SCAHS 2015 Performance Tour to France & Spain Revised Proposal/January 20, 2014
Cultural Tour Consultants, Kalamazoo, Michigan USA 1-866-499-3799
State College Area High School
European Performance Tour
Master Singers, String Orchestra, & Jazz Band
Tour Dates: July 9-20, 2015
Thursday, July 9
Fly from area airport
Afternoon Arrive at the Dulles, Baltimore or Newark Airport and check in for your transatlantic flight.
Meals served on board your transatlantic flight.
Friday, July 10
Arrive in France
Morning A connection will be required in a European city before continuing on to Nice.
Afternoon Arrive at the airport in Nice, capital of the French Riviera. Meet your Cultural Tour Consultants
Tour Manager, board coach and transfer to the Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa, considered the most beautiful
French Riviera Palazzo. Between sea and sky, overlooking the bay of Villefranche, the nine heavenly
gardens are adorned with patios, fountains, ponds, flowered and shaded paths. You will have a leisurely
walk through the gardens, accompanied by a guide, while enjoying spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
Check into your hotel in Nice, just a short walk from the beach.
Evening Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
ACCOMMODATIONS
(or comparable)
HOTEL ELLINGTON
Nice, France
http://www.ellingtonnice.com/
Saturday, July 11
Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer
Morning Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guides and begin a guided walking tour of the historic center of
Nice. Afternoon Independent lunch. Free time for independent exploration (in small groups). Board coach
and transfer the short distance to the Villefranche-sur-Mer, separated from Nice by a peninsula. Tucked
away between the mountains and the sea, the small town avoids the crowds of Nice. The old town is
pedestrianized as many of the streets are actually staircases connecting the different levels of the town built
on the side of a cliff. The harbor is a beautiful site from any vantage point.
♫ The SCAHS Jazz Band will perform this
afternoon or evening on the outdoor stage of
the Citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer
(tentative) OR as part of Nice Jazz Festival
(July dates only).
Evening Dinner on your own.
Sunday, July 12
Nice
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Morning at leisure to enjoy Nice. Free time for a swim, shopping, and lunch on your own.
Afternoon Lunch on your own in Nice.
♫ The SCAHS Jazz Band may give an outdoor
performance this afternoon on the gazebo
stage in the Parc Albert I in Nice (tentative)
OR as part of the Jazz . Juan Festival in
Antibes (July dates only).
Evening Dinner at a local restaurant.
The SCAHS Master Singers and String
Orchestra will perform this evening at a
local venue such as the Notre Dame du Port
(tentative). This may be a joint performance
with “Atous Choeurs” made up of students
from the Massena and Calmette High
Schools of Nice.
ACCOMMODATIONS
(or comparable)
HOTEL ELLINGTON
Nice, France
http://www.ellingtonnice.com/
HOTEL ELLINGTON
Nice, France
http://www.ellingtonnice.com/
Monday, July 13
Travel (232 kms/144 miles) from Juan to Arles
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Board coach and depart Juan les Pins traveling into the region known around the world: Provence.
Arrive in Arles, a town which has held on to its traditions, dance, and music through the centuries. Walk
into the historic town center which is almost entirely pedestrianized. (Your luggage will be transported by
mini-van and delivered to your rooms.)
Afternoon Lunch on your own in Arles.
Check into your hotel.
Meet your guide and begin a tour of the Archaeological Museum of Arles to discover the the Roman
objects recently found in the Rhône River, including the famous bust of Julius Caesar. Continue with a
walking tour of Arles including the ancient Roman Amphitheater, the RomanTheatre, Place du Forum, and
more.
Evening Dinner at a local restaurant.
Transfer by coach to St. Mitre les Remparts.
♫ The SCAHS Master Singers and String Orchestra will
perform in the village church of St. Mitre les Remparts
(tentative).
Late return to your hotel in Arles.
Tuesday, July 14
Roman Aquaduct Pont du Gard, evening performance
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Afternoon excursion to visit the ancient Roman Aqueduct known as Pont du Gard, used for over 400
consecutive years, carrying fresh water from Uzès to the Roman city of Nîmes.
Return to Arles.
Afternoon Lunch on your own.
Free time to enjoy this beautiful town. It is great for shopping: several stores sell locally-made items such
as fabrics, olive oil, lavender products, wine, etc
Evening Dinner at a local restaurant.
♫ The SCAHS Jazz Band will perform this evening at the Etang
des Aulnes concert venue in St. Martin de Crau, near Arles
(tentative).
ACCOMMODATIONS
(or comparable)
HOTEL ATRIUM
Arles, France
www.hotelatrium.com
HOTEL ATRIUM
Arles, France
www.hotelatrium.com
Wednesday, July 15
Travel (223 kms/138 miles) from Arles to Carcassonne
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Depart Arles.
Afternoon Arrive in Carcassonne, surrounded by its medieval fortifications.
Check into your hotel.
Afternoon Lunch on your own.
Meet your guide and begin a tour of the Chateau Comtal, the walled 12th-century castle. Your tour will
concentrate on the role of Carcassonne in the 13th century Cathar Crusades when royal French forces
descended upon the area to wipe out the religious sect that had become popular in the region.
♫ The SCAHS Master Singers and String Orchestra will
perform informally in the beautiful St. Nazaire Basilica in
Carcassonne (tentative).
Free time to wander through the small medieval streets of
Carcassonne.
Evening Dinner at your hotel.
Thursday, July 16
Excursion into Cathar country, performance in Limoux
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Depart Carcassonne for a day excursion into the Aude Valley of the Pyrénées foothills to discover the
famous Cathar Castles of the Corbières, besieged during the 13 th century crusade. You will visit the Castle
of Qu.ribus, the last stronghold besieged during the crusade. Afternoon Lunch on your own in the small
town of Cucugnan. Continue on to the foot of the mountain on which the ruins of the Castle of
Peyrepertuse are found to discover the remarkable military architecture of the Middle Ages.
Arrive in Limoux. The heart of the town is the place de la République, a wide square with fine stone
arcading and a number of timber framed houses. Limoux straddles the River Aude and the banks are lined
with grand houses, especially on the eastern side, the so-called Petite Ville (lit. "Small City").
Evening Dinner at a local restaurant.
♫ The SCAHS Master Singers and String Orchestra will
perform in the town church of Limoux.
Late return to your hotel in Carcassonne.
ACCOMMODATIONS
(or comparable)
HOTEL LE DONJON
Carcassonne, France
www.hotel-donjon.fr
HOTEL LE DONJON
Carcassonne, France
www.hotel-donjon.fr
Friday, July 17
Travel (301 kms/186 miles) from Carcassonne to Barcelona
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Board coach and depart for Barcelona
Arrive in Barcelona and check into your centrally-located hotel.
Afternoon Lunch on your own in Barcelona near the hotel.
Transfer by coach to Montjuic.
♫ The SCAHS Jazz Band will give an outdoor performance at
the Castle of Montjuic in Barcelona (tentative).
Dating from 1640, the Castle is currently being renovated. The terraces are already open and it is a popular
place for Barcelonans to go (by gondola) to enjoy the spectacular views of the city below.
Evening Dinner at a local restaurant.
Saturday, July 18
Modernista Architecture of Barcelona
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Board coach and transfer to Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Mil. (La Pedrera) for a tour including the modernista
interior of the apartment of the Milá family and the spectacular roofscape of chimneys resembling abstract
sculpture.
Transfer by coach to the Sagrada Familia.
♫ The SCAHS Master Singers will perform during mass in the
crypt of the Sagrada Familia (tentative).
Tour the church, Gaudi’s masterpiece which he was unable to finish. Work has continued for the last few
decades and the interior has recently been completed!!
Afternoon Lunch on your own in the area around the Sagrada Familia.
Then enjoy a walking tour through the area known as the Illade la Discordia (Island of Discord) for the
startling visual “argument” between the structures. Barcelona claims to have the greatest collection of Art
Nouveau buildings of any city in Europe. The style flourished after 1854.
Arrive back at your hotel.
Evening Dinner on your own.
ACCOMMODATIONS
(or comparable)
HOTEL ADVANCE
Barcelona, Spain
www.hoteladvance.com
Sunday, July 19
Barcelona
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Meet your guide and begin a leisurely walking tour of the Gothic Quarter of the city, the oldest area where
you will view the Cathedral, the City Museum building, and the Royal Palace.
Afternoon Time for lunch on your own. Free time for shopping and exploration.
Transfer to concert venue.
♫ The SCAHS Jazz Band will perform this evening at a local
concert hall. This may be a joint performance with a local
jazz band.
Evening Festive Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Monday, July 20
Depart Barcelona Airport for return to the USA
Morning Breakfast at your hotel.
Transfer to the Barcelona Airport.
Check in for your flight and depart. A connection may be required in a European city before continuing on
to your final destination.
Afternoon: Arrive at area airport. Claim your luggage and clear customs.
TOUR PRICES
80-100 participants
$4,450.00 per person
65-79 participants
$4,540.00 per person
based upon currency exchange rate of $1.40 = 1 Euro
TOUR INCLUSIONS
_ Air transportation on a regular scheduled air carrier from Dulles, BWI, or Newark Airport to
Nice, France, and return from Barcelona, Spain, estimated at $1,414.00 including airport security
taxes and fuel surcharges up to $664.00.
_ Land transportation in Europe: two private, deluxe motor coaches with air-conditioning,
reclining seats, and public address system as needed to execute the itinerary.
_ Accommodations: Ten nights hotel accommodations in three and four-star (Superior Tourist
Class and First Class) centrally-located hotels in Nice, Arles, Carcassonne, and Barcelona.
Single room supplement is $800.00 per person.
_ Meals: Buffet breakfast daily at hotel. Seven dinners at hotels or local restaurants (excluding
beverages). One Farewell to Europe Dinner including beverages at a restaurant in Barcelona.
_ Sightseeing: Entrance and guided tour of the Rothschild Villa on the Riviera, the
Archaeological Museum in Arles, Comtal Castle in Carcassonne, the Sagradia Familia, and Casa
Milá. Excursion to the Pont du Gard Roman aquaduct. Guided excursion to Cathar castles near
Carcassonne. Guided tour (and entrance fees when applicable) of Nice, Arles, Barcelona (Gothic
Quarter and Illa de la Discordia).
_ Planning and promotion of performances/concerts indicated in the itinerary. Cultural Tour
Consultants will
make application for the SCAHS Jazz Band to perform at the Jazz à Juan Festival. Acceptance for
performance, as well as venues and schedules are at the discretion of local and national
authorities. Should any venue not confirm, a suitable alternative will be found. Festivals provide
standard backline. Rental of standard backline for Jazz Band performances in Barcelona also
included in tour prices.
_ Trip Interruption/Medical travel insurance policy for all participants: Group Travel Insurance
by Travel
Guard: Missed Connection - $250, Trip Delay ($150 max/day) -.$750, Medical Expense $25,000, Emergency
Medical Transportation - $250,000, Baggage & Personal Effects - $1,000, Baggage Delay - $250,
Accidental Death
_ Gratuities to escort, driver and local guides
_ Services of an experienced multi-lingual tour escort throughout the trip.
_ $1 Million Liability Insurance
EXCLUSIONS:
• Trip Cancellation insurance to cover CTC cancellation penalties. Individuals may purchase a
policy upgrade to include this coverage at an additional cost.
• Expenses of passports or visas. Current U.S. passport fee is $135.
• Excess and oversized baggage fees charged by airline. Fees vary between airlines. Instrumental
groups should budget approximately $1200 to cover these costs. An instrument list will be
submitted to the airline before departure to determine exact baggage costs.
• Personal expenses incurred such as laundry, telephone calls, and porterage.
• Transportation charges resulting from deviation from the printed itinerary.
• Anything not mentioned as being included.
At time of contract, a re-evaluation of airfares, air taxes, and exchange rates may result in
a price revision.