Choir Tour 2008: Austria
03 July – 15 July 2008
Proposed Itinerary

Wed, 02 Jul
Istanbul 06:05 Arrive Istanbul. Meet your coach and guide.
Transfer to Glance Park for tea and summit – bread with sesame. This is a typical Turkish Student breakfast. Enjoy a view of the Marmara Sea, as well as the Asian and European Shores of the Bosphorus. Then visit the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Roman Hippodrome.

The Blue Mosque (Mosque of Sultan Ahmet)
The city's largest and busiest mosque was meant to surpass the Hagia Sophia, and it comes close to succeeding, with its breathtaking interior of blue tiles and its motif of elegant domes drawing the eye skyward.

Hagia Sophia
This incredible building was the greatest church in Christendom until the fall of Constantinople, then the finest mosque in Islamdom until it was declared a museum. The fantastic dome and interior must be seen to be believed.

Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace served as a residence for sultans for nearly 300 years. The Palace is
actually a huge complex of several courts and living quarters within each one. In its heyday, the palace held a population of over 3,000, from servants to concubines to officials, and was the absolute last word in lavish luxury and opulence.

The Hippodrome (Atmeydani)
The scene of many Imperial Games and counterpart to the famed Coliseum of Rome, this
elegant structure still holds many carvings testifying to the grandeur and beauty of the
Byzantine Empire.


12:00 Check in to your hotel. Take a little rest and freshen up. Rest of the day to visit the Grand Bazaar for unbelievable shopping experiences.

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici)
An incredible Byzantine relic, which once stored the drinking water of the city. The construction incorporated many leftover elements of ruined buildings, lending an eclectic, occasionally bizarre appearance. The acoustic here is fantastic – a good place for impromptu singing!

Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)
Tales of the Arabian nights come to mind in this colossal bazaar under one roof, where anything and everything under the sun is on sale

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Thu, 03 Jul
Istanbul Breakfast at hotel.
Our Bosphorus cruise today is an experience of a lifetime! Bosphorus is the name of the strait, which lies between Europe and Asia. The strait Bosphorus connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and its length is approximately 30 km. long.

BOSPHORUS ON BOAT - A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway  separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.

The tour starts by visiting the SPICE BAZAAR(Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.

LUNCH included.
BEYLERBEYI PALACE The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the HAREM on the ASIAN.

BOSPHORUS BRIDGE Unique chance to step from one continent (ASIA) to another (EUROPE)

CAMLICA HILL The highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style.

SHOPPING POSSIBILITY AT BEDESTEN exhibits the traditional silk weaving girls at the carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts center and leather ware show. Free time provided for shopping. Transfer back to hotel.

Dinner at hotel or restaurant.
Overnight Istanbul.

Fri, 04 Jul
Breakfast at Hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
05:50 Check-in time in Istanbul.
07:50 Depart on Turkish Airlines
09:30 Arrive Munich Airport.
Meet your coach and driver.
Depart to Ravensburg.
Your own arrangements at Salem School.
Bus at your disposal

Sat, 05 Jul
Ravensburg Your own arrangements at Salem School.
Bus at your disposal

Sun, 06 Jul
Vienna Depart to Vienna.
16:00 Arrive at special Briggitenau Youth Hostel situated very close to the Donau. Students will mostly be accommodated 4 per room. Public transport operates close to the hostel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Mon, 07 Jul
Vienna Breakfast at Youth Hostel.
09:00 Practice until 13:00
13:00 Lunch and Dinner included.
Tue, 08 Jul
Vienna Breakfast at Youth Hostel.
09:00 Practice until 13:00
13:00 Lunch and Dinner included.
Wed, 09 Jul
Graz 07:30 Breakfast at Youth Hostel. Pack Coaches.
08:30 Depart to Graz. (190km - ± 2½ - 3-hours)
Check into accommodation arranged by Musica-Mundi.
At the games lunch is available at €7.50 per person.
Choirs parade through Graz.
Opening Ceremony.
Coaches at your disposal.
Dinner and overnight.

Thu, 10 Jul
Graz Breakfast at accommodation.
Qualifying Competition (1st Round)
Gala Concerts, Workshops, Encounter Concerts.
Coaches at your disposal.
Dinner and overnight.

Fri, 11 Jul
Graz Breakfast at accommodation.
Qualifying Competition (1st Round)
Competition (2nd Round)
Gala Concerts, Workshops, Encounter Concerts
Coaches at your disposal.
Dinner and overnight.

Sat, 12 Jul
Graz Breakfast at accommodation.
Competition (2nd Round)
Choral Fireworks
Workshops, Encounter Concerts
Coaches at your disposal.
Dinner and overnight.

Sun, 13 Jul
Graz Breakfast at accommodation.
Awards Ceremony
Concert of the Champions
Closing Ceremony
Coaches at your disposal.
Dinner and overnight.

Mon, 14 Jul: 08:30 Breakfast at accommodation.
10:00 Transfer to Munich (420km - ± 5 hours)
15:30 Check-in time
18:05 Depart to Istanbul. Meals on board
21:40 Arrive Istanbul. Change flights
23:30 Depart to Johannesburg.

Tue, 15 Jul 09:00 Arrive Johannesburg. Proceed to domestic departures.
12:10 Depart on SA551
13:20 Arrive Durban.