Monday June 26, 2006
Departure via scheduled airline service to Munich, Germany. Enjoy full meal/beverage service and in-flight entertainment during this trans-Atlantic flight.

Tuesday June 27, 2006 Salzburg
Arrival in Munich airport. Participants are met by MCI's staff. After clearing passport control and customs, participants board the awaiting motorcoaches to transfer to Salzburg, Austria. Groups arrive in Salzburg and check into hotels. Chorus members and non-singing participants gather for the Welcome Dinner with introductions, a brief orientation and folk entertainment.

Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, is a delight from the first sight of the outline of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the symbol of the power of the prince-archbishops. The city’s picturesque streets with their wrought-iron signs, its spacious squares with sculptured fountains and the noble architecture of its buildings inspired by bishops with a passion for construction, leave memories which linger for years.

Wednesday June 28, 2006 Salzburg
Morning massed rehearsal. Afternoon guided tour of Salzburg including Mirabel Palace & Gardens, Mozart Square, the Dom (Cathedral), University Church, the Mozarthaus (birthplace) and a cable car ride up to the Fortress (for an unparalleled view of the city below). Late afternoon mayor’s reception in the Marble Hall of the Mirabel Palace. Dinner in the hotel. Evening massed rehearsal.

Thursday June 29, 2006 Salzburg
Morning at leisure. Afternoon massed rehearsal. Dinner in the hotel. Evening massed Dress Rehearsal.

Friday June 30, 2006 Salzburg
Morning tour to see Schloß Leopoldskron and to visit Hellbrunn Schloß, with entrance to the castle itself and the trick fountains. Both of these castles were prominently used in the movie "The Sound of Music"). Also visit the parish church in nearby Hallein, the home and tomb of Franz-Xaver Gruber, composer of the famous carol "Silent Night, Holy Night". Afternoon at leisure. Dinner on own. Evening Festival Finale Concert. Post-concert reception for all singers and accompanying entourage.

Saturday July 1, 2006 Vienna
Transfer to Vienna via Mondsee (church was site of "The Sound of Music" wedding), Melk (with entrance to the world-famous Abbey and possible recital), and Dürnstein (Richard the LionHeart was imprisoned here). Check-in to Vienna hotel for dinner and overnight.

Vienna is still considered the music capital of the world. It is a city of refined tastes, grace, style and unmatched artistic accomplishments. For a thousand years, Vienna was the capital of the far-flung Holy Roman and Hapsburg empires. Though its people and ways have changed, Vienna has retained its imperial monuments, not as reminders of past glories, but as living symbols of its present freedom.

Sunday July 2, 2006 Vienna
A morning guided tour of Historical Vienna, includes the Ringstraße, Parliament Building, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Kärtnerstraße, the State Opera, Rathaus, Stadtpark (to see the Strauß Statue) and entrance to Schönbrunn, the magnificent Palace built by the Hapsburgs in imitation of Versailles. Afternoon massed rehearsal in venue. Dinner on own. Evening Festival Concert. Post-concert reception for all singers and accompanying entourage.

Monday July 3, 2006 Budapest
Transfer to Budapest via Eisenstadt. Travel along the Danube River, stopping en route in Eisenstadt to visit the Haydn Museum (home), Esterhazy Palace (including the Haydnsaal, where many of "Papa Haydn's" works were premiered), and Haydn Church. Continue to Budapest for dinner and overnight.

Budapest is the modern combination of three cities: Obuda, Buda and Pest. Linked by eight bridges, these cities have retained their own distinctive characteristics, but their combination has created one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Two opera houses, five concert halls, numerous theaters are only the beginning of the dazzling entertainment in this captivating city.

Tuesday July 4, 2006 Budapest
Morning guided tour of Budapest to include the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Royal Castle Hill (for an incredible view of the city), St. Stephen's Cathedral, Matthias Church, entrance to the Fisherman's Bastion (which occupies the site of Buda's old defensive walls and a medieval square where fish was once sold) and the National Gallery. Walk the grounds of Vajdahunyad Castle, built for the World Exhibition in the late 1800’s, and visit the picturesque streets of Táncsis Mihály utca, Uri utca and Fortuna utca which feature splendid examples of medieval house and Baroque mansions. Afternoon/evening concert in Budapest.

Wednesday July 5, 2006 Budapest
Full-day excursion to the Hungarian Puszta, the great Hungarian plain stretching from the Danube to the country’s eastern border, including a welcome drink and typical Hungarian Gypsy lunch, horse riding shows, and carriage ride. Return to Budapest in the late afternoon for a farewell dinner.

Thursday July 6, 2006 Depart for USA
Transfer to Budapest airport for return flights to the USA. Arrive home in the evening of the same day.