Monday 20 May

AM
Arrive at London Airport. Welcome by London Arts Tour Director. Transfer by private coach to the Hampshire Hotel, Leicester Square, a luxurious five-star hotel nestling in a corner of the square, and extremely convenient for Theatreland as well as Chinatown, Soho and Piccadilly Circus. Check in.

PM
Cocktails and Briefing on all aspects of the tour from extra performances and major exhibitions to recommended restaurants.

EVE
Welcome Dinner in the Penthouse Suite at the hotel, so that when jet-lag hits, participants may return to their rooms in their own time.

Tuesday 21 May

AM
Britain Now. A discussion with a leading JOURNALIST or POLITICAL COMMENTATOR on major issues of the day : Terrorism and the world response, Government, Europe and the Euro, Social Issues.

AFTERNOON FREE

EVE LADY
WINDERMERE'S FAN by Oscar Wilde. Vanessa Redgrave and her daughter Joely Richardson star in Sir Peter Hall's new production. The upright and priggish Lady Windermere is so crushed by her husband's attention to the notorious Mrs. Erlynne that she contemplates an affair with her admirer, Lord Darlington . Theatre Royal, Haymarket Post-performance discussion with a leading MEMBER of the Company.

Wednesday 22 May

AM
Choosing the Plays. GRAHAM WHYBROW , Literary Manager of the Royal Court Theatre, will talk about the stunning refurbishment of the theatre and its responsibilities as The National Theatre of New Writing in Britain as well as its role as one of the leading theatres in the world for the encouragement of new writers.

AFTERNOON FREE

EVE
BACCHAI by Euripides (c 405 BC) in a new version by Colin Teevan, with music by Harrison Birtwistle. Directed by Sir Peter Hall, many of whose most acclaimed productions over the last 20 years have been concerned with the Greek myths. Olivier Theatre at the Royal National Theatre

Thursday 23 May

MORNING FREE

PM
HUMBLE BOY by Charlotte Jones. This world premiere is a comedy about broken vows, failed hopes and beekeeping. Directed by John Caird, with Felicity Kendal (Fallen Angels) and Simon Russell Beale (RNT Hamlet). Gielgud Theatre

EVE
PLAY 4 : Perhaps a PERFORMANCE AT THE ROYAL NATIONAL THEATRE, on London's South Bank, and the flagship of British Theatre where the finest actors, directors and designers often produce work of exceptional quality. With its three theatres, the Olivier, Lyttelton and Cottesloe, it offers an unrivalled range of classics, new plays and spectacular musicals, as well as pre-performance music, a wide range of catering, and a wonderful bookshop.

Friday 24 May

MORNING FREE

PM
Celebrity Tea. Traditional afternoon tea with as special guest one of the leading ACTORS from one of the plays in our programme.

EVE
My One and Only New Gershwin- based musical confection set in the roaring Twenties. Janie Dee returns to the West End for the first time since her role in Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential for which she won Olivier, Evening Standard, and Critics'Circle Awards. Piccadilly Theatre

Saturday 25 May

AM
Critical Round-Up. A chance to compare your views with one of London's leading critics, perhaps BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE of The Times, MICHAEL BILLINGTON of The Guardian or MATT WOLF of Variety.

PM
Fly to Florence. Transfer by private coach to the Savoy Hotel, Piazza della Repubblica, in the centre of Florence, surrounded by the major monuments and the most exclusive shops. Check in. EVE Concert Performance by the LAKATOS ENSEMBLE, an exciting Hungarian Gypsy group, at the Teatro della Pergola.

Sunday 26 May

AM
IN THE STEPS OF MICHELANGELO - a tour dedicated to one of the most famous Renaissance artists, including visits to the Galleria dell'Accademia, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Bargello.

PM
DIE ENTFUHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL by W. A. Mozart at the Teatro della Pergola.

EVENING FREE

Monday 27 May

MORNING FREE

PM
PRIVATE VISIT to the Casa Buonarroti Museum. Michelangelo bought this house for his family, and it contains wonderful early masterpieces.

EVE
Depart by private coach for a PRIVATE VISIT to the Nipozzano Castle, including a guided tour of the cellars, a wine tasting and a "tasting dinner". The estate of Nipozzano, located in the Florentine Chianti region, is the headquarters of the famous Frescobaldi wine programme. Nipozzano is still a family home, which gives it a warm and authentic feeling, while its beautiful setting and exquisitely redecorated rooms make this a unique visit.

Tuesday 28 May

AM
Introduction to the Maggio Musicale by CARLO MELLA of the Teatro Comunale, at the Hotel.

PM
Craftsman in Florence - a specialist tour on foot. We first visit The Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, which is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, established by the Dominicans just after 1221. We continue to the workshops of Bartolozzi and Maioli, where, thanks to expert wood-carvers, careful and meticulous restorations are carried out; and Brandimarte, where we shall see how silver was worked centuries ago, and still is today.

EVENING FREE

Wednesday 29 May

Depart from Florence to London and then to U.S.A.

SUMMARY

ACCOMMODATION
5 nights at the Hampshire Hotel, London
4 nights at the Savoy Hotel, Florence

MEALS
Welcome Dinner
Celebrity Tea
Dinner in the Tuscan countryside

PERFORMANCES (7) Perhaps West End, Donmar Warehouse, Royal Court, RNT, New Play in London, and a concert and opera in Florence.

DISCUSSIONS
Briefing
Britain Now
Post-performance with actor
Choosing the Plays
Critical round-up
Introduction to the Maggio Musicale

VISITS
Michelangelo Tour
Casa Buonarroti Museum
Nipozzano Castle and Wine Tasting
Craftsmen in Florence

COACHING
To and from London and Florence airports for one specified group flight, and all events not within easy walking distance of the hotels, all sightseeing excursions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

NUMBERS
A minimum of 20 people paying and a maximum of 35 unless agreed otherwise. If the numbers drop below this level, it may be necessary to make a surcharge or to cut back on activities.

FREE PLACES
One free place is offered provided the minimum number is reached.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
The price of participation in the tour includes the cost of sharing a twin or double bedded room. The single supplement is the additional cost incurred when one person stays in a room on his/her own. Many hotels in Europe now charge the same price for the room whether occupied by one or two people.

CANCELLATION OF BOOKING
All notices of cancellation must be received in writing. The following cancellation charges normally apply .

For cancellations received more between three and two calendar months before departure: 25% deposit. .

For cancellations received between two and one calendar months before departure: 50% of tour price. .

For cancellations received one month to fourteen days before departure: 75% of tour price.

For cancellations received less than 14 days before departure: 100% of tour price.

TOUR CANCELLATION
London Arts must reserve the right not to operate any tour for which there are insufficient bookings. Full payment, including deposit, will be refunded.

NOT INCLUDED
Meals, unless specified, or events not in the itinerary or any other items of a purely personal nature. An event described as 'optional' is not included in the tour price.

INSURANCE
Travellers are recommended to insure against cancelling their tour. Adequate medical expenses and travel insurance are essential. Travellers are strongly advised to arrange this through the travel agent. London Arts will not be responsible under any circumstances for expenses incurred under either of these headings.

LIABILITIES
London Arts undertakes to exercise all due diligence to ensure that the arrangements booked are provided in accordance with the agreed itinerary. Since the arrangements involve independent parties not employed by nor under the control of London Arts, they accept no responsibility for and shall not be liable for any loss, damage or injury caused by events such as (but not limited to) strikes, industrial action, government action, natural disasters, fire, flood, technical, weather problems affecting transport, cancellation of performances, performances/cast changes or similar events beyond their control. If any event included in the itinerary is not held, for whatever reason, London Arts will endeavour to arrange a comparable alternative.

GOVERNING LAW
The terms and conditions as stated herein are subject to English Law.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ORGANISATION SPONSORING THE TOUR TO BRING THESE CONDITIONS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE TOUR PARTICIPANTS. LONDON ARTS DISCOVERY TOURS, 55 & 56 ST MARTIN'S LANE, LONDON WC2N 4EA TELEPHONE: 020 7836 3200 FAX: 020 7836 4200.

13 March 2002