Arizona Bach Festival | Leipzig Music Appreciation Tour
Introduction
Phoenix - Frankfurt - Leipzig / June 8-16, 2027
Arizona Bach Festival Patrons Tour to Leipzig, Germany
Experience a musical journey from Phoenix to Leipzig, immersing yourself in the world of Bach and classical music. Enjoy performances in historic venues, explore Leipzig’s rich musical heritage, and choose from a variety of concerts and performances by renowned artists and ensembles, as well as (if interested) excursions, including day trips to Dresden, Weimar, Arnstadt/Dornheim, or other important places in Bach's life, including Erfurt.
Pricing at a Glance
Rates are for a minimum of 20 travelers, based on the exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.15
Early Rates until 11/5/26
A highly curated Experience
Travel in Bach's Footsteps Your Way on this exclusive private journey with and for Patrons of the Arizona Bach Festival
What's included
Group Airport Transfer from/to Leipzig
This will be a scheduled coach transfer, should everyone's schedules align. Alternatively, you'll receive an equivalent contribution towards an ICE train ticket.
Accommodation in Leipzig
Currently, we're holding rooms at the Marriott Leipzig, but will finalize accommodation in the city center based on the final number of travelers and requested rooms (single, double/twin or suites)
Daily Breakfast
We're foodies at Inside Europe, so rest assured we'll pick only hotels where the breakfast is worth getting up for
Two Receptions, Four Culinary Events
Enjoy the company of your fellow travelers at six group events, including two appetizer-and-cheer occasions (the welcome reception and the highlight concert cocktail) and four joint meals (2 lunches, 2 dinners) featuring hearty local fare in charming settings.
Inside Europe Host
We've got you from arrival to departure, as your traveling concierge, taking care of all logistics and, in the unlikely event of an emergency, being there for you.
Tickets to the Leipzig Bach Festival up to $200
Don't worry; if you'd like to see more, just ask. We'll help you get the best seats for all your favorite events in your preferred category -- at face value and with early access.
Three Guided Tours
Visit Leipzig, Weimar, and Erfurt in Bach's footsteps with expert guides
Two Bach Lectures
Meet Guest Speakers in Leipzig and other Bach destinations for insights into the composer's life and work.
Personalized App
We'll help you make the most of your trip with personalized recommendations for free time and dinner reservations.
What's not included
Airfare to/from Germany
Personal Services
Meals not included, additional drinks or top shelf beverages at receptions beyond the offered options, luggage service, laundry, souvenirs
Tips to Driver, Local Guides
Recommended are $10/Euro 8 per day per person
Pre/Post Tour Travels
Travel Insurance with Trip Cancellation
Mandatory by your hosts as due to the short planning time, most payments are non-refundable
Upgrade cost to even nicer rooms
If sweet dreams equal suites or jr. suites for you, we'll pass on the actual surcharge per room for the duration of your stay
Musical Journey Highlights
Tour Dates in Leipzig, Germany are Wednesday, June 8 to Thursday, June 16, 2027
Overview
Tuesday, June 8, 2027
Wednesday, June 9, 2027
Thursday, June 10, 2027
Friday, June 11, 2027
Saturday, June 12, 2027
Sunday, June 13, 2027
Monday, June 14, 2027
Tuesday, June 15, 2027
Wednesday, June 16, 2027
Tuesday, June 8, 2027
Day 1 - Phoenix Departure and Overnight Flight
Optional group flight example for 10 or more traveling together on the same schedule/airline in economy class. No flights are currently being held. Flight cost is subject to change until confirmed. Group flights cannot be upgraded or extended.
Depart Phoenix for Overnight Flight to Frankfurt
Phoenix PHX to Frankfurt FRA via CLT or SFO
Jun 8, 2027
PHX
Phoenix
FRA
Frankfurt
Depart from Phoenix PHX on an overnight flight to Frankfurt (FRA).
Wednesday, June 9, 2027
Day 2 - Arrive Leipzig and Settle In
Arrive in Leipzig and Explore the City
Arrive Leipzig
Land in Frankfurt; private coach transfer to Leipzig or the option to take the ICE high-speed train if arriving at a different time from the group (or a different airport like BER).
Marriott Leipzig
Check inWednesday, Jun 9, 2027
Check outWednesday, Jun 16, 2027
The Leipzig Marriott Hotel (currently on hold as one of several options) is a four-star hotel on the edge of the historic center, directly across from the Hauptbahnhof. For a Bach pilgrimage, location is the point: you can walk to almost everything, and you will.
Within minutes you are in the heart of the old town, and the Thomaskirche, where Bach served as cantor for 27 years and where he is buried, is an easy stroll. After a full day of concerts, an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center are waiting back at the hotel. Being across from the main station also makes day trips by rail refreshingly simple.
Walking from the front door
Markt and Old Town Hall: about 5 minutes
Leipzig Opera: about 7 minutes
Bach Museum and Thomaskirche: about 10 minutes
Nikolaikirche: about 10 minutes
Gewandhaus: about 20 minutes
Welcome Reception
Meet fellow travelers and board members at a welcome reception featuring drinks and light appetizers.
Free evening in Leipzig
No evening event scheduled. Time to settle in, adjust to the time change, and get a first look at the city. Your host will make restaurant recommendations.
Thursday, June 10, 2027
Day 3 - Music City Leipzig Tour – Opening Performances
Leipzig Music City Tour and Festival Opening
Breakfast
Anna Magdalena Bach – A Musical Chronicle
DateThursday, Jun 10, 2027
Option A: “Anna Magdalena Bach – A Musical Chronicle,” 9:00 PM, Nikolaikirche. Ton Koopman leads the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and soprano Julia Lezhneva in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 and other works, with festival artistic director Prof. Dr. Michael Maul moderating.
Opening Concert: Mozart's Mass in C minor
DateThursday, Jun 10, 2027
Option B: Opening Concert, 5:00 PM, Thomaskirche. Mozart's Mass in C minor, led by Thomaskantor Andreas Reize with the Thomanerchor Leipzig and Gewandhausorchester.
Welcome Lunch or Dinner at Bach's Favorite Cellar Restaurant
Auerbachs Keller: Leipzig's historic cellar restaurant (operating since the 15th century and famously associated with Martin Luther and Goethe), which Bach also visited during his time in the city, is the location for tonight's welcome lunch or dinner. Try hearty local dishes family-style - with a glass or two of wine, beer, or Apfelschorle.
Friday, June 11, 2027
Day 4 - Optional Excursion and Passion Music in Leipzig
Excursion to Bach City and Passion Music Performances
Optional Excursion to nearby Bach City
DateFriday, Jun 11, 2027
Optional excursion to a nearby Bach City.
St. Matthew Passion I
DateFriday, Jun 11, 2027
Option A: St. Matthew Passion I, 8:00 PM, Gewandhaus (Grosser Saal). The Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy 1841 arrangement that first revived the work for modern audiences, with the MDR Rundfunkchor and Opera Fuoco Orchestra led by David Stern.
Angela Hewitt, piano
DateFriday, Jun 11, 2027
Option B: Angela Hewitt, piano, 2:00 PM, Gewandhaus (Mendelssohn-Saal). Bach partitas performed by the acclaimed Canadian pianist.
Saturday, June 12, 2027
Day 5 - Leipzig at Leisure Day and Cantatas
Leipzig Leisure and Jesus Cantatas Performances
Jesus Cantatas at Paulinum – Aula and Universitätskirche St. Pauli
DateSaturday, Jun 12, 2027
12:00 Noon: Jesus Cantatas, Paulinum – Aula and Universitätskirche St. Pauli, with the Basler Bach-Chor and Collegium Lipsiensis.
Jesus Cantatas at Peterskirche
DateSaturday, Jun 12, 2027
5:00 PM: Jesus Cantatas, Peterskirche, with the Bach-Verein Köln and concerto classico frankfurt.
Sunday, June 13, 2027
Day 6 - Leipzig Church Service and St. Luke Passion
Church Service and St. Luke Passion Performance
Church service at historic Bach church
DateSunday, Jun 13, 2027
Church service in the morning at one of Leipzig's historic Bach churches.
St. Luke Passion at Nikolaikirche
DateSunday, Jun 13, 2027
St. Luke Passion, 4:00 PM, Nikolaikirche. A reconstructed “Pasticcio” version (BWV 246R) drawing on Bach-era sources, performed by the Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Chor Hamburg and Pauliner Barockensemble.
Monday, June 14, 2027
Day 7 - Dresden Day Trip or Leipzig Cantatas
Choose Dresden Excursion or Leipzig Cantatas
Day trip to Dresden by ICE train
DateMonday, Jun 14, 2027
Option A: Day trip to Dresden by ICE train.
Jesus Cantatas performances in Leipzig
DateMonday, Jun 14, 2027
Option B: Stay in Leipzig for the day's Jesus Cantatas performances, held through the morning and afternoon at the Paulinum, Nikolaikirche, Thomaskirche, and Peterskirche.
Tuesday, June 15, 2027
Day 8 - Bach and Buxtehude Evening Concert
Leipzig Farewell
Evening Concert of Bach and Buxtehude Works
Erfurt Excursion
Evening Concert at Nikolaikirche
DateTuesday, Jun 15, 2027
8:00 PM, Nikolaikirche. Works by Tunder, Buxtehude, Schieferdecker, and Bach, performed by the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists under Jonathan Sells.
Wednesday, June 16, 2027
Day 9 - Depart Leipzig and Return Home
Depart Leipzig and Transfer to Frankfurt
Early Transfer to Frankfurt (FRA)
Early transfer to Frankfurt (FRA) for the return flight home. Alternatively, transfer to Frankfurt the night before.