Hello Ed, It is a pleasure working with you and the Singers, friends and family of the Community Chorus of Detroit once again for the 2027 Performance Tour. I want you to know that you were indeed heard when you shared your candid remarks about how we can work together to make this 2027 tour the best to date. Factoring in the needs of a more mature group of travelers and the need for comfort and convenient location of lodging, the choice to have just two hotel stays Florence and Rome I think will result in a much better paced tour than those of the past. Both hotels, the starhotel Michelangelo in Florence located just a short distance from Santa Maria Novella, and The Mediterraneo near Rome’s Termini station will allow all travelers the convenience of stepping out of the hotels and into the history and beauty of both of these incredible cities! I hope you agree that there is a nice balance of structured activities and guided tours and free time for your adult travelers to set out on their own and take Italy at their own pace. I’ve also included some traditionally delicious culinary moments like the Tuscan Farmhouse Lunch in the inspiring Tuscan Countryside and and fun and interactive lunch time cooking class that ends perfectly with everyone dining on the fruits of their labors while sipping local wines. There are visits of world class museums like the Accademia, The Uffizi, and The Vatican Museums. Your musical experiences with an evening concert in the birthplace of Puccini, Lucca hosted by a local choir, another evening concert in the heart of historical Rome, and a chance to sing at the Throne Altar in St. Pater’s Basilica for a scheduled mass will offer your ensemble truly inspirational moments for making music together. Nothing is set in stone ,or in this case Carrara marble Ed, I am here to work with you to fine tune this itinerary to ensure it meets all the needs of the ensemble and reflects your high standards of cultural opportunities and musical highlights. I look forward to the process of orchestrating this tour together. 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. Tour Inclusions Roundtrip airfare from Detroit flying into Florence and out of Rome Airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges 8 nights Accommodations at centrally located 4-star-hotels Rooming in double -room occupancy Single room accommodations available for an additional fee of $1,200 per person Breakfast daily and dinners at local restaurants as indicated in the 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 Arrangements for 2 Formal Evening Concert performance opportunities and 1 Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica Rental of an electronic keyboard as needed per the performances 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 All Entrances as outlined in the itinerary including: Vatican Museums, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Accademia, Puccini birthplace, and the Uffizi. A pre-tour site inspection at an agreed to date for you and a guest to see all hotels, venues and place your stamp of approval on all inclusions in advance of the June 2027 tour. 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 Travelers #2 Free50 in One Extra-Long MotorcoachAir and Land: $7179Land Only: $649940Air and Land: $7399Land Only: $593930Air and Land: $7999Land Only: $6499 Based on “Land and Air” out of Detroit flying into Florence and out of Rome accommodating the group in double occupancy rooms. SAMPLE VENUES Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. 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. Band Choir Sant’Agnese Rome Sant’Agnese in Agone is a seventeenth Baroque church in Rome, Italy. It faces onto the Piazza Navona, one of the main urban spaces in the historic centre of the city and the site where the Early Christian Saint Agnes was martyred at the ancient Stadium of Domitian. A number of architects were involved in the construction of the church, including Girolamo Rainaldi and his son Carlo Rainaldi, and two of the foremost Baroque architects of the day; Francesco Borromini and the sculptor Gianlorenzo Bernini. The church serves as a cultural gathering point for the entire city with concerts throughout the year often featuring visiting ensembles. Choir Choosing the Right Venue St. Peter’s Basilica Rome Charged as being “the greatest of all churches of Christendom,” St. Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City, is nearly 400 years old and possesses a wealth of history, culture, and art. Adorned with works of famous Italian Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, St. Peter’s is a popular site not only for Christians, but for historians and tourists alike. Not only have Encore groups had the opportunity to explore such a remarkable sight, but some have also performed for the Pope himself! Choir Orchestra Sant’Andrea della Valle Church Rome It is hard to imagine a more dramatic church than Sant’ Andrea della Valle, it is therefore not hard to understand why Puccini set the first act of his opera, Tosca, in the Barberini Chapel. It is here that Angelotti seeks a hiding place from the Roman chief of police and Tosca’s suspicions of her lovers’ supposed infidelity are aroused. This is a venue of unmatched opulence and operatic history and would be the perfect venue for a choral performance. Hotels Please note this quotation is based on 4-star standard well-located hotels in all cities. Munich and Salzburg Hotel information is contained in email dated April 26, 2024. Grand Hotel Baglioni Florence This 4-star establishment, situated in the heart of Florence, has upheld a tradition of splendid hospitality and excellence for more than 100 years. Since opening its doors in 1903, it has become a favored lodging for kings, heads of state, distinguished artists, and intellectuals, earning its place as a cultural beacon. The hotel melds elegance with comfort, providing amenities such as complimentary WiFi, room service, and laundry facilities. Among its most enchanting features is the summer rooftop terrace, offering guests panoramic views of the city’s breathtaking beauty. Learn More Hotel Roma – Firenze Florence Hotel Roma, a 4-star property set in an 18th-century building, is perfectly located just a 2-minute walk from Florence’s main train station and offers views of Santa Maria Novella Church. The rooms boast a classic design with elegant furnishings and marble bathrooms. The hotel features an elegant bar ideal for enjoying an aperitif or cocktail, and is conveniently close to the Fortezza da Basso conference center, the cathedral, and the Uffizi Gallery. Learn More Starhotels Michelangelo Rome Starhotels Michelangelo in Rome is a welcoming 4-star hotel offering 179 stylish rooms, many with views of St Peter’s dome. Rooms feature plush bedding, soundproofing, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and minibars, combining classic charm with modern comfort. The on-site restaurant, The Dome, serves authentic Roman dishes in an elegant setting, while the bar offers a relaxed spot for drinks and light bites. Just steps from St Peter’s Basilica and within walking distance of the Vatican Museums and Castel Sant’Angelo, the hotel enjoys a prime location for exploring historic Rome. Guests highlight the friendly staff, generous breakfast, and overall comfort. Learn More Bettoja Hotel Atlantico Rome This 4-star hotel, set in the heart of Rome, combines classic elegance with modern comforts. Bettoja Hotel Atlantico is ideally located near Termini Station, offering easy access to the city’s major attractions. The hotel features stylish, air-conditioned rooms equipped with free WiFi, a minibar, and flat-screen TVs. Some rooms offer panoramic views of Rome. Guests can enjoy a daily buffet breakfast in a charming dining room and access to an on-site bar. The hotel’s rooftop terrace provides a relaxing space to take in the cityscape. Popular landmarks like the Colosseum and Roman Forum are just a short walk away. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us