i cantori performance tour to spain & portugal · i cantori performance 2016 tour to spain...

I Cantori Performance 2016 Tour to Spain & Portugal (16 days) Revised Proposal/August 24, 2014

Cultural Tour Consultants, Kalamazoo, Michigan USA •••• Telephone 1-866-499-3799 of 9

II CCAANNTTOORRII PPEERRFFOORRMMAANNCCEE TTOOUURR to Spain & Portugal

JJUUNNEE 99--2244,, 22001166 (16 days/14 nights)

Thursday, June 9

Fly from San Francisco to Barcelona

Check in for your flight at the San Francisco Airport.

Depart San Francisco.

A connection will be required in a US or European city before continuing on to Barcelona. Meals served on board your transatlantic flight.

Friday, June 10 Arrive in Barcelona (Barcelona)

Morning Arrive at the Barcelona Airport. Claim your luggage and clear customs. You will be met in the Arrivals Hall, after customs, by your Cultural Tour Consultants tour manager.

A stop will be made on MMoonnttjjuuiicc HHiillll for photo shots of the city below. You will drive past the Olympic Stadium before descending to central Barcelona. You will see the Olympic Village area and Barceloneta before continuing on to your centrally-located hotel.

Afternoon Time for lunch on your own.

HHOOTTEELL Check into your centrally-located hotel. HHootteell RReeggeennttee: https://www.hcchotels.es/en/hotel/2/hcc-regente or comparable.

Afternoon at leisure.

Evening Welcome Dinner at a restaurant located within walking distance of your hotel.

259 East Michigan Ave., Suite 206A Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 U.S.A. Telephone: (269) 343-5667 (866) 499-3799 – toll free Facsimile: (269) 432-0505 Email: [email protected] www.culturaltourconsultants.com



Saturday, June 11 Modernista Architecture of Barcelona (Barcelona)

Morning Breakfast at your hotel.

Transfer by coach to the SSaaggrraaddaa FFaammiilliiaa.

99::0000 aamm II CCAANNTTOORRII mmaayy ppeerrffoorrmm dduurriinngg mmaassss iinn tthhee CCrryypptt ooff tthhee SSaaggrraaddaa FFaammiilliiaa ((tteennttaattiivvee))..

Tour the church, Gaudi’s masterpiece which he was unable to finish. Work has continued for the last few decades and the interior has recently been completed!!

Drive through the Illa de la Discorda to admire the modernista architecture in this most famous block of the city. Barcelona claims to have the greatest collection of Art Nouveau buildings of any city in Europe. The style flourished after 1854.

Arrive at Antoni Gaudi’s CCaassaa MMiilláá ((LLaa PPeeddrreerraa)) for a tour including the modernista interior of the apartment of the Milá family and the spectacular roofscape of chimneys resembling abstract sculpture.

Afternoon Lunch on your own.

Transfer to the PPaarrcc GGuueellll for a visit. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this is Gaudi’s most colorful creation. Tour the park with your guide.

Remainder of day at leisure.

Evening Dinner on your own.

Sunday, June 12 Free time or optional excursion to Montserrat (Barcelona)


Morning at leisure for independent exploration.

We suggest a visit to the MMeerrccaaddoo llaa BBooqquueerriiaa, the very lively covered market located just off the famous Ramblas Street.

OPTIONAL Excursion to Montserrat, site of a Benedictine Monastery, located on the Montserrat Massif located 4,055 feet above sea level. You will have a short orientation tour of the monastery complex. You may want to take the St. John’s funicular for splendid views and walk back to the monastery. Depart hotel at 8:30 AM and return to Barcelona at 1:00 PM. Supplemental fee of $30 to be paid in advance.


Choral workshop with a local choir from Barcelona. The afternoon will include time for music, fellowship, and exchange.

♫♫ JJooiinntt ppeerrffoorrmmaannccee tthhiiss eevveenniinngg ooffffeerreedd bbyy II CCAANNTTOORRII aanndd tthhee SSeeddeettaa GGoossppeell SSiinnggeerrss ooff BBaarrcceelloonnaa oorr aannootthheerr llooccaall cchhooiirr aatt aa cchhuurrcchh iinn cceennttrraall BBaarrcceelloonnaa.. PPrroocceeeeddss wwiillll ggoo ttoo llooccaall cchhaarriittiieess..




Monday, June 13 Continued discovery of Barcelona (Barcelona)


Walk from your hotel to the PPaallaauu ddee llaa MMúússiiccaa CCaattaallaaññaa for a guided tour. Since its construction in 1908, the Palau has maintained its original purpose as a concert hall. The building is a masterpiece of modernist architecture, achieved by Lluís Doménech I Montaner. It is a celebration of tile work, sculpture, and glorious stained glass. You will have a guided tour.

Continue by foot to the GGootthhiicc QQuuaarrtteerr of Barcelona for a leisurely tour of this district’s most important landmarks: the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, the Generalitat Palace (seat of Government) and the Town Hall.


Afternoon at leisure for independent exploration.

Dinner on your own.

Tuesday, June 14 Travel (350 kms/217 miles) from Barcelona to Valencia (Valencia)


Depart Barcelona, traveling south along the Mediterranean coast.

A stop will be made en route at one of the quaint fishing villages along the way to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery.

Afternoon Arrive in VVaalleenncciiaa.

Time for lunch on your own.

Check into your centrally-located hotel. NH Center Hotel http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/valencia/nh-center.html or comparable.

Reassemble and begin a walking tour of the BBaarrrriioo ddeell CCaarrmmeenn, the historic city center.

Evening Paella dinner in its city of origin (included).

Optional Performance at El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, the performing arts center located in the City of Arts and Sciences designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. It holds many events such as opera, theatre, and music in its several auditoriums. (Contingent upon schedule of events. Additional information including supplemental fee to be provided.)



Wednesday, June 15 Continued discovery of Valencia (Valencia)


Accompanied by a local guide, visit the CCiittyy ooff AArrttss aanndd SScciieenncceess, designed by Santiago Calatrava which includes L’Hémisfèric (IMAX), Science Museum, L’Umbracle (sculpture garden), Oceanographic Park, Performing Arts Center, Assut de l’Or suspension bridge, and l’Agora, a covered plaza.


Free time for independent exploration of central Valencia or to hit the beach!

♫♫ PPeerrffoorrmmaannccee tthhiiss eevveenniinngg bbyy II CCAANNTTOORRII aatt aa llooccaall vveennuuee.. TThhiiss mmaayy bbee aa jjooiinntt ppeerrffoorrmmaannccee wwiitthh aa llooccaall cchhooiirr..


Thursday, June 16 Travel (498 kms/309 miles) from Valencia to Granada (Granada)


Board coach and depart Valencia.

Afternoon A stop will be made en route for lunch on your own.

Stops will be made en route to see interesting natural and/or historic sites.

Arrive in GGrraannaaddaa and check into your hotel. NH Hesperia Granada Hotel http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/granada/hesperia-granada.html#ad-image-0 or comparable.

Evening Dinner at a restaurant with views overlooking Alhambra (included).



Friday, June 17 Visit Alhambra (Granada)


Meet your licensed guide and transfer to the AAllhhaammbbrraa. You will visit the castle built by the caliphs under the Nasrid dynasty, that was meant to depict paradise on earth. The architecture is superb and the delicate craftsmanship is dazzling. You tour will continue to the Generalife, the country estate of the Nasrid kings.

Afternoon Lunch on your own in Granada.

Remainder of day at leisure.


Saturday, June 18 Travel to Seville with a stop in Cordoba to visit the Mezquite (Seville)


Board coach and depart Granada.

A stop will be made in CCóórrddoobbaa which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. At the end of the first millennium, Cordoba was described as “the largest and grandest city in all of Europe.” While the rest of Europe was deep within the Dark Ages, Cordoba was giving the world Jewish and Arab scholars whose teachings and discoveries are still revered and acknowledged today.

Time to enter and visit the GGrraanndd MMeezzqquuiittaa (former Mosque) of Cordoba on your own (entrance included). The Mezquita has more than 800 columns, topped by arches of alternating red and white.

Afternoon Lunch on your own in Cordoba.

Free time to explore Cordoba on your own.

Continue on to Seville.

Arrive in Seville and check into your hotel. NH Plaza de Armas http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/seville/nh-plaza-de-armas.html or comparable.

Evening Flamenco show and dinner at a local restaurant (included).



Sunday, June 19 Discovery of Seville (Seville)


Walk to the the Reales Alcarez, meet your guides and begin a tour of the RRooyyaall RReessiiddeennccee. Constructed under the Almohad rulers, it is a jewel box of Mudéjar patios and halls. The gardens are laid out with terraces, fountains, and pavilions.


Free time for independent exploration.



Monday, June 20 Discovery of Seville (Seville)


Meet your guide and begin a tour of the SSaannttaa CCrruuzz ddiissttrriicctt (the old Jewish quarter) of Seville. The district is a warren of white alleyways and patios. Your tour will include the Cathedral and its belltower, La Giralda.

♫♫ II CCAANNTTOORRII mmaayy ssiinngg iinnffoorrmmaallllyy iinn tthhee SSeevviillllee CCaatthheeddrraall ((tteennttaattiivvee))..

Afterward, climb LLaa GGiirraallddaa bbeellllttoowweerr for stunning views of Sevilla.


Free time for independent exploration.




Tuesday, June 21 Travel (461 kms/286 miles) from Seville to Lisbon (Lisbon)


Board coach and depart Seville.

Afternoon Arrive in ÉÉvvoorraa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First settled by the ancient Celtic people, the town was conquered by the Romans in 57 BC and vestiges of this period still remain. The town flourished under Roman rule due to its prime location on several important routes. Although the town experienced a period of decline under Visigothic rule, it flourished again under the Moors and remained an important town after the Reconquest, gaining a reputation as a center for the humanities: art, sculpture, music.

Lunch on your own.

Meet your guide and begin a tour of Évora to include the aqueduct, the RRoommaann TTeemmppllee ooff DDiiaannaa, the BBoonnee CChhaappeell, the UUnniivveerrssiittyy (founded by the Jesuits in 1559), the CCaatthheeddrraall and its cloisters, and several superb palaces.

Reboard coach and continue on.

Arrive in Lisbon and check into your centrally-located hotel. Hotel Fénix http://www.hfhotels.com/gb/hf-fenix-lisboa or comparable.

Evening Enjoy a stroll through the BBaaiirrrroo AAllttoo located near your hotel. This is a picturesque working class quarter dating from the 16th century that has traditionally been the city's bohemian haunt of artists and writers.

Dinner at a local restaurant with Fado show (included).

Wednesday, June 22 Continued discovery of Lisbon and excursion to Sintra (Lisbon)


Board coach for a morning excursion to SSiinnttrraa, once the royal city of the country, it is surrounded by former estates of the court nobiliy. With its extensive range of green and craggy hills, it offers stupendous views of the beautiful coastline and a micro-climate where an exuberant flora thrives.

Meet your guide and begin a tour of the PPaallààcciioo NNaacciioonnaall ddee SSiinnttrraa. Originally built by the Moors as a summer palace for the sultans, it was a royal residence of the Portuguese royalty until 1900. Primarily Gothic in style, the original Arab influence still stands out.

Afternoon Time for lunch on your own in the beautiful town of Sintra. We suggest you try the famous local delicacy, the quijadas, best translated as “cheesecakes” at the Piriquita café.

Board coach for return to Lisbon.





Thursday, June 23 Discovery of Lisbon (Lisbon)


Take tram No. 28 to Santa Luzia and walk uphill to São Jorge Castle. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Chiado and Bairro Alto districts of Lisbon. Meet your guide and begin a stroll through the AAllffaammaa ddiissttrriicctt, the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon, dating from the Moorish period of the 11th century and located in the labyrinthine maze of streets and stairways just “below” the Castle. You’ll see beautiful azulejo tile panels decorating many of the churches, picturesque squares trendy boutiques, Fado taverns and beautiful views from picturesque squares. You’ll also visit the Feira da Ladra (Thieves’Market) of antiques and second-hand objects.

Your tour will end at the FFaaddoo MMuusseeuumm (entrance included). The Museum celebrates the traditional music of Portugal that originated in the Alfama district in the 19th century.


Reassemble and begin a tour of the BBeelléémm district of the city, an area that houses several of the city’s greatest landmarks dating from the country’s Golden Age, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the BBeelléémm TToowweerr and JJeerróónniimmooss MMoonnaasstteerryy. The sites and excellent museums in the district bring the tourists but it is also a popular spot for Lisbonites, especially for the scenic riverside area which you’ll also visit.

A stop will be made at the famous pastry shop, CCaassaa PPaasstteeiiss ddee BBeelléémm, for a snack.

Evening Festive Farewell Dinner.

Friday, June 24 Return Travel to San Francisco Airport


Transfer to the Lisbon Airport.

Check in for your flight and depart.

A connection will be required in a European or US city before continuing on to San Francisco.

TToouurr PPrriicceess aanndd IInncclluussiioonnss ffoouunndd oonn ffoolllloowwiinngg ppaaggee



II CCAANNTTOORRII PPEERRFFOORRMMAANNCCEE TTOOUURR to Spain & Portugal

JJUUNNEE 99--2244,, 22001166

LAND PACKAGE PRICES

45-49 paying participants 40-44 paying participants 35-39 paying participants

$3,675.00 per person $3,780.00 per person $3,900.00 per person based upon the currency exchange rate of $1.40 = 1 Euro

ESTIMATED AIRFARE $1,450.00 (including airport security taxes and fuel surcharges estimated at $716.

Air fare/flight schedule to be confirmed when airline group quotes are available, 11 months before departure )

TOUR INCLUSIONS

� Land transportation in Europe by private, deluxe motor coach, dedicated to the group, with air-conditioning, reclining seats, and public address system as needed to execute the itinerary. European regulations require driver to have one day off every 6-7 days, reflected in itinerary.

� Accommodations: Fourteen nights hotel accommodations in centrally-located 4-star hotels in Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Seville, and Lisbon. Based upon double room occupancy. Single room supplement is $1,550.00 per person.

� Meals: Buffet breakfast daily at hotel. Six dinners including one with Flamenco show, one with Fado show and one Festive Farewell Dinner.

� Sightseeing: City sightseeing tours by licensed guides and entrance fees as per the attached itinerary.

� Planning and promotion of performances/concerts indicated in the attached itinerary. If concert venues indicated in the attached itinerary do not confirm, suitable alternatives will be found. Publicity through local media, posters, and in collaboration with local choirs.

� Trip Interruption/Medical travel insurance policy for all participants: Group Travel Insurance by Travel Guard: Missed Connection - $250, Trip Delay ($150 max/day) -.$750, Medical Expense - $25,000, Emergency Medical Transportation - $250,000, Baggage & Personal Effects - $1,000, Baggage Delay - $250, Accidental Death and Dismemberment- $25,000.

� Two complimentary tour packages included in each of the above price tiers.

� Services of an experienced multi-lingual tour escort throughout the trip.

� $1 Million Liability Insurance

EXCLUSIONS:

• Expenses of passports or visas. Current U.S. passport fee is $135.

• Tips for Tour Manager, coach driver, and local guides. Suggested amount is $3 per day and per person for the Tour Manager and the same for the coach driver; $1 for each guided tour.

• Excess and oversized baggage fees charged by airline.

• Trip cancellation insurance to cover cancellation penalties. (May be purchased individually as an upgrade to group insurance coverage included above.)

• Personal expenses incurred such as laundry, telephone calls, and porterage.

• Transportation charges resulting from deviation from the printed itinerary.

• Anything not mentioned as being included.

At time of contract, a re-evaluation of airfares, air taxes, and exchange rates may result in a price revision.

i cantori performance tour to spain & portugal · i cantori performance 2016 tour to spain...

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