Yummy foods awaiting you in Spain

Travel Tip: Money matters

Dear travelers,

Money is a delicate subject. The best way to use your money during your upcoming trip is to have a debit card; this allows you to withdraw money from any ATM machine with only being charged a small withdrawal fee. The fee differs between banks. Be sure to call your bank before your departure to tell them where you are going and for how long so they won't freeze your account. The debit cards given by the bank has the compatibility of Visa, MasterCard, however, Visa is the most widely accepted worldwide. If you bring cash, you can exchange it but you will lose more money as they charge for their services. Most places in Europe won't accept traveler's checks anymore. Also, be prepared to pay for water and a little fee for restroom use. Last not least, there are no free refills on soft drinks in Europe which is why most Europeans ask for little to no ice in their drinks.
We suggest you have some spending money available and our recommendation is around 20 Dollar per day for the meals not included, snacks, drinks, postcards, some souvenirs. It is not imperative that you have this amount of money. There are many ways to lower your expenses such as:
· Most restaurants have menus outside so you can check their price range.
· Venture off the main roads to find a restaurant. These usually have more character, better food, and better prices.
· Bring your own water bottle. Most places have safe tap water to fill up with.
· Buy food from the "convenient" stores. You don't have to sit down in the restaurant for every meal.
· Shop around for souvenirs; many stores have the same things on sale for very different prices.

Last not least, remember that your Incantato Tour Manager is with you pretty much 24/7. The guide is there to help you make the right choices.

Highlight concert in Oviedo: Marina HS Choir at Auditorio "Príncipe Felipe", Thursday April 12th at 8 pm: Joint Concert with the Conservatory Chamber Choir

As a finale to the Exchange Program with the Coro de Cámara del Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Oviedo with Maestro Juan Martínez-Cué, which will take part on April 11th and 12th in the afternoon, Marina HS Choir, under de Direction of Maestro Eric Graham, will perform at the imposing Auditorio "Príncipe Felipe" in Oviedo, Thursday April 12th, at 8pm.

Main facade (Pic: Auditorio "Príncipe Felipe")

The Auditorium, inaugurated in 1999, was designed by architect Rafael Grant with a budget of 18 million euros, using the old facilities of the water tank of Oviedo. The inclusive architecture, where old limestone is integrated in the glass and marble modern style, has been named for its simplicity and originality.  
The Main hall and the Polivalente hall can work together or separately, adding together a capacity of 2,388 people. Under the second hall lies the Chamber hall, which has 400 seats. In the upper floor there are several conference rooms with nearly 500 seats. An exhibition room, a cafeteria, a restaurant, and the Oviedo Townhall Congresses Office, complete the usage of the 14.500 sq meters of the building. One of the strongest features of the auditorium is the great acoustics, which were designed by the Catalan  physicist Higini Arau

Main Hall and Polivalente Hall united (Pic:from Fundación Príncipe de Asturias)

Since its opening the Auditorium has hosted conferences, exhibitions, concerts... accounting for over 7 thousand events already! The Auditorium hosts the Piano Festival Luis G. Iberni, internationally reknown.
Among the performing artists we find Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theatre Orchestra with
Zubin Mehta, the Luigi Cherubini Orchestra with Riccardo Muti, the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Vladimir Jurowski, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with Yuri Termikanov,  Göteborgs Symfoniker with Gustavo Dudamel, Orchestre Philarmonique Radio France with Myung-whun Chung, West Eastern Divan with Daniel Barenboim, Ainhoa Arteta, Midori, Katia y Marielle Labéque, Krystian Zimerman, Brad Mehldau, Hilary Hahn... and the list goes clearly on, with many other VIPS...


References:
http://www.palaciocongresos-oviedo.com/es/auditorio.php
http://www.oviedo.es/index.php/es/servicios-municipales/cultura/auditorio
www.fpa.es

Marina HS Choir will meet Coro de Cámara del Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Oviedo, April 11th and 12th, for Exchange and Joint Concert.

Dear friends, travelers and members of Marina HS Choirs,

As main event during Marina HS Choirs Performance Tour to Paris and Spain, Marina HS Choir will enjoy a two-days program in the beautiful city of Oviedo. Among other activities, our singers and Director Maestro Graham will have an Exchange with the Chamber Choir of the Professional Conservatory of Music from Oviedo and its Director Maestro Juan Martínez-Cué.

This Conservatory is very reknown and has won some special prices, among them: "Gines de los Rios" price, for the proyect "Espacio Escénico" (Scenic Space). This price is given by the Ministery of Culture and private institution BBVA aknowleding its pedagogic innovation.
"Espacio Escénico" consists in the whole setting of a Barroque Opera: starting with the costumes (look at the pictures!), scenary settings, organization, management, rehearsals... and finally to represent the Opera in real stages but in the Baroque way, with the students of the Conservatory.

So far, the Conservatory has produced the following operas and Barroque works: the English semiopera "The Fairy-Queen", the lyric tragedy "Armide," by Lully, and the show "Claudio Monteverdi" with a selection of madrigals of the author of "L'Orfeo". All them have been performed in Oviedo, and the the last two editions participated in the International Festival of the University of Belfort (France). 

The Choir Director, Maestro Juan Martínez-Cué, is also very well known as composer, as he has won many national and international prices in the last years. His contemporary music work often combines traditional music in a very innovative way.
For this year, the Conservatory students are getting involved in another production under this "Espacio Escénico" Proyect, and hopefully they will present some pieces during the Joint Concert.
The Joint Concert of Marina HS Choirs and the Coro de Cámara del Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Oviedo will be the finale for the Exchange, and is taking place at the Auditorio "Príncipe Felipe" of Oviedo, on April 12th, at 8pm.




References and aknowledgmentes:
La Nueva España, for the pictures.
http://www.lne.es/sociedad-cultura/2011/10/25/conservatorio-oviedo-premio-giner-rios-mejora-calidad-educativa/1147309.html
http://www.lne.es/sociedad-cultura/1915/martinez-cue-primera-firma-asturiana-centro-musica-contemporanea/608229.html
https://docs.google.com/a/incantatotours.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Kh7P9C2PY8QJ:www.abamia.net/Juan%2520Cue.pdf+juan+mart%C3%ADnez-cu%C3%A9&hl=es&gl=es&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj21tQDdSQ9sG6aI2gLNOTwrBcMZ8IpDfKpAz_IrKassd_uMTBngk750XKUZoqPSXa83ftViI981aKBZ9pW5xnHdYdleqMpm-DX6tMwxN1Pbdsd4AGDQsI2tpfW8xHcLaaJ2pVu&sig=AHIEtbRK_oxtrRN1HCrxYpQiaFHNR3aNhQ

Marina High School Chamber Choir concludes 2012 Performance Tour in Madrid: San Ginés, on Saturday, April 14th, at 6 pm High Mass.

What a better way to conclude the 2012 Marina HS Performance Tour that with another singing opportunity. On Saturday, April 14th, the Chamber Choir, under the Direction of Mr. Eric Graham will be the featured guest choir for High Mass at San Gines in Madrid, at 6 pm.

The Iglesia de San Ginés in Madrid is one of the oldest church in that city. It is situated on the Calle Arenal, between the Royal Palace and the downtown main square Puerta del Sol. References to it appear in documents dating from the ninth century. Originally built in Mudéjar style, it was rebuilt in 1645.

The church is preceded by an atrium enclosed by railings. It has a Latin cross plan, with a nave and two aisles separated by semicircular arches and several side chapels. The altarpieces belong to the Neoclassical-Romantic school. It was, however, totally reconstructed after suffering several fires, so few remanst of the original church, such as the bell tower, remain. In 1870, the loggia and atrium facing the Calle Arenal were added. In the Santísimo Cristo Chapel there are artworks by the very very famous Alonso Cano, Luca Giordano and el Greco, the best and most famous artist at their age.

The church of San Ginés was the main church of the city during centuries. Many important persons of each period came here to celebrate marriage, birth... and also to hear Mass. You will find iron signs of the most significative events celebrated here in the walls of the church, such as the baptism of Princess Catalina and the writer Quevedo, the marriage of Lope de Vega, and of Goya son Francisco Javier de Goya, and the funeral of the musician and composer Tomás Luis de Victoria, among others.

Marina HS Chamber Choir presents recital at Burgos Cathedral on Wednesday, April 11

Have you heard of Burgos before? Probably not, however we are sure this small town that the Marina HS travelers will visit en route from Bilbao to Oviedo on April 11 will remain in your memories for a long time. 
Founded in the 9th century, this Gothic city in the Arlanzón River valley lives up to its reputation as the "cradle of Castile". Just as the Tuscans are credited with speaking the most perfect Italian, the citizens of Burgos, with their distinctive lisp ("El Theed" for "El Cid"), supposedly speak the most eloquent Castilian.El Cid Campeador, Spain's greatest national hero, immortalized in the epic El Cantar de Mío Cid, is forever linked to Burgos. He was born near here and his remains lie in the city's grand cathedral.

Like all the great cities of Old Castile, Burgos declined seriously in the 16th century, only to be revived later. One if not the major site in Burgos is the Catedral de Santa Maria, and you will not only be visiting this amazing monument, but the Marina High School Chamber Choir has also been granted permission to present a recital. 

Begun in 1221, this cathedral was one of the most celebrated in Europe. Built in diverse styles, predominantly flamboyant Gothic, it took 300 years to complete. Ornamented 15th-century bell towers flank the three main doorways by John of Cologne. The 16th-century Chapel of Condestable, behind the main altar, is one of the best examples of Isabelline-Gothic architecture, richly decorated with heraldic emblems, a sculptured filigree doorway, figures of apostles and saints, balconies, and an eight-sided star stained-glass window.

Equally elegant are the two-story 14th-century cloisters, filled with fine Spanish Gothic sculpture. The cathedral's tapestries, including a well-known Gobelin, are rich in detail. In one of the chapels you'll see an old chest linked to the legend of El Cid -- it was filled with gravel and used as collateral by the warrior to trick moneylenders. The remains of El Cid himself, together with those of his wife, Doña Ximena, lie under Santa María's octagonal lanternlike dome. Finally, you might want to see the elaborate 16th-century Stairway of Gold in the north transept, the work of Diego de Siloé.
For more information, visit the Burgos Cathedral website.

A first look at the Marina HS 2012 Incantato Performance Tour Poster: "Joie, Joy, Alegria!"

Professional concert marketing is one of Incantato Tours' trademarks and even for a small choir, we go the extra mile. Here is a picture of the concert poster for the 2012 Marina HS Performance Tour to Paris & Spain which we hope the students from Huntington Beach, California like just as much as we do.  "Joy", ("Joie" in French and "Alegria" in Spanish) is the musical theme for the touring choir under the direction of Mr. Eric Graham.

Home away from home in Madrid: Axor Barajas Hotel

The last stop on the tour of the Marina High School be in the four star Axor Madrid Barajas Hotel in the Spanish capital of Madrid. The nights of Friday, April 13th and Saturday, April 14th, will be spent in some of the Axor Hotel's 217 spacious and functional rooms all decorated in an elegant and modern design.

In addition to in-room internet access, each room has air-conditioning, a direct dial phone and a full bathroom. Besides a gym/fitness center, the hotel also features the Mirage, its own restaurant that serves innovatice cuisine using only the freshest of products.

Your home away from home in Oviedo: Husa Hotel

Wednesday, April 11th, and Thursday, April 12th, will be spent in the Spanish town of Oviedo. The four star Husa Hotel at Santo Domingo Plaza provides 101 rooms each outfitted with a king-sized bed, satellite TV, climate control and a full bath. Free WiFi access is available throughout the hotel and a gym/fitness center is also available for use. Breakfast is served in the in-house gourmet restaurant Deloya and features traditional Asturian cuisine.

The Husa Hotel is located just ten walking minutes from the San Salvador Gothic cathedral and the same distance from the historic city center.
For more pictures of the hotel, there is a photo gallery on the website.

Home away from home in Bilbao: Abba Parque

After leaving Paris and France behind, the next overnight stay for the Marina High School travelers will be in the Hotel Abba Parque on Sunday, April 10th. The hotel itself is in the Basque town of Bilbao in northern Spain and is located close to the river Nervion and a city park.

Decorated in a functional and modern style, all 176 rooms are climate controlled and feature satellite TV, direct dial phone, as well as a full bathroom. Free WiFi is available in public areas of the hotel.

The breakfast buffet at the Botavara hotel restaurant serves typical products from the Mediterranean cuisine, including different types of breads, meats, cereals and seasonal fruit. Additional services include an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center.

Your home away from home in Paris: The Evergreen Laurel Hotel

When the Marina High School travelers arrive in Europe on Saturday, April 7th, their first home away from home will be the Evergreen Laurel Hotel, a modern four star hotel located in a residential Parisian suburb of Levallois Perret. It is also just a short walk to the next metro station from where the rest of the city can easily be reached and taking the metro is a very Parisian thing to do and an experience not to be missed, however your main mean of transportation will be by your Incantato tour coach. We also managed to negotiate a great rate for the smaller traveling group and instead of taking the overnight train, the travelers from Marina HS will now be staying in Paris until Tuesday, April 10 and then continue with the TGV during the day to Bilbao.


The Evergreen Laurel features 338 rooms, all air-conditioned and soundproofed for a good night of sleep, flat-screens TVs to catch up on world-news, a mini fridge, as well as WiFi access. The in-room baths have marble features and shower-tubs. Breakfast will be served in the hotel restaurant which otherwise features typical French cuisine. There is also a sauna and a fitness center on-site if walking the streets of Paris is not enough of a work-out already. For a 360 view of different areas of the hotel, go to Hôtel Evergreen.

Little things to know about Spain and France!

At Incantato we want you to love and enjoy every single step of your trip. Here are a few little things you might want to know about Spain before gtting on the plane. Hopefully they will help you enjoy Spain!

“One 'just-in-case' is worth more than 100 'if-I-had-knowns'."

• It is customary to have always some kind of identification with a picture. You can use your passport or your drivers license. It is good to have a photocopy of your passport done and kept elsewhere.
• In order to use a credit card, you will need to activate it and to get a pin number before coming. Let your bank know so the card will not get blocked.
• American Express credit card is not accepted in many places.
• Any kind of Traveler Checks is not accepted, and if it is, it becomes very expensive.
• We will post an entrance about money topics very soon!
• Generally food and clothes are more expensive in Spain than in USA. Paris is even more expensive than Spain.
• It is forbidden to smoke in all public places.
• Please bring a photocopy of your prescriptions in case you need medication, just-in-case! The active ingredient is good to know too, as we do not always have the same medicines.
• Old town means; cobblestoned hilly streets, pedestrian areas, steps... Happy feet help to have a happy tour. Please bring comfy shoes, really comfy.
• Flip-flops are not to be worn in our old towns, but they might be in the hotels. We do not go around barefoot!
• Showing your knees or shoulders is forbidden in churches. We will be entering churches almost daily for concerts, art, history, etc. Please bring appropriate clothing. Knee long pants/skirts. Girls can use a scarf to cover their shoulders. Men are not supposed to use scarf’s, so please bring shirts with sleeves.
• Pocket-knives and scissors, and also sometimes drinks and food are not allowed inside some monuments and museums.
• Laundry service in hotels is very expensive. Still we do not have Laundromats around (few at the students area in Madrid and Barcelona). 

If you have any specific questions do not hesitate to contact us.
Hasta la vista!