St. George’s; Culture and Concert Tour in Italy 2025

Dear Nathan!

It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve carefully curated for your trip to 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.

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.

Welcome to Encore Tours, where your dream tour awaits.

Sincerely

Robin Teague

617-958-9528


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 groupsIn 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 pleased to offer individual (or group), online billing so that you do not have to spend multiple hours chasing participants for money. All your participants can be billed directly by Encore Tours — this is a feature that Encore Group Leaders especially appreciate! Using our autopay system, participants can also choose their own payment schedule to suit personal financial requirements. The last payment is processed 45 days prior to departure and enrollment is free!

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 triples room occupancy.
  • Breakfast daily and 5 dinners as per your itinerary
  • All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary
  • Local guides in Florence,Rome, Sorrento
  • Entrances: Vatican City, Michelangelo’s David, Colosseum, Capri
  • 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 2 concert performance opportunities
  • All concert arrangements include venue rental and allocation, all necessary concert permits, all pre-concert advertisement, and on-site concert assistance
  • 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 Spots
30$5,6791
40$5,2991
50$5,1391

Based on “Land and Air” out of Memphis, the group is accommodated in triple rooms.

Payment Deadlines to be determined between Nathan and Robin

DateAmount
June 15$200
August 15$1,000
October 15$1,000
December 15$1,000
February 15Final deposit

Sample Venues

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

St. Paul’s Within the Walls

Rome

Located in Rome, this venue stands out for its welcoming approach to an eclectic repertoire, offering ensembles a unique platform to explore a diverse range of music. This flexibility is particularly notable given the venue’s historic significance as the first Protestant church in Rome, built in 1873. With its stunning blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, adorned with striking mosaics and stained glass, the church not only provides an aesthetically magnificent backdrop for performances but also an acoustically rich environment. The combination of architectural beauty, historical depth, and openness to varied musical genres makes St. Paul’s an ideal venue for choral groups.

Santa Maria Nera

Lucca

The church of Santa Maria Nera owes its name to the sculpture that reproduces the image of a black virgin. This is an exact 19th century reproduction of the Madonna of Loreto which, it is said, was flown to Italy by angels and whose original was completely burned in a devastating fire in 1921. Also known as Santa Maria Corteorlandini, the church is one of the city’s hidden gems and a fantastic example of baroque style in Lucca. The interior is stunning and provides a welcoming venue for visiting choirs.

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.

Grand Hotel Tiberio

Rome

This modern and chic four-star establishment is set in a tranquil residential neighborhood. Elegantly adorned, it’s positioned less than a mile from Vatican City, the site of the acclaimed Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. The location benefits from excellent access to public transportation, including the Metro, buses, and local FM3 railway services, making all of Rome’s prime attractions readily accessible. The hotel features a sophisticated lobby bar and the spacious restaurant “Le Terrazze di Tiberio.” If you’re looking to relax, head to the 6th-floor terrace to enjoy breathtaking views of St. Peter’s Dome and Monte Mario.

Grand Hotel Aminta

Sorrento

The Grand Hotel Aminta, perched above Sorrento, offers stunning views across the Bay of Naples. Since opening in 1961, this four-star hotel combines the charm of the Neapolitan Riviera with modern sophistication. Continuous renovations ensure it meets contemporary standards while preserving its historic elegance. The management team, dedicated to excellence, meticulously attends to every detail to cater to the needs of its guests. Tastefully decorated with incredible panoramic views, this hotel is a wonderful option for a variety of groups.

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.

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