Confirmed Venue: Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest

Photo courtesy of www.btf.hu

The La Canada Choral Artists will be performing their first concert of the 2013 performance tour river cruise in Budapest. The concert will take place on Saturday, March 30th at 4 pm at the stunning National Gallery of the Royal Palace.
The Hungarian National Gallery is located inside the Royal Palace complex in Hungary's capital city of Budapest. Located in the Budapest Castle District on the southwestern side of the Danube on the Buda Hills, the Royal Palace was the residence of Hungarian kings. It was built in the 18th century under the reign of Maria Theresa at the sitte of an earlier, Gothic palace. 
The Hungarian National Gallery, or Magyar Nemzeti Galéria in Hungarian, occupies the central wing of the palace and is the national art museum. Below the imposing dome it houses is the largest public collection documenting and presenting the rise and development of the fine arts in Hungary. The permanent collection also represents the past five hundred years of art in Hungary. The National Gallery has operated as an independent institution since 1957 and moved to its present location, the former Royal Palace, in 1975.

Confirmed Venue: St. Peter's Church, Vienna

After their performance at the Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, a second performance opportunity awaits the La Canada Choral Artists in Austria's capital city. On Monday, April 1 at 3 pm there will be a concert in the St. Peter's Church, or Peterskirche in German, a baroque Roman Catholic parish church located in downtown Vienna. 

The church it thought to occupy the oldest Christian sacred site in Vienna, as a church has stood here since the second half of the 4th century. A church of Saint Peter in Vienna was first mentioned in 1137. However, construction on the current building began around the year 1701, with the design having been inspired by St. Peter's Basilica of the Vatican in Rome. By 1722, most of the St. Peter's Church was finished and in 1733 it was consecrated to the Holy Trinity. 

Due to the confinement of available space, the church was built in a very compact form, with its oval interior housing a surprising amount of space. As the first domed structure in baroque Vienna, the dome of St. Peter's Church is 177 feet high and measured 98 feet in diameter. 

Confirmed Venue: the Franciscan Church in Bratislava

On Sunday, March 31st, the La Canada Choral Artists will perform in the Franciscan Church in Slovakia's capital city of Bratislava. The oldest religious (sacral) building in the Old Town of Bratislava, the Franciscan Church, or Františkánsky kostol in Slovak, was constructed between the years 1280 and 1297 in a Gothic style. The church was consecrated on March 24th, 1297 in the presence of King Andrew III of Hungary. 
In 1525, Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, was elected here to become the King of Hungary. 




The side altars, both dating back to 1720-1730, are dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua. In the 17th century, the Franciscan Church was turned into a Renaissance church and into a Baroque church in the 18th century.Even though only small parts of the original form of the church are preserved due to several fires and earthquakes, the adjacent Chapel of Saint John the Evangelist with a crypt, built in the second half of the 14th century, is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the city.  

Travel Tips: What to Pack and Luggage Regulation

Dear travelers of  La Canada High School Choral Artists with Friends and Family,
As your departure for your 2013 performance tour draws closer and closer, Incantato Tours would like to provide you with some travel tips to make it easier for you to get ready for your journey:

For most people, packing for a trip is the most difficult part. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, but as a colleague explains it: "You'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!" Her advice: "Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle."
The major factor is that you should bring only 1 suitcase, no heavier than 50 pounds!

Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing tank tops or shorts. A scarf or shawl is a good solution in this case. And shorts or skirts should always go to your knees (both for Ladies and Gents).

Here are a few things that we think are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings and with the weight of your bag - remember, we allow only one checked bag per person (maximum 50 pounds) and a small carry-on such as a bagpack. Here a sample packing list (just a suggestion!):

* Rain jacket, maybe with fleece insert
* Umbrella
* Gloves, scarf, hat.. if you tend to feel chilly
* An adapter plug/converter (if bringing electronic devices)
* Camera and batteries or charger with adapter
* At least two pair of jeans/pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses too
* a sweater or two (or three)
* Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans)
* Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes
* A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry on any valuables at all times)
* Choir music and attire
* Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, good everyday shoes, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach.
* Put all liquids that are in your carry-on into a zip-lock bag. And remember the 311 rules: Transportation Security Administration 3-1-1 on Air Travel 
* All scissors, fingernail clippers, etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounces. Bring enough contact lense solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip.
If you forget anything there are plenty of shops where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.