Dear Katie, It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve carefully curated for your trip to Italy and Austria. In every aspect of your tour, your goals and desires are our priority, ensuring a travel experience that is as personalized as it is seamless. From our industry-leading protection plans and guaranteed rates that safeguard against the unexpected to the unrivaled expertise of our tour managers who bring every destination to life, every detail is thoughtfully considered.’ It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary we’ve carefully curated for your trip to Italy and Austria. In every aspect of your tour, your goals and desires are our priority, ensuring a travel experience that is as personalized as it is seamless. From our industry-leading protection plans and guaranteed rates that safeguard against the unexpected to the unrivaled expertise of our tour managers who bring every destination to life, every detail is thoughtfully considered. What truly sets your experience apart are our dynamic venues, handpicked for their ability to enchant and engage, complete with guaranteed audiences to elevate every performance. This unique blend of meticulous planning, exclusive access, and comprehensive support ensures that your performance tour transcends the ordinary, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Sincerely,Robin H Teague617-958-9528 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. Recruitment Tools Our new Recruitment Meeting tool streamlines your recruitment process, offering customizable templates, automated reminders, and integrated RSVP tracking to ensure maximum attendance. It simplifies meeting logistics, allowing you to focus on sharing the excitement of your upcoming tour and inspiring participants to join. This tool is designed to make your recruitment efforts as smooth and successful as possible, helping you to build a strong and engaged group. Tour Inclusions Roundtrip airfare Airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges Accommodations at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels Rooming in twin and triple room occupancy. Breakfast daily and dinner daily Strudel making in Schonbrunn Palace 1 Dinner cruise in Vienna Local guide in Vienna Local guides in Salzburg Sound of Music tour Entrance to Schönbrunn Palace (Highlight Tour) Entrance to Esterhazy Palace Entrance to Bergkirche, Haydn Mausoleum and Calvary -Entrance to Melk Abbey Entrance to Mozart’s Birthplace Entrance to Salzburg Fortress, incl. funicular local guide Verona local guide Cremona Violin making workshop Return motor launch to Venice 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 two concert performance,s one as an exchange opportunity, two informal sings, one mass participation Rental of an electronic keyboard All concert arrangements include venue rental and allocation, all necessary concert permits, all pre-concert advertisements, and on-site concert assistanc.e 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 Programs for the concerts Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights Pricing Options TravelersPriceFree Spots40$5,399445$5,299450$5,1994 Based on “Land and Air” out of NYC accommodating the group in twin/triple rooms. Payment Deadlines DateAmountApril 15$200June 15$1,000August 15$1,000October 15$1,000February 15Final paymemt Venues Choir Melk Abbey Melk From 1089, this Benedictine Abbey has survived many periods of distress in Austria, including the dissolution of abbeys under Emperor Joseph II, the Napoleonic Wars and the Nazi Anschluss. Overlooking the Danube, the abbey stands today in its 1736 designed form in which you can witness many well-known frescoes. Perhaps you may be interested in the library which contains a collection of musical manuscripts and frescoes by Paul Troger. Informal performance for the abbey’s many visitors are possible on tour. Choir Basilica of Mondsee Mondsee The Basilica Mondsee is the cultural and spiritual heart of the Mondsee region. This late gothic church was constructed in the 15th century and is the second biggest church in Upper Austria. The Basilica Mondsee reached international fame because the wedding scene from the film “The Sound of Music” (featuring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer) was filmed inside. That’s a large reason why more than 200,000 people visit the church every year and why it ranks as one of the most photographed churches in the world. Truly a special venue for any Austrian performance tour! Choir Bergkirche Eisenstadt Bergkirche, perched atop Eisenstadt’s scenic hillside, is a landmark of both architectural and musical significance. Built in the early 18th century as a pilgrimage church, it became closely linked to composer Joseph Haydn, who wrote several of his late masses for performances here. The church is also home to Haydn’s mausoleum, making it a site of great historical reverence for musicians and music lovers alike. With its rich Baroque design and resonant acoustics, Bergkirche offers an inspiring setting for choral ensemble. Band Choir Orchestra Joint Concert in Vienna Vienna A joint concert in Vienna offers ensembles the opportunity to share the stage with local musicians in one of the world’s great musical capitals. Whether performing alongside an Austrian choir or instrumental group, these collaborations provide a unique cultural exchange, fostering connections through a shared love of music. Vienna’s historic venues, renowned for their acoustics and rich artistic legacy, enhance the experience, creating an unforgettable performance setting. Joint concerts allow visiting ensembles to engage with new audiences, gain deeper insight into Austria’s musical traditions, and build lasting relationships within the global music community. Hotels Please note that your hotels are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. 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 Hotel NH Collection Salzburg City Salzburg The NH Collection Salzburg City is a stylish 4-star hotel conveniently located near Salzburg’s historic Old Town, just a short walk from Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Its central location provides easy access to the city’s renowned cultural sites, including Mozart’s Birthplace, Salzburg Cathedral, and the Getreidegasse shopping street. Ideal for group travel, the hotel offers modern accommodations, a 24-hour front desk, and on-site dining. With its blend of comfort, convenience, and excellent proximity to Salzburg’s top attractions, NH Collection Salzburg City provides an inviting stay for travelers exploring this musical and historic city. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us