Incantato's Travel Tip: Money Matters

Dear Belcanto Monte Vista HS travelers, family and friends,

We all know money is a delicate subject. The best way to use your money during your upcoming Enchanting Europe Tour 2014 with Incantato Tours is to have a debit or credit card.
Paying with these cards allows you to minimize cash needs and also allows you to withdraw money from any ATM machine with only being charged a small withdrawal fee. The fee differs between banks. Be sure to call your bank before your departure to tell them where you are going and for how long so they won't freeze your account.
The debit cards given by the bank have the compatibility of Visa, MasterCard. However, Visa is the most widely accepted card worldwide.

If you bring cash, you can exchange it but be aware that you will lose more money as they charge for their services. Please also keep in mind that most places in Europe will not accept traveler's checks anymore.
Also, be prepared to pay for water in restaurants and/or bars and sometimes a little fee for restroom use (usually 0,50 EUR).
We suggest you have some spending money available and our recommendation is around 20 US-Dollar (15 EUR) per day for meals not included, snacks, drinks, postcards, some souvenirs etc. It is not imperative that you have this amount of money, it is just a recommendation from our end and depends how much you plan on spending.

There are many ways to lower your expenses such as:

• Most restaurants abroad have menus outside, so you can check their price range before you enter it.
• Venture off the main roads to find a restaurant. These usually have more character, better food, and also better prices.
• Bring your own water bottle because most places have safe tap water to fill it up with.
• Buy food from the "convenient" stores (supermarkets). You don't have to sit down in the restaurant for every meal. It can also be very interesting to see the different products offered in a foreign convenient store.
• Hop around for souvenirs if you plan on purchasing some because many stores have the same things on sale for very different prices. You just need to compare the prices. 

Please also keep in mind that there are no free refills on soft drinks in Europe which is why most Europeans ask for little to no ice in their drinks.

Last but not least, remember that your Incantato Tour Managers are with you pretty much 24/7. They are there to help you make the right choices abroad and answer all the questions you may have.

We hope you are looking forward to your upcoming performance tour with us.

Your Incantato Tours Team

Belcanto Tour Meeting on Thursday, May 22 at MVHS now at 7:30 pm - Join our team and get more news about your upcoming journey with Mr. Koliha

We sure hope you have marked your calendars for the final Belcanto Tour Meeting at Monte Vista HS in the choir room on Thursday, May 22 now at 7:30 pm.

Two members of the Incantato team are coming to Danville to present the updated itinerary with already known highlights such as the performances at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday, July 2 at 4:30 pm, the two Independence Day concert in Paris - Notre-Dame Cathedral at 11 am on Friday, July 4 and La Madeleine at 4 pm, the same day, the Highlight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday, July 8 at 5 pm followed only a few hours later by the Private visit to the Vatican Museum and exclusive recital in the Sistine Chapel - but also share news about the  the special Chateau concert on Saturday, July 5 at noon in the Grand Hall of Vaux-le-Vicomte and the extra Rome performance we were asked to include for Monday, July 7 with orchestra featuring Vivaldi's master work "Gloria" presented by the Belcanto singers.

In the true sense of a performance tour, there are many wonderful singing opportunities for the 100+ voices. An updated itinerary will also be presented and we sure hope to answer as many of your questions as we can during this visit and we hope you had a chance to read up on all the venues here on the blog, with the final Roman venue being presented on May 22 to keep a little secret in house.

Au revoir, arriverderci, we sure hope to see you there!

Notre Dame Cathedral welcomes Belcanto on July 4 at 11 am for a special recital

Notre Dame Cathedral, or Notre Dame de Paris, is for many the most important church in all of Paris, and it stands as the official chair of the Archdiocese of Paris. How fitting that the first performance in France's capital city for Belcanto will take place here on Friday, July 5, at 11 am. The 100+ voice touring choir under the direction of Mr. Bruce Koliha will be the featured guest performers for an exclusive recital at the main altar. 

The Notre Dame Cathedral is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothis architecture in France and throughout Europe. It was one of the very first Gothic cathedrals, and its construction spanned the entire Gothic period. Its sculptures and stained glass windows show a heavy influence of naturalism, unlike that of the earlier Romanesque architecture.

The cathedral suffered extensive desecration during the radical phase of the French Revolution in the 1790s, during which much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. An extensive restoration project was completed in the 19^th century, returning the cathedral to its original state.

Although several organs have been installed in the cathedral throughout its existence, many were inadequate for the size and acoustical structure of the building. The current organ, installed in the 19^th century, is the master work of Aristide Cavaille-Coll. This organ boasts 7,800 pipes, 900 of them classified as historical, 111 stops, five 56-key manuals, and a 32-key pedal board. A two-year restoration of the instrument was completed in 1992, making the organ completely computerized under three local area networks.

 
The Notre Dame Cathedral bell towers house five bells. The great bourdon bell, Emmanuel, is located in the south tower, weighs just over 13 tons, and tolls to mark the hours of the day and various special occasions. On the night of August 24, 1944, as the Ile de la Cite was taken by an advance column of French and Allied armored troops and elements of the Resistance, it was the tolling of the Emmanuel that alerted the city that liberation was under way.


Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Superstock.com

Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine: Belcanto's second concert venue in Paris on Independence Day at 4 pm

Belcanto directed by Mr. Bruce Koliha presents a special concert in the afternoon of July 4, 2014 at the wonderful Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (Church of St. Mary Magdalene or Madeleine Church) in Paris, which is a majestic work of art. It is a Roman Catholic church occupying a commanding position in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The concert begins at 4 pm, but if you want to join the group for the rehearsal prior, you are welcome to do so.

The construction of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene began in 1806 by Pierre-Alexandre Vignon. It is built in the neo-classical style, was inspired by the Maison Carrée at Nimes, one of the best-preserved of all Roman temples,and is surrounded by 52 Corinthian columns embracing the church and each column reaches a height of 20 meters.
The building was intended as a monument to the glory of the Napoleon's Grande Armée. This commemorative role, however, was assumed instead by the Arc de Triomphe, and in 1816 the Madeleine was made a church by the restored Bourbon regime. Its interior, completed between 1828 and 1842 under the supervision of Jean-Jacques Huvé, was modeled on the Roman bath. After the fall of Napoleon, King Louis XVIII declared that the building would become a church and it was rededicated to Mary Magdalene.

Nowadays, the Madeleine Church has continued to be the church that the Parisian elite have flocked to for weddings and, alternatively, for funerals. One of the most memorable funerals was Chopin’s in 1849 when Mozart’s Requiem was sung.

What a lot of people do not know... There is a small restaurant in the basement of the church with an entrance on its flower market side. Here in the basement is La Foyer de la Madeleine open for lunch Monday to Friday, 11:45 am to 2:00 pm, except in August and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Incantato Highlight: Private Vatican Visit & Sistine Chapel Recital on Tuesday, July 8

What better place for the final performance of the 2014 Belcanto Performance Tour than the Sistine Chapel? On Tuesday, July 8, the 100+ voices under the direction of Mr. Bruce Koliha will be heard in this amazing venue during an exclusive private recital. 

Perhaps you have visited the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel once before and, like everyone else, had to endure the countless tour groups, the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, the guards barking “no pictures”, the fight for seats, and the shove to move on to make room for the masses behind you. Afterward, perhaps you were left feeling more like you had just completed a sprint past 500 years of art and history rather than having actually seen anything. There is, however, a way to experience the place where popes are elected with all the intimacy and spirituality that one could hope for in order to truly appreciate its significance: a private after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums, culminating in a special recital in the Sistine Chapel. 

The Vatican Museums are indisputably one of the finest collections of art in the world. As seen today, the Musei Vaticani consist of 13 pontifical museums and galleries that began under the patronage of the popes Clement XIV (1796-1774) and Pius VI (1775-1799). They were among the first to open collections of art to the general public for viewing and thus promoting culture among the masses. As time passed, more popes added to the already impressive collection of various art and artifacts on display in the Vatican. The museums include some of the most important sculptures from the ancient world, such as the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere. Moreover, papal patrons commissioned renowned works of art such as the stunning frescoes of Michelanglo in the Sistine Chapel and those by Raphael in his stance.

The Sistine Chapel, which takes its name from its founder, Pope Sixtus IV, is the main chapel in the Vatican Palace and has been covered with frescoes by some of the finest artists of the 15^th and 16^th centuries. There are 12 paintings on the side walls depicting episodes from the life of Christ and Moses by artists such as Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Signorelli. Completed between 1534 and 1541, the treasure of the Vatican Museums is the works by Michelangelo, including the fresco The Last Judgment, on the altar wall. His magnificent ceiling masterpiece depicts scenes from the Old Testament and is one of the world’s most famous works of art, attracting up to 20,000 visitors a day.


In order to fully be able to enjoy this truly magical and memorable place, you have the opportunity to take advantage of Incantato Concert Tours’ unique connections which make it possible for us to organize a special private visit, offering you the opportunity to see these works as they were originally viewed and contemplated by the Popes themselves. This after-hours visit is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It means that you will have the chance to admire this historical collection only in the company of your own group and not with the never-ending crowds that normally are part of the public viewing process. This private visit will be led by a specialized docent/expert guide and offers an exceptional opportunity for an intimate visit and lecture on the Vatican and its impressive collection. As a highlight of this private experience, your choir will be allowed to perform in the Sistine Chapel. It is only during these private visits that singers are granted permission to give a 25 minute sacred recital – a truly unforgettable experience both for the performers and the exclusive audience of fellow group members. 

Belcanto performance venue: Southwark Cathedral welcome the singers and Mr. Koliha on Wednesday, July 2 at 4:30 pm

The Southwark Cathedral is located on the south bank of the River Thames, close to the London Bridge. Nearby is the historic Borough Market and the Cathedral stands at the oldest crossing point of the tidal Thames. This was the only entrance to the city of London across the river for many centuries and a key point in the city infrastructure. Southwark Cathedral cordially welcomes Belcanto directed by Bruce Koliha for the first concert of their Enchanting Europe Tour on Wednesday, July 2 at 4:30 pm. There are no tickets for the performance, thus we recommend to come early for the best seats. 
It is believed that there has been a place of worship located on this site since around AD 606. However, there also may have been a church there earlier. Archaeological evidence suggests that a Roman pagan place of worship was located here well before. 

Nevertheless, the Southwark Cathedral is the oldest cathedral church building in London, having been "re-founded" by two Norman knights as a priory in 1106. While some parts of the building still date back to the 12th century, many of the original medieval features also remain. 
The Nave was re-built in 1895 to the design of Sir Arthur Blomfield. Beyond the Crossing in the oldest complete part of the building, the Choir and Retrochoir, dating back to the 13th century. Located at the end of the Choir is the Great Screen of 1520, filled with statues from the early 20th century. There is also a monument to Shakespeare, carved in 1912, and a memorial window installed in 1954.

Have you visited the Belcanto Photo Album on Facebook yet?

As the actual tour dates get closer, may we invite you to visit the Belcanto photo album on facebook?
Here is a direct link to it and we will soon share more information on the performances as well.

Belcanto Incantato Concert Venue in France: Chateau Vaux le Vicomte on Saturday, July 5 at noon

Just over an hour drive southeast of Paris you will find the stunning Chateau Vaux le Vicomte. With it's beautifully well kept gardens and fountains and statues placed throughout the grounds, you won't question why there have been movies and famous photo shoots taken here using the grand Chateau as it's background. 

The centerpiece of it's grounds and better known as the head turning optical illusion would be considered the large reflecting pools that are bordered by grottos and statues. A man was employed to work out the details in his design for this 'hidden distortion' in order to establish a different perspective for the people. The reflecting pools are narrower at the closest point to the viewer, (which would be from when you are standing at the rear of the chateau and looking out) than at their farthest point. This was deliberately done to make them appear closer to you. Once you are walking through the gardens you will then truly realize how large the premises are. 

Belcanto under the direction of Mr. Bruce Koliha will present a concert in the Grand Hall on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at noon. The 100+ singers have been cordially invited by the Chateau team and together with their families and friends will have a chance to also explore and enjoy this stunning place. 

Your home away from home in the eternal city of Rome, Italy

The 4-star Atahotel Villa Pamphili, surrounded by one of the most beautiful parks of Rome, is situated in a strategic position close to the Vatican and will be your last home away from home from July 5, 2014 to July 9, 2014.
The hotel has 247 rooms overlooking the swimming pool open in the summer (from June to September) or the gardens, encircled by the green area of the “Valle dei Casali”. 
All rooms have balconies overlooking the park, garden or pool. General room features are magnetic locks, adjustable control air-conditioning, digital safe  and a direct telephone line. The rooms also offer a radio connected to television and satellite TV with premium channels and Pay TV.
It offers six tennis courts, a children's playground, a fitness center with equipment and a new SPA Wellness Center (including: swimming-pool with hydromassage; sauna and biosauna; Turkish bath;  emotional showers; relaxing area and beauty treatments rooms).

Pictures courtesy of http://www.atahotels.it/en/villa-pamphili

                                                                                                                                                                                           

The new H10 Roma Città Hotel for your group's last few nights in Italy from July 5, 2014 to July 9, 2014. This 4-star hotel is located in the Marconi neighborhood just a short distance from the district of Trastevere and features all amenities travelers enjoy including comfy beds, solarium, national and international newspaper, ice machines, laundry service and also a rooftop swimming pool. Another great perk is free WIFI throughout the hotel - and even in high speed so you can upload all your pictures and videos.
The hotel has 181 rooms, which are equipped with flat-screen LCD TV with international channels, smart temperature control, pillow top , MP3 (audio) and PC connection, safe box and professional hair dryer.

Pictures courtesy of http://www.hotelh10romacitta.com/en

Your first homes away from home with the Belcanto tour

From June 30, 2014 to to July 3, 2014 following two hotels will be your first homes away from home in Croydon, UK.

The Hilton Croydon Hotel, a 4-star hotel, was recently updated and is located in Croydon, which belongs to one of the eleven metropolitan centers in Greater London.

The hotel offers a fitness center, equipped with weights and cardiovascular machines, business rooms, as well as a British restaurant "The Larder Restaurant and Bar" and the "Hilton Croydon's Costa Coffee" café. Click here to take a look at the recent hotel restaurant menu. For families with children, it offers a special children's menu.

The guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and offer internet access, a desk with chair, as well as a 32-inch LCD TV with on-demand movies.

Pictures are courtesy of http://www3.hilton.com/

                                                                                                                                                                                           

 The 4-star Croydon Park Hotel is centrally located and only a 7 minute walk away from Croydon town center. The hotel is family friendly and has its own restaurant, called Oscar’s Brasserie, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.


The hotel has 211 rooms ranging from standard and executive double rooms to junior suites. All rooms include free WIFI, 24 hour room service, flat-screen digital TV, tea/coffee making facilities, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

Croydon Park Hotel also offers free use of the H2O Leisure center, which boasts an indoor swimming pool, with children’s pool, Jacuzzi, squash court, sauna, and gymnasium.

Pictures are courtesy of http://www.croydonparkhotel.com/

Your home away from home in France

The 4-star Magic Circus Hotel, built in a manor style in the middle of a garden, is located right near Disneyland® Paris in Marne-la-Vallee and you will stay there from July 3, 2014 to July 5, 2014. It offers a fitness area, heated indoor pool, playground in the garden, and American-style air-conditioning among other amenities. The hotel will be able to accommodate all travelers on the main tour in their preferred rooms, so for two nights, everyone will be together here.

The 396 rooms and suites are reminiscent of the atmosphere of a circus. There are double rooms, family rooms and suites available. All rooms offer a view over the garden, the lake or the surrounding landscape and are equipped with high-speed internet access, flat-screen TV, cable TV with free children’s channels, coffee & tea making facilities, in-room safe, bathroom with bathtub, body care products from L’Occitane, hairdryer and beauty mirror and individually controlled air conditioning.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the restaurant l’Etoile. The restaurant serves traditional, seasonal cuisine and selected wines.

Hotel Overview for the Belcanto Companion Tour

The Hilton London Wembley, is just yards from the world-famous Wembley Stadium and the historic Wembley Arena, located in northwest London. The hotel is only 20 minutes from downtown London and the theater district. It provides an indoor heated pool, whirlpool area, sauna and steam room. The rooms offer individually controlled air-conditioning, Hilton alarm clocks, wireless and wired high speed internet access and Satellite TV. The hotel also offers a laptop safe within the rooms. 

A recently transformed hotel the Pullman Paris Montparnasse, will be the home away from home in Paris. The rooms provide flat screen TV and wireless internet. The hotel is located considerably close to the main attractions such as the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and other city highlights. On the first floor located near the gardens, is the hotels own restaurant, called Justine. Also, there is a wine bar and a cafe where you can slip in for a casual meal or quick drink. 

Taking you back to the time of the Renaissance in Italy, this hotel is set inside of two ancient buildings in the center of Florence, which had belonged to noble Florentine Families. The hotel Boscolo Hotel Astoria is arranged by 98 different rooms, that range from a classic setting to more refined and larger rooms considered to be deluxe rooms. Throughout the hotel there are old frescoes on the walls, art and statues. There is a fine dining restaurant and wine bar, as well as on the 6th floor a panoramic view that gives a wonderful and different look at the Duomo of Florence. 

Modern with an elegant twist, Star Hotels Michelangelo is just a short walk to the Vatican in Rome. 179 rooms and suites, many that provide a look at the Vatican itself. Otherwise the hotel provides WIFI throughout the hotel, air conditioning in the rooms, a restaurant and bar, 24 hour room service and a personal safety deposit box in your room. In 2013 the hotel was given a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor.

In the footsteps of Mozart...

Soon you will embark on a journey that will take you through some of the worlds most beloved and beautiful cities, not only in Europe, but around the world. Three of the four cities you will be seeing have recently been voted part of the Top 25 Cities in the World. Though we were surprised to not see London on there, we can assure you, it's really worth the visit. London is still one of the most popular tourist destinations, that attracts around 30 million visitors from other parts of the globe each year. People travel to see the great monuments, museums and to take in the theatrical performances that are happening in the West End. With a rich history and stories from the past, we know a musician can really be influenced greatly by a city such as this. In 1764 when Amadeus Mozart was just a boy, at the age of 8 years old, he met his new teacher and soon to be friend Johann Sebastian Bach. With Bach's great understandings of Italian Opera (after having lived in Italy for many years), he was known to have introduced Mozart to the world of Opera and symphony. The two performed together in court, before the King and the Queen of England.

During what people refer to as the "Mozart family grand tour", The Mozart's had also made there way to Paris. Though his first time there, he was just 7 years old, Mozart became very fond of the city and had visited and lived in Paris, three separate times over a fifteen year period. He claimed he would someday find "honor, glory and money." Paris famous for being a city of romance, is also one that is becoming well known for it's exceptional restaurants throughout the center. Maybe it's not restaurants you're looking for, but an eclair or macaroons, famous chocolatier Michel Richart has made a list worth looking at: Best Pastry Shops in Paris, by Michel Richart.

On the way to Rome in 1770, Mozart and his father stopped off in Florence. It was a brief visit, seeing few friends they had met in Vienna, before they got back on the road and set off on a five day journey to finally arrive at their destination, Rome. During the first visit there, Mozart was awarded the Order of the Golden Spur by Pope Clement XIV. Father and son visited the Sistine Chapel, hearing a piece called, Miserere that was composed a century earlier by Gregorio Allegri. Here are 7 things you might not have known about the Sistine Chapel that we thought you would enjoy reading about.

May we introduce you to British Cuisine?

Nothing screams more Great Britain than a 5 o'clock tea in London. Enjoy the famous British pastries such as scones with cream and jam or finger sandwiches. From high-class hotels like the Ritz to The Savoy, you will find the top afternoon tea addresses here. 

Since Great Britain is with 395 people per sq km the most crowded country in Europe, followed by Netherlands and Belgium, the British cuisine has multi-cultural influences from all over the world. You will find a lot of so-called hybrid dishes such as chicken tikka masala or goulash on British restaurant menus.

British cuisine has traditionally been limited in its international recognition to famous fish and chips, and the Christmas dinner including the traditional Christmas pudding. Other famous British dishes include Sunday roast, steak and kidney pie, shepherd'spie, and bangers and mash (bangers and mash are potatoes that have been mashed up). British cuisine has many regional varieties within the broader categories of English, Scottish and Welsh cuisine. Each have developed their own regional or local dishes, many of which are geographically indicated foods such as Cornish pasties, Yorkshire pudding, Arbroath Smokie, and Welsh cakes.

Although some traditional dishes remain popular, there has been a significant shift in eating habits in Britain. Rice and pasta have accounted for the decrease in potato consumption and the consumption of meat has also fallen. Roast beef is still the national culinary pride. It is called a "joint," and is served at midday on Sunday with roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, two vegetables, a good strong horseradish, gravy, and mustard.

"And then to breakfast, with what appetite you have." 

William Shakespeare

The great British breakfast is famous (or notorious) throughout the world. The typical English breakfast is a 19th century invention, when the majority of English people adopted the copious meal of porridge, fish, bacon and eggs, toast and marmalade, that has now appeared on English breakfast tables for 100 years.
The annual consumption in the United Kingdom is 450,000 tonnes of bacon, 5,000 tonnes of sausages and millions of eggs. It has retained its popularity as one of the country's favorite meals, and survived a whole series of eating trends and food fads.
 

VIP Shadow Tour release today, November 7

The Belcanto Enchanting Europe Tour 2014 is designed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the travelers and naturally Mr. Koliha, as his big farewell performance tour from Monte Vista High School. 

In addition to the singers, many people have expressed interest in a companion tour, which Incantato's sister company Inside Europe was more than happy to organize. 
This parallel and so-called VIP Shadow tour is designed more with the family and friends in mind that are traveling with the choir but are not necessarily singers. It will include upgraded accommodations such as central 4 superior hotels as well as additional special activities services not otherwise included in the itinerary, such as specialty tastings, more free time to explore, etc. 

This companion tour may be an attractive option for those not wishing to complete the same itinerary as the performing choir, for those who prefer more convenient hotels, or those simply wishing to have additional free time and less scheduled activities. An expert Inside Europe host is with the shadow group 24/7 to coordinate individual activities, make special reservations etc. The companion tour is operated parallel to the performance tour and participants will have the opportunity to be at all performances. Travelers have the possibility to change from the classic tour to the VIP shadow tour. 

For more information, please email us to info@incantatotours.com. Inside Europe's website is www.inside-europe.com

Please also have a look below at the tour brochure:

Incantato Introduces You to London's Churches

London's magnificent churches create the city's unique skyline and tell the story of the capital's history. One of the oldest of these is the cathedral church of St. Saviour and St. Mary Overy, originally founded in 606 AD. It was in this cathedral that John Harvard was baptized in in 1607, which is why there is the Harvard Chapel. On the north bank is where you will find some of the most famous churches, including Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral. However, with such monumental buildings, it is easy to overlook some of the other churches, such as St. Margaret, the church of the House of Commons. It was founded in the 12th century; the current building dates back to 1523 and is particularly noteworthy for the 15th-century stained glass in the east window. Just a footpath away from Westminster Abbey, this is where Winston Churchill was married. 
Westminster Abbey itself is, of course, no to be overlooked either. Steeped in more than a thousand years of history, Benedictine monks first came to the site in the middle of the 10th century and established a tradition of daily worship which continues to this day. Begun in 1245, it is one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country. The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is also the final resting place of 17 monarchs. 
Equally imposing is St. Paul's Cathedral. The current building is the fifth to stand on the site since 604 and it was built between 1675 and 1710 after the previous building had been destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Throughout its long history, there have been several commemorating events, such as Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee celebrated here in 1897. Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur were married here in 1501, as well as the famous wedding of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana in 1981. Most recently, Queen Elizabeth II also celebrated her 80th birthday here in 2006 and her own diamond jubilee in 2012.