Experience the cultural splendour of Hungary, Austria and Czech Republic while performing in intimate surroundings to select and appreciative audiences. This tour is designed for choirs, bands, ensembles and orchestras. The tour includes loads of time to experience and appreciate local culture and musical traditions.
This tour aims to increase understanding of music in a foreign country. Students experience performing in a foreign country with language challenges. They will learn how to balance a hectic schedule including travelling, sightseeing, rehearsing and performing. Students will also exploreplaces of importance to many great composers.
Destination: Budapest, Vienna, Linz, Prague
Tour Highlights:
Included:
Terms & Conditions:
Please be advised that this is an ‘example’ of a schedule and that the activities may be variable dependent upon dates, weather, special requests and other factors. Itineraries will be confirmed prior to travel.
Day 1
Depart Australia.
Day 2
On arrival meet your tour director and board your coach for a transfer to your accommodation.
After checking into the hotel enjoy Budapest’s beautiful skyline as you enjoy an evening river cruise on the Danube. A river cruise in Budapest will let you see the most fascinating sights of the historical city of Budapest, which is often called the Pearl of the Danube or the Paris of East.
Overnight Budapest.
Day 3
This morning you will visit Buda’s castle district on the right bank of the Danube and stroll through the laneways around Fisherman’s Bastion and the Mattias Church.
In the afternoon you will visit the Bartok Museum, the building where composer Bartok Bela lived and worked between 1932 and 1940.
Evening performance. (Performance venues are chosen closer to the date of departure).
Overnight Budapest.
Day 4
This morning after breakfast you will explore Pest on a guided tour including a workshop at the Franz Liszt Academy.
After the workshop visit the Memento Park, an outdoor sculpture museum of the communist era that was removed from the city following the Soviet occupation.
Evening concert at the Budapest Opera House or Budapest Music Centre.
Overnight Budapest.
Day 5
After breakfast board your private coach and travel to Vienna. On arrival, you will embark on a panoramic tour which focuses on significant musical sites and which concludes with a backstage tour of the Vienna Opera House. Take a glimpse behind the scenes of the world’s largest repertoire theatre and discover many things that remain hidden from the evening audience. You will hear many interesting facts about the building’s history, its architecture and how an opera house is run.
This evening you will attend a concert at the wonderful Musikverein. The Musikverein, the home of the Vienna Philharmonic is Vienna’s most famous centre for classical music. Going to a concert here is about getting to know Vienna as a city of music in a setting of the very finest quality.
Overnight Vienna.
Day 6
This morning you will visit the Schönbrunn Palace and have an opportunity to perform at this stunning venue, home of the royal Habsburgs. Schönbrunn Palace is one of Europe’s most beautiful Baroque complexes and has been in the possession of the Habsburgs since 1569. Due to its historical significance, its unique layout and magnificent furnishings, the palace is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
In the afternoon, you will visit the National History Museum and participate in a workshop with the Vienna Boys’ Choir. The Vienna Boys’ Choir has the most stringent training and admittance policy in the world. Over the centuries, illustrious composers have written masterpieces for the Boys’ Choir of the Imperial Chapel, including Mozart, Bruckner, Gluck, and Schubert.
Overnight Vienna.
Day 7
This morning after breakfast you will explore the interactive House of Music with an opportunity to perform inside the venue. This interactive place lets you explore the world of music in a uniquely comprehensive way, from the creation of sound and voice to musical instruments, composing music, and the stories of Austrian composers.
Later in the afternoon you will visit to the Prater Fun Park. The so called “Wurstelprater” is the oldest amusement park in the world dating back from 1827.
Overnight Vienna.
Day 8
After breakfast board your private coach and travel to Linz, a UNESCO City of Media Arts.
After checking into your hotel, there will be time to prepare for your evening performance in the famous Linz Cathedral. Afterwards experience the captivating view of the church’s interior at a height of 15 metres on a special tour of the church’s accessible inner gallery.
Overnight Linz.
Day 9
This morning board your coach and transfer to Abbey St Florian where you will have a guided tour and attend a private concert of the world-famous organ which was played by Anton Bruckner. The Abbey of St. Florian is the largest monastery in Upper Austria, it is an impressive example of Baroque architecture and art. It is also the shrine of St. Florian, patron saint against fire and flood.
There will be an opportunity perform at the Abbey.
Overnight Linz.
Day 10
This morning after breakfast board your private coach and travel transfer to the medieval town of Český Krumlov for a guided tour. Český Krumlov situated in Bohemia’s deep south, is one of the most picturesque towns in Europe. This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning castle above the Vltava River, an old town square, Renaissance and baroque architecture
Continue on coach to Prague and enjoy an orientation walk through the old town centre to view the landmarks of Charles Bridge and the Astronomical Clock. Prague is the equal of Paris in terms of beauty. Its history goes back a millennium. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the city’s historic buildings and narrow, winding streets are testament to its century’s old role as capital of the historic region of Bohemia. Prague lies on the banks of the beautiful, meandering Vltava River that reflects the city’s golden spires and the 9th century castle that dominates the skyline.
Overnight Prague.
Day 11
This morning you will enjoy guided tour of Prague Castle and the Old Town.
In the afternoon, you will participate in a workshop with the Czech Philharmonic. This entertaining workshop will teach the students to listen with an open mind. Students will have fun and learn lots of interesting things about the world of music and much more.
Following the workshop you will enjoy Prague’s Little Venice Canal Cruise.
Evening performance.
Overnight Prague.
Day 12
After breakfast head to Rudolfinium for a backstage tour of the most famous concert building in Prague. See the building and learn about its history and about its present-day operations. You will be guided by an employee of the Czech Philharmonic who will lead you through the Ceremony Hall, you will get to see the Conductor’s Lounge and the Presidential Lounge, the Dvořák Hall and the Suk Hall. If the weather permits, you will even go on the roof, which offers one of the loveliest views of Prague.
Afterwards you will see the John Lennon Memorial Wall en route to the Czech Museum of Music. After your visit, you will perform in the wonderful atrium of the museum. This 17th-century baroque monastery building with an impressive central atrium makes a beautiful setting for Prague’s Museum of Music. The museum’s permanent exhibition explores the relationship between human beings and musical instruments through the ages, and showcases an incredible collection of violins, guitars, lutes, trumpets, flutes and harmonicas.
Later in the afternoon you will perform at the beautiful Dvorak Hall.
Overnight Prague.
Day 13
Today you will travel to the nearby town of Kutná Hora another UNESCO site, for a full day tour. Renowned for its wonderful architecture and silver mines, Kutná Hora once rivalled Prague for its wealth. The centre of the city was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1995 thanks to its historical importance and architectural gems. All of the streets, houses and churches exude a long history full of important events. The symbol of Kutná Hora is the unique late Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbara.
Tonight after dinner you will prepare for your final evening performance.
Overnight Prague.
Day 14
After breakfast board your private coach and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Day 15
Arrive home.
