After years of fundraising and planning, downturns is the economy, upturns in choir membership and all manner of complications, we are finally doing another choir tour in Europe! The last one to Italy in 2006 was a great success and loads of fun. We're sure this one will be just as wonderful. We're inviting parishioners and friends to join us in Spain. The price mentioned in the graphic above includes the airfare from Dallas to Madrid, all hotels and transfers and most breakfasts and dinners. Here's where we're planning to go and where we hope to be singing...

Day 1:   Saturday, March 10, 2012  - Flight

Overnight flight.  Meals on plane.

Day 2:  Sunday, March 11, 2012 - Sevilla (D)

Bienvenido a España! Welcome in Spain! You arrive in Madrid and are welcomed by your Tour Escort.  We immediately transfer to Sevilla known for bullfighting, flamenco dancers, the wiles of Don Juan and the fire of Carmen. Upon arrival check-in your hotel.  Group dinner tonight in local restaurant.

Day 3: Monday, March 12, 2012 - Sevilla ( B)

After breakfast enjoy a guided city tour of Sevilla. With your local guide you will discover the historic old Jewish quarter, the Plaza de Espana, the Cathedral and its Bell tower, called the Giralda, once a minaret. In the afternoon you will  visit the Real Alcazar (Royal Fortresses). If time permits, you may prefer to visit the Fine Arts museum or go on a boat trip on the Guadalquivir.

 Late afternoon/ evening possible joint performance with local choir such as the choir of the “Sociedad Musical de Sevilla” in for example the Iglesia del Salvador or Performance at the Cathedral. Overnight in Sevilla.

 Day 4:  Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - Granada  (B, D)

In the morning travel to Granada.  On the way you will make a stop at Cordoba  Situated on the Guadalquivir it is the city in which the 3 faiths are represented, Islamic with its Mezquita (Mosque), Christian with its Cathedral incorporated into the Mosque and the Jewish Synagogue.  Continue to  Granada. The city rises majestically above a fertile plain onto three hills, dwarfed by the snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Upon arrival check in and then dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Overnight in Granada

Day 5: Wednesday, March 14, 2012- Granada  (B)

After breakfast join your local guide for a walking city tour. Tour the Alhambra palace, perched atop of one of the three hills upon which Granada sits. See the Renaissance Cathedral which stands next to the Royal Chapel, where Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, Catholic Monarchs, are buried. Possible Performance at the Basilica Nuestra Senora de las Angustias ( Basilica of our Lady of Sorrows). Dinner on your own and overnight in Granada.

Day 6:  Thursday, March 15, 2012 - March Madrid  (B, D)

In the morning transfer to Madrid. On the way you will make a stop at Aranjuez for lunch and sightseeing on your own. See the Palacio Real and Casa del Labrador and don’t miss the famous strawberries. Continue to Madrid, check in and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Madrid.

Day 7: Friday, March 16, 2012 - Madrid ( B)

After breakfast you  will enjoy a guided city tour, passing the Royal Casa de la Panaderia, Accademia de Bellas Artes, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain. See the Palace, the Royal Pharmacy and the royal Armoury, and the Cathedral de la Almudena.

 In the afternoon, visit the famous Prado Museum, probably the greatest gallery of Classical paintings in the world. You will see paintings of famous painters such as Goya, El Greco, Velazquez and Rembrandt. The rest of the afternoon is free to discover Madrid on your own. Late afternoon/evening time for sound check/ rehearsal and a possible performance with local choir for example at  the Iglesia San Jose. Dinner on your own.  Overnight Madrid.

Day 8:  Saturday, March 17, 2012 - Avilla / Segovia / Madrid  ( B)

After breakfast you will depart for  Avilla, the city of stones and city of saints, which stands within the magnificently preserved 12^th century walls. A local guide will explain about St. Teresa of Jesus and show you the Murallas (city walls). Visit the Cathedral with the choir stalls. Continue to Segovia, a noble Castilian city, enclosed by ramparts which stands atop a triangular rock. Upon arrival you will meet a local guide who will show you the main sights, see the Roman Aqueduct, Plaza Major, the Cathedral and the Plaza de San Martin in the aristocratic quarter. In the afternoon there is the possibility of a joint Performance with the Escolania de Segovia at the San Juan de los Caballeros church museum. At the end of the afternoon  return to Madrid dinner on your own. Overnight Madrid.

Day 9:  Sunday, March 18, 2012- Madrid  (B, D)

After early breakfast you  will enjoy a day excursion to  Toledo. Toledo is the ancient Castilian capital and is spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. A local guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early Synagogue, and the fabulously rich 13th-century Gothic Cathedral plus the Church of Saint Thomas with one of El Greco's most famous paintings.  Transfer back to Madrid for some free time and freshen up for the farewell dinner with a Flamenco Show at a local restaurant. Overnight at Madrid.

 Day 10: Monday, March 19, 2012 - departure (B)

Transfer to the Madrid airport for your return flight.

Sound good? Want to come with us? Here's Jay's invitation to join us...

Dear Friends,

It is with great rejoicing that Holy Trinity Church Choir will be embarking on a Choir tour and pilgrimage to Spain, March 10 – 19, 2012.  I would like to personally invite you, your relatives, and friends to participate in this journey as we set out to tour the “Best of Spain”. We will explore the richness of our faith found in the churches, culture, and landscape as we raise our voices in song at some of the most treasured sites of Spain.

Our tour will begin in Seville where we will visit St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Real Alcazar (Royal Fortress) and possibly sing in a joint performance with a local choir at the Cathedral.  We will present a formal concert in Cordoba as well as in Granada at the Basilica Nuestra Senora de las Angustias (Basilica of our Lady of Sorrows).  We will spend our final 4 nights in Madrid with a few day trips to Avila and Segovia.  The itinerary is filled with lots to see and do but still allows plenty of time to explore the cities on your own as you shop, dine, and relax.

If you are interested in singing with the Holy Trinity Choir, please contact me for an audition.  Once the audition is complete, all choir members will be expected to attend rehearsals and provide their own concert attire. 

We hope to provide the fullest experience of these historic and holy places, as well as give you a chance to taste and absorb the culture and treasures of Spain.  This unique pilgrimage and performance program promises to be an enriching and unforgettable experience.  Please consider this invitation to join us!

Sincerely,

Jay Terpstra

Director of Music

If you would like to come with us, please contact Jay at jayt@htccd.org or by phone at 214.526.5463