USC School of Music 2011 Performance Tour to Italy: Incantato Tour Itinerary

Showing posts with label Incantato Tour Itinerary. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Professor Pruzin had a captive audience at his master class on the French Horn

Traveler's update from the University of South Carolina Incantato Italy Tour 2011: "Surrounded by beauty", comments Peppie Calvar

Update from abroad. Peppie Calvar sums up the early afternoon activities on March 9 for the University of South Carolina Incantato Italy Performance Tour 2011: "We are at the art monastery in Labro today, surrounded by beautiful mountains and ancient villages. We had delicious pizza and have made some fabulous new friends. Our bus has become a rolling discotheque, thanks to Antonio the DJ-chauffeur. A shoutout to the choir at St. John Neumann in Charlotte; the churches here are not quite as warm - just a few more priceless art and relics, even in the tiny towns."

Group picture in Perugia: The University of South Carolina Choir and guests

Smiles from sunny Italy: The singers and friends of the USC Concert Choir strike a pose at the ArtMonastery in Labro

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Traveler's update from the University of South Carolina Incantato Italy Tour 2011: "Wonderfull foods", comments Peppie Calvar

Matthew Teague sums up the activities of the University of South Carolina Concert Choir on March 8 during their 2011 Incantato Italy Performance Tour: "Our day at Orvieto was a very lovely day spent viewing some of the more popular destinations including the beautiful Duomo and the sorrounding city. The food from Orvieto was out of this world! I had a bowl of piping hot pasta with ragu. It was quite possibly some of the best pasta I've had to date. The sky was clear, the air was crisp, and the sights were just spectacular. After leaving Orvieto, we took a nice one hour ride through the hillside to a local cheese and olive oil farm where we sampled local pates, the famous unsalted bread, and some wonderful goat cheeses in different stages of ageing. After a wonderful time tasting cheeses, oils, and spreads, we departed for our hotel for a fantastic dinner and a good night's rest."

Monday, October 11, 2010

USC 2011 Italy Performance Tour - Updated Itinerary

Welcome to the Incantato blog for the 2011 USC Performance Tour to Italy. This is the updated itinerary for the choir and still very much a work in progress. Many details are subject to change as this journey becomes more and more your tour and to enhance the overall experience. Enjoy!

DAY 1 Thursday, March 3
Overnight flight to Rome
LUFTHANSA flight LH429 leaves CHARLOTTE (CLT) at 5:25PM.

DAY 2 Friday, March 4
Benvenuti to Italy
Arrive in MUNICH (MUC) at 8:10AM.
LUFTHANSA flight LH1842 leaves MUNICH (MUC) at 9:35AM.
Arrive in ROME (FCO) at 11:05AM.
After clearing customs and immigration and collecting your luggage, meet your Tour Manager, Stefania La Rosa, at the airport. Board the coach, grab lunch en route, and head to Montecatini Terme, a spa town very much beloved by composer Verdi, for check-in and a pasta welcome dinner. The choir will stay at the Imperial Garden Hotel from March 4 through 7.

DAY 3 Saturday, March 5
Pisa & Lucca
Explore the nearby Tuscan gem of Pisa this morning at leisure before taking a guided city tour of Lucca this afternoon. Lunch on your own. Sample the local cuisine at an agriturismo dinner this evening.

DAY 4 Sunday, March 6
Florence in-depth, Mass & Concert
Visit nearby Florence for a guided city tour and take a close look at the Accademia Museum where Michelangelo's David is displayed. Sing Mass at San Lorenzo Church at 6:00PM, followed by a feature concert at Santa Maria Maggiore at 8:15PM. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before transferring back to Montecatini.

DAY 5 Monday, March 7
Tuscany at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxing excursion to the charming coastal towns of Cinque Terre by train. Along your excursion, you will visit Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Montesorro. En-route, you can see the Carrera Marble Mountains. Return to Montecatini in the evening.

DAY 6 Tuesday, March 8
Via Orvieto to Magliano Sabina
Bid farewell to Tuscany as you travel to Magliano Sabina. Stop for a guided tour in the hilltop town of Orvieto with its amazing Duomo and underground caves, then transfer to Calvi dell'Umbria to enjoy a visit to local artisan food producers where you can taste fresh olive oil, goat cheese, etc. Your afternoon is at leisure in Calvi before transferring to your hotel in Magliano Sabina. The choir will stay at Hotel Sabina on March 8 and 9.

DAY 7 Wednesday, March 9
Perugia & Concert
Explore Perugia with a local guide, then continue to the Art Monastery in Labro for a workshop and master classes. At 9:00PM the group performs a concert at Il Teatro Flavius Vespasian in Rieti.

DAY 8 Thursday, March 10
Eternal Rome Tour & Concert
The eternal city of Rome is just a short drive away, and you start with a tour of its ancient highlights: the Coliseum and Roman Forum. Highlight concert at 6:00PM at Sant'Agnese in Agone followed by dinner in a local restaurant. The choir will stay in Rome's Hotel Oly for the remainder of the tour.

DAY 9 Friday, March 11
La Dolce Vita
Explore Rome at leisure today. Lunch on your own and dinner in a local restaurant.

DAY 10 Saturday, March 12
Vatican Visit & Rome at Leisure
Explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with your local guide this morning. Your afternoon is at your disposal for further exploration of the city.

DAY 11 Sunday, March 13
High Mass & Farewell
Prepare to be the featured guest choir for Sunday High Mass at the magnificent cathedral of St. Peter followed by a fun farewell dinner.

DAY 12 Monday, March 14
Rome Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Bid farewell to beautiful Italy and return home with memories to last a lifetime.
LUFTHANSA flight LH1851 leaves ROME (FCO) at 6:35AM.
Arrive in MUNICH (MUC) at 8:15AM.
LUFTHANSA flight LH428 leaves MUNICH (MUC) at 11:25AM.
Arrive in CHARLOTTE (CLT) at 4:35PM.

USC 2011 Alumni & Friends Itinerary

This is the updated itinerary for the USC Alumni and Friends 2011 Incantato Tour to Italy. The itinerary is 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 Friday, March 4
Overnight flight to Rome
LUFTHANSA flight LH429 leaves CHARLOTTE (CLT) at 5:25PM.

DAY 2 Saturday, March 5
Benvenuti to Italy
Arrive in MUNICH (MUC) at 8:10AM.
Clear customs and immigration, proceed to your connecting flight gate.
LUFTHANSA flight LH1884 leaves MUNICH (MUC) at 9:15AM.
Arrive in FLORENCE (FLR) at 10:35AM.
Collect your luggage and meet your Tour Manager, Petra Fuerchtenicht, at the airport. Board the coach, grab lunch en route, and head to Pisa for leisurely exploration. Continue to Lucca for a guided city tour and dinner at Il Poggio before transferring to Montecatini Terme. The Shadow Tour will stay at the Hotel Montebello from March 4 through 7.

DAY 3 Sunday, March 6
Florence in-depth, Mass & Concert
Visit nearby Florence for a guided city tour and take a close look at the Accademia Museum where Michelangelo's David is displayed. The choir sings Mass at San Lorenzo Church at 6:00PM, followed by a feature performance at Santa Maria Maggiore at 8:15PM. Later transfer back to Montecatini.

DAY 4 Monday, March 7
Tuscany at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxing excursion to the charming coastal towns of Cinque Terre by train. Along your excursion, you will visit Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Montesorro. En-route, you can see the Carrera Marble Mountains. Return to Montecatini in the evening.

DAY 5 Tuesday, March 8
Via Orvieto to Magliano Sabina
Bid farewell to Tuscany as you travel to Magliano Sabina. Stop for a guided tour in the hilltop town of Orvieto with its amazing Duomo and underground caves, and enjoy a visit to local artisan food producers where you can taste fresh olive oil, goat cheese, etc. The Shadow Tour will stay at Hotel Sabina in Magliano Sabina on March 8 and 9.

DAY 6 Wednesday, March 9
Perugia & Concert
Explore the sights of Perugia with a local guide. Then continue to Labro for a Pizza making workshop and master classes at the Art monastery. The next stop is Rieti where the travelers will have some free time and later enjoy the choir performance at Teatro Rieti at 9:00 PM.

DAY 7 Thursday, March 10
Eternal Rome Tour & Concert
The eternal city of Rome is just a short drive away, and you start with a tour of its ancient highlights: the Coliseum and Roman Forum. Highlight concert at 6:00 PM at Sant'Agnese in Agone followed by dinner at Taverna Parione. The Shadow Tour will stay in Rome's Hotel Oly for the remainder of the tour.

DAY 8 Friday, March 11
La Dolce Vita
Explore Rome at leisure today. Lunch and dinner on your own.

DAY 9 Saturday, March 12
Vatican Visit & Rome at Leisure
Explore the Vatican Museum with your local guide this morning. In the afternoon you enjoy a city tour of the Coliseum and Roman Forum prior to a special wine tasting and farewell reception at Casal Pilozzo in the Frascati region.

DAY 10 Sunday, March 13
High Mass
Enjoy a morning at leisure before the choir performs a special Sunday High Mass at the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica at 5:30 PM followed by dinner on your own.

DAY 11 Monday, March 14
Rome Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Bid farewell to beautiful Italy and return home with memories to last a lifetime. LUFTHANSA flight LH1851 leaves ROME (FCO) at 6:35AM. Arrive in MUNICH (MUC) at 8:15AM. LUFTHANSA flight LH428 leaves MUNICH (MUC) at 11:25AM. Arrive in CHARLOTTE (CLT) at 4:35PM.

Endorsements for Incantato Tours

“The trip was everything I hoped for and more. Everything promised was delivered. I realize that this tour gave you a number of challenges due to the low number of participants, but you always seemed to find a way to make things happen. I appreciate the positive ‘Can Do’ attitude. You showed what a tour company can do when it really cares about the quality of the performing venues and comfort and satisfaction of its clients.”

Bruce Koliha, BelCanto Choir, Performance Tour to Central Europe 2010

“Once again, thanks to you and all the Incantato team for the great tour you arranged for CIC this summer. I truly feel that Incantato delivered a lot for our money on this trip. All of the hotels were nice ones with good locations. What a great idea to give us a night in Vienna near the Prater! And the concert venues were varied and all beautiful. The dinner cruise on our last night was magical and we enjoyed the food, the company, and the views. Thanks for making this a part of our tour. You are so skillful in finding the unique, off the beaten path, towns and villages. These are some of the best memories.”

Sue Klausmeyer, Carolina International Chorale, Performance Tour to Central Europe Summer 2010

"Dear Incantato-Team, the Choir of the Sound and I want to thank you for all you did to make our tour to Northern Italy so incredible. I’ve worked with many other tour companies, but this trip 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. In reflecting on our trip this year, I realized that past tours that I had considered successful fell short when compared to the trip that you put together for us. Incantato provided a consistently high level of organization and personal attention both during the planning stages and on the trip. Other exceptional aspects of the tour were:
- The right amount and high quality of the performances. Our concerts and masses were wonderful.
- Outstanding tour managers that were a wonderful combination of knowledgeable, flexible, personable and fun!
- Beautiful posters and flyers as well as superb advertising of the concerts that resulted in large audiences
- Excellent pacing of the tour—thanks for anticipating when we would need some time to recover
- The included activities were interesting and created a change of pace for the singers
- Great meals, consistently. My vegetarians were very pleased also.
- The choir manager and I are very appreciative of your personal attention to our questions during the planning stages of the trip.
- Terrific bus drivers who made us feel safe and who enjoyed the group
It was a pleasure to work with everyone at your organization and I would be happy to share my experience with Incantato with other potential clients."
Judy Filibeck, Director "Choir of the Sound", Seattle, WA

"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

"It was a true pleasure working with Sandra and Incantato on our Italy Tour 2008. She is very detail oriented and surpassed many of our expectations. I would recommend Incantato to anyone planning a concert or performance tour."
Rick Christophersen, Director Conservatory of Music at Chapman University, Orange, CA

“My sincerest and deepest thanks to you and all your staff for making this tour for the Quire of Voyces our very best yet! Your attention to every detail, special offerings each day, fine accommodations and outstanding tour guides all made for a very gratifying experience for all of us.”
Susan Kuehn, Quire of Voyces Performance Tour to Italy, June 2010

“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

"I have only wonderful things to say about Incantato Tours! The UGA Chamber Choir traveled to Italy in 2009. From the marvelous concert venues to the excellently managed tour, this was really a dream trip. The highly professional and expert Incantato tour manager who was with us throughout the entire trip, the fantastic bus drivers, and the knowledgeable city tour guides all helped to make the tour run exceptionally smoothly. Probably most important was that this entire trip was really a specialty tour designed especially for this particular choral group. Incantato Tours made it possible for us to sing in some very remarkable places, including the Sistine Chapel. Planning a tour takes incredible dedication and Incantato Tours would definitely be my choice again!"
Dr. Martha Thomas, UGA School of Music, Athens, GA

“We had the wonderful opportunity to go to Spain, sing in great venues, experience an amazing culture, and eat great food. There is always a special element of magic that happens with Incantato Tours.”
Andrew Crane, Director of Choral and Vocal Activities, California State University, San Bernardino; Performance Tour to Spain, June 2010

“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

“Incantanto facilitated maximum educational, religious, and just plain fun experiences among youth and adults alike.”
Ed Bettendorf, Western Reserve Academy, Performance Tour to Italy March 2010

"There are at least four essential ingredients for a successful and rewarding concert tour for young people and their sponsors —appropriate concert settings, advance publicity, opportunities for learning abut the areas visited (including exchanges with the local youth), and good logistical planning. The recent tour of the Akron, Ohio Summit Children's Touring Choir through Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria was successful indeed. The venues were most impressive and beautiful. The publicity produced large responsive and appreciative crowds as well as mayor’s receptions with recital opportunities at city halls. The knowledgeable tour guides and the visits with local youth and choirs provided an experience for the choir members that will not be soon forgotten. The schedule for travel, meals, concerts and touring were planed and flexible enough to accommodate for unexpected delays without loss of any scheduled tour, exchange or concert. Finally, a "shadow tour" of parents and sponsors was also a success and allowed those who wished to do so to attend every reception, recital and concert while being guided on a separate tour, well planned and executed. As one who worked with Sandra Weinacht and her staff at Incantato I can assure you it would not have been such a success without their planning and execution of our tour. They are to be commended and I would highly recommend Incantato Tours to anyone considering a group tour, especially a performance tour.
C.A. Ridge Jr., A Summit Choral Society Sponsor

“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

“I can't speak highly enough about Incantato Tours. They were with us every step of the way, tailoring a tour that was perfect for our wants, needs and budget. I would recommend Incantato to anyone serious about a choir tour, especially if you want a tour that provides wonderful indelible memories of the best that a tour can be.”
Stan DeWitt, Minister of Music, Grace First Presbyterian Church, Long Beach, CA;
Performance Tour to Ireland, April 2010

"Of the eight international tours I've taken as both singer and conductor, last summer's CSULB tour to Naples, Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast with Incantato was the best organized and the most fun. Our tour manger and guides were professional, wonderful teachers, and our venues were beautiful. We saw stunning posters for our events everywhere we walked. The marketing for our concerts was incredible! Our audiences were huge and exuberant, and Incantato made all the pieces fell into place beautifully. Thank you Incantato Tours for the personal attention, for the flexibility that allowed us to chose exactly where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. We're already planning for 2010."
Dr. Jonathan Talberg - Director of Choral, Vocal, and Opera Studies, Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, California State University, Long Beach

"Canticum Novum, The tour choir of Central Church in Phoenix just completed its most successful tour in 35 years of contertizing abroad, solely due to the excellent management of Incantato. Their attention to every detail, response to every request, superb International Staff, and excellence in concert management are singularly distinctive. Theirs is a professional concert management group who are also excellent providers of travel services. That is a distinctive difference. Travel agents are for travel; Incantato provides concert management in stunning venues, and the organizational minutia supporting these artistic events in addition to fine tuned travel experiences filled with special amenities. If music making in superb acoustical spaces to wonderfully receptive audiences is your priority, Incantato is the professional tour group for your ensemble."
Donald. E. Morse, Central United Methodist Church, Phoenix, AZ

"The San Marino Chamber Singers have been very fortunate to travel several times already with the director of Incantato Tours, Ms. Sandra Weinacht. She was our personal tour and concert manager when we traveled to Italy in 2005 and then designed, organized and oversaw our tour to Central Europe in 2007. It was another huge success. Aside from selecting and working with prime venues only, Ms. Weinacht's staff also put in great time and effort in promoting our concerts through beautiful designed and professionally printed concert posters and cards. Incantato's marketing of our performances became highly visible to the public and contributed to the success of every concert. I have been more than impressed with their professionalism and highly recommend Incantato Tours to everyone. They definitely cater to each choir member's personal needs and watch every detail. The hotels were carefully selected, the meals were beyond our expectation. If there were ever any problems, they were dealt with beautifully and professionally on the spot. We were very impressed with how well the whole tour was executed. The next time we go back to Europe, it will be with Incantato Tours."
Howard Cheung, San Marino Chamber Choir, CA

"Well, you did it. I don't know how, but you did it! You accepted the challenge, and performed a small miracle. My hat is off to you and Ted for creating what is, for me, the most musically satisfying tour we have taken. All of the kids who have been on the three tours (Italy, China,and Europe) agreed, hands down, that this was the best ever. For them it's about the music in the wonderful cathedrals and the exchanges with the local kids. In festival-type situations they are not really "up close and personal" with other kids - they're mostly rehearsing. At any rate, a toast to Incantato, to you and Ted for fulfilling your dream, and for making so many people so happy - now and in the future. Thank you!"
Arlene Jacobs, Artistic Director, Summit Children’s Touring Choir and Co-Founder of the Summit Choral Society (SCS)

"Incantato stresses the small town experience as well as the traditional larger cities, but it wasn't until I looked out on the valley and town of Salice Terme spread out below us as we enjoyed a wonderful home-cooked Italian meal that I truly understood or appreciated that element. At that moment, "Italy" became much more than a series of famous cities to check off my list; it became a real world, a place of rolling hills as well as marble cathedrals, time-honored traditions and modern technology. A true mix of culture and heritage unknown and unappreciated by those in the United States --- until you arrive! The experience we had of singing in the Sistine Chapel is absolutely indescribable, yet I must try. It's been almost three months since the last note of Gregorio Allegri's Miserere echoed off Botticelli's walls and Michelangelo's awesome ceiling, but to the choir it is still as vivid a memory as if we sang there last night. I can't thank Sandra and the Incantato Team enough for arranging such a poignant moment"
David Okun, student at UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music, Athens, GA

USC School of Music 2011 Performance Tour to Italy

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Professor Pruzin had a captive audience at his master class on the French Horn

Traveler's update from the University of South Carolina Incantato Italy Tour 2011: "Surrounded by beauty", comments Peppie Calvar

Group picture in Perugia: The University of South Carolina Choir and guests

Smiles from sunny Italy: The singers and friends of the USC Concert Choir strike a pose at the ArtMonastery in Labro

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Traveler's update from the University of South Carolina Incantato Italy Tour 2011: "Wonderfull foods", comments Peppie Calvar

Monday, October 11, 2010

USC 2011 Italy Performance Tour - Updated Itinerary

USC 2011 Alumni & Friends Itinerary

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