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POLAND MUSIC FESTIVALS - TOUR EU501

Chopin Tour, 2020
Concerts of the finalists of the 18th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition 2020.

Guaranteed Departure: October 21 - 25, 2020

 The International Chopin Piano Competition is one of the oldest music competitions in the world. It was founded by Prof. Jerzy Żurawlew (1887-1980) an extraordinary Polish pianist, teacher and composer. In the beginning it was a small contest with only 26 pianists from 8 countries, but throughout the years the competition gained more prestige and became one of the most important piano contests in the world. Winning or being awarded one of many prizes in this special competition simplifies the future career of the participants. Among the prize winners there are: Lew Oborin, Stanisław Szpinalski, Aleksander Uniński, Jakov Zak, Witold Małcużyński, Jan Ekier, Halina Czerny Stefańska, Bella Davidovich, Barbara Hesse-Bukowska, Adam Harasiewicz, Wladimir Ashkenazy, Fou Ts'Oung, Lidia Grychtołówna, Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, Garrick Ohlsson, Piotr Paleczny, Eugene Indjic, Krystian Zimerman, Dang Thai Son, Stanislav Bunin, Kevin Kenner, Alexei Sultanov, Yundi Li, Rafał Blechacz, Yulianna Avdeeva.

Monday October 21, 2020 - Warsaw
After arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. Orientation walk through the Old Town to get acquainted with the city of Warsaw, a city of Frederic Chopin. See the Castle’s Square where between 1826-1831 a building stood belonging to Sisters Bernadine’s with a music school lead by Joseph Elsner, Chopin’s music teacher. Walk along the Krakowskie Przedmiescie street with stop by the building of Res Sacra Miser. It was here where young Chopin was giving his first public concerts, at Namiestnikowski Palace and the Church of Nuns of the Visitations, as well. Chopin loved hot chocolate. Therefore we invite you to visit Old-Fashioned Wedel Shop – a former seat of the famous Polish chocolatier that started chocolate production in the 1850s and till today “Wedel” Factory is one of the most famous brands of chocolate in Poland. Enjoy your time with cup of hot chocolate in the beautiful interiors with décor to remind you of the splendour of the pre-war Warsaw and place where famous Polish writers used to meet, such as: Noble Prize Winner for Literature - Henry Sienkiewicz, the author of “Qvo-Vadis” novel brought on screen by Mervyn LeRoy in 1951.
Chopin concert in the Museum of Archdiocese and welcome dinner.

Tuesday October 22 Warsaw

See the Krasinski Palace with the Chopin Drawing Room where Chopin performed his etudes, some polonaises, and mazurkas for the first time. There is a commemorative plaque in the front of the building. Walk to the Kazimierzowski Palace, seat of the Warsaw Lycee which Chopin enters in 1823 and stop at the Zamoyski Palace, where Chopin’s family lived and where was the famous Chopin’s grand piano commemorated in the poem by Norwid “Chopin’s
Piano”, who said about Chopin “Varsavian by birth, Pole by heart, global citizen by talent”. Visit the Holy Cross Church where the urn with Chopin’s heart is places, brought by his sister secretly from France where Chopin died and before that asked for his heart to be taken back to his homeland.

Drive to Ostrogski Castle, a seat of the Chopin Museum. The cellar presents Chopin as a composer/pianist along with his followers. The ground floor presents Żelazowa Wola period, Chopin’s room when he was a child room, Mr. Nicolas Chopin saloon and exhibit “ Warsaw in the times of Chopin” . First floor focuses on Parisian life, Nohant and on women in his life. Second and the last floor is dedicated to Chopin’s European Journeys, his Personality and finally his death. Museum is fully interactive and most technically advanced. Each visitor receives a special token/chip which guides individual tourists through the exhibition. The token placed in one of the many readers allows to listen to the music, view rare manuscripts and listen to the information in many languages. The visitors will hear the noise
of 19th Parisian street, sounds from the kitchen at Nohant mansion, smell the aroma of Chopin’s favourite violets etc. Beside the rare and precious 800 manuscripts and autographs viewers will be able to see Chopin’s personal belonging including his clothes, coffee cup, handkerchief, pens and jewelry. Entire museum sounds with Chopin’s music except with the room commemorating his death which will be dark silent.

Wednesday October 23, 2020 Warsaw

Morning visit to one of the most splendid residence of Warsaw, the Wilanow Palace and Royal Gardens. It was the summer seat of the King Jan III Sobieski, the famous conqueror of the Turks in the battle of Vienna in 1683. You will see the beautiful royal interiors with the galley of portraits, as well as impressive collection of decorative art and sculpture. The palace is surrounded by magnificent park and gardens in a number of styles: a two-level Baroque garden, a neo-Renaissance rose garden, an English landscape park and an English-Chinese landscape park. The Wilanow Palace and Park are a part of the prestigious Association of European Royal Residences.

Afterwards, optional visit to Museum of the History of Polish Jews, a portal and place to begin an exploration of the world of Polish Jews presented in the main exhibition, the splendid example of the synagogue, many documents, letters and documentary movies.
Evening at the Warsaw Opera House to attend the opera or ballet performance.

Thursday October 24 - Warsaw - Zelowzower -Wola - Warsaw

Drive to Zelazowa Wola. This is where on February 22, 1810 Frederic Chopin was born to his French father and Polish mother A museum devoted to great composer is located in the preserved annex of the former manor. Museum contains copies of marriage certificate of his parents, Frederic’s certificate of birth and baptism, manuscripts, drawings and letters and other memorabilia. Visitors are particularly drawn to the “mother’s room” where the huge bouquet of fresh flowers indicates place where Chopin was born. Lunch in Restaurant Przepis na KOMPOT (Recipe for COMPOTE) Located in the immediate vicinity of the birth of Frederic Chopin is primarily natural, fragrant, aromatic Polish cuisine, which is based on the highest quality products including juicy, refreshing fruit orchards and the Polish firm vegetables. Grilled, boiled or baked meat in the traditional way, are surrounded by colorful vegetables will satisfy any connoisseur of the culinary arts.

You cannot omit to taste also home-made cake served with blackcurrant and raspberry jam. It was this kind of jam that George Sand prepared for Chopin when he used to live with her in Nohant.Afterwards, drive to Brochów to see the parish church where young Chopin was baptized. It is also here where Chopin’s parents got married, as well as his sister Ludwika. There is an inscription “Baptized in this church on 23 April
1810 was Frederic Chopin, born on 22 February 1810 at Zelazowa Wola.

Continue to Nieborow to see the former residence of the aristocratic family of Radziwill. It houses a splendid
collection of art, paintings and sculptures including the Head of Niobe – a Roman copy from the 1st or 2nd century A.D., made of the white marble. See the rich collection of Dutch ceramic tiles produced in Harlingen, magnificent library and collection of artistic majolica produced in the called a “sculpture center” established by the Radziwill aristocratic family in 1881.
Farewell dinner to be served by the local family in their charming house set by the ruins of the former Lowicz Castle. It was the Dutchess of Lowicz who invited Frederic Chopin for his first concert in Warsaw.

Friday October 25, 2020 Warsaw

Departure after breakfast.

Price Per Person in Euro:

  • Per Person in double room - Euro 1295

  • Single Supplement - Euro 395

  • US$ pricing will vary with the exchange rate

Includes:

  • accommodation at Sofitel Victoria

  •  5* hotel - Warsaw [4 nights including buffet breakfast]

  • transportation by deluxe motor coach (up to 49pax) or minibus (up to 19 pax) throughout all the tour

  •  English speaking tour escort throughout all the tour

  •  Welcome and farewell dinner (3 meals with water+ coffee/tea)

  • Lunch in Restaurant Przepis na KOMPOT

  • Local guide for a visits of Warsaw

  • Entrance fees:

    • Chopin Museum

    •  Wilanow Palace

    •  POLIN Museum

    •  Żelazowa Wola

    • Nieborow

    • Chopin concert in the Museum of Archdiocese

    • Chocolate tasting

    • Concert of Finalists of Frederic Chopin Piano Competition

    • Ballet performance or opera at the Warsaw Opera House


To book, please complete our secure online booking form: HERE

 

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us:

  • Tel: +1 404 736 7283

  • Email: info@allegroholidays.com