ITINERARY
Welcome to the Corpus Medicorum Grand European Tour! We are performing in three cities in 2018 and have a great itinerary for all to enjoy. We want the tour to be inclusive, but we also do not want you to be a captive audience. We have left space for, and encourage, independence and exploration. This years’ program (thank you Phillip!) allows you to get out and about make the most of the opportunity to visit these cities. Subject to interest, I am very happy to put together and pre organize group day touring for you and your supporters.
Flights into Thessaloniki depart from Istanbul and Zurich early on the 28th of March. We have international flights with Singapore Airlines to get you into either city, but given the early start both options require at least one night’s accommodation prior to your connection. This is an opportunity to travel on the weekend and have some fun exploring while you find your feet before Wednesday! If you cannot leave Australia until Monday, flying into Zurich is the quickest connection. With the flexibility of the Singapore Airlines fares, you are welcome to arrive even earlier and into another European gateway altogether - we just need to make sure that you are in either Istanbul or Zurich on the night of the 27th of March. You are also welcome to stay on after the tour and fly out of another city. The below flight times are based on departures from Melbourne but we can fly you out of most Australian cities.
Arriving into Istanbul
Situated either side of the of the Bosphorus Strait separating Europe from Asia Istanbul is, unlike any other city in the world, split between two continents.
Depart Melbourne the afternoon/evening of either Saturday 24th or Sunday 25th of March, arriving into Istanbul the following morning at 7:45am (please note, there is no option arriving into Istanbul on the 27th).
Own arrangements for the two or three nights (subject to interest happy to put together packages with accommodation and day touring for you).
Your next flight leaves from Ataturk Airport on Wednesday the 28th March of at 7:25am and arrives into Thessaloniki at 8:45am.
The tour officially finishes the morning of Friday 6th April and Singapore Airlines departs Malpensa Airport at 1:00pm, which can have you back in Australia Saturday night at 8:10pm.
Arriving into Zurich
Whether the National Museum, Kunsthaus Zurich or Zurich Opera House: the City on the Limmat offers first-class cultural events.
Depart Melbourne on the afternoon/evening of Monday the 26th March, arriving into Zurich the following morning at 8:15am. I have booked an airport hotel so you can explore during the day and are close to the airport for the early start the next morning.
Your next flight leaves Zurich Airport at 6:30am on Wednesday the 28th of March, arriving into Thessaloniki at 9:45am.
The tour officially finishes the morning of Friday the 6th of April and Singapore Airlines departs Malpensa Airport at 1:00pm, which can have you back in Australia Saturday night at 8:10pm.
Wednesday 28th March -
Arrive Thessaloniki
Built near the sea, Thessaloniki it is a modern metropolis bearing the marks of its stormy history and its cosmopolitan character, which give it a special beauty and charm.
We will have coaches meeting both of the flights which will take you to your accommodation. We are staying in Thessaloniki for four nights.
The Thessaloniki Concert Hall is a bit far from the action is, so we have booked hotels that are in the centre of town for a more authentic experience. This allows for more opportunity to explore in your down time. On the night of the concert, we will have coaches to take you to the concert hall. All other transport to and from the hall are for you to organise based your own plans - it is well serviced by public transport.
3* Vergina Hotel
4*Capsis Hotel
5* The Met Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels
Bed and breakfast included, city tax payable direct.
Rehearsals: Thursday 29th & Friday 30th March
Concert: Saturday 31st March
Sunday 1st April –
Depart Thessaloniki
Coaches will take you to the airport for your flight to Ljubljana. Coaches are also booked to meet you upon your arrival and take you to your hotel. We are staying in Ljubljana for three nights.
Sunday 1st April –
Arrive Ljubljana
“The Beloved” with only 280,000 inhabitants is one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but uses this to its advantage. It has a genuine cosmopolitan feel with all the comfort and friendliness of the smallest village.
Both of these hotels are really lovely. Located in the city centre, they are walking distance to the Slovenian Philharmonic Concert hall.
3* City Hotel
4* Hotel Lev
Bed and breakfast included, city tax included.
Concert: Tuesday 3rd April
Wednesday 4th April -
Depart Ljubljana
Sit back and enjoy the views as you make your way to Milan by coach. The journey should take around six hours. You will be dropped off to your chosen hotel. We are staying in Milan for two nights.
Wednesday 4th April –
Arrive Milan
Home to the illustrious La Scala opera house, Il Duomo, Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and the Who’s Who of fashion superstars.
All of the hotels are centrally located near the Duomo. Hotel Cavour is a bit further north, closer to La Scala. The Conservatory is an easy one and half kilometre walk from the Duomo.
3* Hotel Rio
4* Hotel Cavour
5* STRAF, a Member of Design Hotels
Bed and Breakfast included. City Tax is payable direct.
Concert: Thursday 5th April.