Saturday 25-Thursday 29 May 2008 (5 days, 4 nights)
Valentine Singers will be undertaking a 4th continental concert tour this summer, May 2008, to Kraków in Poland. We hope to give 2 or 3 performances and to have time for relaxing and sight-seeing in this beautiful city. We shall be staying at Hotel Logos, www.hotel-logos.pl 5 minutes stroll from the Old Town.
The booking form shows all the nitty gritty: costs, flight details etc. This sheet deals with some more general questions/topics.
When?
Sunday 25th May until Thursday 29th May. This includes the Spring Bank Holiday (first part of half-term)
What?
The idea is to have a great time exploring in this wonderful city, as well as relaxing together and giving two or three performances. Much less intense than a weekend tour!
How much?
The grand total is £310 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 travel (flights, airport taxes, transfers and any other group travel that may be required in Poland); services of tour organisers; all concert organisation; venue hire fees and publicity. It does not include airport transfers in the UK.
What else?
You will need to provide lunch and dinner each day (can be very cheap!) as well as drinks and snacks and any personal spending, of course.
What’s in a name?
Craców is the local spelling; Kraków the ‘foreign’ version. ‘Kraków’ is generally used by airports [KKW]. Locals speaking in English say ‘crack-ow’ - that’s ‘ow’ as in ‘cow’; locals speaking Polish say something nearer to ‘Krakohwf’.
What kind of performances?
Concerts, probably in churches; maybe a mass service.
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. This assumes, of course, that we have managed to get the tour music very well rehearsed before we leave home!
Will we travel together in a coach in Poland?
Only for the airport transfers, unless we need a coach for any of the performance venues. Once based at the hotel we can move round the city with a large degree of independence. Most parts of the city are within reasonable walking distance and there is a very reliable tram service.
Free time 1 ~ Exploring the area and relaxing
The hotel is close to the old town, which includes the magnificent main square. Taking in the atmosphere as you wander around, or sitting for a while at one of the outdoor cafes, is a great way to spend a sunny hour or three. There are many buildings that are well worth a look inside, as well as out, often for free or not much, such as the many churches in the city centre, the galleries, museums and other entertainments – and the shops, of course!. If you want to chill out, Hotel Logos offers sauna, massage and beauty therapy facilities in addition to a good-sized restaurant and a smallish bar. There are plenty of other bars and eating places nearby. Every room is en suite, with mini-bar and satellite TV.
Free time 2 ~ Arranging an excursion
There are several companies in Kraków which organise walking tours and rides (horse-drawn or otherwise) around various parts of the city, including the fascinating Jewish quarter, the Kazimierz. There are also daily coach tours to such out-of-town venues as the world-famous salt mines at Wieliczka (c.10km from Krakow) or even Aushcwitz Birkenau (75km from Krakow) and more. All of these can be booked at very short notice by individuals or small groups, usually through the hotel, and passengers can be picked up from the hotel or very nearby, so it’s very easy and not too expensive to travel further afield on your own if you wish.
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 Barbara Nunn before booking to discuss your particular situation.
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 that we have used 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 up in the new year, when there is a more definite indication of performance venues, times, lengths etc. If you don’t already own a Valentine Singers’ CD, do get one a.s.a.p. as a lot of the items are regular tour pieces!
Currency
Although a member of the EU, Poland, like the UK, retains its own currency. There are approximately 5 Zloty to the UK pound [4 to the euro]. There are plenty of cash machines in Kraków, so finding a ‘hole in the wall’ is not a difficulty.
Dates: Sunday 25th May to Thursday 29th May (5 days, 4 nights)
PRICE:
£310 per person for bed in twin/double room
£355 per person for single occupancy
£275 per person for bed in triple room
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:-
* Return travel between London Gatwick (North) and Krakow including the flight and transfers between Krakow
Airport and hotel
* 4 nights B&B accommodation at the Hotel Logos (located in the City Centre - for details go to: http://www.hotel-logos.pl
* Organisation and publicity for performances
ITEMS NOT INCLUDED in the tour price are:
* Travel insurance
* Meals other than breakfast
* Transport to and from Gatwick North and parking at airport (the option of transport to and from Gearies may be available
nearer the time - cost to be advised)
INSURANCE
Tour 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 valid passport and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that you should bring with you on tour. This card has replaced the old E111 form.
CANCELLATION
If, 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. If insurance can be invoked, this should, of course, be used to cover the costs due to Valentine Singers.
PAYMENTS
ALL CHEQUES SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO Valentine Singers Trip Account
CASH IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE
Deposits are required for each person as follows:
£50 per person non-returnable deposit with this form on booking
the balance by Friday 29th February 2008
A staggered payment scheme is available by arrangement.
EXCHANGE RATE
Prices have been based on an exchange rate of 5.2 zloty per £. Should a major fluctuation occur, an adjustment in the tour price could be necessary – either way, of course!
£ 310 for a place sharing a room (twin or double)
£ 350 for a place having single use of a room Cost includes
:
4 nights hotel accommodation - B&B
Organisation and publicity of concerts, programmes, admin etc.
Payments
Deposit of £50 required with booking form; balance due Friday
29th Feburary.
Cheques payable to Valentine Singers Trip Account
We have a limit on the number of places available, so please
send in your form as soon as possible.
If you wish to book a single room or to have a room where smoking
is permitted you are advised to book immediately!
UPDATES
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.
