FESTIVAL DATES
June 13-17, 2024
Welcome to Krakow
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Krakow offers spectacular venues including the Karlowicz Music School, the Krakow Philharmonic Hall, and magnificent Baroque churches. Choirs from around the world attend the Krakow International Choral Festival to perform adjudicated and non-adjudicated concerts in these venues. Listen to other choirs from across Europe and around the world, and connect with fellow singers during meals, concerts, and receptions.
Krakow’s rich culture is expressed in its countless Baroque and Gothic churches, its vibrant Jewish town, and its world famous Philharmonic orchestra. Krakow’s stunning city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As part of the festival, enjoy performing in stunning venues such as St. Mary’s Basilica. One of Poland’s most famous churches, St. Mary’s Basilica dates back to the 14th century and features breathtaking interiors and acoustics. Later, visit and perform in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. An official Polish Historic Monument, the salt mine features an underground lake, four chapels and numerous works of art.
Finally, the festival culminates with performances at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall and the Festival Closing Ceremony. Each participating ensemble sings a representative song. Afterward, the presentation of festival awards certainly ends the closing ceremony on a high note! Ready to get started? Contact us today!
Itinerary
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024 | DEPART FOR POLAND
Depart North America on a flight to Krakow, Poland. Select snacks, meals, and refreshments will be served on board.
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024 | ARRIVE IN KRAKOW, POLAND
Welcome to Poland! Upon arrival, your Music Contact International tour manager will greet your choir at the airport. Together, board the waiting motor coach and transfer to your centrally located Krakow hotel.
Check in to the hotel and join your tour manager on an orientation walk of Krakow’s historic city center.
In the evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner of Polish specialties. You may also wish to listen to participating European choirs sing as part of an informal welcome concert at a historic city venue.
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 | SIGHTSEEING & SINGING | CONCERT
Following breakfast, embark on a guided tour of the 14th century Wawel Castle, one of Poland’s most historically and culturally important sites. Now one of the country’s premier art museums, the castle was a royal residence and symbol of Polish statehood for centuries.
This afternoon, youth choirs are invited to local schools to perform and participate in a cultural exchange with Polish students. Adult choirs have additional free time for independent exploration.
Tonight, perform a program of your choice at your first festival concert in St. Mary’s Basilica. Spend a memorable musical evening listening to participating choirs from across Europe and beyond.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024 | ADJUDICATION & MORE SINGING | CONCERT
After breakfast, perform an adjudicated concert for the international jury members at the Karlowicz Music School. Following your performance, there will be opportunity to hear other choirs perform.
Following a group lunch, visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an impressive array of underground tunnels and chambers created over the past 600 years by salt mining. Some of the mine’s chambers have been transformed into atmospheric chapels. Perform a brief concert nearly 1,400 feet underground in one of the mine’s largest sanctuaries!
Tonight, choral concerts continue in magnificent venues including the Church of St. Anne, the Piarist Church, and St. Peter and Paul’s. Choirs are encouraged to attend concerts given by other festival choirs.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2024 | WORSHIP SERVICE | CLOSING CONCERT
This morning, visit a beautiful church where your choir has been invited to sing for Mass. Alternatively, an excursion to the former concentration camps in Auschwitz and Birkenau can be arranged as a somber yet poignant history lesson.
In the late afternoon, gather at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall for the Festival Closing Ceremony at which each participating ensemble is asked to sing a representative song, followed by words of thanks and the presentation of festival awards. Afterward, a festive farewell dinner is served where choirs recount the many highlights of the festival!
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024 | DEPART KRAKOW OR EXTEND YOUR STAY
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to fly home or extend your stay in Poland.
Package
Accommodations
•Four nights in a high-quality Krakow hotel, double occupancy
Transportation
•A private, modern motor coach with a professional driver is provided for all transportation as described in the itinerary.
Meals
•Buffet breakfast each morning in the hotel dining room
•Welcome dinner
•Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow
•Festive farewell dinner
Tour Manager
•Full-time Music Contact International Tour Manager to accompany your group from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Evening concert at St. Mary’s Basilica
•Adjudicated concert at Karlowicz Music School
•Performance in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
•Evening concert at a local venue such as the Church of St. Anne, the Piarist Church, or St. Peter and Paul’s Church
•Morning worship service at a local church
•Closing Ceremony at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall
Guided Tours
•Guided tour of Wawel castle
•Guided tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms.
If your choir is interested in staying in Poland or elsewhere in Europe for a few additional days, please contact us for ideas. We can work with you to create and plan those days to match your choir’s interests.
Inclusions
Accommodations
•Four nights in a high-quality Krakow hotel, double occupancy
Transportation
•A private, modern motor coach with a professional driver is provided for all transportation as described in the itinerary.
Meals
•Buffet breakfast each morning in the hotel dining room
•Welcome dinner
•Lunch at a restaurant in Krakow
•Festive farewell dinner
Tour Manager
•Full-time Music Contact International Tour Manager to accompany your group from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Evening concert at St. Mary’s Basilica
•Adjudicated concert at Karlowicz Music School
•Performance in the Wieliczka Salt Mine
•Evening concert at a local venue such as the Church of St. Anne, the Piarist Church, or St. Peter and Paul’s Church
•Morning worship service at a local church
•Closing Ceremony at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall
Guided Tours
•Guided tour of Wawel castle
•Guided tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms.
Additional Days in Europe
If your choir is interested in staying in Poland or elsewhere in Europe for a few additional days, please contact us for ideas. We can work with you to create and plan those days to match your choir’s interests.
Extensions
A three-night stay in Prague, Czech Republic will add an exciting element to an already wonderful stay in Krakow. When traveling to Prague, you will not only have the opportunity to sing in a beautiful, historic venue but also embark on guided tours showing you the glorious landmarks of this magnificent city and to share delicious meals among friends. A post-extension to Prague will surely end your tour on a festive note and leave you with memories to last a lifetime!
Prague, reminiscent of a fairy tale city, has four breathtaking districts, each with their own style: The Castle District, the Lesser Town, linking the Castle area to the Old Town, the Old Town across the Vltava River, and the New Town, aptly named as it was founded only in the 14th century!
DAY ONE
After breakfast, check out of your Krakow festival hotel and depart for Prague via private motor coach. A stop for lunch will be made along the way. Upon late afternoon arrival in Prague, check in to your hotel and refresh. Join your tour manager for an orientation walk to get a feel for the ambiance and amenities around your hotel. Tonight, a dinner of Czech specialties is served to your group at a local restaurant to celebrate your first night in Prague.
DAY TWO
After breakfast, meet a local guide and embark on a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter to learn about the culture and traditions of this intriguing city. This afternoon, visit Prague Castle, the largest medieval fortress in the world! Tonight is free for independent exploration and dining. Your tour manager will gladly offer suggestions.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, enjoy a morning at leisure. Perhaps stroll across Charles Bridge or visit the Dvorak Museum. This afternoon a performance opportunity is arranged for your group at a historic Prague venue such as St. Nicolas Church in the Old Town Square. This evening, a festive farewell dinner is served at an Old Town restaurant where there will be ample opportunity to recount the many highlights of your tour!
Enhance your Krakow International Choral Festival experience with a two-night extension to Warsaw! The capital city of Poland is steeped in history and was painstakingly rebuilt after the Second World War. Castle Square and the Old Town, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site are picturesque places to visit in the summer! Enjoy strolling the different squares and performing in a central church in Warsaw.
DAY ONE
After breakfast, check out of your Krakow festival hotel and depart for Warsaw via private motor coach. A stop for lunch will be made along the way. Upon afternoon arrival in Warsaw, enjoy a guided walking tour before you check in to your hotel. Tonight, your tour manager would be happy to provide dining suggestions, or a group dinner can be arranged upon request.
DAY TWO
After breakfast in the hotel dining room, enjoy a free morning in Warsaw. This afternoon, perform in a historic downtown church. Afterward, explore the nooks and crannies of the Old Town. Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of your time in Poland over a festive farewell dinner of local specialties at a nearby restaurant!
Three-night extension to Prague
A three-night stay in Prague, Czech Republic will add an exciting element to an already wonderful stay in Krakow. When traveling to Prague, you will not only have the opportunity to sing in a beautiful, historic venue but also embark on guided tours showing you the glorious landmarks of this magnificent city and to share delicious meals among friends. A post-extension to Prague will surely end your tour on a festive note and leave you with memories to last a lifetime!
Prague, reminiscent of a fairy tale city, has four breathtaking districts, each with their own style: The Castle District, the Lesser Town, linking the Castle area to the Old Town, the Old Town across the Vltava River, and the New Town, aptly named as it was founded only in the 14th century!
DAY ONE
After breakfast, check out of your Krakow festival hotel and depart for Prague via private motor coach. A stop for lunch will be made along the way. Upon late afternoon arrival in Prague, check in to your hotel and refresh. Join your tour manager for an orientation walk to get a feel for the ambiance and amenities around your hotel. Tonight, a dinner of Czech specialties is served to your group at a local restaurant to celebrate your first night in Prague.
DAY TWO
After breakfast, meet a local guide and embark on a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter to learn about the culture and traditions of this intriguing city. This afternoon, visit Prague Castle, the largest medieval fortress in the world! Tonight is free for independent exploration and dining. Your tour manager will gladly offer suggestions.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, enjoy a morning at leisure. Perhaps stroll across Charles Bridge or visit the Dvorak Museum. This afternoon a performance opportunity is arranged for your group at a historic Prague venue such as St. Nicolas Church in the Old Town Square. This evening, a festive farewell dinner is served at an Old Town restaurant where there will be ample opportunity to recount the many highlights of your tour!
Two-night extension to Warsaw
Enhance your Krakow International Choral Festival experience with a two-night extension to Warsaw! The capital city of Poland is steeped in history and was painstakingly rebuilt after the Second World War. Castle Square and the Old Town, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site are picturesque places to visit in the summer! Enjoy strolling the different squares and performing in a central church in Warsaw.
DAY ONE
After breakfast, check out of your Krakow festival hotel and depart for Warsaw via private motor coach. A stop for lunch will be made along the way. Upon afternoon arrival in Warsaw, enjoy a guided walking tour before you check in to your hotel. Tonight, your tour manager would be happy to provide dining suggestions, or a group dinner can be arranged upon request.
DAY TWO
After breakfast in the hotel dining room, enjoy a free morning in Warsaw. This afternoon, perform in a historic downtown church. Afterward, explore the nooks and crannies of the Old Town. Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of your time in Poland over a festive farewell dinner of local specialties at a nearby restaurant!
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
•FAQ’s and things to know before you go
•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