In 2005 we created a tour following the life of Fryderyk Chopin. In 2016 we recreate this journey following the highs and lows of his life. We spend time in Warsaw and Paris then visit George Sand's home in Nohant.
The complete itinerary is detailed below. You can also take the holiday in smaller parts (6 nights in Warsaw or 5 nights Paris & Nohant). Please see below for the costs of the shorter durations. Mallorca is no longer included in the itinerary this year.
Our journey starts in Warsaw where Chopin spent his early years as a child prodigy. We stay 6 nights at the 5* Sofitel Victoria which has an excellent location overlooking Pilsudki Square close to the opera house and just a short walk from the old town.
In Warsaw we have a recital of Chopin works as well as a unique concert at the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall given by the graduates of the Fryderyk Chopin Music University. We also happen to be in town at the same time as the Polish National Opera so we have secured stall seats for two international quaity performances of Verdi's Aida and Donizetti's Maria Stuarda.
We have a complete schedule of sightseeing and visits included in Warsaw and also travel to the hamlet of Żelazowa Wola to visit his birthplace and enjoy a Sunday morning recital.
In 1831 aged 21 he left for Paris never to return. Before the end of the year he had received his first major endorsement from his contemporary Robert Schumann who, reviewing the Op.2 Variations declared "Hats off, gentlemen! A genius". In February 1832 he gave his first solo recital at the Salle Pleyel drawing universal admiration. Chopin's Paris in the 1830's was also the world of such creative powers as Berlioz, Liszt, Hiller & Delacroix.
Wednesday 1st June we fly directly from Warsaw to Paris and stay two nights in the heart of the city (4* hotel). During our stay we include an evening cruise on the Seine, a welcome dinner and a walking tour of the Paris of Chopin, Sand and their amis as well as visiting his grave in the iconic Père-Lachaise cemetery.
We have arranged a private recital of the rarely performed chamber works of Chopin during our stay in Paris.
In 1836 Chopin met the author George Sand - less than 5' tall, cigar smoking and more often than not sporting men's attire Sand was as notorious for her many affaires as she was famous for her novels. Sand wrote of their early relationship "I must say I was confused and amazed at the effect this little creature had on me ... I have still not recovered from my astonishment, and if I were a proud person I should be feeling humiliated at having been carried away". They spent their summers at Sand's home in Nohant where she held house parties for the artistic, literary & musical elite of the day.
Friday 3rd June we travel by private coach from Paris with a stop at Monet's Garden at Giverny before contiuing south via Orleans to the area of Nohant and La Châtre in the very heart of France where George Sand’s country house still exists today.
This picturesque area in the very heart of France is our home for the next three nights and we have planned the date to coincide with the first weekend of the Festival Musique au Pays de George Sand.
Our two included concerts here are:
Saturday 4th June – the renowned pianist Arcadi Volodos performs a recital of Chopin works
Sunday 5th June – the astonishing pianist Nicolas Angelich (who many of you will know from his regular appearances in Lugano) partners with cellist Edgar Moreau for a programme including works by Brahms, Schumann & Shostakovich.
We stay at at the 4* Les Dryades Golf & Spa Resort which is located about 7 miles from La Châtre and as we will have our own coach for the weekend we will have easy access to all of the facilities whilst having a relaxing and good quality place to stay.
During the day we will visit some of the beautiful countryside and villages of the ‘Pays George Sand’ including Gargilesse (noted as one of the most beautiful villages of France) where Sand ‘escaped’ to her cottage and the Moulin d’Angibault, an old mill featured in one of her novels and still in existence today.
Monday 6th June after breakfast we return to Paris making a stop for a visit and chance for lunch at the classic Loire Chateau of Chambord before continuing onto Paris CDG for our flight back to the UK.
flight details:
| 26 May | Liverpool | Warsaw | W6 1312 | 1115 | 1445 |
| 01 June | Warsaw | Paris CDG | AF 1147 | 1245 | 1510 |
| 06 June | Paris CDG | Manchester | AF 1168 | 1820 | 1845 |
flights are also available from Luton & Heathrow - please call for details.
Costs of shorter versions of the tour:
Warsaw only (six nights): £1295 per person sharing a twin or double room; £1495 for a double room, sole use.
Paris & Nohant only (five nights): £1195 per person sharing a twin or double room; £1495 for a double sole use
