Dear Michelle, I’m delighted to introduce our proposal for the Companion tour to Italy. As always your travel experience is completely personalized to meet your musical goals and travel desires; our service will be utterly seamless, and your peace of mind totally assured thanks to our price guarantees and our industry-leading protection plans. And what truly sets your Encore experience apart from any other? Maybe it’s our world-leading tour managers who bring every destination to life and handle the tiniest detail. Of course it could also be our meticulous planning, personal attention and comprehensive support before, during and after your tour! Being permanently based in Europe gives me a unique perspective on the destination, and there’s no substitute for having experienced it personally! Whatever you need, an Encore tour transcends the ordinary and gives you a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Let Encore Tours make your dream performance tour a reality! Let’s talk soon!Julian 617 958 9501 View your tripsite here 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 Peace of mind comes standard when you travel with Encore. Every traveler is automatically enrolled in our Basic Protection Plan, which includes medical coverage while on tour and limited trip interruption benefits—so you’re covered if the unexpected happens. For those who want even more flexibility and confidence in their plans, our Ultimate and Ultimate-Plus Protection Plans offer expanded medical coverage, greater trip interruption benefits, and the ability to cancel for any reason up to four days before departure and receive a full refund. 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. Domestic Fundraiser Info Sheet 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 Airport and airline taxes, and current fuel surcharges Accommodations at conveniently located 4-star hotels 4 nights Montecatini 3 nights Rome Rooming in twin room occupancy Breakfast daily Welcome dinner at hotel and farewell dinner with PGC All sightseeing, entrances as per itinerary Private wine-estate tour and tasting Guide services in Florence and Rome Accademia entrance Puccini’s House Colosseum/Roman Forum Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver/s Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program (1 per bus) Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers Reserved seats at PGC’s concerts Vox Headsets (European tours only) What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Specific seat assignments/allocations on flights Any meals not listed in your itinerary Printed programs for the concerts Pricing Options # of payingPrice perperson20$5,93925$5,63930$5,299 Based on “Land and Air” out of Philadelphia accommodating the group in twin rooms Payment Deadlines DateAmountSep 30, 2027$200Oct 31, 2027$1,000Nov 30, 2027$1,000Dec 31, 2027$1,000Jan 30, 2027$1,000Feb 15, 2027Balance due Provisional suggestion only, subject to further discussion Sample 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. Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale Montecatini Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale is an elegant four-star property located in the spa town of Montecatini Terme, offering classic Tuscan hospitality in a refined setting. Family-owned for generations, the hotel features beautifully decorated interiors with antique furnishings, a spacious lobby, and inviting lounges that reflect old-world charm. Guests can enjoy comfortable rooms, a seasonal outdoor pool, and traditional Tuscan cuisine at the on-site restaurant. With its central location near Montecatini’s thermal baths and easy access to Florence, Pisa, and Lucca, the Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale is an ideal base for Encore Tours travelers exploring Tuscany. Learn More Grand Hotel Tiberio Rome This modern and chic four-star establishment is set in a tranquil residential neighborhood. Elegantly adorned, it’s positioned less than a mile from Vatican City, the site of the acclaimed Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. The location benefits from excellent access to public transportation, including the Metro, buses, and local FM3 railway services, making all of Rome’s prime attractions readily accessible. The hotel features a sophisticated lobby bar and the spacious restaurant “Le Terrazze di Tiberio.” If you’re looking to relax, head to the 6th-floor terrace to enjoy breathtaking views of St. Peter’s Dome and Monte Mario. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us