Dear Ann, I’m so delighted to be able to introduce you to the amazing destination that is Central Europe, one of my favourite places, 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 Visit Your TripSite Traveler Resources Your Encore Benefits Guaranteed Land Rates 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. The Best Tour Managers Around 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. Protection Plans for Everyone 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. Financial Security 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. Tour Fundraiser 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. 2025 Domestic Fundraiser Info Sheet 2025 International Fundraiser Info Sheet Prelude 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 Online Billing 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. 24-7 Overseas Coverage 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. Graduate Level Credits 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 Accommodation for 9 nights at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels Rooming in twin room occupancy. Breakfast daily and daily main meal 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 up to 5 concert performance opportunities/workshops Rental of an electronic keyboard for your performances 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 (European tours only) What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Specific seat assignments/allocations on flights Instrument and sheet music stands Any meals not listed in your itinerary Printed programs for the concerts Pricing Options TravelersPriceFree Spots80$4,599470$4,779460$4,9994 Based on “Land and Air” out of Chicago accommodating the group in Twin rooms. (Flights may be possible from Columbus CMH (with additional connections) at a supplement of $200 per person Prices based on 2025 rates and subject to confirmation Payment Deadlines DateAmountMarch 31, 2025$200May 31, 2025$1,000August 31, 2025$1,000November 9, 2025Balance due Provisional payment schedule, open to discussion Sample Venues Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Choir Christuskirche Hallstatt Located in the heart of charming Hallstatt, Christuskirche is a neo-gothic-style Protestant church known for its historic bone chapel and its picturesque lakeside location. In fact, for centuries, this tiny town was only accessible by boat, which allowed the town to keep its traditional character. Hallstatt, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a perfect location for concert performances as well as visiting its historic salt mines. Choir Salzburg Cathedral Salzburg Between 1181 and 1600, a Romanesque cathedral was standing in the place of the present one; its foundations can be seen in the crypt of the church. Salzburg is not called the ‘Rome of the north’ in vain. The Cathedral was hit by American bombs during World War II. It took ten years of hard work to restore the considerable damage. The last part of the restoration was the reconstruction of the 4 organs. This historical venue is a must-perform! Choir Capuchin Church (Kapuzinerkirche) Vienna Located on Neuer Markt square near Hofburg Palace, the Capuchin Church is a Baroque masterpiece famous for the Imperial Crypt, the final resting place of the Habsburg dynasty. Established in 1632, this Roman Catholic church and monastery, run by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, features intricate stucco work and a serene atmosphere. The church’s subterranean mausoleum houses 145 Habsburg royals, including 12 emperors and 18 empresses. Known for its unique acoustics and historical significance, this venue offers an unparalleled experience for music ensembles and cultural enthusiasts. Choir St. Anne’s Church Budapest St. Anne’s Church is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Hungary. After the Ottoman era, the Servite order were given permission to build a church together with a Monastery in 1686. Built in 1732, this Roman Catholic Church is located in the upper part of Servite square, in the very heart of Budapest. Unfortunately, the monastery and the church sustained severe damage during WWII, however it was rebuilt and is back to its original grandeur today. 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. Theater Hotel Salzburg Salzburg Located in Salzburg’s Schallmoos district, at the base of Kapuzinerberg hill, the 4-star Theater Hotel Salzburg offers a prime location for exploring the city. Within a mile of both Mirabell Palace and Salzburg Main Train Station, it’s an ideal base for visitors. The hotel features modern, well-appointed rooms with amenities like cable TV and a mini-bar. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet and relax in the lobby bar with its wide beverage selection. Attractions such as Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Residence, and Hohensalzburg Fortress are nearby. Gnigl Train Station is just a short walk away, enhancing guests’ convenience. Learn More Hotel Ananas Vienna Vienna’s largest four-star hotel is perfect for your stay in the enchanting city. Location wise, it is only a five minute walk from the famous Naschmarkt outdoor market, hosting 170 stands for you to explore. It is also only 100 meters from the closest metro station, making traveling through the city an easy endeavor. Relax and enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant Zum Moser, or have a snack in the Johann Strauss bar and café. Comfort and convenience are both products of this Vienna hotel! Learn More Mercure Budapest Castle Hill Budapest Located in Budapest’s historic Castle District, this 4-star hotel offers modern comfort and authentic experiences. With 250 newly renovated rooms, guests enjoy tranquility and convenience just moments from the city center. Explore Budapest’s vibrant streets and rich history from this welcoming base. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us