After two nights in the former Polish capital city of Cracow, with one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe, we cross the High Tatra mountain range on the ancient trade route to the towns of the Spiss region, once wealthy with trade and mining but overlooked for centuries. The Gothic and Renaissance houses frame late 15th century altar carvings in the churches by Master Paul, who rivals the well-known Veit Stoss in Cracow. In 2008 a British-Slovak couple established a music festival in their adopted town with leading musicians from all over the world performing in a Rococo theatre and the great church of the former regional capital Levoca. For the fifth festival, the Stamic Quartet and the Slovak State Philharmonic and one of the most remarkable younger generation pianists, Jonathan Powell are the artists in residence. We also hear prize-winning instrumentalists from Poland, Ukraine and Russia.

We stay in a charming hotel in the former Jewish part of the Kasimierz quarter of Cracow; a renovated mediaeval house on the main square adjoining the theatre and concert hall is our Levoca hotel. As well as the excursions and recitals we meet the musicians, have exclusive introductory talks and receptions.

Levoca - the UNESCO World Heritage Site by a local artist.

Wednesday 26 September
07.45 departure of Easyjet scheduled flight from Gatwick to Cracow. Transfer to hotel. Introductory walk – St Mary’s church and the Cloth Hall. Dinner with Klezmer music.

Thursday 27 September
Cracow Further sightseeing - the Wawel (Royal palace and cathedral), the Jewish Quarter.
Chopin recital if possible.

Friday 28 September
Coach over the High Tatras, pausing for lunch, to Levoca to hotel
7pm Concert : Yevgeny Kostritskyy (violin) and Katerina Kulikova (piano)
Beethoven Violin Sonata in C minor Op30/2; Schnittke Suite in Olden Style; Prokofiev 4 pieces from Romeo & Juliet; Bizet/Waxmann Carmen Fantasy

Saturday 29 September
Church of St James, Master Paul house, town walls and private houses
3pm Concert : Haydn Baryton Trio of Budapest
Haydn Divertimento for trio and two horns; Maros, Tomassini, Burgksteiner, Liedl
7pm Concert : Stamic Quartet, Eldar Nebolsin (piano)
Mozart String Quartet in G K387; Klein String Trio; Franck Piano Quintet

Sunday 30 September
Spiss Castle, Cathedral and Chapter
7pm Concert: Stamic Quartet, Jozef Luptak (cello)
Mozart String Quartet in D minor K421; J B Foerster String Quartet No 4; Schubert String Quintet

Monday 1 October
3pm Concert : Jonathan Powell and Irena Powell Piano duets including Schubert, Mozart and Lutoslawski
7pm Concert : Jozef Lupták (cello) and friends Brahms Piano Trio Op87 etc

Tuesday 2 October
3pm Concert : Jonathan Powell (piano) Albinez Iberia (complete)
7pm Concert: Bartok Quartet Haydn String Quartet op.77/3 Rider; Bartok Quartet No. 6; Mozart Quartet K465

Wednesday 3 October
Wooden Protestant church at Kezmarok and into the mountains
7pm Concert: State Philharmonic with Eldar Nebolsin (piano)
Weber Jubilee Overture; Mozart Piano Concerto in C minor K491; Hummel Ballet music Sappho

Thursday 4 October
Coach to Cracow Airport for scheduled Easyjet flight Cracow 12.25 arrive Gatwick South 13.55

Please note : Return on 4 October (not as in brochure)
Tuesday 25 September Hilton Hotel at Gatwick South for £90/room
Flights from other airports possible