The Wales Millennium Centre, the superb auditorium and home for Welsh National Opera, offers wonderful evenings of sumptuous music.  Verdi’s deeply moving opera remains as haunting and touching as ever. La Traviata a tale of decadence, romance and devotion in 19th century Paris never fails to pull the heart strings!  Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury and Mexican tenor Carlos Osuna make debuts as Violetta and Alfredo.  Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is a ravishingly beautiful opera, both deeply affecting and funny, this stylish production sets the opera in Spain in the optimistic days of the early 1930s, after their past acclaimed performances David Soar and Rebecca Evans will once again join the cast of WNO. 

Cardiff’s historic prosperity owes much to the wealth and resources of the Marquis of Bute, but his open chequebook also provided unlimited funds to embellish his castles. The magnificent gothic fairytale fantasy work of William Burgess can be seen at Cardiff Castle and a guided tour with the Curator, Matthew Williams, is the perfect way to discover more about this spectacular decoration. The visit starts with an illustrated talk, followed by the Curator’s own guided tour of the Castle interiors ending with light refreshments.  

 A new millennium, a new era!  A tour of the Senedd, the Welsh Assembly Building, designed by architects Richards Rodgers Partnership, a sustainable building built of traditional Welsh materials and a tour of Cardiff Bay by the road train through the old docks and out to the barrage to marvel at the rejuvenation of this great city.

Staying for two nights at the luxury and very centrally located 4 star Mercure Holland House with large comfortable en-suite rooms and leisure facilities.  Parking available (fee applies) or short taxi journey from Cardiff Central station.

Thursday 1 March: Arrive for early welcome drink and dinner before attending a performance of The Marriage of Figaro.
Friday 2 March:  Morning – Cardiff Castle with the Curator.  Afternoon Cardiff Bay, visit to the Senedd,  3 course dinner in the Wales Millennium Centre before the evening performance of La Traviata.

Saturday 3 March :  – a short walk from the hotel to visit the magnificent Impressionist Art Collection, a legacy left to Wales by the remarkable Davis sisters.  It has only recently returned to the newly refurbished galleries at the National Museum of Wales and there will be a tour of the highlights including works by Monet, van Gogh, Cézanne.  Return to the hotel in your own time for departure.   Time to enjoy Cardiff before departure. 

Tour includes:  Top price seats for two operas, 2 nights accommodation, dinner and breakfast, tours as stated and transfers to WMC. Heritage Touring guide/representative.