Monday, May 17, 2010

Travel Tips: What to pack?

For most people, packing is the most difficult part. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, but as a colleague explains it: "You'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!" Her advice: "Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle."
Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing tank tops or shorts. A scarf is a good solution to this code. And shorts should always go to your knees (both for Ladies and Gents). Incantato also plans a farewell dinner for the tour groups, so bring something comfortable and dressy.
Here are a few things that we think are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings and with the weight of your bag - remember, we allow only one checked bag per person and a small carry-on such as a bag pack or small duffel. Yes Ladies, you may have a small purse in addition, gents a camera case is fine too, but again, you will be the one carrying it all from the bus to the hotel and vice versa, so better test if you can move all your travel belongings without needing to make two trips or help from someone else.
A sample packing list (just a suggestion!)
* Rain jacket, maybe with fleece insert
* Umbrella
* An adapter plug/converter (if bringing electronic devices)
* Camera and batteries or charger with adapter
* At least two pair of jeans/pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses too
* a sweater or two
* Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans)
* Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes
* A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry on any valuables)
* Choir music and attire
* Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, good everyday shoes, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach.
* Put all liquids that are in your carry-on into a zip-lock bag. And remember the 311 rules: http://www.tsa.gov/311/
* All scissors, fingernail clippers, etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounzes. Bring enough contact lense solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip.

If you forget anything there are plenty of shops where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

WWC Ireland Tour Repertoire

Our Voices Rising

Exaudi! Laudate! (1998)
SSA & Piano, Bevery A. Patton
Hear me and praise. Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to people of good will. Alleluia!

Rose Trilogy (2003)
SSA and piano, Eleanor Daley (b. 1955)
  • A Red, Red Rose, poem by Robert Burns
  • The White Rose, poem by John Boyle O’Reilly
  • Lost Rose, poem from Green Willow (anon.)

Three Anonymous Irish Love Songs (1996) (7 min)
SSA and piano, arr. James Mulholland
  • I Will Walk With My Love
  • Hey Ho, the Morning Dew
  • Green Grows the Laurel

Gift to be Simple (folk tune)
SSA, unaccompanied, arr. Bob Chilcott

Alleluia (1968)
SSAA, unaccompanied, Randall Thompson

No Time (1999)
SSAA and piano, arr. Susan Brumfield

Balm in Gilead (1994, spiritual)
SSAAA, unaccompanied, arr. Ysaye Barnwell

Elijah Rock (1956, spiritual)
SSA, unaccompanied, Jester Hairston

Music Down in My Soul (2002, gospel)
SSA and piano, Moses Hogan

Going Up Yonder (1976, gospel)
SSAA and piano, Walter Hawkins, arr. by Martin Sirvatka

How Can I Keep from Singing (1996, folk tune)
SSAA and piano, Gwyneth Walker

Pub Concert and at end of full concerts (selections from the following):


Bewitched, from Pal Joey, 1940
Rodgers & Hart arr, Russ Robinson, SSA and piano

Old Devil Moon, from Finian’s Rainbow, 1946
“Yip” Harburg arr. Mac Huff, SSA and piano

Let’s Do It, from Paris, 1928
Cole Porter, SSA and piano

Embraceable You, from Girl Crazy 1930
George and Ira Gershwin, arr. Kirby Shaw, SSA unaccompanied

Someone to Watch Over Me, from Oh Kay, 1926
George and Ira Gershwin, arr. Jay Althouse, SSA and piano

The Way You Look Tonight, from Swingtime, 1936
Jerome Kern, arr. Kirby Shaw, SSA and piano

Impression from Kylemore Abbey - a private piano concert

Your first home away from home: Carlton Hotel Galway City

When the WWC officially starts with the arrival in Galway, the singers, their family and friends are staying at the Carlton Hotel Galway City. Now there are fancier hotels in one of our favorite Irish cities, but we chose this one for you all for its excellent location close to everything happening!
The Carlton Hotel Galway City is located 5 minutes from Galway City Centre. And as we already informed you, Galway is well known for it's great shopping and good food with plenty to see and do, including a great nightlife of dancing, concerts, funfairs, festivals and much more. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in public areas and free high speed internet access in bedrooms. You can have dinner at Rueben's Restaurant or grab a snack at Bar Solo. The rooms are equipped with a laptop size safe, a hairdryer and a Tea/Coffee Station.

The pictures are from the official hotel website.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Travel Insurance - Please make sure you are protected!

Incantato Tours strongly recommend getting travel insurance for your upcoming journey. Not only are you covered medically should anything happen when traveling, but with TravelGuard's policies, you also protect your investment should you have to cancel or interrupt the trip. Last not least, there is also coverage for delayed and lost luggage etc.
Here is a direct line to purchase travel insurance online and can you do so with your credit cards and also select the option that is best for you.



In the meantime, have a look at the most comprehensive coverage option The Protect Assist Gold below.

Protect Assist (Gold) -
Comprehensive Travel Protection for the World Traveler
  • Trip Cancellation
  • JUST ADDED! - Trip Cancellation due to employment loss or layoff
    if employed with the same employer 1 year or longer
  • Trip Interruption and Travel Delay
  • Emergency Medical and Emergency Medical Transportation
  • Baggage and Travel Document Protection
  • Baggage Delay and Lost Baggage Tracking
  • NEW - Cancel For Any Reason option now available
  • NEW - Cancel For Work Reasons option now available
  • NEW - Children age 17 and under covered at no additional cost
  • IMPROVED -Trip Cancellation limit increased to $100,000 (from $15,000),
  • IMPROVED - Trip Interruption coverage increased to 150% of Trip Cost
  • IMPROVED - Travel Delay required hours reduced to 5 hours (from 12)

ProtectAssist special features:
  • Best coverage for Weather Related Cancellations
  • Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver*
  • Default/Bankruptcy Protection*
  • $50,000 Flight Accident Insurance*
  • 24-Hour "LiveTravel" Travel Agency
  • Emergency Cash Transfers
  • Identity Theft Restoration

Comprehensive non-insurance travel services* automatically included with plan!With the ProtectAssist plan, every customer also has access to these valuable travel services when they travel:· Arrangements for last-minute flight changes· Hotel finder and reservations· Rental car reservations· Emergency medical assistance· BagTrak® -- lost baggage tracking· Pre-trip health and safety advisories· Live e-mail and phone messaging to family and friends· Cash transfers· Airport transportation· Golf course reservations· Event ticketing· Floral services· Identity Theft restoration
Business Assistant* (available when Optional Cancel for Work Reasons coverage is purchased)



*Non-Insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.


Eligibility
Citizenship: All Nationalities
Residency: United States
New York, Oregon, and Washington residence please call to purchase
Some rider options are not available and other restrictions may apply

Destination: Worldwide
Ages: All Ages
Max Trip Length: 365 Days

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Home away from Home: International Hotel in Killarney

When the Washington Women's Chorus stops in Killarney, the travelers will be staying at the International Hotel. Recently refurbished, the Killarney accommodation boasts 90 bedrooms, furnished to a high standard. All rooms come with ensuite facilities including hairdryer, heated towel rail, Satellite TV and radio, ironing stations and alarm clocks. When you are hungry, check out the restaurant or the bar/lounge. This property also offers wireless internet access.

Home away from Home: The Imperial Hotel in Cork

The Imperial Hotel is the WWC home in Cork. It is a 4 star hotel, right in the heart of Cork city center. The Imperial hotel boasts luxury accommodation in Cork City, offering 130 hotel rooms. The Imperial Hotel Cork has been serving Cork city center since 1813, when the Cork Committee of Merchants commissioned architect Sir Thomas Deane to design and build The Commercial Rooms. In 1816 the merchants requested Deane to extend the original building along Pembroke Street to serve as a hotel and coach-yard. The Imperial Hotel, originally the place where merchants met to discuss business, remains the most popular business and social center in the city today. This hotel has played host to a number of renowned figures including Fr Mathew, the Temperance Priest, writers such as Sir Walter Scott, William Makepeace Thackeray, Charles Dickens and the composer Liszt. Michael Collins, who negotiated the Free State Treaty in 1921 and is an important figure in Irish history, spent his last night in room 115 at the Imperial Hotel in Cork City Center.