Sublime
Singing
World
Class Dining
Luxury
Accommodation
Tour Itinerary
DAY 01 / WEDNESDAY 15 MAY 2019.
1ST OF 2 NIGHTS in LONDON
London
In the early evening the group will meet each other for a ‘welcome’ drink at the chic Bar of our elegant and boutique hotel. It is a unique Georgian townhouse full of English charm, excelling in traditional service, and located in literary Bloomsbury just steps from the British Museum. From here, we travel together for a unique London dining experience at OXO. The OXO rooftop Tower Restaurant has proved a dazzling success since opening in 1996. The iconic restaurant and lively bar boast stunning views across the Thames and the city of London with a 250 foot terrace and floor to ceiling windows. Using only the finest ingredients OXO treats guests to dishes made from some of the best seasonal British produce available, and a wine list of over 800 wines. With an imaginative menu created by Head Chef Jeremy Bloor, this restaurant is elegant and iconic, offering intimate contemporary dining with an unparalleled, panoramic view.
DAY 2 / THURSDAY 16 MAY 2019.
2ND OF 2 NIGHTS IN LONDON
London
This morning we visit the beautiful Hertford House, where we take a guided tour of the Wallace Collection. The Wallace Collection is a national museum which displays the wonderful works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace. It was bequeathed to the British nation by Sir Richard’s widow, Lady Wallace in 1897. Displayed in Hertford House, one of the family’s London mansions, the Wallace Collection presents it’s outstanding collections of art treasures in a sumptuous but approachable manner which is part of it’s charm. The afternoon is free. In the evening, we travel together from our hotel to the concert venue, where we will enjoy priority seating at the Gondwana Voices 30th birthday celebration concert. The choir will in this concert be performing a host of contemporary Australian repertoire, much of it commissioned especially for Gondwana Choirs. The choir will also be joined by an ensemble of alumni choristers, who will make their way to London from all over the world to sing and join us in celebrating the 30 years of choral excellence that is Gondwana Choirs. We will attend a post-concert birthday party with the choristers.
DAY 3 / FRIDAY 17 MAY 2019
1ST OF 2 NIGHTS IN DRESDEN
(near Radeberg)
London - Dresden
We meet in the morning and travel to London Airport for our flight to Dresden. On arrival we are met by our private coach for transfer from Dresden airport to our hotel. The hotel is a stunning 5 star luxury hotel well located in central Dresden, with access to many of the city’s best attractions, and across the road from the famous Frauenkirche Church. The Baroque facade sets the tone for the elegant interiors that stay true to it’s historical design. Spoiling rooms feature delicate antique furniture and soft hues. The hotel offers a luxurious day spa and a chic atmosphere. The afternoon is free to relax or take an exploratory stroll through this fascinating city, known for it’s beauty and charm. Dresden has long been a favourite destination for those looking to experience Germany’s best cuisine. In the early evening, we head to The Caroussel in the Relais & Chateaux Hotel Bulow Palais, considered to be THE culinary address in Saxony. Here, we don our aprons and take a cooking class with Michelin star-chef Benjamin Beidlingmaier, who will teach us to prepare a 4 course meal extraordinaire, before joining us for dinner!
DAY 4 / SATURDAY 18 MAY 2019
2ND OF 2 NIGHTS IN DRESDEN
(near Radeberg)
Dresden
This morning we take a two-hour private guided walking tour through Dresden. We explore the fascinating history of Dresden. We then visit to the Zwinger Palace and it’s museums, where we will have a guided tour of the Old Masters Picture Gallery. The afternoon is free to explore Dresden. In the evening we travel by private coach to Radeberg where we will join Gondwana Voices to hear a glorious evening concert in the Radebergkirche. The tour group will have priority seating reserved, and will travel back to the hotel via private coach after the concert.
DAY 5 / SUNDAY 19 MAY 2019
1ST OF 2 NIGHTS IN LEIPZIG
Dresden – Leipzig
This morning we depart Dresden, and travel to Leipzig via Meissen Saxony in our private coach. As we approach Meissen, we will see the beautiful gothic Albrechtsburg, Germany’s oldest schloss, sitting up high on Castle hill where it looms gracefully over the river Elbe. Immediately next to it stands the stunning Meissen Cathdral where we will enjoy a morning performance by Gondwana Voices. After the performance, we will have some free time to catch up with the choristers and explore Meissen at leisure before we travel onwards to Leipzig. On arrival in Leipzig, we check into the beautiful and grand Hotel. This impressive hotel lies in the centre of Leipzig’s cultural hub, with all the city has to offer right on it’s doorstep. In addition to the exquisite and opulent rooms, this extraordinary hotel includes a gourmet restaurant, an elegant piano bar, a modern wine bar, a romantic court garden and a Mediterranean spa. We will enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Leipzig.
DAY 6 / MONDAY 20 MAY 2019
2ND OF 2 NIGHTS IN LEIPZIG
Leipzig
We meet in the morning at 9.00am to take a guided walking tour of Leipzig and the musically significant St Thomas Church, home of the Thomas Boys Choir and where J.S Bach worked as Kapellmeister until his death in 1750. We also take a guided tour of the Mendelssohn House where we will have the opportunity to follow a score and conduct a virtual choir! The afternoon is free. In the evening we attend a concert featuring Gondwana Voices in performance with the Leipzig Opera Childrens Chorus. After the concert we will have a ‘last night in Leipzig’ dinner at the five star restaurant C’est Le Vie, where renowned head chef Hannes Schlengel offers an innovative menu of contemporary French cuisine using fresh, local, seasonal ingredients to create a top-class taste experience.
DAY 7 / TUESDAY 21 MAY 2019
1st OF 6 NIGHTS IN BERLIN
Leipzig – Berlin
This morning we travel by coach from Leipzig to Berlin. On arrival in Berlin, our coach will be waiting to deliver us to our Hotel. This world class hotel is located in the heart of Berlin, where the historic boulevard “Unter den Linden” intersects the “Friedrichstrasse”. It is close to many of Berlin’s most noteable sights including the Brandenburg Gate, The Reichstag, the Potsdamer Platz and the Pergamon Museum. Combining luxurious ambience with extraordinary service, the hotel also offers 2 extraordinary restaurants. One offers modern and classic fine dining at it’s best, while the other offers regional specialities in a typical Berlin pub atmosphere! The afternoon and evening are free to relax or to explore the city.
DAY 8 / WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 2019
2ND OF 6 NIGHTS IN BERLIN
Berlin
After breakfast, we gather in the hotel foyer where we will be met by our English speaking tour guide. We take a 3 hour sight-seeing tour of Berlin where we will learn the fascinating history of this incredible city. Our tour will include a visit to the Reichstag (Parliament) building, where we will have a unique 3 course lunch on the rooftop while enjoying stunning views of Berlin. Kafer is a fine dining, 4.5 star restaurant which serves a modern German menu. In the afternoon we head to museum island where we take a guided tour of the Pergamon Museum, rated one of the top museums in the world. The evening is free.
DAY 9 / THURSDAY 23 MAY 2019
3RD OF 6 NIGHTS IN BERLIN
Berlin
Today is essentially a free day. However for those feeling energetic, we will have the option of taking a guided cycling tour around the Berlin Wall. The bike tour follows the route of the Berlin Wall on 15 kilometres between the former checkpoint Bornholme Strasse and the Government quarter. We explore remaining segments and sites of the former Wall, which separated Berlin into East and west from 1961 to 1989. Major sites along the wall include Checkpoint Charlie and death strip sites such as Mauerpark. During the bike tour our guide reveals the political and human dimensions of life in a divided city and tells stories and anecdotes around the Wall, the GDR and the East German secret police Stasi.
The afternoon is free.
In the evening, we visit Berlin’s most famous concert hall the Philharmonie. Here we will see a performance by the world famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra perform a program of Bach, Berg, and Bruckner under the baton of Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi, and with the world class soprano Hanna-Elisabeth Müller.
NB The Gondwana Tour group will have the opportunity to attend a pre-concert talk on the concert program by Tour Leader Rachel Whealy, in the comfort of our hotel before we set off to the Philharmonie.
DAY 10 / FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019
4TH OF 6 NIGHTS IN BERLIN
Day trip to Sachsenhausen
This morning we meet our tour guide and coach driver in the hotel foyer and travel north of Berlin to the prominent Nazi concentration camp at Sachsenhausen. Sachsenhausen was one of the Nazi regime’s harshest prison camps. Today, it is a memorial to those who lost their lives here, as well as a museum with open air exhibits. The exhibits allow us to explore sites such as the barracks, prison, kitchen, and commandant’s offices. Our personal tour guide will provide additional insight into the history of Nazi Germany and the lives of prisoners who were once held at the camp. On our return, we will also visit the ‘topography of terrors’, one of the best exhibits anywhere of the horrors of Nazi Germany.
DAY 11 / SATURDAY 25 MAY 2019
5TH OF 6 NIGHTS IN BERLIN
Berlin
Saturday will be a free day, however the Gondwana family and Friends Tour Group will have the opportunity to attend the General rehearsal in the Philharmonie, and to join the Gondwana Voices choristers for lunch and some free time. This evening the Gondwana Tour group will be treated to a pre-concert talk/Q&A session with composer Brett Dean, and Gondwana Choirs Artistic Director and Founder Lyn Williams in the comfort of our hotel. We then head out for a final group dinner at Hugos Restaurant where Head chef Eberhard Lange and Sommelier Manfred Welter serve guests in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere.
DAY 13 / SUNDAY 26 MAY 2019
6TH OF 6 NIGHTS IN BERLIN
Berlin
Sunday will be a free day as we prepare to enjoy the highpoint of our trip this evening. Gondwana Voices will perform Brett Dean’s Vexations and Devotions in an 8pm Concert with the Berlin Rundfunk Orchestra & Choir. The Gondwana Tour group will be given priority seating at the concert, and the opportunity to attend a post-concert celebration with the Gondwana choristers.
DAY 14 / MONDAY 27 MAY 2019
BERLIN – CHECK OUT
TOUR CONCLUDES – Tour Group departs Berlin via own arrangements.
Costs and Information:
There may be some changes to the itinerary depending on confirmation of concert times and venues.
Hotel Names will be released on confirmation of booking
International flights from Australia to UK/GERMANY are not included in this itinerary.
Tour costs are based on a minimum number of 10 participants, and are subject to change depending on the number of participants
LONDON - GERMANY TOUR
(London, Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin) 15 - 27 May: 12 nights
$6750 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
(based on a minimum of 10 people). Single Supplement: $1750
GERMANY TOUR
(Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin) 17 May - 27 May: 10 nights
$5630 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
(Based on minimum number 10 people) Single supplement: $1600