FESTIVAL DATES
2022 DATES TBD
Welcome to Barcelona
Cantate Barcelona invites choirs from around the world to this both beautiful and historical region of Spain. Explore the culturally rich city of Barcelona and the fascinating region of Catalonia that surrounds it.
The highlight of your tour will certainly be performing for and with other international guest choirs for large, enthusiastic audiences. The friendships that develop between singers and music lovers from across the globe are extraordinary.
The festival concert venues range from historic churches to grand spaces such as the premier Theatre of Lloret de Mar. The festival culminates with a closing ceremony.ย Each choir is invited on stage to perform an individual selection before joining voices on a piece in Catalan accompanied by an orchestra and traditional Sardana dancers. The camaraderie of Cantate Barcelona continues into the night at aย formal fiesta withย dinner, music, and dancing.
We invite your choir to join us for this exciting opportunity to experience the vibrant traditions, culture, and music of Catalonia!
Itinerary
2022 DATES TBD | DEPART FOR SPAIN
Depart North America on a flight bound for Barcelona, Spain.
2022 DATES TBD | WELCOME TO SPAIN!
Arrive in Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, Spain. Your Music Contact Internationalย tour managerย will greet your choir at the airport and accompany you by motorcoach to the hotel location you’ve selected:ย Either a seaside resort town on Spainโs historic Costa Brava or the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona.
In the evening, enjoy aย welcome dinnerย and festival program briefing before settling in for the night.
2022 DATES TBD | SINGING AND SIGHTSEEING IN BEAUTIFUL BARCELONA
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotelย followed by aย guided sightseeing tourย of Barcelona. Stop at the fanciful La Sagrada Familia Church, see the historic Gothic Quarter, take a stroll on the vibrant market street Las Ramblas, visitย imaginative Parc Gรผell, and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Montjuรฏc Mountain.
Midday, perform your first festival concert at a popular culturalย venue such as Pueblo Espaรฑol, an open-air museum and artisan site; orย on a stage in Ciutat Vella close to La Seu, Barcelona’s cathedral.ย International choirs perform in series followed by a tasty Catalan lunch.
This evening,ย festival friendship concerts take place in theaters, churches and music halls throughout the region. Choirs from around the world perform concerts for each other andย enthusiastic public audiences!ย Afterward, refreshments are served to all participants at a friendly social reception.
2022 DATES TBD | MORNING WORSHIP & FESTIVAL CLOSING & FIESTA
After breakfast, choirs are invited into local churches to sing for a worship service.
2022 DATES TBD | DEPART SPAIN OR EXTEND YOUR STAY
This morning, check out of the hotel and transfer to the Barcelona Airport for your flight home or extend your stay in exciting Spain!
Package
Accommodations
โข3 nights hotel accommodation, double occupancy, at the location you select: Costa Brava in proximity to Barcelona, Spain or in Barcelona City
Transportation
โขA private, modern motorcoach with a professional driver is provided for all transportation as described in the itinerary.
Meals
โขBreakfast buffet daily at the hotel
โขWelcome Dinner on Friday night
โขCatalan-style lunch with other Festival choirs on Saturday
โขFiesta with dinner, music, and dancing on Sunday
Tour Manager
โขA full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
โขOpen-air concert on a public stage in Pueblo Espaรฑol or Ciutat Vella
โขFriendship concert in a regional theater, church or music hall
โขSunday worship service in a local church
โขFestival Closing Ceremony & Joint Sing in a regional concert hall.
Guided Tours & Special Events
โขA local, English-speaking festival guide to assist with festival-related activities and events
โขSightseeing tour of Barcelonaโs many highlights
โขGuided walking tour of historic Girona
Complimentary Places
โขTwo complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms
If your choir is interested in staying in Spain or elsewhere in Europe for additional days, please let us know. We will be glad to offer an extension tour, with singing or without, according to your choirโs interests.
Inclusions
Accommodations
โข3 nights hotel accommodation, double occupancy, at the location you select: Costa Brava in proximity to Barcelona, Spain or in Barcelona City
Transportation
โขA private, modern motorcoach with a professional driver is provided for all transportation as described in the itinerary.
Meals
โขBreakfast buffet daily at the hotel
โขWelcome Dinner on Friday night
โขCatalan-style lunch with other Festival choirs on Saturday
โขFiesta with dinner, music, and dancing on Sunday
Tour Manager
โขA full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
โขOpen-air concert on a public stage in Pueblo Espaรฑol or Ciutat Vella
โขFriendship concert in a regional theater, church or music hall
โขSunday worship service in a local church
โขFestival Closing Ceremony & Joint Sing in a regional concert hall.
Guided Tours & Special Events
โขA local, English-speaking festival guide to assist with festival-related activities and events
โขSightseeing tour of Barcelonaโs many highlights
โขGuided walking tour of historic Girona
Complimentary Places
โขTwo complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms
Additional Days and Concerts in Spain
If your choir is interested in staying in Spain or elsewhere in Europe for additional days, please let us know. We will be glad to offer an extension tour, with singing or without, according to your choirโs interests.
Venues
PUEBLO ESPANOL
Your choir will perform a concert in an open air venue such as Pueblo Espaรฑol, the โSpanish Villageโ that represents Spainโs varied architectural styles and diversity.
Staging:
On the flat
Instruments:
Keyboard available
Repertoire:
Open; fifteen minutes maximum
CHURCH, CONCERT HALL, OR ANOTHER LOCAL VENUE
You will have the opportunity to perform a friendship concert in one of the many wonderful churches and concert halls throughout the Barcelona region. Choirs of different nationalities will share their music, sing for appreciative audiences and enjoy socializing in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Staging:
Risers generally are available
Instruments:
Organ or piano may be requested
Repertoire:
Sacred
CHURCH
Your choir will be invited to sing during a morning worship service in a local church. It is always a treat for the resident congregation to receive a visiting choir!
Staging:
Steps of main altar, choir loft, pews or on the flat (depending upon the church)
Instruments:
Organ or piano may be requested
Repertoire:
Sacred
AUDITORI PALAU DE CONGRESSOS
Attend the festival’s International Choral Celebration in the Auditori Palau de Congressos, Gironaโs premier cultural and performing arts center. Each choir will be acknowledged and invited on stage to perform a song of their choice, as well as enjoy the opportunity to join voices with the other visiting choirs and sing a Catalan piece accompanied by traditional โSardanaโ dancers and orchestra.
Staging:
Risers on stage
Instruments:
Grand piano onstage
Repertoire:
Open, representative of the choir or nationality; one song, five minutes maximum
Extensions
Enhance your Cantate Barcelona experience with an extension to Valencia! A few days in Valencia will add an exciting end to an already wonderful stay in Catalonia. The route to Valencia will take you along the Mediterranean Sea to the city where El Cid, Spain’s national hero, fought against the Moors and where Spain’s most famous food, paella Valenciana, was born. Valencia boasts extravagant architecture, colorful gardens, and lovely markets.
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona for Valencia. Stop along the way in Tarragona, the lovely Spanish town which houses the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco.ย After lunch, continue on to lovely Valencia and settle into your hotel. The evening is free to explore.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Valencia. See highlights such as the Gothic Cathedral and Basilica, the Mercado Central, and El Templo. The afternoon is free to pursue personal interests. In the evening, perform a concert in a local church or theater; school groups may enjoy performing a school concert. A friendship concert with a Valencian choir is another possibility.
DAY ONE
Departย Barcelona and transfer to Madrid.ย Music Contact International will recommend the best way for your ensemble to travel.ย A comfortable convenient hotel and group dinner with Flamenco show awaits in Spainโs capital city!
DAY TWO
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour through the historic heart of the city and free time for lunch. A concert opportunity or option to see a flamenco show or Spanish opera (Zarzuela) can be arranged for your group this evening.
DAY THREE
Your final day in Spain is free to pursue independent interests. Group activities can be arranged, such a visit to the Royal Palace or the Prado Museum, or an excursion to the World Heritage site of Toledo. Tonight, a farewell dinner of tapas and other specialties will be arranged for your choir.
Extension to Valencia
Enhance your Cantate Barcelona experience with an extension to Valencia! A few days in Valencia will add an exciting end to an already wonderful stay in Catalonia. The route to Valencia will take you along the Mediterranean Sea to the city where El Cid, Spain’s national hero, fought against the Moors and where Spain’s most famous food, paella Valenciana, was born. Valencia boasts extravagant architecture, colorful gardens, and lovely markets.
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona for Valencia. Stop along the way in Tarragona, the lovely Spanish town which houses the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco.ย After lunch, continue on to lovely Valencia and settle into your hotel. The evening is free to explore.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Valencia. See highlights such as the Gothic Cathedral and Basilica, the Mercado Central, and El Templo. The afternoon is free to pursue personal interests. In the evening, perform a concert in a local church or theater; school groups may enjoy performing a school concert. A friendship concert with a Valencian choir is another possibility.
Extension to Madrid
DAY ONE
Departย Barcelona and transfer to Madrid.ย Music Contact International will recommend the best way for your ensemble to travel.ย A comfortable convenient hotel and group dinner with Flamenco show awaits in Spainโs capital city!
DAY TWO
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour through the historic heart of the city and free time for lunch. A concert opportunity or option to see a flamenco show or Spanish opera (Zarzuela) can be arranged for your group this evening.
DAY THREE
Your final day in Spain is free to pursue independent interests. Group activities can be arranged, such a visit to the Royal Palace or the Prado Museum, or an excursion to the World Heritage site of Toledo. Tonight, a farewell dinner of tapas and other specialties will be arranged for your choir.
Your Tour Includes
Traveler's Resource Website
The site is customized exclusively for your group and is full of exciting and interactive features that you will find informative and helpful before, during, and after the tour.
โขCurrent tour itinerary with full descriptions of each day
โขFAQ’s and things to know before you go
โขRecommended books, movies, websites, and videos
Online Payment System
Group leaders have the option to use our Online Payment System, which enables you to effortlessly collect payments for your trip. Group leaders receive weekly automated reports with traveler balances and due dates.
Travelers can log in to our secure website to review the cost of their trip and all payment deadlines, register for the trip, and make credit card payments. All travelers receive automated reminders when payments are coming due.
Additional Materials
โขCustomized handbook for each person traveling with your choir, including a detailed program and travel information.
โขElectrical adapters*
โขLuggage tags
โขPassport holder*
*for international travelers
