Austria & Germany 

Vienna v Linz v Salzburg v Innsbruck v Rothenburg v Heidelberg
- I T I N E R A R Y -

• Day 1, June 22, Tuesday: Depart USA
This afternoon depart Houston and London Heathrow International Airport via British Airways for your overseas journey to Vienna, Austria. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served aloft. (D,B)

• Day 2, June 23, Wednesday: Arrive Vienna
• Upon your arrival at Vienna International Airport, your Tour Director will meet you and assist you. Your luggage will be transferred to a comfortable touring bus and soon you will be on your way to Vienna, the Music Capital of the World!! This is the city of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Strauss! You will stay in Vienna for three nights. Check-in at hotel in Vienna. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Vienna. (B,D)

• Day 3, June 24, Thursday: AM/Highlights tour of Vienna - PM/Tour of the Schonbrunn Palace and Garden
After breakfast, you will be transferred to St. Stephen’s Cathedral for an 8:45am informal recital. Then, we continue on our tour as we pass the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Habsburg emperors; the Capuchin Church containing the imperial vaults; St. Charles' Church, a splendid example of late Baroque architecture; and the Belvedere Palace, former residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Drive around the Ring, one of the most magnificent boulevards in the world, passing the Vienna Opera, Museums, House of Parliament, City Hall, and the Burgtheater.
Independent lunch. This afternoon, continue on an extended tour of the Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs. The name comes from the fountain that was built over a spring in the early 1600’s. The castle itself was built by Ferdinand II, in 1637. It came into its full grandiose incarnation during the reign of Maria Theresa, when she added the massive mirrors, frescoed ceilings and gigantic crystal chandeliers. On the grounds of the castle are also a greenhouse, a large French garden, and the worlds oldest zoo. Balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps you will stop at the famous “Kaffeehaus” for people watching. Dinner at your hotel. Various optional events can be enjoyed this evening including concerts, opera, and perhaps musicals. Overnight in Vienna. (B,D)

• Day 4, June 25, Friday: AM/Zentralfriedhof & Tales of the Woods - On the trail of Joseph Hayden - Evening/Concert
• Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
• This morning, visit Zentralfriedhof, the cemetery where the famous composers Hayden, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Strauss are buried. Continue onto Rohrau and visit Hayden‘s Birth House. From there we visit the town of Einsenstadt, capital of the province of Burgenland. It was here at the Bergkirche that Josef Haydn served thirty years as Kapellmeister, and that his "Mass in Time of War" was first performed in 1796. Informal recital at the Bergkirche (subject to confirmation). Independent lunch. Enjoy a guided tour of Ersterhazy Castle. Continue on your journey through Burgenland for a formal concert at a local community, followed by an evening meal in a“Heurigen“ restaurant in one of the villages on the lakes of the Neusiedl Lake. Overnight in Vienna. (B,D)

• Day 5, June 26, Saturday: Florian Abbey & Salzburg
• Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
• This morning we leave Vienna and drive through the magnificent scenery along the Danube known as the Wachau, a region which is the pride of the historic preservation movement in Upper Austria. Arrive in Linz late morning. Visit the Abbey of St. Florian. The largest Abbey in Upper Austria, it is a renowned cultural center, and has been occupied since the 11th-century by Canons of St. Augustine. The present buildings are in the purest Baroque style. The monastery was entirely rebuilt from 1686 to 1751; first under the initial direction of Carlo Antonio Carlone, then finished by Jakob Prandtauer. You will have the opportunity to view the famous Bruckner Organ and visit Bruckner's Grave in the Abbey crypt. Independent lunch. This afternoon, continue onward to the Baroque city of Salzburg, a jewel set on the beautiful banks of the Salzach River, for a two-night stay. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Salzburg. (B,D)

• Day 6, June 27, Sunday: AM/Salzburg Cathedral - PM/Guided Tour of Salzburg
• Leisurely breakfast at your hotel.
• Late morning, you will be transferred to Salzburg Cathedral for the 11:30am., Mass sung by the Kramer Choir. After Mass, begin your guided tour of Salzburg’s sights along Getreidegasse, the city’s pedestrian street, lined with authentic 17th and 18th century buildings including the house where Mozart was born. View Monchsberg with the fortress “Hohensalzburg” which overlooks the city. Built into the side of Monchsberg is the Salzburg Festspielhaus, home of the famous Salzburg Festival Operas. See Residenzplatz, the center square of Salzburg, dominated by the dynamic sculpture of the Residenzbrunnen, the largest baroque fountain north of the alps. The Residenz building, built in 1596, was once the palace of the Bishops. Nearby stands the St. Peter's Abbey, next to the cemetery recreated for the escape scene in "Sound of Music" and where most of Mozart's religious works were premiered. Independent lunch and balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Salzburg. (B,D)

• Day 7, June 28, Monday: King Ludwig Herrenchiemsee Castle - Innsbruck
After breakfast, we leave Salzburg and drive across the German frontier, for a stop at Chiemsee Lake, known as the "Bavarian Sea". The Chiemsee is the largest of Bavaria's lakes. It spreads its calm waters over 82km - 32 sq. miles between, on one side, gentle banks bordered by rushes and, on the other, the first foothills of the Bavarian Alps. One of the islands in this vast "Bavarian Sea" is Herrninsel, site of Herrenchiemsee Castle, a sumptuous palace built by "Mad King Ludwig." The whole island was bought in 1873 by young Ludwig, who not only wished to save its trees but also to build himself a replica of Versailles. Independent lunch. Then, we drive along the forested landscape to Innsburck to check-in at hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Innsburck. (B,D)

• Day 8, June 29, Tuesday: Highlight tour of Innsbruck - PM/Tour Swarovsky Chrystal World - Evening/Concert
•Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
•Today we tour Innsburck. The only major city on the European Alps, Innsbruck’s charm lies in its combination of culture, history and exquisite natural beauty. This city, completely enveloped by its breathtaking landscapes was once the exclusive vacation territory of the Habsburgs. See St. Jakob’s Cathedral and the Annesaüle “St. Anna’s Column.” Visit the Hofkirche, which boasts a large memorial to Emperor Maximilian, including a massive sarcophagus. A visit to Innsbruck would not be complete without a view of the “Goldenes Dach,” a lodge built with a golden roof, at the command of Maximillian. Independent lunch. 2:00pm., excursion to visit Swarovsky Chrystal World. This evening you will be transferred to the Cathedral in Innsbruck for a formal concert by the Kramer
Choir. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Innsburck. (B,D)

• Day 9, June 30, Wednesday: Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber - Heidelberg
•Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
•Today we leave Innsbruck to through the romantic road to the medieval Franconian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Upon arrival we tour Rothenburg ob der Tauber. A town straight from the Middle Ages, preserved with dedication and skill, it has withstood the ravages of time and war and gives us a glimpse into the past. Its city walls, its lovely wood-framed houses, its town square, and St. James Cathedral with the famous “Holy Blood Altar” by Tilman Riemenschneider will be unforgettable. Independent lunch. This afternoon, we continue through the scenic Oden Forest with its many castles and remnants of medieval fortresses to Heidelberg, the romantic city of the "Student Prince" on the mouth of the Neckar River Valley. Check-in at hotel. Dinner and overnight in Heidelberg. (B,D)

• Day 10, July 1, Thursday: Heidelberg - Evening/Concert
•Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
•This morning you will tour the beautiful city of Heidelberg. The highlight of your visit here will be the magnificent Gothic-Renaissance castle, which dominates the town from high above the river. Enjoy a matchless view from the terraces over the old town and the river. Visit the castle's chapel and Royal Hall, as well its the most popular treasure, a mammoth wine cask with a capacity of 58,650 gallons. Independent lunch and afternoon at leisure.
Optional I: This evening, you will be transferred to the Jesuitenkirsche for a 7:00 p.m. concert. Optional II: This evening, you will be transferred to the Cathedral in Speyer for a 7:00 p.m. concert. Dinner and overnight in Heidelberg. (B,D)

• Day 11, July 2, Friday: Return to the USA
This morning you will be transferred to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight to the USA.

YOUR CHOIR TOUR WILL INCLUDE:
• Nine (9) nights accommodations in twin rooms with private facilities.
• Breakfast and dinner daily.
• Services of a Tour manager upon arrival to departure in Frankfurt.
• All sightseeing as per the attached itinerary in a private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach.
• Services of a professional licensed English-speaking guide.
• Entrance fees to all sights as per attached itinerary.
.
Items not included in the price:
• Health, trip cancellation/interruption or baggage insurance. All are strongly recommended.
• Passport & visa costs if any.
• Items of a personal nature (hotel extras, laundry, phone calls etc.).
• Gratuities to the tour guides, driver and escort;
• Items not specifically mentioned above.