FESTIVAL DATES
June 19-24, 2024
We are pleased to present an amazing NEW festival for 2024 – The Fatima Choral Fest in Fatima, Portugal June 20-24, 2024! Choirs will gather together at important pilgrimage sites to perform for one another and share in the truly unique cultural exchange that Portugal has to offer.
Itinerary
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024 | Fly to Portugal
Your Fátima Choral Festival – Portugal experience begins with an overnight flight from North America to Lisbon.
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 | Welcome to Portugal | Opening Ceremony & Friendship Concert
Welcome to Portugal! Your Music Contact International tour manager will greet your choir at the airport. Together, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon, one of the world’s oldest cities.
Travel by private motor coach to Fátima, a major pilgrimage site home to two basilicas and a scenic square, and settle into your hotel. Enjoy a special welcome dinner to celebrate your group’s arrival in Portugal!
Tonight, the Fátima Choral Festival – Portugal kicks off with an opening ceremony, and each choir will have the opportunity to join a local ensemble to perform a friendship concert. Experience a spectacular night of singing and sharing music and culture with new Portuguese friends!
FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2024 | Fátima and Batalha | Concert
Wake up to your first full day in Portugal! Today is yours to independently explore Fátima and its surrounding area. You may wish to visit the town of Nazaré, a colorful fishing town home to some of the world’s biggest waves. Or perhaps venture to Óbidos, a traditional walled Portuguese village with medieval architecture; narrow, cobblestoned streets; and quaint, whitewashed houses.
This evening, harmonies soar and music fills the air as choirs perform a concert in the breathtaking Batalha Monastery, a 14th-century Gothic monastery. Sing in turn with other festival choirs, and enjoy listening to beautiful choral presentations from around the world!
A group dinner will be served at a local restaurant to complement your performance schedule.
SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 | Fátima | Competition & Closing Ceremony
Begin another exciting day with a guided walking tour of Fátima. Learn about the three shepherds who were said to have witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary.
This afternoon, the Fátima Choral Festival – Portugal continues as choirs perform in front of a distinguished international jury. Non-competing ensembles will be invited to listen along with enthusiastic audiences.
Celebrate adventure and accomplishment at tonight’s festival closing ceremony, where each ensemble will be honored and thanked for their musical achievements. A shared choral piece will round out the festivities amidst joyful impromptu singing!
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2024 | Aveiro or Porto | Sing for Mass
Start your day singing for Mass at a local church. The congregation will be uplifted by the songs you contribute to their Sunday service!
Then, choose from two exciting excursions to either Aveiro or Porto. Venture to the famous coastal city of Aveiro, known as the “Venice of Portugal.” Aveiro is full of picturesque canals that crisscross the city; moliceiros, colorful boats with raised bows, can be found transporting people and goods from place to place. Take a memorable boat tour on a moliciero, where informal singing aboard is encouraged! Or, perhaps explore Porto, famous for its stately bridges and port wine. Porto is one of Europe’s oldest cities, and its historical core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Return to Fátima this evening, where a traditional Portuguese farewell dinner awaits. Recount the many highlights of your festival experience!
MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 | Return Home or Extend Your Stay
Ask us about additional days of touring in Portugal or Spain, and when it’s time to go, we’ll send you off with musical memories to last a lifetime!
Package
Complimentary travel — you deserve it!
- In appreciation of your recruiting, rehearsing, conducting, and fine-tuning your ensemble for this fabulous musical journey: two free land packages in single occupancy for every 30 paying travelers.
Accommodations thoughtfully selected to match group needs:
- Four nights at a 4-star hotel in Fátima
Meals which are varied, flavorful, and highlight local cuisine:
- Breakfast daily at your hotel with coffee, tea, and juice
- Daily dinner at your hotel or local restaurants
Special events, performances & exchanges that are unique and inspiring!
- Festival opening ceremony
- Festival friendship concert
- Festival performance at Batalha Monastery
- Festival performance adjudicated by an international jury (optional)
- Sunday Mass performance
- Festival closing ceremony with massed sing
Guided tours & entrances handpicked for your travelers:
- Guided tour of Lisbon
- Guided walking tour of Fátima
- Excursion to Aveiro or Porto
Tour manager & local guides to accompany and facilitate your travel:
- Full-time Music Contact International tour manager
- Local guides and festival staff to assist at events and performances
Transportation in a private, modern, climate-controlled motor coach with a professional driver:
- For all services described in your itinerary
Tour enhancement materials to help plan, promote, and prepare for your tour:
- A Traveler’s Resource Site with your group’s itinerary, destination information and travel tips
- Ask us to present the festival to your travelers!
Convenient online payment system: tour accounting is easy!
- A secure custom portal accepts and tracks tour payments
Insurance that covers our commitment to you:
- $5,000,000 travel agent and tour operator professional liability insurance
Flights
- Please contact us for airfare quotes from your nearest airport.
Festival Extensions
- Additional days in Europe can further enhance your stay around this festival!
Land Package
Complimentary travel — you deserve it!
- In appreciation of your recruiting, rehearsing, conducting, and fine-tuning your ensemble for this fabulous musical journey: two free land packages in single occupancy for every 30 paying travelers.
Accommodations thoughtfully selected to match group needs:
- Four nights at a 4-star hotel in Fátima
Meals which are varied, flavorful, and highlight local cuisine:
- Breakfast daily at your hotel with coffee, tea, and juice
- Daily dinner at your hotel or local restaurants
Special events, performances & exchanges that are unique and inspiring!
- Festival opening ceremony
- Festival friendship concert
- Festival performance at Batalha Monastery
- Festival performance adjudicated by an international jury (optional)
- Sunday Mass performance
- Festival closing ceremony with massed sing
Guided tours & entrances handpicked for your travelers:
- Guided tour of Lisbon
- Guided walking tour of Fátima
- Excursion to Aveiro or Porto
Tour manager & local guides to accompany and facilitate your travel:
- Full-time Music Contact International tour manager
- Local guides and festival staff to assist at events and performances
Transportation in a private, modern, climate-controlled motor coach with a professional driver:
- For all services described in your itinerary
Tour enhancement materials to help plan, promote, and prepare for your tour:
- A Traveler’s Resource Site with your group’s itinerary, destination information and travel tips
- Ask us to present the festival to your travelers!
Convenient online payment system: tour accounting is easy!
- A secure custom portal accepts and tracks tour payments
Insurance that covers our commitment to you:
- $5,000,000 travel agent and tour operator professional liability insurance
Flights
- Please contact us for airfare quotes from your nearest airport.
Festival Extensions
- Additional days in Europe can further enhance your stay around this festival!
Extensions
DAY ONE
Upon arrival in Lisbon, check in to your centrally located hotel.
Embark on a guided tour of the Alfama neighborhood, the oldest district in the capital, and admire its winding streets and flowered balconies. Walk past the São Jorge Castle, the hilltop fortress that dates to the medieval period of Portuguese history. Continue downhill to Rossio Square, a cobblestoned square home to fountains and monuments.
Tonight, head to a typical fado house, where your group will dine on traditional Portuguese cuisine while enjoying interludes of authentic fado music. Performed by a fadista and accompanied by the guitarra, a pear-shaped guitar unique to Portugal, fado is a unique, nostalgic form of singing.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the Belém neighborhood, a historic trading center on the banks of the Tagus River. See the Jerónimos Monastery, a world-renowned repository of Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic) art, and the Tower of Belém, a 16th-century monument that served as both a fortress and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. Sample pastel de nata, a typical pastry found in this part of the city.
This evening, perform a concert in a renowned venue. After the concert, a festive farewell dinner will be arranged at a local restaurant.
DAY ONE
Depart for Spain by private motor coach. En route, visit Évora, an ancient city home to a Roman temple and aqueduct and a medieval cathedral adorned with bones.
Continue on to Seville and check in to your hotel. Tonight, a flamenco show and traditional dinner will welcome you to Spain!
DAY TWO
Begin the day with breakfast and a guided tour of Seville. Admire the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. Stroll in Barrio Santa Cruz, the city’s medieval Jewish quarter, and pass by the Real Alcázar, a stunning palace showcasing a unique fusion of Spanish, Christian, and Moorish architecture.
This evening, perform a concert for an appreciative, local audience.
DAY THREE
Following breakfast, enjoy a guided excursion to either Córdoba or Granada. Both historic cities offer unique culture and sightseeing opportunities.
TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON
DAY ONE
Upon arrival in Lisbon, check in to your centrally located hotel.
Embark on a guided tour of the Alfama neighborhood, the oldest district in the capital, and admire its winding streets and flowered balconies. Walk past the São Jorge Castle, the hilltop fortress that dates to the medieval period of Portuguese history. Continue downhill to Rossio Square, a cobblestoned square home to fountains and monuments.
Tonight, head to a typical fado house, where your group will dine on traditional Portuguese cuisine while enjoying interludes of authentic fado music. Performed by a fadista and accompanied by the guitarra, a pear-shaped guitar unique to Portugal, fado is a unique, nostalgic form of singing.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the Belém neighborhood, a historic trading center on the banks of the Tagus River. See the Jerónimos Monastery, a world-renowned repository of Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic) art, and the Tower of Belém, a 16th-century monument that served as both a fortress and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. Sample pastel de nata, a typical pastry found in this part of the city.
This evening, perform a concert in a renowned venue. After the concert, a festive farewell dinner will be arranged at a local restaurant.
THREE NIGHTS IN SPAIN
DAY ONE
Depart for Spain by private motor coach. En route, visit Évora, an ancient city home to a Roman temple and aqueduct and a medieval cathedral adorned with bones.
Continue on to Seville and check in to your hotel. Tonight, a flamenco show and traditional dinner will welcome you to Spain!
DAY TWO
Begin the day with breakfast and a guided tour of Seville. Admire the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. Stroll in Barrio Santa Cruz, the city’s medieval Jewish quarter, and pass by the Real Alcázar, a stunning palace showcasing a unique fusion of Spanish, Christian, and Moorish architecture.
This evening, perform a concert for an appreciative, local audience.
DAY THREE
Following breakfast, enjoy a guided excursion to either Córdoba or Granada. Both historic cities offer unique culture and sightseeing opportunities.
Your Tour Includes
Traveler's Resource Website
The site is customized exclusively for your group, and is full of exciting and interactive features that you will find informative and helpful before, during, and after the tour.
•Current tour itinerary with full descriptions of each day
•Detailed maps of the places you will visit
•Blog platform to communicate with group members
•Recommended books, movies, websites, and videos
Online Payment System
Group leaders have the option to use our Online Payment System, which enables you to effortlessly collect payments for your trip. Group leaders receive weekly automated reports with traveler balances and due dates.
Travelers can log in to our secure website to review the cost of their trip and all payment deadlines, register for the trip, and make credit card payments. All travelers receive automated reminders when payments are coming due.
Additional Materials
•Customized handbook for each person traveling with your choir, including a detailed program and travel information.
•Electrical adapters*
•Luggage tags
•Passport holder*
*for international travelers