Possible concert venue: Wieskirche

First time visitors in the Wies, with no previous knowledge about the church, may well stand in wonder and ask themselves what could have possibly given rise to the building of such an unusually magnificent church in such a secluded place. Indeed, something out of the ordinary, from many points of view, took place here. Human tears, an age-old phenomenon, were the spiritual building stones, the precious pearls from which the Wies Church, a world famous rococo jewel, was created. In the 18th Century the Wies Church was already known throughout Europe as a place of reverence for the Scourged Savior, and at the same time a famous gem of baroque architecture. Out of the miracle of June 14, 1738, when tears were seen on the face of the Scourged Savior, there rapidly developed a pilgrimage of unexpected proportions. The pilgrimage has remained alive up to the present. Among the visitors from all over the world you will also find people in silent prayer. Even now new pilgrimages arise, such as a pilgrimage in the vicinity of Weilheim/Schongau, which each year brings about 1000 young people to the Wies. Interesting fact: Its architect, Dominikus Zimmermann, could not bear to leave this church, his most beautiful and complete work. Thus, he built himself a house almost at its door, where he lived until his death. In thankfulness for the happy completion of the church, he painted a votive tablet showing the pious master architect kneeling before the Scourged Savior. He signed it: "D.Z. Ex voto A. 1757". Every pilgrim and visitor to the Wies Church is rewarded by the magnificence and harmony of the wonderful song Zimmermann called forth in building the Wies Church. Come and praise Him, in this sacred place, come seek Him out in the Wies .Open - hearted, thank Him for His grace, for He offers us His Peace. Oh, my Jesus, fairest Jesus, fairest Jesus, in the Wies who so full of blessings is.When the visitor, in encountering the resounding four-tone chord of art, theology, light and music, experiences the total beauty of the Wies, he can experience what the builder of the church, Abbot Marianus II Mayer, expressed: "Hoc loco habitat fortuna, hic quiescit cor." (In this place abideth happiness, here the heart findeth peace).
Even today the church lives from both these wellsprings: its spiritual and artistic richness. Thus, the Wies Church continues as a pilgrimage church, a place of prayer and worship, and is simultaneously a magical drawing point for millions of visitors. Through their encounter with this joyous Baroque, full of life and hope, they sense a world which moved the writer Peter Dörfler, in the first half of this century, to write: "The Wies is a bit of heaven in this suffering world."

Flight Itinerary

Departure to Europe: 
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Continental Airlines CO 46 departs Los Angeles (LAX) at 12:30 pm
arrives in Frankfurt (FRA) at 11:35 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012.
Note: Change of aircraft enroute in Houston (IAH)

Departure to US
Saturday, April 7, 2012 Continental Airlines CO 97 leaves Berlin (TXL) at 9:35 am
Arrives in arrives in Newark (EWR) at 12:40 pm
Continental Airlines CO 41 departs Newark (EWR) at 3:15 pm
arrives in Los Angeles (LAX) at 6:02 pm

Welcome to Germany!

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) with its capital Berlin, is located in Central Europe. The North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea border Germany to the north; Poland and the Czech Republic lay on the eastern border; Austria and Switzerland border on the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands on the east. There are over 82 million persons living in Germany. And that, for a land about the size of Montana, U.S.A.(Germany is 357,021 km2, slightly less than Montana). Making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Even though there are that many people living in Germany, the Germans have succeeded in keeping almost 1/3 (31%) of the country covered with forests and woodlands. And, as you rarely see buildings on top of the mountains, you have the feeling of being surrounded by green vegetation and of wilderness close by. Which makes Germany one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Even though they have one of the best public transport systems in the world, a lot of Germans own a car. They love cars - just think of famous brands such as BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, and the Autobahn where you can drive at 180 mph!

Historically nicknamed Das Land der Dichter und Denker, “The Land of Poets and Thinkers,” Germany’s history has been shaped by major intellectual and popular European trends of both religious and secular influence. The strength of German culture has produced such historical figures as Johann Sebastian Bach, novelist Franz Kafka, and poets such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe boasts an exorbitant array of scholarly culture.

Germany’s sixteen states offer 240 subsidized theaters, hundreds of symphony orchestras, thousands of museums, and over 25,000 public libraries. The abundance of culture attracts throngs of tourists each year, resulting in an annual average of 91 million museum visits, 20 million theater and opera attendees, and 3.6 million symphony concert-goers. Germany claims many of the world’s most renowned classical music composers, including Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Richard Wagner. Since 2006, Germany has been recognized as the fifth largest music market in the world.
There are hundreds of castles in Germany. Some are still inhabited by aristocratic families, others have been transformed into hotels and restaurants, and still others are in ruins.
A popular German saying translates to “breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar.” German cuisine varies according to region. The southern areas of the nation share a culinary culture with Switzerland and Austria. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main source of protein consumption. Meat is often eaten in sausage form. Germany produces more than 1,500 varieties of sausage. You would have to try one kind of German bread per day for almost a whole year in order to be able to taste them all! There are over 300 different kinds of bread in Germany. 
With Germany's newly established comprehensive system of social security, the country continues to develop a very desirable higher standard of living. Germany holds a key position in European affairs as the government strives to perpetually strengthen international relations. Germany is recognized as a leader in many scientific and technological advancements.

Incantato Destination: Heidelberg

Before visiting Heidelberg, check out these interesting and fun facts about this beautiful city on the Neckar river.

1. Heidelberg University is the oldest in Germany

Established in 1386, Heidelberg’s Ruprecht-Karls-Universität remains one of Germany’s most prestigious universities and will celebrate its 625th anniversary in 2011. It counts an impressive array of national figures amongst its alumni, including the former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

2. Heidelberg is home to a hidden amphitheatre

Hidden from view from the town at the top of the surrounding wooded hills, the ‘Thingstätte’ was built in 1935 by the Nazi party and was designed by Heidelberg native Albert Speer. It was used by the Nazi party during WWII for rallies and solstice festivals. It is now preserved as a monument, but it is still used for many festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

3. The first bicycle was invented by a graduate of the University of Heidelberg

Invented by Karl Drais, a student at the University of Heidelberg, the ‘Laufmaschine’ represented the beginning of mechanised personal transport. It was also nicknamed the Dandy Horse and was the first means of transport to make use of the two-wheeler principle, even though it didn’t have pedals.

4. The city hosts superb firework displays during the summer

Known as the ‘Schlossbeleuchtung’, Heidelberg hosts a fantastic firework display on the first Saturday of June, second Saturday of July and first Saturday of September every year.

The show starts with the Heidelberg castle being lit up as though it is on fire. This is to remember the times in 1689, 1693 and 1764, when the castle went up in flames! After a few minutes of the castle ‘burning’, the fireworks begin. The fireworks are launched from the old bridge and last for about 15 minutes. The fireworks exploding over the old bridge with the castle looming in the background is really something to see. 

5. Heidelberg is featured prominently in various poems and novels

The city is mentioned in works by the likes of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Heinrich Heine, and Mark Twain, who spent several months in Heidelberg in the late 19th century. The novel ‘The Reader’, made into a film in 2008, was also set in the city.

6. Heidelberg escaped bombing in the Second World War

Unlike many German cities, Heidelberg was not destroyed by air raids in World War II and therefore still has original buildings from the later Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It has been suggested that the city escaped substantial bombing because the US Army wanted to use the city as a garrison after the war (there remains a large US base outside the city today). In fact though, as Heidelberg was neither an industrial centre nor transport hub, there was nothing of particular strategic interest to the Allies, who focused extensively on nearby industrial cities such as Mannheim.

7. The first evidence of human life in Europe was found in Heidelberg

In 1907 a jaw-bone was discovered in a gravel pit in Heidelberg – it is the earliest evidence found of human life in Europe. The ‘Heidelberg Man’ is the name now given to a member of this extinct human species, considered closely related to “Homo erectus”.

8. It’s home to the world’s biggest wine barrel!

The Heidelberg ‘Tun’ is the biggest wine barrel in the world and holds 220,000 litres. The vat (Fass) was built in 1751 and sits within Heidelberg’s famous castle.

9. One in every five Heidelberg residents is a student

As you might expect from a city with a university as prestigious as that of Heidelberg, a large proportion of the population are students. This gives the city a very lively feel and ensures ample social and cultural offerings for visitors and inhabitants to enjoy.

10. The German Pharmacy Museum is housed in Heidelberg Castle

Also housed in the castle grounds is the ‘Deutsches Apothekenmuseum’ which displays a large collection of old equipment and medicines used in a pharmacy in past centuries.

Incantato Tour Sight: Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein) is a 19th-century Gothic Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as an homage to Richard Wagner. The palace was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886. Since then over 60 million people have visited Neuschwanstein Castle. More than 1.3 million people visit annually, with up to 6,000 per day in the summer. The palace has appeared prominently in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. And here are more interesting and fun facts about Neuschwanstein:

• Neuschwanstein means "New Swan Stone". The name of the castle derives from one of Wagner's opera's character, the Swan Knight.
• The Neuschwanstein castle was built for only one person – the King Ludwig II. Neuschwanstein is so immense though, that in some days it is visited by up to 6000 tourists.
• Ludiwg slept only 11 nights in the castle
• Ludiwg was Richard Wagner's patron, and many rooms of the castle were inspired by Wagner's operas. Despite of this, Wagner never visited the castle, as he died before its completion.
• The castle is one of the most photographed buildings in the world, even if photography is not permitted inside of the castle.
• There is no throne in the castle, as the Throne Hall was not completed before Ludwig's death.
• The Sleeping Beauty Castle’s design in Disneyland was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle.
• Fourteen carpenters worked for more than four years to make the woodwork in the bedroom.
• Despite its medieval look, it was built in the 19th century, and it served no defensive purposes.
• The original name of the castle was New Hohenschwangau Castle. It was renamed as Neuschwanstein castle just after Ludwig II's death
• The designer of the castle was Christian Jank. He was not even an architect but a theatrical designer.
• In 2012, the Neuschwanstein Castle will appear on a €2 commemorative coin.

Welcome to Austria!

The Republic of Austria is a landlocked country of approximately 8.3 million citizens located in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Austria’s territory spans 32, 377 square miles of temperate and alpine climate, about twice the size of Switzerland and just slightly smaller than the state of Maine. Due to the presence of the Alps, the majority of Austria’s terrain is mountainous with only thirty-two percent of the land lying below 1,640 feet. The country’s highest point, Mount Grossglockner, stands at 12,457 feet. Although the majority of the Austrian population speaks German, the country’s official language, other common languages include Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovene. Austria’s history dates back to approximately 15 BC during the Roman Empire when a Celtic Kingdom was conquered by the Romans and later became the Roman Province of Noricum. The Frankish King Charlemagne later conquered the area in AD 788 and introduced Christianity to the population. Austria ultimately became one of the great powers of Europe under the Habsburg Dynasty, and in 1867 the Austrian Empire was reformed to become Austria-Hungary. The Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed in 1918 with the end of World War I, following which the First Austrian Republic was established in 1919. Nazi Germany occupied Austria from 1938 until the end of World War II in 1945, after which Austria was occupied by allied forces and its former democratic constitution reinstated. The occupation finally ended in 1955 with the signing of the Austrian State Treaty, re-establishing Austria as a sovereign state. That same year, the Austrian Parliament introduced the Declaration of Neutrality, declaring the country permanently neutral. Presently Austria is a parliamentary representative democracy comprised of nine federal states. Vienna, Austria’s largest city with a population exceeding 1.6 million, serves as the nation’s official capital. Currently one of the richest countries in the world, Austria has developed a high standard of living and was ranked 25th in the world in 2010 on the Human Development Index. Austria has served as a member of the United Nations since 1955, the European Union since 1995, and is a founder of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Incantato Destination: Prague

Castles and Cathedrals: A Summary of the 2012 Palos Verdes Peninsula HS European Performance Tour

HIGHLIGHTS
 • Experience a custom-designed performance and study tour featuring both major cities and off -the-beaten path gems of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic
• Up to three professionally organized and promoted performances for the Palos Verdes Peninsula HS Touring Choir plus recitals in prime historical venues
• Educational and entertaining sightseeing
• Quality accommodation in safe and student-group appropriate locations, great food, official recognition

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
Incantato’s Hospitality Managers take pride in working only with pre-inspected quality hotels in good locations and restaurants frequented by locals.

CULTURAL EXCHANGES
Incantato encourages your group to interact with likeminded people and their organizations during your journey to Europe. Th rough our team members’ contacts and the relationships we have built over the years, Incantato is uniquely qualified to set up meet & greet events with audiences, school exchanges and joint concerts.


LIKELY PERFORMANCE VENUES
• Neuschwanstein Castle,Wieskirche —BAVARIA
• Cathedral —SALZBURG
• Jesuit Hall —CESKY RKUMLOV
• Prince's Palace —PRAGUE
• Cathedral —CHLUMEC
The above mentioned venues have been requested for your travel dates, final confirmation is pending on your repertoire and venue availability.

Incantato Destination: Cesky Krumlov