Western Reserve Academy Spain and Portugal Performance Tour 2012

Toledo to Cordoba: 16th century windmills fighting against “Don Quixote” in La Mancha

2012-01-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

As you travel southwest from Toledo to Cordoba, you will be crossing the wide area of “La Mancha”, the south part of Castile, Castilla, the land of the castles. This area of Spain is very famous for many reasons, among them: queso manchego (cheese), wineries, windmills, and the most famous Spanish novel character: Don Quixote, the Man of La Mancha.
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Windmills exist in Spain at least since the 9^th century, though usually the ancient peoples would build watermills. At those times, Spain was under the Moorish domination, and this area of La Mancha was called Al-Ansha (meaning: dry or empty earth). In a dry area, watermills were not possible, and therefore windmills started to be built all over the dry central plateau of Spain.

Being the second most mountainous country in Europe (after Switzerland), we have many strong winds areas, which are nowadays covered by modern windmills generating huge amounts of eco-friendly energy. You will cross some of them here and there, and you will also cross the very famous hill of Consuegra: Calderico.

Windmills from the 16^th century, such as these in Consuegra inspired Miguel de Cervantes to create the famous episode of the battle against the giants in his work 'Don Quixote'. Beyond the plain round façade, you can find a smart machinery that made the bread the principal food at those times – and also the windmill owner a rich man and an important position.

In Consuegra, the Calderico ridge is a rocky outcrop which rises above the plain of La Mancha. This is the site of the La Muela or Consuegra castle, which is Muslim in origin but modified and extended during the 12th century by the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. It has three defensive enclosures and has been restored in recent decades.

However this ridge is known above all because it is home to twelve of the thirteen windmills that originally stood here, all of which have been christened with names taken from the immortal work 'Don Quixote'. Four of them still conserve their machinery in good working order. The windmill known as Molino Sancho is particularly interesting and dates from the 16th century. It is used as the venue for the Consuegra Saffron Festival. There is at least one windmill that is almost always open to visitors. So, if you make a stop there, you might have a look to this “different” historical witnesses.

References:

http://www.spain.info/en/

http://www.turismocastillalamancha.com/arte-cultura/monumentos/consuegra/molinos-de-viento-de-consuegra/

http://www.spaincenter.org/turismo/toledo/consuegra-molinos.htm

http://www.consuegra.es

http://web.jet.es/plopezp/index.html

Western Reserve Academy - Confirmed Flight Schedule

2012-01-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

Departure for Europe:

Monday, March 12, 2012 Continental Airlines 1543 leaves Cleveland (CLE) at 4:36 pm arrives in Newark (EWR) at 6:29 pm.
Continental Airlines CO 62 leaves Newark (EWR) at 8:15 pm arrives in Madrid (MAD) at 8:45 am on Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Return to US:
Thursday, March 22, 2012 Continental Airlines CO 65 leaves Lisbon (LIS) at 9:15 am arrives in Newark (EWR) at 1:32 pm.
Continental Airlines CO 51 leaves Newark (EWR) at 4:38 pm arrives in Cleveland (CLE) at 6:20 pm

What Western Reserve Academy and La Rábida Monastery have in common... and how did Columbus dream became a reality.

2012-01-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

Dear travelers,
As a very important event during your Incantato Performing Tour you will be staying in the wonderful Huelva province, south Spain, where you will visit and enjoy La Rábida Monastery. More than this, you will be performing in La Rábida Monastery!
La Rábida Monastery is the First Historical Monument of the Spanish Peoples, as well as Humankind Patrimony and the third declared National Monument in Spain, as early as 1856.
And there is a strong and unique connection between La Rábida and Western Reserve Academy, do you know which one?

Let me quote Doña Margaret Karam to explain it:

“The cross that hangs in our Chapel actually has the name "La Rabida" and formerly hung in the church where Columbus prayed before setting sail...it seems that Spain brought it to the US as part of the World Expo at the turn of the 20th century, and then sold it to pay off bills from that event. A benefactor of the school bought it.”

Have you taken a look at “La Rabida” cross? Surely the Franciscan monks would love to see it again – even in your cell phones or cameras!

Let me add a little about the importance of the Monastery in the Columbus adventure:
LA RÁBIDA: WHERE COLUMBUS DREAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE
After eight years being unsuccessful in Portugal, where Columbus was trying to get royal sponsorship for his new route to “the India”, he arrived into Spain in 1485. Then Columbus decided to leave his son Diego in Huelva, with some family, and to travel to Cordoba, to present his idea to the Catholic Monarchs. But he was not successful either. And this took him six long years.
Poor and without any more possibilities, he came back to Huelva in 1491. Then, in his way to board a boat to France, he stopped in La Rábida Franciscan Monastery, where he would be hosted for free - as he was broken. Here you have a pic of the room where he should stay.
And surprisingly, it was in La Rábida Monastery were Columbus got finally a good audience and the key contacts for his final travel.La Rábida Monks had many links with the sailors’ world, as they were in charge of the religious affairs of all the Atlantic islands. And Columbus explained them all his idea.

You can see this very famous painting from Cano de la Peña depicting this very moment.
Columbus had long conversations with Fr. Marchena, and possibly told his “secret” intentions to Fr. Juan Perez, who gave him a support letter for the Queen Isabella. The Royal answer was an invitation to be received “with new and decent clothes, and a horse” in Granada. The Catholic Monarchs were victorious at the Reconquest final battle in Granada. And there Columbus had a – finally!- successful meeting with Queen Isabella. He told her the “secret” possibilities that this trip could bring... and they signed a contract (Capitulaciones de Santa Fe). Columbus then came back all the way to La Rábida Monastery, to get ready for the most incredible trip of the Era…
As you might suppose, none of the sailors around the area would believe his words, and even when he had the money, he was lacking the crew for this boats… Then the monks were once again the key. They introduced him to Alonso Pinzon, a shipyard owner who had the money and enthusiasm to support Columbus and contacted other VIPs for him. Supposedly, Columbus had to share also with him the “secret” intentions of his adventure to gain his confidence. With all these supports, Columbus could finally enroll a crew for the trip to the unknown America… mostly from the areas nearby La Rábida, Palos de la Frontera…And still for his following sailings, most of the crew were local inhabitants of the area… a long long long sailing tradition!
By the way, do you know the secret intentions that pushed Isabella so much to support Columbus trip? No less than the Lands of the Great Khan, the Mongol Empire! And she was just finishing the “Reconquest” of Spain!

Gentle reminder: Do not forget to obtain travel insurance!

2012-01-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

Dear WRA Travelers,
As indicated on your registration form, it is mandatory for all tour participants to obtain travel insurance to protect your investment in case you have to cancel for a medical situation, loss of luggage or various other reasons.
Our recommended insurance option is described below along with an online link to Travel Guard. We highly recommend this company based on a long and excellent relationship.
TravelGuard has a variety of policies including a family plan.
In order for us to keep track of travel insurance for your group, please sign up through these links connected with Incantato Tours.
Click here to get a Travel Guard Insurance quote.

Travel Insurance

Incantato Tours strongly recommends getting Travel Guard travel insurance for your upcoming journey as they have been a very reliable partner and provide excellent services, but we also know that you may have a different preferred supplier or are already covered under another policy. Again, travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage is mandatory for all Incantato Tours travelers.
Not only are you covered medically should anything happen when traveling, but with TravelGuard's policies, you also protect your investment should you have to cancel or interrupt the trip.There is also coverage for delayed and lost luggage etc.
Here is a direct line to purchase travel insurance online and can you do so with your credit cards and also select the option that is best for you.

In the meantime, have a look at the most comprehensive coverage option The Protect Assist Gold below.

Protect Assist (Gold) -

Comprehensive Travel Protection for the World Traveler

Trip Cancellation
JUST ADDED! - Trip Cancellation due to employment loss or layoff
if employed with the same employer 1 year or longer
Trip Interruption and Travel Delay
Emergency Medical and Emergency Medical Transportation
Baggage and Travel Document Protection
Baggage Delay and Lost Baggage Tracking
NEW - Cancel For Any Reason option now available
NEW - Cancel For Work Reasons option now available
NEW - Children age 17 and under covered at no additional cost
IMPROVED -Trip Cancellation limit increased to $100,000 (from $15,000),
IMPROVED - Trip Interruption coverage increased to 150% of Trip Cost
IMPROVED - Travel Delay required hours reduced to 5 hours (from 12)

ProtectAssist special features:

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Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver*
Default/Bankruptcy Protection*
$50,000 Flight Accident Insurance*
24-Hour "LiveTravel" Travel Agency
Emergency Cash Transfers
Identity Theft Restoration

* These additional benefits apply If you are purchasing within 15 days of making your initial trip deposit or payment, however, coverage may still be purchased at any time up to 24 hours prior to departure.
Increase your coverage with these valuable additions to your Protect Assist Plan:
Cancel For Any Reason – 50% reimbursement of nonrefundable expenses if you cancel your trip for any reason, up to 48 hours prior to your departure. Only available when this plan is purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment.

Cancel For Work Reasons – Offers additional work-related reasons for cancellation or interruption. Also includes our exclusive “Business Assistant” services if you have work obligations during your travels. Only available when this plan is purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment.

Umbrella Package – Medical Expense limits are doubled and coverage is upgraded to primary. Emergency Medical Transportation limits are doubled and benefits upgraded to take you home or to the hospital of your choice. $25,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage will be added

Optional coverages cannot be purchased separately. Must be purchased with base ProtectAssist plan.

Comprehensive non-insurance travel services* automatically included with plan!With the ProtectAssist plan, every customer also has access to these valuable travel services when they travel:
· Arrangements for last-minute flight changes
· Hotel finder and reservations
· Rental car reservations
· Emergency medical assistance
· BagTrak® -- lost baggage tracking
· Pre-trip health and safety advisories
· Live e-mail and phone messaging to family and friends
· Cash transfers
· Airport transportation
· Golf course reservations
· Event ticketing
· Floral services
· Identity Theft restoration

Business Assistant* (available when Optional Cancel for Work Reasons coverage is purchased)

*Non-Insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.

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Citizenship: All Nationalities
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New York, Oregon, and Washington residence please call to purchase
Some rider options are not available and other restrictions may apply
Destination: Worldwide
Ages: All Ages
Max Trip Length: 365 Days

6th January, Wise Men cake and end of Christmas

2012-01-03T16:03:00.001-08:00

"Roscón de Reyes" is a traditional bread cake, served usually the morning of “Reyes” or Epiphany, January 6th. It is the last Christmas event.

"Dia de Reyes" is the day when children in Spain receive gifts in our Christmas time. The Three Wise Men, los Tres Reyes Magos, are the 3 kings who brought baby Jesus gifts. The brought gold, incense and myrrh to him, and now they bring presents to all of us. Even when nowadays most children get some Santa Klaus gift on December 25^th, we mostly keep the tradition of the 3 Wise Men.

These very days, in each city or village of Spain you can join a parade of the Tres Reyes Magos, and many places offer a Reception of one of the 3 Kings – or their page-boys – so that the children can directly ask for their presents… but there is one condition:

If we were good during the year, we receive the presents. If we were bad… they leave just “coal” for us, which is a coal shaped black candy, pure sugar!

And on the very morning of the 6^th, with the presents waiting on us, we eat the Roscón for breakfast all together. And not only this: the roscón has many surprises hidden inside: among others, usually a porcelain figure of a baby wrapped in foil and a dry bean are hidden in the dough. Whoever finds the baby will have good luck and be the king of the party, but if you find the bean - pay for the cake!

In case you want to enjoy a homemade roscón, we have included 2 recipes here: one easy and one difficult, for you to join the Wise Men day with some Spanish taste. We hope you enjoy them!

EASY RECIPE

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Basic ingredients:

400g flour
3 eggs
100g butter
100g sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 liter milk
Zest of 1 lemon
Dried mixed peel for decorating
Salt

Preparation:

Mix the baking powder in a glass with 4 tbsp of the milk then add this to 100g of the flour and mix together until it forms a dough type mixture - cover with a clean tea towel and set aside until it doubles in size.
Place the rest of the flour (300g) in a bowl and add the eggs, sugar, pinch of salt, the rest of the milk and zest of the lemon - mix well then add the butter and continue mixing for a further 2 mins then add the dough mixture - once a smooth dough has been achieved cover and set aside for 2 hour.
After 2 hours knead the mixture a little before placing it on a greased baking tray in the form of a ring. Put some little figures wrapped up in foil inside the mixture and also a broad bean. Whoever finds the bean, according to tradition, can expect to receive coal rather than presents from the Kings. Brush with milk, decorate using the mixed peel, lightly sprinkle with sugar and place in a pre-heated oven (160 degrees) for 15 - 20 min.

DIFFICULT RECIPE

Prep Time: 3 hours

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Ingredients:

4 cups unbleached flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 oz yeast
2/3 cup mixed lukewarm milk and water (of equal parts)
6 Tbsp butter
6 Tbsp sugar
Grated rind of 1 lemon
Grated rind of 1 orange
2 eggs
1 Tbsp brandy
1 Tbsp water
1 egg white, lightly beaten
Candied fruit pieces, cherries, oranges, etc.

Preparation:

Serves 8-10.

Sift flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Make a hole in the center of the flour.
In a small mixing bowl, stir and dissolve the dry yeast in the lukewarm milk-water mixture. Once dissolved, pour the dissolved yeast into the center of the flour. Stir in just enough flour from around the bowl to make a thick batter.
With your hand, grab about a teaspoon of the flour from the side of bowl and sprinkle it over the top of batter. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and leave in a warm place, away from any draft. Allow batter to turn spongy, about 15 minutes.
In a medium-size mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to beat together the butter and sugar. The mixture should be smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Put grated orange and lemon rinds, eggs, brandy and water to the bowl with flour mixture. Mix all. The dough will be sticky.
Beat flour mixture until it is elastic and smooth. Beat in butter-sugar mixture and mix until the dough is smooth. Dough should be formed into a ball, then covered with oiled plastic wrap. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and leave it again in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size. This will take approximately 1.5 hours.
While you are waiting for the dough to rise, grease a large baking sheet with vegetable shortening and set aside for use later. If you will use a baking stone, no need to grease it.
Once dough has doubled, remove plastic wrap and punch dough down. Lightly flour a clean counter or cutting board and place dough on it. Knead for 2-3 minutes. Then, using a rolling pin, roll dough into a long rectangle, about 2 feet long and 5-6 inches wide.
Roll the dough on the long side into a sausage shape. Carefully place the dough onto the large baking sheet or stone and connect the ends together, forming a ring. If you will hide a bean or a small foil-wrapped, ceramic figurine in the cake, now is the time to tuck it under the dough. Cover with oiled plastic wrap again. Leave in a warm place and allow to double in size. This will take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Heat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly beat the egg white in a bowl. Uncover the dough and brush the top of the cake. Decorate the ring with the candied fruit pieces. Push them into the dough slightly so that they do not fall off.
Place in oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on a rack before serving.

In the last half of the 20th century, filling the roscón with whipped cream or thick custard became popular. Today about a third of the roscones sold in Spain are filled. If you want to fill yours, use a bread knife to slice the bread in half horizontally and carefully remove the top. Next, squeeze in the whipped cream or filling you've chosen and carefully replace the top. Keep refrigerated until serving if filled with cream or custard.

Recipies are taken from:

http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/Recipies/christmas/kings-cake.htm

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/r/roscondereyes.htm

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a Wonderful New Year!!

2011-12-29T08:25:00.001-08:00

Dear friends, artists and family:

We wish you wonderful moments, happy holidays and a very special and fulfilling 2012 to you all!!

Here you have Placido Domingo and Josep Carreras singing a Christmas song, which might accompany our wishes and make them come true.

We look forward to make you happy in Spain and Portugal in 2012!!

Best wishes,

Incantato Europe Team

Iberian peninsula at night: See your Itinerary by the NASA

2011-12-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

Dear travelers,

Here you have a wonderful picture from the International Space Station, NASA, in which you will be able to trace your next steps in Spain and Portugal.

We simply took it from the NASA page http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=76777 as we found it so beautiful and different, and a good Christmas image somehow... Below is a passage from the NASA page, thanks to all the NASA team!!

We wish a wonderfully happy and fantastic New Year 2012 for you all!!

"The city lights of Spain and Portugal define the Iberian Peninsula in this photograph from the International Space Station (ISS). Several large metropolitan areas are visible, marked by their relatively large and brightly lit areas, including the capital cities of Madrid, Spain—located near the center of the peninsula’s interior—and Lisbon, Portugal—located along the southwestern coastline. The ancient city of Seville, visible to the north of the Strait of Gibraltar, is one of the largest cities in Spain. The astronaut view is looking toward the east, and is part of a time-lapse series of images.

The network of smaller cities and towns along the coastline and in the interior attest to the extent of the human presence on the Iberian landscape. The blurring of city lights is caused by thin cloud cover (image left and center), while cloud tops are dimly illuminated by moonlight. Though obscured, the lights of France are visible near the horizon line on the upper left, while the lights of northern Africa are more clearly discernable at right. The faint gold and green line of airglow—caused by ultraviolet radiation exciting the gas molecules in the upper atmosphere—parallels the horizon (or Earth limb).

The Iberian Peninsula is the southwestern-most of the European peninsulas (together with the Italian and Balkan peninsulas), and includes the Principality of Andorra, as well as the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic. The approximately 590,000 square kilometer landmass is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest, west, and southwest and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. Its northeastern boundary is marked by the Pyrenees mountain range.

Astronaut photograph ISS030-E-10008 was acquired on December 4, 2011, with a Nikon D3S digital camera using a 24 mm lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment and Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by the Expedition 30 crew. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast. Lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Caption by William L. Stefanov, Jacobs Technology/ESCG at NASA-JSC."

Merry Christmas from Incantato with a special video from our talented Virgil Rosales and his band

2011-12-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

A glimpse of Spain at the holidays

2011-12-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

On December 22 almost everyone in Spain takes part in the Christmas Lottery, and prizes are celebrated in style out in the streets.

Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25) brings families together. Traditional dishes such as lamb and sea bream are prepared, along with seasonal desserts such as turrón (rich sweet made with almonds), polvorones (crumbly shortbread) and marzipan.
Many attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, to commemorate the birth of Jesus.

December 28, the Day of the Santos Inocentes, where people play pranks on each other similar to those of April Fools’ Day. Novelty items purchased at street markets add to the entertainment.

Bid farewell to the year with the New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31. Tradition has it that you have to eat 12 grapes one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on December 31. If you manage to eat all the grapes on time, you are in for a year of prosperity and good luck. People gather at the clock towers in their towns or cities (usually found in the main square) to toast and welcome in the New Year. Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid is a popular place to spend New Year's Eve. Thousands of people decked out with hats and squawkers joyfully toast in the New Year. Celebrations continue throughout the night at hotels, bars and clubs throughout Spain.

Another tradition is found in Alcoy, where young and old alike anticipate Christmas and the arrival of the Three Wise Men with special excitement. On the Sunday before January 6 (Epiphany), a children’s parade called “les Pastoretes” (the little shepherds) is held. Children dressed up as shepherds parade with their flocks to give gifts to the new-born Baby Jesus. Excitement builds until January 4 when the Royal Envoy reads a royal proclamation announcing the coming of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, The Envoy is accompanied by “les Burretes,” small donkeys that carry letterboxes where the children put their letters to the Three Wise Men.

Finally, when night falls on January 5, the Three Wise Men make their spectacular entry into Alcoy, riding camels, loaded with presents. Torch bearers (antorcheros) light the way as the Wise Men ride through the streets of the town. Christmas carols fill the air as the royal pages (“les negres”) hand out presents to the children.

To read more about holiday traditions in Spain, visit www.spain.info/en/reportajes/un_viaje_a_espana_el_regalo_perfecto_para_sus_navidades.html

To learn more about New Year's Eve in Spain, visit www.spain.info/en/reportajes/nochevieja_en_espana.html

To find out more about the Three Wise Men visit www.spain.info/en/vive/fiestas/alicante/cabalgata_de_los_reyes_magos.html

Fado, singing blue in Portugal

2011-12-19T22:49:00.000-08:00

A shawl, a guitar, a voice and heartfelt emotion. These are the ingredients of Fado, the celebrated form of world music that captures what it is to be Portuguese. Fado is probably the oldest urban folk music in the world and represents the heart of the Portuguese soul.

Listening to Fado is like visiting Lisbon, meeting the Portuguese people, those that once upon a time faced the unknown sea. This type of music that connected nobles, vagabonds and seafarers, is still nowadays a shared passion by all Portuguese.

Fado has been recognized last November 2011 by the UNESCO as Inmaterial Humankind Patrimony.

TYPES OF FADO

Fado can be performed by men or women, although the raw emotion of the female fadista is nearly always preferred. Dressed in black with a shawl draped over her shoulders, a fadista stands in front of the musicians and communicates through gesture and facial expressions. The hands move, but the body remains stationary. It’s a solemn and majestic performance.

Traditionally accompanied by the Portuguese guitar, there are many ways of singing the Fado. It can range from the faster Fado corrido of Mouraria, to the impromptu singing known as ‘desgarrada’, or the mournful music of the students of Coimbra. And the well known Fado Vadio (Vagrant Fado), which is characterized by the place where it was born and sang for so long, the streets!

There are two main varieties of fado, namely those of the cities of Lisbon and Coimbra. The Lisbon style is the most popular, while Coimbra's is the more refined style. Some of their characteristics are that in Lisbon it is always sung by a solo performer on the contrary, in Coimbra it is often performed by groups of male university students. Both are accompanied by two guitarists, one playing the melody on a twelve-stringed Portuguese guitar and the other supplying the rhythm on the six-stringed viola. In Coimbra we find the usual Fado’s sad style, but with different motivations and also based in the medieval songs called trovas.

Inspiration for Fado can come from almost any source, with predominance of themes like: destiny, deep-seated feelings, disappointments in love, the sense of sadness and longing for someone who has gone away, the sea, the life of sailors and fishermen, and last but not least “Saudade” (one of the main themes used in
fado, that means a kind of longing).

POSSIBLE ORIGINS OF FADO

The word Fado comes from the Latin fatum, which means fate or destiny. Fado, in a certain way, represents better than anything the spirit of the Portuguese people: the belief in destiny as something that overwhelms us and from which we can't escape, the domination of the soul and heart over reason, which leads to acts of passion and despair, and reveal such a black and beautiful sorrow. There are many theories about the origin of Fado, like:

Fado has its origin in Moorish songs; Moors kept living near Lisbon even after the Christian take-over. The melancholy of those songs and the referral in many lyrics to Mouraria strengthen this theory.
Fado arrived to Portugal with the sailors returning from their long trips (1822), under the form of Lundum (the music of the Brazilian slaves). Lundum only after a while started modifying until it became the Fado. The first lundum songs related to the sea and the lands far beyond them, where the slaves lived. Then, one of Amália's Fados, called "The Black Boat" talks precisely of a senzala (place where the slaves were kept).
The melancholy character of Fado evolved from Portuguese seafarers who sang of home during their long absences at sea.
Fado was born in the Middle Ages. As cantigas de amigo (friend songs) are a good example of it. They were love songs dedicated to a woman and have great similarities with diverse subjects of the Fado of Lisbon. Also with the Fado of Coimbra, where the students intone their songs beneath the window of the loved one (serenades).

HISTORY OF FADO

Fado became popular thanks to the singer Maria Severa who lived in the first half of the 19th century and died at the age of 26. She made this type of song famous in aristocratic circles through her romance with the Count of Vimioso. Her life later became the subject of Portugal's first sound movie in 1931. To this day, female performers wear a black shawl in her memory and her life story has been the influence of several Fado songs, poems, novels, and plays.

By the early twentieth century, Fado had become a fixture in the everyday life of Lisbon’s working class. It was played for pleasure and also to relieve the pain of life. Fadistas, skilled singers that performed at the end of the day and long into the night. Fado was the earthly music of taverns, brothels and street corners mainly in Alfama, Mouraria, Bairro Alto and Madragoa. Fado reached its golden era in the first half of the 20th century, when the Portuguese dictatorship of Salazar (1926-1968) forced the fado performers to become professional and confined them to sing in the fado houses and the so called "revistas", a popular genre of "vaudeville". The main names of this period were: Alfredo Marceneiro, Amália Rodrigues, Maria Teresa de Noronha and Armandinho and Jaime Santos (guitar players).

From the 1940’s until 1999 Fado was shown to the world through the voice of one amazing artist, Amália Rodrigues, the towering figure of Portuguese fado. In the 20th century she made Fado known beyond Portugal, performing all over Europe, Japan, South America, and even in the United States, in New York's "La Vie en Rose" in the 1950s. When she died the country’s prime minister called for three days of national mourning, and as a national icon, she was buried in Lisbon's National Pantheon.

Amália has found a worthy successor in Mariza, who takes Fado to an even wider audience. Other very important names of Fado are Maria da Fé, Hermínia Silva, Argentina Santos and Carlos do Carmo.

Nowadays in Portugal, the younger generation respects fado but isn’t dedicated to it. Contemporary fado musicians like Misia have introduced the music to performers such as Sting. Cristina Branco, Dulce Pontes, Camané, Mafalda Arnauth and Katia Guerreiro are other sonant artists that keep Fado alive, and brought with them a new look to the traditional song, occasionally reviving 19th century fado. Amendoeira.

And also please note that despite Fado being a symbol of the Portuguese nationality, it is, by no means, the national song. From region to region, Portugal possesses several rich and typical folklores of each geographical area that have nothing to do with Fado. Perhaps we can, if you want, to say that this will be the form of folklore of Lisbon, Oporto and Coimbra. However, it is appreciated and recognized in all the Portuguese country as a symbol. This is the spirit of fado, the expression of a collective soul, made of each one's soul.

Sources: Clube de fado, www.fado.com, Historia do Fado, Pinto do Carvalho, A history of the Portuguese Fado , Paul Vernon,…

Fun and interesting facts about Lisbon, Portugal

2011-10-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and is full of beauty and charm. However, don't scrape the surface thinking it's just like any other place. Lisbon has it's list of interesting secrets too.

In Lisbon, the streets are pretty much all black and white. People say the reason for this centers around the patron Saint of Lisbon; Saint Vincent. It's said that the black represents the attire worn by Saint Vincent whereas the white represents the white outfit of the Christian Crusaders who vanquished the Moors.
The main river basin of the Tagus Estuary in Lisbon stretches up to 14km across and is said to be large enough to contain all the warships in the world.
Beneath the streets of Lisbon's downtown shopping area lies a hidden Roman Underworld with chambers, rooms, bridges and corridors. The entrance to this fascinating world is marked by a block of metal at the top of Rua da Conceicao which is only open to the public two days a year due to the dangerous conditions lurking below.
Lisbon was practically destroyed on 1st November 1755 as a massive earthquake tipping the scales at 8.9 took the lives of 40,000 people and could be felt as far away as Scotland and Norway.
Visit on of Lisbon's favorite attractions; the Torre de Belem. The tower's first purpose was to safeguard the harbor but from the late 16th century up till the 19th, the tower served as a prison. Today however, it serves as a monument to Portugal's Age of Discovery and it provides a beautiful panoramic view of the city.
Lisbon is also known as "the town of seven hills" which are compromised of the seven hills: Castelo, Graca, Monte, Penha de Franca, S.Pedro de Alcantara, Santa Catarina and Estrela.
Instead of hiking, why not take a one of a kind The Ascensor de Santa Justa (street elevator). This is another beloved landmark which takes passengers 45meteres from the Baxia elevator to the Chiado district.
A very large statue of Cristo Rei (Christ the King) stands on the left bank of the river. This statue was erected to commemorate Portugal's survival of World War II without its direct involvement.
Ironically, The Alfama, which is the oldest section of Lisbon, was spared by the 1755 earthquake and is one of the places to really go if you want to see Lisbon full of history.
Lisbon is home to the Stadium of Light, one of Europe's biggest and famous soccer venues in which the main sporting team Benfica play their home game at.

In Columbus' footsteps - Huelva

2011-10-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Huelva and its environs is a Mecca for those interested in Christopher Columbus, with a number of significant tourist attractions relating to the famous explorer. Cristóbal Colón (as he is known in Spain), is thought by most to have been born in Genoa, Italy around 1451. After years of seeking funding support for an expedition which was to find a sea route to Asia, Columbus finally came to an agreement with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. They would (along with a number of Italian financiers) back his expedition in return for dominion over the any new lands. Columbus would be awarded titles and, of course, a percentage of any fortune that was made. The rest, of course, is world history.

La Rábida, Palos de la Frontera and Moguer are three of the key sites in the Columbus story, which lie along the eastern bank of the Rio Tinto estuary and can be visited in a 40 km return trip from Huelva. At least 10 buses a day run from Huelva bus station to La Rabida and Palos de la Frontera, many of them continuing to Moguer.

La Rábida is where Columbus stayed between 1491-92 waiting for financial backing from the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, for his voyage to the New World. The monastery was constructed in 1412 on the site of a Moorish stronghold; 'rábida' is a Arabic word meaning fortress. Its Moorish influences can still be seen in its Mudéjar architecture, including the fine cloister. The monastery has a 14th-century Gothic-Mudéjar church, where Captain Martín Alonso Pinzón, from Palos de la Frontera, who sailed with Columbus in one of his ships, is buried.

La Rábida was damaged by the Lisbon earthquake in 1755 and was left derelict in 1835 only to be restored a few decades later. It reopened in 1856 when it was declared a national monument. In 1920 Fransican monks returned to the convent and monks continue to live there today. The monastery, surrounded by magnificent botanical gardens full of exotic plants, is worth visiting for its museum detailing the discovery of the New World and Columbus's life. Also worth seeing are the murals in one of the monastery's rooms that depict Columbus's life, which were painted by the renowned local artist Daniel Vásquez Díaz in the 1930s. In the chapel is an alabaster statue of the Virgen de los Milagros (Virgin of Miracles), to which Columbus and his crew are said to have prayed. It is still venerated today, as the patron of neighbouring Palos de la Frontera. Every August the statue is taken to Palos for the town's religious festivities. In the Banderas room are flags from all the Latin American countries, along with a casket of earth from each.

Fun and interesting facts: Seville

2011-10-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

According to legend, Seville was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. It was called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya with the Moors. Its high point in its history was following the discovery of America.

Seville lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe, it has the minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom), and the Alcázar Palace. Part of its treasure include Casa de Pilatos, Torre del Oro, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain), plus convents, parish churches and palaces.

In Seville, you will want to visit the old city, with the Cathedral and the Giralda tower at its heart. (You can climb the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view of the City). Very close by are the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvellous gardens and the Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades and hidden patios... Other sights not to be missed are, in the old city, the Casa de Pilatos, a large sixteenth-century mansion where Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance styles blend harmoniously amidst exuberant patios and gardens and, crossing the Triana bridge over the large Guadalquívir River, the lively popular quarter of Triana with charming narrow streets around the church of Santa Ana and traditional ceramic factories.

Seville has a rich and fascinating history. The Romans governed the whole of Spain for more than six centuries. Their first colony was Italica which may still be visited today.

The Romans changed the face of the countryside and towns, building aqueducts and long straight roads to link the major towns. Today some of the best preserved artifacts from this period can be found at the city's magnificent Archaelogical Museum.

But it was the Moslem civilization which was to have the most lasting impact on the city. Their reign lasted for nearly 800 years in Andalucia from 711 until 1492 when the Catholic monarchs defeated the Moslem kingdom of Granada.

Some of the city's most magnificent buildings stand as a legacy to this era, including the Torre del Oro, Torre de Plata, Giralda, Patio de los Naranjos, the area of Triana, the Macarena Walls and the Alcazar. Later the the mudejares used their skill to create beautiful Moorish-style buildings, such as the Palacio Pedro 1, part of Seville's Reales Alcazres. There are several Mudejar churches dating from this period, including the Iglesia de San Marcos, the Iglesia de Santa Catalina and the Church of San Pedro.

Sevillano: Pride and Prejudice

Sevillanos are very well-known, throughout Spain and the wider world, for their fierce pride in their city. They are, first and foremost, from Seville; secondly, from Andalucia; and a distant third, from Spain. What's going on in Madrid are of little interest to a Sevillano, while Barcelona may as well be in another country. For them, life revolves around tapas, bullfighting, Semana Santa and Feria. In the summer, there´s the beach - in Cadiz or Huelva regions and all winter long, they discuss and plan their Feria outfit endlessly - colour, cut, hem length and accessories, with the atmosphere reaching fever pitch as Spring arrives and the whirlwind of Seville´s annual social events season gets under way. Sevillanos see no need to venture beyond their Sevilla, where things stay the same year after year, and change is not generally welcomed. Visitors to Seville will find this attitude both endearing and exasperating, but always intriguing.

Fact about Toledo - a city with extensive cultural and monumental heritage

2011-10-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

Toledo is a municipality located in central Spain, 70 km south of Madrid. It is the capital of the province of Toledo and also the capital of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures.

Many famous people and artists were born or lived in Toledo, including Al-Zarqali, Garcilaso de la Vega, Eleanor of Toledo, Alfonso X and El Greco. It was also the place of important historic events such as the Visigothic Councils of Toledo. The city has a population of 78,618 and an area of 89.59 square miles.

Having been populated since the Bronze Age, Toledo (Toletum in Latin) gained relevance during Roman times, being a main commercial and administrative center in the roman province of Tarraconensis. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Toledo served as the capital city of Visigothic Spain, beginning with Liuvigild (Leovigild), and was the capital of Spain until the Moors conquered Iberia in the 8th century.

Under the Caliphate of Cordoba, Toledo enjoyed a golden age. This extensive period is known as La Convivencia, i.e. the co-existence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Under Arab rule, Toledo was called Tulaytulah. After the fall of the Caliphate, Toledo was the capital city of one of the richest Taifa Muslim kingdoms of Al-Andalus, and, because of its central location in the Iberian Peninsula, Toledo took a central position in the struggles between the Muslim and Christian rulers of northern Spain. Remains of Roman circus at Toledo. On May 25, 1085 Alfonso VI of Castile took Toledo and established direct personal control over the Moorish city from which he had been exacting tribute, and ending the mediaeval Taifa's Kingdom of Toledo. This was the first concrete step taken by the combined kingdom of Leon-Castile in the Reconquista by Christian forces. After castilian conquest Toledo remained as a main cultural centre; its Arab libraries weren't savaged, and a tag-team translation centre was established, in which books in Arabic would be translated from Arabic or Hebrew to Spanish by Arab and Jewish scholars, and from Spanish to Latin by castilian scholars, thus letting the old-lost knowledge spread through Christian Europe again.

For some time during the 16th century, Toledo served as the capital city of Castile, and the city flourished. However, soon enough the Spanish court was moved first to Valladolid and then to Madrid, thus letting the city's relevance dwindle until the late 20th century, when it was established as the capital city of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Nevertheless, the economic decline of the city helped to preserve its cultural and architectural patrimony.

Today, because of its rich heritage, Toledo is one of Spain's foremost cities, receiving thousands of visitors yearly. Toledo's Alcázar (Arabicized Latin word for palace-castle) became renowned in the 19th and 20th centuries as a military academy. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 its garrison was famously besieged by Republican forces.
Toledo's cuisine is the cuisine Castilla-rooted in its traditions and is closely linked to hunting and grazing. A good number of recipes is the result of the combination of Moorish and Christian influences. Among his specialties include the lamb roast or stew, as cuchifrito, and beans with partridge or stewed partridge, the carcamusas, the crumbs, the porridge Mancha and the tortilla to the lean. Two of the foods that have brought fame to the city of Toledo are the Manchego cheese and marzipan, which has a denomination of origin itself, the marzipan of Toledo.

City facts about Madrid

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is the third-most populous municipality in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the third-most populous in the European Union after Paris and London.
Its sister city in the USA is New York City.
Madrid is home to Real Madrid, who plays in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid is one of the most prestigious soccer clubs in the world, having won a record 9 European Soccer Cups.
The city bid to host the 1972 Summer Olympics, the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the 2016 Summer Olympics, which were lost to Munich, London, and Rio de Janeiro respectively.
Madrid hosts the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world centre of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000.
The Auditorio Nacional de Música is the main venue for classical music concerts in Madrid, is home to the Spanish National Orchestra, the Chamartín Symphony Orchestra and the venue for the symphonic concerts of the Community of Madrid Orchestra and the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.
The Royal Botanic Garden or Real Jardin Botanico was an 18th century creation. It was used as a base for the plant species being collected across the globe.

Welcome to Spain!

2011-10-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco.

With an area of 504,030 km², Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France. Since January 1, 2010, Spain has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Because of its location, the territory of Spain was subject to many external influences, often simultaneously, since prehistoric times and through the dawn of Spain as a country. Conversely, the country itself has been an important source of influence to other regions, chiefly during the Modern Era, when it became a global empire that has left a legacy of over 400 million Spanish speakers today, making it the world's second most spoken language by native speakers. Spain is a democracy organized in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy.

Spain is a developed country with the ninth or tenth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and very high living standards.

Unforgettable Tour Impressions - by Cathleen McKinzie

2010-04-29T15:42:00.001-07:00

Welcome Home - now share your favorite moments via your blog

2010-03-29T01:01:00.000-07:00

Benvenuti a casa, welcome home dear members of the WRA 2010 Performance Tour to Italy. We sure hope you get some rest now, but also encourage you to send us your favorite pictures to info@incantatotours.com so we can add them to the blog for everyone else to see and enjoy. You can also add them directly and will be receiving an invite to contribute to the blog shortly (assuming we have your email address). We look forward to hearing from you soon. Arriverderci, Sandra & Team

WRA Incantato Highlight Concert in Calvi: Stabat Mater I

2010-03-28T00:20:00.001-07:00

WRA Incantato Highlight Concert in Calvi: Keep your lamps

2010-03-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

All aboard - WRA is homeward bound

2010-03-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

Arriverderci! We hope to see you again! Incantato Tour Manager Stefania and Bus Driver Massimo bid farewell to the Western Reserve Academy Choir, Ensemble and their families as they left from Rome airport early on Sunday morning. The group under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Karam and Mr. Edward Wiles is expected to arrive in Cleveland in the evening. We wish them a very safe return home.

Quick WRA update from Italy: Great finale concert and a fun farewell

2010-03-27T13:11:00.001-07:00

The last day of the WRA Italy Performance Tour 2010 was action-packed with the highlight being the group's finale performance during Palm Saturday High Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The day and journey then concluded with a fun farewell dinner at the Antica Hostaria Romana, a gourmet restaurant located within the former catacombs. More information and pictures will be added here soon from the Incantato team, but hopefully also from the actual travelers. Buena notte and a save journey home to everyone tomorrow.

WRA finale Italy Performance Tour venue: St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Saturday, March 27

2010-03-27T00:19:00.000-07:00

What a perfect way to end the 2010 Western Reserve Academy Performance Tour to Italy - the choir and ensemble under the direction of Mrs. Karam and Mr. Wiles, are the featured guest performers for High Mass on Palm Saturday, March 27, at 5:00 pm. The musicians from Hudson, Ohio who are traveling with Incantato Tours from March 17 through March 28, will be concertizing right near the beautiful Altar of the Chair.
Here is some information on this amazing place:
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter is located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is the symbolic "Mother church" of the Catholic Church and is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".
In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction of the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.
St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564), an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Michelangelo took over a building site at which four piers, enormous beyond any constructed since the days of Ancient Rome, were rising behind the remaining nave of the old basilica. He also inherited the numerous schemes designed and redesigned by some of the greatest architectural and engineering brains of the 16th century.
Incidentally there are over 100 tombs within St. Peter's Basilica, many located in the Vatican grotto, beneath the Basilica. These include 91 popes, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, and the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Exiled Catholic British royalty James Francis Edward Stuart and his two sons, Charles Edward Stuart and Henry Benedict Stuart, are buried here, having been granted asylum by Pope Clement XI. The most recent interment was Pope John Paul II, on April 8, 2005.

Full house for Western Reserve Academy Choir & Ensemble in Calvi

2010-03-26T01:16:00.000-07:00

What a special night it was for the WRA singers and musicians! The students performed to a full house in the beautiful baroque church of Calvi dell'Umbria, a small town perched high upon the hill where the mayor had warmly welcomed them with a special tour prior to the performance and a reception afterwards in the town hall. The audience was very moved by the concert and rewarded the groups under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Karam with minute-long applause. Vice-Mayor Luca thanked the travelers for coming to his town and hoped that the students one day return with their own families. "It was our honor to have you here tonight. Thank you for sharing your gift of music, we will never forget you." As a special souvenir, Mrs. Karam also received a painting that was created during the concert by local artist Valvan. He titled it "Libertà!".

First impressions from the WRA Highlight Concert in Calvi

2010-03-26T00:56:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for the big concert

2010-03-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

What a fun morning the WRA travelers had with a visit to a local cheese farm and olive oil mill, followed by a Gregorian Chant workshop and pizza making at the agriturismo of the Artmonastery. After a little rest at the hotel, the 39 will be treated to a special Calvi dell'Umbria visit by the mayor of the hilltop town and then present their highlight concert in the beautiful Church of Santa Maria Assunta. If the internet allows it, pictures and videos will be up latest tomorrow. Arriverderci, Sandra from Incantato

Impromptu Singing at the Cheese Farm

2010-03-25T01:31:00.000-07:00

Your Home away from Home: Hotel La Pergola in Umbria

2010-03-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

One of Incantato's trademarks is to take our groups slightly of the beaten path a day or two during their Performance Tours for a full immersion into the country they are visting. When the WRA Choir and Ensemble stops for two nights in Umbria en-route from Tuscany to Rome, the singers, their family and friends are in for a real treat when staying at the country hotel "La Pergola" nearby the charming hilltop towns of Orvieto and Calvi dell'Umbria. This charming boutique hotel has a rich history as it was once upon a long time an overnight stop for the postal carriers, and is known near and far for its excellent cuisine. We hope you will be incantato with our selection, which means enchanted, bewitched!
Now may the fight over the best rooms begin...

WRA Concert Venue: Santa Maria Assunta Church in Calvi dell'Umbria on Thursday, March 25

2010-03-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

On March 25 at 8:30 pm, Incantato Tours & Concerts is going to present WRA at Santa Maria Assunta Church in Calvi dell'Umbria.

Calvi dell'Umbria is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Terni in the Italian region Umbria, located about 80 km south of Perugia and about 20 km southwest of Terni. The area was inhabited in Roman times, but developed as an urban center only in the High Middle Ages. Calvi was a fief of the Orsini and then of the Anguillara families. The main attractions are the church of Santa Maria, with an elegant Late Renaissance baptisal font, and the church of Sant'Antonio. In the neighborhood are the remains of a convent erected by St. Francis in the early 13th century.

The picture is from the official website of the town.

Fun Times on Tour - New Pictures from Italy

2010-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

WRA Tour Blogger Martha Miller reports from Italy: Montecatini and Pisa

2010-03-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

Again we are on a bus! Although we're staying in the same hotel in Montecatini, (which is gorgeous) we are travelling around to see different cities in the area.

Yesterday, after our three and a half hour bus ride, we finally arrived in Montecatini and got settled into our previously-mentioned hotel. We then set out to walk around Montecatini. It's probably one of my favorite cities we've visited so far. Unlike Venice and Verona, it is not as crowded as the other cities we visited, and we arrived right at lunchtime, so the streets were especially open. After eating lunch, we were left to wander the city in groups, some visiting the markets before coming back to the hotel to do a rehearsal for our big concert on Thursday. Then it was time for dinner, and off to bed.

This morning after breakfast, we took a bus to just outside Pisa, and then took a local bus into the place itself. It was amazing! We saw the Tower while we were standing waiting to get into the Duomo di Pisa. Once inside, we were allowed to perform at the front altar, an amazing experience! Many groups stopped to watch and listen, and seemed to really enjoy the concert, even if we couldn't understand their words.

Now we have just arrived in Lucca, where we will have a guided tour and then eat what will undoubtedly be a delicious dinner. Even the most picky of our group have been enjoying meals, and are looking forward to several more days in Italy!

WRA Tour first pictures from the Kids - Venice

2010-03-22T03:24:00.001-07:00

Day 6 of the WRA Tour: Visiting Pisa

2010-03-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

The WRA Choir and Ensemble, along with their families and friends are at the half-way point of their 2010 Italy Performance Tour. Today, the group under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Karam and Mr. Edward Wiles is visiting Pisa and Lucca. Incantato Tours got the singers permission for a recital in the beautiful Duomo di Pisa, the most important cathedral. A special farm house dinner with Tuscan specialities awaits them in the evening.

The present inclination of the Leaning Tower, Pisas most important sight, is measured to be about 10 percent. The reason behind the inclination still remains a mystery. However, it is believed that the inclination was due to the subsidence of the foundation soil, which was a mixture of varied deposits and clayish material.
Pisa was the birthplace of the important early physicist, Galileo Galilei.
Pisa's origins remained unknown for centuries. The presence of an Etruscan (civilization of ancient Italy) necropolis (large cemetery), discovered during excavations in the Arena Garibald (mulit-use stadium) in 1991, allowed to clarify its Etruscan origins.
The city has two sister-cities in the USA: Niles, Illinois, and Coral Gables, Florida.
Football is the main sport in Pisa; the local team, Pisa Calcio, currently plays in the Italian Serie B (second-highest division), and has had a top flight history throughout the 1980s and the 1990s, featuring several world class players such as Diego Simeone, Christian Vieri and Dunga.
Pisa is also known for its excellent university, which was established in 1343 and has become one of Italy's top schools.

WRA Tour first pictures from the Kids

2010-03-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

WRA Tour Blogger Martha Miller reports from Italy

2010-03-21T05:52:00.001-07:00

Hello from a bus in the middle of Italy! Not the exact middle, but we are driving from the north more towards the middle part of Italy. We took our two-hour bus drive down to Verona yesterday with our wonderful bus driver and guide, and saw many farms out the window in that time. The bus drive felt oddly short as we pulled up in Verona and began our first adventures in an Italian city with a new added twist--there were cars everywhere! Unlike Venice, we had to be aware of cars and motorbikes driving up and down the streets, and we found that crosswalks in Verona last less time than the infamous crosswalk across Main Street in Hudson, leaving some of us on the other side of the street.

We ate lunch inside an old church that had been renovated, St. Matthew's Church. It was there that we really noticed for the first time how long Italian meals are--we ate for almost two and a half hours! After we finished, we met with our local guide and got a beautiful walking tour of Verona, complete with a very deep history of Verona. We started at the Gate of Jupiter and ended inside 'Juliet's House'--the house supposedly of the Capulets from Shakespeare's play. After that we were given some free time to walk around Verona's crowded streets before meeting back by the amphitheatre--yes, Verona has one too but it's not as big as Coliseum in Rome. It's actually the third largest in Italy.

We drove to our hotel and got settled in before heading out to Valeggio sul Mincio, a small village beyond Verona's city limits, for dinner. All of the kids went to a pizzeria with our guide and had delicious pizzas while the rest of the adults had some alone time for a nice quiet dinner (quite the gift on a trip like this one). Then we all met together at our bus and went back to the hotel to go to sleep.

This morning we got up and began our three hour trek to Montecatini, where we will have most of the day to ourselves before diving back into the intense touring once again!

p.s. Our apologies for mixing up Martha's first name

Fun Facts about Verona

2010-03-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Verona is the setting of the story of "Romeo and Juliet". Although the earliest version of the story is set in Siena, not Verona, a balcony claiming historical connection to the fictional lovers has become a tourist attraction for lovers.
Because of the value and importance of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Roman city with its basalt-paved roads is mostly hidden from view it stands virtually intact about 6 m below the surface. Most palazzi and houses have cellars built on Roman artifacts that are unfortunately rarely accessible to visitors.
Verona is famous for its Roman amphitheatre, the Arena, completed around 30 AD, which is the third largest in Italy, after Rome's Colosseum and the arena at Capua. It could seat some 25,000 spectators!
A son of the city, singer Gigliola Cinquetti, brought Italy its first Eurovision Song Contest in 1964.
Verona was the town that Julius Caesar selected for his relaxing stays.
Verona has several partnerships and twinnings around the world. In the USA: Fresno and Albany.

WRA visits the Charming Town of Valeggio sul Mincio on Saturday, March 20

2010-03-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

WRA is visiting Valeggio sul Mincio, a charming litte town nearby Verona this evening.

Incantato Tours has some information for WRA about the beautiful town: Valeggio sul Mincio is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto, located about 120 km west of Venice and about 25 km southwest of Verona. It is crossed by the Mincio river. The economy is mostly based on agriculture, with some craftwork and industrial production. The main sight is the Ponte Visconteo ("Visconti Bridge"), a fortified dam built in 1393 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan. The bridge is 650 m (0.4 miles) long and 25 m (0.016 miles) wide. It was connected to the nearby Scaliger Castle by two tall merloned walls, and integrated in the fortified complex known as Serraglio which extended for 16 km (about 10 miles) in the Veronese plain up to Nogarole Rocca.

The picture is from the official website of the town.

WRA Tour Blogger Martha Miller reports from Italy

2010-03-20T01:44:00.000-07:00

The WRA tour group arrived in Venice two days ago, after several hours on three different planes. We met up with our guide, and put our bags in the hotel before beginning our tour of the city of Venice. It's confusing! The streets tend to mostly all look the same, and the shops all blur together in a mish-mash of masks, food vendors and 'I -heart- Venice' shirts. We walked through the Jewish ghettos--the first ghettos in Europe--and finally got to have our first lunch in Rialto Bridge. Afterwards we continued to St. Mark's Square. A large group of us had the wonderful oppourtunity to go on a gondola, and it really sunk in that we were in Venice! After a delicious dinner we went back to the hotel to collapse into bed.

Our second day was spent mostly in St. Mark's area, taking tours of Doge's Palace and the St. Mark's Basilica. We also visited a Venetian glass factory, where we saw a professional glass-maker make a vase in about five minutes flat right before our eyes! Afterwards we were allowed to wander and visit some of the museums in St. Mark's Square. Finally it was time for our concert inside St. Mark's Basilica for mass. Although it was absolutely freezing inside and the crowd was small, the concert sounded beautiful and we moved off to our celebratory dinner. Finally we went back to the hotel to fall back into our beds.

Today we are driving two hours by bus to Verona, and after the long walks around the winding bridges of Venice we're looking forward to some time sitting down!

p.s. Our apologies for mixing up Martha's first name

WRA Tour Day 4: Verona in Juliet's Footsteps

2010-03-20T01:31:00.000-07:00

Quick update from Venice where the WRA is getting ready to leave by putting their suitcases on the boat to the bus parking lot. "Tutto bene", reported tour manager Stefania this morning and tour blogger Hannah asked her to pass on that she will use the bus time to Verona to send pictures and updates. On today's agenda is a guided tour of Verona, a group luncheon and a special excursion to Valeggio sul Mincio in the evening. Arriverderci!

Fun Facts about Venice

2010-03-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

Venice has been described by the "Times Online" as being one of Europe's most romantic cities.
Italian baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) is Venice' most famous son.
The city has an average of 50,000 tourists a day
The Republic of Venice seized a number of locations on the eastern shores of the Adriatic before 1200, mostly for commercial reasons, because pirates based there were a menace to trade.
By the late thirteenth century, Venice was the most prosperous city in all of Europe. At the peak of its power and wealth, it had 36,000 sailors operating 3,300 ships, dominating Mediterranean commerce.
The newly-invented German printing press spread rapidly throughout Europe in the fifteenth century, and Venice was quick to adopt it. By 1482 Venice was the printing capital of the world, and the leading printer was Aldus Manutius, who invented the concept of paperback books that could be carried in a saddlebag.
The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced wood piles, which were imported from the mainland. Under water, in the absence of oxygen, wood does not decay.
The city has been a setting for numerous films and music videos, such as the James Bond series "From Russia with Love", "Moonraker" and "Casino Royale". Furthermore you might have seen a Venice location in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", "The Italian Job", "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider", and Madonna's song "Like a Virgin".
Venetian cuisine is obviously characterized by fish, but not only: the products of the gardens of the islands, the mainland rice, game, fishing in the northern Adriatic and polenta.

First words from Italy: "Venice is beautiful"

2010-03-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

As the choir and ensemble is getting ready for the first performance of the WRA 2010 Italy Tour, Mrs. Margaret Karam shared lots of good news over the phone. "The first day was wonderful, and Venice is just beautiful. We saw so much and were exhausted by bedtime. Several kids even went on gondola rides." Incantato Tour Manager Stefania took the group on a special walking tour of Venice (a good 3,5 miles) on their arrival day and helped negotiate special entrance fees to the Doge's Palace - a special treat by WRA. Karam: "The guide was outstanding, we learnt a lot." Since it was less than an hour away from the concert, it was a short phone. Karam: "We sure look forward to the first concert at St. Mark's Basilica, the kids are very very excited. Ciao Ciao!"

WRA first Italy Performance Tour venue: Basilica di San Marco in Venice, Friday, March 19

2010-03-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Incantato Tours proudly presents the first WRA Italy Performance Tour venue: the Basilica di San Marco in Venice will welcome you on Friday, March 19, at 6:45 pm.

The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It lies on Piazza San Marco adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).
The first St Mark's was a temporary building in the Doge's Palace, constructed in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria. This was replaced by a new church on its present site in 832; from the same century dates the first St Mark's Campanile (bell tower). The new church was burned in a rebellion in 976, rebuilt in 978 and again to form the basis of the present basilica since 1063.
The spacious interior of the building with its multiple choir lofts was the inspiration for the development of a Venetian polychoral style among the composers appointed maestro di cappella at St Mark's. The style was first developed by a foreigner Adrian Willaert and was continued by Italian organists and composers: Andrea Gabrieli and his nephew Giovanni Gabrieli and Claudio Monteverdi.

WRA Tour Day 3: Venice Sightseeing and High Mass at St. Mark's Basilica

2010-03-19T02:08:00.000-07:00

Soon tour blogger Hannah will take over, but here a quick update from the Incantato Tour team. After a good night on Venice island, the group just boarded their private boat to start the guided sightseeing tour of the main highlights: St. Mark's Basilica, where the choir and ensemble are the featured guest performers for High Mass in the evening, the Bridge of Sighs and last not least the famous Rialto area. More to come!
p.s. Even the two pieces of lost luggage from the inter-European flight made it to the group's hotel just in time for bed.

Benvenuti in Bella Italia

2010-03-18T11:33:00.001-07:00

The WRA group arrived safe and sound in beautiful Italy (with a little missing luggage) and was welcomed at the airport by Incantato Tour Manager Stefania La Rosa. After exploring the magical island also referred to as La Serenissima, the performers and their families checked into the Hotel Belle Epoque (a separate blog post shows you this very Venetian Hotel) and they are currently enjoying their welcome dinner. A first highlight awaits them tomorrow as the choir is singing High Mass at St. Mark's Basilica. We sure hope the kids will upload some pictures for you all soon.

Have a good flight!

2010-03-17T05:41:00.001-07:00

Dear Travelers,
Incantato Tours wishes you a safe and relaxed flight to Europe. Enjoy your stay and have a great time! For your first dinner in Venice, you are going to visit the Ristorante Al Brindisi. The menu includes penne with fresh tomato, chicken, cooked vegetables and potatoes, and a chocolate cake.
Bon appetit!

Enjoy the WRA Tour blog? Then become a follower and never miss an update

2010-03-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Singers, Family and Friends of the WRA 2010 touring Choir and Ensemble, we sure hope you enjoy the blog and recommend that you become a follower by clicking on the respective option in the right side bar of this webpage. As a follower, you will never miss an update and once the groups heads over to Italy there should be lots of news coming your way. You can also leave comments which are like virtual greetings. Our Italian tour team will pass those messages on the kids on tour whenever possible. Everyone at Incantato Tours wishes you a most wonderful weekend and lots of Vorfreude for this exciting journey under the leadership of Mrs. Margaret Karam and Mr. Edward Wiles.

Two meals and two movies - Welcome aboard Lufthansa

2010-03-16T04:27:00.000-07:00

The WRA Tour is about to take off on Incantato's preferred airline: Lufthansa.
After your short commuter flights, the 39 members of the 2010 Western Reserve Academy Italy Tour, are boarding the German airline for the long-haul and inter-European journey. While we recommend that you do get some sleep on the transatlantic overnight flight, you are in for several treats such as hot towels to refresh yourself shortly after take-off, two warm meals served with salad and dessert plus two or more recent movies. For more information on the on-board experience, visit Lufthansa's website.

Sunny Venice will welcome you on March 18

2010-03-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

As the WRA tour to Italy will start in a few days, Incantato Tours had a look at the weather forecast. On Thursday, March 18, Venice will welcome you with a sunny, just partly cloudy sky. The highest temperature will be around 59° F. The nice weather will continue on Friday, March 19, with 58° F. Enjoy the sunny days in the beautiful city of Venice!

Don't forget to look at the travel tips

2010-03-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

With your departure just around the corner, we recommend to have one last look at the travel tips where you will find a lot of information about what to pack, which converters to bring etc.
Here is a direct link, but you can also find the travel tips by clicking on the label in the right side navigation.

Fun Facts about Florence

2010-03-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Florence is the most populous city in Tuscany, with 367,569 inhabitants.
A centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the richest and wealthiest cities of the time, Florence is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages.
The historic centre of Florence attracts millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
It has been the birthplace or chosen home of many notable historical figures, such as Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Roberto Cavalli and Emilio Pucci.
Florence being historically the first home of Italian fashion is also home to the legendary Italian fashion establishment Salvatore Ferragamo, notable as one of the oldest and most famous Italian fashion houses.
Florence has been a setting for numerous works of fiction and movies, including the novels and associated films, such as "Hannibal", "A Room with a View", "Tea with Mussolini" and "Virgin Territory".
The city is one of the great wine-growing regions in the world. The Chianti region is just south of the city, and its Sangiovese grapes figure prominently not only in its Chianti Classico wines but also in many of the more recently developed Supertuscan blends.

Fun Facts about Rome

2010-03-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Rome's early history is shrouded in legend. According to Roman tradition, the city was founded by the twins Romulus and Remus on 21 April 753 BC.
Due to this centrality on many levels, the city has been nicknamed "Caput Mundi" (Latin for "Capital of the World") and "The Eternal City".
Its rich artistic heritage and vast amount of ancient, notably architectural and archaeological sites, contribute to the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Rome is the third-most-visited tourist destination in the European Union.
The city is also an important worldwide hub of the cinematic and filming industry, home to the important and large Cinecittà Studios, which saw the filming of several internationally acclaimed movies as well as television programmes.
The Rome metropolitan area has a GDP of €109.4 billion (US$ 149.14), and according to a 2008 study, the city is the world's 35th richest city by purchasing power.
The city hosted the 1960 Olympic Games and is also an official candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Rome is an important centre for music, and it has an intense musical scene, including several prestigious music conservatories and theatres. It hosts the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (founded in 1585), for which new concert halls have been built in the new Parco della Musica, one of the largest musical venues in the world.
A Jewish influence in the italian dishes can be seen, as Jews have lived in Rome since the 1st century BCE. Examples of these include "Saltimbocca alla Romana" - a veal cutlet, Roman-style; topped with raw ham and sage and simmered with white wine and butter - and "Carciofi alla giudia" - artichokes fried in olive oil, typical of Roman Jewish cooking.

We proudly present: The WRA Incantato Concert Postcard

2010-03-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

Over 2000 of your custom designed Incantato concert postcards have been printed and are currently distributed locally in Italy to announce the 2010 WRA Performance Tour to Italy. We sure hope you enjoy seeing them here and look forward to having the hard copies in hand after your arrival abroad. Incantato Tours takes great pride in providing the fine ensembles traveling with our organization with professional marketing materials to ensure the local audiences are aware of your coming.

WRA 2010 Italy Tour

2010-02-27T09:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Travelers on and Family and Friends of the WRA 2010 Performance Tour to Italy. Mrs Karam informed us that there will be a special parent meeting next week where she will go over all the details from her end, in the meantime, please find a slightly more detailed itinerary below. We thank you for contacting our office and understand your interest in knowing all the ins and outs of the wonderful journey that we are so honored to plan for the choir and ensemble, but ask you to understand that WRA is in charge and we can only provide you with limited information until we receive the okay to send out more. Arriverderci!

Highlights
• See and experience both major cities and off-the-beaten path gems of beautiful Italy
• Three unique performances for the WRA Choir & Ensemble
• Plenty of opportunities for immersion into local cultures
• Educational and entertaining sightseeing
• Quality hotels in good locations, great food...

Concert-Venues
• High Mass: St. Mark‘s Basilica —VENICE
• Santa Maria Assunta in Calvi dell'Umbria—FLORENCE & TUSCANY
• High Mass with strings: Basilica San Pietro (confirmed) - VATICAN CITY

Itinerary
DAY 1 Wednesday, March 17
Overnight flights from Cleveland via Chicago and Germany to Venice on United and Lufthansa

DAY 2 Thursday, March 18
Benvenuti to Italy
As you arrive early in the day, you‘ll have plenty time to enjoy the magic of Venice Island with your tour manager prior to a welcome dinner with local specialties at Ristoranta La Brindisi. Overnight stay on Venice Island at Hotel Belle Epoque.

DAY 3 Friday, March 19
Venice in-depth - High Mass at St. Mark's
Take a private boat ride, then see the highlights of Venice (Rialto Bridge, St. Mark‘s Basilica and Square, Bridge of Sighs etc) with a local guide. Afternoon of leisure with optional visit to a Murano Glass Factory prior to singing High Mass at St. Mark's Basilica followed by dinner in a nearby restaurant.

DAY 4 Saturday, March 20
Verona Visit
Explore the nearby musical city of Verona with a local guide and visit Juliet‘s house. Some free time for shopping. Overnight stay near Verona in Caselle di Sommacampagna at Hotel Saccardi. As a special treat, you will be visiting the beautiful town of Valeggio sul Mincio in the early evening.

DAY 5 Sunday, March 21
Scenic Road to Tuscany
Take in the beautiful countryside as you travel to Montecatini Terme, a spa town outside of Florence very much beloved by composer Guiseppe Verdi. Overnight at Hotel Imperial Garden.

DAY 6 Monday, March 22
Pisa & Lucca
Full-day excursion to Pisa - see the leaning tower and other highlights such as the magnificent Duomo where WRA will present a recital - and Lucca, a true Tuscan gem followed by a traditional farmhouse dinner. Return to Montecatini. Overnight at Hotel Imperial Garden.

DAY 7 Tuesday, March 23
Florence in-depth
Guided city tour of Florence’s many highlights, including entrance to the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David. Return to Montecatini. Overnight at Hotel Imperial Garden.

DAY 8 Wednesday, March 24
Umbria: Orvieto Excursion, Workshop and gourmet dinner
You will visit the hilltop town of Orvieto, experience a special Gregorian chant workshop and then continue to Magliano Sabina for check-in at Hotel La Pergola and a very special dinner.

DAY 9 Thursday, March 25
Calvi dell'Umbria Highlight Concert, Reception, Pizza-Workshop etc.
You are in for many treats today as she head to beautiful Calvi for the highlight concert preparation, a likely exchange with local youth, a special reception from the towns people and last not least a tour of local cheese, olive oil and ostrich farms followed by a pizza making workshop.

DAY 10 Friday, March 26
Eternal Rome
Continue to the capital city of Italy, and see the ancient part amazing Rome, walk through the Colloseo & Foro Romano, then take in some of the magic squares with the famous Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain etc.

DAY 11 Saturday, March 27
Vatican Visit & High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
Explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter‘s Basilica with your local guide. The WRA choir and ensemble are the featured guest performers for a special Palm Saturday High Mass at the magnificent cathedral. A fantastic farewell feast with local specialties and music concludes the day.

DAY 12 Sunday, March 28
Rome Departure
Early transfer to the airport for your flight home to the US.

How about a rustic famhouse dinner in the Tuscan countryside?

2010-02-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

We sure love great food at Incantato Tours and want to share our passion to explore typical eateries with our travellers. Italians love to dine in the countryside and over recent years many traditional farms added restaurants to their offerings. These so-called agriturismo offer great food in a more rustic environment. On Monday, March 22, after visiting Pisa and Lucca, the WRA tour members will dine just outside of Lucca at "Agriturismo Il Poggio" and are sure in for a treat.

Meet your Incantato Tour Manager Stefania...

2010-02-26T07:28:00.001-08:00

... as she dances the night away with Dr. McCarthy on the CSULB Incantato Italy Tour 2008.
Ms. Stefania LaRosa - who is welcoming WRA at Venice airport and traveling with the group until the departure from Rome - is a native of Civitavecchia, Italy and now resides in beautiful Florence. Stefania is an experienced tour manager and certified Rome guide. She has been with Incantato Tours from the very beginning and while she did take some time off from other assignements to complete her studies as certified local guide for Florence and the region, we are honored to have her aboard for all 2010 Incantato tours to Italy with the WRA's upcoming journey being her season opener. Stefania loves music, the arts, good food and she is the most stylish in our team.
Stefania's cell phone number is being provided to all tour participants, but we ask those of you remaining behind in the US or other countries to not contact her directly. If you wish or need to reach anyone on the tour, please send an email to info@incantatotours.com and our European team will pass the information on and get back to you.

Ready for some real Italian food?

2010-02-26T07:15:00.000-08:00

We sure hope you are getting hungry to sample the many flavors of Italy and hereby share a link to the restaurant awaiting you with a three course welcome dinner on your first night abroad in Italy. "Ristorante Al Brindisi" is a local favorite and being well over 100 years old it is well known for its traditional Venetian cuisine. Located in the Cannareggio district and within easy reach to your Incantato Tour Hotel "Belle Epoque", the WRA singers, musicians, family and friends are in for a fun evening out at "La Brindisi" in one of the most magical places on earth, Venice Island.

WRA Italy Tour - Itinerary updates

2010-02-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

Dear WRA Italy tour participants, you must be surely getting excited about the journey with the departure less than a month away! What a great opportunity for the singers, musicians, their friends and family to travel together with Mrs. Karam and Mr. Wiles to Venice, Verona, Florence, Pisa and Rome - plus to see magical places off the beaten path. Most of our tours are planned at least a year in advance and we are thrilled to put together your journey in much less than that.
We sure hope to get the final missing details from the travelers this week to present you the detailed itinerary latest this weekend. Your tour organizer Sandra is currently in Italy to double-check everythingone last time and after giving your WRA tour hosts a chance to go over the itinerary, it will be posted on the blog with a more detailed version being mailed via the school to all participants.
Arriverderci! Cu soon!

Travel Tips: Money Matters

2010-02-19T13:03:00.000-08:00

Money is a delicate subject. The exchange rate at the moment is not the best as it changes continiously for the last few weeks(1 Euro= $1.35 to $1.59). And yes, it is possible to travel in Europe on a small budget. The best way to use your money is to have a debit card; this allows you to withdraw money from any ATM machine with only being charged a small withdrawal fee. The fee differs between banks. Be sure to call your bank before your departure to tell them where you are going and for how long so they won't freeze your account. The debit cards given by the bank has the compatibility of Visa, MasterCard, however, Visa is the most widely accepted worldwide. If you bring cash, you can exchange it but you will lose more money as they charge for their services. Most places in Europe won't accept traveler's checks anymore. Also, be prepared to pay for water and a fee for restroom use (between 30 to 70 Euro cent). Last not least, there are no free refills on soft drinks in Europe which is why most Europeans ask for little to no ice in their drinks.
Remember that two meals daily are covered as part of the WRA Incantato Tour - breakfast and usually dinner, sometimes a lunch instead. In addition, we suggest you have some spending money available and our recommendation is around 12 to 15 Euro per day for the meal not included, snacks, drinks, postcards, some souvenirs. It is not imperative that you have this amount of money. There are many ways to lower your expenses such as:
· Most restaurants have menus outside so you can check their price range.
· Venture off the main roads to find a restaurant. These usually have more character, better food, and better prices.
· Bring your own water bottle. Most places have good and safe tap water to fill up with.
· Buy food from the "convenient" stores. You don't have to sit down in the restaurant for every meal.
· Shop around for souvenirs; many stores have the same things on sale for very different prices. Sometimes you may even be able to use your haggling skills for a real bargain. This is particularly true when buying from street vendors. But be careful, if it is too much of a bargain, you may not be buying a real fancy bag, but just a knock-off - Versaze instead of Versace ; )

Last not least, remember that your Incantato Tour Manager Stefania is with you pretty much 24/7 and as a native of Italy and also a highly skilled professional, she is there to help you make the right choices.

Travel Tips: What to pack?

2010-02-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Travelers, please find below a link to very detailed information on the baggage allowance for your upcoming flight with Lufthansa. There is no charge for ONE checked bags on international flights as long as your suitcase is within the weight limit of 44 pounds. Remember, you are only allowed ONE checked suitcase per person coming on your Incantato Tour plus ONE small/normal size carry-on as luggage capacity on the bus is limited. Please go to the Lufthansa website for detailed information on what is considered a carry-on and a checked bag, but please keep in mind that we can only fit ONE checked bag per person on the coach.
For most people, packing is the most difficult part. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, but as a colleague explains it: "You'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!" Her advice: "Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle."

Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing tank tops or shorts. A scarf is a good solution to this code. And shorts should always go to your knees (both for Ladies and Gents). Incantato also plans a farewell dinner for the tour groups, so bring something comfortable and dressy.
Here are a few things that we think are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings (March in Italy is very similar to Ohio - it will very likely be quite humid too) and with the weight of your bag - remember, we allow only one checked bag per person and a small carry-on such as a bag pack or small duffel. Yes Ladies, you may have a small purse in addition, gents a camera case is fine too, but again, you will be the one carrying it all from the bus to the hotel and vice versa, so better test if you can move all your travel belongings without needing to make two trips or help from someone else.

A sample packing list (just a suggestion!)

* Rain jacket, maybe with fleece insert
* Umbrella
* An adapter plug/converter (if bringing electronic devices)
* Camera and batteries or charger with adapter
* At least two pair of jeans/pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses too
* a sweater or two
* Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans)
* Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes
* A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry on any valuables)
* Choir music and attire
* Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, good everyday shoes, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach.
* Put all liquids that are in your carry-on into a zip-lock bag. And remember the 311 rules.http://www.tsa.gov/311/
* All scissors, fingernail clippers, etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounzes. Bring enough contact lense solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip.

If you forget anything there are plenty of little "pharmacies" where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

Travel Q&A's

2010-02-19T12:52:00.000-08:00

Questions & Answers for the WRA Italy Tour:

What should everyone carry at all times, real passport or a photo copy?

Ideally, your passport should be on your person at all times. Please be “street-smart” and don’t wave it around for all to see. Photocopies of the passport should be packed in your suitcase, available in your e-mail and also your parents should have a copy too AND WRA plus Incantato should have a copy as well.

Is the tap water safe to drink?

Fortunately, Italy has some of the best drinking water in Europe. Some cities, mostly Rome, have the ancient aqueducts that are still functioning with good, clean water. Venice is an exception as the water here tastes a little funny, it is however save to drink?

How many meals are included? Which do we need money for?

Breakfast and either a lunch or a dinner are included daily. You will be responsible for one meal a day and your tour manager will assist you in finding the right spots for your cravings and budget. Your tour meals are set menues that introduce you to local specialties. Water is always included.

Do you have recommendations or suggestions on the type of power adapter needed and what wattage?

Electricity in Italy, as in the rest of Europe, comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but the sockets themselves are different. Adapters and converters may be found at Target, Walmart and radio shack etc.

What is the average meal cost? How much money should students bring?

As long as the students are wise about their choices, meals can easily be 15Euro or less. They don’t have to go to sit down restaurants to get decent food. But when they do want to sit down, they should check the menu outside to see if they have a “menu special”- you can get an entrée, dessert and a drink for a set price.

What is the weight limit for check-in baggage?

1 suitcase weighing 44lbs.

Check the Lufthansa website.

What the size limit and number of items is for carry on?

You may have 1 carry-on bag – it must be able to fit either under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. We recommend a backpack.

What are the airline carryon container regulations?

No containers holding more that 3ozs of liquid or (100g for toothpaste) is allowed in the carryon luggage. They also must be in a plastic zip-lock bag

What has the best exchange rate, using a debit card to pull money out or exchanging US currency?

By far the best way is to use your debit card. Most banks only charge around $2 per withdraw and they also take care of the exchange rate for you. You do need a 4 digit pin and also let your bank know that you are travelling abroad. DO NOT BRING TRAVELLERS' CHEQUES!

What is the approximate exchange rate right now?

It’s about $1.45 to 1 EUR

What happens if someone gets injured while in tour? Medical care and cost wise? Do they need a medical consent form for treatment?

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. You find a link to our recommended partner on this blog.

Is any of Rome still affected by the earthquake?

Most of the damage was outside of Rome and is pretty well cleaned up now.

If needed, is there laundry service?

It’s really expensive to do laundry overseas as it is dry-cleaning only. There are no irons in the hotel room.

Travel Tips: Voltage and Converters

2010-02-18T13:01:00.000-08:00

Voltage differences in the world are not so shocking!
Voltage in the world differs for each country 220 volt or 110 volts. Plug shapes, plug holes and plug sizes are also different in each country. Some countries like USA and Canada run on 120 volt 60 cycles (60hz) and most of the worlds run on 220/240 volt 50 cycles (50hz). This difference in the voltage can be solved by using an appropriate voltage converter. These converter devices are usually available at superstores and over the internet. While you can also buy them overseas, we recommend purchasing them before you leave if you need them - some items such as ipods, laptops, cameras may only need a two or three round prong adapter plug (pictured on the left, the middle plug is not essential).

Yummy Italy

2010-02-07T08:15:00.001-08:00

Incantato Impressions: Florence, Italy

2010-01-31T08:07:00.000-08:00

WRA's Roman Home on the 2010 Incantato Tour: The H10 Roma Città

2010-01-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

Allow us to introduce another home away from home as we continue to share information about the Western Reserve Academy's 2010 Performance Tour to Italy. Incantato Tours takes great pride in selecting nice and safe hotels in good locations for our traveling choirs and are very happy to present the new H10 Roma Città Hotel for your group's last few nights in Italy.
This modern 4 star hotel is located in the district of Trastevere and features all ammenities travelers enjoy including comfy beds and also a rooftop swimming pool. We don't know yet how the weather will be at the end of March, but do not forget to bring your bathing suits. Another great perk is free WIFI throughout the hotel - and even in high speed so you can upload all your pictures and videos. Arriverderci!

Incantato Tours Gem: Calvi dell'Umbria

2010-01-23T23:12:00.000-08:00

A first glimpse at the WRA Italy Tour Marketing

2010-01-21T07:42:00.000-08:00

Incantato Tours takes great pride in professionally promoting the fine choirs that travel with us abroad and here is a first glimpse of the tour concert poster for the 2010 WRA Italy trip. We hope you like it too!

First home away from home: Venice, Hotel Belle Epoque

2010-01-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

Venice Island is also known as La Serenissima, and what better way to experience this magical place than actually staying there overnight too. The Western Reserve Academy Choir and Ensemble, plus their travel companions are staying at the Hotel Belle Epoque which is very close to many attractions. This link brings your directly to the website.

A preview of some of the places you will see in Italy...

2009-11-09T09:55:00.000-08:00

A few pictures of the wonderful things you will get to see when you travel to Italy...

You will begin in the beautiful city of Venice

Next, you will be moving on to the city of Verona, where you will get to see Juliet's house...

Then comes the beautiful countryside in Tuscany

Then Florence and Pisa...who would want to miss this beautiful city or the famous leaning tower?

Last, but surely not least, you will end in Rome, also know as the Eternal City, and where you will get to see everything from the Vatican to the Roman Colosseum.

These are just a few of the wonderful and impressive sights you will see on your tour to Italy!

WRA Italy Tour 2010 Flight Information

2009-10-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Dear travelers, below you will find flight information for your tour to Italy. You will notice that you travel in two groups from Cleveland to Chicago and back, but not to worry you will be on the same flight(s) when flying to Europe! Enjoy your experience!!

Group A (16 Passengers)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010: Fly out of CLE (Cleveland) leaving at 1:37 pm aboard United Airlines flight UA 7075 arriving ORD (Chicago) at 2:05 pm. Leave ORD on Lufthansa flight LH 431 at 4:40 pm and arrive at 7:00 am in FRA. Please note, you are plus one day with the time change when arriving at FRA (Frankfurt, Germany).
Thursday, March 18: You will leave FRA on Lufthansa flight LH 4082 at 8:10 am and arrive at VCE (Venice, Italy) at 9:25 am. *When you arrive in Frankfurt you will have to go through immigration and show your passport for entry into the European Union, but you DO NOT NEED to get your bags for inspection as they continue on to your final destination where you clear customs.*

Group B (28 Passengers)
Wednesday, March 17 fly out of CLE leaving at 3:05 pm aboard United Airlines flight UA 6208 arriving ORD at 3:44 pm. Leave ORD on Lufthansa flight LH431 at 4:40 pm and arrive at 7:00 am FRA. Please note, you are plus one day with the time change when arriving at FRA (Frankfurt, Germany). Thursday, March 18 You will leave FRA on Lufthansa flight LH4082 at 8:10 am and arrive Venice, Italy (VCE) at 9:25 am. *When you arrive in Frankfurt you will have to go through immigration and show your passport for entry into the European Union, but you DO NOT NEED to get your bags for inspection as they continue on to your final destination where you clear customs.*

Return to the United States

Group A
Sunday, March 28 fly out of FCO (Rome) leaving at 6:45am aboard Lufthansa flight LH 3853 arriving FRA at 8:45am. Leave FRA on Lufthansa flight LH430 at 10:36am arriving in Chicago (ORD) at 12:30p. Please note, you will be going through US Customs as ORD is your US entry point. You will be leaving ORD at 4:50pm aboard United Airlines flight UA 7328 arriving at 7:05pm CLE.

Group B
Sunday, March 28 fly out of FCO (Rome) leaving at 6:45am aboard Lufthansa flight LH 3853 arriving FRA at 8:45am. Leave FRA on Lufthansa flight LH 430 at 10:36am arriving in Chicago (ORD) at 12:30pm. Please note, you will be going through US Customs as ORD is your US entry point.
You will be leaving ORD at 3:55 pm aboard United Airlines UA flight 5906 and arriving at 6:13 pm CLE.

Travel Insurance

2009-10-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Incantato Tours strongly recommend getting travel insurance for your upcoming journey. Not only are you covered medically should anything happen when traveling, but with TravelGuard's policies, you also protect your investment should you have to cancel or interrupt the trip. Last not least, there is also coverage for delayed and lost luggage etc.
Here is a direct line to purchase travel insurance online and can you do so with your credit cards and also select the option that is best for you.