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Savonlinna Opera Trip dates : Sunday 13 – Sunday 20
July 2008 Trip Price : £ 1,950 per person
sharing in a double/twin room Activity
Level: Four walking days,
1 to 3 hours daily. Lakeside and forest paths, fairly flat, though can be
muddy or stony underfoot. Phone/Fax : +44-(0)1722-716 167 Download a PDF (422
kB) with trip details |
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The midsummer
Opera Festival at Savonlinna in Finland is internationally famed, not just
for the calibre of the performances, but for its magical setting in a mediaeval
castle rising dramatically out of the lake. Further north, the Kuhmo Chamber
Music Festival attracts artists and audiences from all over the world – this
year’s themes are the history of string quartets and music composed for Kings
and aristocrats. Our visit features forest walks and boat trips to explore
this idyllic region of silver birch forest and tranquil lakes, 4 chamber
music concerts, plus 2 opera performances: THE FLYING DUTCHMAN - WAGNER RIGOLETTO – VERDI In Kuhmo we
encounter the vast forests of the archetypal Finnish landscape and between
Savonlinna and Helsinki we travel along the old King’s Road, where the
brightly painted wooden houses reflect both 17C Swedish and 18C Russian
architectural influences. We finish the trip in the lively and very
attractive capital, Helsinki. In summer the city enjoys long hours of
sunshine, pavement cafes flourish and impromptu art shows and street theatre
entertain passers-by. It is delightful to wander the wide, tree-lined avenues
admiring the beautifully preserved Art Nouveau facades, Alvar Aalto's
contemporary architectural masterpieces, and the fine Neo-Classical buildings
which line the busy quaysides. During the week we sample Finland's summer
specialities including reindeer steak, fabulously fresh seafood, wild forest
mushrooms and tangy Arctic cloudberries. |
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