The fabled birthplace of Aphrodite, mountainous Cyprus floating in the Mediterranean retains much of the natural beauty that has drawn in the Greeks, Romans, Venetians and Turks over millennia.

Classical Movements started traveling to the Middle East and Mediterranean in 1994, first with its brochure program under Blue Heart Tours. It has organized 50 different trips with individualized itineraries in recent years for the Collegiate Chorale, Yale Symphony Orchestra, Yale Alumni Chorus, George Washington University, Yale Glee Club and the Yale Institute of Music (among others). Classical Movements also works closely with Middle Eastern musicians: in 2003, it arranged the historical tour of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra to the United States.

Sights & Sounds

  • Cyprus National Theater
  • Nicosia
  • Ancient caravanserai
  • Renaissance and Byzantine music
  • Paphos
  • Halloumi cheese and delicious seafood
  • Aphrodite’s Rock
  • Seaside resorts
  • Byzantine painted churches
  • Steamy hamams and Turkish tea

Testimonials

“We thought you did a wonderful job steering our large group of singers and non-singers through three countries during two jam-packed weeks.”

-Yale Alumni Chorus

“As always, Classical Movements created a fantastic tour for our choir. We were booked in excellent venues with great audiences, and the boys were exposed to some amazing culture experience. Having worked with the top professional musical ensembles in the world, the staff members of Classical Movements care a great deal about the logistics of performing, and they never miss a beat.”

-Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale

Press

“The warm reception from the French people restored energy and health, as did the raucously enthusiastic audiences, packed houses, rave reviews, radio broadcasts, and extended ovations…”

-Peabody News | Sept, 1996

“The Wednesday flight from Barcelona to Lisbon had the most stringent bag restrictions yet, with hefty fines for those deemed too heavy. But the loaded-down musicians were allowed to board unimpeded. ‘Neeta worked her magic,’ murmured one.”

-Philadelphia Inquirer, David Patrick Stearns | Feb. 6, 2009

“The musical director and conductor of the Yale Glee Club said the group chose the destination ‘because of the wonderful friendships they discovered in Turkey.’ The Turkish word ‘dost’ (friends for life) is the reason we are performing in Istanbul,’ said Jeff Douma.”

-Hürriyet Daily News, Hatice Utkan | August 5, 2010

“We were met by friendly and caring guides who spoke excellent English and were sophisticated in matters relating to history, architecture and the way of life in Russia, both at the times of the czars and of the Soviet Union. A folkloric performance was of outstanding artistic quality.”

-International Travel News | Aug, 1998

“Deputy Chief of US Mission Kent Logsdon thanked Classical Movements for organizing such an amazing concert tour and praised YAC (Yale Alumni Chorus) musicians for their great charity activities and Vakhtang Kahidze for his wonderful orchestra.”

-Georgia Messenger, Salome Modebadze | June 28, 2011