Historic Evening of Twerenbold at La Scala in Milan

Music journeys have been a staple in Twerenbold Reisen's repertoire for 30 years. It began in 1995 with an unforgettable concert by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra at the Würzburg Residence for the '100 Years of Twerenbold' anniversary. Today, a skilled internal trio specializes entirely in music journeys and curates the outstanding offerings. With unique coups like exclusive performances at the Semper Opera in Dresden, the KKL Luzern, or the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Twerenbold continually makes an impression. Their strong network in the music scene also allowed the Baden- based round-trip specialist to execute their latest feat: two masterpieces in Milan exclusively for the 130th-anniversary celebration of the Twerenbold family business.

Resounding Opening

Over three different travel routes – two of them enriched with additional music performances in Florence or Turin – around 800 guests from Switzerland comfortably made their way to Milan using Twerenbold Reisen's state-of-the-art coaches. On the Saturday evening of October 25, the spark immediately caught between the Twerenbold audience and the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano under the baton of Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, during the overture of Ludwig van Beethoven's "The Creatures of Prometheus" at the Auditorium di Milano. Following this, Philip Glass' "Double Concerto for Two Pianos & Orchestra" displayed its dynamics in Italy for the first time, performed by star pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque, before Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 4 emotionally transported the guests into the Romantic era.

Components of Success

Karim Twerenbold, who leads the company as Chairman of the Board and owner in the fourth generation, addressed the guests within the concert's festive framework, reflecting on the dynamic history and development of the Twerenbold Reisen Group, and looking forward. The company steadfastly adheres to its own philosophy of success: the travel provider stays contemporary from its beginnings and pioneers innovations guiding the future. Investments are consistently made from internal resources with a long-term perspective. The commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in the company DNA, realized in all three dimensions – societal, economic, and ecological. Other pillars include flat internal hierarchies, a familial approach, and personal customer engagement.

Glorious Evening at La Scala

On the evening of October 27, 2025, the highlight of the anniversary music journey followed in Milan: the guests experienced the impressive Teatro alla Scala with Twerenbold, all among themselves. The world-renowned hall, where every curtain fold and ornament breathes opera history, provided the enchanting backdrop for the company anniversary celebration. Gaetano Donizetti's opera "La fille du régiment" was on the program, 185 years after the premiere of its Italian version at the same location. In the lead roles, soprano Julie Fuchs shone as Marie, and star tenor Juan Diego Flórez delivered his signature role as Tonio. His prickling execution of the nine consecutive high Cs in the aria "Ah! mes amis" was as expected. The top-notch opera spectacle left a deep impression. Karim Twerenbold expressed his joy: "It was overwhelming to enjoy this historic hall and spectacular performance with our guests. This highlight fulfilled a dream. The evening will go down in the history of Twerenbold music journeys."

A Circle Completed

With the anniversary music journey to Milan, the circle of anniversary festivities closed, which began early January 2025 with a concert at the KKL Luzern by the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano and star cellist Daniel Müller-Schott. In between, a colorful array of travel gems from all group organizers was enthusiastically received: Imbach Reisen transformed the Excellence Pearl exclusively into a hiking ship for the first time. Excellence Cruises offered a grand France experience with a Grand Tour on the Excellence Rhône, while cruise guests with Mittelthurgau Travel enjoyed true savoir-vivre on the dream route around Bella Italia aboard the luxury liner "Le Bougainville" of the French shipping company Ponant. Vögele Reisen refined a cross-country safari of superlatives in Southern Africa with the nostalgic luxury train Rovos Rail.

The 130th Birthday Celebrated Internally 'en famille'

After Twerenbold Reisen Group employees celebrated the anniversary during a midsummer family hiking day in the Obersee region, a festive conclusion to the anniversary year will be provided by a two-day river voyage for all 750 employees on the company's own Excellence luxury liners in December 2025. "The team made this special year a great success with enormous enthusiasm and effort. I am enormously pleased that we can all festively celebrate the company anniversary once more on the river. The employees make the Twerenbold Reisen Group what it is, and I thank them warmly for their engagement," says Karim Twerenbold.

About the Twerenbold Reisen Group

Annually, 100,000 customers travel on all continents with the Twerenbold Reisen Group. They are on the move by bus, ship, plane, bicycle, or on foot. The company offers 350 full-time positions. The Twerenbold Reisen Group includes the following organizers: the specialist for bus, music, and biking tours Twerenbold Reisen, Excellence Cruises – the leading provider of river cruises, the cruise specialist Mittelthurgau Travel, Imbach Reisen as an expert for hiking holidays, and Vögele Reisen, the specialist for experience tours. Over 70 own travel buses, ten Excellence river ships, and the motor yacht Excellence Nera are part of the Twerenbold Reisen Group fleet. Founded in 1895 in Baden, the family business is among the oldest still family-owned SMEs in the Swiss tourism industry.

Media Information

Twerenbold Reisen Group Media Office
c/o Panta Rhei PR
Weinbergstrasse 81
8006 Zurich
Reto Wilhelm
r.wilhelm@pantarhei.ch
T 044 365 20 20

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