From $4,870 USD Single $5,560 USD Twin share $4,870 USD 9 days Duration Europe Destination Level 2 - Moderate Activity 05 Sep 19 to 13 Sep 19 The life of Beethoven small group tour This Beethoven small group tour gives participants the chance to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Beethoven s life and music. The importance of Ludwig van Beethoven s place in Western music cannot be overstated. Beethoven is especially relevant to those interested in the classics because of his musical innovations. He holds a place as arguably one of the most famous and influential of all Classical composers. Between 1770 and 1827, he composed an enormous number of pieces of music. Beethoven s most noteworthy achievements in this period include 9 symphonies, 08-Apr-2018 1/7
5 piano concertos, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, a complete Mass, as well as an opera. This small group tour travels across Austria and Germany to enhance your understanding of the man, Beethoven. The itinerary The tour begins in the city of Bonn, where Beethoven was born. We spend the first few days taking in many of the churches, buildings, and city precincts where Beethoven formed his unique artistic sensibility. We also visit the Parish church in which many of his compositions were first performed. As part of this small group tour we also learn about and visit the Organ Workshops, Augustburg Palace, and the Museum dedicated to Robert Schumann. Beethoven was a significant influence on Schumann. From there, we head to Vienna for a walking tour of the city and visits to the key sites where Beethoven composed and performed. Vienna was where Beethoven studied composition under Joseph Haydn. It was in Vienna where Beethoven consequently gained a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. The tour takes us to many of the concert halls and churches where his work was performed, absorbing the majesty of this quintessentially Austrian city. A key highlight of this tour is the opportunity to attend five concerts during the eight nights. Performances of Beethoven s work include the Opening Concert at Beethovenhalle. As well as a two more performances in this season. As a result of finishing in Vienna we attend a further two concerts that include Beethoven s work. For more details, click the Top 5 or Itinerary buttons above! If 08-Apr-2018 2/7
you re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page. Top 5 1. Explore Beethoven's city of Bonn, as well as Vienna, where he also lived. 2. Delve deeper into the life of Beethoven through a series of artistic and cultural experiences. 3. Tour the Beethoven House in Boon, as well as the Beethoven house in Heiligenstadt. 4. Visit Cologne Cathedral, where some of Beethoven's works were first performed. 5. Experiences the extraordinary Beethoven Festival in Bonn, celebrating the composer's life and works. Itinerary Day 1 Overview: After making our own way to Bonn, we meet at the hotel for a 3-course welcome dinner and tour orientation. Day 2 Overview: Today, we explore Bonn on foot, taking a tour of the city that incorporates many of the main sights related to Beethoven. We visit Beethoven House, the Parish Church of St Regimius (where many of Beethoven's early works were first performed), and the Old 08-Apr-2018 3/7
Cemetery. In the afternoon we learn about the life and works of Robert Schumann -- who was himself great influenced by Beethoven -- at the Schumann Museum. In the evening, we enjoy a spectacular performance at the Beethovenhalle and dinner in a local restaurant. Day 3 Overview: After breakfast, we take a guided tour of the Organ Workshop Klais. The family-run company that operates this Workshop designs, builds and restores pipe organs. Founded in 1882 by Johannes Klais senior, the Workshop is a fantastic way of understanding the ongoing significance of pipe-organ music in Germany. Later in the day, we visit Augustburg Palace and Hunting Lodge Falkenlust. These palaces have been listed as a UNESCO cultural World Heritage Site since 1984. They are connected by the spacious gardens and trees of the Schlosspark. Augustusburg Palace and its parks also serve as a venue for the Brühl Palace Concerts. Day 4 Overview: Today, we enjoy a cruise on the Rhine River to Konigswinter, via Bad Honnef. We experience the majesty of Drachenfels Castle, a ruined castle atop an enormous rock. The castle gained popularity in the romantic era, after Lord Byron wrote the castle into his long poem, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. After this 08-Apr-2018 4/7
point, many Romanticists made pilgrimages to the rock and castle, which has been an important German tourist destination ever since. In the evening, we enjoy another unforgettable performance of Late Romantic works at the Beethovenhalle, back in Bonn. Day 5 Overview: Today we travel by coach to Cologne, where we meet our local guide for a tour of this extraordinary city. We see many of the city's main sights, including a tour of Cologne Cathedral, Germany's most popular tourist destination. Despite having been left incomplete during the medieval period, Cologne Cathedral now stands as an architectural masterpiece that has recently gained status as a World Heritage Site. From Cologne, we fly together to Vienna, where we check into our new hotel and enjoy dinner. Day 6 Overview: Today we enjoy a tour of Vienna with a local guide, taking in the main sights and viewing the Beethoven memorial. We also make our way to Central Cemetery, where we pay our respects at the grave of Beethoven. In the afternoon, we visit the Beethoven House in Heiligenstadt, where, in 1802, he wrote the "Heiligenstädter Testament" the letter to his two brothers which he never sent and in which he expressed his despair over his advancing deafness. In the evening, we experience a classic ensemble concert, which features music from Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and -- of course -- 08-Apr-2018 5/7
Beethoven. Day 7 Overview: After breakfast, we head to the House of Music for a guided tour of the Vienna Staatsoper, Vienna's premier opera venue. Day 8 Overview: After breakfast, we have the morning free to explore Vienna at our own pace. We then visit the Pasqualati Museum, before coming together for an evening concert at Vienna Staatsoper and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Day 9 Overview: After breakfast, we say our farewells and the tour draws to an end. Accommodation: Inclusions / Exclusions What's included in our Tour All excursions, sightseeing, and entrance fees as per the tour Detailed preparatory material 8 nights of hotel accommodation in Bonn and Vienna. 08-Apr-2018 6/7
8 breakfasts and 4 dinners. Local guides, as well as the services of an Odyssey tour leader. Entrance to the Beethoven Houses in Bonn and Vienna. Numerous concert tickets to see performances of Beethoven works. What's not included in our Tour Return economy class international airfare and departure taxes. Comprehensive travel insurance. Items of personal nature such as laundry and phone calls. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any requests for further information about this tour or any others offered by Odyssey Travel. 08-Apr-2018 7/7