Hello Ann, It is a pleasure working with you and the families of he Encore Touring Ensembles. The group i swell underway to building a great ensemble and i am confident that as the summer and new fall semester begin later this year, there will be more adding to the numbers. Per your request, I am including pricing for a group of 30 paying participants with options for two, three, and four free travel spots. I think this is wise to have all the information should the group be below the originally estimated and priced 40 paying participants. 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 Chicago flying into Florence and out of Rome Airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges -5-nights Accommodations at conveniently located superior 3 and standard 4-star-hotels Rooming in triple and double -room occupancy, depending on hotel Breakfast daily and selected lunches or dinners as per your 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 or 3 Formal Evening Concert performance opportunities and 2 Liturgies 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 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 Free3 Free 4 Free 40Air and Land: $4299Land Only: $2899Air and Land: $4399Land Only: $2999Air and Land: $4479Land Only: $309930Air and Land: $4639Land Only: $3359Air and Land: $4779Land Only: $3379Air and Land: $4799Land Only: $3399 Based on “Land and Air” out of Los Chicago 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. Choir St. Francis Basilica Assisi The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the town where St. Francis was born and died, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Franciscan Order and one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy. The Basilica, begun in 1228, comprises two churches – the Upper Church and Lower Church – and a crypt where the remains of the saint are interred. With permission, choral groups can sing during Holy Mass. 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 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! 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 Mediterraneo Florence The Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, a 4-star property in Florence, offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and Italian charm. Located along the Arno River, just a short walk from Florence’s historic center, the hotel provides easy access to iconic landmarks such as the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio. Guests enjoy spacious, well-appointed rooms, on-site dining featuring Tuscan cuisine, and exceptional hospitality, making it an ideal base for exploring the beauty and culture of Florence. Learn More Novotel Firenze Nord Florence This four-star hotel offers an outdoor pool and is conveniently located about one mile from the A1 motorway and two miles from the Florence Airport. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, a mini-bar, satellite flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi access. The hotel’s restaurant offers a diverse menu, including a varied buffet breakfast. Learn More Hotel Nord Nuova Roma Rome Located in a historic building with a chic interior, this establishment sits in the heart of Rome, offering an ideal base for exploring the city’s famed attractions. Complimentary Wi-Fi and daily fitness area access enhance guests’ stay, while the roof garden provides a tranquil spot to enjoy snacks and city views. Just a 20-minute stroll away are the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Roman Forum, with easy public transportation access for broader exploration. Learn More Bettoja Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio Rome This 4-star hotel offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern convenience, situated in the heart of Rome. Hidden from the hustle and bustle yet centrally located, it provides an authentic “Fin de Siècle” ambiance. Established in the late 19th century, the hotel boasts a rich heritage of hosting historical figures and contains a remarkable collection of artefacts from the Risorgimento era. Guests can enjoy the tranquility of Santa Maria Maggiore and the vibrant atmosphere of nearby Via Cavour, Via Nazionale, and the glittering Monti neighborhood, all within a short walk from the property. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us