Since the Enchanting Europe Tour is going to start this week on Sunday, June 29, 2014, we thought it would be a good idea to have a look at your weather forecast for London, Paris and Rome. It might increase your anticipation and also helps you to figure out what to pack in your suitcase.
In case you have not seen it yet, please have a look at our blog entry regarding what to pack and how to pack for your tour.
LONDON - Weather forecast: UK's capital city welcomes you with plenty of sun, highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s. On Wednesday, July 2, 2014 there is some sun with a few showers possible (only a 30% chance of rain). Temperatures are very nice, highs in the mid 70s and lows in the mid 50s.
PARIS has steady temperatures in the 70s and welcomes you with lots of sun. And ROME has temperatures in the mid 80s and a mix of sunshine and some light showers.
Incantato Tours will also post pictures, videos and updates during the tour on our Facebook page, so please tell you family members and friends at home to have a look there.
It is summer time and vacation time and it always seems like a great idea to purchase souvenirs on your vacation, until you are home and do not know how to display them properly.
Unpacking from a trip often includes trying to find places to store or display random keepsakes you have picked up along the way. If you are a sentimental traveler, you may be trying to find a way to keep your trip memories alive in your home with the ideas below:
A shadow box is a great way to show off those mementos in an clean and classy way. All you need is a 12x12 Shadow box which you can purchase at Ikea, Hobby Lobby, Target etc., a selection of keepsakes, double sided tape, craft supplies such as clothespins, masking tape, decorative labels, hot glue gun etc. Source: Design Aglow
Or put your favorite souvenirs into pretty glass jars. Display these memory jars on your mantel and treat it as a living arrangement — continue to update or rearrange items as you see fit. Source:Martha Stewart
If you are interested in other ways to display your holiday keepsakes, please have a look here.
What is the size limit and number of items for a carry-on? You may have 1 carry-on bag - it must be able to fit either under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. We highly recommend something simple and easier to use such as a backpack.
What are the airline carry-on container regulations? No containers holding more that 3ozs of liquid are allowed in the carry-on luggage. They also must be in a plastic zip-lock or another transparent bag. Please also have a close look at the 311 rules by TSA (Transportation Security Administration).
Do I need to carry my passport with me all the time? Ideally, your passport should be with you at all times because you are generally required to have some form of identity with you at all times. Please be “street-smart” and take care of pickpockets. Photocopies of the passport should be packed in your suitcase, available in your e-mail and Incantato Tours should also have a copy.
Do you have recommendations or suggestions on the type of power adapter needed and what voltage? Electricity in Europe comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but the sockets themselves are different. Adapters and converters may be found at Target, Walmart and radio shack etc. Please also have a look at our blog entry regarding this matter. Is tap water safe to drink in Europe? Most European Union countries have implemented the EU Drinking Water Directive which makes it among the safest drinking water in the world. If you are unsure and want to be real safe, we would recommend to buy bottled water.
What is the average meal cost? How much money should you bring?
As long as you are wise about your choices, meals can easily be 15 EUR or less. You don’t have to go to sit down at restaurants to find good food. But when you do want to sit down, you should check the menu outside to see if they have a "menu special" - you can get an entrée, dessert and a drink for a set price.
What has the best exchange rate, using a debit card to pull money out or exchanging US currency? By far, the best way to deal with money abroad is to use your debit or credit card. Most banks only charge around $2 per withdraw and they also take care of the exchange rate for you. Keep in mind that you need a 4 digit pin and also let your bank know in advance that you are travelling abroad. We do not recommend to bring Traveler's Checks with you. Please also have a look at our blog entry regarding money matters here.
Do you know what the transaction fee is for withdrawing euros on my debit card at the ATM's? This varies by debit card and cash machine used. Therefore we recommend to talk to your bank in advance.
What is the approximate exchange rate right now?
It’s about $1.35 to 1 EUR (June 2014)
Should I use a major credit card for all purchases in London or do I need a separate debit card for pounds? You can withdraw pounds in England and Euro in France and Italy, so just one debit card will be fine. For major purchases a credit card will be best. Please note that you will be charged foreign transaction fees unless you have a card that covers those fees. Have a look at our blog entry regarding money matters here.
What happens if someone gets injured while in tour?Medical care and cost wise?Do they need a medical consent form for treatment? It is mandatory to purchase travel insurance as indicated on your registration form. You can select any insurance provider you may like. However, due to good experiences in the past we recommend Travel Guard. Please find our blog entry regarding travel insurance here. Is there a dress code for non-singers/members of the tour for entrance into Notre Dame and the Vatican? A conservative dress code is just fine. We recommend to cover shoulders and knees and modest cleavage. We also dissuade to wear flip-flops. What is your shoe recommendation for the tour? We recommend no flip flops, closed toe is our personal recommendation, some light weight sneakers even or good sturdy sandals. Please have a look at our blog entry regarding packing tips here.
Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, better known by its shorter name Santa Maria degli Angeli, is a unique Renaissance church in Rome.
It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to the angels, and to Christian slaves who died building the baths.
In 1541, a Sicilian priest had a vision of angels in the ruins of the Baths of Diocletian. As a result, Pope Pius IV ordered that a church be built within the Baths. The church was designed by Michelangelo, who began work in 1563 but died a year later in 1564. His design was completed by Jacopo Lo Duca, a student of Michelangelo.
The exterior has a unique appearance for a church, since its outer walls consist in part of the brick of the Baths of Diocletian. Although the interior has changed considerably and the floor has been raised a few feet, Santa Maria degli Angeli is one of the places where you can best appreciate the size and splendor of the Roman imperial baths.
Like most churches in Rome, Santa Maria degli Angeli is filled with art and monumental tombs and also has some holy relics.
The Choir is going perform a highlight concert at this magnificent venue on July 7, 2014 at 9:00 pm.
Since the 2014 Enchanting Europe Tour starts this month, many of our travelers asked about the suitcase dimensions and how heavy it is allowed to be. Please find the regulations for the two airlines below:
Air Canada:
Check one bag at no charge
Max. weight per bag: 50lb, maximum linear dimensions per bag: 62 inches
Plus one small/normal size carry-on (measurements: 9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in, maximum weight 22 lb, including handles and wheels)
Here is an interesting link to double check the information provided above.
United Airlines:
Check one bag at no charge
Up to 62 linear inches L + W + H and 50lbs per bag
Plus one small/normal size carry-on (measurements: 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches, including handles and wheels)
Here is an interesting link to double check the information provided above.
Please keep in mind that if you max this allowance out already on the way over, then there is no room for souvenirs on the way back.
Based in Paris and Venice, Thello operates daily night trains from/ to Paris or Dijon and the major cities of North Italy such as Milano, Brescia, Verona, Vicenza and Padova.
The Belcanto Monte Vista HS travelers will arrive in the early morning at the Verona Porta Nuova Station, in the heart of the city where Rome and Juliet took place. During your night in the train, you crossed the Alps and the Po valley without any stress due to crowded airports and roads.
Take your dinner in the dining car and enjoy a pleasant and warm atmosphere. The catering teams offer menus which suit every budget and taste. A selection of warm and cold dishes, tasty French and Italian Cuisine and a range of carefully selected wines are available. In the morning of your arrival, after you woke up, you can also buy fresh baked pastries and coffee to start your day.
Eurostar is a high-speed railway service connecting London (St. Pancras) with Paris (Gare du Nord) and Brussels (Midi/Zuid). All its trains use the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France, owned and operated separately by Eurotunnel. The service is operated by eighteen-coach trains which run at up to 186 mph on a network of high-speed lines.
Eurostar has been hailed as having set new standards in international rail travel and has won praise several times over, recognising its high standards. The company won the Train Operator of the Year award in the HSBC Rail Awards and it was declared the Best Train Company in the joint Guardian/Observer Travel Awards.
Food and travel are important to Eurostar therefore every travel class has a special menu included. For the standard class for example, the company teamed up with Waitrose, UK’s favorite supermarket, to bring its travelers a fresh menu of delicious food such as sandwiches, salads, hot dishes and sweet treats.
If you are curious and would like to see a video of the Eurostar. Then have a look below:
Many of you might already have an exact plan of what to do during your leisure time at your 2014 Enchanting Europe Performance Tour with Incantato Tours. You will be able to see many of London's famous sights on your half day sightseeing tour on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 such as the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
The recommendations below are only suggestions and include things you might not think about and therefore we would like to bring it to your attention.
1. City of London Festival 2014 The annual City of London summer festival returns with a host of events in some of the capital's grandest settings. This year's program promises something to please every taste, from acclaimed comedy by the hilarious Richard Herring and Katherine Ryan to classical performances by the sensational London Symphony Orchestra, from jazz by Clare Teal and Julian Joseph to a whole host of free family-friendly outdoor performances which will be taking over the city streets from June 22, 2014 to July 17, 2014.
2. Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 2014
The world of tennis descends on Wimbledon in South West London every summer for two weeks of tennis, strawberries and cream, and good-natured queuing. Wimbledon is one of four famous annual Grand Slam tennis tournaments held around the world. It's the world's longest-running and most prestigious tennis tournament. Games are still played on the original playing surface, grass, and there's a strict white-only dress code for players.
3. The Bowler Hat
See a series of comedy, theatre and cabaret performances within the quirky Bowler Hat venue in Paternoster Square. This unique venue in the heart of London hosts children's theatre, stand-up comedy, circus and cabaret events over three and a half fun-filled weeks.
4. London Eye
This giant ferris wheel is definitely worth a spin. Once you've boarded your glass-sided capsule (each capsule holds 25 people) it will be a half hour before you get back down. London Eye is a very slow ride but from the top of the 443-foot wheel you will be rewarded with gloriously views over London.
5. London Musicals
Why not enjoying an afternoon or night at one of London's great musicals? You can select between the award-winning adaptation of Disney's The Lion King, Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical Phantom of the Opera, the tribute to the music of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 named Thriller etc.
What a wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day. Your dinner on Friday, July 4, 2014 will be at Chez Françoise restaurant in Paris. It is located at Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement and has been a Paris institution since it was founded right after the World War II.
Air France commissioned an elegant meeting place for its travelers, but with the politicians just across the street in the embassy, Chez Françoise rapidly became the canteen of parliamentarians, as well, and so it remains today.
It is a stylish and fine dining restaurant where the entire staff has a passion for gastronomy and a commitment to excellent service. It is set in the ground floor of the Aérogare des Invalides and boasts bright and relaxed terraces for both winter and summer.
Located on the Place Du Terte, in the heart of Montmartre, positioned at a small square behind Sacré Cœur is the restaurant La Crémaillère 1900, which literally means "housewarming party". The uplifting charm of the Belle Epoque lives on in this non-touristy cabaret restaurant. It welcomes it guests decorated in a room dedicated to the 1900, with Alphonse Mucha style paintings of female dancers and 1900 inspired decor. Alternatively it also offers a private courtyard garden, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris, with its cobblestones, chestnut trees and and cast iron Wallace fountain, an iconic symbol of Paris. It specialized on traditional French cuisine and seafood.
This will be your first dinner in the beautiful city of Paris on Thursday, July 3, 2014.
Welcome to your third and last restaurant in UK's capital city London. On Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 6:30 pm you will enjoy your dinner at The Folly restaurant.
The Folly is a stylish venue offering a variety of food and drink highlighting seasonal produce with a look that’s part industrial and part country living.
The expansive venue is divided into separate areas including a deli and a flower shop during the day, which explains why you have the feeling of dining in a botanical garden.
Upstairs, an open kitchen opposite an array of long picnic tables serves sharing platters, gourmet sandwiches, sea- and pub food.
The owners take pride in providing their guests with fresh, seasonal, delicious and beautifully presented meals throughout the day. We hope will you enjoy it!
This second fun and upgraded Incantato Tours dinner at the Medieval Banquet in London for Belcanto will be together with travelers from the Shadow Tour on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. The Medieval Banquet is a theatrical dinner experience, situated in the beautiful location of Ivory House in St. Katherine Dock which is named after the hospital sited here 900 years ago. The hospital was dedicated to St. Katharine, a 4th century saint who was martyred by the Roman emperor Maximinus. She was particularly influential in the Middle-ages with her saint day celebrated on 25th November.
The restaurant's setting, decoration and details take you back to the old London where knights still existed and jesters entertained the king and the queen. The Medieval Banquet opened its doors 40 years ago, and is one of the most special dining experiences in London.
Pictures are a courtesy of http://www.medievalbanquet.com
Since the 2014 Enchanting Europe Tour departs next month, Incantato Tours would like to share more news with the Belcanto travelers:
We managed to reserve The Counting House exclusively just for the travelers of the main Belcanto Monte Vista HS Tour for their welcome dinner in London on Monday, June 30, 2014 at 7:15 pm.
The impressive restaurant was built in 1893 as a magnificent banking hall, the aptly named Counting House. With chandeliers and high domed ceiling, plus plenty of the old fixtures and fittings still here, it's a stunning place to stop by for dinner, lunch or just a snack.
The Counting House is famous for its great pie selection, which comes with a choice of mash or chips, including gravy and vegetables but also offers typical London dishes such as fish and chips. What will be on the menu for Belcanto? Join us for the tour meeting on Thursday, May 22 at MVHS in the choir room and you will hear all the details.
Pictures are a courtesy of http://the-counting-house.com
1. Air Canada Departure for Europe Sunday, June 29, 2014 Air Canada flight AC758 leaves San Francisco (SFO) for Toronto (YYZ), Canada, at 8:50 am, arrival is at 4:45 pm local time. The group then connects from Toronto (YYZ) at 6:30 pm with Air Canada flight AC856 to London (LHR), England, with an arrival of 6:25 am local time on the next day (Monday, June 30, 2014).
Return to the US Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Air Canada flight AC891 departs Rome (FCO), Italy, at 11:20 am for Toronto (YYZ), Canada, to arrive at 3:00 pm local time. The group then connects from Toronto (YYZ) at 8:20 pm with Air Canada flight AC759 to San Francisco (SFO) with an arrival of 10:54 pm local time on the same day.
2. United Airlines Departure for Europe Sunday, June 29, 2014 United Airlines flight UA930 leaves San Francisco for London (LHR) at 7:40 pm, with an arrival of 2:05 pm local time on Monday, June 30, 2014.
Return to the US Wednesday, July 9, 2014 United Airlines flight UA041 departs Rome (FCO) at 9:50 am for Newark (EWR), to arrive at 1:45 pm local time. The group then connects from Newark (EWR) at 4:20 pm with United Airlines flight UA1284 to San Francisco (SFO), arrival is at 7:37 pm local time on the same day.
Dear Belcanto Monte Vista HS travelers, family and friends,
To charge your digital cameras, laptops, etc. in Europe during your 2014 Enchanting Europe Performance Tour, you will need an adapter.
The U.S. plug (2 or 3 prong here in the U.S.) will not fit in an European socket. In most cases the European socket takes a plug with 2 round prongs. The adapters allow an U.S. plug to plug in to the back of the adapter and the front of the adapter plugs into the European socket. You'll find adapters at stores like Radio Shack, Walmart or even online at amazon.com etc.
Please click here for a detailed overview of all sockets types, here for a global map showing the spread of the different plug types used around the world and finally here for a detailed list of the countries of the world with their respective plug and outlet types, voltage and frequency.
Incantato Tours discourages their travelers to bring their cell phones to Europe because of the high costs for calls ($1/minute or more), text messages (50 cents and up) and data charges for online services.
Therefore Incantato Tours will supply a free local cell phone for the tour director to use with free incoming calls and allowance for emergency outgoing calls only.
If you would like to have more information on this subject, please check the "international section" of the website of your cell phone provider:
Dear Belcanto Monte Vista HS travelers, family and friends,
Time for another travel tip. As your departure for your Enchanting Europe Tour 2014 gets closer and closer, Incantato Tours would like to provide you with some travel tips to make it easier for you to get ready for your upcoming tour.
Do you know anyone who absolutely loves to pack? Neither do we. We understand that for most people, packing for a vacation is the most difficult part. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, but as a colleague explains it:
"You'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back
from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!"
Her advice:
"Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is
to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle."
Two favorite ways to pack are the roll-up-squeeze (coiling your clothes for maximum space) and the layer-cake-technique of stacking your clothing items between sheets of tissue to prevent wrinkling.
The video below shows you how to pack like a pro:
Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing tank tops or shorts. A scarf is a good solution to this code. And shorts should always go to your knees (both for ladies and gents).
Below are a few things that we think are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings and with the weight of your bag. Please remember, airlines allow only one checked bag per person and a small carry-on.
A sample packing list (just a suggestion!):
Rain jacket, maybe with fleece insert (it is summer in Europe but it can sometimes get a little bit cold in the evenings)
Umbrella just in case it rains
An adapter plug and/ or converter (if you are bringing electronic devices, please check if they are compatible, most new devices are)
Camera and batteries or charger with adapter
At least two pair of jeans or pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses, too
A sweater or two (or three, if you tend to feel chilly)
Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans)
Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes
A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry on any valuables at all times)
Choir music and attire
Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, good everyday shoes, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach.
All scissors, fingernail clippers etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounces. Bring enough contact lens solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip.
If you forget anything, do not worry, there are plenty of shops where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
Enjoy your packing and we are looking forward to start the tour with you.
“Dear Incantato, As you know, I’ve had the pleasure of being on five of your tours. Just when I think you can’t possibly top the previous tour, you do. Your attention to detail is remarkable. From departure to return everything is superbly planned – air and ground transportation, top-notch accommodations, food and most importantly, premier performance venues. You definitely deliver on your “boutique” commitment. As an educator, the most important aspect of an international tour is that my students return having had a life-changing experience. This has been the outcome every time I’ve been with your company. Equally important to me is that my guests also have an experience of a lifetime. Not only do you deliver on your commitment to making their experience extra special, you take extra care in understanding their individual needs. My guests rang my phone off the hook when we returned from Eastern Europe last year (yes, they still use phones!). To your potential clients who might read this, I want them to know that if they’ve ever considered taking an instrumental ensemble on an international tour, they’d be missing out on a fabulous opportunity if they didn’t contact Incantato to discuss the possibilities. My last two tours with Incantato included a choir and jazz ensemble. The sacred performance venues for the choir were everything history books have written about. The jazz venues were outstanding – some of the premier jazz clubs in Europe! The level of performance that my students rose to was off the charts – additional validation of my commitment to education and proof that an experience like this is a major game changer to every student musician. This combination tour was in many ways better than just a choir tour or just a jazz tour. It offered a lot of variety to display the diversity of our music department and provided the students a unique peer-to-peer support system, by being both performers and audience members. You did it again!!!” Richard Burchard, Composer (Gentry Music, Pavane Publishing, National Music Publishers, Hinshaw Music) and Educator (Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY)
“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
“Our tour with Incatanto was unforgettable. They were able to not only secure for us the most popular and magnificent venues but also the hidden gems and special places only a company with passion and dedication can find. My Women’s Ensemble and Handbells (and even the parents) are still talking about the trip and all the wonderful memories. It has invigorated my program and I am deeply proud to have done business with Sandra and the entire team at Incantato.” Brian Dehn, Cornelia Connelly, Performance Tour to England and Ireland 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 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 about 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 manager 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 choose 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 concertizing 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
