Heidelberg University - 175th Jubilee Tour

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday May 11: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Tuesday May 12: Heidelberg

Arrive at Frankfurt airport and meet your tour manager, before traveling south to the historic city of Heidelberg. Take a short orientation tour of the city with your tour manager, before a welcome dinner and a good night's sleep! (B,D)

Day 3, Wednesday May 13: Heidelberg

Explore Heidelberg this morning on a tour with a licensed guide. Surrounded by forest, Germany’s oldest and most famous university town is renowned for its baroque Altstadt, beautiful riverside setting and evocative half-ruined hilltop castle, which inspired the works of the many 18th and 19th century Romantics, such as the poet Goethe and Britain’s artist, William Turner. Today both ensembles could perform as part of a gala concert together with the University ensembles as a celebration of the links between the two cities of Heidelberg. Tonights dinner will be either with your hosts or in a local restaurant (B,D)

Day 4, Thursday May 14: Cologne

After breakfast check out and follow the Rhine Valley downstream towards Cologne, stopping en route at the historic city of Koblenz, where the Rhine and Mosel rivers meet: you can get an eagle-eye view of the city from the Rhineseilbahn cable car, and take a boat trip to visit the famous Loreley Rock and the Rhine gorge. Continue to your hotel in Cologne for dinner together (B, D)

Day 5, Friday May 15: Cologne

Discover the gothic masterpiece of Cologne on a guided sightseeing tour to see the famous cathedral whose filigree twin spires dominate the skyline. The choir will have the opportunity to sing a short program at the daily midday prayer service in the huge cathedral space. If you're feeling fit, climb the 533 steps to the top of the spire for spectacular views over the entire region. Later learn about the “elixir of the gods” during your visit to the Chocolate Museum and learn through engaging exhibits the 5000 year history of this delightful treat. Tonight the choir performs a full concert in a church such as the Antoniterkirche, before dinner together (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday May 16: Leipzig

After breakfast check out and journey east to the historic city of Leipzig. En route visit the town of Eisenach, birthplace of arguably the greatest Baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, visiting the museum dedicated to the great composer. Continue to your hotel and check in before taking dinner in the famous Auerbachskeller restaurant, setting for Goethe's Faust (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday May 17: Leipzig

After breakfast in your hotel you will enjoy a guided tour of historic Leipzig, including the Bach Archive with original manuscripts or a visit to the Mendelssohn House, the family apartment perfectly preserved as it was when Felix lived there! This afternoon the band will perform in a local venue such as the Stadtkirche in Jena, a Protestant church used for all kinds of musical performances. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday May 18: Berlin

This morning journey north to the once-divided capital of Germany, Berlin. On arrival dive straight into the fascinating history of this once-divided city with a visit to the site of the Berlin Wall, the somber Holocaust Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing between East and West Berlin and an enduring symbol of the Cold War. Check in to your final hotel for the tour and take dinner together (B)

Day 9, Tuesday May 19: Berlin

Today continue your exploration of the Western half of the city with a tour of the iconic Berliner Philharmonie concert hall, before some free time shopping on the famous 'Ku-damm' shopping street. Later prepare for your final concert in a venue such as the Jesus Christus Kirche in Berlin, beloved recording venue of Herbert von Karajan. Dinner will be together in a restaurant this evening. (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday May 20: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)