LES INTREPIDES LASSITER HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ADVENT SING IN VIENNA WITH PRE-EXTENSION TO VENICE AND SALZBURG NOVEMBER 20 28, 2016

Transcription

1 LES INTREPIDES AN INFORMATION MEETING WITH A PRESENTATION BY AN MCI REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED ON RD DECEMBER 3 AT A TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER, IN THE CHORUS ROOM SUGGESTED ITINERARY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2016 DEPART FROM ATLANTA Depart Atlanta on a flight bound for Venice, Italy. Select meals, snacks and refreshments will be served on the flight. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2016 VENICE, ITALY Arrive at the Venice Marco Polo Airport and proceed through customs and baggage claim and meet your Music Contact International Tour Manager. Transfer from the airport via motor launch to your hotel on Venice Island. Considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the world, Venice is situated on an archipelago on the water. Canals crisscross the city streets, acting as channels of transportation and giving the city its unique atmosphere. Venice also has a tremendous harbor where ships from around the world can be seen at berth. The city is made up of 118 islands, over 450 bridges, and more than 180 canals. The city of Venice is built on a patchwork of more than 100 low-lying islands. To overcome this obstacle, early Venetian builders created unique building techniques erecting structures with impermeable stone supported by larchwood rafts and timber piles. This technique proved to be effective, as most existing Venetian structures are at least 400 years old. Discover Venice at your leisure, stopping for lunch on your own. This afternoon walk to your Island hotel and check in to your rooms. Your luggage will be waiting in the hotel luggage room. A welcome dinner will be arranged for your choir at a local restaurant. After dinner, return to the hotel for the night. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016 VENICE CONCERT* After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a city tour of Venice, which will include sights such as the Piazza San Marco, the city s principal public square, and the famous Bridge of Sighs, which offenders crossed many decades ago on their way to the State interrogators. See the popular Rialto Bridge with its many shops. Following the tour, enjoy free time for lunch before your gondola ride on the Canal Grande - nothing is as reminiscent of Venice as the gondoliers and their boats! In the evening, transfer to St. Mark s Basilica, the most famous of the city s churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture, where your choir will sing mass*. Following mass, have dinner on your own in Venice before returning to your hotel via public bus. -1-

2 LES INTREPIDES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016 VENICE SALZBURG CONCERT Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then check out and load your luggage onto the motor coach. Depart for a scenic drive to Salzburg, Austria. En route to Salzburg, stop in Udine, Italy, a city situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps, for a friendship concert* at a local high school. After the concert, get to know the students of your Italian host choir before continuing on to Salzburg, stopping for lunch at Auto Grill. Upon arrival, embark on a walking orientation of Salzburg. Following your walk, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel by foot. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 SALZBURG CONCERT* Following breakfast in the hotel dining room enjoy a Sound of Music tour: Visit the sights associated with the famous von Trapp family and the film that immortalized them, The Sound of Music. See Leopoldskron, the mansion whose façade was used as part of the von Trapp home in the film. You will also catch a glimpse of Nonnberg Abbey, where Maria was a novice and where she and the baron were married in The opening scene in the movie with the nuns attending mass and Maria coming in late were filmed here. The abbey is the oldest convent in the Germanspeaking part of Europe. Next, visit Hellbrunn Palace, a hunting castle built in the early 17th century by PrinceArchbishop Markus Sittikus. In the gardens you will see the glass pavilion from the famous Sixteen going on Seventeen scene in the movie. The tour proceeds to St. Gilgen on Lake Wolfgang, which offers views of the best-known landscapes of the Salzkammergut region and is a favored weekend getaway by many Austrians including the Chancellor. Here, the Mozart Fountain recalls the connection between Mozart and this beautiful land. The tour will end at the Salzburg Cathedral where your choir has been invited to perform a mid-day concert*! The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore Salzburg in your chaperone groups! Enjoy dinner this evening from one of the great restaurants in the city. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016 SALZBURG - VIENNA CONCERTS* Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and board the motor coach to transfer to Vienna. Upon arrival in Vienna, transfer to the Rathauskeller Restaurant in Vienna s City Hall. Join choirs from across Europe and Asia participating in the Vienna Advent Sing for a delicious lunch of Austrian Specialties. Following lunch, enjoy a tour of the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty. Strolling from room to room, you re transported back to the days of the eighteenth-century when Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven called Vienna home. Perform a concert on the outdoor stage in front of this spectacular palace and its impressive Christmas -2-

3 tree and Christmas Market. Before departing, take time to explore the inviting Christmas Market in front of the palace, where local vendors offer an array of Christmas ornaments, local food and drink, and a variety of handicrafts. Following the palace visit, check into your hotel. This evening dinner is served to your choir in the hotel dining rom. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2016 VIENNA Following breakfast, meet your English- speaking guide for a guided tour of Vienna highlighting the city as home to musical masters such as Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss, and Schönberg. Trace the history of Vienna s contribution to Western music while visiting the birthplaces, home memorials, and graves of these famous composers. Pass by Stadtpark to see the gold- coated statue of the famous 19th- century musician Johann Strauss playing violin. Visit the Ringstrasse, where you can witness the grandeur of Vienna s great imperial history. An ambitious piece of city planning undertaken by the Habsburgs, Vienna s famous Ring is focused on a single street that encircles the center of Vienna where the city s medieval fortifications once stood. One of the first buildings erected on the Ringstrasse was the Votiv Church, an impressive neo- gothic edifice erected following an assassination attempt on Emperor Franz Josef in Soon thereafter, a variety of architectural styles were used when constructing buildings in this impressive area. See the University of Vienna, the Staatsoper, the Stallburg Palace, home of the world- famous Spanish Riding School, and the Hofburg, a sprawling palace that was once the primary residence of the ruling Habsburg family. See the towering neo- gothic Rathaus (City Hall), the Parliament building, which was constructed in the Greek revival style, and the stunning Kunsthistorisches (Art History) Museum all of which line this impressive city street. This afternoon your choir performs* in the Festival Hall of the Vienna City Hall in the magnificent room where Strauss first presented the Waltz to the world! There is also ample time to enjoy the music of other guest choirs from different countries. Next, your choir will enjoy a Viennese waltz lesson. This evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure before attending a concert in the Salle Terrena, an intimate performance venue in the heart of Vienna where Mozart once performed as a boy. A quartet of professional musicians from Vienna will perform a private concert for your group in this beautiful room. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 VIENNA MELK MELK ABBEY & CLOSING CEREMONY* Have breakfast before starting your day with a scenic drive to the town of Melk, located on the banks of the Danube River. Considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Austria, the stunning baroque Melk Abbey is perched on the hill above town. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and embark on a guided tour of the Abbey. The most breathtaking space in the Abbey is the magnificent Melk Abbey Church, decorated in - 3 -

4 sculptures and covered in gold leaf. The sheer beauty and outstanding acoustics of the church will leave your choir in awe. This is the venue for your choir s afternoon performance. Following your concert, enjoy listening to other choirs participating in the International Advent Sing. Each year this popular concert is a highly anticipated event for the local community and visitors to the region. This evening, all of the guest choirs meet at the Vienna City Hall for the official Closing Ceremony of the International Advent Sing. After the formalities of the ceremony, join together with all the guest choirs in singing Ode to Joy. Following the closing ceremony, transfer to Café Schottenring, a traditional Viennese restaurant in the heart of the city, for a delicious Farewell Dinner. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2016 VIENNA, AUSTRIA ATLANTA After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for Vienna s Airport and your return flight to Atlanta. *All concert opportunities proposed in this itinerary are pending final confirmation and availability at time of booking. Your group's final program will be determined by confirmed times and locations for concerts, workshops, lectures and other activities. Although your choir's exact itinerary will vary to accommodate performance schedules, the same type of concerts, activities and caliber of venue will be included in your choir's final concert tour program

5 YOUR TOUR INCLUDES: TOUR DETAILS ACCOMMODATIONS 7 nights in good quality middle class hotels, double occupancy, including all hotel service charges and taxes: 2 nights Venice Island Hotel 2 nights Salzburg 3 nights Vienna TRANSPORTATION Transportation as described in the itinerary in a modern climate controlled motor coach with a professional driver MEALS Breakfast served daily in the hotel dining room 2 lunches served as follows one in Vienna, one in Melk 4 three-course dinners served as follows Venice, Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant Salzburg, Dinner at a local restaurant Vienna, Welcome Dinner at the hotel Vienna, Farewell Dinner at Café Schottenring PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES Up to 6 performance opportunities as indicated in the itinerary, pending availability and acceptance: Venice, performance during mass at St. Mark s Udine, friendship concert at a local high school Salzburg, midday concert in Salzburg Cathedral Vienna, performance at Vienna s City Hall Vienna, pedestrian area / Christmas Market Melk, performance at Melk Abbey TOUR MANAGER A full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group from arrival to departure LOCAL GUIDES Sightseeing tours with local English-speaking guides as described in the itinerary: Venice: City Tour of Venice Salzburg: City Tour of Salzburg/ Sound of Music Tour of Salzburg Melk: Melk Abbey Tour ENTRANCES Entrance to the following: Vienna: Melk: Schonbrunn Palace Melk Abbey - 5 -

6 MUSIC CONTACT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE ACCOUNTING AND PAYMENT SYSTEM Group leaders can opt that each traveler in the group make individual trip payments online with credit cards, debit cards or e-checks. Individuals receive electronic reminders, receipts and statements. Group leaders can track payments made by each travelers and receive automated reports with current balances and due dates. CUSTOM TRAVELER S RESOURCE WEBSITE FOR YOUR GROUP FEATURING Day to day itinerary Things to Know Before You Go Maps Helpful links, including recommended reading and websites Blog Photo gallery ADDITIONAL MATERIALS Each member of your group will receive: A customized handbook including detailed hourly tour itinerary with regional and travel information Luggage tags and ticket jackets LAND PACKAGE PRICES: BASED ON A MINIMUM OF 50 TRAVELERS: Festival & Extension Land Package: $2, per person BASED ON A MINIMUM OF 40 TRAVELERS: Festival & Extension Land Package: $2, per person Estimated Airfare Inc Taxes and Fuel Surcharges: $1, per person GRAND TOTAL WITH ESTIMATED AIRFARE: 40 PAYING = $3, PER PERSON 50 PAYING = $3, PER PERSON NOT INCLUDED IN LAND PACKAGE PRICE: Flight taxes and surcharges, any airport departure taxes or fees Checked bag fees imposed by the airline Visas and travel documents such as passport fees Porter service (available upon request) Drinks with meals (except breakfast) Any meals not listed above Entrance fees and bus services not indicated in the above itinerary Instrument rental and transportation Tips for tour managers, local guides, and bus drivers Travel insurance* *Travel Insurance can be purchased for the entire group or per individual requests. Please contact us for more information

7 OPTIONAL PRICES: $ per person supplement for a single room $42.00 per person for the Salle Terrena Chamber Music Concert $16.50 per person for the Waltz Lessons NOTES ON PRICING PAYMENTS THE INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $340 WILL BE MADE IN EARLY JANUARY (BASED ON THE 40 TRAVELERS MENTIONED ABOVE) AND PAYMENTS WILL OCCUR MONTHLY. FLIGHTS: At this time, no flight reservations have been made for your choir. The tour package prices in this proposal are based on estimated group flight quotes for your dates of travel as indicated on this itinerary. Actual fares cannot be determined until approximately 330 days prior to your return date (January 8, 2016). Please understand that airfare and seats are subject to availability and can only be guaranteed when seats are reserved. Music Contact International recommends that we secure your group s flights as early as possible in the tour planning process. In order to reserve group space and lock in airfare, a $100 per person flight deposit will be required. Upon receipt of your deposit, our flight department will confirm the best flight option for your choir. Therefore, we suggest that you prepare to send us your choir s flight deposit upon confirmation of this tour. FLIGHT TAXES AND SURCHARGES: Flight taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change until tickets are issued. For this reason, flight taxes and surcharges are not included in the price of this tour. The exact amount of flight taxes and surcharges will be determined by the airlines at the time of ticketing which normally occurs 30 to 60 days before departure. The amount of the flight taxes and surcharges varies greatly depending on a wide range of factors from the number of scheduled connections to the price of fuel. IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION CONCERTS: Indicated in the itinerary are times when and venues where concerts could be planned. We would be glad to pursue any specific venue. All venues are pending final confirmation and will be pursued to the fullest extent once the tour has been accepted and placed under deposit by the client. The proposed repertoires for the tour should be provided to Music Contact International, in addition to the director s and choir s biographies, photographs for promotional purposes and a sample cassette/cd. MOTOR COACH: In this proposal of Italy & Austria, a standard motor coach seating up to 60 passengers was used. Should the group size increase beyond 60 passengers, an additional motor coach will need to be hired, affecting the cost of the land program. Please notify Music Contact International of the exact size of your group. Additional transfers or a change in itinerary may result in added coach fees. MANAGER AND LOCAL GUIDES: Music Contact International will send a professional, full-time manager to accompany your group during the entire tour. The manager will handle all logistics for your group during the tour and provide general information about the region(s) to be visited. Local guides will conduct tours of specific cities and sites as indicated in your itinerary

8 OPTIONAL SERVICES: Music Contact International can make additional meal or excursion arrangements for the group, for example: lunches, museum tours, theater or performing arts tickets. Prices listed for optional activities are subject to reconfirmation at the time a reservation is made. Group discounts may be available