* Martin Randall Travel (020-8742 3355) prides itself on a high level of care on meticulously organised tours.
* ACE Study Tours (01223 835055) emphasises enjoyable lifelong learning on foreign tours and short UK courses.
* Andante (01722 713800) majors in archaeology and ancient history and its Bare Bones offshoot with more free time welcomes children over ten.
* Travel for the Arts (020-8799 8350) snaps up tickets for top opera and ballet performances.
* Kirker (0870 4211201) has escorted opera and music festival holidays in Europe.
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* Special Tours (020-7730 2297) aims for a “balance between a holiday and an academic study tour”.
* Chamber Music Holidays (01202 528328) has holidays for music lovers who play or just wish to listen.
* Prospect (01227 773545) this year has added several classical music and opera cruises to its portfolio of cultural tours.
* International Festival Bureau (0870 842 2211) arranges travel, accommodation and tickets to arts festivals, concerts and operas across the continent