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: 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 5, Friday May 15: 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 6, Saturday May 16: 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 7, Sunday May 17: Berlin

This morning take a trip to the historic city of Dresden, the 'Florence on the Elbe', and explore this city on a guided tour. Almost completely destroyed by Allied bombers in World War 2, the center and its iconic Frauenkirche church have been completely restored through public donation, and siince German reunification in 1990, Dresden has emerged as a cultural, political, and economic center in the eastern part of Germany. Later the choir can perform a concert in the church in the nearby town of Radebeul, in aid of a local hospice. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday May 18: 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 9, Tuesday May 19: Departure

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