The Carolina International Chorale is based in Chapel Hill, NC and was formed by Dr. Sue Klausmeyer. In 2008, the singers toured Bella Italia and Incantato is currently planning the choir's next international performance tour to the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary.
For the Carolina International Chorale's welcome dinner on their 2010 Performance Tour of Central Europe, Incantato Tours has hand-picked this delightful restaurant for your tasting pleasures!
The Blue Duckling II follows the success of the first restaurant bearing the same name, with a new locale mere steps away from the Old Town Square in Prague. The Blue Duckling II attempts to refine standard Czech dishes into true Bohemian haute cuisine, and has a menu that is loaded with an array of wild game and quirky spins on Czech village favorites. Even the President and former prime minister Václav Klaus took visiting leaders here when he wanted to prove that Czechs, too, have a unique style.
The building consists of small dining rooms with vaulted ceilings and playfully frescoed walls, and is packed with antique furniture and pastel-flowered linen upholstery. The Blue Duckling II is an ideal place to relax while tasting some very sophisticated Czech cuisine, where traditional recipes are improved to guarantee extraordinary culinary experiences.
Dear CIC travelers, please find a more updated itinerary below and you will be receiving your very detailed day by day information via email after Memorial Day Weekend. We sure hope you are excited about your upcoming tour to Central Europe -- Auf Wiedersehen from all of us at Incantato Tours.
DAY 1 Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Travel to Europe Overnight group flight to Prague with Lufthansa.
Group Flight Schedule:
Raleigh to Philadelphia with US1238 departing at 3:40 PM, arrival at 5:11 PM
connect to LH 427 to Frankfurt departing at 6:50 PM and arriving at 9:05 AM (dinner and breakfast served on board) on June 24, then clear customs and immigration and continue with LH3260 to PRG departing at 12:00 PM and arriving at 1:00 PM.
DAY 2 Thursday, June 24
Vítejtes to Central Europe Your tour manager Barbara Holl will welcome you at Prague airport and assist you in the transfer plus check-in at the Moevenpick Hotel. Time to rest prior to a welcome meeting in the lobby,followed by a special welcome dinner in Prague’s historic Old Town with local specialties.
Overnight in Prague at the Moevenpick Hotel.
Mövenpick Hotel Prague Mozartova 1 - 150 00 Prague Czech Republic
Phone:+420 257 151 111
www.moevenpick-prague.com
DAY 3 Friday, June 25
Prague in-depth & first Concert Your guided sightseeing tour starts in the Royal Castle District where you will see beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral and then cross over Charles‘ Bridge into the Old Town. Next stop is the Smetana Museum followed by free time for a quick lunch and a brief rehearsal.
At 2 pm, CIC presents the first formal concert at the baroque church of St. Nicholas located right in the heart of the city center and on one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The remainder of the day is at your leisure under the guidance of your tour manager.
Overnight in Prague at the Moevenpick Hotel.
DAY 4 Saturday, June 26
Prague at Leisure - Evening Concert and reception Explore the Czech capital at your own pace until the early afternoon, then around 2:30 pm take a short ride just a few miles outside of the city to the town of Panenské Brezany u Prahy for a special highlight performance in the magnificent Chapel of St. Ann. After the concert, a special reception by the local town's people awaits you and the mayor of the small village invites all members of the CIC Tour to refreshments. You will return to Prague around 8 pm.
Overnight in Prague at the Moevenpick Hotel.
DAY 5 Sunday, June 27
Magical Cesky Krumlov After a leisurely breakfast and check-out around 9:30 am, drive to South Bohemia and visit Cesky Krumlov‘s historic city center (UNESCO World Heritage). You will arrive around noon. At 2 pm, two local guides show you around town for an hour or two. Aside from having plenty of time for museum visits, shopping or just strolling around town, a medieval-style dinner in a cellar tavern awaits you. The Satlava restaurants is one of our old time favorites and known for its special garlic soup. The now rustic tavern once served as the town prison.
Overnight at Hotel The Old Inn
Hotel The Old Inn Nám. Svornosti 12 - 381 01 Český Krumlo
Tel: +420 380 772 500
www.hoteloldinn.czv
DAY 6 Monday, June 28
Via Linz to the Danube Valley Cross the border to Austria and visit Linz. Two local guides will introduce you to their city’s highlights followed by free time for lunch. At 2 pm, continue along the Wachau Valley first to your hotel in Krems for check-in and to explore town. A special wine-tasting with some light snacks is offered this evening, dinner is on your own.
Overnight at Hotel Steigenberger Avance Krems
Steigenberger Avance Hotel Am Goldberg 2 - 3500 Krems/Wachau, Österreich
Tel: +43 2732 71010
www.steigenberger.com/Krems
DAY 7 Tuesday, June 29
Krems - Melk - Dürnstein & another very special Concert After a leisurely breakfast, your group visits beautiful Melk Abbey and then continues to the picturesque town of Dürnstein for lunch on your own. then continue to the Benedictine Abbey of Goettweig where a special reception and private tour awaits you. This evening, at 7:30 pm, a highlight concert takes place at the magnificent Stiftskirche at Göttweig Abbey followed by dinner in the panoramic restaurant.
Overnight at Hotel Steigenberger Krems
DAY 8 Wednesday, June 30
Vienna Sightseeing “Willkommen in Wien“: Visit Schubert‘s Birthplace and the Mozart Museum, then drive along the famous Ring and last not least see Stephansdom. The afternoon and evening are at leisure so you can pursue your own activities, be it a stroll through the city center, attending a concert at the State Opera House or Schönbrunn Palace, or enjoying a special dinner at one of the many famous Viennese restaurants. Your home away from home is the Austria Trend Hotel Messe right near the Prater Park with the famous giant ferris wheel.
Overnight at Hotel Austria Trend Messe
Austria Trend Hotel Messe Wien
Messestraße 2 -1020 Wien, Austria
Tel.: +43 (1) 727 27-0
www.austria-trend.at/Hotel-Messe-Wien/en/
DAY 9 Thursday, July 1
Off to charming Budapest Cross the border to Hungary and drive straight to Budapest. Start your stay in the Hungarian capital city with a panoramic sightseeing that takes you up to the Castle District, Matyas Templom and the Fishermen's Bastion. Evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel K+K Budapest Opera
K+K Hotel Opera
Révay utca 24, 1065 Budapest, Hungary Tel.: +36-1-269 02 22
www.kkhotels.com/opera
DAY 10 Friday, July 2
Szentendre - Finale Concert & Cruise Embark on a half-day excursion to the nearby artist colony of Szentendre in the morning, then return to Budapest in the afternoon for some free time. At 6 pm, CIC presents another highlight concert at the beautiful church of St. Michael’s followed by a fun farewell dinner cruise with music and local specialties on the Danube.
Overnight at Hotel K+K Budapest Opera
DAY 11 Saturday, July 3
Departure to the US After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight or for those of you who would like to stay longer, embark on your individual extensions.
Group Flight Schedule:
Leave Budapest on LH3465 departing at 7:00 AM to Munich arriving at 8:15 AM, connect to LH 428 to Charlotte leaving at 11:40 AM and arriving at 3:35 PM, clear immigrations and customs, then continue with US1236 to RDU departing at 8:05 PM and arriving at 8:58 PM.
"Our tour was so much more than a music festival. It was a complete cultural enrichment including great performance venues, hotels, restaurants, local tour guides, as well as connections with other choirs and instrumentalists. An added bonus for us was an introduction to an Italian composer who presently will be joining us in NC for 3 concerts featuring some of his choral music. So the cultural exchange continues. Bravo, Incantato!" Dr. Sue Klausmeyer, Chapel Hill Community Chorus, Chapel Hill, NC
"As a director I loved the personal touch Incantato was able to provide and the attention they gave to even the smallest details. Incantato worked with us to suit our tour of Central Europe to our ensemble’s needs and objectives. The result was a brilliant tour that featured amazing performance venues, excellent guides, and unique cultural experiences that the students and I will remember for a lifetime."
Dr. Graeme Langager - Director of Choral Activities, University of Arkansas
"Having recently returned from a successful tour of Ireland, I can say without a doubt that this was my finest tour experience. I have used several different tours companies in my years of performance tours, and none have matched the attention to detail, the thoughtful planning, excellent venues & marketing, meal & hotels, and overall management by Incantato Tours. Their pricing was excellent, and when the US currency dropped, they did not raise any of our cost. I would recommend this company to anyone planning a tour, whether they are a large professional ensemble, or a small church choir." Nathan J. Kreitzer - Director of Choral Activities Santa Barbara City College, CA
“When we travel to Europe again, it wil be with Incantato. I have been more than impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail. We sang in great and unforgettable venues, had excellent marketing and audiences. I highly recommend Incantato.“ Howard Cheung, San Marino Chamber Choir, CA
“I’ve worked with many other tour companies, but our Incantato Tour exceeded even my most optimistic expectations. The singers will remember their time in Italy the rest of their lives. To have had the opportunity to perform in those amazing cathedrals with large appreciative audiences was truly memorable.“ Judy Filibeck, Choir of the Sound, Seattle, WA
“From start to finish Incantato was tremendous in terms of the planning and execution of our tour. We found the staff professional yet personable, and without doubt we’ll travel with them in the future.” Philemon Theodorou, SCHS Vocal Arts, CA
“Incantato Tours has created the most musically satisfying tour we have ever taken. For the singers touring is about the music in the wonderful cathedrals and the exchanges with the local kids. A toast to Incantato for fulfilling your dream, and for making so many people so happy - now and in the future.“ Arlene Jacobs, SCS Touring Choir, Akron, OH
“Incantato Tours impresses me because their clients come first. Their advantage lies in the selection of venues, impressive itineraries and the ability to tend to details.” Dr. Gary L. Unruh, Professor Emeritus, CSU Fresno
The Blue Duckling II follows the success of the first restaurant bearing the same name, with a new locale mere steps away from the Old Town Square in Prague. The Blue Duckling II attempts to refine standard Czech dishes into true Bohemian haute cuisine, and has a menu that is loaded with an array of wild game and quirky spins on Czech village favorites. Even the President and former prime minister Václav Klaus took visiting leaders here when he wanted to prove that Czechs, too, have a unique style.
