Hello Andrew, Thank you for taking time to speak about this tour at the recent TMEA conference in San Antonio. It was a pleasure to meet you and our conversation was such valuable help in creating this initial proposal along with the assistance of my colleagues in France and Germany. I understand the significance of the Fort Worth Sister City Relationships with both Nimes, France and Trier Germany. Encore’s strong infrastructure in both countries allows us to be present for important support culturally and artistically at these two concerts under the arrangement of FWYO and city officials. Furthermore, my colleagues overseas and I are already planning alternative concert arrangements in both cities should planning under own arrangement prove to be less than optimal to provide the Youth Orchestra with seamless and memorable concert experiences. Having a contingency plan for both cities will offer you and your colleagues great peace of mind so that you can concentrate on preparing the young musicians musically for this amazing tour! Our offer of a site inspection this early autumn to all four cities featured in the itinerary will allow two representatives from the FWYO the chance to inspect all hotels, concert venues, restaurants and meet face to face with my colleagues in France and Germany who will be present and assisting the orchestra during the 2027 tour. Your stamp of approval on each and every tour arrangement will enable all of us at Encore Tours Worldwide to provide the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra with the very best tour accommodations in 2027. It will be a pleasure to have the opportunity to collaborate with you on this performance tour. 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. No matter what the destination, it is such a pleasure for me to work with you!!! Welcome to Encore Tours, where your dream tour awaits. 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 Flights departing from Dallas flying into Marseilles and out of Frankfurt including all airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges Accommodations in 4-star well located hotels in twin and double rooms Rooming in double-room occupancy. Breakfast at your hotel and dinners at local restaurants each day All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver Facilitation of rental of all large instruments TBD as needed by FWYO Transfer of large suitcases and instruments via climate controlled truck from Nimes to Paris while tour participants travel via TVG Contingency Plans for premiere concert arrangements in Sister Cities if the FWYO requires Encore to step in and handle all Sister City Concerts Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers Full US-Based Encore Team Assistance in Tour Preparations including Encore’s Director of Orchestras (Barbara Brown, former Executive Director of the Rochester Philharmonic) who’s expertise in the filed of professional orchestras offers invaluable preparation assistance to the FWYO Organization, venue hire, and pre-concert advertisement for all concerts as outlined in the day-by-day A pre-tour site inspection for two FWYO staff members to view all land arrangements in France and Germany Entrances to all sites and museums listed in the itinerary Vox Headets Please note two hotels not featured below but to be inspected by FWYO staff include the Apart City Collection in Nimes and the Mercure Hotel Trier Porta Nigra Pricing Travelers #3 Free Spots 4 Free Spots100-130Air and Land: $6679Land Only: $5039Air and Land: $6699Land Only: $509920 Based on “Land and Air” out of Dallas flying into Marseilles and out of Frankfurt accommodating the group in double occupancy rooms. SAMPLE VENUES Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Band Choir Orchestra Conservatoire de Nîmes Nimes Located in the heart of Nîmes, the Conservatoire de Nîmes serves as a cornerstone of the city’s musical life. This respected municipal institution offers a meaningful opportunity for artistic exchange, with the potential for open-air performances in the square or within the conservatory grounds. Ideal for ensembles seeking cultural collaboration and community engagement, the venue provides an authentic Mediterranean setting and the possibility of partnership with local French music students. Band Choir Orchestra Theatre de Nimes Nimes Théâtre de Nîmes is the city’s primary professional performing arts venue and the strongest formal concert setting in Nîmes. The stage comfortably supports full symphony orchestra instrumentation, with professional lighting and technical infrastructure. Centrally located and integrated into the city’s cultural calendar, it provides a polished European concert hall experience appropriate for a headline performance. Band Choir Orchestra Salle Gaveau Paris Salle Gaveau is one of Paris’s historic concert halls, known for its refined acoustics and elegant Belle Époque architecture. Centrally located and internationally recognized, the hall carries clear artistic prestige. It is well suited for formal evening performances and ensembles seeking a classic Paris concert hall presentation. Band Choir Orchestra Cité de la Musique et de la Danse Strasbourg Strasbourg’s principal conservatory complex includes a purpose-built 500-seat auditorium, designed specifically for acoustic performance. The hall comfortably supports full youth or symphonic orchestra configuration and provides clarity and balance for symphonic repertoire. Its institutional setting allows for meaningful collaboration with conservatory musicians while maintaining a professional concert presentation. Payment Deadlines DateAmountJune 30, 2026$200July 30, 2026$500September 15, 2026$1,000November15, 2026$1,000January 15, 2027$1,000February 15, 2027Final Balance Hotels Hôtel Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel Paris Conveniently situated in the heart of the City of Light, the 4-star Mercure Center Tour Eiffel offers an ideal home base for your Parisian getaway. Just steps away from the iconic Eiffel Tower, the hotel provides easy access to public transit and nearby attractions like the Quai Branly Museum and Les Invalides, as well as charming local shops and restaurants. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a delicious daily breakfast, all within the comfort of your cozy accommodations at Mercure Center Tour Eiffel. Learn More Hôtel Mercure Paris Montparnasse Raspail Paris Experience the essence of Parisian charm at the 4-star Mercure Raspail Montparnasse hotel, nestled in the vibrant heart of the City of Lights. Situated within easy reach of iconic landmarks such as the catacombs, the Senate, Luxembourg Garden, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, the hotel offers an authentic Parisian experience. Enjoy the convenience of complimentary Wi-Fi and air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable stay while you explore all that the city has to offer. Learn More Hotel Concorde Montparnasse Paris The Hotel Concorde Montparnasse is a lovely little hotel in an ideal location of Paris, only 25 minutes from Musee d’Orsay Art Museum and right by an underground station for easy city travel. Relax and soak up the sun on the summer terrace or stop and smell the flowers in the French garden. Get physical and take some time at the hotel gym or grab a bite to eat at one of the multiple dining venues. Each room is curated for maximum comfort, offering a spacious interior, flat-screen TV, a mini fridge bar, and tea and coffee making supplies. Relax and explore Paris during your stay! Learn More Hotel Mercure Strasbourg Centre Gare Strasbourg This 4-star hotel is located just across from Strasbourg’s central train station, offering easy access to the city’s major landmarks, including the picturesque Petite France district and Strasbourg Cathedral. With modern, well-appointed rooms, a welcoming bar, and convenient amenities, it provides a comfortable and stylish stay for both business and leisure travelers. Its central location makes it perfect for exploring the city’s charming streets, vibrant markets, and cultural attractions. Learn More Venues