Monday, May 23, 2011

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ImPuls Tanz, Europe's biggest dance festival will be in full swing while you are visiting Vienna!

ImPuls Tanz, Europe’s biggest dance festival promises exciting times from the world of contemporary dance: a man in an aquarium, posing on pointe shoes, a dog on stage, a shackled Prometheus.

Troubleyn / Jan Fabre (BE): Prometheus - Landscape II
On 12 July, the Canadian company La La La Human Steps of Edouard Lock will show virtuoso dance in pointe shoes. In the evening, the Festival Lounge opens the doors to the Burgtheater vestibule.
Bollywood star Terence Lewis and his company perform a bombastic open-air Bollywood spectacle in the MuseumsQuartier on 13 July - with free admission.
ImPulsTanz then shows premier performances, innovative newcomers and early works by the masters of contemporary dance for four whole weeks.
Works by Ivo Dimchev and Franz West (with dog), Christine Gaigg and Marco Berrettini as well as Marie Chouinard celebrate world premieres. Chouinard even dances a solo.
Liquid Loft / Chris Haring starts a new cycles and Wim Vandekeybus / Ultima Vez present an Oedipus piece and, in "Monkey Sandwich", a man in an aquarium. Meg Stuart and Philipp Gehmacher explore solitude and closeness in "Maybe forever". Dirk Stermann, a cabaret artist on Austrian television, shows his first work as a choreographer.
The focal point of ImPulsTanz is the showcase of Belgian artist Jan Fabre and his company Troubleyn, including the group work "Prometheus - Landscape II".

ImPulsTanz

12 July - 14 August 2011
various venues

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Travel Insurance: Make sure you are protected!

Incantato Tours strongly recommends getting travel insurance for your upcoming journey. Not only are you covered medically should anything happen when traveling, but with TravelGuard's policies, you also protect your investment should you have to cancel or interrupt the trip. Last but not least, there is also coverage for delayed and lost luggage, etc.
Here is a direct line to purchase travel insurance online, and you can do so with your credit cards and also select the option that is best for you.



In the meantime, have a look at the most comprehensive coverage option The Protect Assist Gold below.

Protect Assist (Gold) -

Comprehensive Travel Protection for the World Traveler
  • Trip Cancellation
  • JUST ADDED! - Trip Cancellation due to employment loss or layoff
    if employed with the same employer 1 year or longer
  • Trip Interruption and Travel Delay
  • Emergency Medical and Emergency Medical Transportation
  • Baggage and Travel Document Protection
  • Baggage Delay and Lost Baggage Tracking
  • NEW - Cancel For Any Reason option now available
  • NEW - Cancel For Work Reasons option now available
  • NEW - Children age 17 and under covered at no additional cost
  • IMPROVED -Trip Cancellation limit increased to $100,000 (from $15,000),
  • IMPROVED - Trip Interruption coverage increased to 150% of Trip Cost
  • IMPROVED - Travel Delay required hours reduced to 5 hours (from 12)

ProtectAssist special features:
  • Best coverage for Weather Related Cancellations
  • Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver*
  • Default/Bankruptcy Protection*
  • $50,000 Flight Accident Insurance*
  • 24-Hour "LiveTravel" Travel Agency
  • Emergency Cash Transfers
  • Identity Theft Restoration

Comprehensive non-insurance travel services* automatically included with plan!With the ProtectAssist plan, every customer also has access to these valuable travel services when they travel:· Arrangements for last-minute flight changes· Hotel finder and reservations· Rental car reservations· Emergency medical assistance· BagTrak® -- lost baggage tracking· Pre-trip health and safety advisories· Live e-mail and phone messaging to family and friends· Cash transfers· Airport transportation· Golf course reservations· Event ticketing· Floral services· Identity Theft restoration
Business Assistant* (available when Optional Cancel for Work Reasons coverage is purchased)



*Non-Insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.


Eligibility
Citizenship: All Nationalities
Residency: United States
New York, Oregon, and Washington residence please call to purchase
Some rider options are not available and other restrictions may apply

Destination: Worldwide
Ages: All Ages
Max Trip Length: 365 Days

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Delicious facts about Munich and surrounding areas

Bavaria's 12.5 million inhabitants, living in an area roughly the size of South Carolina, are culturally divided between the North and South which is evidenced by different language patterns and dialects, attitudes and, of course foods.
Visitors to Munich can get a feel for Munich's breadth of pallet-pleasing delicatessen at a famous destination for gourmets: Dallmayr, a large delicatessen store, near Marienplatz in the heart of Munich. Dallmayr, known throughout the world, especially for its coffee brand Dallmayr Prodomo, is a family owned company that is in existence for more than three centuries. Several times a day they offer freshly roasted coffee in the coffee department of the delicatessen. Dallmayr also carries delicious filled chocolates and truffles that you don't want to miss. If you would like to rest a little from the sightseeing, why not in Dalmayr's café or restaurant which are part of the parent house? The Hofbraeuhaus, visited by locals and tourists from all around the world, is one of Munich's oldest breweries. Its huge beer hall is worldwide known for its delicious beer, traditional oompah music, Bavarian dishes and Lederhosen (traditional leather trousers). 
The South of Bavaria hosts one of the world's most famous sites located at the Königssee (Germany's cleanest and deepest lake) and close to the Olympian ski resort Garmish Partenkirchen.Schloss Neuschwanstein, the fairy-tale castle of former King Ludwig II attracts annually more than 1.3 million people and was immortalized by Walt Disney in "Cinderella."
Close to the castle stretches the pastoral region of the Allgäu, known for its dairy farms and a wide variety of cheeses and cheesemakers.
One of them, the Käserei Champignon in Heising, is a family owned business with almost 100 years of cheese making experience. Cheeses such as Cambozola, Limburger or Champignon Mushroom are available in the USA and Canada.

Fun facts about Thuringia

Thuringia is often referred to as the green heart of Germany, a title which the state owes in part to the famed Thuringian Forest, a destination popular with hikers and winter sports enthusiasts. One of the most well-known hiking routes in Europe, the so-called Rennsteig, runs along the crest of the mountain range for a length of 168 km. The area is also home to Europe's longest (400 km) sled dog race "Trans Thüringia." The other reason why Thuringia is considered Germany's green heart is because around half the state's land is used for agriculture due to the high quality of the soil. Important crops are grains such as wheat and highly prized barley for brewing, sugarbeets, rapeseed and a wide variety of vegetables. Thuringia has also long enjoyed an excellent reputation for the processing of agricultural products into foods for human consumption. While in Weimar, why not try the famous Thuringian potato dumplings or stop by a booth and have a Thüringer Rostbratwurst, or Thuringian grilled sausage. As is true for many other typical German specialties, this famous sausage also goes back to ancient traditions, with some sources dating the oldest recipe all the way back to 1404. (In addition, the Thuringian Bratwurst Purity Law is the oldest German food purity law, dating to 1432).

Home away from home: Hotel Leonardo, Weimar, Germany, July 3 and 4



The first home away from home for the Fullerton College Choir during their 2011 Incantato Tour to Germany and Austria will be the Hotel Leonardo in Weimar. The hotel is situated right in the heart of the city and just a few minutes walk to the historical old town. The hotel provides 294 comfortable rooms, an excellent hotel restaurant and bar, a health club with pool, sauna and a fitness area as well as a spa. The rooms feature air conditioning, telephone, satellite TV, wireless Internet access, minibar and private bathrooms with bathtub, shower and hair dryer.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fullerton College Concert Choir Tour - Updated itinerary

Dear Fullerton College Concert Choir Travelers,
This is your updated itinerary, but still very much a work in progress. Details are subject to change as this journey becomes more and more your tour and to enhance the overall experience. Enjoy!

DAY 1, Saturday, July 2
Overnight Flight to Duesseldorf
AIR BERLIN flight AB7431 leaves LOS ANGELES (LAX) at 6:10PM
Arrives in DUESSELDORF (DUS) at 1:50PM on Sunday, July 3, 2011

DAY 2, Sunday, July 3
Duesseldorf Arrival – Drive to Weimar
Arrive in DUESSELDORF (DUS) at 1:50PM. Clear customs and immigration, collect your luggage and proceed to your arrival area where you will meet your Incantato Tour Manager. Drive to Weimar, birthplace of German poet Goethe and former home to composers Bach and Liszt. Meet local music students for a welcome party. You will likely stay overnight at the Musikgymnasium.

DAY 3, Monday, July 4
Independence Day Celebration, Weimar Tour & Concert
Take a guided tour of Weimar's sights with an optional visit to nearby Buchenwald this morning, then prepare for a special July 4th concert in Weimar to honor German-American relations. The event includes an official reception and dinner with city officials.

DAY 4, Tuesday, July 5
To Munich - Sightseeing & Recital or Mass
Drive to Munich for a guided city tour and recital or mass in the famous Frauenkirche, then enjoy an evening at leisure in Bavaria’s capital city. Overnight in Munich.

DAY 5, Wednesday, July 6
Via Neuschwanstein to Salzburg
See King Ludwig II’s famous castle and give a short concert at the Wieskirche then continue to nearby Salzburg. The late afternoon is at leisure to visit the Mozart Museum. Performance opportunities can be a full formal concert, mass, or recital at Salzburg Cathedral. Overnight in Salzburg.

DAY 6, Thursday, July 7
Salzburg Sound of Music Tour & journey to Spittal
After a Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg and free time for lunch, continue to Porcia Castle in Spittal, Austria. Check in to Singkreis Choral Competition and participate in the opening night festivities.

DAY 7, Friday, July 8
Singkreis Porcia Choral Competition

DAY 8, Saturday, July 9
Singkreis Porcia Choral Competition

DAY 9, Sunday, July 10
Singkreis Porcia Choral Competition

DAY 10, Monday, July 11
To Vienna
Bid farewell to your new friends in Spittal as you drive to Vienna for an orientation tour, free time and overnight.

DAY 11, Tuesday, July 12
Vienna in depth & Concert
Guided city tour of Vienna’s musical sites with entrance to the Mozart Museum and Schubert House. Possibility to sing at Stephansdom and present a formal concert at a local church either tonight or tomorrow.

DAY 12, Wednesday, July 13
Leisure day in Vienna
Experience Austria's capital city at your own pace before you conclude your tour with possibly another performance and surely a fantastic farewell dinner.

DAY 13, Thursday, July 14
Return to USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
AIR BERLIN flight AB8241 leaves VIENNA (VIE) at 10:55AM
Arrives in DUESSELDORF (DUS) at 12:25PM
AIR BERLIN flight AB7430 leaves DUESSELDORF (DUS) at 1:25PM
Arrives in LOS ANGELES (LAX) at 4:10PM

Monday, May 16, 2011

Home away from home: Hotel Beim Theresianum, Vienna, Austria, July 11 - 14


The Fullerton College Choir's  final home away from home during their tour will be the Hotel Beim Theresianum in Vienna. It is centrally located, close to beautiful parks and offers modern furnishing and accents throughout. A lavish breakfast buffet awaits you in the morning. The 116 rooms are equipped with satellite TV, radio, phone, Wifi, minibar and private bathroom with hairdryer.

Home away from home: Hotel Hofwirt, Salzburg, Austria, July 6 and 7



The Hotel Hofwirt has a 100 year tradition of accommodating their guests. It is located just across the Kapuzinerberg and in walking distance to Mirabell Castle and the Mozart Museum. The Austrian "Gemütlichkeit" can be found all over the hotel especially in the restaurant with the "Blue Salon", the shady patio, the guest lounge and throughout the rooms. A breakfast buffet awaits you in the morning. The rooms are equipped with satellite TV, radio, phone and private bathrooms.

Home away from home: Hotel Orly, Munich, Germany, July 5

The Hotel Orly is quietly but centrally located. Two Internet terminals, a sauna and a restaurant can be found in the hotel. Hotel Orly offers American breakfast buffet in the morning! The 80 spacious rooms are equipped with Wifi, fridge, phone, TV and a private bath.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Weimar, Germany: A city of culture

Weimar, Germany is best known for its cultural heritage. Located in the federal state of Thuringia southwest of Leipzig, Weimar dates back as far as the year 889. The city previously served as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar.
Weimar is historically recognized as the locaton of the signing of Germany’s first democratic constitution following World War I, lending its name to the Weimar Republic period of German politics (1918 – 1933). The city was also the focal point of the German Enlightenment and the home of Goethe and Schiller, the prime authors of the literary genre of Weimar Classicism. Additionally, Weimar is the birthplace of the Bauhaus fine arts movement, founded in 1919 by artists Walter Gropius, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Oskar Schlemmer, and Lyonel Feininger. Weimar is home to Germany’s most important musical and theatrical venue, the Deutsche National Theater and Staatskapelle Weimar. The twin institution, consisting of the German National Theater and the symphony orchestra Staatskapelle Weimar, operates a total of six stages throughout the city, hosting touring orchestras and theater companies from throughout the world. Throughout the years, many of Weimar’s historical landmarks have become designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Weimar was even selected by the European Council of Ministers in 1999 as the European Capital of Culture.

FRANZ LISZT - A European in Weimar

On the occasion of his 200th birthday, Weimar will be location of numerous events to remember the great composer.
From 1848 to 1861 Franz Liszt is chief conductor of the Hofkapelle Weimar. To mark the 200th birthday of the great composer, the Schiller Museum and Castle Museum are presenting the State Exhibition “Franz Liszt – A European in Weimar”.