Performance Tour to France & Switzerland May 16–26, 2011David Kozamchak, Director & Julie Johnson, Tour Manager Read our blog to hear all about our tour! Itinerary in BriefFriday, May 6—7:30 p.m.
Bon Voyage Concert
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
3920 Victoria Street N
Saint Paul, MN 55126 Monday, May 16 Depart Minneapolis/St. Paul via American Airlines - American Airlines flight 593 MSP to Chicago, 1:50–3:25 p.m.
- American Airlines flight 86 Chicago to London Heathrow 6:00 p.m.–7:50 a.m. (arrives on May 17)
- British Airways flight 376 London Heathrow to Toulouse 7:40 p.m.–10:25 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17 Arrive Toulouse (hotel)
Arrive in London this morning where a local guide and motorcoach will be waiting to take you on a day’s excursion during the flight layover. There will be overview sightseeing followed by lunch at Tuttons Restaurant and some time for independent exploration in Covent Garden before evening flight departure to France. Bienvenue to Toulouse! The city is known as “la ville rose” for its distinctive brick architecture; and it is the unofficial capital of Occitan culture. Hotel Information: Etap Toulouse Centre
27 Boulevard des Minimes
31200; Toulouse
Ph: 011-33-892-68-3110
www.etaphotel.com Wednesday, May 18 Toulouse (hotel)
This morning embark on a tour of Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France and an amiable university city. A walking tour of the centre ville will highlight Roman, Medieval and Renaissance history. This afternoon set up and rehearse at Halle aux Grains in Lavour. Join the group for a welcome dinner this evening. Thursday, May 19 Toulouse (hotel)
Depart Toulouse this morning for the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, in the heart of the Languedoc region. In the Middle Ages, Carcassonne was a bastion of the Cathars, Christians whose beliefs ran in opposition to the Pope. Today upper city is one of the best preserved medieval walled cities in Europe, with its many winding streets, the castle and cathedral. Arrive in Carcassonne, tour the walled city including the castle and enjoy some time for lunch on your own. Travel to Lavaur for rehearsal, dinner and your first European concert this evening at 8:45 p.m. at Halle aux Grains, Lavaur. Friday, May 20 Toulouse/Avignon (Hotel)
Depart Toulouse after breakfast for the sunny province of Provence. Our final destination is Avignon, home of the Palace of the Popes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From 1305 to 1433, eight popes made Avignon their papal home, and each succeeding pope expanded the palace during his tenure. Tour the Palace and also view the famous Bridge of Avignon, which now only partially spans the Rhône River. Hotel information: Vert Hotel
130 Avenue Pierre de Coubertin
84000; Avignon
Ph: 011-33-4-90-88-45-00
www.vert-hotel.com Saturday, May 21 Avignon/Geneva (homestay)
Depart after breakfast on the journey through Savoie to Geneva, Switzerland. The suggested route is via Pont St Esprit, Montélimar, and Valence, on the Rhône, then into the Savoy Alps via the resorts of Chambéry and Annecy, to the lakeshore city of Geneva. Upon arrival, embark on a boat ride on Lake Geneva to Caste Chillon. Meet your homestay hosts and disperse for dinner and overnight. Sunday, May 22 Geneva (homestay)
Start the day off with a performance at 10 a.m. worship at the Cathedral of St. Pierre. Geneva is known as a worldwide center for diplomacy and you will see evidence of this as you drive past international headquarters for such organizations as the United Nations and the Red Cross. In the afternoon visit the International Museum of the Reformation, which traces the spiritual and cultural ties of Geneva to the Reformation. Proceed to your concert venue for set-up, rehearsal and your 5 p.m. concert at Aula Hall, Calvin High School. Return with host families for dinner and overnight. Monday, May 23 Geneva/Burgundy region (Beaune hotel)
Leave Switzerland and travel back into France, through the picturesque Jura region, then into historic Burgundy. Drive past vineyards and arrive in the beautiful and historic little city of Beaune, one of Burgundy’s jewels. Tour the Hospices de Beaune, which served as a hospital for the poor since the Middle Ages. During the Bubonic Plague, this hospital served the poor, even placing the sick in its chapel. There will be some free time in the afternoon for lunch and independent exploration. Join the group for dinner before your 8:30 p.m. concert at the Church of St. Denis in Nuits St. Georges. Hotel information: Comfort Hotel Beaune Congres
58 Route de Verdun
21200; Beaune
Ph: 011-33-3-80-24-15-30
www.comfortinn.com Tuesday, May 24 Paris (hostel)
Travel through the heartland of France via Auxerre into the Ile de France region, to arrive in the City of Light, Paris. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch with the group. Join a local guide on a tour to see the famous Grands Boulevards, the Opera house, Madeleine Church, the Place de la Concorde, the banks of the Seine, a tour of Notre Dame Cathedral, then over the river to the Left Bank to see the Latin Quarter, Boulevard St Michel, Luxembourg Gardens, and finally the Champ de Mars for a stupendous view of the Eiffel Tower. Transfer to the student hostel for check-in, and prepare for your 8 p.m. concert at the Lutheran Church of St. Marcel in Paris. Hotel information: St. Christopher’s Inn
68-74 Quai de la Seine
75019; Paris
Ph: 011-33-1-40-34-34-40 Wednesday, May 25 Paris (hostel)
Tour the world renowned Louvre Museum this morning. After some time for lunch on your own, join the group for a 1:30 p.m. ascent to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure for independent activities. Join the group at the Bistrot de la Montagne in the Quartier Latin for a farewell dinner this evening Thursday, May 26 Return to U.S.A.
Transfer to Charles De Gaulle Airport for your homebound flights. Arrive home the same day enriched by your cultural journey through France and Switzerland! Or continue on the optional extension. Optional Extension in Paris. - American Airlines flight 49 Paris to Dallas, 11:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
- American Airlines flight 1344 Dallas to MSP, 6:05 p.m.–8:25 p.m.
Thursday, May 26–Saturday, May 28 Paris (hostel)
Enjoy three days of independent activities in Paris. A Paris Visite transportation card is included. Sunday, May 29 Return to U.S.A.
Transfer by motor coach to the airport for return flight - American Airlines flight 41, Paris to Chicago, 12:15 p.m.–2:24 p.m.
- American Airlines flight 3743 Chicago to MSP, 5:45 p.m.–7:10 p.m.
Past Tours- 2010 Florida Tour: Symphony in the Sun
- 2009 Orchestra and Jazz Band Tour
- 2008 Orchestra Strings and Choir Texas Tour
- 2007 European Tour: Sketches of America
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