DAY ONE

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 – New York/New Brunswick

Depart C.W. Post by motor coach.

Drive north through New England and along the Atlantic coastline of Maine.

Arrive Saint John, New Brunswick in the early evening.

Accommodations arranged by the local Rotary Club for your three night stay in St. John.

There's a world of wonder waiting for you in Saint John.  Pristine parks, steep history-lined streets, quality dining and shopping. A vibrant arts and entertainment community with colorful festivals!  An unforgettable ocean adventure and attractions around every turn. 

DAY TWO

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 – New Brunswick

Celebrate Canada Day with your local Rotary Hosts.

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1^st.

DAY THREE

Thursday, July 2, 2009 – New Brunswick

This morning take part in a guided tour of the tides. Marvel at the tides battling against the river currents

Gather in the afternoon for a full orchestra rehearsal (venue to be advised).

This evening, the Long Island Youth Orchestra will present its first public concert of the tour in the concert hall.

DAY FOUR

Friday, July 3, 2009 – New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island

Depart St. John in the morning.

Drive north through picturesque New Brunswick scenery to Prince Edward Island.

Join your local Rotary hosts in Charlottetown for your three night stay in Prince Edward Island.

One of the four Atlantic Provinces, Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest province. The island is positioned in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, separated from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by Northumberland Strait.

DAY FIVE

Saturday, July 4, 2009 – Prince Edward Island

Happy Fourth of July!

Take in the sights of Charlottetown.

Charlottetown, the Capital City of Prince Edward Island, is the perfect blend of urban excitement, country living and some of the cleanest air in Canada. Enjoy a stroll on National Historic Great George Street; sit amongst the trees on Victoria Row; or shop on Queen Street.

Afternoon rehearsal.

Evening benefit concert for your Rotary hosts celebrating American Independence Day.

DAY SIX

Sunday, July 5, 2009 – Prince Edward Island

Today will be set aside for you to visit and swim at one of Prince Edward Island’s wonderful beaches with young Rotarians and local musicians.

In the evening, gather for a special reception.

Possible opportunity for performances by small ensembles of the Long Island Youth Orchestra.

DAY SEVEN

Monday, July 6, 2009 – Prince Edward Island/Sydney

Depart Prince Edward Island in the morning.

Drive northeast into Nova Scotia to the city of Sydney situated at the base of scenic Cape Breton Island.

Accommodations will be at the University for your three night stay in Sydney.

Sydney—also commonly known as the Steel City—is Nova Scotia’s third largest city and acts as a major industrial hub for the rest of Atlantic Canada. Located on the shores of the vast Sydney harbour, Sydney is a popular stopover point for cruise ships on the Atlantic Shore. This historic community is a mainstay of the legendary Cape Breton region, and boasts several buildings and landmarks that date as far back as 1786.

DAY EIGHT

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 – Sydney

This morning enjoy local sightseeing as arranged in cooperation with your Rotary hosts.

Take part in a late afternoon rehearsal.

The orchestra will present a charity performance at a local university benefiting one of the Rotary Clubs philanthropic endeavors.

DAY NINE

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 – Sydney

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing circling Cape Breton Island.

There's plenty to see on Cape Breton Island. It is one of the oldest settlements in Nova Scotia, and you can see evidence of that at the Fortress of Louisbourg. More history can be found in the local music. You'll hear bagpipers and Acadian fiddlers throughout the island.

Much of Cape Breton's wonders are outdoors. Enjoy the whales and the incredible species of birds that inhabit the rocky Bird Isles off the coast of the Cabot Trail.

Return to Sydney.

DAY TEN

Thursday, July 9, 2009 – Sydney/Wolfville

Depart Sydney in the morning.

Drive south to the city of Wolfville.

Accommodations for two nights will be arranged by the local Rotary Club in Wolfville.

Located in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, the town of Wolfville is situated at the northeast end of the Bay of Fundy. Visitors who come to see the Bay's spectacular tides will also find a town that features a host of activities and attractions.

The Long Island Youth Orchestra first visited Wolfville in 2002.

DAY ELEVEN

Friday, July 10, 2009 – Wolfville

Today will be spent catching up with old friend’s from the orchestra’s previous visit and enjoying the local sights.

Evening charity concert benefiting the local Rotary Club’s charitable efforts.

DAY TWELVE

Saturday, July 11, 2009 – Wolfville/Halifax

10:00pm

Depart Wolfville.

Drive to nearby Halifax.

Take part in sightseeing in Halifax.

Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and one of the world's perfect ports of call for small ship cruises in Canada. With over 400 km of dramatic coastline, white sand beaches, and one of the world's largest natural harbors, its no wonder life here revolves around the sea.

View the waterfront of Halifax, which has been the center and heart of the city since it was founded.

See the Grand Parade, the area in front of Halifax City Hall where the Cenotaph (war monument) stands. Most political rallies start here. Halifax Citadel - Citadel Hill: is a restored 19th century British fort in the heart of Halifax, which affords the best view of the city. A highland soldier guards the entrance, bagpipers and drummers, museums, tunnels, prison cells, moat, rifle firings, cannon firings, parades, hourly changing of the guard ceremony

After your sightseeing, transfer to the Halifax International Airport.

Depart Halifax on Icelandair Fl# 606.

DAY THIRTEEN

Sunday, July 12, 2009 – Copenhagen

5:15am

7:45am

12:45pm

Arrive Keflavik International Airport.

Depart Keflavik on Icelandair Fl# 204

Arrive Copenhagen International Airport.

Clear Danish customs and immigration.

Transfer to your accommodations for your three night stay in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark is Scandinavia's most fantastic city, and part of the most dynamic region in Northern Europe, the Øresund Region. The city is one of Europe's oldest capitals with a royal touch - the Danish monarchy being the oldest in the world!

Spend the day enjoying sightseeing in the Danish Capital “Wonderful Copenhagen”.

On the tour pass by the Tivoli Gardens and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Drive through the colorful canal district and past the National Museum, by Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament. Continue on to The Old Stock Exchange and across Kongens Nytorv, where you can see the Royal Theatre, world famous for its Royal Ballet.

Your tour will continue past the colorful harbor district of Nyhavn to Amalienborg Palace - winter residence of the Royal Family. Here you may have the opportunity of seeing the changing of the Guard. This is followed by a visit to the Gefion Fountain and The Little Mermaid, inspired by H. C. Andersen's fairytale.

During the tour you will pay a visit to one of the many magnificent churches in Copenhagen as well as pass by Rosenborg Castle, where the Crown Jewels are protected by the Royal Guard.

DAY FOURTEEN

Monday, July 13, 2009 – Copenhagen

Today attend special events arranged by local Rotary sponsors.

There will be opportunities for small ensemble from LIYO to perform for invited guests at selected locations.

Evening social activities will be arranged in cooperation with our sponsoring Rotary Club.

DAY FIFTEEN

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – Copenhagen

Time in Copenhagen for additional sightseeing and supervised “free time” in groups with your leaders.

Afternoon rehearsal by full orchestra

In the evening, the Long Island Youth Orchestra will present a full concert for the benefit of Rotary charities.

DAY SIXTEEN

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 – Copenhagen/Bergen

9:00pm

10:25pm

Check out of your accommodations.

Take a part in an excursion to Hamlet’s Castle at Elsinore.

Hamlet was already a legend when Shakespeare immortalized his story in around 1600 but during Hamlet’s lifetime there probably wasn’t much more than a fort on Kronborg’s site, so the real Hamlet probably never lived here. Shakespeare chose Kronborg as the setting because the castle was at the peak of its grandeur during Shakespeare’s own lifetime. Much of the current structure is part of a re-build which took place after a fire in around 1620, though Shakespeare didn’t see this version of the castle, he got his information from touring actors who visited the seaside castle in around 1585.

Next, visit the charming towns of the “Danish Rivera”. Swimming is possible, weather permitting.

After dinner, transfer to Copenhagen International Airport.

Depart Copenhagen on SAS Fl# 2874

Arrive Bergen International Airport.

The orchestra will by met by its local hosts and accommodated for three nights.

DAY SEVENTEEN

Thursday, July 16, 2009 – Bergen

Spend the day touring Bergen.

For almost one thousand years, Bergen has been the destination of travelers from all around the world. Bergen is the kingdom's second largest city and the country’s principal seaport, with over 225,000 inhabitants and situated on the west coast of Norway. The year of the foundation is estimated to be 1070.

Bergen's highlights include its Fish Market, Aquarium and funicular railroad up Mount Floyen.

Return to your accommodations for dinner after your tour.

DAY EIGHTEEN

Friday, July 17, 2009 – Bergen

Today, take part in organized activities in and around Bergen during the day.

Meet with members of an outstanding young performing group, which may return our visit in the future.

In the evening, the orchestra will present performance in a historic church in the sponsoring community.

DAY NINETEEN

Saturday, July 18, 2009 –

In the morning, drive through Bergen to Trollhaugen, the rustic home and burial place of Edvard Grieg Norway’s most famous composer.

From Trollhaugen, continue via breathtaking scenery to the

Sognelfjord, the largest and deepest fjord in Norway, extending more than 100 miles inland from the sea.

Arrive Sogndal by bus and ferry in the late afternoon.

Check into your accommodations for two nights.

DAY TWENTY

Sunday, July 19, 2009 – Sogndal

Enjoy a relaxing day in Sogndal visiting with local families and young people who will show you around the fjord area.

In the evening, the Long Island Youth Orchestra will present a full concert for local Rotary charities.

DAY TWENTY-ONE

Monday, July 20, 2009 – Sogndal/Oslo

Depart Sogndal in the early morning for a short drive to Kauppanger.

In Kauppanger, board one of Norway’s famous fjord ferries for an unforgettable three hour cruise into one of Norway’s narrowest and deepest fjords bordered by high cliffs on both sides.

Arrive Gudvangen and re-board your bus for the ascent to Stalheim, which sits high about the fjord.

Proceed east through the scenic countryside and check into your carefully selected overnight accommodations in Oslo for three nights.

Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, and the third largest city of Scandinavia. The city became capital of Norway around 1300, but lost its privileges during the Danish-Norwegian union from 1348 to 1814. In 1624, a fire devastated old Oslo, and the city was moved some miles west to gain protection from the fortress at Akershus.

DAY TWENTY-TWO

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 –

Tour Oslo in the morning.

This capital city is rightly home to a wealth of Norway’s very finest buildings.  These include the Oslo Domkirke (Cathedral), the Akershus Castle and Fortress, and the Parliament Building, which is best known in Norway as the Stortinget and opened in 1866.  Also look out for the Trefoldighetskirken church in the central Karl Johans Gate area, and close by the Town Hall, which was built in the middle of the 20th century as part of Oslo's extensive 900th anniversary celebrations.

Rehearsal in the afternoon.

Full orchestra concert after rehearsal (venue to be advised).

Return to your accommodations after the concert.

DAY TWENTY-THREE

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 – Oslo

This morning, visit Bygdøy.

Bygdøy is a peninsula on the western side of Oslo, and here you find several of Oslo's most popular museums, which you can visit on an independent basis in small groups with your leaders.

The Viking Ships Museum displays the large Viking ships Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune. The three ships are the best preserved Viking ships known, found in royal burial mounds in the Oslo fjord. As burial ships, carrying the dead over to “the Other World”, the ships were equipped with unique treasures such as wagons, horses and especially textiles which are seldom preserved from the Viking age, now on exhibit at the museum.

You can also visit the Maritime Museum. Here you will get the feel of the old sailing ships and steam vessels from the ship interiors, maritime objects and exquisite ship models on display. The museum also houses all kinds of objects found on the sea bed and a collection of maritime curiosities.

Visit the Fram Polar Ship. Before the Titanic, the Fram was the most famous ship in the world. It was the quintessential polar research vessel and was one of only a few ships that was actually built for its polar expeditionary purpose (at the time it was built, it was only the second). Most of the other historical Antarctic ships of the era had been built for some other purpose, usually as a whalers or sealers.

In the afternoon, spend time at Akker Bryyge a lively recreational area with a large variety of shops and entertainment activities.

Possible small group concerts of members of the Long Island Youth Orchestra.

DAY TWENTY-FOUR

Thursday, July 23, 2009 – Oslo/Keflavik/Reykjavik

2:45pm

3:25pm

Transfer to Oslo Intenational Airport.

Depart Oslo on Icelandair Fl# 219.

Arrive Keflavik International Airport.

Meet officials of Iceland’s Rotary clubs and transfer to Reykjavik.

Check into your accommodations for your two night stay in Reykjavik.

Reykjavík is a young city which has grown from little more than a village within the space of the past century. The mixture of old and new architecture of mainly low and brightly painted houses gives the city a friendly and toy like impression.

DAY TWENTY-FIVE

Friday, July 24, 2009 – Reykjavik

This morning take part in a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik.

Get your bearings on the layout of the capital and its main attractions, including the futuristic Perlan restaurant and observatory, offering spectacular views across the city; the giant Hallgrimskirkja – Reykjavik’s main landmark, the Parliament building, and the harbor.

In the evening, the Long Island Youth Orchestra will perform a charity concert in a magnificent church which also serves as the concert site of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

DAY TWENTY-SIX

Saturday, July 25, 2009 – Reykjavik

Additional activities in Reykjavik.

Small individual LIYO groups will be sent to different sites to perform for young people, seniors and hospital patients.

More time to explore various museums and points of interest in organized smaller groups.

Time also to take advantage of some of the world’s finest duty free shopping. Notable bargains in art, crafts and Iceland’s extraordinary woolen products.

In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive to Iceland’s center.

Arrive Skalholt late in the day.

The ancient seat of the Icelandic bishops, Skalholt, was the centre of ecclesiastic- and worldly power, culture, and education for centuries. The first of 32 catholic bishops took his seat there in 1056 and in the wake of the reformation in 1540 13 Lutheran bishops sat there until 1801, when the seat was moved to the capital.  The country became one see again in 1798. The northern see was established in 1106.

Check into a charming Folkskole for three nights.

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN

Sunday, July 26, 2009 – Skalholt

Late morning rehearsal in a local church.

In the afternoon, The Long Island Youth Orchestra will present its final concert of the tour in the beautiful setting of this rustic church.

After the performance, orchestra members will enjoy the traditional farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT

Monday, July 27, 2009 – Skalholt

Drive through one of Iceland’s major geothermal areas with bubbling hot springs and pools.

Continue on to Ringvellir National Park with its geologically remarkable formations.

View the towering Gullfoss Waterfall, created by Glacial water descending from the glaciers above.

Later continue along the south coast to Iceland’s most celebrated tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon.

Return to your accommodations.

DAY TWENTY-NINE

Monday, July 28, 2009 – Skalholt/ New York

5:00pm

7:00pm

This morning will be set aside for additional sightseeing or shopping and last minute souvenir hunting.

You may also want to spend the time swimming en-route to the beautiful south coast.

Check out of your accommodations.

Transfer to Keflavik International Airport.

Depart Keflavik on Icelandair Fl# 615.

Arrive New York John F. Kennedy International Airport.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL ARRANGEMENTS IN THIS UPDATED ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE