Wagner’s Ring Cycle at the Mariinsky Theatre Saint Petersburg February 27 - March 5, 2018 A visit to Saint Petersburg combines the best of Russia’s performing arts with an outstanding sightseeing program and the opportunity to explore a destination that is always intriguing for first time and return visitors, alike. The staging of Wagner’s tetralogy is always a special event and Maestro Valery Gergiev, the charismatic head of the Mariinsky Theatre, will personally lead the restaging of this highly successful Cycle, a production originally conceived by Maestro Gergiev and New York based set designer George Tsypin. Our five day program includes accommodation at the first-rate 5 star Hotel Astoria, the choice of visiting dignitaries and heads of state. The hotel occupies a privileged position on St. Isaac’s Square, one of the city’s most prized and upscale locations. As part of British hotelier Sir Rocco Forte’s luxury portfolio, it offers an undisputedly high level of comfort and customer service. Deluxe rooms have been reserved for our party. Excellent English speaking guides will conduct a special sight- seeing program with prime theater seating, in the state-of -the- art Mariinsky II Theatre, will ensure that the very most is made during our stay in Saint Petersburg. There is the opportunity to arrive earlier or extend your stay with full concierge assistance, available through Act 1 Tours and our local agents. Clockwise from top: The Hermitage Hallway (photo courtesy Christos Thrappas); Saint Isaac’s Cathedral (courtesy Dmitriy Guryanov); Church on Spilled Blood (courtesy of Dionysus); Mariinsky ll Auditorium (courtesy of Mariinsky Theatre) ITINERARY Tuesday, February 27 Departures from North American airports for Saint Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport (LED). Wednesday, February 28 Arrival in Saint Petersburg. At the airport, guests will be welcomed by a driver and escorted to the Hotel Astoria. In the early evening we gather and transfer to the Old Customs House restaurant for a welcome to Saint Petersburg dinner, returning in good time for a full night’s rest. Thursday, March 1 Each day begins with a lavish buffet hotel breakfast. This morning we meet our guide and leave by coach to visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, established in 1703, and its Cathedral, the final resting place of the Tsars. Continuing, the tour includes many of the picturesque squares and streets of Old Saint Petersburg, ending at the Church on Spilled Blood, site of Tsar Alexander II’s assassination and resplendent with a fabulous mosaic interior. A special lunch of emblematic Russian cuisine will be taken at the Brasserie de Metropole. After, we visit the magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral, close to our hotel. Relax in the late afternoon before transferring to Mariinsky II for the Ring prolog, Das Rheingold.
Transcript
Wagner’s Ring Cycle at the Mariinsky TheatreSaint Petersburg
February 27- March 5, 2018 A visit to Saint Petersburg combines the best of Russia’s performing arts with an outstanding sightseeing program and the opportunity to explore a destination that is always intriguing for first time and return visitors, alike. The staging of Wagner’s tetralogy is always a special event and Maestro Valery Gergiev, the charismatic head of the Mariinsky Theatre, will personally lead the restaging of this
highly successful Cycle, a production originally conceived by Maestro Gergiev and New York based set designer George Tsypin. Our five day program includes accommodation at the first-rate 5 star Hotel Astoria, the choice of visiting dignitaries and heads of state. The hotel occupies a privileged position on St. Isaac’s Square, one of the city’s most prized and upscale locations. As part of British hotelier Sir Rocco Forte’s luxury portfolio, it offers an undisputedly high level of comfort and customer service. Deluxe rooms have been reserved for our party.Excellent English speaking guides will conduct a special sight-seeing program with prime theater seating, in the state-of -the-art Mariinsky II Theatre, will ensure that the very most is made during our stay in Saint Petersburg. There is the opportunity to arrive earlier or extend your stay with full concierge assistance, available through Act 1 Tours and our local agents.
Clockwise from top: The Hermitage Hallway (photo courtesy Christos Thrappas); Saint Isaac’s Cathedral (courtesy Dmitriy Guryanov); Church on Spilled Blood (courtesy of Dionysus); Mariinsky ll Auditorium (courtesy of Mariinsky Theatre)
ITINERARYTuesday, February 27Departures from North American airports for Saint Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport (LED).
Wednesday, February 28 Arrival in Saint Petersburg. At the airport, guests will be welcomed by a driver and escorted to the Hotel Astoria. In the early evening we gather and transfer to the Old Customs House restaurant for a welcome to Saint Petersburg dinner, returning in good time for a full night’s rest.
Thursday, March 1 Each day begins with a lavish buffet hotel breakfast. This morning we meet our guide and leave by coach to visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, established in 1703, and its Cathedral, the final resting place of the Tsars. Continuing, the tour includes many of the picturesque squares and streets of Old Saint Petersburg, ending at the Church on Spilled Blood, site of Tsar Alexander II’s assassination and resplendent with a fabulous mosaic interior. A special lunch of emblematic Russian cuisine will be taken at the Brasserie de Metropole. After, we visit the magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral, close to our hotel. Relax in the late afternoon before transferring to Mariinsky II for the Ring prolog, Das Rheingold.
INCLUSIONS• Five nights at Hotel Astoria in Deluxe twin or king rooms
for double or single occupancy• Full buffet breakfast daily• One dinner and four lunches• Four Ring performances with Category One seating• Sightseeing, entrances, private guides and coaches,
as described • Airport and theatre transfers • Visa support services • Guide and driver gratuities • Act 1 Tours’ partner, Christos Thrappas, as host throughout
COST OF TOUR (per person)$4,650 per person with double occupancy$5,100 per person with single occupancy
Not included:• Air travel to/from USA - St. Petersburg.• Any meals and personal expenses not mentioned as part
of the itinerary. Options:• Extra hotel nights and guide services priced on request.
PAYMENTA deposit of $1,850 per person is due on registration ($1,000 non-refundable), with the balance due by January 5, 2018. Payment due in full if registering after this date.
INSURANCETrip insurance is strongly recommended to offset financial loss should the need to cancel arise between the registration date and the start of the tour. Pre-existing medical conditions may be waived under certain policies if purchased within 15 days of the initial deposit. Act 1 Tours can arrange coverage on your behalf through AIG Travel Guard.
Act 1 Tours ❘ P.O. Box 1137 ❘ New York, NY 10159 -1137 ❘ 888.224.9829 ❘ 646.918.7401 ❘ [email protected] ❘ act1tours.com
Friday, March 2The day starts with a visit to the renowned Hermitage Museum, where we will view the many highlights of the collection with our knowledgeable guide. The morning will be spent with the Old Masters and other treasures in the Winter Palace and we continue with time in the exceptional Impressionists’ collection in the General Staff Building. Returning to the hotel we take a late lunch together in the Astoria Café and then relax before the evening staging of Die Walküre.
Saturday, March 3Today we enjoy an excursion to the magnificent Catherine Palace at Tsarskoje Selo, located in parkland south of the city and painstakingly restored from damage incurred during the last World War. The highlight is the Palace’s exceptional Amber Room and other lavish interiors. Lunch is at Daniel, a restaurant specializing in outstanding Italian cuisine. We return to the city after lunch and prepare for the late afternoon performance of Siegfried.
Sunday, March 4We visit the Russian Museum, with its exceptional collection of Russian icons and Old Masters and then the Fabergé Museum, showcasing priceless objets d’art created by the famous Saint Petersburg jewelry firm founded in 1842.After, we lunch together at Mansarda, with views over the roof tops toward St. Isaac’s Cathedral and celebrate our time together in Russia in appropriate style.Götterdämmerung starts at 5:00pm.
Monday, March 5Assisted transfers to Saint Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport.
Notes:We will be pleased to advise on air connections from North America to Saint Petersburg, connecting through one of the European hubs. Visas are required to visit Russia and passports need to be valid for at least three months after the return date. We obtain the necessary invitations/authorizations from the hotel in Saint Petersburg and can recommend the best approach to obtain your Russian visa. Ideally, you should allow 3-4 weeks to complete this process comfortably.
State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg (courtesy Christos Thrappas)
