KDFC, Hoyt Smith, Poland, Chopin and 200 Years

KDFC, Hoyt Smith, Poland, Chopin and 200 Years


Update: Hoyt Smith Travels with KDFC listeners to celebrate Chopin’s 200th birthday!

By now many Bay area music lovers have heard that KDFC’S Hoyt Smith will be hosting a very special journey to Poland, Prague and Paris in celebration of Chopin’s 200th birthday.

According to records, Fryderyk François Chopin was born at Zelazowa Wola, near Warsaw, on 22 February 1810. Upon his birth, legend has it that fiddlers arrived on sledges to play outside his home. And, the wealthy Countess of Skarbek became his godmother. However, Chopin insisted later that his mother had recorded the birthday as 1.March, and that date has been adopted as his official birthday. Chopin died on 17 October 1849 in Paris.

In May of 2010, KDFC’S Hoyt Smith and a small group of KDFC classical music lovers will fly off to Warsaw in pursuit of Chopin. Hoyt Smith and guests will be treated to three Chopin concerts. One at Chopin’s birthplace and another at the museum where Chopin studied. An additional Sunday park concert is also included.

KDFC guests will then travel south to Poland’s perfectly preserved city of Krakow. Once there participants will enjoy private museum tours, a Klezmer concert in Krakow’s Jewish Quarter and three memorable nights in Poland’s most beautiful city.

After a glorious week in Poland, guests will travel west to the Czech Republic where they will overnight in the Moravian city of Olomouc. In May the Dvorak Music Festival is taking place in Olomouc and plans are being made to attend.

The trip culminates in Prague where guests will enjoy the 65th annual Prague Spring Music Festival.

Don’t miss out on this small group tour in celebration of Chopin’s 200th birthday. To reserve your space with KDFC and Hoyt Smith go to: www.EarthboundExpeditions.com

Hope to see you in Poland in 2010!

Matthew Brumley
Founder
Earthbound Expeditions

South African Garden Tour: Update

South African Garden Tour

Garden tours seem to be a dime a dozen, but try finding one priced under $7,000 to South Africa and you are (almost) out of luck.

Earthbound Expeditions has recently posted a series of first class garden tours to South Africa all under $5,000 with roundtrip air from the United States. Each garden tour will be hosted by an experienced North American garden expert and a knoweldgable South Africa guide. In addition, local experts will be with you most days to explain South Africa’s amazing Flora and Fauna to you.

Garden highlights include:
Little Brenthurst Garden
Safari Garden Centre
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Groot Constantia Estate
Cape Point Nature Reserve
Table Mountain Nature Reserve
Stellenberg Garden
Hout Bay Garden
Sanbi Outreach Greening Project
Vergelegen Estate
Pilansberg National Park

Don’t miss out on Earthbound Expeditions amazing small group garden tours to South Africa. Space is always limited. Learn more by going to www.EarthboundExpeditions.com

Hope to see you in South Africa!

Matthew Brumley
Founder

A Garden Tour to South Africa

A Garden Tour to South Africa


South Africa teems with wondrous wild things — lions and elephants, rhinos and giraffes. Then there are the gorgeous landscapes, big hearted people, fine wines and the abundantly beautiful gardens.

When speaking of gardens most (if not all) travelers tend to think of England, Ireland and maybe the even the formal gardens of France. But as far as I am concerned, the gardens of South Africa take first prize. I can truly say that the gardens of sound Africa are out of this world. “With just 1% of the earth’s total land surface - South Africa contains almost 10% of the world’s total known bird, fish and plant species,” Now, combine that with English / Dutch design and a stunning setting and you have arguably the planets premier garden paradise.

I was so taken by the place that here at Earthbound Expeditions we decided that organizing just one gardening trip to South Africa was simply not enough. So, we have teamed up with a series of top ranked gardening experts from around the USA and Canada and have come up with what we think is the very best affordable garden trip to South Africa.

If you have ever wanted to wish to visit the gardens of South Africa, are interested in wine and would like to combine this with a first class safari you are in luck! Join Earthbound Expeditions in 2010 for a gardening adventure to Cape Town and the Cape Winelands and experience the best of South Africa in style.

Included in your South African garden tour is roundtrip air from Canada and/ or the USA, multiple garden visits, a tour to Robben Island, a trip up to the top of Table Mountain, wine tastings and the multiple visits to Africa’s best gardens.

Don’t miss out! Join Earthbound Expeditions on a garden tour to South Africa. For more information please visit us at: www.EarthboundExpeditions.com

A Garden Tour to South Africa


South Africa teems with wondrous wild things — lions and elephants, rhinos and giraffes. Then there are the gorgeous landscapes, big hearted people, fine wines and the abundantly beautiful gardens.

When speaking of gardens most (if not all) travelers tend to think of England, Ireland and maybe the even the formal gardens of France. But as far as I am concerned, the gardens of South Africa take first prize. I can truly say that the gardens of sound Africa are out of this world. “With just 1% of the earth’s total land surface - South Africa contains almost 10% of the world’s total known bird, fish and plant species,” Now, combine that with English / Dutch design and a stunning setting and you have arguably the planets premier garden paradise.

I was so taken by the place that here at Earthbound Expeditions we decided that organizing just one gardening trip to South Africa was simply not enough. So, we have teamed up with a series of top ranked gardening experts from around the USA and Canada and have come up with what we think is the very best affordable garden trip to South Africa.

If you have ever wanted to wish to visit the gardens of South Africa, are interested in wine and would like to combine this with a first class safari you are in luck! Join Earthbound Expeditions in 2010 for a gardening adventure to Cape Town and the Cape Winelands and experience the best of South Africa in style.

Included in your South African garden tour is roundtrip air from Canada and/ or the USA, multiple garden visits, a tour to Robben Island, a trip up to the top of Table Mountain, wine tastings and the multiple visits to Africa’s best gardens.

Don’t miss out! Join Earthbound Expeditions on a garden tour to South Africa. For more information please visit us at: www.EarthboundExpeditions.com

We hope to see you in South Africa!

Happy travels,

Matthew Brumley
Earthbound Expeditions

A Classical Music Tour in Celebration of Chopins Life

A Classical Music Tour to Poland and Prague with All Classical FM

On March 1, 2010 Poland’s favorite son will be two hundred! Yes, it’s hard to believe but Chopin who actually died at 39 in Paris has grown up and outlasted all of his critics (and apparently there were many). At the time, many critics complained that Chopin played too softly and that his playing could not fill a proper performance hall. Chopin did not help matters by not showing up to many of his scheduled performances.

By all accounts Chopin was neither a brash performer or fabulous self promoter. He preferred to be alone or with George Sand (who he met through Franz Liszt) and was sick most of his adult life. Chopin was also often depressed and was quoted saying, “I wish I could throw off the thoughts which poison my happiness. And yet I take a kind of pleasure in indulging in them.” But oh could he play and compose!

Chopin died in an apartment on the Place Vendome in Paris and at is request his heart was taken by his sister back to his beloved Poland. Chopin requested that Mozart’s Requiem be performed at the L'Église de la Madeleine at his funeral,l but the director of the church refused noting that women had never been allowed to sing in church in France! After two full weeks of haggling the director gave in and allowed mass to be sung for Chopin. Oddly, George Sand, his lover of several years was not among the 3,000 people who attended.

Want to learn more about the life of Chopin? Why not join Earthbound Expeditions on a one of a kind small group tour to Warsaw, Krakow, Prague and Paris and relive the beauty of Chopin’s life.

Trips are departing in May with Bryan Lowe of King FM, Jack Allen of All Classical and Hoyt Smith of KDFC in San Francisco.

Space is limited to just 24 travelers. Call Earthbound Expeditions at 206 842 9775 or visit us online at www.EarthboundExpeditions.com

I look forward to meeting you in Poland in 2010!

Best,

Matthew BrumleyFounder

Announcing Garden Tour to South Africa with VanDusen Botanical Gardens

Garden-lovers and non Garden-lovers alike are invited to join a very special Garden tour to South Africa. Harry Jongerden, of the Vancouver BC VanDusen Botanical Gardens is hosting this wonderful journey with a garden focus.

Not only will lucky guests explore the lush gardens of Johannesburg, they’ll also see South Africa’s stunning national parks and the vibrant gardens of Cape Town. In addition, the journey includes the dramatic landscape of the Cape of Good Hope and Mandela’s prison on Robben Island. Guests will also have the chance to sip velvety smooth wines in South Africa’s premier wine region and stay in the Dutch colonial town of Stellenbosch.
The last stop on the journey is the Bakubung Bush Lodge where you’ll ride in an open 4X4 safari vehicle into the bush with Swazi trackers and African rangers for an intimate viewing of South Africa’s lions, leopards, rhinos and elephants. A post- tour adventure to Botswana and Victoria Falls is also available.
This is an amazing deal for both Canadians and US-based gardeners/travelers, or anyone interested in a garden tour to South Africa. Visit our website to learn more: www.earthboundexpeditions.com

The World is Celebrating Chopin’s 200th birthday in 2010

Earthbound Expeditions is proud to be part of the world’s celebration of Chopin’s 200th birthday in Poland in May 2010. We’re partnering with 102.1 KDFC and Hoyt Smith to bring classical music lovers to Poland, Prague and Paris.

On this eleven day pursuit you’ll walk in Chopin’s footsteps and relive his extraordinary life. Visit the very places where Frederic lived, loved and worked: the family home where Frederic was born, the village church where he was baptized and the Frederic Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. You’ll also discover Poland’s stunning cultural capital, Krakow.

Our musical quest culminates in the Czech Republic where we’ll relive the lives and times of Smetana, Mozart and Dvorak and attend the legendary Prague Spring International Music Competition. For more information on musical journeys to celebrate Chopin’s 200th or other adventures, visit our website at www.earthboundexpeditions.com

Join Hoyt Smith and Celebrate Chopin's 200th Birthday

Chopin Tour to Eastern Europe with KDFC host, Hoyt SmithOctober 14, 2009 Lovers of Chopin, May 2010 is the time to travel and celebrate the beautiful music of the great Frederic Chopin in honor of his 200th birthday celebration. Earthbound Expeditions, in partnership with KDFC of San Francisco, is hosting a trip to Poland, Prague and Paris to hear the music of Chopin in the places he lived and composed.

KDFC host, Hoyt Smith will be your travel companion on this musical journey through Warsaw, Krakow, Olomouc, Czech Republic and Prague. There will also be an opportunity to see Chopin’s haunts in Paris. Eat in his favorite cafes, see his home and birthplace and attend four musical events during your trip.

For more information, including a detailed itinerary, visit http://www.earthboundexpeditions.com/