Take in the opera in Santa Fe this summer

Char White's "Tour-of-the-Month," set for July 10-14 takes in Santa Fe and the city's opera. The featured opera is "The Barber of Seville."

This five-day-four night trip aboard a comfortable coach with great accommodations in Albuquerque at the Inn of the Governor's provides a great get-away from heat and boredom which can be a part of a desert summer.

This venture takes participants through lush lowlands of the Rio Grande River Valley on the way to Albuquerque. The hotel is right in the Plaza area with lots of shops and nightlife available within walking distance.

Full breakfasts are offered along with exciting side trips excursions. These include an informative Santa Fe City tour with Stephanie Beninato who holds a Ph.D. in Southwest history from the University of New Mexico.

Stops include the Loretto Chapel with its miraculous staircase and the Wheel Right Museum.

Other adventures will take travelers to Los Alamos, Bandelier, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Taos.

Time will be available for more exploration of the history and museums as well as leisurely walks to visit shrines and learn much more about the charms and enchantments of New Mexico. Great cuisine and entertainment are also a part of this inspiring tour.

Dining includes meals at a unique cantina, La Casa Sena, with singing waiters and a Flamenco show by Maria Benitez's group, the largest Spanish dance touring company in the country, and a great buffet supper the night of the opera on the grounds of the Santa Fe Opera House.

The opera extravaganza, "The Barber of Seville" (Rossini) takes place at the state-of-the-art Santa Fe Opera's dramatic award-winning adobe theater with a nearly 360-degree panorama with the Sangre de Cristos to the east and the Jemez mountains to the west. The evening also includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the stage, costume area, and more.

Price for this adventure is $963 per person with double occupancy and $1,283 for a single reservation. Char will make every effort to pair up those who wish to share to take advantage of the better price. Reservation deadline is May 5.

For more information, call Char White at 648-1482. Checks can be made payable to Tour-of-the-Month and sent to 18045 S. Placita Octubre, Green Valley, AZ 85614.

The trip for Green Valley travelers begins at the Bashas'/Wal-Mart Plaza. The coach departs at 7:30 a.m. on July 10.

Sahuarita resident ga‘l P. Mustaph‡ is a free-lance writer for the Green Valley News.