FESTIVAL DATES
October 19-23, 2018 / October 18-21, 2019
Welcome to Barcelona
Cantate Barcelona invites choirs from around the world to this 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 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, and the concert venues ranging from historic churches to grand spaces such as the premier Theatre of Lloret de Mar are unique to this festival.
We invite your choir to join us for this exciting opportunity to experience the vibrant traditions, culture, and music of Catalonia!
Itinerary
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018 | DEPART FOR THE FESTIVAL
Depart North America on a flight bound for Barcelona, Spain.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 | WELCOME TO SPAIN!
Arrive in Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, Spain. Your friendly Music Contact International tour manager will greet your choir at the airport and accompany you by motor coach to your hotel. Groups may opt to stay either in Barcelona or at a seaside resort town on Spain’s historic Costa Brava.
In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and festival program briefing before settling in for the night.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2018 | SINGING AND SIGHTSEEING IN BEAUTIFUL BARCELONA
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel followed by a Guided Sightseeing Tour 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, visit imaginative Parc Güell, and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Montjuïc Mountain.
Midday, perform your first Festival Concert at a popular cultural venue such as Pueblo Español, an open-air museum and artisan site, or a beautiful local church. Afterwards, feast on a delicious Catalan-style lunch.
This evening, Festival Friendship Concerts take place in theaters, churches and music halls throughout the region. Choirs from around the world perform concerts for each other and enthusiastic public audiences!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 | MORNING WORSHIP & FESTIVAL CLOSING
After breakfast, your choir is invited to a local church to sing for the Worship Service. It is certainly a treat for the congregation to receive a visiting choir!
Later, choirs are officially recognized for their musical contributions at the Festival Closing Ceremony, held in a venue such as the colorful Theatre of Lloret de Mar. During the ceremony, each choir is invited on stage to perform an individual selection. Then, as a memorable close, choirs join voices to sing a specially composed piece in Catalan accompanied by orchestra and traditional Sardana dancers. The camaraderie of Cantate Barcelona continues into the night with dinner, music and dancing at a formal Fiesta.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2018 | FREE DAY IN BARCELONA
Today, the entire day is free for further exploring Barcelona or venturing further into Catalonia. Your group may want to visit Palau de Musica, one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls, or marvel at architect Antoni Gaudi’s work at La Pedrera or Casa Batlló. Alternatively, historic Girona offers a pleasant day excursion to a picturesque town with a well preserved medieval center, and the religious shrine of Montserrat offers a spectacular setting and sense of tranquility. Tonight, dinner can be arranged upon request.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018 | DEPART CATALONIA
This morning, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport in Barcelona for your flight home or onto your next destination.
Package
Accommodations
•4 nights accommodation in a 3- or 4-star hotel, double occupancy, choice of Barcelona or Costa Brava location
Transportation
•A private, modern motor coach with professional driver for all transportation as described in the itinerary, including round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel
Meals
•Breakfast buffet daily at the hotel
•Welcome Dinner on Friday night
•Catalan-style lunch with other Festival choirs on Saturday
•Fiesta with dinner, music and dancing on Sunday
Tour Manager
•A full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Open-air concert on a public stage in Pueblo Español or other popular setting
•Friendship concert in a regional theater, church or music hall
•Sunday worship service in local church
•Festival Closing Ceremony & Joint Sing in the colorful Theatre of Lloret de Mar or similar cultural center
Local Guides and Special Events
•A local, English-speaking festival guide to assist with festival related activities and events
•Sightseeing tour of Barcelona’s many highlights
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers (31st & 32nd travelers are complimentary), based on single occupancy accommodations
If your choir would like to extend their stay in Spain or elsewhere in Europe and perform additional concerts with customized sightseeing, please inquire. Music Contact International will be happy to provide suggestions and make extension tour arrangements.
Inclusions
Accommodations
•4 nights accommodation in a 3- or 4-star hotel, double occupancy, choice of Barcelona or Costa Brava location
Transportation
•A private, modern motor coach with professional driver for all transportation as described in the itinerary, including round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel
Meals
•Breakfast buffet daily at the hotel
•Welcome Dinner on Friday night
•Catalan-style lunch with other Festival choirs on Saturday
•Fiesta with dinner, music and dancing on Sunday
Tour Manager
•A full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Open-air concert on a public stage in Pueblo Español or other popular setting
•Friendship concert in a regional theater, church or music hall
•Sunday worship service in local church
•Festival Closing Ceremony & Joint Sing in the colorful Theatre of Lloret de Mar or similar cultural center
Local Guides and Special Events
•A local, English-speaking festival guide to assist with festival related activities and events
•Sightseeing tour of Barcelona’s many highlights
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers (31st & 32nd travelers are complimentary), based on single occupancy accommodations
Additional Days and Concerts in Spain
If your choir would like to extend their stay in Spain or elsewhere in Europe and perform additional concerts with customized sightseeing, please inquire. Music Contact International will be happy to provide suggestions and make extension tour arrangements.
Venues
PUEBLO ESPANOL
Your choir will perform a concert in an open air venue such as Pueblo Español, the “Spanish Village” that represents Spain’s 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, Girona’s 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 “Sardana” 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
Extension to Valencia & Madrid
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. And, since Valencia is roughly equidistant between Barcelona and Madrid, if your group has more time to spend in Spain you may enjoy continuing on to Madrid for a few final days.
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona for Valencia. Stop along the way in Tarragona, the lovely Spanish town which houses the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco. 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 THREE
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport in Valencia for your flight home OR continue on to Madrid.
From Valencia, travel northwest by motor coach to Madrid, the political and financial capital of Spain. 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 FOUR
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.
DAY FIVE
Check out of the hotel in Madrid and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Extension to Valencia & Madrid
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. And, since Valencia is roughly equidistant between Barcelona and Madrid, if your group has more time to spend in Spain you may enjoy continuing on to Madrid for a few final days.
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona for Valencia. Stop along the way in Tarragona, the lovely Spanish town which houses the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco. 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 THREE
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport in Valencia for your flight home OR continue on to Madrid.
From Valencia, travel northwest by motor coach to Madrid, the political and financial capital of Spain. 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 FOUR
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.
DAY FIVE
Check out of the hotel in Madrid and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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.
•Current tour itinerary with full descriptions of each day
•Detailed maps of the places you will visit
•Blog platform to communicate with group members
•Recommended 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
•Customized handbook for each person traveling with your choir, including a detailed program and travel information.
•Electrical adapters*
•Luggage tags
•Passport holder*
*for international travelers