Berlin · In the world of classical music, Berlin is a buzzing hive, with stellar concerts every...

All of us who love to travel and experience great cities and culture have been severely hit by the recent worldwide pandemic. Closed borders, cancelled flights, dark concert halls and museums and socially-distanced restaurants have all taken their toll on our love to travel. But it won’t be forever, and even as I write this in May 2020, Europe is starting to “re-open,” with good progress in re-establishing a strong and vibrant cultural life. If any nation can do it, I have a lot of faith in Germany and the German people, and the centre of the activity will undoubtedly be the marvelous and resilient capital of Berlin. In the world of classical music, Berlin is a buzzing hive, with stellar concerts every night of the week. For our Worldwide Quest music tour to Berlin in April 2021, I’ve selected a raft of wonderful concerts with some of the world’s top artists and ensembles, including opera, choral music and symphonic and chamber orchestra concerts, with big names like pianists Yefim Bronfman and Sir Andras Schiff, baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside, and violinists Isabelle Faust and Frank Peter Zimmermann. We’ll hear most of the Berlin-based orchestras in a wide variety of repertoire, including the renowned Berlin Philharmonic in their home venue of the Philharmonie, as well as operas at the famed Staatsoper and the Deutsche Oper.

My daily informal talks and discussion about the artists and music, guided tours of the many fascinating Berlin museums and galleries, a day trip to nearby Potsdam, and scrumptious meals will fill our days. But ample free time has been built in to allow you to explore this historical European capital on your own, or shop, revisit a museum, or just relax. I’ve been to Berlin many times, and I am always knocked out by the amount of classical music that goes on, and the incredibly high standard.

It will be my pleasure to be your personal tour host and guide for this springtime music tour to Berlin. With music-making of this calibre, I know it will be an unforgettable Worldwide Quest music tour – the experience of a lifetime!

– Rick Phillips

BerlinA RICK PHILLIPS MUSIC TOURApril 15 – 24, 2021

TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9

Indulge in outstanding classical music

Enrich your understanding with Rick’s daily presentations

Visit Berlin’s grand museums

Rick Phillips worked in the Music Dept. of CBC Radio for 30 years, 14 of which he was Host/Producer of SOUND ADVICE, the popular guide to classical music and recordings heard twice every weekend across Canada. He’s an experienced writer, teacher, musical tour guide - often a juror in the classical music categories for the Juno Awards, and the author of “The Essential Classical Recordings – 101 CDs.”


GERMANY

POLAND

DENMARK

CZECHIA

Berlin

Prague

Copenhagen

Hamburg

Frankfurt

Cologne

Tour Leader

Signature Moments Map

Rick has selected seven concerts for us – excellent seats. We will let you know as soon as tickets become available for purchase.

April 16 Mozart: Opera The Magic Flute at Staatsoper Unter den Linden

April 17 Concert with Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin at Konzerthaus. Mozart, J.C. Bach

April 18 Concert with Deutsch SO/Robin Ticciati, Isabelle Faust at the Philharmonie. Schoenberg, Brahms Requiem

April 19 Concert with the Bremen Chamber Phil./Albrecht Mayer. Konzerthaus. Mozart, Gossec

April 21 Mozart: Don Giovanni at the Deutsche Oper Berlin

April 22 ConcertwithBerlinPhil./YefimBronfmanatThePhilharmonie.Brahms,Sibelius

April 23 ConcertwithStaatskapelleBerlin/SirAndrasSchiffatPierreBoulezHall.AllBach

Performances

Saturday, April 17: BerlinFollowing Rick’s presentation, we’ll have a guided visit of the Boros Collection, a private gallery of contemporary art housed in a WWII-era bunker. The afternoon is at leisure before meeting for a pre-concert dinner, followed by a performance and the Konzerthaus. PERFORMANCE: 2000, Concert with Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin at Konzerthaus. Mozart, J.C. BachOvernight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sunday, April 18: BerlinAfter Rick’s presentation, take a short walk to the Gemaldegalerie for a guided tour of the highlights of one of the world’s finest collections of European art with masterpieces by Titian, Gainsborough, and Rembrandt among many others. The afternoon is at leisure before our pre-concert dinner, followed by the performance at the Philharmonie. PERFORMANCE: 2000, Concert with Deutsch SO/Robin Ticciati, Isabelle Faust at the Philharmonie. Schoenberg + Brahms RequiemOvernight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Monday, April 19: BerlinExplore Berlin’s Inner City on foot this morning with a local architect. Cutting through the city along Friedrichstraße, our walk begins at one of the most famous urban buildings of classic modernism, the IG Metall house by Erich Mendelsohn dating from 1927. The area of southern Friedrichstadt, being the central area of the Internationale Bauausstellung in the years 1984-87, was a place of pilgrimage for architects in the 80s. Thirty plus years later, new things comes into being: a self-determined place to live and work near the former central flower market and the new media campus of the Axel Springer publishing house at Checkpoint Charlie. The tour ends with the lighthouse projects in the historical heart of Berlins center: the construction sites of the Humboldt Forum (former city palace) and the new entrance building to the Museum Island. PERFORMANCE: 2000, Concert with the Bremen Chamber Phil./Albrecht Mayer. Konzerthaus. Mozart, GossecOvernight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

Each performance day will start with Rick’s presentation on the artists and the music you will hear. This will be followed by a guided visit to a single gallery or museum or a guided walk. Afternoons are free for individual activities or to relax before evening performances.

Thursday, April 15: Meet in BerlinParticipants make independent arrangements to arrive at our city centre hotel. Meet Rick and participants this afternoon for a briefing followed by dinner together. Overnight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Dinner

Friday, April 16: BerlinRick’s morning talk on the music precedes our introductory morning walk in the historic ‘Mitte’ area. Start our guided walk in Potsdamer Platz to note the many building by star architects. Continue to the landmark Brandenburg Gate, once the symbol of division and now epitomizing reunification, to the moving Holocaust Memorial, and on to the Reichstag, home of the German parliament crowned by Norman Foster’s glass dome. The afternoon is at leisure before meeting for a pre-concert dinner, followed by our first performance. PERFORMANCE: 1900, Mozart: Opera The Magic Flute at Staatsoper Unter den Linden Overnight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Dinner


“Rick’s morning talks and information sessions were excellent. This greatly enhances the enjoyment and

appreciation of the performances.” – S.H., 2019 Vienna traveller

Detail of Pergamon Altar in Pergamon Museum

Detailed Itinerary

Tuesday, April 20: Excursion to PotsdamVisit the glorious Sanssouci gardens and palace at nearby Potsdam. Designed by Frederick the Great in the mid 1700s as a place to live “without worries”, the park is resplendent, and the palace is a rococo gem. Enjoy lunch in Potsdam with time to explore the town centre with its Dutch quarter and cathedral. No performances are scheduled today.Overnight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

Wednesday, April 21: BerlinFollowing Rick’s presentation, meet our guide and head out on foot to Museum Island, Berlin’s treasure trove of art and artefacts spread over five grand museums on half of Spree Island. Today we’re having a guided tour of the highlights of the Neues Museum showcasing the Egyptian Collection. The museum was recently restored by star architect David Chipperfield. Enjoy lunch at the museum and continue your visit independently. You’ll have a three-day museum pass to allow you free entry to all the museums on the island and more. PERFORMANCE: 1900, Mozart: Don Giovanni at the Deutsche Oper BerlinOvernight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

Thursday, April 22: BerlinFollowing Rick’s presentation, we return to Museum Island for a guided visit of the Pergamon Museum with its monumental architecture of the ancient world including Babylon’s Ishtar Gate, the Roman Market Gage of Miletus, and the Caliph’s Palace of Mshatta. Note that the Pergamon Altar room is closed for renovations until 2023. Explore the other museums on the island independently this afternoon, then meet for our pre-concert dinner. PERFORMANCE: 20:00, Concert with Berlin Phil./Yefim Bronfman at The Philharmonie. Brahms + SibeliusOvernight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Friday, April 23: BerlinRick’s wrap up presentation brings it all together this morning. Then visit the Museum of Musical Instruments located in Berlin’s Culture Forum. Here we’ll see objects from Baroque wind instruments to precursors to the synthesizer and a variety of little-seen instruments from the ages. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before our celebratory dinner this evening. PERFORMANCE: 1930, Concert with Staatskapelle Berlin/Sir Andras Schiff at Pierre Boulez Hall. All BachOvernight: Mandala Hotel, BerlinMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Saturday, April 24: Depart BerlinThis morning, participants make independent arrangements to transfer to the airport for homeward bound flights. Meals: Breakfast

Note: The itinerary and accommodation is subject to change. Weather changes, logistical arrangements or local events, may require changes in the published itinerary. Performance schedules and ticket availability correct at time of printing and subject to change.


“I had never had the pleasure of travelling with Rick before and I hope to go on another one of his trips!

The choice of concerts was wonderful; our seats were excellent; I loved the variety and opportunity to see

the different venues in this beautiful city.” – A.C., 2019 Vienna traveller

Gemaldegalerie

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What’s Included:• Accommodation based on double occupancy in hotel listed

or similar• Breakfast daily• Meals as indicated in the itinerary• Sightseeing with qualified English-speaking guides• Guided walks with Whisper earphones• Entrance fees to sites visited with the group• Berlin six-day transit pass• Berlin three-day museum pass• Rick Phillips’s presentations • Gratuities for escort, local guides, drivers, hotel and group meals • Taxes • Fully escorted by Rick Phillips Payment Details:

A non-refundable deposit of C$500 per person plus the cost of the performance tickets is required to reserve a space on this tour. A second non-refundable deposit of C$2000 per person is required seven months prior to departure. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Not Included:• Roundtrip airfare from your home to join the tour• Arrival and departure transfers • Meals other than those mentioned above• Beverages with meals• Fuel surcharges, if applicable• Excess baggage charges• Items of a personal nature• Travel insurance• Additional arrangements required due to any emergency

or other situation• Any item not mentioned in “What’s Included”

Brandenburg Gate


Tour Cost (per person): Approx. C$5245Including all taxes and gratuities

Single Supplement: Approx. C$1350We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to do so,

the single supplement will apply and will be collected with balance payment at 90 days prior to departure.

Performance Tickets: Approx. €950 (Approx C$1,400)

Group Size: 12 – 15 participants

Tour Details


What to ExpectJoining InstructionsThis tour begins with our welcome briefing at 6PM followed by dinner on April 15. Please ensure that you arrive in Berlin by 3PM to join the group. Travellers make independent arrangements for transfers from the airport to hotel on arrival and from hotel to airport on departure.

Level of Activity: ModerateWe will be doing a fair bit of walking on this tour to enjoy the city centre. You should be comfortable with walking and standing in museums for up to two hours at a stretch unassisted.

AccommodationWe are staying at the comfortable five-star hotel Mandala Hotel at Potsdamer Platz in the centre of the city within easy walking distance of a slew of major sights. The hotel has fitness studio, spa, and two restaurants, one of which is the two-star Michelin “Facil”. Rooms are light-filled and decorated in refined colours.

Transportation We will be exploring Berlin on foot and using public transportation. Our hotel is a 10 minute walk to the Philharmonie and a 20-minute walk (or 3 stops on the Ubahn) from the Konzerthaus.

WeatherWe expect partly cloudy skies with average daytime temperatures of about 18°C and overnight lows of about 10°C. We may experience some brief showers; a rainproof coat is recommended.

Travel DocumentsYou will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. A visa is not required for Canadian passport holders. Before booking, please refer to the Canadian government website to obtain travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting: www.travel.gc.ca .

Museum Island,Television Tower


Additional InfoExtend your StayIf you are interested in exploring more of this region, we would be happy to design a personalized extension for you either before or after this tour. Please let us suggest some options, based on your time available, budget and interests. Terms and ConditionsFor additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # 2667946).

Cancellation PolicyAll payments are non-refundable, however you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. Initial deposits for cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your second payment and your final payment are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing.

Travel InsuranceWe urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours.

Worldwide Explorers ClubTravel twice with us and you become a member of the Worldwide Explorers Club. Earn 5% off all your subsequent, catalogue-advertized group tours. The bonus is non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or credit. Note that some exceptions may apply. Members also get access to special offers and exploratory tours!

HowtoBookPlease contact the Worldwide Quest office for more information and to secure your booking. 1-800-387-1483 | 416-633-5666 | [email protected]

We can plan this tour:• For your dates• For your specific interests• And we deliver all our

signature touches…

We’ll tailor most of our small group tours to suit your time frame, budget, and interests, or plan a completely customized itinerary to suit your exact specifications. With a Worldwide Quest Private Journey, you have the same attention to detail, logistical expertise, and imaginative details of our small group tours, expertly designed especially for you, as a couple, a family, or a group of friends. Private Journey are surprisingly affordable. Please call us to get started.

Can’t make the dates of this tour?Make it a Private Journey!

TICO#: 2667946


The Worldwide Quest Experience Designing travel is an art and a craft. It’s creating a combination of special unforgettable experiences complemented by flawless technical proficiency. Making sure you travel well is a skill that comes with insider knowledge, know-how and imagination. It’s something we’ve been doing since 1970; creating unique itineraries for curious travellers to some of the world’s most intriguing destinations. Every trip we create features these essentials:

Discovery and Enrichment Our expert leaders and hosts, both North American and local, bring scholarship, specialized knowledge, and congeniality. They ensure not only that all the details of your travels are flawlessly taken care of but also provide a grass roots understanding of the context of what you’re seeing and experiencing.

Small Group Size Small truly is beautiful. Small allows us the joy of intimate experiences in accommodation and touring. Small means we can all sit around a table for meals and get to know each other, to hear what our tour leaders are saying, ask questions, and delve deeper.

Responsibility We consider the impact of our travels on the places we visit and travel to reduce our footprint. We connect with local communities where we travel.

Value We respect the investment you make in your travels. It’s important to us that you are delighted by your experience; that your anticipation is not only satisfied but rewarded. We strive to fill our tours with Signature Moments that you carry home in your heart.

Our Commitment to You We design each and every itinerary we offer and we offer an outstanding variety of unique experiences on every journey. We relentlessly stay abreast of accommodation choices for exceptional location, quality and service. We constantly monitor destination developments for special opportunities and any changes in security.

Because we manage the quality of the experience on all our Small Group Tours and Private Journeys firsthand, we are confident that we will meet your expectations. We respect your time and your budget and are keenly aware that your travel dreams are precious. Travellers who enjoy the Worldwide Quest experience return to us to enjoy our fine portfolio of tours because they know where ever they travel around the world we deliver what we promise.

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Berlin · In the world of classical music, Berlin is a buzzing hive, with stellar concerts every...

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