St. Agnes High School Choir and Spanish Department Ms. Donna May, Choir Director Ms. Kimberly Perez, Spanish Teacher March 28 - April 5, 2016
The Honorable Ana Botella Serrano Lord Mayor of Madrid The Honorable Xavier Trias i Vidal de Llobatera Mayor of Barcelona The Honorable José Torres Hurtado Mayor of Granada together with Music Celebrations International cordially invites the Saint Agnes High School Choir and Spanish Department to be a representative of Minnesota in performance at the 2016 American Celebration of Music in Spain
St. Agnes High School Choir & Spanish Department American Celebration of Music in Spain (7 night/9 day) Day 1 Monday, March 28 th, 2016 Depart Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport via scheduled air service. The destination is Malaga, Spain Day 2 Tuesday, March 29 th Malaga / Granada (D) Arrive in Malaga Meet your MCI Tour Manager, who will assist the group to the awaiting chartered motorcoach for a transfer to Granada (Approx. 2 hour drive) for an orientation tour to get to know the city Afternoon hotel check-in Evening Welcome Dinner and overnight Granada has everything: prestigious and exceedingly beautiful Moorish buildings, luminous skies and a luxuriantly green setting. It was built on three hills at the center of a wide plain that looks out to the snowcapped Sierra Nevada on the horizon Day 3 Wednesday, March 30 th Granada (B,D) A guided tour includes entrance to the Alhambra (Red Castle) which includes the Nasrid Palace, exquisite gardens, Emperor Charles V's Palace etc. Also visit Generalife (summer palace of the kings of Granada) St. Agnes choral program Mass participation and performance Balance of the day at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or other activities Optional at an additional cost: Enjoy a cooking class Evening dinner and overnight Day 4 Thursday, March 31 st Granada / Seville (B,D) Transfer to Seville (Approx. 3 hour drive) An afternoon guided tour of Seville includes Maria Luisa Park (Plaza de España), Torre del Oro (Gold Tower), and entrance to the Giralda and the Cathedral St. Agnes Mass participation and performance Optional: Attend an evening Flamenco Show (tour prices shown with and without Flamenco Show) Evening dinner at a local restaurant Return to hotel for overnight Seville ranks as one of the world's great tourist centers. Don Juan romanced and Figaro barbered in Seville; today, gypsies still sing age-old ballads, flamenco dancers whirl to the melodies of the guitar and matadors tease rushing bulls
Day 5 Friday, April 1 st Seville (B,D) Day excursion to Italica (Approx. 20 minute drive). Italica was a city built by the Romans after it was officially founded in 206 BC by Scipio the African (the Roman general, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus). Its ruins make up one of the most important and interesting archaeological sites on the Iberian Peninsula. Here you can discover part of the Roman neighborhood that was built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, who was born in Italica, with its thermal spas, aqueducts, mansions and mosaics, the superb theatre and a magnificent amphitheatre, which in its day could accommodate 25,000 people, which became one of the largest in the whole Roman Empire. Italica was the birthplace of two other emperors, Trajan and Theodosius, which contributed to its growing importance within the structure of the Roman state Late afternoon return to Seville with some free time for sight-seeing and shopping as time allows Evening dinner and overnight Day 6 Saturday, April 2 nd Seville / Toledo / Madrid (B,D) Transfer to Toledo (Approx. 5.5 hour drive), one of the great jewels of Spain! It stands out dramatically against the often luminously blue Castilian sky, a golden city rising from a granite eminence, encircled by a steep ravine filled by the green waters of the Tagus Enjoy a guided tour including a visit of the magnificent Cathedral (with the El Greco paintings and other valuable relics) and the Church of St. Tomé (El Greco's The Burial of the Count of Orgaz). Also see the remains of impressive Roman engineering including the ancient dam, two aqueducts, Torre del Horno del Vidrio (invented to enable the water to lose height via a cylindrical shaft, feeding the water into the city systems), Roman bridges, etc. Continue to Madrid (Approx. 1 hour drive) for dinner and overnight Madrid is a very hospitable city, known for the quality of its light and climate. Madrid became the capital of Spain in the 16th century when Spain ruled a vast empire. Its attractions include three internationally famous art galleries, a royal palace, grand public squares and many museums filled with treasures of Spain Day 7 Sunday, April 3 rd Madrid / Chinchon (B,D) St. Agnes Mass participation and performance Today we will see many of Madrid s remarkable landmarks including Buen Retiro Park (founded in 1631), the immense Royal Palace and entrance to the Prado Museum which hosts one of the finest art collections in the world St. Agnes shared/exchange performance opportunity with local program Afternoon excursion to Chinchon (Approx. 45 minute drive) to see a typical Spanish village. The beautiful medieval square is Chinchón's most emblematic landmark. Irregular in shape and formed by houses of two and three floors with running balconies, it has been the scene of a great many events. Also see the nobles' mansions with their coats of arms and ancestral
homes, Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Clock Tower, and the remains of a 15th-century castle Return to Madrid for dinner and overnight Day 8 Monday, April 4 th Madrid / Avila / Segovia (B,D) Full-day excursion to Avila (Approx. 1.5 Hour Drive) and Segovia. Enjoy a guided tour of Avila. Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa, has city walls that are complete and form one of Europe's most striking examples of medieval fortifications. St. Agnes Mass participation and performance in Avila Continue to Segovia (Approx. 1 hour Drive) to see the Old Town, the Alcázar, and the famous Roman Aqueduct (still operating). The Aqueduct carries water from the Fuente fria river, via water deposits which were cleverly designed by the Romans to filter out sand and impurities, before arriving in the city as drinking water. It is believed to have been built in the 1st century Return to Madrid (Approx. 1 hour Drive) Evening Farewell Dinner and overnight Day 9 Tuesday, April 5 th Depart for home (B) Transfer to the Madrid airport for the return flight (Approx. 20 minute drive) Arrive home to Minnesota the same day as departure from Madrid This is a very flexible itinerary. Except for confirmed appointments and performances, the places of interest and the sequence of sightseeing might be changed if necessary or desirable. In the event of an unavoidable conflict in the performance and the sightseeing schedule, the concert schedule will prevail, and it may be necessary to exclude some sightseeing activities. Music Celebrations International
AMERICAN CELEBRATION OF MUSIC IN SPAIN MUSIC CELEBRATIONS INTERNATIONAL Cost Estimates SAINT AGNES HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR AND SPANISH DEPARTMENT All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of 20 paying participants in each 49-passenger motorcoach staying in double occupancy. With Round-trip Airfare During Shoulder Season* from: Minneapoli-St. Paul (MSP) 45-47 (+3 free) 40-44 (+2 free) 35-39 (+2 free) 30-34 (+2 free) 25-29 (+1 free) 20-24 (+1 free) TOUR #5 WITH FLAMENCO SHOW (7 nights/9 days) GRANADA (2), SEVILLE (2), MADRID (3) $3,291 $3,349 $3,404 $3,498 $3,635 $3,838 Land Only (self-arranged air): $1,870 $1,928 $1,983 $2,079 $2,214 $2,417 TOUR #6 WITHOUT FLAMENCO SHOW (7 nights/9 days) GRANADA (2), SEVILLE (2), MADRID (3) $3,234 $3,292 $3,347 $3,443 $3,578 $3,781 Land Only (self-arranged air): $1,813 $1,871 $1,926 $2,022 $2,157 $2,360 *Travel season dates are generally as follows: Shoulder (4/1 5/14, 8/23 10/31, 12/11 12/23, 3/18 3/31) Travel seasons are subject to change without notice from the airline. Supplement to include a cooking class $48 The costs will vary, depending upon the total number of paying participants sharing certain fixed overhead costs which include chartered motorcoach, Tour Manager, guides, free trips, concert costs, etc. Please consult the Cost Inclusions (located on the following page) which have been used as the basis for our offer. These tours are still subject to change, and are open to further discussion and negotiation. These costs are based on individual payments made by check or credit card. All tour prices quoted for transportation and land arrangements herein are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) in effect at the date of this offer and are subject to change. Adjustments may be made if the exchange rate varies more than 5%. WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT ANY OTHER SIMILAR OFFER YOU MAY BE CONSIDERING! These items are subject to negotiation. For instance, we can re-quote based on less centrally located hotels, eliminate some dinners, eliminate entrance fees, adjust the free trip ratio, etc., to reduce the overall cost.
AMERICAN CELEBRATION OF MUSIC IN SPAIN MUSIC CELEBRATIONS INTERNATIONAL Cost Inclusions & Exclusions SAINT AGNES HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR AND SPANISH DEPARTMENT COST INCLUSIONS AIRLINE TRANSPORTATION: Round-trip transportation by scheduled airline carrier from Minneapolis, MN. Includes up to $700 for U.S. Government airline taxes, fees, and estimated fuel surcharge. COACH TRANSPORTATION: Local modern deluxe motorcoach transportation within Europe upon arrival and available for the entire tour. CONCERT ARRANGEMENTS: All of your Mass participation and musical opportunities are professionally provided in superior venues with attention to technical details and effective publicity. ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel accommodations in superior tourist-class (3 & 4-star) hotels chosen for location, reputation, cleanliness, and service. The price is based on double occupancy, all rooms with private facilities. This offer is based on staying at the following accommodations, or similar: Granada: Saray Seville: Tryp Macarena Madrid: Rafaelhoteles Ventas MEALS: Two meals per day (as noted in the Tour itinerary) including breakfast and dinner. Please note that breakfast is not included on day of arrival and dinner is not included on day of departure. On tour 5, you will attend a Flamenco show and dinner will be included at a local restaurant. On tour 6, you will not visit a flamenco show. ENTRANCE FEES: The following Entrance fees are included: Tour 5 Alhambra and Generalife, Cathedral and Giralda, Santiponce Italica Roman Ruins, Toledo Cathedral, Church of St. Tomé, Prado Museum, Italica. Flamenco Show Tour 6 Alhambra and Generalife, Cathedral and Giralda, Santiponce Italica Roman Ruins, Toledo Cathedral, Church of St. Tomé, Prado Museum, Italica TOUR ITINERARIES: Electronic versions of the tour itinerary are available listing hotel addresses, telephone and fax numbers. TOUR MANAGEMENT: One full-time, multi-lingual Tour Manager will be on each motorcoach through the entire tour. MCI s European office staff is easily available 24 hours daily (even on weekends) to render assistance whenever needed. EXCURSIONS: Conducted by licensed, professional guides as outlined in the day-by-day Tour itinerary. GRATUITIES: Tips to hotel personnel (including meals) are included. Tips to tour manager(s), licensed guides, and motorcoach driver(s) are not included. EACH PARTICIPANT RECEIVES: 1 Souvenir T-shirt TRAVEL NOTES: Pre-departure Travel Notes are available to each participant containing useful information about travel preparation, destination information, useful packing and cultural conditioning suggestions. FREE TRIPS: One free trip (based on double occupancy) for each 15 paying participants; i.e. the 16 st, 33 nd, etc. participant travels free of charge. LIABILITY INSURANCE: $2M MCI Tour Liability Insurance coverage. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Individual insurance coverage is included in all MCI programs. Summary of coverage: $10,000 Travel Accident $300 Baggage Coverage $1,000 Medical Expense $600 Trip Cancellation/Interruption/Delay COST EXCLUSIONS Travel Visa for non-u.s. passport holders. Tips to Tour Manager(s), city guides and motorcoach driver(s). Transportation to and from MSP Airport. Drinks at dinners, beyond water Daily lunches. Airline luggage fees, if applicable. Difference between current and actual costs for the airline taxes and the estimated fuel surcharge, if applicable.