Have an absolutely Zappa summer vacation!

Fans of the late Frank Zappa's music and "conceptual continuity", can enjoy a trip to next summer's 18th annual Zappanale (a celebration of Zappa's music) in Germany. Vacation Vibrations is offering a tour package that will take travelers to the festival and other Zappa-related sights and ceremonies surrounding this year's gathering. Their "Farther Oblivion 2007 Tour" will take the group to Berlin, Prague and then to the festival in Bad Doberan, Germany.

The tour begins in Berlin on July 27, 2007. The group will tour the city, and attend an extraordinary event to honor Frank Zappa. On July 28th, in the Marzahn district of what was East Berlin, "Street Number 13" will be formally dedicated as "Frank-Zappa-Strasse". The ceremony will take place at the ORWOhaus, a former photographic film plant on the street that has become home to a musicians' collective. This will be the first street in Germany named for a rock star, and the first street in the world named for Frank Zappa. The dedication will be preceded and followed by live music, and by a late "chill-party" that is sure to exemplify Berlin's legendary nightlife.

From Berlin the tour will proceed to Prague. "Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe," says tour operator Scott A. Tepper, "and Zappa holds a special place in Czech history. Former Czech president Vaclav Havel called Zappa 'one of the gods of the Czech underground' for his uncompromising belief in freedom of thought and expression. We're planning an informal 'summit' with the Czech Frank Zappa Fan Club, to hear how Zappa's music and ideas inspired people who lived under communism."

After enjoying Prague, the tour will head to the northern German town of Bad Doberan for the 18th annual Zappanale, a three-day festival of Zappa tribute bands, former Zappa band members, and other musicians and performance artists with kindred styles and interests from all over the world. Thomas Dippel, president Germany's Arf-Society, the non-profit group behind the Zappanale, describes the event: "Unlike a lot of festivals, the Zappanale is designed as a complete Zappa experience, not just a parade of bands. The atmosphere on the festival grounds is every bit as important as what happens on stage. The whole city of Bad Doberan accommodates the festival, from our honorary member Mayor Polzin to the café waitresses in the town square." Dippel adds, "For over fifteen years we've maintained close contact with our American fans; we're thrilled that Vacation Vibrations has now put together an organized Frank Zappa excursion."

Tour participants will also have an exclusive get-together with former Zappa lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ike Willis. He was part of Zappa's bands for nearly 15 years, and his is soothing baritone was the main character in Zappa's concept albums "Joe's Garage" and "Thing-Fish". Today, Willis is arguably Zappa's spiritual successor, founding and coaching Zappa tribute/experience bands all over the world to fulfill Zappa's wish, "Play my music." "Ike was as close to Frank as one could be without being a blood relative," says tour operator Tepper, "and we are honored that he has graciously offered to spend time with our group." Willis will share memories of times with Zappa and the band in the studio, on the road, and just one-on-one, and answer questions. The exact timing of the get-together will be announced closer to the tour date.

Tour participants who want to continue their vacation after the Zappanale can book an optional tour extension to Amsterdam, another awesome city with legendary nightlife that is also devoted to independent thinking and freedom of expression.

Headlining Zappanale 18 will be the Terry Bozzio Out Trio, led by the renowned drummer for whom Zappa composed "The Black Page" (which Zappa himself called "really, really difficult to play".) Other US groups scheduled are Project/Object, featuring Ike Willis, and the Don Preston Akashic Ensemble (Preston was one of the original Mothers of Invention). Also scheduled are French big band Le Bocal, Italy's I Virtuosi Dal Pianeta Talento, Team Zappa from Norway, Zappatronix from Switzerland, Polish progressive metal band Indukti, Space Debris from Denmark and Germany's own Trigon.

Vacation Vibrations is a division of American International Tour Groups, a group tour operator with 15 years of experience specializing in customized group trips. American International's founder and CEO Sam Schlossberg says, "Vacation Vibrations' Farther Oblivion Tour 2007 is another example of what we are so good at: planning trips to meet the needs of groups with a very specialized interest. As always, people on our trip will have a great time!"

For more information about this tour, visit www.freewebs.com/fartheroblivion , email VacationVibrations@Gmail.com , or call 617-721-7996.