Board your transatlantic flight from New York overnight to Munich, Germany on scheduled air-carrier.
Arrive in Munich and meet your professional European tour manager, Karolína Zadražilová, Load the deluxe motorcoach and travel to nearby Herrenchiemsee. The impressive castle lies on the Herren island in lake Chiemsee of Bavaria. It was built by King Ludwig II between 1878 and 1886 and was modelled after the Louis XIV palace in Versailles. The castle is surrounded by a lovely park with statues, channels and fountains. King Ludwig was fascinated by music and other fine arts from an early age and an international music festival is held here each year. Tour the castle and have time for lunch before continuing on to Salzburg where upon arrival the orchestra checks in at the hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel and then participate in the Cantus Salisbergensis Festival introductory reception and musical activities scheduled by the festival organizers.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then depart from the hotel for the Mozarteum—University of Music and Dramatic Arts. Participating groups will rehearse this morning. The MYO will also have its own rehearsal in preparation for an evening performance on stage. The afternoon will be available for a guided walking tour of the city that will serve as an introduction to Salzburg. Take a walk down the Getreidegasse with time for lunch and a chance to visit the Mozart birth-house if you wish. You may also wish to take the funicular to the Hohensalzburg Fortress for sweeping panoramic views of Salzburg and the surrounding area. Return to the hotel for an early dinner with time to change for the evening’s musical activities. Tonight perform with other participants in the “Concert of Nations” on the stage of the Mozarteum. Return to the hotel following the performance and retire for the evening.
Inside the Mozarteum
Day 4 Saturday, July 10 Salzburg/Cantus Salisbergensis
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and travel into the old town of Salzburg for a rehearsal in the Salzburg Dom. They MYO will anchor a performance by the festival participants of Carl Orff’s 1937 composition, Carmina Burana. The composition is one of the most popular pieces of classical music repertoire. Following the rehearsal, have time for lunch in the old town. Following lunch, travel the short distance to Hellbrunn Palace, where you enjoy a tour and can see the Wasserspiele Gardens with its trick fountains and European charm. Return to the hotel and enjoy dinner. Tonight, participate in festival activities or perhaps attend a concert in Salzburg.
Following breakfast, depart by coach from the hotel directly to the Salzburg Dom for the featured performance of the Festival. Enjoy participating in the mass performance of Carl Orff’s, Carmina Burana. The afternoon is available for lunch and sightseeing in small groups. Return to the hotel with time to change for the festival finale reception. The Cantus Salisbergensis Festival concludes with a festive dinner party in Salzburg or perhaps nearby Berchtesgaden just across the border in Germany. Return to the hotel following the festival party and pack your belongings for tomorrow’s journey to Hungary.
Have breakfast and then check out and depart to Eisenstadt. Visit the Esterhazy palace, home of the princely dynasty that once employed Joseph Haydn as a court composer. Many of Haydn's most famous works were created and first played among these walls. Visit the Haydn Hall and house, and the Haydn mausoleum perched atop the church hill. Perform an exhibition concert at the estate where Haydn premiered many of his symphonies and chamber pieces. Afterwards, continue through scenic woodland and picturesque villages to the historic town of Sopron, the only Hungarian town to have its original city walls still intact. Check in at the hotel and then enjoy a guided evening walking tour of Sopron before a late-evening dinner at the hotel.
Haydn's Concert Hall ar Esterhazy.
Esterhazy Palace at Eisenstadt
Budapest
Have breakfast and continue guided sightseeing of Budapest. See Citadel near the Elisabeth Bridge and drive to the City Park towards Heroes' Square, passing the Opera, Dohany Street Synagogue and St. Stephen's Church. Take time to sit down at a sidewalk café along the Danube River and enjoy all this world-class city has to offer. Concert performance tonight in Budapest.
Today leave Hungary and travel north to Poland via Slovakia. You approach Poland via the beautiful Tatra Mountains. Your final destination today is the mountain village of Zakopane, set against the Tatra National Park. Arrival will be in the mid-afternoon. Famous for the Highlander folk music and unique local fare, you will enjoy your stay in this vibrant town. Take a guided walk through the town along Krupowki Street. Tonight enjoy a wonderful dinner with folk music in a rustic Highland restaurant.
Day 10 Friday, July 16 Zakopane
Enjoy breakfast and then travel the short distance to meet your river guide for calm raftering journey on the Dunajec River. Return to Zakopane in the afternoon with time to grab a bite to eat and do some souvenir shopping. There are many quaint shops along Krupowki Street. You may wish to take the new cable car to the top of Kasprowy Wierch for spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Tonight perform a concert in Zakopane. Visiting musicians are well received in this quaint Polish village.
River rafting on the Dunajec.
Check out of the hotel and travel north to towards the city of Krakow. En route, make a stop at the spectacular Wieliczka Salt Mine. Hidden below the town, situated on 9 levels, reaching 327 m deep, Wieliczka features magnificent chapels, captivating underground lakes, and displays of original tools and equipment. Upon arrival in Krakow, check into a centrally located hotel. Take a guided walk to the main square with time to visit the Hanseatic Cloth Hall. Have dinner at a local restaurant.
A Krakow Band
Begin the day with a guided walking tour of the old town in Krakow. Visit Wawel Hill and Castle, as well as the Royal Residencies. Continue your walk through the Jewish Quarter (where Schindler’s List was filmed) and visit the Jagiellonski University, which is one of the oldest universities in Poland. Return to the Market Square, which includes the unique St. Mary’s Basilica. Stand outside the church and listen to the famous bugle, which is sounded every hour! Have dinner and perform an evening concert in Krakow.
Concert in St. Catherine's in Krakow.
Travel to Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Throughout the world, Auschwitz has become a symbol of terror, genocide, and the Holocaust. It was established by the Nazis in 1940, in the suburbs of the city of Oswiecim which, like other parts of Poland, was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War. The name of the city of Oswiecim was changed to Auschwitz, which became the name of the camp as well. Following your visit, return to Krakow with the afternoon free to have lunch, shop for local souvenirs, and explore the heart of the city. Return to the hotel and then walk to a traditional dinner in the Jewish Quarter with live Klezmer music as you dine.
Enjoy breakfast and then check out of the hotel and board the coach for the journey to Prague. Make a stop in the Czech city of Olomouc to see the castle and have time for lunch. The ancient town of Olomouc lies in the heart of the so-called Haná region. Its history dates back to the 10th century AD when it became an important trade crossing-point. It has the second most significant collection of historical monuments in the country after Prague. After an early evening arrival in Prague, check in at your centrally located hotel and enjoy dinner. Take a guided evening walk through the Wenceslas Square to the Old Town and enjoy dinner at U Pinkasu or U Fleku. After dinner, walk with your guide to the Charles Bridge for spectacular night-time views of the city.
Near Prague Castle.
Today enjoy a guided city-tour of Prague. You are in the city of Smetana and Dvorak. Both are buried in the Vysehradsky Hrbitov cemetery. See the State Opera, the National Museum and Wenceslas Square with its statue of St. Wenceslas. Continue across Charles Square to the banks of the Vltava River where you see the Charles Bridge, the Rudolfinum and across the river the Prague Castle. Walk through the castle courtyards with a chance to see St.Vitus Cathedral. Walk across the Charles Bridge to the Old Town, passing through the former Jewish Quarter. In the Old Town, you will find the St. Nicholas Church, Týn Cathedral and the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock. Return to the hotel with time for dinner. Perform the final concert of the tour in Prague.
Enjoy a day-trip out of Prague to Cesky Krumlov of Bohemia. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Cesky Krumlov has a historic old town complete with imposing Bohemian castle and baroque theatre. Cesky Krumlov is also a cultural center and hosts an early music festival each year. Return to Prague in the late afternoon. Enjoy a special festive farewell dinner with Czech music at U Fleku or U Pinkasu with traditional Czech food and music.
The Medieval Village of Cesky Krumlov
Day 17 Friday, July 23 Return to the United States or Extend
Check out of the hotel and depart for the Prague Airport. Return to the USA on scheduled air service to New York/JFK or choose to extend the tour for a week in France. The planned extension will include a flight to Paris or perhaps overnight train, which is yet to be determined. Those returning to the United States will arrive home in the afternoon or early evening.
France Extension (July 23-30)
The extension to France will feature a 7-night program in Paris. The extension will include 7-nights hotel accommodations, a comprehensive sightseeing program, 2-meals daily and use of public transportation. A final program will be determined in coordination with the MYO staff once the approximate number of travelers is determined. Those extending will return to the USA on July 30th.
The Gardens at Monet's Giverney.