Music Celebrations International - Extended Itinerary for the 2007 International Youth Choral Festival at Wells Cathedral

Sample Itinerary #1 (Festival plus London - 6 nights / 8 days)

Sunday July 8, 2007
Departure from the USA via scheduled airline service to London, England. Enjoy full meal, beverage service and in-flight entertainment during this trans-Atlantic flight.

Monday July 9, 2007 Sherborne
Arrive in one of London's airports. After passport and customs clearance, meet your MCI Tour Manager who will assist you to awaiting motorcoach. Transfer to the southwestern English town of Sherborne. En route (if time permits), stop to see the prehistoric site of Stonehenge. Groups arrive in Sherborne and check into accommodations at the historic Sherborne School. Chorus members and non-singing participants gather for the Welcome Dinner with introductions, a brief orientation and folk entertainment.

Sherborne is,without doubt, one of the most beautiful towns in England. With its abundance of medieval buildings, superb Abbey, world famous schools, picturesque almshouse and two castles, Sherborne has much to offer visitors.

Tuesday July 10, 2007 Sherborne
Morning rehearsals. Non?singing participants may enjoy additional sight?seeing opportunities. Afternoon guided tour of Bath, including the Roman baths and beautiful Bath Abbey. Dinner is followed by evening rehearsals.

Wednesday July 11, 2007 Sherborne
Morning rehearsals. Afternoon excursion to Weymouth to experience a typical English coastal town. Weymouth is a historic port, and, it was from here that John Endicott sailed in 1628 to found Salem in Massachusetts. Enjoy time in the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, waterfront shops, the sea shore and unique ambience of this ancient seaside town. Time permitting, a visit to award-winning Lulworth Castle and Park may be included. Early dinner. Evening community concert in Sherborne Abbey, with choirs singing individually and also en masse.

Wells Cathedral Exterior

Thursday July 12, 2007 Sherborne
Breakfast, followed by coach transfer to Wells (bringing all concert attire). 9:30am - Morning Dress Rehearsal in the Wells Cathedral. Afternoon guided tour of Wells (including guided tour of the Cathedral) and also nearby Glastonbury (with a visit to Glastonbury Abbey). Early dinner at the Cathedral Choir School. 7:30pm - Festival Finale Concert in Wells Cathedral. Post-concert reception at the Cathedral for all tour participants.

Wells in Somerset is England's second smallest city, with a population of only 10,000. It is a popular tourist destination, due in large part to having several historical sites and its proximity to Bath, Stonehenge and other popular sites. Parts of Wells Cathedral (widely considered one of the most beautiful in England) date back to the 10th century. The city derives its name from three wells in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace. William Penn is said to have passed through Wells shortly before leaving for America, spending a night at The Crown Inn.

Friday July 13, 2007 London
Transfer to London via Salisbury and Windsor. Built in 1078 for William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle is the official summer residence of the Queen. Tour includes a visit to the State Apartment or St. George's Chapel as well as the opportunity to admire the castle itself and the surrounding parkland. Continue on to London hotel.

London is a cozy city, encompassing some 620 square miles and 7,000,000 hospitable people. Established 1,250 years ago by King Aethelbald, London became an important Roman city. It was resettled by the Saxons in the fifth century, after the end of the Roman occupation. London has been scourged by the plague (1665) and was almost entirely destroyed by the Great Fire (1666). World War II's "Blitzkrieg" tore up the city considerably. She stands today as a monument to perseverance, culture, excitement, history, and greatness.

Saturday July 14, 2007 London
A 6-hour tour of London includes the residential and shopping districts of Kensington and Knightsbridge. A visit is made to Whitehall and Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column, past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to Buckingham Palace, where we see the Changing of the Guard. Continue along Fleet Street to St. Paul's Cathedral, and then to the 900-year-old Tower of London, whose construction was initiated by William the Conqueror. Here we also view the Crown Jewels. Optional afternoon concert as part of the American Celebration of Music in Britain. Evening Farewell Dinner.

Sunday July 15, 2007 Depart for home
Transfer to one of London's airports for the return flight to the USA. Return home in the evening of the same day.

Trafalgar Square
with famous
St. Martin-in-the-Fields
in background

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