Delaware Valley Symphonic Band

1981 Tour of Europe

Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg,
Belgium, Netherlands and West Germany



DATES: JULY 25 TO JULY 12

 

CITIES:
Rudesheim, Germany - Hotel Hohn
Innsbruck, Austria - Gasthof Alt-Pradl, Hotel Golden Krone
Venice, Italy - Hotel Canada, Hotel Atlantico
Verona, Italy - Motel Agip, Hotel Gardenia
Brig, Switzerland - Hotels Europe, Sporting, Elite
Montreux, Switzerland - St. George's School
Nancy, France - Hotel Americain
Netherlands - Host Families: Buitenpost
Frankfurt, West Germany - Hotel Luxor, Hotel Scala

June 25: Philadelphia, PA/Frankfurt, West Germany
Thurs. Today is departure day! You will board a Lufthansa 747 jet flight #421 at Philadelphia International Airport for your overnight flight (stop over in Boston) to Frankfurt, West Germany. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served in flight.

June 26: Frankfurt/Rudesheim, West Germany
Fri. A spectacular sunrise will greet you as your flight nears its destination. After clearing customs in Frankfurt, you will be met by your tour escorts and board your deluxe private motorcoaches for your trip to the medieval resort town of Rudesheim, situated along the Rhine River. The afternoon arrival leaves time for sightseeing and shopping. After dinner, one is free to experience the active night life.

June 27: Rudesheim/Frankfurt/Innsbruck, Austria
Sat. After a continental breakfast, you depart to Frankfurt Airport to collect your instruments at customs. You will stop at a cafeteria for lunch. As you travel south through Bavaria, you will have a rest stop in Fussen. You will travel through the soaring Alps to he capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck, set deep within the mountains. After dinner, the evening is free.

June 28: Innsbruck/Fussen/Innsbruck
Sun. After a continental breakfast, an excursion is planned to the fairy tale Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles before experiencing the view from the suspension bridge. After dinner, the evening is free.

June 29: Innsbruck/Mt Hafelekar/Innsbruck CONCERT: Hofgarten
Mon. After a continental breakfast, an excursion is planned to Mt Hafelekar. It will take two cable car rides to reach the top of the mountain to see the breathtaking view. The afternoon is free to stroll through Innsbruck, the famous "Old Town", with its pretty shops filled with cowbells and cuckoo clocks. A concert in the Imperial Gardens will have the Tryolean Band marching in to begin the concert.

June 30: Innsbruck/Venice, Italy
Tues. After breakfast, you begin your journey by entering the famous Brenner Pass over the Alps and crossing the majestic Europe Bridge. You will pass through Trento, famous for the council of Trent. After an early evening arrival at the Venice train station, you will take only flight bags on the water-taxis to your Venice hotel. Dinner is a walk through the town to a quaint Italian outdoor cafe. After dinner, you may stay at the cafe and provide your own musical entertainment.

July 1: Venice, Italy
Wed. After breakfast, you will assemble for a walking tour of Venice: St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and more. The remainder of the day is free to explore Lido Beach, paddle boast, islands, glass factories, shop. After the dinner at the cafe, you may provide the entertainment. Afterwards, it is to the Disco or wander around.

July 2: Venice, Italy
Thurs. Free days to explore: Lido Beach, Padova, gondola rides, shop, glass blowing, etc. Dinner is at the cafe. The evening is free to go on a romantic gondola ride or the ballet.

July 3: Venice/Verona, Italy REHEARSAL
Fri. After breakfast, board the water taxis for transfer to the train station for the short ride to Verona. Lunch stop on the way. Sightseeing in the town includes the huge outdoor theatre arena and Juliet's house. After dinner, a rehearsal is planned (rain canceled).

July 4: Verona/Brig, Switzerland REHEARSAL
Sat. Begin journey through the Simplon Pass into the Swiss Alps, majestic with waterfalls everywhere. You have a lunch stop at a super market. Accommodations in charming chalet-style guest houses nestled in the valley. After dinner, a very short rehearsal is planned.

July 5: Brig/Matterhorn/Montreux, Switzerland REHEARSAL
Sun. Early departure for the excursion to the magnificent Matterhorn begins the journey by train and cog railway to the Gornergrut with plenty of photo ops. The journey continues to Montreux, a warm, sunny resort city nestled on the banks of Lake Geneva. After an American dinner, there is time to swim before the evening rehearsal.

July 6: Montreux/Chateau d'Avully/Montreux
Mon. CONCERT: Rouvenaz Garden Theatre
RECORDING SESSION
Today visit Chateau d'Avully in Brenthonne, France. The castle, owned by Monsieur Guyon, is being restored. You have a tour of the castle and time to explore. The Guyon's provide a feast for you lunch - all baked by the family. Band members provide the entertainment. Return to Montreux for the concert and recording session at the Rouvenaz Garden Theatre.

July 7: Montreux/Nancy, France
Tues. After breakfast, you begin the long journey to Nancy, France. A pastry party is prepared in Alsace, France. After dinner, is free time.

July 8: Nancy/Luxembourg/Belgium/Buitenpost
Wed. After an early breakfast, the journey was made even longer by a bus breakdown near Metz. You enter Luxembourg and cross the border of Belgium at 4:30 PM, stopping in the Bastogne region for snacks. Cross the Maas River in Leigue, Belgium, to enter Holland at 7:45 PM. Stop in Eindhoven for dinner. The host families wait for our arrival at 4:00 AM .

July 9: Buitenpost, Holland CONCERT: Drachten
Thurs. After sleeping in, the day was free to explore the town, shop, or swim. You will travel to neighboring Drachten where you will join the top Brass Band in Holland in a evening concert at the community center-church. The concert ends very late in the evening. The director will visit a friend in Groningen.

July 10: Amsterdam, Holland CONCERT: Buitenpost
Fri. Excursion to Amsterdam for shopping, canal boat ride, Anne Frank's House, and a visit to the Rijksmuseum. An evening concert is scheduled in Buitenpost. The Dutch Brass Band will perform at intermission. The concert ends very late in the evening.

July 11: Buintenpost/Frankfurt
Sat. Say farewell to your host family this morning as you board your motorcoaches and proceed across the Dutch farmlands to cross the Germany border to Frankfurt. Overnight in the hotels.

July 12: Frankfurt/Philadelphia, PA, USA
Sun. Board coaches to Frankfurt airport where you check in for your Lufthansa wide-bodied jet flight #420 will carry you back home. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served in flight.

1981 Tour of Europe

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