Monday, December 10, 2012

Updated Itinerary for the LCHS Danube Cruise


Day 1, Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Overnight flight to Europe

Day 2, Thursday, March 28
Willkommen in Deutschland - Board cruise
Upon arrival in Germany, you will meet your Incantato Tour Manager at the airport and transfer to your floating 4 star superior hotel for the next 7 nights, the beautiful MS Mozart. Upon arrival to the ship, check-in, enjoy a welcome snack and make yourself comfortable prior to dinner. Those on the Lufthansa flights will have some time to explore the town of Passau where the Mozart is docked. After all LCHS travelers are on board, sail away in the direction of Budapest, Hungary. 

Day 3, Friday, March 29 - GOOD FRIDAY
Scenic route to Hungary 
A stunning panorama awaits you as you wake up in Austria and to the scenery of the Danube Valley - made a UNESCO world heritage site for a myriad of reasons. You will be cruising past stunning Melk Abbey, one of the most beautiful baroque cathedrals in the world that you will also be visiting later on in the journey. Most of today is spent aboard as you cruise into Hungary. Lunch and a "black tie" gala dinner feature local specialties, and there will be educational lectures on the towns to be visited and some special surprises. The La Canada Choirs will rehearse for their upcoming concerts and also prepare for a joint crew show with the Mozart staff. A disco party will conclude the day on the Danube.

Day 4, Saturday, March 30
Beautiful Budapest - Sightseeing 
Also known as „the Paris of the East“, Budapest offers so much to see and do. Explore highlights such as the Fishermen‘s Bastion on the Buda side, as well as the historical part of the city with the stunning St. Stephen‘s Cathedral and the lively city center with lots of shops on the Pest side. The La Canada Choral Artists will be learning about Budapest‘s musical side, especially about the most famous Hungarian composers Liszt and Kodaly.  The remainder of the evening is at leisure to get a feel for the city. Another magical moment will be seeing the city all lit up by night from the ship.

Day 5, Sunday, March 31 - NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Easter Mass Performance in Budapest - Journey to Bratislava - Embassy Concert
The La Canada Choral Artists may well be the featured guest choir for Sunday Mass at one of Budapest‘s major cathedrals prior to the ship setting sail again at lunch towards Slovakia and Bratislava. A choral salute at the US Embassy is being planned here in the evening after a brief introductory walk to Bratislava‘s historical town center.

Day 6, Monday, April 1 - NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Willkommen in Wien - Musical Vienna - Concert
This morning, your group wakes up in yet another country, Austria. „Musik macht schlau“, music educates, is the theme for today‘s guided walking tour in the footsteps of Mozart and Beethoven through the Austrian capital city. A highlight will be when the La Canada Choirs are invited to give a special Easter Concert in front of Schoennbrunn Palace as part of the "Voices of the World" series initiated by the city of Vienna. The setting could not be more picturesque as the performance is part of the traditional Easter Market. A formal concert is also scheduled today. Last but not least, there will be plenty of free time for exploring and souvenir shopping (the majority of retail stores will be closed as today is a national holiday) prior to boarding the MS Mozart again in the evening. A special Viennese dinner buffet will be served tonite.

Day 7, Tuesday, April 2
Danube Valley Castles and Cathedrals - Concert in Duernstein
The baby blue church steeple of Duernstein‘s Stiftskirche is one of THE Danube landmarks and the LCHS Choirs will be performing in this stunning baroque church today followed by plenty of free time to explore the town. Why not climb up to the fortress where Richard Lionheart was once imprisoned? 

Day 8, Wednesday, April 3
Melk and Melk Abbey Recital - Cruise Farewell Party
No visit to this part of Europe would be complete without experiencing Melk Abbey. One of the finest baroque buildings in the world, Melk Abbey and the Stiftskirche (abbey church) are must sees. And what better way to say Auf Wiedersehen to the LCHS family and friends than by singing in the stunning church? Upon return to the Mozart, a gala farewell dinner and cruise party conclude the day.

Day 9, Thursday, April 4
Disembarkation in Passau - Travel to Prague for sightseeing 
It‘s time to say Auf Wiedersehen to the MS Mozart after breakfast, but don‘t be too sad as you will be heading to Prague next. After an orientation tour, the travelers will check-in at the NH Prague Hotel that features - believe it or not - a cable-car connects the two parts of the property. Your hotel is also conveniently located next to a major shopping complex and guess what street it is located on? Mozartova Street. Now isn't that a great coincidence.    

Day 10, Friday, April 5
Prague Sightseeing &  Concert at St. Ignatius
There is so much to see and do in the capital city of the Czech Republic and your local guide will show you around town prior to a special farewell concert at the stunning Baroque church of St. Ignatius. Thereafter, the travelers will be dining together and maybe even dance a bit. 

Day 11, Saturday, April 6
Return flight home from Prague
The good news about an early departure from Prague is that you will also be getting home at a decent time and thus have the evening and Sunday to rest and be ready when school starts again.