| Friday, May 19. NYC/En route to Spain |
| 3:00 p.m. |
- Assemble at JFK Airport and check in for flight to Barcelona
|
| 5:40 p.m. |
- Depart JFK Airport
- Meals served on board the transatlantic flight
|
| Saturday, May 20. Barcelona, Spain |
| 7:45 a.m. |
- Arrive in Barcelona. Claim luggage and clear customs. Meet tour escort and coach drivers
- Transfer into the city center. A stop will be made en route at Montjuic for a beautiful view of the city below
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
- Meet guide and begin a sightseeing tour of the city. Sites will include the Gothic Quarter (on foot), Gaudi's famous unfinished Sagrada Familia Church, the waterfront and Olympic Village, and several of the Art Nouveau buildings in the Example quarter
|
| Afternoon |
- Independent lunch
- Check into hotel. Time to unpack and relax
- Assemble in the hotel lobby and walk together to the restaurant located on the Passeig de Gracia
|
| 7:00 p.m. |
|
| Sunday, May 21. Barcelona/Montserrat/Barcelona |
| 8:00 a.m. |
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
- Board coach and depart for an excursion to Montserrat, site of a Benedictine Monastery, first settled in the 9th century. The Montserrat Massif, rising 4,055 ft. had 13 different hermitage sites before the arrival of Napoleon's troops in the 19th century. It is considered one of the holiest sites in Catalonia
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
- Guided tour of the monastery
|
| 11:00 a.m. |
- Free time for shopping, exploration, and independent lunch
- Reassemble in the "changing room" of the monastery
|
| 12:00 p.m. |
- The world-renown Escolania choir of the Montserrat Monastery Basilica will sing at the beginning of Mass
|
| 12:15 p.m. |
- Performance: The Long Island University Choir will sing immediately following the Escolania choir
- Independent lunch at Montserrat
|
| 2:00 p.m. |
- Depart Montserrat for El Vendrell, home of the famed cellist Pau Casals until his exile by Franco in the 1930's. The town still supports the arts and music and has recently opened the Pau Casals Auditorium
|
| 4:00 p.m. |
- Arrive in San Salvador where there will be a private visit of the beachfront home (now a museum) of the famed cellist Pau Casals. Normally closed on Sundays, it is being opened for this visit. Pau Casals lived in the area until his exile by Franco in the 1930's
|
| 6:00 p.m. |
- Rehearsal with the local choir in San Salvador Church of El Vendrell
- Walk together to nearby restaurant
|
| 7:00 p.m. |
|
| 9:00 p.m. |
- Performance: The Long Island University Choir, Madrigal Singers and Merriweather Consort will give a joint concert with the Cor Zongora de L’Escola Municipal de Musica Pau Casals at San Salvador Church
- Return to Barcelona following the performance
|
| Monday, May 22. Barcelona |
| TBA |
- Breakfast at hotel
- Walk together to the Palau de la Musica Catalana. The building is a masterpiece of modernist architecture, achieved by Lluis Domenech i Montaner. It is a celebration of tile work, sculpture, and glorious stained glass
|
| TBA |
|
| TBA |
- Meet the coach and continue discovery of Barcelona with an Art Nouveau tour of Barcelona’s Eixample district
|
| 11:30 a.m. |
- Continue in Barcelona with an Art Nouveau tour of Barcelona's Eixample district. Visit Antoni Gaudi's Casa Mila (La Pedrera) including the modernista interior of the apartment of the Mila family and the spectacular roofscape of chimneys resembling abstract sculpture. The guided tour will end at the Parc Guell, Gaudi's most colorful creation
|
| Afternoon |
- Independent lunch
- Afternoon at leisure for independent exploration and shopping
- Sites to visit: 1) the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) on Montjuic. Building styles from all over Spain are illustrated by 166 houses arranged on streets radiating from a main square. Resident artisans produce a wide rang of crafts from around the country; 2) the Royal Palace including the room where Isabel and Fernando received Columbus after his triumphal return from America. It is also where the Inquisition sat, believing the walls would move if lies were told
|
| Evening |
|
| Tuesday, May 23. Barcelona/Villefranche de Conflent/Prades (France) - 237kms/147miles |
| 7:30 a.m. |
|
| 8:00 a.m. |
- Board coach and depart Barcelona. Cross the border into France and then turn west toward the grand Pyrenees Mountains. This is the region of France know as the Roussillon (historically part of Catalonia - now Spain). The area offers a rich architectural heritage ranging from Roman to Romanesque, quiet villages and beautiful landscape
|
| 12:00 p.m. |
- Arrive in the quaint village of Villefranche de Conflent
|
| Afternoon |
- Independent lunch
- Reboard coach and transfer the short distance to Prades. This was the temporary home (when exiled from his native Catalonia) of the world famous cellist Pau Casals. The famous Pau Casals Festival is held here each summer
- Check into hotel
|
| 5:00 p.m. |
- Walk together to the Church of Saint Pierre. Time for rehearsal and set up
|
| 6:30 p.m. |
- Performance: The Long Island University Choir, Madrigal Singers and Merriweather Consort will give a performance this evening at the Church of Saint Pierre in Prades. Concert organized by "Les Amies de Paul Casals" and "Samedis Musicaux de Prades."
|
| 7:45 p.m. |
- Reception following the performance offered by the Town of Prades
- Walk together to restaurant
|
| 9:00 p.m. |
|
| Wednesday, May 24. Prades/Carcassonne/Mallemort - 414 kms/271miles |
| 7:30 a.m. |
|
| 8:45 a.m. |
- Board coach and depart Padres
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
- A short stop will be made at the Abbey of St. Miguel de Cuixa where the annual music festival in honor of Pau Casals is held. The Abbot will welcome the tour
|
| 9:30 a.m. |
- Reboard coach and continue on
|
| 12:00 p.m. |
- Arrive in Carcassonne. The perfectly restored citadel offers a glimpse into life during the Middle Ages. Walk together into the "Cite," an enclave of medieval buildings surrounded by a moat and 52 stone towers.
- Free time for independent lunch
|
| 2:30 p.m. |
- Reboard coach and continue on
|
| 5:30 p.m. |
- A stop will be made at the famous Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. This 2,000-year-old structure was in continuous use, transporting water from a source near Uzes to the city of Nîmes, for 400-500 years.
|
| 6:30 p.m. |
- Reboard coach and continue on to hotel located in a recreated hilltop village (with beautiful views, swimming pool and golf course)
|
| 7:30 p.m. |
|
| 8:30 p.m. |
- Dinner at the holiday village
|
| Thursday, May 25. Mallemort/Nîmes/Avignon/Mallemort - 184 kms/114 miles |
| 8:00 a.m. |
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
- Board coach for transfer into the city of Nîmes
|
| 10:30 a.m. |
- Arrive in Nîmes. Morning at leisure to explore Nîmes independently. The city is a veritable living museum of Roman treasures
including a magnificent amphitheater and a splendid temple
|
| Afternoon |
- Independent lunch in Nîmes
|
| 3:00 p.m. |
- Board coach and depart for Avignon
|
| 3:30 p.m. |
- Arrive in Avignon. Pope Clement V moved the papal court from Rome to Avignon in 1309. Seven official popes reigned here. Massive ramparts surround the town
|
| 4:00 p.m. |
- Meet guides in front of the Papal Palace and begin a guided tour. After touring the Palace, visit the Jardin des Doms for beautiful views of the Rhone River
- Free time to explore Avignon independently. Sites include the Avignon Bridge made famous by the song "Sur le pont d'Avignon." There is also great souvenir shopping!
|
| Evening |
- Independent dinner in Avignon
- Return to hotel
|
| Friday, May 26. Mallemort/Arles/Mallemort - 132 kms/81miles |
| 7:30 a.m. |
- Breakfast at hotel
- Load large piece luggage into the coach storage
|
| 8:30 a.m. |
- Board coach for transfer to Arles
|
| 9:30 a.m. |
- Arrive in Arles
- Walk together to St. Julien's Church. Deposit instruments and concert clothing in a storage room
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
- Meet guide in front of the Tourist Office and begin a tour of the town. Built by the Romans at the intersection of the routes linking ancient Rome with Spain and northern Europe, today the town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Roman amphitheater and Roman baths, the exterior of the Roman theater, as well as spots painted by Van Gogh, the Place de la Republique and the beautiful portal of St. Trophime Church
|
| Afternoon |
- Independent lunch
- Free time for independent exploration. The museums are excellent and varied. And boutiques offer Provencal artwork, pottery, and handicrafts
|
| Evening |
|
| 7:00 p.m. |
- Reassemble at St. Julien's Church. Time to change clothes, set up and rehearse.
|
| 8:30 p.m. |
- Performance: The Long Island University Choir, Madrigal Singers and Merriweather Consort will perform a joint concert with the Escandihado Choir of Arles at St. Julien's Church in Arles
|
| 9:30 p.m. |
- Transfer by coach to a nearby elementary school where the Escandihado Choir has planned a buffet meal
- Afterward, board coach for return to hotel
|
| Saturday, May 27. 66 kms/40miles Mallemort/Avignon/Paris by bullet train |
| 6:45 a.m. |
|
| 7:45 a.m. |
- Load luggage onto local coach for the transfer to the Avignon TGV train station
- Purchase a sandwich or snack at the train station to eat on the train as there will not be time for lunch upon arrival in Paris.
|
| 9:25 a.m. |
- Board bullet train (#6008) for the 2½ hour ride to Paris
|
| Afternoon |
- Independent lunch on board the train
|
| 12:05 p.m. |
- Arrive at the Paris Gare de Lyon Station
- Meet guide and begin a sightseeing tour of the "City of Lights" to include the Eiffel Tower, Ecole Militaire, Place Vendome, Champs Elysees, Louvre, and much more! This will serve as an orientation to the city and the landmark monuments
|
| 3:30 p.m. |
- Check into centrally-located hotel
|
| 7:30 p.m. |
- Reassemble in the hotel lobby and walk together to restaurant
|
| 8:00 p.m. |
|
| Sunday, May 28. Paris |
| 8:30 a.m. |
|
| 9:45 a.m. |
- Board coach for short transfer to St. Roch Church. A treasure house of religious art, the church also contains the tombs of the playwright Pierre Cornielle, the royal gardener Andre Le Notre (of Versailles fame) and the Philosopher Denis Diderot.
|
| 10:00 a.m. |
- Arrive at church during the International Mass that ends at 10:15
- Time for set up and a short warm-up
|
| 11:00 a.m. |
- Performance: The Long Island University Choir will perform during Mass at St. Roch Church
|
| 12:00 p.m. |
- Change clothes
- Meet coach and board for transfer to the Latin Quarter
- Independent lunch
|
| 2:00 p.m. |
- Reassemble and transfer or walk to the Île de la Cité
|
| 2:15 p.m. |
- Split into two groups
- Group 1 will first visit the exterior of Notre Dame Cathedral and then proceed to Sainte Chapelle Church for a guided tour
- Group 2 will walk to the Sainte Chapelle Church and then continue afterward with a tour of the exterior of Notre Dame Cathedral
|
2:30 &
3:15 p.m. |
- Groups will clear the security check at the entrance to the Justice Ministry where Sainte Chapelle Church is located. (Reservations for visits to the church are 2:45 and 3:30 pm.)
|
| 4:00 p.m. |
- Remainder of afternoon at leisure to explore Paris independently. All museums are open today, including the Orsay which is closed on the tour's free day, Monday
|
| Evening |
|
| TBA |
- Meet the coach near the hotel to take concert clothing and belongings off the coach
|
| Monday, May 29. Paris |
| Morning |
|
Rest of
the day |
- Entire day at leisure for independent exploration of Paris. The metropolitan subway system (called the “metro”) is user-friendly, well maintained, and an excellent way to tour the city
- Suggested locations to visit:
- Montmartre to visit the Sacred Heart Basilica and the artists’ quarter in the adjacent Place du Tertre. Montmartre has a village-like atmosphere. It has been an artists’ colony for many years and boasts three museums
- The Eiffel Tower. Choose to go to the 1st, 2nd or all the way to the 3rd and highest level
- Visit one of the city's excellent museums (national museums are open today; municipal museums are closed): the Louvre, National Modern Art Museum in the Pompidou Center, etc.
- Great shopping is to be had along the Rue de Rivoli with its small boutiques and large department stores such as La Samartaine, Le Printemps, and Galeries Lafayette
- Stroll along the Champs-Élysées
|
| Evening |
|
| Tuesday, May 30. Paris/Versailles/Chartres/Paris. 176 kms/109 miles |
| 7:00 a.m. |
|
| 8:15 a.m. |
- Board coach for a day excursion
- Arrive at the Chateau of Versailles, political center of France in the 17th century under Louis XIV known as the Sun King
|
| 9:10 a.m. |
- Enter Chateau through the group entrance. Once inside, proceed to the counter where audio guides are purchased. Afterward visit the Chateau and gardens independently
- Independent lunch in Versailles
|
| 1:30 p.m. |
- Reboard coach and continue on to Chartres
|
| 2:30 p.m. |
- Arrive in Chartres. Time to visit the Cathedral independently, said to be the greatest Gothic Cathedral in Europe. The church was built in 25 years, an architectural feat in itself. But its claim to fame is the magnificent collection of stained glass windows
|
| 3:30 p.m. |
- Reassemble at the Chartres Cathedral for setup and rehearsal (in the crypt)
|
| 4:30 p.m. |
- Performance. The Long Island University Choir may perform a late afternoon concert at the Chartres Cathedral
- Walk
to the restaurant
|
| 6:00 p.m. |
|
| 7:30 p.m. |
- Board coach for return to Paris following dinner
|
| 9:00 p.m. |
- Approximate arrival at hotel
|
| Wednesday, May 31 Paris/NYC |
| 7:00 a.m. |
|
| 8:00 a.m. |
- Board coach and transfer to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
- Check in for flight to JFK Airport
|
| 12:00 p.m. |
- Flight departs Paris (6 a.m. New York time)
|
| 2:20 p.m. |
|
