Tours |
2010 TOUR TO AMIENSLATEST NEWSPlease download the planned itinerary in its draft format here Please note that times other than concerts and crossings are not yet confirmed. Please download the music list here Visit the Listen and Rehearse section of the website and look for the starred items to aid your practice Link to the Mercure Amiens Cathedrale website Valentine Singers will be undertaking a 5th continental concert tour next spring, April 2010, to Amiens in northern France. We hope to give 2 or 3 performances and to have time for relaxing and sight-seeing in this beautiful city and the surrounding area. We shall be staying at the *** Hotel Mercure Amiens Cathedrale, located right by the cathedral in a very quiet location in the old city centre - for details go to: http://www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-7076-mercure-amiens-cathedrale/index.shtml or see VS website for an easy link! The booking form shows all the nitty gritty: costs, travel and accommodation details etc. This sheet deals with some more general questions/topics. When? Thursday 8th April until Monday 12th April, 2010. For reference, Easter Monday is 5th April. What? The idea is to have a great time exploring this wonderful part of France, as well as relaxing together and giving two or three performances. How much? The grand total is £325 per person in a twin or double room (reductions for sharing in a triple room; single supplement as on form). This sum includes 4 nights bed and breakfast accommodation; all coach travel (travel from Gants Hill to Amiens as well as all other group travel that may be required in France); services of tour organisers; all concert organisation; venue hire fees and publicity. What else? You will need to provide lunch and dinner each day as well as drinks and snacks and any personal spending, of course. An optional group meal may be arranged for which a charge will be made. Where exactly is Amiens? Amiens is c.150km (less than 95 miles!) south of Calais. It is a beautiful town in the Somme district; the ancient cathedral is the largest in France. It is famous also for Les Hortillonages (the floating gardens) and for being the home of Jules Verne – amongst other things! What kind of performances? Concerts, probably in churches; maybe a mass service. I’ve not toured with Valentine Singers before, will I be at a disadvantage? All members of the choir are very welcome – on their own or with a partner, friend or family. We shall be drawing upon repertoire from the autumn 2009 (Parry and Finzi) and spring 2010 concerts as well as some music that we have sung on previous tours and everyone will need to make sure that they have adequate time to learn pieces that are new to them. A repertoire list will be drawn in the new year. If you don’t already own the Valentine Singers’ “Abroad” CD, do get one a.s.a.p. as a lot of the items are regular tour pieces! How much rehearsing? At most concert venues we’d expect to spend no more than an hour or two in rehearsal, which can easily be filled for non-singers by a browse around the area or just soaking up the atmosphere. Most of the rehearsal time will be required for getting used to new venues – seating, acoustics, sight-lines etc Will we travel together in a coach during the tour? There will be a concert in Albert and possibly in another nearby town, for which the coach will be available and it may be possible to lay on an optional excursion on a free day/part day. However, the hotel is very centrally (though quietly) situated and is within walking distance of most points of interest in the city; it is easy to move round the city with a large degree of independence. Free time Just wandering around Amiens - the quiet pedestrian areas, the riverside, the boutiques and restaurants to say nothing of the wonderful cathedral and the other beautiful churches - is a delight in itself. In addition there are boat trips along the river and through the beautiful “floating gardens” - Les Hortillonages – as well as museums, walks along the river area and the Jules Verne house, amongst many treasures. The Somme Any of you who have researched much into World War 1, or perhaps read Sebastian Faulks Birdsong, will be very aware of the proximity of Amiens to the front line. There are many war grave sites in the area and there is a museum right by the church in Albert where we shall be singing, for anyone who is interested. It may also be possible to include an optional trip to Beaumont Hamel, where you can walk by the remains of original trenches in countryside that is now incredibly peaceful and beautiful. Of course, the Somme has many, many other things to offer, too, and you can see more on the displays at Gearies. May I bring children? Children are welcome so long as there is someone to be responsible for them at all times, including rehearsals and performances! With older children/teenagers this doesn’t usually present a problem. If you are thinking of bringing children, please have a word with Frances Quintrell or Christine before booking to discuss your particular situation. Currency Euros, of course. There are plenty of holes in the wall in Amiens!
Tour Details
PRICE:
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:-
The hotel is located right by the cathedral in a very quiet location in the City Centre - for details go to: http://www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-7076-mercure-amiens-cathedrale/index.shtml or see VS website for an easy link!
INSURANCETour members are responsible for their own travel insurance for this tour. You are strongly advised to take out insurance from the time of booking so that all your deposits are covered should you be forced to withdraw from the tour.You are also reminded to ensure that you have a:
CANCELLATIONIf, at any point after making the initial booking, a member withdraws for any reason they are liable to pay the whole fee unless an acceptable substitute (eg same voice part) can be found. NB a substitution may be made only in consultation with the tour organisers, Christine Gwynn & Frances Quintrell. If insurance can be invoked, this should, of course, be used to cover the costs due to Valentine Singers. PAYMENTSAll cheques should be made payable to Valentine Singers Trip Account; cash is also acceptable
Deposits are required for each person as follows:
A staggered payment scheme is available by arrangement.
EXCHANGE RATE Updates about the tour will be available at Friday night choir practices and will also be posted on this website along with a down-loadable form for anyone who needs a spare.
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