Alexandria Choral Society - Ireland/Scotland Tour

Dear Kathryn & colleagues,

I’m so delighted to be able to introduce you to these amazing destinations of Ireland and Scotland and to guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve designed for your performance tour.

Your travel experience is completely personalized to meet your musical goals and travel desires; our service will be utterly seamless, and your peace of mind totally assured thanks to our guaranteed prices without surcharge or supplement and our industry-leading protection plans.

And what truly sets your Encore experience apart from any other?

Maybe it’s our spectacular venues, handpicked for their ability to enchant and engage, coupled with guaranteed audiences to elevate every performance. Or our world-leading tour managers who bring every destination to life and handle the tiniest detail.

Of course it could also be our meticulous planning, personal attention and comprehensive support before, during and after your tour! Being permanently based in Europe gives me a unique perspective on the destination, and there’s no substitute for having experienced it personally!

Whatever you need, an Encore tour transcends the ordinary and gives you a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Let Encore Tours make your dream performance tour a reality!

Let’s talk soon!
Julian

617 958 9501

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Traveler Resources

Your Encore Benefits

We do not raise our prices based on currency fluctuations in the marketplace. This alleviates any unwelcome currency surcharges during the planning period or immediately prior to travel.

Our Tour Managers are repeatedly evaluated and praised as being the best in educational travel, and they are available to you 24 hours per day. The tour manager stays in the same hotel as the group, and coordinates hotel check-ins, restaurant reservations, and concert venue availability and rehearsal time. These representatives also deliver the educational portion of the tour with detailed historical commentary during travel.

All participants are covered at no extra cost by our Basic Protection Plan covering health insurance overseas and trip cancellation/interruption in case of illness. Participants also have the option to upgrade to our Ultimate or Ultimate Plus plans, which include the ability to cancel for any reason up to four days before departure and still receive a full refund. Additionally, all Encore participants travel with an automatic $15,000 health protection plan.

Encore Tours and our parent company, ACIS, carry a $50 million general liability insurance policy to protect our groups. In addition, as an Active Member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), we post a $1 million indemnity bond as part of USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program.

Register 30 or more participants with Encore Tours and we will award your group a FREE weekend getaway for two to Paris or London over Veteran’s Day Weekend or Martin Luther King Day Weekend. We have had ensembles raise over $20,000 using this gift as a raffle prize.

Join Encore staff for our annual Prelude event, a free professional development weekend for ensemble directors and a guest that takes place in a different musically rich international destination.

“Incredible! I cherished every moment. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Such experiences would have been impossible on my own. Being pampered in this manner and witnessing the professionalism and luxury that Encore embodies was an absolute delight.” – 2024 Prelude attendee

We are excited to offer the choice of group billing or direct billing and will gladly work with your preference. With group billing you will receive an invoice with each participant’s balance and payment due prior to the due date. If you decide to enroll your group in direct billing Encore will mail invoices to each participant for all payments due. Accounts can also be accessed 24 hours a day on our website and payments can be made online with MasterCard and Visa for no additional cost. This is the suggested payment plan, however you can adjust it according to the group’s needs.

Automatic Payments Plan

Encore offers an auto-pay option for all participants signed up for individual billing. Enrollment in the plan is free and funds are withdrawn from the participant’s checking account on a regular basis, with the last payment being processed 45 days prior to departure.

Encore has offices overseas in the event of an emergency. In addition, US staff are always available to ensure you are receiving a quality travel experience, before, during and after your concert tour. All land arrangements including concert bookings and promotion are provided directly by Encore’s affiliate offices, offering the highest quality services and the very best value to our clients.

Enhance your professional development! Directors and participants have the opportunity to earn graduate-level credits through their tour experience and participation in our Prelude events. These educational opportunities not only enrich your tour but also contribute to your lifelong learning and professional growth.

Tour Inclusions

Roundtrip airfare
Airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges
Accommodations at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels
Rooming in twin room occupancy.
Breakfast daily and selected dinners as per your itinerary
All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary
Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver
Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program
Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers
Arrangements for 4 concert performance opportunities, including 2 in co-ordination with your own contacts
All concert arrangements include venue rental and allocation, all necessary concert permits, all pre-concert advertisement, and on-site concert assistance
Pre-concert rehearsal time, where possible
Vox Headsets

What’s Not Included?

Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines
Instrument stands
Any meals not listed in your itinerary
Homestay arrangements on June 22/23

Programs for the concerts
Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights

Pricing Options

Travelers	Price	Free Spots
40	$5,399	3

Based on “Land and Air” out of Washington accommodating the group in twin/double rooms.

Payment Deadlines

Date	Amount
July 31st, 2024	$200
October 15th, 2024	$1,000
December 15th, 2024	$1,000
February 12th, 2025	Balance due

Dates are suggested only, subject to further discussion

Sample Venues

Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant.

Christ Church Cathedral

Dublin

Situated in medieval Dublin, Christ Church is not only the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishops but is also the seat of the Church of Ireland. Founded around 1028 the cathedral was rebuilt and renovated many times throughout history and is now accented by flying buttresses, high arching stone ceilings, and, most notably, the Grand Organ which appears to be floating in the air! The Cathedral is home to one of the most reputable choirs in Ireland whose origins trace back to 1493 when the choir school was founded.

Choir

St. Giles’ Cathedral

Edinburgh

Sometimes regarded as the mother church of Presbyterianism, this 900 year-old cathedral (or the High Kirk) is a prominent feature of the Edinburgh skyline. Dedicated to St. Giles’, the patron saint of Edinburgh, the cathedral is one of Scotland’s most important and prominent historic buildings. Five services are held every Sunday, as well as daily and special services.

Choir

Greyfriars Church

Edinburgh

Greyfriars Kirk, nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and founded in 1620, is not only a site of significant historical importance but also a dynamic venue for cultural events. Renowned for its role in Scottish Reformation history and as the resting place of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier, the church offers a deeply atmospheric setting. Its rich historical backdrop, characterized by Gothic architecture and ancient tombstones, complements its modern role during events such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Kirk’s resonant acoustics and evocative environment make it a favorite venue for concerts and performances.

Sample Hotels

Traveling on a performance trip is a moving experience, and our goal is to ensure that all travelers have a life-changing experience. We also know that time is money, and comfort is essential. That’s why, when you’re touring with Encore, you will always stay in well-located, three- or four-star hotels—right in the heart of the destination you came to see.

Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin

Dublin

In Dublin’s bustling heart, this 4-star historic gem stands proudly on the renowned O’Connell Street. Each room at this establishment, boasting modern amenities including television, safes, and WiFi, promises a comfortable stay. With its prime location near iconic attractions like Trinity College, the Temple Bar area, as well as shops, restaurants, and the Abbey Street tram station, this hotel serves as an ideal launching pad for city exploration.

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Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel

Edinburgh

The Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel, a stylish 4-star establishment, is perfectly situated in the heart of Edinburgh, offering travelers a luxurious base for exploring the city’s rich history and attractions. With spacious rooms, a fitness center, and proximity to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Haymarket train station, and tram stops, it combines comfort with convenience. The hotel’s location also allows easy access to iconic sites such as Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, and Grassmarket, as well as Edinburgh Zoo and the picturesque canal basin nearby, ensuring a memorable and authentic local experience for all guests.

Learn More

Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance.

Alexandria Choral Society – Ireland/Scotland Tour