Hello Cameron! It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve carefully curated for your trip to the Historic and culturally rich country of Italy!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. No detail is left undone as we work together to fine tune this performance tour to Italy. The process begins now with proposal itinerary in a collaborative revision that resembles the process we musicians take to prepare a piece of music for performance. Together we will craft an itinerary that truly represents the cultural, educational, and artistic goals of PPYO. It will be a pleasure to work with you in every phase from itinerary revision to the delivery of an outstanding performance tour to Italy in July, 2026! Welcome to Encore Tours, where your dream tour awaits. Visit Your TripSite Traveler Resources 2026 Enhanced Benefits Ensemble da Camera Violinissimo,Museo del Violino Cremona 29 Luglio 2021 FotoLive Salvo Liuzzi 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 Flights departing from Pittsburgh flying into Venice and out of Florence Airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges Accommodations in a combination of 3 and 4-star hotels in a combination of triple and twin rooms Breakfast at your hotel and dinners at local restaurants each night All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach with driver and professional Tour Manager throughout your program Transportation overseas of all musical instruments in appropriate instrument truck Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers Organization of three formal evening concerts including all necessary venue rental, performance permits, and pre-concert advertisement Entrances to all sites and museums listed in the itinerary Vox Headets What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Any meals not listed in your itinerary Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights Pricing Options Travelers #No Free Spots 2 Free Spots 3 Free Spots110-120 (3 Standard Buses) Air and Land: $4949Land Only: $3489Air and Land: $5109Land Only: $3649Air and Land: $5189Land Only: $4289100-110 (2 Extra Long Buses)Air and Land: $4839Land Only: $3379Air and Land: $4999Land Only: $3539Air and Land: $5079Land Only: $417980-90 (2 Standard Buses) Air and Land: $5039Land Only: $3579Air and Land: $5199Land Only: $3739Air and Land: $5279Land Only: $379960-70 (2 Standard Buses)Air and Land: $5479Land Only: $4019Air and Land: $5639Land Only: $4179Air and Land: $5799Land Only: $433920 Based on “Land and Air” out of Pittsburgh flying into Venice and out of Florence or No Airfare/Land Only accommodating the group in a combination of triple and twin/double occupancy rooms. Payment Deadlines DateAmountMay 15, 2025$200July 15, 2025$500September 15, 2025$1,000November15, 2025$1,000January 15, 2026$1,500Final BalanceMarch 15, 2026 VENUES Choir Chiesa di San Bernardino (Auditorium Bruno Manenti) Cremona This beautifully restored church in Cremona serves as an impressive venue for musical performances and events, blending historic charm with excellent acoustics. Featuring stunning frescoes, vaulted ceilings, and a serene atmosphere, it provides an ideal setting for choirs and instrumental ensembles. The unique space offers a captivating backdrop that enhances both the visual and auditory experience, making it perfect for groups seeking a culturally rich and inspiring performance venue in Cremona. Band Choir Orchestra Cortile Federico Cremona Cortile Federico, located in the heart of Palermo, is an intimate and historic outdoor venue perfect for performances and events. With its stunning courtyard architecture, this charming space offers a unique atmosphere that blends the elegance of Sicily’s rich cultural heritage with modern amenities. Its open-air setting, surrounded by ancient stone walls and lush greenery, provides an inspiring backdrop for choral and instrumental performances, making it an ideal location for ensembles seeking a memorable and picturesque venue in Sicily. Band Choir Orchestra Villa Contarini Park Padua Set within the lush gardens of Villa Contarini in Piazzola sul Brenta, this open-air venue offers a stunning performance setting with the villa’s grand Baroque façade as a dramatic backdrop. Renowned for its excellent acoustics and spacious layout, Villa Contarini Park has hosted orchestras, choral ensembles, and jazz festivals, making it a versatile and well-loved destination for outdoor concerts. Its rich cultural significance, picturesque surroundings, and convenient location near Padua and Venice make it an ideal stop for ensembles seeking a memorable performance in Northern Italy. Band Choir Orchestra Terme Tettuccio Montecatini Considered the symbol of the city and its glorious past, as well as being the oldest of the spas, the Tettuccio has been nicknamed Temple of the European Spas. The majesty of the building and richness of the interior decorations represent the maximum expression of spa architecture in Montecatini, located halfway between Florence and Lucca in the Tuscan countryside. Guests come to drink the waters from its four springs, each with a different chemical composition. Tettuccio refers to the small roof found over the spa’s source. Ensembles perform here surrounded by classic statues, marble columns and the lavish Art Noveau architecture of the facility. There is ample space to accommodate ensembles of up to 100 members. Band Choir Orchestra Piazza dell’Anfiteatro Lucca Built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro in Lucca offers excellent acoustics and a unique blend of history and ambiance. This oval-shaped piazza, enclosed by medieval buildings, creates an intimate yet grand setting for choral performances, chamber ensembles, and acoustic concerts. A beloved cultural hub, it regularly hosts festivals and public concerts, ensuring an engaged audience, while its central location and historic charm make it a standout venue in Tuscany. HOTELS Hotel Continental Cremona Cremona Hotel Continental Cremona, an iconic 4-star hotel in the city of Cremona, reopened in 2012 after a complete renovation, setting a new standard of elegance and hospitality. The hotel features the sophisticated pizzeria “La Pizza d’Autore” on the ground floor and the “Al Quarto Terrazza Mediterranea” restaurant on the top floor, which offers a panoramic view of the Torrazzo. Additionally, there are two meeting rooms and a small gym available. Committed to environmental sustainability, the hotel utilizes a photovoltaic system for renewable electricity, an insulating coat on all external facades, and a modern heat pump system that recycles hot water from the air conditioning. Learn more Park Hotel Villa Fiorita Treviso Villa Fiorita, a 4-star hotel in Monastier di Treviso, combines comfort with elegance. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a pool, restaurant, and fitness center. Each room features modern conveniences like a minibar, TV, and private bath. Breakfast includes various options. Additional amenities include a hot tub, table tennis, and bike rentals. Multilingual staff assist in several languages. Situated 19 miles from Caribe Bay and close to Treviso Central Station and Treviso Airport. Learn MOre Hotel Settentrionale Esplanade Montecatini This serene 4-star hotel is perfectly positioned just a short walk from the town center, offering an oasis of tranquility. Guests can unwind by the crystal blue outdoor pool and garden or enjoy the shade on the summer terrace beneath blooming wisteria. With the option to dine at the onsite restaurant or explore the quaint town on a complimentary bike provided by the hotel, relaxation and rejuvenation are assured. Learn MOre