Spanish Castles, Castile and Leon.

Castile y Leon is the magical “land of the castles” – a land which gave birth to Castilian and Spanish languages, the legendary hero El Cid and Saint Teresa of Avila. The region is awash with well preserved legacies from the days of different empires which ruled the country: the Roman Empire stayed in Spain for some 500 years, Moorish times reached 700 years of history – though during some 300 years it was decreasing all time due to the Reconquest wars of the Christian Spanish, and from 1492 onwards, the Spanish empire.Spain's history has resulted in the country being home to over 2500 defensive constructions: from defensive towers to reinassance castles. From them, more than 500 are castles: ranging from Moorish castles to military fortresses built in the “Reconquista”, medieval castles, riverside or seaside controlling castles.
These castles were an expression of the greatness of the towns and the vitality of their people. They started to be built as defensive towers in the 8th century, with the Moorish invasion, and continued being erected until the 16th century, when they lost their original function as Spain as a country was born - and wars in the territory ended.The castles used to be fortresses, war machines with a clear strategic value, vantage points from where to watch, protect and defend villages from the constant attack of the enemies. The medieval lords built them as a residence, and the fact that these impressive structures, these symbols of power, still stand today is rather amazing.
The history of the villages and towns has been written in the battlements of these structures, whose centenary stones speak of a time when this region dominated the world.Castile is a place where ancient history, myth and legend have become together during the centuries. This region is home to a province which boasts more medieval castles than anywhere else in Europe.The ancient kingdom of Castilla (or Castile) was first united with the neighboring kingdom of Leon in the early part of the 11th century. It takes its name from the many castles built by the Christians as a defence against the Moorish invaders in the 8th and 9th centuries. In the early years of Arab domination, the region was at the vanguard of the centuries-long battle to oust the Moors.

Castilla y Leon, the north part of Castilla (Castile) is not only the largest region of Spain, but as well the largest region of all the European Union. The elevated plain is limited by mountain ranges to the east, south, and north and by Duero river towards Portugal.

Castilla y León is littered with enchanting medieval villages and historic cities, which are like living, outdoor museums. Segovia, Salamanca and Avila have earned World Heritage status along with the Santiago Way – the famous pilgrims' trail which traverses Castile y Leon en route to the Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela. Walt Disney used Segovia's fairytale Moorish fortress as the inspiration for his famous Sleeping Beauty castle. The cities of Burgos and Leon host both very impressive Gothic cathedrals, amongst the main ones in Europe, both in the Santiago Way. The fortified medieval town of Ávila, birthplace of Saint Teresa, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the whole of the region. It's still encircled by 11th century walls punctuated with nine gates and more than 80 look-out tower.

Here is a video with some other beautiful castles that you can find in Spain. It is in Spanish, but the main point is that you can see some good castles. You can find many more historical videos of Spanish castles by the same channel as this one, we hope you enjoy them!

 

You can find this info and more at:
http://www.spanish-living.com/castilla-y-leon

http://www.turismocastillayleon.com
http://www.red2000.com/spain/region/r-cleon.html
http://www.cellartours.com/blog/spain/ten-most-beautiful-castles-in-spain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkPosJEi8Nc

Gentle reminder: Did you obtain the mandatory travel insurance?

Dear Marina HS Travelers, 

As indicated on your registration form, it is mandatory for all tour participants to obtain travel insurance to protect your investment in case you have to cancel for a medical situation, loss of luggage or various other reasons.

Our recommended insurance option is described below along with an online link to Travel Guard. We highly recommend this company based on a long and excellent relationship. 

TravelGuard has a variety of policies including a family plan.

In order for us to keep track of travel insurance for your group, please sign up through these links connected with Incantato Tours.

Click here to get a Travel Guard Insurance quote.

Travel Insurance

Incantato Tours strongly recommends getting Travel Guard travel insurance for your upcoming journey as they have been a very reliable partner and provide excellent services, but we also know that you may have a different preferred supplier or are already covered under another policy. Again, travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage is mandatory for all Incantato Tours travelers. 

Not only are you covered medically should anything happen when traveling, but with TravelGuard's policies, you also protect your investment should you have to cancel or interrupt the trip.There is also coverage for delayed and lost luggage etc.

Here is a direct line to purchase travel insurance online and can you do so with your credit cards and also select the option that is best for you.

In the meantime, have a look at the most comprehensive coverage option The Protect Assist Gold below.

Protect Assist (Gold) -

Comprehensive Travel Protection for the World Traveler

Trip Cancellation JUST ADDED! - Trip Cancellation due to employment loss or layoff if employed with the same employer 1 year or longer Trip Interruption and Travel Delay Emergency Medical and Emergency Medical Transportation Baggage and Travel Document Protection Baggage Delay and Lost Baggage Tracking NEW - Cancel For Any Reason option now available NEW - Cancel For Work Reasons option now available NEW - Children age 17 and under covered at no additional cost IMPROVED -Trip Cancellation limit increased to $100,000 (from $15,000),  IMPROVED - Trip Interruption coverage increased to 150% of Trip Cost IMPROVED - Travel Delay required hours reduced to 5 hours (from 12) ProtectAssist special features: Best coverage for Weather Related Cancellations Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver* Default/Bankruptcy Protection* $50,000 Flight Accident Insurance* 24-Hour "LiveTravel" Travel Agency Emergency Cash Transfers Identity Theft Restoration * These additional benefits apply If you are purchasing within 15 days of making your initial trip deposit or payment, however, coverage may still be purchased at any time up to 24 hours prior to departure. Increase your coverage with these valuable additions to your Protect Assist Plan: Cancel For Any Reason – 50% reimbursement of nonrefundable expenses if you cancel your trip for any reason, up to 48 hours prior to your departure. Only available when this plan is purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment. Cancel For Work Reasons – Offers additional work-related reasons for cancellation or interruption. Also includes our exclusive “Business Assistant” services if you have work obligations during your travels. Only available when this plan is purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment. Umbrella Package – Medical Expense limits are doubled and coverage is upgraded to primary. Emergency Medical Transportation limits are doubled and benefits upgraded to take you home or to the hospital of your choice. $25,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage will be added Optional coverages cannot be purchased separately. Must be purchased with base ProtectAssist plan.

Comprehensive non-insurance travel services* automatically included with plan!With the ProtectAssist plan, every customer also has access to these valuable travel services when they travel:
· Arrangements for last-minute flight changes
· Hotel finder and reservations
· Rental car reservations
· Emergency medical assistance
· BagTrak® -- lost baggage tracking
· Pre-trip health and safety advisories
· Live e-mail and phone messaging to family and friends
· Cash transfers
· Airport transportation
· Golf course reservations
· Event ticketing
· Floral services
· Identity Theft restoration

Business Assistant* (available when Optional Cancel for Work Reasons coverage is purchased)

*Non-Insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.

Eligibility

Citizenship: All Nationalities

Residency: United States

New York, Oregon, and Washington residence please call to purchase
Some rider options are not available and other restrictions may apply
Destination: Worldwide
Ages: All Ages
Max Trip Length: 365 Days

6th January, Wise Men cake and end of Christmas

"Roscón de Reyes" is a traditional bread cake, served usually the morning of “Reyes” or Epiphany, January 6th. It is the last Christmas event.

"Dia de Reyes" is the day when children in Spain receive gifts in our Christmas time. The Three Wise Men, los Tres Reyes Magos, are the 3 kings who brought baby Jesus gifts. The brought gold, incense and myrrh to him, and now they bring presents to all of us. Even when nowadays most children get some Santa Klaus gift on December 25^th, we mostly keep the tradition of the 3 Wise Men.

These very days, in each city or village of Spain you can join a parade of the Tres Reyes Magos, and many places offer a Reception of one of the 3 Kings – or their page-boys – so that the children can directly ask for their presents… but there is one condition:

If we were good during the year, we receive the presents. If we were bad… they leave just “coal” for us, which is a coal shaped black candy, pure sugar!

And on the very morning of the 6^th, with the presents waiting on us, we eat the Roscón for breakfast all together. And not only this: the roscón has many surprises hidden inside: among others, usually a porcelain figure of a baby wrapped in foil and a dry bean are hidden in the dough. Whoever finds the baby will have good luck and be the king of the party, but if you find the bean - pay for the cake!

In case you want to enjoy a homemade roscón, we have included 2 recipes here: one easy and one difficult, for you to join the Wise Men day with some Spanish taste. We hope you enjoy them!

EASY RECIPE

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes

 

Basic ingredients:

• 400g flour
• 3 eggs
• 100g butter
• 100g sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 liter milk
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Dried mixed peel for decorating
• Salt

Preparation:

1. Mix the baking powder in a glass with 4 tbsp of the milk then add this to 100g of the flour and mix together until it forms a dough type mixture - cover with a clean tea towel and set aside until it doubles in size.
2. Place the rest of the flour (300g) in a bowl and add the eggs, sugar, pinch of salt, the rest of the milk and zest of the lemon - mix well then add the butter and continue mixing for a further 2 mins then add the dough mixture - once a smooth dough has been achieved cover and set aside for 2 hour.
3. After 2 hours knead the mixture a little before placing it on a greased baking tray in the form of a ring. Put some little figures wrapped up in foil inside the mixture and also a broad bean. Whoever finds the bean, according to tradition, can expect to receive coal rather than presents from the Kings. Brush with milk, decorate using the mixed peel, lightly sprinkle with sugar and place in a pre-heated oven (160 degrees) for 15 - 20 min.

DIFFICULT RECIPE

Prep Time: 3 hours

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups unbleached flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 oz yeast
• 2/3 cup mixed lukewarm milk and water (of equal parts)
• 6 Tbsp butter
• 6 Tbsp sugar
• Grated rind of 1 lemon
• Grated rind of 1 orange
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbsp brandy
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• Candied fruit pieces, cherries, oranges, etc.

Preparation:

Serves 8-10.

1. Sift flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Make a hole in the center of the flour.
2. In a small mixing bowl, stir and dissolve the dry yeast in the lukewarm milk-water mixture. Once dissolved, pour the dissolved yeast into the center of the flour. Stir in just enough flour from around the bowl to make a thick batter.
3. With your hand, grab about a teaspoon of the flour from the side of bowl and sprinkle it over the top of batter. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and leave in a warm place, away from any draft. Allow batter to turn spongy, about 15 minutes.
4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to beat together the butter and sugar. The mixture should be smooth and creamy. Set aside.
5. Put grated orange and lemon rinds, eggs, brandy and water to the bowl with flour mixture. Mix all. The dough will be sticky.
6. Beat flour mixture until it is elastic and smooth. Beat in butter-sugar mixture and mix until the dough is smooth. Dough should be formed into a ball, then covered with oiled plastic wrap. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and leave it again in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size. This will take approximately 1.5 hours.
7. While you are waiting for the dough to rise, grease a large baking sheet with vegetable shortening and set aside for use later. If you will use a baking stone, no need to grease it.
8. Once dough has doubled, remove plastic wrap and punch dough down. Lightly flour a clean counter or cutting board and place dough on it. Knead for 2-3 minutes. Then, using a rolling pin, roll dough into a long rectangle, about 2 feet long and 5-6 inches wide.
9. Roll the dough on the long side into a sausage shape. Carefully place the dough onto the large baking sheet or stone and connect the ends together, forming a ring. If you will hide a bean or a small foil-wrapped, ceramic figurine in the cake, now is the time to tuck it under the dough. Cover with oiled plastic wrap again. Leave in a warm place and allow to double in size. This will take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
10. Heat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly beat the egg white in a bowl. Uncover the dough and brush the top of the cake. Decorate the ring with the candied fruit pieces. Push them into the dough slightly so that they do not fall off. 
11. Place in oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on a rack before serving.

In the last half of the 20th century, filling the roscón with whipped cream or thick custard became popular. Today about a third of the roscones sold in Spain are filled. If you want to fill yours, use a bread knife to slice the bread in half horizontally and carefully remove the top. Next, squeeze in the whipped cream or filling you've chosen and carefully replace the top. Keep refrigerated until serving if filled with cream or custard.

Recipies are taken from:

http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/Recipies/christmas/kings-cake.htm

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/r/roscondereyes.htm

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a Wonderful New Year!!

Dear friends, artists and family,

We wish you a wonderful time during these days, full of joy and great memories, and a marvellous new year 2012!

Here you have Ainhoa Arteta, from the Basque Country, and her wonderful performance of this wonderful Christmas song, we hope you enjoy it!

We look forward to meet you and make you all happy in 2012!!

Best wishes,

Incantato Europe Team

Facts & Figures about Paris

Paris, with more than 2.2 million inhabitants, has always been the capital of France.

Paris's motto is "Fluctuat nec mergitur" something like "afloat without sinking ever", referring to Scilicet, the ship in the coat of arms of the city.

St. Genevieve is the patroness of Paris, symbolizes resistance to Attila in the fifth century.

Paris's city extension is quite small, only 40.7 square miles, including its two forests. The “Peripheric" belt road wholly surrounds Paris, running along almost 22 miles. In the centre of the city the density of population reaches 54,300 inhabitants per sq. mi., being one of the most expensive cities in the European Union for housing and living.

This has led to the huge Paris urban area (more than 1000 sq. mi.) and a huge corresponding population: more than 10 million people already in 2007.

The city is divided in 20 arrondissements (districts), starting by number I in the city centre, and increasing numbers in a curious shape: a snail! Each district is sub-divided in 4 quartiers (quarters).

The river Seine crosses the city during some 8 miles. The canal department of the City hall manages 68 bridges and footbridges, 37 belonging to the Seine, 32 of which are illuminated. The river reaches its highest dept at the Mirabeau bridge: 16.4 feet.

Paris is the capital with the most woodland in Europe, accounting for 478,000 trees, 120 main tree species, 8000 trees alongside the outer ring road, and 2 woods: Vincennes in the east, with 995 Ha, and Bois de Boulogne in the west, with 852 Ha. In Paris, it is easy to have a snooze in the park: more than 400 parks and gardens are kept for you all around the city.

The overall budget of the city of Paris reached 6.7 billion Euros: USD 8.75 billion just 5 years ago… There are 47,000 City Hall employees, and 49.9% of them are women...

Paris is a shopping paradise, it has the highest concentration of local shops in France, and in many other countries, accounting for more than 60,000 shops in the city.

Transportation in the city: there are 1.365 billion journeys per year in the Paris Metro - their underground-, some 15.200 taxis in circulation, and 800.000 parking spaces in inner Paris that are never enough!

There are 6,100 streets in Paris; the total length of pavements reaches more than 1800 miles, the distance between Buena Vista, NM and Orson, PA.

The longest street: Rue de Vaugirard (6th and 15th arrondissements): 2.7 miles.

The shortest street: Rue Degrés (2nd arrondissement): 18.8 feet.

The narrowest street: Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche (5th arrondissement): 5.9 feet.

The broadest street: Avenue Foch (16th arrondissement): 393 feet.

The steepest street: Rue Gasnier-Guy (20th arrondissement): 17.4%.

There are more than 20,000 bicycles available at the Velib’stations (bicycles on a self-service basis), for the bikers who use the more than 230 miles of bicycle paths.

Paris has 13,260 crossroads, 9,884 benches, 107 clocks and 1,856 bus shelters. There are also 109 Wallace public drinking fountains, 1500 miles sewers and roughly 30,000 litter bins.

As a cultural capital, the numbers are amazing! With 134 museums, 143 theatres and 55 municipal libraries, there is an abundance of cultural knowledge to be obtained. Of course, the Louvre Museum is the most visited one, not only in Paris, but all around the world!! They receive 8.5 million visitors who come yearly to see their 35.000 art pieces in exhibition.

On the cinema side: 374 cinema screens with over 700 films shot per year, and some 3,500 days of film shoots. These films are viewed by more than 30 million spectators each year.

Paris is the city where cinema industry was born. On December 28th, 1895, the Lumière brothers cashed for the public debut moviescreening, at the Salon Indien of the Grand Café, on the Boulevard des Capucines.

And of course, Paris is the capital of tourism. Paris is the number one tourist destination in the world, with more than 27 million visitors every year! To go with that, 60% of hotel customers are foreign visitors, of which 1 in 3 are American or British!

Welcome to Paris!!

References:

http://www.paris.fr/english/presentation-of-the-city

http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-in-figures-en/

http://www.mundocity.com/europa/paris1.html

http://www.parismuse.com

https://film110.pbworks.com/w/page/12610310/The%20Lumi%C3%A8re%20Brothers

http://www.earlycinema.com/pioneers/lumiere_bio.html

http://www.distancebetweencities.net/buena-vista_nm_and_orson_pa/

http://www.convertunits.com

Merry Christmas from Incantato with a special video from our talented Virgil Rosales and his band

A glimpse of Spain at the holidays

On December 22 almost everyone in Spain takes part in the Christmas Lottery, and prizes are celebrated in style out in the streets.

Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25) brings families together. Traditional dishes such as lamb and sea bream are prepared, along with seasonal desserts such as turrón (rich sweet made with almonds), polvorones (crumbly shortbread) and marzipan.
Many attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, to commemorate the birth of Jesus. 

 December 28,  the Day of the Santos Inocentes, where people play pranks on each other similar to those of April Fools’ Day. Novelty items purchased at street markets add to the entertainment.

Bid farewell to the year with the New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31. Tradition has it that you have to eat 12 grapes one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on December 31. If you manage to eat all the grapes on time, you are in for a year of prosperity and good luck. People gather at the clock towers in their towns or cities (usually found in the main square) to toast and welcome in the New Year. Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid is a popular place to spend New Year's Eve. Thousands of people decked out with hats and squawkers joyfully toast in the New Year. Celebrations continue throughout the night at hotels, bars and clubs throughout Spain.

Another tradition is found in Alcoy, where young and old alike anticipate Christmas and the arrival of the Three Wise Men with special excitement. On the Sunday before January 6 (Epiphany), a  children’s parade called “les Pastoretes” (the little shepherds) is held. Children dressed up as shepherds parade with their flocks to give gifts to the new-born Baby Jesus. Excitement builds until January 4 when the Royal Envoy reads a royal proclamation announcing the coming of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, The Envoy is accompanied by “les Burretes,” small donkeys that carry letterboxes where the children put their letters to the Three Wise Men.

Finally, when night falls on January 5, the Three Wise Men make their spectacular entry into Alcoy, riding camels, loaded with presents. Torch bearers (antorcheros) light the way as the Wise Men ride through the streets of the town. Christmas carols fill the air as the royal pages (“les negres”) hand out presents to the children.

To read more about holiday traditions in Spain, visit www.spain.info/en/reportajes/un_viaje_a_espana_el_regalo_perfecto_para_sus_navidades.html

To learn more about New Year's Eve in Spain, visit www.spain.info/en/reportajes/nochevieja_en_espana.html

To find out more about the Three Wise Men visit www.spain.info/en/vive/fiestas/alicante/cabalgata_de_los_reyes_magos.html

Basque Gastronomy

Dear travelers,
This is a Journeyman Pictures documentary about Basque Gastronomy, located in San Sebastian, one of your stops on your Incantato Performing Tour.
It speaks about Gastronomy and traditions, especially about the "Gastronomy Clubs", but moreover it gives you a good idea of the food culture and the society usages in the Basque Country. It's one wonderful way to start opening your appetite.

 

We hope you like it, and as we say in Spain, ¡Que aproveche!

Asturias Choral Landscape

Asturias, officially called Principality of Asturias, but simply Asturias for most of us, is a little Region of Spain, situated in the North Green Coast. Asturias has w a Celtic background and more in common with Irish music than with Flamenco music. 

Just as an example, we perform our music with bagpipes, a little different than Scottish ones, but very similar. (as pictured at the left)

We share many features with most of the Cantabric Coast of Spain (all the north coast, bordered by the Europe Picks). And not only the difference in weather, typical food and traditional instruments and rhythms, but also the very artistic and communal choral heritage.

Asturias has only 1 million inhabitants (50% of which live in the 2 most populated cities). Nevertheless, we account for more than 700 groups and orchestras on the classical music scene.

Talking about Choirs, and according to the Asturias Choral Federation, nowadays there are 150 Choirs registered as such in their organization. And all of them are performing and active. Not a bad number, if you consider that this Institution started in 1974 with only 14 groups in its files. This Federation organizes each year the "Axuntábense" prices, which value adult choirs as well as school choirs and also people and institutions who support the choral activity.

Asturias owns an Official Superior Conservatory of Music in Oviedo, as well as many Conservatories and Municipal Music Schools all around the region. Just in these official and public schools we have more than 6000 students each year. On top of them, we have a huge number of private Music Schools.

Escolanía de Covadonga is a very important and famous School for Singers and Musicians, and is the Music and General School of the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Covadonga, Patron saint of Asturias and very venerated among the Asturias population. This School hosts some 40 students during all Primary and Secondary School, and teaches them Music and Choral Studies with professional teachers. Most students then become Music Professionals and Choir Directors or Members, raising the music level in our region.

Among the most important choirs of Asturias we present the following ones:

“Prince of Asturias Foundation Choir”: the biggest one in Asturias, and the most prestigious internationally. In the Foundation there are another 2 choirs: the Youth Choir, and the Children’s Choir. The Foundation organizes each year the “International Music School”, internationally famous, and a wonderful meeting point for musicians from all around the world.

“Camerata Revillagigedo”: dates back to 1993, they perform 20th century repertoire which is their mark of distinction.

“El León de Oro”: the high quality of this ensemble has been rewarded with more than 20 prices all around the world. It has been proposed for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, in which it regularly performs. Many of the 38 singers are Choir Directors themselves."Cuarteto Torner": a 4 male singer ensemble, which has recorded 19 records and has performed over 1800 times in their 30 years of history.

“Coro Capilla Polifónica Ciudad de Oviedo”: starting in 1970, this 60 voice ensemble usually performs in the Official Season of Zarzuela (Opereta) in Oviedo. They also tour internationally as well as in Spain, and accompany Opera as well.

“Coro Ópera de Oviedo”: as its name states, their main purpose is to perform in the important Opera season of the city of Oviedo.

The University of Miami Frost Chorale: Where the Sun will never go down ...

Likely recital venue: Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral, or Notre Dame de Paris, located in Paris, stands as the official chair of the Archdiocese of Paris. The Notre Dame Cathedral is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothis architecture in France and throughout Europe. It was one of the very first Gothic cathedrals, and its construction spanned the entire Gothic period. Its sculptures and stained glass windows show a heavy influence of naturalism, unlike that of the earlier Romanesque architecture.

The cathedral suffered extensive desecration during the radical phase of the French Revolution in the 1790s, during which much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. An extensive restoration project was completed in the 19^th century, returning the cathedral to its original state.

Although several organs have been installed in the cathedral throughout its existence, many were inadequate for the size and acoustical structure of the building. The current organ, installed in the 19^th century, is the master work of Aristide Cavaille-Coll. This organ boasts 7,800 pipes, 900 of them classified as historical, 111 stops, five 56-key manuals, and a 32-key pedal board. A two-year restoration of the instrument was completed in 1992, making the organ completely computerized under three local area networks.

 
The Notre Dame Cathedral bell towers house five bells. The great bourdon bell, Emmanuel, is located in the south tower, weighs just over 13 tons, and tolls to mark the hours of the day and various special occasions. On the night of August 24, 1944, as the Ile de la Cite was taken by an advance column of French and Allied armored troops and elements of the Resistance, it was the tolling of the Emmanuel that alerted the city that liberation was under way.




Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Superstock.com

Marina HS Choirs 2012 Paris and Spain Performance Tour Itinerary

Welcome to the Incantato Tour blog for the 2012 Marina HS Choirs Performance Tour to Paris and Spain! The itinerary is a work in progress, dates and details are subject to change as this journey becomes more and more your tour and to enhance the overall experience. Enjoy!

Day 1, Friday, April 6 

• Overnight flight to Europe 
  

Day 2, Saturday, April 7: Bienvenue a Paris 

• As you arrive in the evening, you will see Paris at its best on your way from the airport to your hotel. Also known as “The city of lights”, France’s capital is stunning when illuminated. 
• Your Incantato Tour Manager will assist with the transfer, check-in and also be your host for the first French dinner.
  

Day 3, Sunday, April 8: Easter Sunday Celebrations & Sightseeing    

• After a good night of sleep, start with an orientation tour of Paris‘ major attractions, then attend Easter Sunday Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral followed by a recital opportunity for your choir. 
• The afternoon is at leisure for exploring and an optional visit to the Louvre Museum (cost not included). 
• Evening concert opportunity.
  

Day 4, Monday, April 9: Paris Exchange — Overnight train to Spain

• Enjoy another full day in Paris starting with a cultural exchange and more time to see the sights. Your group will take a walk along the Seine and may picnic in one of the many beautiful parks. 
• Overnight stay at the Evergreen Hotel
  

Day 5, Tuesday, April 10: Bienvenido a España — Scenic route via Bilbao to Oviedo 

• Meet your new tour coach and driver, then stop in Bilbao - a buzzing city of arts and music where you must try the local specialty Pinxtos. 
• Overnight stay in Bilbao at the Abba Parque Hotel

Day 6, Wednesday, April 11: Oviedo sightseeing, exchange and concert

• Transfer to Oviedo
• The churches and monuments in and around Oviedo, the ancient capital of Asturias, are a collective World Heritage site and the city is also home to the Prince of Asturias Royal Conservatory of Music. 
• After a guided tour of the city‘s many highlights, you‘ll meet with students from the conservatory and prepare for the joint concert tomorrow.

Day 7, Thursday, April 12: Oviedo Highlight Concert   

• Visit nearby Gijon and the famous Cova-donga Music School (recital opportunity), then return to Oviedo to prepare for your joint highlight concert at the Auditorio Principe Felipe followed by a get together with the local singers.
• Overnight in the Husa Hotel in Oviedo

Day 8, Friday, April 13: Via beautiful Burgos to Madrid    

• Visit the city that is home to Spain’s finest Gothic Cathedral (recital) and experience the region of Castilla-LaMancha famous for its windmills, then head to Madrid.
• Overnight in Madrid

Day 9, Saturday, April 14: Madrid in-depth — Farewell performance and dinner    

• Take in all the sights of Spain’s capital city, from the Royal Palace and Gran Via to the famous squares, then present a finale concert or be the featured guest choir in one of the major cathedrals followed by tapas farewell dinner.

Day 10, Sunday, April 15: Return to USA

• Return home with memories to last a lifetime!