Wednesday, December 12, 2012

First Itinerary for the Bellarmine Central Europe Tour

Day 1, Thursday, February 28
Overnight flight to Germany
Day 2, Friday, March 1
Willkommen in Deutschland - Via Eisenach to Weimar
Your Incantato Tour Manager welcomes you at Frankfurt airport. Continue to the charming town of Eisenach for a special welcome lunch at Wartburg Castle followed by a guided tour. Those interested may also see the Bach-Museum or just enjoy a leisurely stroll through this charming town. Continue to Weimar, a UNESCO world heritage city for its rich culture and high artistic quality. Check-in, remainder of the day at leisure. 
Day 3, Saturday, March 2
Weimar Tours & Concerts
Take a guided tour of Weimar's sights (taste some Thuringia Bratwurst at the historical market sqaure), then see Belvedere Castle. An optional visit to nearby Buchenwald can be offered. Opportunity to attend Schola Concert and Jass Ensemble gig. 
Day 4, Sunday, March 3
Mass & Matinee Schloss Concert - Via Leipzig & Thomaskirche to Prague
Schola will be singing three times today, first for Sunday Mass, then a Schlosskonzert and also at J.S. Bach's Tomb in Leipzig. The journey then continues to Prague where the Jass Ensemble has an evening club gig. 
Day 5, Monday, March 4
Prague Sightseeing
Today is a leisure day with a guided tour of Prague's highlights, but plenty of time for individual exploring. 
Day 6, Tuesday, March 5
Beautiful Bratislava
Next stop is the capital city of Slovakia with lots to see and do. A special beer tasting will be offered for those interested among other opportunities.  
Day 7, Wednesday, March 6
Vienna Sightseeing - Mass & Jazz
Austria is just a short drive away. Explore Vienna with an expert guide, prior to Schola signing Mass at Stephansdom. The afternoon is at leisure with a coffee break at the famous Cafe Sacher. 
Day 8, Thursday, March 7
Via Melk to Passau - Recital
Perched high upon a hill on the Danube Valley, Melk Abbey is a must-see Catholic heritage site. Schola will sing in the baroque Stiftskirche. Later, the journey continues to Passau, Germany.
Day 9, Friday, March 8
Catholic Passau - Cathedral concert
A Christian center since the third century, Passau is home to Germany's largest cathedral and one of the world's oldest institutes for Catholic studies. 
Day 10, Saturday, March 9
To Munich - Mass & Jazz
The final and last tour stop is Munich where additional performance opportunities await the musicians and there is so much to see and do for you, too. A special highlight will be the joint Bavarian farewell dinner. 
Day 11, Sunday, March 10
Return to the USA
Transfer to Munich airport for your return flights home.  

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Leipzig's Music Trail


The city of Leipzig boasts a density of composeres’ houses and classical music sites that is unique in Europe. 23 of these sites are now connected by the three mile “Leipzig Music Trail” throughout the city.
This tour introduces music and the musical history of Leipizg and some of the sights visited include:
(2) Medelssohn House
(3) Grieg Memorial Center
(5) Museum of Musical Instruments
(7) Schumann House
(9) Wagner Memorial
(10) Leipzig Opera
(12) St. Nikolai’s Church
(13) Old City Hall
(14) Museum of Fine Arts – Beethoven
(17) St. Thomas’s Church
(18) Bach Museum
(19) Site of Clara Wieck’s birth house
(21) Paulinum – Auditorium and University Church St. Pauli

The aim of the Leipzig Music Trail initiative is the bringing to life of Leipzig's music tradition. In total there are now three individual discovery tours through which a person is able to explore the city's unique musical treasures. Two routes are designed to be followed on foot, the third is intended to be taken by bicycle.