Destinations, sample tour ideas
Hungary
Budapest - Ferenc Liszt, Béla Bartók
Budapest, the capital, is the biggest city in Hungary - a cultural, educational and commercial center. It is also the most popular destination of tourists, due to the previously mentioned details, and furthermore due to beautiful tourist attractions, and excellent location. The developing city and its surroundings attract more and more tourists and business people.
There are many concert venues both for giving and attending concerts and cultural programs, from the smallest (15-20) to the biggest (180 at the moment) groups, choirs, orchestras.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, dinnercruise, ’City rallye’ (fun tasks, orientation, quiz), museum visits
- Special musical visits: Liszt Museum, Bartók Memorial House, Opera House, Palace of Arts
Half / full day excursions in the surroundings of Budapest
- Danube Bend touristic region rich in cultural and natural treasures
- Gödöllő – One of the most beautiful Baroque Palaces in Hungary
Kecskemét – Zoltán Kodály, the Kodály-method
Kecskemét is the capital of the Great Plain, the Hungarian ’prairie’, hometown of the famous conductor and music researcher Zoltán Kodály, one of the most important stages of European Music tours in Hungary.
Program Possibilities:
- walking tour in the downtown, visit at the beautiful Art Nouveau style Town Hall
- Special musical visits: Kodály Institute, workshop, joint concert at Kodály Music School
Programs nearby:
- Horseshow, traditional lunch, live gypsy music
- Puszta Olympics (fun games in groups)
Fertőd - Joseph Haydn
Fertőd, or its old name Esterháza is known as the ’Hungarian Versailles’, namely as it has a beautiful palace, the Esterházy Palace. Located between Budapest and Vienna, it is an ideal place for a stop-over, either just for a visit or for a concert in the palace’s concert hall.
Austria
Vienna - Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert
Vienna is the city which is not necessary to introduce. The best known and mostly developed city in Central Europe, home of countless international organizations, colorful traditions, old history. There is a rich cultural musical life in Austria’s capital city.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Museumsquarter, Schönbrunn Palace, Central Cemetery, typical Grinzinger dinner with music
- Special musical visits: Wiener Oper, Schönbrunner Schloßkonzerte, House of Music, Schubert Birthhouse, Collection of Ancient Instruments
Half / full day excursions in the surroundings of Vienna:
- Wienerwald, Melk
Salzburg
Salzburg is best known as the birthplace of Mozart and the home of The Sound of Music, but music isn't the only thing thet makes this city come alive. Perhaps the city's appeal has to do with its quaint, olda-world charm. Or maybe it's the fact that it's nestled at the base of the craggy, majestic, snowcapped Alps.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains, Salzburg Museum, Dom Quartier Salzburg
- Special musical visits: Mozart's Birthplace, Mozart's Residence, Mozarteum, Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Linz
Linz is home to Europe's most modern opera house and a vibrant contemporary culture scene. The superbly-preserved Old Town isn’t the only place where the connection between this legendarily eco-friendly city and its long history is evident. Yet people in Linz prefer to look to the future – and find the joy of living in the here and now.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Botanical gardens, Mariendom (New Cathedral), Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz, Voestalpine Stahlwelt, Hauptplatz (Main Square) and landstrasse, Ars Electronica Center, ...
- Special musical visits: Musiktheater, Schloss Museum
The Czech Republic
Prague
Romanesque chapels and cellars, Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces and gardens, worldly Art Nouveau buildings, and unique Cubist architecture make it a place with no parallel in the world. You don’t have to be an expert on individual artistic styles in order to appreciate the diversity of the city’s architecture. The Rotunda of St. Martin, the Cathedral of Our Lady before Týn, the Wallenstein Palace and the Municipal House will be forever etched into your memory. Frank Gehry’s Dancing Building has become an icon of modern architecture in Prague, as have new buildings in the Karlín neighbourhood and the new National Technical Library in Dejvice.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Church of Our Ladybefore Tyn, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle – Cathedral of St Vitus, St Wenceslas and St Adalbert, Jewis Museums, ...
- Special musician visits: Municipal House, Rudolfinum, St. George’s Basilica, St. Nicholas Church at the Old Town Square
Cesky Krumlov
Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lively, cosmopolitan town with a unique atmosphere surrounded by unspoiled countryside. Dominated by a Castle stretching over the meandering Vltava River, Český Krumlov's narrow cobblestone streets wind along romantic nooks between patrician houses where you'll find attractive exhibits of world- renown artists, music festivals and concerts, and theatre performances. The cosy inns, coffee shops, and ancient taverns entertain a diverse international crowd.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, State Castle and Chateau Cesky Krumlov, St. Vitus Church, Synagogue, Egon Schiele Art Centrum,...
Germany
Dresden
Dresden carries visitors away with a synthesis of the arts: fascinating buildings and art treasures, impressive museums, as well as orchestras and choirs of worldwide reputation. Dresden offers attractions in great variety and combines three aspects which complement one another: notable art treasure, architectural sights and a charming landscape.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Semper opera house, Dresden State Operetta, Park Theatre, Pillnitz Palace
- Special musician visits: Church of Our Lady, Brühl’s Terrace, Zwinger Palace, Green Vault, Albertinum Museum
Leipzig
Leipzig's musical tradition is truly exceptional. This is the city where Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Robert and Clara Schumann all worked, and where Richard Wagner was born and received his musical training. And musical history is still being written in Leipzig today, with world-famous ensembles performing to audiences throughout the city, whether in the Gewandhaus, in St. Thomas Church or the Opera. The city's musical legacy is documented and maintained in a large number of museums.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Federal Court House, The Albertina Library, Old City Hall and Market Place, The Moritz Bastion, St. Nicholas Church, St. Thomas Church
München
Nearly 1.2 million people of the Bavarian capital is the third largest city in Germany. Museums and galleries, as well as a fair number of concerts and theater events in the world-class culture citadel graduated in Munich.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Marien Square and the New Town Hall of Munich, Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady, Dachau Concentration Camp, The Endlish Garden, …
Italy
Rome
History, human genius and the hot midday sun have conspired to make Rome one of the world’s most seductive and thrilling cities. The Eternal City is still one of the most exciting and most romantic travel destinations in the world. Soft stone, ocher palazzos, the noble proportions porticos the dramatic beauty of sights such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon simultaneously speak the senses, and is exactly what the heart strings.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Papal Basilica of St. Paul’s outsidethe walls, Basilica of St. Peter int he Vatican, Mouth of Truth, Campidoglio (The Capitoline Hill), Campo de’ Fiori, The Colosseum, The Trevi Fountain, The Forums, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, ...
Firenze
Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Politically, economically, and culturally it was the most important city in Europe for around 250 years; from some time before 1300 until the early 1500s. Florence's museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchiom, Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Basilica di San Lorenzo,..
Venice
Venice is a small city, extremely concentrated, every corner, monument, Church or museum contains a piece of history, a tale, a way to say or a tradition. The world's only pedestrian city, is easily walkable, and the absence of cars makes this a particularly pleasant experience. However, walking and standing all day can also be exhausting, so it is best to pace yourself. The Rialtine islands - the 'main' part of Venice - are small enough to walk from one end to the other in about an hour, provided you don't get lost.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, St. Mark’s Basilica, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, Teatro La Fenice, …
Poland
Krakow
Poland's medieval capital has miraculously endured wars and oppressive regimes, to become one of Europe's cultural treasure troves. The city is a delight to explore on foot, from its medieval Old Town to the scores of cellar bars and restaurants.
Program possibilities:
- City tour, Wawel Royal Castle, Basilica of the Virgin Mary’s, City Walls, Collegium Maius, Jewis Quarter
etc…