History, culture, and natural beauty perhaps best describe the essence of vacationing in Germany. With its historic cities and small towns, along with an abundance of forests and mountains, visitors are spoiled for choice. Those wanting to sightsee or experience the arts should head to the metropolitan areas, while those looking to engage in recreational activities should visit places such as the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, or the Mosel Valley. Lovely old cathedrals and grand palaces are everywhere, and in the smaller towns and villages, many centuries-old traditions continue. At the cultural heart of Germany is the capitol Berlin, home to many fine museums and galleries, while nature lovers will find a world of possibilities in Germany's great outdoors.
Arrival at DUS airport; meet tour guide Lothar Moehlmann and tour bus / driver.
Depending on time of arrival spend the afternoon sightseeing in Dusseldorf.
Dinner;
overnight for the next two nights in SOest, about 30 minutes from Arnsberg:
Breakfast in hotel
Morning sightseeing
Afternoon transfer to Arnsberg
Set-up rehearsal at the concert site
Welcome reception;
Joint concert and dinner with host choir
Return to Soest for overnight at the Hansa Hotel
Breakfast
Transfer to the Kassel area for your homestay of 3 nights,
hosted by members of a local choir
Evening concert in conjunction with host choir
Breakfast
Transfer to second host community in the area between Hannover and Kassel.
Sightseeing en route, e.h. in Hamelin, home of the Pied Piper, or travel up the Weser river and visit Corvey castle (formerly an abbey), site of a renowned annual music festival.
Early evening arrival in your host community; dinner and welcome reception.
Breakfast with hosts
Spend the morning sightseeing in the area
Afternoon joint rehearsal with hosts
Evening concert
Return home with your hosts for dinner and overnight.
(companion tour arrives today and links up with you, geographically at least)
Breakfast with hosts
Performance during morning service at local church
Afterwards board bus for transfer to Eisenach.
Visit the Wartburg, the residence and refuge of Martin Luther during the time he translated the bible from Latin and Greek into German. (1521 - 1522).
Dinner, overnight in Erfurt:
Breakfast at hotel
Short sightseeing stop in Erfurt to see the Cathedral and the Krämerbrücke (merchant's bridge), Erfurt's oldest secular structure, a bridge covered with 32 inhabited houses (mostly half-timbered).
On to Weimar, UNESCO world heritage site for its rich cultural heritage: cradle of the Weimar Classicism literary movement, respresented by Germany's most renowned authors of the 18th century, Goethe and Schiller, as well as birthplace of the Bauhaus architecture and of the Weimar Republic democratic constitution.
On to Dresden for evening arrival; dinner and overnight at Dresden hotel:
Hotel MERCURE DRESDEN ELBPROMENADEBreakfast at hotel.
Morning of sightseeing in Dresden including a guided tour with visits to Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and the Zwinger
Afternoon free
Evening concert in Dresden or surroundings (e.g. Goerlitz - if in Goerlitz you might want to look at a mid-day departure so as to have a little time to spend sightseeing in Goerlitz)
Breakfast at hotel
Transfer to Leipzig, with en route stop in Meissen to see the Cathedral (and possibly sing an impromptu).
Lunch (on own) in Meissen.
Dinner and overnight in Leipzig
Breakfast at the hotel
Performance during festive morning service (Ascension Day)
at St. Thomas Church
In the afternoon you will go on a guided tour of Leipzig (with local guide) including visits to the Bach archives and St. Thomas church.
Free time afterwards for own discoveries.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel
Board bus for transfer to Berlin,
with en route sightseeing stop in Wittenberg
and impromptu performance at the Stadtkirche or Schlosskirche
OR stop in Halle for visit to the Haendel house.
Late afternoon arrival in Berlin, check into your hotel (TBA); dinner.
Breakfast at the hotel
Embark on a 3 hour guided tour of Berlin in the morning.
The afternoon is free for own discoveries in Berlin.
Evening concert at a church in Berlin or Potsdam
(Companion Tour departs today)
Breakfast at your hotel
Morning performance during service at a local church.
Additional Berlin sightseeing in the afternoon
Evening farewell dinner
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Berlin-Tegel airport and
Check in for your return flight to Chicago
