Day 1-2 (Friday-Saturday 4/6 - 4/7/2007) - Saturday in Krakow, Poland
We left Rochester mid-morning on Good Friday, traveled by bus to Toronto, and then flew to Frankfurt, Germany. We then flew in two groups to Warsaw.

In Warsaw, we had a guided sightseeing tour. The weather was chilly, but we did a lot of walking. One of the parks had fabulous peacocks!

Day 3 (Sunday 4/8/2007) - Easter Sunday in Warsaw and Krakow, Poland
About 40 kids and chaperones got up very early (5 am - 6 am) to attend church services (both Catholic and Lutheran). The Lutheran church was magnificent, full of stained glass windows, lighted candles, and silver embossed images.

After church, we had a huge breakfast, then loaded onto buses for the 4 hour journey to Krakow. We stopped along the way for lunch. When we arrived in Krakow, we checked in to the hotel, then headed out to sight-see in the city's main square.

Day 4 (Monday 4/9/2007) - Sightseeing and first concert in Krakow, Poland
We had a short sight-seeing trip through Krakow to see the historic Jewish neighborhood and Wawel castle. There was a mass being held in Wawel cathedral. the home church of former Pope John Paul II. We had a two-hour bus ride to Opole, Poland, the site of the first concert. The performance was wonderful-the kids received a long applause and the audience demanded an encore.

Day 5 (Tuesday 4/10/2007) -Auschwitz-Birkenau and travel to Kosice, Slovakia
As expected, the visit to Auscwitz was quite moving for all (we were there from about 10 am = 2 pm). After that, we were back on the bus for a the trip into Slovakia. We went over the mountains and the views were spectacular. We were delayed for some time at the Slovakian border, so we arrived quite late into Kosice.

Day 6 (Wednesday 4/11/2007) - Sightseeing and second concert in Kosice, Slovakia
In the morning, everyone shopped in the town. Tonight's concert was sponsored by US Steel in Kosice. Again, the kids played wonderfully, and two encores were requested! The concert hall is a renovated synagogue (about 1500 seats) and it was nearly full. Afterward, everyone attended a reception sponsored by US Steel.

Day 7 (Thursday 4/12/2007) - Debrecen, Hungary
We were back on the buses again, for the drive into Hungary. It has really turned into springtime now! We stopped on the way for a lunch with live Gypsy music and a short walking tour of Eger. We are staying in cottages at a horse riding resort.

Day 8 (Friday 4/13/2007) - Sightseeing and third concert in Debrecen, Hungary
In the morning, the kids had a tour of Debrecen, including a history lecture at Debrecen University, a visit to their library of ancient books, and of course, more shopping. We also saw a Hungarian folk dancing show.

The last concert was spectacular, with a very nice reception following. A local choir sang during the reception, which featured a buffet and wonderful desserts.

Day 9 (Saturday 4/14/2007) - Sightseeing in Budapest, Hungary
Relaxing and shopping in Budapest!! The kids were able to swim and relax during the morning at the horse resort. We took a bus tour of the city in the afternoon. In the evening, we had a dinner cruise on the Danube river.

Day 10 (Sunday 4/15/2007) - Home again
A long day of travelling, first flying to Frankfurt Airport, then flying to Toronto. Getting through customs at Toronto airport was a headache, but finally we got on the buses and headed back to Rochester! Everyone was exhausted but well pleased with the performances and the wonderful sights of the trip.

Written by: Becky Loy/Ann Pillman
Photos by: Laura Pillman, Jim Munch, and Bill Munch