visit Passchendaele, Arras, the Somme and Cambrai.Visits to some exceptional museums help tell the story of how the troops fought both underground and above, in the mud and on horseback.The Great War was not the ‘war to end all wars’ but it left an indelible impression on Europe and the world.

THE ITINERARY Travelling out by Eurostar, the first part of our itinerary will be based in Ypres, where we will visit the excellent ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum in the former Cloth Hall, where the story of the invasion of Belgium unfolds through a series of personal stories. We will also visit the battlefields of the notorious Ypres Salient and important cemeteries including Essex Farm, Langemarck and Tyne Cot, as well as attending The Last Post at the Menin Gate Memorial.

Continuing to Lille for one night, we will visit Arras,Vimy Ridge and Notre Dame de Lorette with its graves of more than 40,000 fallen French troops. The final part of the tour will be based in Amiens, from where we visit the Somme – including Lutyens’ Thiepval Memorial, Beaumont Hamel, La Boiselle and the Lochnagar Crater – followed by Cambrai, where massed tank formations were used for the first time.

Price from £1,498 per person (single supp. £358) for five nights including return Eurostar, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, five dinners, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer.

Paul Nash,The Menin Road 1919

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cultural tours

THE PALACES & GALLERIES OF ST. PETERSBURG a six night holiday | 26 april, 6 september & 4 october 2019 Peter the Great was a man with a vision. He was determined to show the world that Russia was not a backward nation rooted in tradition but one that was modern and forward thinking, looking to the West, not the East for its inspiration and ideals. How better to do this than to build a new city on the Baltic Sea? Today, the legacy of his ambitions and achievements is displayed in abundance.

Monumental buildings of state, great churches and cathedrals, ornate theatres, legendary art collections, all add up to create one of the most rewarding experiences for modern day visitors.

THE ITINERARY We fly to St. Petersburg and transfer to the centre of the city 1 where we stay for the duration of the holiday at the 4 star Angleterre, a Rocco Forte hotel, overlooking St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

DAY

We begin with an introductory panoramic tour of the city 2 and see the Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral, the simple log cabin where Peter lived as his city grew around him, the Menshikov Palace and the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.

DAY

Today we visit two sumptuous palaces built for members of 3 the imperial family. Pavlovsk, built for the son of Catherine the Great as a private residence and the Catherine Palace at Pushkin which is a Baroque showpiece. Lunch is included.

DAY

We visit the wonderful collection of art and icons in the 4 Russian Museum housed in the Mikhaylovsky Palace. Our day will also include visits to the Church on the Spilled Blood and a visit to the Fabergé Museum in the Shuvalov Palace.

tour lecturer : TATIANA SHUlgA Tatiana lives and works in St. Petersburg and has been leading Kirker's tours to the city for several years. Her knowledge extends over all periods of the city's cultural history and its people. Tatiana Shulga writes: “Visitors are often delighted and surprised to discover how culturally important and influential St. Petersburg was in the 18th and 19th centuries.Today the city is regaining its status as one of the world’s great artistic centres.

I visit the Hermitage every week and am still amazed at the depth and breadth of its unrivalled collections.”

DAY

Today is devoted to the Hermitage, the great Winter Palace 5 which houses one of the world’s greatest collections of paintings and decorative fine arts. Here we find Old Masters, Impressionists, ceramics, porcelain and works by the court jeweller, Fabergé. We will include a special visit to the Diamond Room.

DAY

This morning we visit the glittering palace at Peterhof 6 with its sensational gardens that tumble down to the edge of the Baltic Sea. Back in St. Petersburg we have a tour of the Yusupov Palace.

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 26 April £2,696 £398 6 September £2,698 £458 4 October £2,648 £398 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

DAY

DAY

7

The final morning is free to explore the city at your leisure.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 09.20 arrive St. Petersburg 14.35 Depart St. Petersburg 15.35 arrive London Heathrow 17.10 Regional departures with British Airways via Heathrow also available, supplement on request

• • • • • •

what we include Return scheduled flights to St. Petersburg Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast Four dinners and one lunch Russian visa (supplements may apply for fast track or non-UK passport holders) All entrance fees and gratuities The services of our Tour Lecturer Opera, ballet & Concerts in st. petersburg

We will write to you two months before departure with details of optional performances at the historic Mariinsky Theatre and other venues.

Peterhof Palace

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cultural tours

ART, MUSIC & LITERATURE IN MOSCOW a five night holiday | 2 may & 10 october 2019 Moscow is the spiritual and political heart of Russia, and for those who wish to understand the country, a visit to the city of Tolstoy, Chekhov and Dostoevsky is an essential experience. Our tour will encompass dazzling Orthodox cathedrals, imposing Soviet era monuments, and the spectacular treasures at the Kremlin – accumulated by generations of powerful Tsars, from 1380 when Prince Ivan I moved his capital to Moscow until the last of the Romanovs were deposed almost a century ago.This great wealth also fostered and inspired the huge achievements of Russia’s greatest writers and artists during the 19th century, and we shall explore their legacy during visits to writers’ houses and important art galleries.

THE ITINERARY DAY

1

We fly to Moscow and transfer to the 4 star Hotel National, located a short walk from Red Square.

We begin with a panoramic tour of the huge metropolis 2 that is Moscow and end at Red Square. We visit the Armoury Museum at the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, and end at the Cathedral of Archangel Michael where we see the tomb of Moscow’s founder, Prince Ivan I. DAY

This morning will be spent at the Pushkin State Museum, 5 one of the world’s most important museums. Later as a sharp contrast, we will visit the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, a superb collection of works by Russian artists, many of whom were opposed to the socialist ideology of the state and whose works were banned from being publicly displayed. The day ends with a tour of the Bolshoi Theatre.

DAY

Our time in Russia ends with a drive to Melikhovo where 6 we see the picturesque rural wooden house where Anton Chekhov (1860 – 1904) lived and worked for seven years from 1892. Afterwards we drive to the airport for the flight home.

DAY

Our day starts at the Tretyakov Gallery where we see the 3 collection of Pavel Tretyakov. Open to the public since 1870, it is the world’s most important collection of works by Russian artists. Later we go to the Novodevichy Convent, one of the most peaceful and spiritual places in Moscow. The day ends at the house where Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) lived for many years with his large family, and where he entertained the elite of Russian society.

DAY

We leave Moscow for the day to visit Klin. This is the 4 estate on which Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) lived for the last years of his life and which saw his creativity blossom to the full.

It was during his time here that he composed ‘The Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘The Nutcracker,’ his one-act opera ‘Iolanta,’ and orchestrated ‘The Queen of Spades.’ We will see correspondence, documents and many of his personal items on display.

tour information

DAY

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 2 May £2,598 £398 10 October £2,598 £398 Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. flight details Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 08.45 arrive Moscow 14.35 Depart Moscow 16.05 arrive London Heathrow 18.00 NB: Regional departures available on request

• • • • Novodevichy Convent

ST. PETERSBURG & MOSCOW Our tours to these two cities run consecutively with departures on 26 April and 4 October so why not book both for a comprehensive insight into Russian history and culture?

Travel by business class train between the two cities is included. Price for 11 night two-centre holidays: £4,170 per person (single supplement £796).

• •

what we include Return flights to Moscow Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast Two dinners and two lunches Russian visa (supplements may apply for fast track or non-UK passport holders) All entrance fees and gratuities The services of our Tour Lecturer

Opera, ballet & Concerts in Moscow

We will write to you in a few months before the tour departs, with details of the optional performances available at the Bolshoi and other venues in the city.

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exclusive cultural kirker music toursfestivals

JORDAN – THE LAND OF T.E. LAWRENCE AN EIGHT NIGHT HOLIDAY | 15 March & 30 october 2019 The sight of the Great Treasury of Petra is one of the most thrilling travel experiences you will encounter, giving the visitor a great sense of discovery and something very special to savour.There is so much more to Jordan than just Petra though, as this tour will demonstrate. It is a country with a rich and colourful history which has embraced many civilisations.The remarkable site at Jerash reminds us that Jordan was once a prosperous Roman province, and the architecture of numerous churches and castles hints at the country’s Byzantine and Umayyad periods.

THE ITINERARY We fly from London Heathrow to Amman where we stay 1 for the first three nights of the tour at the centrally located 5 star Grand Millennnium Hotel.

DAY

of interest, including The Royal Tombs, Qsar El Bint and the Temple of the Winged Lion.

DAY

A visit to the city’s Archaeological Museum will be followed 2 by a drive into the surrounding countryside to see a selection of the beautiful desert castles that dot the landscape, including Azraq Castle which was used by Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab revolt.

DAY

We will explore Jerash, one of the finest and best preserved 3 Roman sites to be found anywhere. Its altitude of 500 metres makes for wonderful views over the surrounding fertile countryside which we shall see as we drive through the Jordan Valley to the excavations at Pella.

DAY

We leave the capital and drive to Petra, stopping at the 4 Crusader Castle at Shobek. Built in 1115, it is part of a string of imposing castles that stretches from Aqaba to Turkey. We will stay in the 5 star Petra Marriott Wadi Mousa for four nights.

DAY

The day is spent at Petra. Situated at the end of the siq, a 5 narrow passage through a cliff, is the magnificent Treasury of Petra. There will be plenty of time for you to explore the other sites

6

Today we will discover the route of the grand Hijaz railway 7 project and see abandoned stations, track and rolling-stock left exactly as they were by Lawrence and his Arab guerrillas. On our journey through the desert we will visit Lawrence’s Camp (at Tooth Hill), Tell Shahm fort, Wadi Rum station and fort, and Batn el-Ghoul fort. We drive back to our hotel on the Desert Highway.

DAY

We leave Petra and travel along the Escarpment to the 8 fortified hilltop palace, Machaerus. The tour moves on to the Dead Sea arriving mid-afternoon where we spend the final night of the tour at the 5 star Kempinski Hotel Ishtar.

DAY

DAY

9

TOUR LECTURER – october: andrew allen Andrew Allen read History of Art at the University of East Anglia and Essex. He is a great traveller and often contributes articles to travel publications. He has led many tours for Kirker throughout the Middle East.

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We drive to Amman airport for the flight back to London.

tour information

DAY

TOUR LECTURER – march: DR NEIL FAULKNER Neil Faulkner is an archaeologist who studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and the Institute of Archaeology, UCL. He is a magazine editor, a popular lecturer, the director of several field projects and author. Neil's latest book ‘Lawrence of Arabia's War: The Arabs, the British and the Remaking of the Middle East in WW1’ was published in 2016.

We will visit Aqaba and Wadi Rum, an area closely associated with T. E. Lawrence.

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 15 March £3,248 £598 30 October £3,248 £598 Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a double/twin room. Supplements for single occupancy are as shown. flight details Flights with Royal Jordanian Airlines: Depart London Heathrow 16.05 arrive Amman 23.05 Depart Amman 11.20 arrive London Heathrow 14.45

• • • • • •

what we include Return scheduled flights to Amman Eight nights’ accommodation with breakfast Dinner each evening All entrance fees and gratuities Group visa The services of Neil Faulkner, our Tour Lecturer as well as a local guide

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cultural tours

GARDENS OF MARRAKECH A seven NIGHT HOLIDAY | 2 may 2019 Marrakech is an intoxicating destination for all the senses, and the city and its surroundings are also home to a number of remarkable gardens. In the company of expert horticulturist David Wheeler, we shall explore some of the finest – from the famous Jardins Majorelle created by Yves Saint Laurent, to several private gardens which are not normally open to the public, as well as a day in the magnificent Atlas Mountains. Spring is the perfect time to enjoy some warm Moroccan sunshine, the perfect antidote to winter blues, and there will be ample opportunities to indulge in delicious Moroccan cuisine and relax in the hotel’s private garden and swimming pool.

THE ITINERARY We fly to Marrakech and transfer to our hotel, the five star 1 Palais Aziza & Spa, located in the oasis-like Palmeraie, just fifteen minutes from Djemaa El Fna Square. The elegant property offers just 28 Moroccan-style rooms surrounded by five acres of well-kept gardens and patios, with two restaurants, a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art hammam and spa.

DAY

We visit Jardin Majorelle that was famously rescued from 2 dereliction by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, now a splendid combination of careful planting and bold colour, as well as the recently opened Musée Yves Sant Laurent nearby. We will then visit Jnana Tamsna for lunch and a walk through the gardens.

DAY

We start with a walking tour of the medina with a local expert, 3 followed by a visit to Le Jardin Secret – a hidden garden in the heart of the old city.We will stop for lunch at Café Arabe.

DAY

Our day trip to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains includes a 4 visit to the gardens at Hotel La Roseraie, where we pause for lunch. Before returning to Marrakech we will stop at Sir Richard Branson’s magnificent Kasbah Tamadot for sundowners on the terrace.

DAY

In the morning we visit the Bahia Royal Palace garden with 5 an expert local guide. The afternoon is free to relax at the hotel or explore independently.

DAY

Travelling outside the city again, we head to the Andre 6 Heller garden first, where there will be time to enjoy a traditional mint tea in the café. We then continue to ‘Nectarome,’ a botanical garden which produces natural aromatic oils. In the

afternoon we visit the private garden of Lyn Guinness, before returning to Marrakech.

This morning we visit the private garden of Prince Fabrizio 7 Ruspoli, set on a former citrus farm, where we enjoy an exclusive tour. We then continue to the Beldi Country Club just outside the city for a delicious lunch. The afternoon is at leisure.

DAY

DAY

8

We have lunch at the famous La Mamounia hotel before driving to the airport for our flight home.

tour lecturer : DAVID WHEELER Founder and editor of the literary gardening journal Hortus, David is also a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines, author and editor of several books and anthologies and has led a number of tours to important gardens in the UK and Europe.

His garden in Herefordshire includes a five acre arboretum and he was awarded the RHS Gold Veitch Medal in 2009 ‘In recognition of services given in the advancement of science and practice of horticulture.’

DAY

tour information DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 2 May £3,396 £595 Prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS Flights with British Airways: Depart London Gatwick 14.25 arrive Marrakech 18.10 Depart Marrakech 19.10 arrive London Gatwick 22.40 what we include Return flights to Marrakech Seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner Seven lunches and four dinners All entrance fees and gratuities The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer

• • • • • Jardin Majorelle

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GENERAL INFORMATION DEPOSITS & FULL PAYMENT If you are booking more than nine weeks prior to departure, a deposit will be required to secure your reservation. The amount of the deposit (a minimum of £200 per person) will be confirmed at the time of booking. Full payment is required no later than nine weeks before departure. We prefer payment by BACS transfer (call 020 7593 2285 or see your confirmation invoice for Kirker bank details) or by cheque made payable to Kirker Travel Ltd. Payment by debit or credit card can be made by calling us on 020 7593 2288.

CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS We will always do our best to avoid making changes to holidays but the tours are planned many months in advance and amendments may be necessary. All changes notified less than eight weeks before departure give you the right to cancel your holiday and receive a full refund. We do understand the disappointment caused by cancelling a tour, however, we reserve the right to do so because they are dependent on a minimum number of participants. We will try to inform you not less than ten weeks before the departure date if your tour will not be operating.

CANCELLATION CHARGES Cancellations made more than 70 days prior to departure: deposits forfeited.

70-56 days: 30% of the holiday cost or deposit (whichever is the greater).

55-29 days: 50% of the holiday cost.

28-15 days: 80% of the holiday cost.

Within 14 days of the departure, on the departure date or after the holiday has commenced: all holiday costs forfeited.

Any client who curtails their holiday will not receive a refund for unused accommodation, transportation or other services.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS Escorted holidays are popular with single travellers. We recognise that single room supplements are unpopular and, although we do try to dissuade the hotels from charging high single supplements, we do not always succeed. In 2019 we are delighted to confirm that our tours to Vienna, Albania and the North Norfolk Music Festival will have no single supplements.

WALKING Our tours have been created to show you as much as possible of your chosen destination, and often the best way to do this is on foot. In order to enjoy these holidays you need to be reasonably fit, able to stroll at a normal pace for at least 20 minutes, to go up and down a staircase without assistance and to stand – perhaps in a queue – for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Should you have any concerns whatsoever, please speak to our reservations staff who will provide you with advice and perhaps recommend holidays that may involve easier walking.

AGE LIMIT We do not have an age limit but we do ask that you advise us of your age at time of booking and expect all participants to be able to walk comfortably without assistance. Existing medical conditions and walking difficulties must be declared at the time of booking.

TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES Although we are pleased to welcome clients with disabilities, their participation will depend on the nature of the disability and in some cases it will be necessary to be accompanied by an ablebodied companion. In order to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of all participants on any tour we must ask you to declare full details of your disability, especially if this affects your mobility, so that we can consider your personal circumstances.

A RESPONSIBLE HOLIDAY COMPANY As a member of ABTA and AITO, we conform fully to government legislation regarding the protection of clients’ money.

In addition, in the event that your holiday is affected by something out of our control, we shall always endeavour to take the appropriate steps to minimise any disruption you may experience.

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PRIVACY POLICY As with all well-run travel businesses, Kirker has a ‘privacy policy’ (full details of which are set out on our website), and all members of the Kirker team take your privacy seriously. In order to make certain that our holidays run smoothly, and to enable us to maintain the high levels of service our clients require, we need to collect some personal data and store it – and our privacy policy outlines in more detail how and why we obtain and process stored data which can identify you. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Patrick Millar (Marketing Manager) on 020 7593 2281 or email patrick.millar@kirkerholidays.com

the aito quality charter AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP – AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.

FINANCIAL SECURITY – AITO members are required to protect money paid by customers to the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo and to comply with UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members submit details of their bonding and guarantee arrangements to the Association on a regular basis.

ACCURATE BROCHURES and WEB SITES – All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE and CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS – All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.

MONITORING STANDARDS – AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM – All members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Responsible Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 or 3 star status.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS – All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

Kirker Holidays is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators.

To contact the Association visit www.aito.co.uk or call 020 8744 9280.

✂

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booking form C U L T U R A L T O U R S & M U S I C H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 9 Kirker Holidays, 4 Waterloo Court, 10 Theed Street, London SE1 8ST Office hours: 09.00–18.00 (Mon-Fri), 09.00–16.00 (Sat) Reservations: 020 7593 2284 Fax: 020 7593 1461 Brochure requests: 020 7593 2282 Accounts/administration: 020 7593 2280 culturaltours@kirkerholidays.com www.kirkerholidays.com CONTACT DETAILS/TRAVEL AGENT’S STAMP

DETAILS OF ALL PASSENGERS

Name:

Title

Full name as per passport:

Address:

Postcode: Contact Phone Number:

HOLIDAY DETAILS

Email:

Tour Name:

PAYMENT

Departure Date:

• Deposit: the amount required for deposit will be advised at the time of booking and should be paid in order to confirm your holiday.

• Full balance: must be paid 10 weeks prior to departure. NB for Music Cruises the full balance must be paid 14 weeks prior to departure.

• Payments: We prefer to be paid by BACS transfer (call 020 7593 2285 or see your confirmation invoice for Kirker Bank Details) or by cheque made payable to Kirker Travel Ltd. Payment by debit or credit card can be made by telephone on 020 7593 2284.

Preferred departure Airport/Station: Room Type (Double/Twin/Single):

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS & SPECIAL REQUESTS

NEXT OF KIN DETAILS

MOBILITY MATTERS In order to enjoy Kirker Cultural Tours & Music Holidays (and to ensure that other participants are not held up or inconvenienced) you must be reasonably fit, i.e. able to stroll at a normal pace for at least 20 minutes; go up and down a flight of stairs without assistance; stand – perhaps in a queue – for 10/15 minutes. If your circumstances change after booking and prior to your departure, it is essential that you contact Kirker. We regret that clients who are deemed unfit to take part (at Kirker’s discretion) may be obliged to return home at their own additional cost and no refund will be given. In the event that a client is deemed unfit to take part in certain aspects of the tour, please note that it is unfortunately not possible to offer partial refunds.

Next of Kin Name: Contact Telephone: On behalf of all persons on this booking form I have read and agreed the conditions of booking contained in this brochure.

SIGNATURE

DATE:

✂ ESSENTIAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF BOOKING All bookings are subject to our full booking conditions which appear on our website www.kirkerholidays.com. A copy of these can also be emailed or posted to you on request. By asking us to make your booking, you confirm you have had access to and agree to the full booking conditions which you should read.

CAN KIRKER CANCEL MY HOLIDAY? We understand the disruption and disappointment caused by cancelling a tour but we must reserve the right to do so because they are dependant on a minimum number of participants. The minimum number of participants varies according to the tour. Generally, we will try to inform you ten weeks before the departure date if your chosen tour will not be operating.

CANCELLATION CHARGES. Cancellations made by you more than 70 days prior to departure: deposits forfeited. 70 – 56 days: 30% of the holiday cost or deposit, whichever is the greater. 55-29 days: 50% of the cost 28-15 days: 80%holiday cost; of the holiday cost. Within 14 days of the departure, on the departure date or after the holiday has commenced: all holiday costs are forfeited. Any client choosing to leave their hotel before the end of their holiday will receive no refund for unused accommodation. Different cancellation charges apply for Kirker Music Cruises and will be advised at time of booking.

The booking conditions provide for the payment of cancellation charges if you cancel or fail to make payment when due.They also include limitations and exclusions of our liability to you. For international travel by air, sea or rail, our liabilities are limited and excluded as if we were a carrier within the applicable international convention or EU regulation (for example, the Montreal Convention, the EC Regulation on Air Carrier Liability and the Athens Convention). A surcharge may be payable in limited circumstances where certain costs increase after booking.

Your contract will be with Kirker Travel Limited t/a Kirker Holidays. This contract comes into existence when we dispatch our confirmation invoice to the person who makes the booking or your travel agent.

We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 2450). When you buy an ATOL protected air inclusive holiday or Kirker Travel Limited Registered Office: 4 Waterloo Court, 10 Theed Street, London SE1 8ST. Registration in England: 1985696 VAT Reg No. 805 1461 59

flight* from us, you will receive a confirmation invoice from us (or via our authorised agent) confirming your arrangements and your protection under our ATOL. In the unlikely event of our insolvency the CAA will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. *The air inclusive holidays and flights we arrange are ATOL protected providing either the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made or the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

We are also bonded with ABTA Limited (membership number V6595).This means that if your holiday does not include flights arranged by us, all monies you have paid to us for an advance booking will be refunded or if your holiday includes return travel and is already underway, you will be returned to the UK in the unlikely event of our being unable to provide your holiday due to our insolvency.

ABTA members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint (details in our full booking conditions), contact ABTA at 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ or see www.abta.com We are also a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).

British citizens require a British passport in order to travel to the destinations we feature. This usually takes approximately 6 weeks to obtain unless you are over 16 and haven’t held a passport previously in which case you need to allow at least 6 weeks.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo which you are recommended to consult before booking and in good time before departure.

In the event of any flight delay or cancellation at your UK or overseas point of departure, the airline is responsible for providing such assistance as is legally required by the Denied Boarding Regulations. The ferry, tunnel or rail operator is similarly responsible in relation to any delayed or cancelled sea crossing or international rail departure. Except where otherwise stated in our brochure or on our website, we

regret we cannot provide any assistance in such circumstances other than information and advice to the extent we are in a position to do so.

LOCAL TOURIST TAXES. Many Local Authorities throughout Europe and beyond have now imposed tourist taxes on visitors. In most cases, local legislation imposes the responsibility of collecting the tax on to hoteliers who are instructed to collect this additional tax direct from guests by adding the cost to clients’ extras bills on checkout. NB Local Authorities reserve the right to vary the charges and insist that the tax is paid directly by guests to the hotel, and not through an intermediary. Typically, the cost is approximately €2-7 per person per night depending on hotel category.

DATA PROTECTION. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, Kirker Travel Limited is a data controller. Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect personal data held by us. This information will be passed to the relevant suppliers of your holiday arrangements. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them and to other third parties who need it to enable us to provide your holiday (such as credit card companies and banks), or as required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. Other than in relation to government/public authorities (over whom we have no control), we will take appropriate steps which are intended to ensure that anyone to whom we pass your personal data for any reason agrees to keep it secure and only uses it for the purposes of providing their services. If we cannot pass personal data to the relevant suppliers or any other third party as applicable, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to fulfil your booking. In making your booking, you consent to personal data being passed on to the relevant suppliers and other third parties.When travelling outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We would also like to store and use your personal data for future marketing purposes (for example, sending you a brochure or other marketing material) unless you have told us that you do not wish us to do so. Full details of our data protection policy are available on our website and on request.

Publication date September 2018 ©2018 Kirker Travel Limited

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O U R R A N G E O F H O L I D AY S F O R D I S C E R N I N G T R AV E L L E R S Short Breaks

SOUTH AFRICA Our South Africa brochure features a range of short break options and longer tailor-made itineraries. As well as including the pick of hotels and guesthouses in outstanding locations such as the Cape Peninsula and the Garden Route, our programme includes game reserves, Zulu and Boer War battlefields,Victoria Falls, Botswana, Zambia and Mauritius.

iNDIA Our comprehensive brochure covers India from Shimla in the North to Cochin in the South and has a broad choice of hotels from converted palaces to characterful homestays. The dedicated Sri Lanka section highlights the many attractions of this fascinating island which can be combined in a tailor-made tour. Call our experienced sales team for further guidance.

Holidays to 60 classic cities and relaxing rural locations throughout Europe and beyond.

Our Short Breaks brochure features a range of over 500 selected hotels and we can create any tailor-made itinerary to two or more destinations. Each Kirker holiday is created to suit your personal requirements with travel by air, rail, OrientExpress, Eurostar or overnight sleeper combined with private guided tours, opera tickets, museum passes or a table at a Kirker recommended restaurant.

italY The Kirker Italy brochure features destinations from The Lakes and Venice in the North, to Sicily in the South, and from Puglia in the East, to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence and Lucca in the West. Our expertise can cater for your every need; we offer opera and concert tickets, entrance for festivals, museums and special exhibitions, tailor-made itineraries combining beautiful Tuscan Villas, exquisite Ferrogamo city centre hotels with high speed trains, car hire or the Orient-Express.

sicily Our new dedicated Sicily brochure includes a wide range of destinations throughout the island from Modica and Ragusa in the South East corner to San Vito Lo Capo in the West.

We offer carefully crafted, multi-centre itineraries to match your particular requirements as well as short breaks to classic cities such as Palermo and Taormina.

france Our France brochure features classic city breaks to Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Monaco, Strasbourg, Cannes and Lyon and tailormade holidays to Normandy, Brittany, the Loire Valley, Champagne, Burgundy, Provence, Languedoc-Rousillon and the idylic island of Corsica.

We feature simple family-run hotels up to the grandest palaces and châteaux.

SPAIN Spain offers a great climate and a wonderful range of music, art and architecture; all perfect ingredients for a wonderful short break The Phoenicians, Romans and Moors all left behind an extraordinary legacy for you to explore. Experience this wonderful country by asking one of our experts to suggest a tailor-made holiday, designed to reflect the diversity of this truly fascinating destination.

Kirker Holidays, 4 Waterloo Court, 10 Theed Street, London SE1 8ST Office hours: 09.00 – 18.00 (Mon-Fri), 09.00 – 16.00 (Sat)

Reservations: 020 7593 2284 Brochure requests: 020 7593 2282 • Accounts/administration: 020 7593 2280 • Fax: 020 7593 1461

WANDERLUST MAGAZINE – HIGHLY COMMENDED TOP TOUR OPERATOR 2018 CLASSIC FM – 25TH ANNIVERSARY ‘SILVER TRAVELLER’ AWARD WINNER 2017 COMUNE DI VENEZIA – LION OF ST. MARK GOLD AWARD FOR TOURISM 2016 SUNDAY TIMES TRAVEL MAGAZINE – WINNER ‘BEST VALUE TRAVEL COMPANY’ 2016