Multiple nights in Venice, Florence and Rome with performances in each location highlight this 9-day Italian itinerary. You’ll explore the very best of all 3 cities including St. Mark’s Square and Basilica in Venice, the Duomo and Michelangelo’s David in Florence and the Sistine Chapel and Colosseum in Rome. In addition, you’ll visit the lovely Tuscan village of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, to explore the wonderful Basilica. Tour Highlights St. Mark’s Basilica Florence Duomo Santa Croce Piazza della Signoria Accademia St. Francis Basilica Circus Maximus Imperial Forum Pantheon Vatican Museums Colosseum Sistine Chapel St. Peter’s Basilica 3 Performance Opportunities 2 Optional Masses (for choir) Itinerary 9 Days / 2 Venice Mestre / 2 Florence / 3 Rome Day 1 OVERNIGHT FLIGHT Departure from the United States. Day 2 VENICE MESTRE Benvenuti in Italia! Meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer your hotel in Venice Mestre. Venice, known as the Queen of the Adriatic, consists of an archipelago carved by nearly 150 canals into 118 different islands, and is simply incomparable. On arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy dinner together. Day 3 VENICE MESTRE Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, provided each morning of your tour. Meet your local guide for a city tour through downtown Venice, including St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica. See the famous “Bridge of Sighs” which connects the Doge’s Palace to the old prison. During your free time, you may wish to take a gondola ride through the city’s beautiful canals or visit the Peggy Guggenheim museum. This afternoon, come together to rehearse for your debut concert this evening! Day 4 FLORENCE This morning, depart Venice and transfer to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. Upon arrival in Florence check into the hotel, and begin an informal walk through the city with your Tour Manager. You will become acquainted with Italy’s ‘open-air’ art museum and see the architecture of Brunelleschi and Alberti along the way! This evening, enjoy some Tuscan culinary specialties with dinner in a restaurant. Afterward, you might wish to visit the Boboli Gardens for its panoramic views of Florence and the Tuscan hills – the ideal place to end your day! Day 5 FLORENCE Today’s sightseeing tour with a local guide and headsets shows you the splendid Duomo, Ghiberti’s famous Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the Piazza della Signoria, the political center of the Renaissance city. Also, enjoy a timed entrance to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. This afternoon, assemble for rehearsal followed by dinner. Tonight, perform your second concert in Florence! Day 6 ROME Depart Tuscany this morning and enjoy a lovely drive to Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis. Arrive and spend some time exploring the Basilica on your own. Here, you will participate in Mass at St. Francis Basilica (choirs only). Continue on to Rome, the “Eternal City”. Built on seven hills, Italy’s capital is renowned for its history, architecture, art, culture, culinary delights and exquisite shopping. After checking into your hotel, have dinner together in a local restaurant. Day 7 ROME Today, enjoy panoramic city sightseeing of Rome with a local guide including the Circus Maximus, the Imperial Forum, the Pantheon, and the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele (Rome’s “Wedding Cake monument”). Entrance is included to the Colosseum. Imagine the bloody battles that once took place in this awe-inspiring structure and marvel at the nearby richly decorated Arch of Constantine! More than just a monument, this arch marks the end of pagan Rome and the beginning of Christian Europe. This afternoon, begin rehearsal, followed by dinner together. Tonight, perform your final concert in Rome! Day 8 ROME Your local guide will accompany you through the Vatican Museums today to see the Sistine Chapel and magnificent Raphael rooms. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest and most prominent church of the catholic faith. Stroll across the Piazza San Pietro towards the dome, designed by Michelangelo and almost as large as that of the Pantheon. Today’s highlight will be participation in celebration of Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (choirs only). Enjoy an afternoon at leisure; perhaps sample some unique flavors of gelato or purchase some last minute souvenirs. Celebrate your successful concert tour with a festive farewell dinner this evening! Day 9 DEPARTURE Return to the U.S. Sample Customizations* General Customizations Add day(s)/Remove day(s) Add overnight city (Verona, Milan, Naples, Sorrento and more!) Add/Remove meals Add/Remove a performance Reverse Itinerary Change Florence to Siena or Lucca Change to downtown Venice Add a Musical Highlight Violin Museum in Cremona Musical Instrument Room in the Accademia Musical Instrument Museum in Rome “In the footsteps” of Puccini “In the footsteps” of Vivaldi Add an Activity or Excursion Gelato Factory Tour and Tasting Pizza making workshop Glass Blowing Demonstration Gondola Ride Boboli Gardens Tuscan Farmhouse Lunch Villa Borghese Gardens *All customizations subject to operational feasibility and availability Customize Your Tour Are you ready to take your ensemble to new places? Get a quote from one of our tour consultants who will help you customize a trip to meet your goals. Get A Quote