An Overture Abroad: OSYO in Europe

The Netherlands & France

Dear Friends,

It is my great pleasure to invite you to join us for An Overture Abroad, a journey to support and celebrate the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra as our musicians take the stage across the Netherlands and France. Each performance is a chance for our young artists to grow as musicians and as ambassadors of Oakland and the greater East Bay’s musical community.

Our journey begins in Amsterdam, where we’ll explore the city’s canals and history and attend OSYO’s opening concert of the tour. From there, we travel to the Loire Valley, where our musicians will perform in the historic town of Blois, surrounded by Renaissance châteaux and storybook countryside. Our tour closes in Paris with OSYO’s farewell concert and the opportunity to experience the city’s Bastille Day celebrations.

Traveling as patrons alongside these young musicians is one of the great joys of this work. Your presence on this trip is more than a vacation. It is a vote of confidence in the next generation of performers and in the belief that music education opens doors that last a lifetime. Along the way, we’ll connect with fellow patrons who share that same commitment to OSYO’s future.

I hope you will join us for this special journey, where every stop has been thoughtfully designed to celebrate our young musicians and the cultural exchange that will stay with them for years to come. I look forward to sharing this unforgettable occasion with you.

With warm regards,
Dr. Mieko Hatano
Chief Executive Officer, Oakland Symphony

Experience The Netherlands & France

With Dr. Mieko Hatano

Dates

July 6 - 15, 2027

Price

Land and Air: $7539
Book Your Own Airfare: $5699

Featured Experiences

OSYO in Amsterdam

Musical

Cheer on Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra at the opening concert of their European tour. Explore Amsterdam’s historic streets and canals, with time to discover the city at your own pace.

Châteaux of the Loire

Cultural

France

Tour the Château de Chenonceau, spanning the Cher River, and attend OSYO’s concert in the historic town of Blois. Discover the Loire Valley’s Renaissance architecture and countryside along the way.

A Parisian Finale

Musical

France

Celebrate OSYO’s farewell concert in Paris, then experience the city during Bastille Day. Complete the journey with a farewell dinner alongside the orchestra’s travelers.

Where the music leads

On stage in the Loire Valley

Before the tour's finale in Paris, follow the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra to the Loire Valley, where the musicians take the stage in historic Blois.

A day among the châteaux and landscapes of the Loire Valley gives way to an evening with OSYO at Halle aux Grains, a performance venue in Blois and part of the city’s national-stage cultural program. Then the musical journey continues to Paris.

Performance July 11, 2027 An evening concert with OSYO

Venue Halle aux Grains Blois, France

What's Included

Round-trip airfare on a commercial airline for the Land and Air package
4-star hotels throughout
Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
Professional Encore Tour Manager throughout
Daily breakfast, plus dinners as the itinerary indicates
Basic gratuities for Tour Manager and bus driver
Liability coverage in excess of $50,000,000
Direct billing to participants

OSYO’s opening concert of the tour in Amsterdam
OSYO’s concert performance in Blois, in the heart of the Loire Valley
OSYO’s farewell concert in Paris

Visit to Zaanse Schans, the historic windmill village
Guided tour of Amsterdam, with highlights including Dam Square, the Royal Palace, and the Canal District
Visit to the Anne Frank House, subject to availability and confirmation
Canal lunch cruise in Amsterdam
Visit to Château de Chenonceau
Loire Valley winery visit and tasting
Stop in Chartres en route to Paris
Panoramic tour of Paris with your Encore Tour Manager
Scenic boat ride on the River Seine
French cooking lesson and lunch at L’Atelier des Chefs
Group outing to see the Bastille Day military parade, with the option to explore independently

Spotlight

Bastille Day in Paris

Experience Paris on France’s national holiday. Join fellow patrons for an outing to see the Bastille Day military parade, or spend the day exploring independently. That evening, reunite with the orchestra’s travelers for a farewell dinner to celebrate the performances, discoveries, and shared experiences of your journey.

Itinerary

10 Days

Day 1

Overnight Flight

Day 1 Overnight Flight

Depart today from San Francisco International Airport for Amsterdam!

Day 2

Amsterdam

Day 2 Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam! Upon arrival, meet your Encore Tour Manager, who will remain with you throughout the tour. Board your private motorcoach and transfer to central Amsterdam for check-in.

Enjoy free time to relax and refresh or step out and explore Amsterdam this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner together as a group. (D)

Day 3

Amsterdam

Day 3 Amsterdam

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by a guided tour of Amsterdam with a local guide. Highlights of the tour include Dam Square, the Royal Palace, and the UNESCO-listed 17th-century Canal District.

Today, you will also enjoy a visit to the Anne Frank House. Please note that the final time and date of the visit to the Anne Frank House are pending confirmation and availability.

Dinner will be on your own this evening. (B)

Day 4

Amsterdam

Day 4 Amsterdam

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a morning at leisure. This afternoon, enjoy a canal lunch cruise and see the "Venice of the North" as you float along the canals while enjoying delicious local cuisine.

After some free time this afternoon, meet again to transfer to a local venue to hear OSYO's premiere concert!

Dinner is on your own this evening. (B, L)

Day 5

Loire Valley

Day 5 Loire Valley

After breakfast at your hotel and check-out, transfer to the station to board the Eurostar high-speed train headed for Paris. Upon arrival in the French capital, board your deluxe motorcoach for your drive to the Loire Valley.

Arrive in France's lush region of châteaux and stunning countryside, the Loire Valley, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy a stroll and orientation tour with your Tour Manager after hotel check-in.

Enjoy a free evening in Blois to sample one of the many local brasseries and bistros in the town center. (B)

Day 6

Loire Valley

Day 6 Loire Valley

After a delicious buffet breakfast at your hotel, discover the Loire Valley's spectacular châteaux and landscapes. Today's sightseeing includes a visit to the Château de Chenonceau. Tour this beautiful Renaissance château, built over the Cher River and famous for its elegant architecture and stunning gardens.

Following the château tour, enjoy a visit to Caves du Père Auguste, where you will learn about the region's famed wines and sample local vintages.

There is time for lunch on your own before returning to Blois for a free late afternoon. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own at one of the local eateries in the town center before attending OSYO's concert performance in Blois at the Halle aux Grains. (B)

Day 7

Paris

Day 7 Paris

After breakfast at your hotel, depart the Loire Valley for Paris. En route, stop in Chartres for a visit to the cathedral, a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture.

After free time for lunch on your own, continue to Paris, the City of Light and a global icon celebrated for its romantic ambiance and iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

After hotel check-in, enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant this evening, followed by a scenic boat ride on the River Seine to take in the beauty of Paris. (B, D)

Day 8

Paris

Day 8 Paris

After breakfast at your hotel and a morning at leisure, enjoy a special French culinary experience with a private cooking lesson and delicious lunch at L'Atelier des Chefs.

The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy Paris before attending OSYO's farewell performance.

Dinner is on your own this evening. (B, L)

Day 9

Paris

Day 9 Paris

Celebrate Bastille Day in Paris! Take in the military parade on the Champs-Élysées, a grand annual event showcasing France's armed forces. The parade symbolizes national pride and unity and is attended by the French President and other international dignitaries.

Alternatively, you may choose to spend the day strolling the avenues or visiting one of Paris's smaller neighborhoods before meeting this evening for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with the members of OSYO. (B, D)

Day 10

Departure

Day 10 Departure

After breakfast at your hotel and check-out, transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)

Quiet street with ivy-covered houses in Paris

Amsterdam Blois Paris

Ready to Go?

Dates

July 6 - 15, 2027

Price

Land and Air: $7539
Book Your Own Airfare: $5699

Protection Plans

Enjoy total peace of mind on your Encore Experience with our Basic Protection Plan, included for every traveler. You’ll have coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, delays, medical assistance, and baggage protection from the moment you book. For even greater flexibility and benefits, more than half of our travelers choose to upgrade to one of our paid plans, Ultimate ($400) or Ultimate Plus ($550), which provide enhanced cancellation options, higher coverage limits, and expanded on-tour support so you can travel with complete confidence.

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