Sound of Music - 9 days

Tour Highlights

St. Mark's Basilica • Doge's Basilica • Hohensalzburg Fortress • Mozart's Birthplace • Salt Mines • Danube Cruise • Haus Der Musik • Schonbrunn Palace • 3 Performance Opportunities

Overnights

Venice Lido 3 , Salzburg 2, Vienna 2

Itinerary

DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

Depart New York today on your 9-day custom European performance tour! Dinner and breakfast are served onboard your flight.

DAY 2: VENICE LIDO

Welcome to the Italy—your Tour Manager will greet you at the Milan airport, and you will drive through the region of Veneto to your hotel. Along the way, stop in Verona for a walking tour with your tour manager; see the colosseum, Juliet’s balcony, and enjoy free time for lunch. Continue on to your comfortable hotel for check-in. An arrival briefing is provided this evening, and afterward dinner is served at a local restaurant.

DAY 3: VENICE LIDO

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, provided for you each morning of your tour. Spend today in “The Queen of the Adriatic,” Venice. Transfer to St. Mark’s Square via boat as the Venetians themselves do daily. Your tour manager provides your walking tour of this Byzantine wonder, including St. Mark’s Basilica. Included today is entrance to the Doge’s Palace. Here, you can walk through the famous “Bridge of Sighs” which connects the palace to the prison. Peer out through the bridge’s tiny window, the last look at civilization for many unfortunate inmates. . Enjoy the afternoon in this unique city. Throughout the year, Piazza San Marco abounds with activity and live music. During your free time, you might wish to take a gondola ride through the city’s beautiful canals. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 4: VENICE LIDO

Venice is comprised of 117 islands of all sizes, connected by an endless number of bridges and narrow streets. Open yourself to its charms, and you will not go unrewarded. Included today is the opportunity to visit two neighboring islands. First, a water taxi takes you out to the island of Murano to watch the famous glassblowers; continue on to Burano to learn about the island’s history of lace-making. Venetian “Merletto,” or lace, often depicts the same Gothic architectural style of the palaces of Venice. Later today, prepare for your performance debut in Venice! A pre-concert warm-up rehearsal is provided. Afterward, dinner is served at a local restaurant.

DAY 5: SALZBURG

Depart Italy this morning, and travel north to Austria and the musical city of Salzburg. Along the way, stop in the charming Austrian town of Villach for free time for lunch in the old city center. Arrive in the musical city of Salzburg, and begin your exploration right away with a trip on the funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress—located high above the city center and affording wonderful views! Tonight, enjoy a special “Hot Stone” dinner party at the Fresaufkeller!

DAY 6: SALZBURG

This morning fall in love with the city of Mozart on your sightseeing of Salzburg, home to Baroque facades and music festivals! A local guide will lead your tour today, highlights of which include the Mirabell Gardens, the Sound of Music churchyard, and entrance to Mozart’s birthplace. This afternoon, explore the world of the “white gold” Salt Mines of Hallein. On the guided tour, descend into the salt mines on slides and then boat on an underground lake—it’s a great opportunity to explore Austria’s history and geography. After dinner at a local restaurant, perform your second formal concert this evening.

DAY 7: VIENNA

Depart Salzburg this morning; first stop in Spitz where you can relive the Vienna of Strauss on your cruise along the magnificent Danube, Europe’s second longest river. View beautiful scenery along the mighty banks, as medieval villages stand much the same as they did hundreds of years ago. In Krems, your motor-coach awaits to continue on to Vienna. This evening visit the Haus der Musik—an interactive discovery museum, where visitors can feel, see, and listen to music. You can even conduct the Vienna Philharmonic from a virtual conductor’s podium! Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

DAY 8: VIENNA

This morning, a local guide leads you on a tour of the historical center of Vienna. You will see the Karlskirche, State Opera, Hofburg, and the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, along with entrance to St. Stephan’s Cathedral. There is free time for lunch this afternoon—be sure to savor sachertorte, or another of Vienna’s famed cakes and desserts. Later today, perform your final concert in the Vienna area! Tonight, share new memories and celebrate the last night of your successful European performance tour, as you enjoy your final dinner, provided at a local restaurant.

DAY 9: RETURN TO THE USA

After a final breakfast at your hotel, it’s time for checkout, say a last farewell to your tour manager, and return flights to the United States