A few more details...

Here are a few more details about the trip.

I heard back from MCI about money today, and they recommend the following:

• Don't take traveler's checks. Vendors run out of change very quickly when 45 of us all show up at once.
• Plan to use a credit card or debit card as much as possible. A debit card must access a checking account, not only a savings account, for it to work in most cases. To obtain Euros, use your card at an ATM once you arrive there.
• Check with your bank to be sure your ATM/Debit card will work overseas.
• Be sure to alert all card holders that you will be traveling overseas. Unusual charges will sometimes cause your account's fraud protection to freeze the card.
• You can exchange US Dollars for Euros here or in Italy, but most places will charge a service fee. We will not stop in the Milan Airport to exchange currency.

Meal info:

• MCI also indicated that lunches will probably cost a minimum of 10-12 Euros, and dinners will likely cost a minimum of 20-25 Euros.
• Breakfast will be provided every day at the hotel. Dinner will be provided on the 20th and the 25th. You are on your own for the other dinners, as well as all lunches.

You will need the following for concert and travel attire:

• Our customary travel uniform, including nice black pants, black shoes, black socks, and the new maroon McMurry Band shirt.
  
• Performance shirt to be distributed before we leave. This will be work with black pants, black shoes, and black socks.
• You will NOT need concert black tuxes or dresses at all on this trip. It will probably still be in the mid-80's at performance time, and our performance is at an outdoor venue.
• Some churches do not allow visitors with shorts, so you may want to bring a comfortable pair of long pants for sightseeing at some locations.

Be sure to share all this information with your parents! If they want to be added to the list of people who can view this site, have them email me.

Overseas Gadget Tips

Here are some tips for using your phones, etc. overseas...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13515_3-9972188-26.html

You will be here...

View Larger Map

Excellent travel site

The Virtual Tourist website has lots of great information about Bologna.

You can check it out here.

ISME Performance Schedule

Just so you can see who else will be at the ISME conference...

Click here to see the ISME Conference performance schedule

Also, you can access the main conference website by clicking here.

Rooming Lists

Rooming lists will be distributed to the ensemble during the week of rehearsals. You may email Dr. Neal if you need a copy before then.

Performance Location

We perform at the Piazza S Stefano on Thursday, July 24th at 9:00 p.m. Here are some pictures of the location.

It's almost time!

Here are a few initial tidbits of information about the trip. I just got off the phone with MCI (Music Celebrations International - the company planning the trip for us), and we expect a more detailed itinerary any day.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Note: All times are local to the event.

Departure
July 19, 2008

Bus from Abilene to DFW Airport that morning

• American Airlines Flight 384
• Depart DFW at 12:05 p.m.
• Arrive New York City 4:45 p.m.
  

• American Airlines Flight 198
• Depart New York City 5:45 p.m.
  

July 20, 2008

Arrive Milan 8:10 a.m.
Bus from Milan to Bologna.

Return
July 25, 2008

Bus from Bologna to Milan, and spend the night in Milan.

July 26, 2008

• American Airlines Flight 199
• Depart Milan 10:35 a.m.
• Arrive New York City 1:40 p.m.
  

• American Airlines Flight 2033
• Depart New York City 3:10 p.m.
• Arrive DFW 6:00 p.m.
  

Bus to Abilene - probably arrive around 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.

HOTELS

Bologna
July 20-25
Hotel Aemilia
Via Zaccherini Alvisi 16
I-40138 Bologna
Telephone: 011 390 5 1394 0311
FAX: 011 390 5 1394 0313
WWW: www.aemiliahotel.it

Milan
July 25-26
Hotel Le Robinie
Via Per Busto Arsizio, 9
I-21058 Solbiate Olana-Va
Telephone: 011 390 33129260
FAX: 011 390 331 620887
WWW: www.lerobinie.com