Dear MaryAnn, It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve carefully curated for your trip to Ireland in 2027. 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.’ What truly sets your experience apart are our dynamic venues, handpicked for their ability to enchant and engage, complete with guaranteed audiences to elevate every performance. This unique blend of meticulous planning, exclusive access, and comprehensive support ensures that your performance tour transcends the ordinary, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Sincerely,Robin H Teague617-958-9528 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. Recruitment Tools Our new Recruitment Meeting tool streamlines your recruitment process, offering customizable templates, automated reminders, and integrated RSVP tracking to ensure maximum attendance. It simplifies meeting logistics, allowing you to focus on sharing the excitement of your upcoming tour and inspiring participants to join. This tool is designed to make your recruitment efforts as smooth and successful as possible, helping you to build a strong and engaged group. Tour Inclusions Roundtrip airfare Airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges Accommodations at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels Rooming in a twin room occupancy. Breakfast daily and selected lunches or dinners as per your itinerary All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary. Clonmacnoise, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher, Shannon Ferry, Killarney National Park, Derrynane Dunes and Beaches, Blarney Castle, Cobh immigration, Waterford Crystal, Glendalough Farm, and a Traditional Irish concert. 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 three concert performance opportunities. One possible impromptu. All concert arrangements include venue rental and allocation, all necessary concert permits, all pre-concert advertising, and on-site concert assistance Pre-concert rehearsal time, where possible Vox Headsets Scholarship for a hotel in Paris $2000 plus a scholarship for photo contest $750 GALWAY – APRIL 2: Galway Cathedral lit up blue to mark World Autism Awareness day on April 2 2013 in Galway Ireland. What’s Not Included? Extra 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 for Ireland TravelersPriceLand onlyFree Spots80$5299$42998 Based on “Land and Air” out of IAC, accommodating the group in twin/ triple rooms. Piano rental fee: $200 per venue To cover the airfare for 15 chapereones, the price will increase by $360 per person. Payment Deadlines to be determined by MaryAnn and Robin DateAmountFeb. 15, 2027Final payment Sample Venues Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Choir St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin Originally built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin was completed in the late 1100’s and is the largest church in Ireland. The majestic Cathedral stands adjacent to the famous well where, according to legend, Saint Patrick baptized converts on his visit to Dublin. Beautiful stained-glass windows, impressive architecture, and an enormous organ with over 4,000 pipes make this Cathedral one-of-a-kind! Today it is the location for a variety of public national ceremonies. Choir Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church Galway Saint Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, founded in 1320 and granted collegiate status in 1484, is the largest medieval parish church in continuous use in Ireland and has witnessed over 700 years of Galway’s religious and civic history—including a rumored visit by Christopher Columbus in 1477. With its rich acoustics, centuries-old stonework, and central location, it offers a stunning and historically resonant setting for choral performances. Band Choir Orchestra Kylemore Abbey Westport Famed for being Ireland’s most romantic Castle, Kylemore Abbey is the perfect setting for choirs. The adjoining Gothic Church, constructed in 1874, is home of many musical performances, poetry readings and cross-community celebrations throughout the year. The church was built in the style of a miniature cathedral as a memorial to the owners beloved late wife, Mary. Choir Saint Mary’s Church Killarney There is evidence of a church at the site St. Mary’s Church in Killarney as far back as the 1200s. The name of the town itself–Killarney (in Irish: Cill Airne)–means “Church of the Sloes.” Today, St. Mary’s is known for its wonderful acoustics and the beauty of its building. The church regularly hosts concerts of local artists as well as visiting choirs and orchestras from around the world. Hotels Traveling on a performance trip is a moving experience, and our goal is to ensure that all travelers have a life-changing experience. We also know that time is money, and comfort is essential. That’s why, when you’re touring with Encore, you will always stay in well-located, three- or four-star hotels—right in the heart of the destination you came to see. Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway Galway Less than a 20-minute walk from Galway city center, the modern 4-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, free underground parking, and a fine restaurant. The spacious rooms are decorated in warm colors and feature TVs, tea/coffee making facilities, showers, and in-room safes, with baths and fridges available on request. Guests can enjoy a wholesome breakfast and international cuisine in the evenings at the Grain & Grill Bar and Restaurant, which also serves light snacks in a more informal setting. Nearby activities include horse-riding, fishing, and surfing. The hotel is ideally located for exploring Connemara and West Ireland. Learn More Killarney Plaza Hotel And Spa Killarney Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa is a stylish 4-star property set in the center of Killarney, just steps from the town’s shops, pubs, and the entrance to Killarney National Park. The hotel features nearly 200 guestrooms and suites, blending contemporary comfort with traditional charm, and offers amenities such as air conditioning, free WiFi, and flat screen TVs. Guests can enjoy multiple dining options including restaurants, a café, and a bar, while leisure facilities include a full-service spa, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness center. With its prime location, elegant interiors, and extensive wellness offerings, the Killarney Plaza provides an inviting base for exploring Ireland’s southwest. Learn MOre The Tower Hotel Waterford Waterford In the heart of Waterford City, this 4-star hotel offers stunning views of the River Suir and a prime location opposite Reginald’s Tower. Just steps from the House of Waterford Crystal and Waterford Museum of Treasures, it provides easy access to a variety of shops and local attractions. Ideal for exploring South East Ireland, the hotel is a short drive from both Dublin and Rosslare Harbor. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and parking, two restaurants, a riverside bar, and a 66-foot deck-level swimming pool. The leisure and fitness center includes a well-equipped gym and a separate kid’s pool, making it perfect for both relaxation and family fun. Learn More Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Dublin This 4-star hotel, nestled at the foothills of the Dublin mountains, provides the perfect balance between the vibrant city life of Dublin and the serene wilderness of Wicklow. Guests are treated to comfort in meticulously clean and expansive rooms, each equipped with flat screen TVs, plush pillows, cozy duvets, and facilities for making tea and coffee. The hotel also offers guests the opportunity to maintain their fitness routine in the gym, as well as options to dine and unwind at the on-site restaurant and bar. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us