Performing Program Designed for Peninsula Young Artists - 561559A "London & Paris: A Tale of Two Cities" June 2014 Itinerary Overview DAY 1 DEPARTURE FROM SAN FRANCISCO DAY 2 ARRIVE LONDON (3 NIGHTS) - WINDSOR DAY 3 LONDON - Concert Performance DAY 4 LONDON - Concert Performance (or on Day 6) DAY 5 LONDON - EUROSTAR TO PARIS (3 NIGHTS) DAY 6 PARIS Concert Performance (or on Day 4) DAY 7 PARIS Concert Performance DAY 8 DEPARTURE FROM PARIS
"London & Paris: A Tale of Two Cities" June 2014 France - is an enchanting country that evokes elegance, opulence, and richness. But the country is so much more than luxurious castles, fashionable cities, and delicious food and wine. France has an incredible history spanning thousands of years, history that can be found in every crevice of its countryside. Each region is unique, and amid the beauty of the mountains, coastline, and cities there are charming small towns filled with friendly people who embrace the true meaning of joie de vivre. Great Britain - The Kingdom of Great Britain is comprised of the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is a region of myth and legend, ancient and modern, tradition and rebellion. The diverse and lively culture swiftly endears visitors, and leaves them eager to return and discover more. Educational Tour or Visit = Recreational Activity = Cultural Experience = DAY 1 Relax and enjoy our scheduled flight from San Francisco to London. DAY 2 Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure. We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the next 3 day(s). For the next 3 evening(s) we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located London hotel, where daily breakfast will be included. Take a Thames River Cruise, a relaxing way to view many of London s most magnificent sights. Our trip will take us past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and under the famous Tower Bridge. DAY 3 Visit Westminster Abbey, where English kings and queens have been crowned since 1066. Our Blue-Badge Guided Tour will include the Royal Chapels, containing the tombs of the English monarchs, as well as Poets Corner, featuring memorials to many famous British literary figures.
Visit the Tower of London, one of Britain s most fascinating and important historical structures. Begun as a fortress by William the Conqueror, the Tower is now primarily associated with the legendary figures imprisoned and executed here over the centuries. Our visit includes the armories, a display of instruments of torture and execution and the breathtaking Crown Jewels Exhibit. Your concert performance in London is today. Venue options include St. Sepulchers (where you performed in 2011) and The Royal Academy of Music, or a joint performance at a school. DAY 4 Explore the British Museum, one of the most comprehensive collections of art and artifacts in the world. Highlights of our visit will include the Rosetta Stone, the discovery of which led to the deciphering of hieroglyphs; the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens; and the Sutton Hoo Treasure. Visit St. Paul s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren s Renaissance-style masterpiece. Our visit will include an ascent to the Whispering Gallery, an acoustic marvel in which the faintest whisper can be heard clearly on the opposite side, plus time at the American Memorial Chapel. If we are lucky, we will be here when the massive organ fills the entire cathedral with breathtaking music. You have the option of either having your second concert performance today or on Day 6 in Paris. Venue options include St. Sepulchers, The Royal Academy of Music, or Allum Hall.(if not used for Day 3 performance) DAY 5 We will board a private coach for our transfer to the rail station, where we board the high speed Eurostar train and travel to Paris through the channel tunnel. We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the next 4 day(s). Paris is one of the most iconic cities in the world, filled with culture and history, monuments and museums. Known as the City of Light, Paris is a million things to a million people. No writer has ever been able to truly capture Paris in words, and only the experience of being there can begin to express the grandness and magic of this incredible city.
Experience the perfect introduction to the beauty of Paris on a Seine River Cruise. We will pass under many graceful bridges and view important landmarks on both banks during our trip. For the next 3 evening(s) we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located Paris hotel, where daily breakfast will be included. This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant. DAY 6 Ascend the Arc de Triomphe, a massive triumphal arch commissioned by Napoleon. Today, it is a symbol of Paris and is home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Walk through the Jardin des Tuileries, the Neo-Classical gardens outside of the entrance to the Louvre and continue to La Place de la Concorde for a magnificent view of the Champs Élysées. Time permitting we will explore the Champs Élysées, which offers a beautiful look at Parisian life and architecture. Tour the renowned Louvre Museum with a local specialist guide. We will see Leonardo da Vinci s Mona Lisa, the imposing Coronation of Napoleon, and many of the finest paintings and sculptures from western civilization. Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral. Work began in 1163 on a spot that had been a holy shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon. Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times; it is generally associated with artists, intellectuals, and political unrest. An alternative to your concert on Day 4 you have the option of holding the second concert today. Venue options include La Trinité, where Messiaen served as organist and where Hector Berlioz had his funeral. In addition, there is Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, The American Church in Paris, and the Église de la Madeleine, or a joint performance with the International School of Paris DAY 7 Ascend to the top of Paris most recognizable landmark, the Eiffel Tower, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. The wrought-iron tower was not meant to be permanent, and the first permit was only for 20 years. But by that time, it had
proved to be a valuable communication device for radio. It is now France s global icon and has hosted over 200 million visitors. Visit the Musée D Orsay, which is housed in a former railway station. It features mainly French art from 1848-1915, and is best known for its impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne. Paris is one of the most important centers of fashion in the world. We will visit the elegant stores of Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette for a first-hand look at the latest trends in fashion. Visit Sacré-Coeur Basilica, a huge white church that dominates the Parisian skyline. Construction of the church began in 1875 and ended in 1914, just before WWI. Inside, we can admire the stained glass and some of the world s largest mosaics. Tonight we will ascend to the Montmartre area of Paris, where we will have dinner in a local restaurant. This area was made famous in the late 19th century as an artists haunt. We will also spend time in the Place du Tertre, a square known for its local artwork. Your concert performance is today. Venue options include La Trinité, where Messiaen served as organist and where Hector Berlioz had his funeral. In addition, there is Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, The American Church in Paris, and the Église de la Madeleine (depending on venue used for Day 6 concert if that day is the option for the second concert). DAY 8 Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day. Please note that the sightseeing content may be amended or eliminated in order to facilitate the best possible concert arrangements for your group Venues subject to availability and acceptance