Lakeland Youth Symphony – Prague/Vienna/Budapest

Dear Sue,

I’m so delighted to be able to introduce you to some of my favorite destinations in Central Europe, 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


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 occupancy.
  • Breakfast and 1 main meal daily as per your itinerary
  • All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary
  • Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver
  • Full-time instrument truck and driver to transport your equipment
  • Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program
  • Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers
  • Arrangements for 3-4 concert performance opportunities
  • 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
  • Hire of specific instruments (price given separately)
  • 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 Spots
40$4,6392
45$4,4792
50$4,3792

Based on “Land and Air” out of New York accommodating the group in Twin or Double rooms.

Prices based on 2025 rates and subject to reconfirmation

Payment Deadlines

DateAmount
December 31, 2024$200
May 31, 2025$1,000
August 31, 2025$1,000
November 12, 2025Balance due

Provisional payment schedule, open to discussion

Sample Venues

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

Ladvi Culture House (KD Ládví)

Prague

KD Ládví, or Cultural House Ládví, is a versatile performance venue in Prague, Czech Republic. It hosts a variety of events, including theater, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops. With modern architecture and flexible spaces, it supports both small and large-scale productions. KD Ládví is a cultural hub for the community, promoting local and international talents and offering diverse programming to audiences of all ages.

Peterskirche

Vienna

The Peterskirche (or St. Peter’s Church) is one of the oldest churches in Vienna, Austria. This Baroque-style church was inspired by the St. Peter’s Basilica of the Vatican and is nestled in the centre of Petersplatz square. The breathtaking interior includes a Baroque organ built in 1751, a kaleidoscope of colors, and beautiful domed ceiling. Peterskirche offers incredible acoustics and frequently hosts organ recitals, choir performances, operas, and other events. The first church on this site appeared in the late 4th century, making this a truly unique opportunity to perform in one of the area’s most historic venues.

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.

Hotel NH Prague City

Prague

Situated close to the iconic Charles Bridge and many of Prague’s premier attractions, this 4-star hotel serves as a perfect starting point for discovering the captivating charm of the city. Venture out to explore the surrounding cafes and shops, immersing yourself in the local ambiance, or take advantage of the hotel’s amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a fully-equipped gym. Its proximity to numerous splendid venues contributes to its popularity among guests seeking both comfort and convenience.

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!

ibis Budapest Heroes Square

Budapest

Located in the cultural heart of Budapest, this hotel offers easy access to the city’s most iconic attractions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Széchenyi Thermal Bath, and Heroes Square. With excellent public transport connections, including the nearby Hösök tere metro station, reaching the city center and major train stations is quick and convenient. Guests can enjoy modern amenities like free WiFi, an air-cooling system, and spacious rooms with exceptionally comfortable beds. Its proximity to Andrássy Avenue and City Park makes it an ideal base for exploring Budapest’s rich cultural heritage.

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

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