AN illustrious line-up of opera and musical theatre legends will entertain guests on one of two luxury, back-to-back cruises in Europe next May.
Celebrating fine music and culture, the 27-night Classical Europe tour begins with a flight from Australia to the UK on May 15 and three nights' accommodation in London, with visits to Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, the backstage workshops of the Royal Opera House, and the Wallace Collection art exhibition at Hertford House.
The journey then moves to sea with a seven-night "Bravo" performing arts cruise from Southampton aboard the 2900-passenger cruise ship Celebrity Silhouette.
The round-trip cruise to three ports in Spain and France features performances by some of musical theatre's finest voices including Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins, English tenor Alfie Boe and New Zealand baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes as well as performances by the National Symphony Orchestra and cellist and conductor Julian Lloyd Webber.
In the Spanish city of Bilbao, the itinerary includes a private tour of the Guggenheim Museum followed by an exclusive reception in the museum's atrium.
Back in Southampton, travellers will remain onboard for a 14-night round-trip cruise to Russia, Scandinavia and Germany. Ports include the medieval city of Tallinn, the Finnish capital of Helsinki and the pretty islands and cobblestoned streets of Stockholm.
The cruise tour, offered by Cruise Express, is available from $12,990 per person twin share.
- 1300-764-509, www.cruiseexpress.com.au