Dear John, 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.’ It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary we’ve carefully curated for your trip to Italy, 2026. 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 triple room occupancy. Breakfast daily and dinners as per your itinerary All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary 2 nights in Rome 3 nights in Montacatini 2 nights in Cremona 3 nights in Venice Lido 8 Standard meals Guide Florence Guide at Colosseum Guides at Rome at Vat+St. Peter’s Admission to Vatican, Colosseum, Accademia, Violin Museum 48 hrs Venice vaporetto ticket 4 Concerts fully assisted and advertised Rental instrument van throughout, including drivers’ board and lodging Touring coach for 11 days plus empty legs Pertinent bus permit 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 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 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$6,199540$6,079440$5,9293 Based on “Land and Air” out of AUS, the group is accommodated in twin triple rooms with a $300 enrichment fee. Payment Deadlines decided by Robin and John DateAmountMay 15$200September 30$1,500October 30$1,500November 15Final payment Sample Venues Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Choir 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. Band Choir Orchestra Teatro Mancinelli Orvieto Inaugurated in 1866 and named after the composer and director Luigi Mancinelli from Orvieto, Mancinelli Theatre, after a long complete restoration, was reopened to the public in 1993. Of great worth is the curtain decorated by the painter Cesare Fracassini. This beautiful round theatre offers a setting of great prestige characterized by excellent acoustics. The Foyer, completely frescoed, extremely elegant and multifunctional, is situated on the third floor and it can hold from 40 to 150 people. The stalls are able to accommodate up to 164 people. The four floors of boxes can take up to 322 people. Choir 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. Choir Church of San Stae Venice The Church of San Stae, located along the Grand Canal in Venice, is a Baroque gem offering a striking and atmospheric venue for performances. Known for its elegant façade and richly decorated interior, the church provides excellent acoustics that are particularly well-suited for small ensembles and choral groups. Performing in this historic setting allows musicians to immerse themselves in Venice’s artistic heritage while connecting with audiences in an unforgettable environment. Hotels This is some content Cardinal Hotel St. Peter Rome This 4-star hotel is located about 1 mile from the Vatican and offers views of Saint Peter’s Basilica from many rooms, along with a panoramic summer terrace featuring hot tubs. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, free parking, and a garage. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a minibar and flat-screen TV with satellite channels, with some rooms offering balconies and views of the basilica. Free WiFi is available throughout. An American buffet breakfast is served daily, with outdoor seating available in warmer months. Situated next to Villa Pamphili, Rome’s largest park, the hotel has convenient access to the city center via bus or a 20-minute walk to the metro. Learn More Grand Hotel Panoramic Montecatini This 4-star hotel on the northern edge of Montecatini Terme’s famed thermal parks offers a tranquil stay surrounded by lush gardens. Its modern amenities include spacious, light-filled lounges and an impressive winter garden with glass walls overlooking a terrace and swimming pool. Rooms and suites are uniquely furnished, with select rooms featuring a spa bath, two bathrooms, or a private balcony or garden, adding a touch of exclusivity and comfort for guests seeking a relaxing retreat in Tuscany. Learn More 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 Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana Venice A contemporary four-star hotel situated merely a ten-minute drive from the Tronchetto ferry terminal offers seamless access to both the Venetian lagoon and the heart of Venice. From Tronchetto, private motorlaunches ferry guests directly to St. Mark’s Square in approximately 20 minutes—a voyage that captures the spirit of Venice, offering countless sights to marvel at during the trip. This mode of transport is safe and comfortable for groups of all ages. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us