Day 1
Departure from USA via scheduled air service, including full meal, beverage service and in-flight entertainment. The destination is Innsbruck, Austria, via the Munich airport.
Day 2 Innsbruck
Groups arrive in Innsbruck and check into hotels. Chorus members and non-singing participants gather for the Welcome Dinner with introductions, a brief orientation and Tyrolean folk entertainment.
 Innsbruck, venue of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, is one of the most beautiful towns of its size (100,000). This 800-year-old university city is bounded on the north by the shimmering wall of the Nordkette Range of the Alps, on the south by the Tuxer Range rising to heights of 10,000 feet. The Empress Maria Theresia loved the Tyrol and Innsbruck, like her ancestor Emperor Maximilian I, which accounts for the city's many beautiful buildings.
Day 3 Innsbruck
Morning guided tours. Rehearsals with Eph Ehly begin after lunch. Non-singing participants may enjoy additional sight-seeing opportunities. Individual group dinners are followed by evening rehearsals.
Day 4 Innsbruck
Morning rehearsals. Afternoon guided tours. Individual group dinners are followed by evening rehearsals.
Day 5 Innsbruck
Dress Rehearsal with chorus, orchestra and soloists in the morning. Afternoon free for seeing more of Innsbruck, shopping, and preparing for the concert. Festival Finale Performance at the Innsbruck Congress Saal Tyrol, the largest and finest concert hall in Western Austria.
Day 6 Venice
Morning transfer to Venice, Italy.
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Venice is eternally preoccupied with the contemplation of its own beauty. Founded on marshes, it rose to dominate the Adriatic and hold the gorgeous East in fee. At the height of her power in the 16th century, Venice was a wealthy city-republic glorying in feasts and pageants, reveling in the splendor of her painting, sculpture and architecture. Those days of glory are gone, but her art survives and the grace and refinement remain. A visit to Venice will fill your soul. |
Day 7 Venice
Transfer to San Marco via public boat. A morning walking tour includes St. Mark's Square. See the soaring Bell Tower, incredibly rich Basilica of St. Mark and the Palace of the Doges where
the powerful and prosperous dukes of Venice ruled their far.flung empire at its height during the 15th century. Time permitting, also visit a glass.blowing factory on one of Venice's many islands. Afternoon at leisure in Venice. Optional evening concert in Venice as part of the 2005 American Celebration of Music in Italy.
Day 8 Florence
Morning transfer to Florence.
Florence was once a Roman colony, but began her real development during medieval times and was at her prime during the Renaissance under the reign of the Medicis. Dante, da Vinci, Ghiberti and Michelangelo all were either born or worked extensively in Florence. The preservation of their and others' works has made Florence the greatest museum of the Renaissance.
Day 9 Florence
A half-day orientation tour of Florence includes the Piazza della Signoria, a lovely square in the heart of the city, towered by the lofty Palazzo Vecchio. Then visit the Ponte Vecchio, the bridge across the Arno lined on both sides with goldsmiths, silversmiths and Florence's best jewelers. Visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the great museums in Florence. Then drive to Fiesole overlooking Florence before driving back into the city. Proceed along the Viale dei Colli to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the city. Back to the central area of the city to see the Baptistry with Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise", the Campanile, the Duomo and then on to the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo's original 'David' and other sculptures by the great master. Florence offers a wealth of other museums, churches and squares (piazzas) that feature some of the finest art in the world. Optional afternoon/evening concert in Florence as part of the 2005 American Celebration of Music in Italy.
Day 10 Rome
Morning transfer to Rome. Half.day guided tour of Imperial Rome, including entrance to the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Also view the Pantheon, Baths of Caracalla, Palatine Hill, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain.
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Myth has it that Romulus and Remus founded Rome around the Seven Hills in 753 B.C. During the centuries that followed, Rome became the central figure of western history as the Roman Empire flourished throughout the Mediterranean and Europe. After the fall of the Empire the city prospered again during the Renaissance under the influence of such geniuses as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Bernini. The inspiring treasures of their achievements await your visit. |
Day 11 Rome
A half-day guided tour of Religious Rome. Enjoy touring Vatican City, the home of the Pope and the center of Roman Catholicism, as well as the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (featuring Michelangelo's Ceiling Frescoe and The Last Judgement). Optional Mass participation or concert as part of the 2005 American Celebration of Music in Italy.
Day 12
Transfer to Rome's Ciampino International Airport for the return flight to USA. Return home in the evening of the same day.
Choir singing outside the Siena Duomo |
