Tuscany draws it's modern name from the ancient kingdom of Etruria and it's inhabitants, the Etruscans, whose early history is inextricably entangled with the rise to power of Rome.

This tour of the Czech Republic takes US through the countryside, following the River Vltava to Prague, visiting some of the great buildings that lie on it's course. Included are works by Smetana and... more

Sicily has a remarkably varied history. From the 9th century BC it served as a Phoenician outpost and was later colonized by the Greeks, then became part of the Carthaginian Empire until absorbed by... more

The great chateaux and country houses of the Loire arose largely from the decision of Francois I, who came to the throne in 1515, to move his court for part of the year to the Loire valley.

These 2 cities, one Celtic in origin, culture, and language, the other taking it's name from the conquering Norsemen, have an enchantment all their own. The landscape, tinged by the magic of history,... more

The music chosen for this tour of Shanghai is played on traditional Chinese instruments. Performing the music are the wind and string ensembles known as "silk and bamboo," from their silk strings and... more

This tour of Beijing accompanies music played on Chinese instruments and makes use of traditional works and more modern arrangements, in traditional style. The instruments include the Chinese flute... more

The music chosen for this tour of Xi'an is played on traditional Chinese instruments. The excerpts include, to accompany the terracotta warriors, a contemporary composition inspired by Zhang Ji's... more

Scenes of Provence, with it's ancient Roman remains and ancestral traditions, mingle with the coast of the Cote d'Azur with it's blue seas, rocks, and islands, and the great nature reserve of... more

The music chosen for this tour of Guilin is played on traditional Chinese instruments. Performing the music are wind and string ensembles known as "silk and bamboo," from their silk strings and... more

The music chosen for this tour or Hangzhou is played on traditional Chinese instruments. Unusually there is a Bach Minuet, transcribed for the Chinese dulcimer, the yangqin, used to accompany a visit... more