Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category

ExtraSchicht – The Night of Industrial Culture

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Once a year the Metropolitan Ruhr District (Ruhrgebiet) in Germany celebrates a colourful culture festival: For one night only, the ExtraSchicht festival turns active and former industrial plants into unforgettable stages for performances by international artists. On 27 June 2009, the time has finally come again: More than 160,000 visitors will embark on an exciting journey of discovery and be treated to an impressive taste of what the European Capital of Culture 2010 will offer. The Night of Industrial Culture is characterized by its own special dynamic. Visitors set out on their individual tour through the night, travelling from venue to venue by means of a shuttle bus system that has been specially organized for the event. The ExtraSchicht Ticket entitles guests to admission to all venues as well as free travel with the Metropolitan Ruhr District public transportation system. At the heart of the mobility network and, at the same time, serving as centres of the cultural programme, are the “hubs”. These feature special performances and spectacular final productions after midnight. From 6 pm to 2 am, visitors can explore around 40 venues, enjoy the programme including anything from classic music to hip-hop tunes, street theatre performances or take part in guided tours.

Something that might appeal to groups interested in industrial heritage, the performing arts, or both? This is one way that Select Travel can imaginatively add an extra dimension to your special interest European tour.

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Germany 2010

Monday, May 11th, 2009

For many group planners Germany and 2010 means just one thing; Oberammergau Passion Play.  While we,  like many, have some exciting packages available for this special event, there are some other equally deserving  reasons to visit Germany in 2010.   

  •  325th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach.  Leipzig – the home of Bach hosts the Bach Festival in June 2010, celebrating his 325th birthday.
  • 200th Munich Oktoberfest in September 2010.
  • 300 years of porcelain manufacture in Meissen.  Since 1710 the first European porcelain factory has been producing the world-famous Meissen porcelain in its traditional form. Table services, figurines and accessories are still hand-crafted, painted and artistically decorated by hand in a range of styles by our specialist team at the factory. Meissen porcelain still remains today the model of European table and fine dining culture. The Meissen porcelain manufactory’s third centenary in 2010 will mark the start of the fourth century of Meissen manufacturing and will be celebrated with exhibitions, limited editions, celebratory events and gastronomy.  Groups will be able to see the traditional porcelain being made and decorated and this is definitely a must-see if you are planning a visit to the Saxony region. 

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Joseph Haydn 200th Anniversary

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

In 2009, the music world around the globe commemorates the 200th anniversary of the death of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). Haydn started his career as a member of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, the city to which he also returned after working for the Princes Esterházy in today’s Burgenland and Hungary. In Vienna, he enjoyed his worldly fame for nineteen years.  To Mozart he was a fatherly friend, whilst Beethoven was his most famous student. Numerous sites in Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland and Sopron attest to the life of the then and now popular composer Joseph Haydn.

 Not only does the Vienna Musikverein contain some of the best concert halls, but also one of the biggest collections of music, which is the source of two Haydn exhibitions in 2009.  Haydn House, Mozart House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral are some of the original venues for Haydn’s concerts and performances in Vienna. Visit Haydn’s memorial in Mariahilfer Straße and see – or even hear! – Haydn at the historic Anker Clock!  Vienna has so much to offer for the cultural tourist – let Select Travel design your tour to your exact requirements, ensuring you avoid disappointment and miss nothing!

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Bregenz Opera Festival

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

Music lovers from across the globe decend on the Austrian Alpine city of Bregenz every summer for one of the world’s finest opera festivals. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Lake Constance, its a wonderfully informal festival suitable for both serious opera lovers and casual fans alike.

For the 2009 season, Giuseppe Verdi’s monumental opera Aida is to receive its first ever performance on the Bregenz Floating Stage. The story of the tragic love between the Ethiopian princess Aida - once brought to the Nile as a slave - and the Egyptian commander Radames was enthusiastically acclaimed at its premiere in Cairo in 1871. Since then Aida has gone on to become one of the most popular and most performed works in the opera repertoire.

An important scene in the latst James Bond movie Quantum of Solace takes place during an evening performance of the opera Tosca, in and around the stunning open air Opera building in Bregenz. The incredible stage, with its iconic enormous eye backdrop, was especially created for the Tosca performance, and according to the Bond producers, formed a perfect backdrop for an important scene in the Bond film. Whether you are a Bond follower or not, if you are planning a tour to central Europe which includes Lake Constance or Austria, be sure to ask Select Travel to include an evening performance at this unique theatre in its incomparable setting. After all…You Only Live Twice!!

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Sechselaeuten - A Great Swiss Festival

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Ready to banish winter, want to celebrate the arrival of Spring? Switzerland is the place to be.

Join the thousands of spectators who attend Zurich’s festival “Sechselaeuten.” On the third weekend of April, guild members dress in historic costumes parade through the city center and a symbolic snowman is burned in front of the Opera House to Welcome Spring. There are two parades you can attend. Sunday is when an 11 foot snowman is pulled on a wagon through the city as 2000 children and 900 musicians march along. Then on Monday, 7000 guild members in traditional customs and 500 horses parade to the Opera House for the burning of the snowman and the official Welcoming of Spring. As the fire burns, the tradition is for the spectators to move closer and grill tasty sausages together. The Spring Festival of the Guilds is one the most traditional festival in Zurich.

This is just one of the many opportunities that Select Travel Service can include in a custom tour of Switzerland where you get to personally experience the local customs and traditions.

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