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A Special Invitation to friends and families of the
First Community Ckurck Ck oi ir Ronald J. Jenkins, Minster of Music & Liturgy "Germany, Czech Republic & Vienna" June 7 -17, 2013 11-Day Choir Journey Berlin Leipzig Dresden Prague Cesky Krumlov <§>•> Salzburg Tentative flight schedule via United Airlines from Port Columbus Airport: (subj’ect to confirmation 11 month prior to departure)
Departure City Arrival City Airline/Flight Departure Date/Time Arrival Date/Time Columbus CMH Newark EWR United Airlines #1526 June 7-1:42 pm June 7 - 3:31 pm Newark EWR Berlin TXL United Airlines #96 June 7 - 5:50 pm June 8 - 8:05 am Munich MUC Dulles IAD United Airlines #903 June 17 - 11:40 am June 17 - 2:44 pm Dulles IAD Columbus CMH United Airlines #3395 June 17 - 5:47 pm June 17 - 7:02 pm
Please note: Flight itinerary subject to change without notice. "ITINERARY"
5 Day I, Jane 7t Friday: Depart for Berlin Today, depart Port Columbus and Newark Liberty International Airport on your overseas pilgrimage when the United Airlines jet lifts into the evening sky for your overnight flight to Berlin, Germany. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served aloft. (D,B)
■ Day 2, June 8, Saturday: Arrive/PerUn Upon arrival at Berlin International Airport, proceed through Passport Control, claim your luggage, and your Peter's Way Tours tour manager will meet you upon your exit from Customs. Your luggage will be transferred to your bus. As your Berlin hotel rooms are unlikely to be ready, we take you on an orientation tour of Berlin. Motor down the world famous Unter Der Lindon and the Street of Processions, glimpsing Ishtar Gate, the Market Gate of Millet, to the Royal Tomb of Assurnasirpal II, the Soviet Memorial, Treptow, and driving along Karl-Allee to the Alexanderplatz. Pass by the Kaiser-Wilheim Church to the Postdamer Platz, Philharmonic Hall, the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstaf, Congress Hall. Check-into hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Berlin. (D)
■ Day 39 June 9, Sunday: Berlin Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Late morning, you will be transferred to Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) for a visit and Sunday Service, sung by The First Community Church Choir, followed by 30 minute recital, (subject to acceptance). Independent lunch. This afternoon, stop to admire the Column of Victory and then continue, by way of the Ernst-Reutter Platz, to the Opera and Charlottenburg Castle, United States Army Headquarters, the "Free" University, Botanical Gardens and Schoenberg Town Hall. Independent dinner. Overnight at hotel in Berlin. (B) 3
■ Dav 4, lune 10, Monday: Berlin - Dresden Buffet breakfast at your hotel. This morning, we leave Berlin to Dresden. Dresden, is the sister city of Columbus, Ohio. The sister city agreement between Columbus and Dresden, Germany was signed on June 4, 1992. Upon arrival, you will have an orientation tour of Dresden. Today, it can once again justify its old title "The Florence of the Elbe." You will visit the famous Zwinger Museum and view the Semper Opera House where both Weber and Wagner conducted. Independent lunch. Check-in at hotel in Dresden. Freshen-up. This evening, formal concert presented by the First Community Church Choir at Dresden Frauenkirche (subject to acceptance). Dinner and overnight at hotel in Dresden. (B,D)
5. 11, Tuesday: Excursion to Arnstadt & Evening/Formal Concert at Thomaskirche Buffet breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, we leave Dresden on our full day tour to Visit Arnstadt and Leipzig. In the 14th century, Arnstadt was ruled by the counts of Schwarzburg and later became a capital of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. The composer Johann Sebastian Bach, whose family lived for generations in the vicinity of Arnstadt, began his musical career in the city. Most Bach scholars believe his well-known "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" was written here between 1703 and 1709. Several members of the Bach family worked in Arnstadt in the 17th century, including J.S. Bach, who was organist of Boniface (now called Bach) Church. Arnstadt has a beautifully kept Old City, restricted to pedestrian traffic. Some of its noteworthy buildings include the 13th-century Church of Our Lady and an 18th-century palace. Informal, recital at Bach Church, presented by First Community Church Choir. Independent lunch. After lunch, we continue to Leipzig, the city of trade fairs, books and music. Upon arrival, our local guide will be ready to take us to view the largest collection of Bach archives in Germany at the Bach Museum Continue around the swan lake to view the Opera House. End our day with a visit to Thomaskirche, where the famous Thomaner Choir originates. The Church owes its fame to Johann Sebastian Bach who was the presenter of the church from 1723 to 1750 and is buried there. Mozart and Mendelssohn also performed there, and it is where Richard Wagner was christened. This evening, formal concert presented by the First Community Church Choir at Thomaskirche in Leipzig (subject to acceptance). Independent dinner. Return to Dresden for overnight. (B) 4
• Day 6t lune 12, Wednesday: Dresden - Prague Leisurely buffet breakfast at your hotel. Late morning, we leave Dresden for Prague, the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. This historic city of golden stone and architectural grace offers a mix of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo treasures. Nicknames for Prague have included "City of 100 Spires" and "The Golden City." Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. According to Guinness World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Independent dinner. Overnight at hotel in Prague. (B)
• Day 7, 13, Thursday: Tour at St Nicholas £r Gala Dinner Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today will be spent getting acquainted with the magnificent city of Prague, which is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque cities in the world. The "City of 100 Spires" was spared from destruction during World War II and still contains beautiful examples of architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Prague, including the castle district (Hradcany). Visit St. Vitus' Cathedral (used for the inauguration of Presidents and where you can find the tomb of St. Wenceslas and former rulers of the Czech Kingdom). Pass the Basilica of St. George to visit Prague Castle. Then, stroll through Mala Strana with its amazing architectural buildings. Independent lunch. Return to hotel to freshen up. At 4:00 pm, Rehearsal at St. Nicholas Church on the Square or the Lesser. At 6:00 pm, Formal concert presented by the First Community Church Choir. Return to hotel to freshen-up. Option I: This evening, you will be transferred to a popular Czech restaurant for a gala dinner with entertainment. While dining and tasting the traditional specialties of the Czech cuisine, you can watch an enjoyable program featuring folk music, songs and dances. Option II: This evening, enjoy a Dinner Cruise on the Vltava River, overlooking the Royal Castle and some of the major historical sites of Prague. Overnight at hotel in Prague. (B,D) 5
• Day 8, lane 14, Friday: AM/Old City of Prague - PM/At Leisure in Prague Breakfast at your hotel. Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful, statue* lined Charles Bridge and to die Old Town, considered one of the most preserved old cities in Europe. See over a thousand years of history as you enjoy the architecture and visit the old town square. See the famous astronomical clock that comes alive when the hour strikes and the twelve disciples appear to bless the crowd. You will also have the chance to visit the church of Our Lady before Tyn, and walk along the Prague alleys through the Powder tower to St. Wenceslas Square and walk through the Jewish quarter (see the outside to the Great Synagogue and the Cemetery). Independent lunch in the Old Town Square. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Prague on your own. Independent dinner. Overnight at hotel in Prague. (B)
• Day 9, lune 15, Saturday: Prague - Cesky Krumlov Castle - Salzburg After breakfast, we leave Prague and drive southwest to Cesky Krumlov, which is the second best- preserved historical town in Bohemia after Prague and is designated as one of UNESCO's World Monuments. Although it was seriously neglected under communism, it is currently being renovated. It was built in the protection of a curve of the Vltava River, which makes almost a complete circle. It was the official residence of the Rosenbergs for 300 years. Situated at the foot of the castle, Cesky Krumlov retains its ancient beauty despite past neglect. Upon arrival, we will visit the old medieval town center with its narrow winding streets. Since it is free of cars, it is very inviting. Then, you will have a view of the town from the castle. Visit the magnificent Krumlov Castle. Independent lunch. This afternoon, continue to the Baroque city of Salzburg, a jewel set on the beautiful banks of the Salzach River, for a two-night stay (if you choose the 10:00am Mass with the Orchestra on Sunday, choir members only, rehearsal with Prof. Janos Czifra, director of music of Salzburg Cathedral). Dinner and overnight at hotel in Salzburg. (B,D)
• Day 10, lune 16, Sunday: Mass at the Cathedral in Salzburg-Hiahlight tour of Salzburg After breakfast, transfer to the Salzburg Cathedral for 9:30 am warm-up and 10:00 am High Mass Mozart's Missa Longa (KV 262 publisher Barenreiter) as sung by First Community Church Choir together with the Salzburg Cathedral Choir and Orchestra, under the direction of Janos Czifra. At 1:00pm. 30 minutes recital at Salzburg Cathedral. Independent lunch. This afternoon you will have a guided tour of Salzburg's sights along Getreidegasse, the city's pedestrian street, lined with authentic 17th and 18th Century buildings, including the house where Mozart was born. View Monchsberg with the fortress "Hohensalzburg", which overlooks the city. Built into the side of Monchsberg is the Salzburg Festspiedlhaus, which is home of the famous Salzburg Festival Operas. See Residenzplatz, the center square of Salzburg, dominated by the dynamic sculpture of the Residenzbrunnen, the largest baroque fountain north of the alps. The Residenz building, built in 1596, was once the palace of the Bishops. Nearby stands the Cathedral dating from 1614. Next, visit St. Peter's Abbey, next to the cemetery portrayed in the film "Sound of Music" and where most of Mozart's religious works are premiered. Independent dinner. Overnight at hotel in Salzburg. (B)
• Day 10, June 17, Monday: Return to the USA After early breakfast, you will be transferred to Munich Airport for your return flight to the USA.