Hi Christine!! It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary we’ve carefully curated for your trip to Salzburg-Vienna-Prague. 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. VISIT TRIPSITE #1 Visit TripSite #2 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 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 Accommodations at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels Rooming is based on dual-twin room occupancy. Breakfast daily and selected lunches or 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 4 formal concerts 1 Informal Sing All concert arrangements include venue rental and allocation, all necessary concert permits, all pre-concert advertisements, and on-site concert assistance. Keyboard Rental Pre-concert rehearsal time, where possible Vox Headsets What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Any meals not listed in your itinerary Programs for the concerts Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights Important Items The extension is listed below as a supplemental cost based on a few sets of numbers. See pricing below The Salzburg hotel is NOT actually in Salzburg. It’s a guesthouse outside the city (about 20 minutes’ drive) and most rooms have balconies with views of the mountains. They do offer many multi-bedded rooms and we visited this on our recent site inspection and feel it has great quality. Max number of participants we can have on one coach is 56 + Tour Manager. This means, total number of paying participants, Group Leader and Assistants can be 56 total. Above this, the group will need to move to 2 buses and costs will increase. The restaurant in Hallstatt – doesn’t do group reservations, but the group will have time to have lunch on their own in Hallstatt so they can do so here as individuals. I’ve included a $20 cash back for the kids to ride rides at Prater Park in Vienna Salzburg Cathedral and Imperial Capuchin Church in Vienna require sacred repertoire. Pricing Options Tour to Austria and Czech Republic TravelersPriceFree Spots30$4,739240$4,479250$4,2792TravelersNO AIR PriceFree Spots30$3,299240$2,999250$2,8392 Payment Deadlines DateAmountAug 23, 2024$250Sept 27, 2024$470Oct 25, 2024$470Nov 29, 2024$470Dec 27, 2024$470Jan 31, 2025$470Feb 28, 2025$470Mar 28, 2025$470Apr 25, 2025$470May 1, 2025Balance Due Pricing Options Extension to Bratislava and Budapest – Supplement TravelersPriceFree Spots20$944230$772240$700250$6572 Sample Venues 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 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 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. Band Choir Orchestra St. Nicholas Church Prague This gorgeous baroque-style church right in the Old Town Square of Prague, was completed in 1735. The interior was inspired by the chapel of St. Louis-des-Invalides in Paris. Its prime location in the heart of the main square makes it a wonderful place to hold concerts and attract large audiences. Band Choir Orchestra St. Vitus Cathedral Prague This magnificent Roman Catholic cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and is part of the Prague castle. It’s an excellent example of Gothic architecture and can be seen rising above the hill overlooking Prague. While the cathedral does not offer any opportunities for concerts, high quality choirs with liturgical repertoire do have the opportunity to sing Mass here upon approval, which is an incredible experience! 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 Berghof Graml Salzburg The Berghof, a family-run hotel since 1937, originated in Austria’s imperial era as a popular stop for coachmen. Perched on the gentle Rennerberg in Hallwang, the hotel offers a quiet escape, just ten minutes from the city center and close to the Salzkammergut lakes. It combines traditional Austrian “mountain hotel” charm with modern design, featuring spacious rooms with mountain views. The hotel excels in hospitality, offering a lavish breakfast and delicious meals at its a la carte restaurant, “Das Wiatzhaus” and cozy bar “Renate’s”. Guests also enjoy local amenities like bakeries, cafés, and hiking trails. Learn More Simm’s Hotel Vienna Vienna The stylish and modern Simm’s Hotel, a 4-star establishment, is conveniently located next to the Zippererstraße stop on the U3 subway line, offering direct access to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of Vienna. The hotel features underground parking and free Wi-Fi throughout. Each air-conditioned room includes a minibar and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Breakfast is served until noon on weekends for late risers. Tram line 71 stops in front of the hotel, providing access to Belvedere Palace, the State Opera, and the Burgtheater. The hotel is easily accessible from the A23 highway, and a taxi stand is located nearby. Learn More 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. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us