Las Fallas - One of the most unique festivals in Spain

Every year in March, the city of Valencia gets ready to welcome spring season. The streets fill up with joy and the hustle and bustle of the Fallas festival, the upmost expression of the merger of tradition, satire, art and sentimentality for one's homeland. Las Fallas literally means "the fires" in Valencian.
What started as a feast day for St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, has evolved into a 5-day, multifaceted celebration involving fire.
Valencia, a quiet city with a population of just over 1 million, swells to an estimated three million flame-loving revelers during Las Fallas celebrations.

The focus of the fiesta is the creation and destruction of ninots (“dolls”), which are huge cardboard, wood, papermachè and plaster statues. The ninots are extremely lifelike and usually depict satirical scenes and current events. A popular theme is poking fun at corrupt politicians and Spanish celebrities. The labor intensive ninots, often costing up to US$75,000, are crafted by neighborhood organizations and take almost the entire year to construct. Many are several stories tall and need to be moved into their final location of over 350 key intersections and parks around the city with the aid of cranes on the day of la plantà (the rising).

The ninots remain in place until March 19th, the day known as La Cremá (the burning). Starting in the early evening, young men with axes chop cleverly-hidden holes in the statues and stuff them with fireworks. The crowds start to chant, the streetlights are turned off, and all of the ninots are set on fire at exactly 12 a.m. (midnight). Over the years, the local bomberos (firemen) have devised unique ways to protect the town's buildings from being accidentally set on fire by the ninots, such as neatly covering storefronts with fireproof tarps. Each year, one of the ninots is spared from destruction by popular vote. This ninot is called the ninot indultat (the pardoned puppet) and is exhibited in the local Museum of the Ninot along with the other favorites from years past.

The five days and nights of Falles are a continuous party. Besides the burning of the ninots, there is a myriad of other activities during the fiesta. During the day, you can enjoy an extensive roster of bullfights, parades, paella contests and beauty pageants around the city. Spontaneous fireworks displays explode everywhere during the days leading up to La Crema, but the highlight is the daily mascletá which occurs in the Plaza Ayuntamiento at exactly 2:00 pm. When the string-lined firecrackers are ignited, the thunderous sounds they make can be considered music as the sound intensifies in volume. Those firecrackers timed to fall to the ground literally shake the floor for next ten minutes, as the mascletá is more for auditive enjoyment than visual.

Foreigners may be surprised to see everyone from small children to elderly gentlemen throwing fireworks and noisemakers in the streets, which are littered with pyrotechnical debris. The timing of the events is fixed and they fall on the same date every year, though there has been discussion about holding some events on the weekend preceding the Falles, to take greater advantage of the tourist potential of the festival or changing the end date in years where it is due to occur in midweek.

Visit Monserrat and enjoy one of the most spectacular mountain views of Catalunya

For many tourists a trip to Montserrat close to Barcelona is the highlight of their visit. Montserrat is a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine monk mountain retreat called Santa Maria de Montserrat.
It is part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. Not only is it of significant religious importance but the natural beauty surrounding the monastery is simply breathtaking.

"Montserrat" literally means "saw mountain" in Catalan. It describes its peculiar aspect with multitude of rock formations which are visible from a great distance. The mountain is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. Montserrat is also Spain's first National Park and the namesake for the Caribbean island of Montserrat.

Explore the "Enchanted City" near Cuenca with Incantato Tours

The Ciudad Encantada (English: Enchanted City) is a geological site near the city of Cuenca, in Spain in which the erosive forces of the nearby Júcar river, ice and wind have modelled the rocks into stunning distinctive and memorable shapes. Some of the rock formations that have been named Seta (English: mushroom), Puente (English: bridge), Cara (English: face), Amantes (English: lovers) or La tortuga (English: turtle).

Ciudad Encantada was declared a "Natural Site of National Interest" on 11 June, 1929. The surreal landscape appears in different movies such as Conan the Barbarian from 1982.

¡Bienvenidos a Valencia!

Spain's third largest city after Madrid and Barcelona is Valencia. It is located on Spain's coastline, has a warm climate and is situated in the middle of a fertile plain of orange groves and market gardens.
The city was founded by the Romans in 138 BC and later conquered by the Moors.
The three finest buildings in Valencia - Torres de Serranos, Cathedral de Valencia and La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia - were built in the 14th and 15th century, when the city economically prospered.

Torres de Serranos
The tower was erected in 1491 as a triumphal arch in the city's walls. It is a gateway that combines defensive and decorative features and the two towers are crowned with battlements and lightened by delicate Gothic tracery.

The Cathedral de Valencia
The original cathedral was built in 1262, however much has been added over the centuries. The three doorways are in different styles, the oldest of which is the Romanesque Puerta del Palau. The Cathedral's bell tower, the Miguelete, is Valencia's main landmark.  

Lonja de la Seda de Valencia - The Silk Exchange
Built in the 15th century, the Silk Exchange is Valencia's jewel of European Gothic civil architecture. The majority of the exchange was built between 1482 and 1492. After the master mason Pere Compte's death, a student completed the work, adding some Renaissance elements. Similarly to old medieval castles, the Silk Exchange is based on a fierce, fortress-like appearance re-enforced by its stone walls. The complete site, consisting of the Sea Consulate Room, the Orange tree Patio, and the Room of Columns, covers more than 2,000 square meters. It is considered one of Europe's most beautiful examples of Gothic civil architecture and for that was also added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites.

Have a look at the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Barcelona

Did you that know that Barcelona has several sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Here are just a few examples of the many sights to see while you are visiting this vibrant city:

La Sagrada Familia: This iconic cathedral from the 19th century was first started by architect Francisco de Paula, who had originally envisioned a Neogothic building. However, when the famous Spanish architect Gaudi took over the project in 1883, he soon began to change the project to his own personal and very distinctive style. He was only able to finish the chapel of San Jose, the crypt and the door of El Nacimiento before he died.

La Casa Mila "La Pedrera": A masterpiece built and designed by Antoni Gaudi also on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites is the so-called "La Pedrera" House.
It is one of the best-known works by the architect and one of the symbols of Barcelona. Built between 1906 and 1912, everything in this building is curved and undulating. Reflecting Modernist techniques and tendencies, there are chimneys and sculptures on the roof, large windows and iron balconies set into the stone walls on the outside and the interior consists of two painted courtyards.


Palacio Guell: Antoni Gaudi created the small Guell Palace during the 19th century on top of basements and columns. The site features a dome, stained glass windows and stairs that create an optical illusion to make the palace seem larger. The entrance doors are iron work with coiled sculptures snakes and the terrace is a veritable outdoor museum.

Palau de la Musica Catalana: The Palau de la Musica Catalana Auditorium was inaugurated in 1908. It took the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner three years to complete what is now one of the world's major concert halls. An excellent example of Modernism, the interior is decorated with ceramic mosaics and glass with floral motives.

Discover Cuenca with Incantato Tours

Castilla-La Mancha, the central region of Spain with its windmills and medieval castles, was made famous by Cervantes in Don Quixote's adventures. 

In this region that you will come across the monument-filled city of Cuenca, a picturesque town with a historical center that looks out over rocky canyon walls in the heart of the Cuenca mountains. Cuenca's old town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list precisely for its wealth of monuments.

At the heart of the old town is Plaza Mayor. You can find the 18th-century Baroque town hall at the south end. However, one of the first sights you may notice is the Torre Mangana, a ruined tower at the top of the town and all that remains of an Arab fortress that once stood here. With winding, narrow streets, this Gothic and Renaissance city's main sight to see is the Cathedral, construction on which began in the 12th century. It is one of the most original works of Spanish Gothic, with Anglo-Norman influences. The cathedral's treasures, now housed in the Palacia Episcopal, include painting by El Greco. Also not to be missed are the 14th-century Hanging Houses, which jut out over a ravine and were once used as a summer residence for the royal family. They have now been converted into the Museum of Abstract Art.

News from Madrid, presented by Incantato Tours

In the past, Madrid has often been considered the stately, classical cousin to the cooler, hipper Barcelona. However, the ambiance of Spain's capital is changing and it is evolving into a trendy destination in its own right.

One of the main contributors to this transformation has been the emerging and contemporary art exhibitions and there has also been a spike in shopping venues opened with international visitors in mind. 
One of the events to watch is the fourth annual Apertura contemporary art exhibition, presented by the ARTE Madrid Association of Art Galleries. The festival features simultaneous activities at museums and some 50 galleries city-wide.  

There will also be the first ever Summa, a fair hosted by the Matadero Madrid cultural center, that will showcase everything from emerging art and photography to gastronomy. The Matadero center itself is also a happening venue, with year-round events and exhibitions. Located in the previously less touristed Arganzueal district, the center has revitalized that part of the city. 
If shopping is more of interest to you than art, be sure to watch out for the Las Rozas Village. It is a large complex that acts not only as a tourist draw, but is also set to help revive the country's down economy. Close to Gran Via is also TriBail, featuring young designers, appealing shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. 

An addition to the thriving shopping and art scene, the San Anton Markethas also been a valuable addition to what Madrid has to offer. Situated in the popular neighborhood of Chueco, which is a hub of welcoming restaurants, this modern, refurbished market offers visitors typical season Spanish products in a three-story building. The building originally dates back to the 19th century, but it was modernized in 2002 and finally opened in 2011. San Anton is not a market in the traditional sense, but a combination between market, show cooking and restaurant. 

On the first floor, vendors present stands of food from hamburgers to a selection of more than 60 types of bread, vegetables and fruit. On the second floor, there is a tasting area, as well as the opportunity to purchase Spanish and international cuisine to go. A restaurant is located on the third floor where typical products form the market below are cooked. It also features a terrace lounge with a view. 

For more news from Travel Weekly, please click here. 

Fun Facts about Madrid

• Being the most visited city in Spain it is also the third most populated city in Europe after London (UK) and Berlin (Germany).
• Its sister city in the USA is New York City.
• According to FIFA, Real Madrid C.F. is the world's most successful soccer club of the 20th century. Their stadium is called Bernabéu, and is located in Chamartín in the North of Madrid.
• The well-known dance Flamenco was originated here. There is however a misunderstanding of the word “Flamenco” as many people think this is just a dance, but in fact it is a mixture such art forms as guitar playing, dancing and singing.
• Madrid hosts the largest Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas (bullring) in Spain, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world center of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000.
• The Royal Botanic Garden or Real Jardin Botanico was an 18th century creation. It was used as a base for the plant species being collected across the globe.
• Madrid enjoys more cloudless days than almost any other city in Europe.
• Madrid decided to give its answer to Disney World and now Warner Brothers Movie World is located here. Everyone now has an opportunity to enjoy the rides and feel like a kid again.
  
  
• Madrid's official symbol of the bear on its hind legs eating berries from the madroño tree is a metaphor for Madrid's growth and represents possession and ownership of wood which is necessary for constructing buildings. 
  
   

Incantato Introduction: Spanish Cuisine

The Spanish food tradition has varied ancestry, though most Spanish dishes have rather humble origins and are the result of ingredients put together by farmers or shepherd families - many times using leftovers, or at the very least products from their own farms and orchards.
Mountains run through Spain in several directions, acting as natural barriers to communication and making transportation difficult until the last half of the 20th century. This is one of the reasons why cooking differs so much from region to region. Many times the only common ingredients are olive oil and garlic, the two basic ingredients of Spanish food!
Many dishes are prepared today using the same cooking methods and ingredients as they were two or three hundred years ago. Other dishes sprung up from European and American influences and were adapted to the Spanish taste. One thing is for sure, food in Spain is fresh, abundant and full of taste and the Spanish love their food dearly.

Unquestionably pork is par excellence the most favorite Spanish meat:
the Spanish like to make use of all of the ingredients they can and often include a number of different meats in the same dish.
Of course there are many other meats served in Spanish tables including lamb, beef and chicken. But Spaniards are not exclusively carnivorous, there are many vegetarian stews and other dishes that are enjoyed from North to South, from East to West. Vegetables are grown throughout the country, and the varied climates and terrains in Spain mean that a variety of different vegetables are grown. As a result, the vegetable dishes in Spain tend to also vary from place to place.

But what makes Spanish food so popular? The answer is simple it is the quality and variety of the ingredients used. For instance, it was the Romans that imported rice to Spain, giving way to the creation of the Valencian paella and many other rice dishes. Since then, these dishes have come to form part of the typical dishes of Spain and are a definite must for any travelers who are planning on visiting Spain and doing a bit of gastronomic tourism.

There is also a great variety of seafood, including fish and crustaceans from the coast areas, which are used in the preparation of many delicious dishes. The fish industry in Spain is extremely important and forms part of the livelihood of many of the population. Furthermore, Spain is a country that is blessed with such a large and varied coastline, including the Bay of Biscay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This gives rise to a whole manner of different species of fish and seafood being available for Spanish chefs. Therefore the range of Spanish seafood dishes is endless!

When it comes to sweet things, Spain has a very rich dessert tradition. On one hand it was also influenced by the Moors, and on the other many of them are centuries old creations from nun convents. 
If you have a sweet tooth we recommend you to sample some of the many deserts Spain has to offer for a example Churros, Spain’s answer to a donut, a crunchy, deep-fried sweet snack that resembles the horns of the churro sheep. It is mostly served with hot chocolate to dip it in.

¡Buen provecho!

Incantato Welcomes You to Spain!

¡Damas y caballeros, bienvenidas y bienvenidos a España!

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a member state of the European Union since 1986 and is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco.

With an area of 505,955 km², Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France and is amongst the fifty largest countries in the world. Since January 1, 2010, Spain has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Because of its location, the territory of Spain was subject to many external influences, often simultaneously, since prehistoric times and through the dawn of Spain as a country. Conversely, the country itself has been an important source of influence to other regions, chiefly during the Modern Era, when it became a global empire that has left a legacy of over 400 million Spanish speakers today, making it the world's second most spoken language by native speakers. Spain is a democracy organized in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy.

The Spanish population stands at over 47 million, with an average density of just 93.4 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The life expectancy in Spain is one of the highest in the world (approximately 82,1 years). Life expectancy for Spanish women, at 85 years, is also one of the highest in the European Union. Around 15% of the Spanish population is under 16 years old, while approximately 15% are over 65. Nevertheless, Spain's population is still quite young in comparison to that of other European countries.

Since Spain has still a monarchy the members of the Spanish royal family enjoy the affection and respect of the Spanish people. The royal family is made up of H.M. the King Juan Carlos, H.M. the Queen Sofía, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Felipe and Letizia, and their daughters, Leonor and Sofía.

Spain, is one of the warmest countries in Europe and has a predominantly warm Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and winters with balanced temperatures. Here you can enjoy more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. It is no surprise, then, that this is also one of the warmest parts of Europe.
When talking of weather, special mention should be made of the Canary Islands. Their special location, facing the coast of Africa, gives them a benign climate with mild temperatures with only small temperature differences between day and night, whatever the season.

The currency in Spain is the Euro, as in other European Union countries. The Euro is divided into 100 cents.
• There are eight different coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and 1 and 2 Euro.
• And seven different bank notes, for the following amounts: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.

Next stop for La Canada on Day 4: Verona

Verona is a city in Veneto, northern Italy, home to approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven provincial capitals of the region. It is the second most populated municipality of the region and the third of North-East Italy. The metro area of Verona has an area of 1.426 km2 (0.55 sq mi) and has a population of 714,274 inhabitants. It is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy, thanks to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows, and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans. The city has been awarded world heritage site status by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture.

Second La Canada Choir Group arrived in Venice too

Just a quick update on the second flight group that also arrived safely in Venice on Thursday evening and was welcomed by their Incantato Tourmanager Eloisa. Together with the travelers that landed a few hours earlier, the singers from La Canada High School under the direction of Mr. Jeff Brookey plus their family and friends enjoyed their welcome dinner and then turned in for a first night on Italian soil. "Everything is okay, even all the luggage made it", commented Ambra from the Incantato Tours Italy Team this morning. Next stop for the group is the magical island of Venice.

New additions to your Incantato Tour Blog!

Dear La Canada Travelers,
We've added some new, important, and exciting details to your Incantato Tour Blog. Please click the links below to learn more about your upcoming journey. Be sure to check back regularly for further updates and browse the rest of the blog for fun destination information.

Travel information:

• Updated tour itinerary
• Flight schedules
• Map of tour route
• Travel insurance
• Travel Tip: What to pack
  
• Travel Tip: Money matters
  
• Travel Tip: Socket adapters
  
• Travel Tip: Cell phone usage
  

Confirmed performance venues:

• Church of San Lorenzo, Florence
  
• Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice
• Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, Rieti
• Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
• Papal Audience, Vatican City
• Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome

Hotel accommodations:

• Hotel Delfino, Mestre
• Grand Hotel Plaza, Montecatini Terme
• Hotel Excel Montemario or Villa Maria Regina, Rome

Enjoy the tour blog? Then become a follower!

Dear Singers, Family and Friends of the La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, we sure hope you enjoy the blog and recommend that you become a follower by clicking on the respective option in the right side bar of this webpage. As a follower, you will never miss an update and once the group heads over to Europe there should be lots of news coming your way. You can also leave comments which are like virtual greetings. Our tour team will pass those messages to the travelers on tour whenever possible. Everyone at Incantato Tours wishes you well as you prepare for this exciting journey under the leadership of Mr. Jeff Brookey.

La Canada HS Italy Performance Tour - Updated Itinerary

Welcome to the Incantato blog for the 2011 La Canada HS Performance Tour to Italy. This is the updated itinerary and still a work in progress. While the dates are now set and flights are booked, some details are subject to change as this journey becomes more and more your tour and to enhance the overall experience. Enjoy!

DAY 1 Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Overnight flight to Italy...
... in two groups: Lufthansa leaves LAX at 2:50 PM and Swiss Air leaves LAX at 7:25 PM.

DAY 2 Thursday, March 31
Venice Arrival & Orientation
Benvenuti in Bella Italy. After meeting your Incantato Tour Manager and transfer to the hotel, enjoy a relaxing welcome dinner at your hotel. The group will stay at Hotel Delfino in nearby Mestre on March 31 and April 1.

DAY 3 Friday, April 1
Venice in depth and  Mass
Take a private boat ride, then enjoy a guided city tour of Venice’s many highlights: See the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace, visit St. Mark’s Basilica where the choir will sing High Mass in the evening, continue to the Rialto Bridge and market. Afternoon at leisure for optional museum visits and shopping. Dinner at Al Giardinetto Castello.

DAY 4 Saturday, April 2
Scenic route to Tuscany
Drive to Tuscany with a stop in Verona for sightseeing. Then continue on to beautiful Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and Miracle Square. Tonight’s dinner is served at a rustic farmhouse, Fattoria Il Poggio, known as an agriturismo and will feature local products as well as tastings of olive oil for all and wines for the adults prior to getting to the spa town of Montecatini Terme, a place very much beloved by Verdi. The group will stay at the Grand Hotel Plaza in Montecatini Terme on April 2 and 3.

DAY 5 Sunday, April 3
Florence Visit and Concert at San Lorenzo Church
Drive to nearby Florence for a guided city tour including entrance to the Accademia Museum. Afternoon at leisure for lunch on your own, exploring and shopping. Dinner at Finisterrae. Then get ready for your first formal concert at the Church of San Lorenzo at 8:15 pm together with your friends from JSerra Catholic High School. Overnight in Montecatini.

DAY 6 Monday, April 4
Via Labro and Rieti to Rome
Transfer to Labro to visit the Art Monastery, including a tour and Gregorian chant workshop, followed by a drive to Rieti where you will enjoy a Pizza-making lunch (courtesy of Incantato Tours). There the travelers will enjoy an official reception and perform at the Il Teatro Flavio Vespansiano followed by an exchange with local high school students. Then travel to the Eternal city of Rome where you will have dinner at your hotel. The group will divided and stay at either Hotel Excel Montemario or Villa Maria Regina for the remainder of the tour.

DAY 7 Tuesday, April 5
Vatican Sightseeing and Mass
Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel this morning. Free time for lunch, individual sightseeing, etc. The choirs sing High Mass at St. Peter‘s Basilica at 5:00 this evening. Dinner at Sico Moro Restaurant.

DAY 8 Wednesday, April 6
Papal Audience & Concert
Attend and sing at the Papal Audience in the Vatican this morning followed by lunch on your own and a guided sightseeing tour of “Ancient Rome” featuring the Coliseum and Roman Forum. Your tour concludes this evening with a concert at the Church of Sant’ Agnese in Agone on beautiful Piazza Navona followed by a fun farewell Roman-style dinner.

DAY 9 Thursday, April 7
Flight to USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flights in two groups to Los Angeles: Swiss Air leaves at 9:35AM and Lufthansa leaves at 12:15PM.


Here are some images from the 2010 Western Reserve Academy Tour to Italy:

Welcome to Italy!

Italy is located partly on the European Continent and partly on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within the Italian Peninsula, and Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. The territory of Italy covers 301,338 km² and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. With 60.2 million inhabitants, it is the sixth most populous country in Europe, and the twenty-third most populous in the world.

The land known as Italy today has been the cradle of European cultures and peoples, such as the Etruscans and the Romans. Italy's capital, Rome, was for centuries the political center of Western civilization, as the capital of the Roman Empire. After its decline, Italy would endure numerous invasions by foreign peoples, from Germanic tribes such as the Lombards and Ostrogoths, to the Normans and later, the Byzantines, among others. Centuries later, Italy would become the birthplace of the Renaissance, an immensely fruitful intellectual movement that would prove to be integral in shaping the subsequent course of European thought.

Through much of its post-Roman history, Italy was fragmented into numerous kingdoms and city-states (such as the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Duchy of Milan), but was unified in 1861, a tumultuous period in history known as the "Risorgimento". In the late 19th century, through World War I, and to World War II, Italy possessed a colonial empire, which extended its rule to Libya, Eritrea, Italian Somaliland, Ethiopia, Albania, Rhodes, the Dodecanese and a concession in Tianjin, China.

Modern Italy is a democratic republic and the world's eighteenth most developed country, with the eighth or tenth highest quality of life index rating in the world. It is a founding member of what is now the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Italy is also a member of the G8 and G20. It is a member state of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Trade Organization, the Council of Europe, and the Western European Union as well. The country's European political, social and economic influence make it a major regional power, alongside the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia, and Italy has been classified in a study, measuring hard power, as being the eleventh greatest worldwide national power. The country has a high public education level, high labor force, is a globalized nation, and also has 2009's sixth best international reputation. Italy also has the world's nineteenth highest life expectancy, and the world's second best health care system. It is the world's fifth most visited country, with over 43.7 million international arrivals, and boasts a long tradition and several achievements in the arts, science and technology, including the world's highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to date.

Tour the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums are indisputably one of the finest collections of art in the world. Over the centuries, Papal patrons have commissioned renowned works such as the magnificent frescoes of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, and those by Raphael in his stanze. The museums also host some of the most important sculptures from the ancient world, such as the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere. Incantato Tours is thrilled to offer the La Canada High School Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and friends the opportunity to see these works as they were originally viewed and contemplated by the Popes who created the Museums.

Incantato's visit to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel will be led by a specialized docent/expert

guide and is just open to members of your tour. We also provide headsets to everyone for a truly individual experience. This is an exceptional opportunity for an intimate visit and lecture on the Vatican and its impressive art collection without the press and chaos of the crowds. 

Please note that not all galleries will be accessible to us during this after hours visit. The Pinacoteca and Egyptian collections are not available for viewing after closing hours. The opportunity to view the Belvedere Courtyard is also dependent on the route the Vatican guards allow us to take. We normally spend a significant amount of time (35-40 minutes) inside the Sistine Chapel and divide the rest of our time between the Gallery of Maps, Tapestry Gallery, and Raphael Rooms, including other collections as time and security permits.