Sample Proposal – Julian Edwards

Julian Edwards, Encore Tours Program Consultant

Dear Ethan,

I’m delighted to share this proposal for Central Europe, one of my all-time favorite parts of the world.

Your program has been designed around your group’s artistic goals and travel priorities. With Encore coordinating the details from planning through your return, you can stay focused on your travelers and the experience itself.

Having lived and worked in Europe for many years, I bring firsthand knowledge of these destinations to every conversation. Along the way, our Tour Managers and international support network help keep the program running smoothly.

I would be happy to walk you through the itinerary, pricing and air options and refine any part of the program with you.

Best,
Julian

617-958-9501


Historic Salzburg cityscape

Why Travel with Encore

We guarantee your quoted land rate against currency fluctuations. Airline taxes, airport fees and fuel surcharges included in the program fee reflect the amounts in effect at registration; mandatory new or increased supplier charges may still apply under the applicable Encore Terms and Conditions.

Encore groups are generally accompanied by a professional Tour Manager who stays with the group and coordinates daily logistics, hotel check-ins, meals, transportation and itinerary timing while providing destination insight and on-tour support.

Every traveler is automatically enrolled in our Basic Protection Plan. For travelers seeking enhanced on-tour and cancellation protection, the optional Ultimate and Ultimate-Plus plans provide expanded benefits. For 2027 international programs, both upgraded plans allow cancellation for any reason up to four days before departure, subject to plan terms and less the non-refundable cost of the plan itself; Ultimate-Plus refunds are issued in cash, while Ultimate refunds may combine cash and a transferable travel voucher.

As part of the AIFS group, Encore carries $50 million in general liability coverage. Encore also shares the coverage available under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program with affiliates of the American Council for International Studies. The USTOA program is designed to protect eligible advance customer payments in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business, subject to the program’s terms and limits.

International groups registering 30 or more participants may qualify for a complimentary five-day trip for two to Paris or London that can be used as a fundraising prize. Eligibility, travel dates, inclusions and the group’s responsibility to comply with local raffle and tax rules are subject to the current program details.

View the 2027 International Fundraiser Info Sheet

Qualifying ensemble leaders and one guest may attend Prelude, Encore’s annual international professional-development experience. Qualification is based on current registration deadlines and paying-passenger thresholds, and space is subject to availability.

Encore supports group billing or individual billing based on your program setup. Individually billed participants can manage their accounts online and may be eligible for the Automatic Payment Plan, which offers flexible payment frequencies and may extend the final payment date to approximately 45 days before departure. Manual-plan balances are generally due 130 days before departure.

Encore’s overseas infrastructure and emergency number connect travelers to an international support network 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our U.S.-based and international teams coordinate before, during and after the program to support the group and respond when plans change.

Ensemble directors may be eligible to earn up to three graduate-level professional-development credits through tour participation or Prelude. Requirements and acceptance vary, so directors should review the current program information and confirm eligibility with their school district.

This proposal is a planning summary. Program inclusions, fees and protection benefits are subject to the applicable 2027 Encore Terms and Conditions and 2027 Protection Plan details.

Tour Inclusions

  • Round-trip economy-class airfare from Tampa
  • Airport and airline taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges reflected in the current quote
  • Accommodations at conveniently located three- and four-star hotels
    • 2 nights Berlin
    • 2 nights Leipzig
    • 2 nights Prague
    • 2 nights Salzburg
    • 2 nights Vienna
    • 2 nights Budapest
  • Twin-room occupancy
  • Breakfast daily
  • Lunches and dinners as indicated in the itinerary
  • All sightseeing, admissions and upgraded meals listed in the itinerary, including:
    • Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin
    • Berlin street art workshop
    • Berlin Philharmonic ticket up to a value of €75
    • GRASSI Museum, Leipzig
    • Green Vault, Dresden
    • Semperoper tour, Dresden
    • Mucha Museum, Prague
    • National Gallery Prague
    • Estates Theatre, Prague
    • Hohensalzburg Fortress and round-trip funicular
    • Hallstatt salt mines and cable car
    • Sound of Music tour, Salzburg
    • House of Music, Vienna
    • Belvedere, Vienna
    • Esterházy Palace and Haydn Church
    • Liszt Academy tour, Budapest
    • Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest
    • Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest
    • Hungarian State Opera ticket up to a value of €75
  • Private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoaches and drivers
  • Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout the program (one per motorcoach)
  • Standard gratuities for the Tour Manager and motorcoach drivers
  • Vox headsets
Historic Vienna architecture
Prague illuminated at night

What’s Not Included

  • Airline baggage and instrument-handling fees
  • Specific airline seat assignments or upgrades
  • New or increased mandatory airline taxes, fees or fuel surcharges imposed after registration
  • Meals and beverages not listed in the itinerary
  • Passport and visa costs, personal expenses and transportation to and from the departure airport

Compare the Air

Encore prefers to quote a complete Land & Air program so you can evaluate the full trip cost, not just the land arrangements.

Current fuel surcharge allowance included in this proposal: $[INSERT CURRENT FUEL SURCHARGE ALLOWANCE] per traveler.
Program Price Round-trip group airfare and currently quoted airline taxes, fees, and fuel surcharge are included.
Flight Disruption Support Encore’s Flights and Operations teams coordinate with the airline and our local partners to help manage a group-wide response.
Where Encore Services Begin With the group’s scheduled departure.
Program Price Encore provides an adjusted land-only price; travelers purchase their own air.
Flight Disruption Support Travelers manage their own rebooking, costs, and ground transportation to the first hotel.
Where Encore Services Begin When travelers join the group at the first program hotel.

When Encore arranges your group’s flights, you are not left to coordinate a group-wide response alone. If a cancellation or significant delay affects the group, our Flights and Operations teams work with the airline and local partners to identify the best available routing. When circumstances require, we also coordinate changes to transfers, hotels, meals, and scheduled activities, with the goal of keeping the group moving and preserving as much of the program as possible.

Coverage or payment of disruption-related costs is not guaranteed. Additional meals, lodging, transportation, airline charges, and itinerary costs depend on airline and supplier policies, the applicable 2027 Encore Terms and Conditions, and the participant’s selected protection plan. All 2027 protection plan levels include travel-delay benefits for qualifying delays, subject to the plan’s conditions and limits.

A No Air Fare option may be available for this program. Travelers selecting it arrange and pay for their own round-trip flights and transportation to the first hotel. Encore’s program services begin when they join the group. Please review the 2027 Terms and Conditions for eligibility, deadlines, change fees, and other requirements.

24/7 A worldwide duty officer is always available to you and your group, day or night, throughout your program.

Compare the Air

Encore prefers to quote a complete Land & Air program so you can evaluate the full trip cost, not just the land arrangements. Your quoted program fee includes the airline taxes, fees and fuel surcharge reflected in our current estimate.

Current fuel surcharge allowance included in this proposal: $[INSERT CURRENT FUEL SURCHARGE ALLOWANCE] per traveler.

Encore-Arranged Group AirNo Air Fare (Land Only)
Program price: Round-trip group airfare and currently quoted airline taxes, fees and fuel surcharge are included.Program price: Encore provides an adjusted land-only price; travelers purchase their own air.
Flight disruption support: Encore’s Flights and Operations teams coordinate with the airline and our local partners to help manage a group-wide response.Flight disruption support: Travelers manage their own rebooking, costs and ground transportation to the first hotel.
Where Encore services begin: With the group’s scheduled departure.Where Encore services begin: When travelers join the group at the first program hotel.

If Flights Are Disrupted

When Encore arranges your group’s flights, you are not left to coordinate a group-wide response alone. If a cancellation or significant delay affects the group, our Flights and Operations teams work with the airline and local partners to identify the best available routing. When circumstances require, we also coordinate changes to transfers, hotels, meals and scheduled activities, with the goal of keeping the group moving and preserving as much of the program as possible.

Coverage or payment of disruption-related costs is not guaranteed. Additional meals, lodging, transportation, airline charges and itinerary costs depend on airline and supplier policies, the applicable 2027 Encore Terms and Conditions and the participant’s selected protection plan. All 2027 protection plan levels include travel-delay benefits for qualifying delays, subject to the plan’s conditions and limits.

Choosing Land Only

A No Air Fare option may be available for this program. Travelers selecting it arrange and pay for their own round-trip flights and transportation to the first hotel. Encore’s program services begin when they join the group. Please review the 2027 Terms and Conditions for eligibility, deadlines, change fees and other requirements.

Pricing Options

Paying TravelersPrice per PersonComplimentary Places
1 per 10 paying
35$7,1793
30$7,3393
25$7,5792

Land & Air package departing Tampa, based on twin-room occupancy. Prices include the taxes, fees and fuel surcharge reflected in the current quote and are subject to the applicable 2027 Encore Terms and Conditions.

Proposed Payment Schedule

DateAmount
August 31, 2026$200
September 30, 2026$1,000
October 31, 2026$1,000
November 30, 2026$1,000
December 31, 2026$1,000
January 27, 2027Remaining balance

This schedule is a proposal and will be confirmed with the group’s billing setup. Automatic Payment Plan participants may have a different schedule.

Sample Venues

Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant.

St. Hedwig’s Cathedral

Berlin

Designed after the well-known Pantheon in Rome, Hedwig’s Cathedral was built in response to the increase in Catholic immigrants into Berlin after the Protestant Reformation in the 18th century. 200 years later, after the notorious Jewish persecution known as Kristallnacht in November of 1938, the bishop of the cathedral prayed publicly for all of the Jews. He was subsequently jailed and died before arriving at his destintion—a concentration camp. His remains were transferred back to the church where they were placed in the famous tomb which can be found inside.

Tabor Kirche

Leipzig

Regularly hosting concerts with an audience capacity of 300, this beautiful protestant church in Leipzig is a perfect performance venue for small orchestras and choirs. The church was built in the neo-Romanesque style as a three-aisled pillar basilica without side galleries according to the forms of the 11th century. The churches two towers – 50 meters high – underline the monumental effect of the building. One tower is intended as a lookout while the other houses a clock and bells.

Rudolfinum

Prague

This beautiful Neo-Renaissance Hall in the heart of Prague is one of the oldest concert halls in Europe. Built in the late 1800’s, the structure contributed greatly to the development of Czechoslovakia as it housed the seat of the state parliment during the world wars. Today it is home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, many classical concerts, and is one of the main venues of the Prague Spring International Music Festival. It’s excellent acoustics make it a wonderful venue for symphony orchestras.

Sample Hotels

Comfort and location matter on a performance tour. Encore prioritizes well-located three- and four-star hotels that give your group convenient access to the destinations you came to experience. The properties shown here are representative examples; final hotels are confirmed closer to departure and may change based on availability.

H2 Hotel Berlin-Alexanderplatz

Berlin

H2 Hotel Berlin-Alexanderplatz offers a stylish and convenient stay in the heart of Berlin, just steps from the iconic Alexanderplatz. Designed for modern comfort, the hotel features bright, contemporary rooms, a 24-hour grab-and-go bistro, and an inviting atmosphere ideal for groups exploring the city’s rich musical and cultural scene. With easy access to top performance venues, historic landmarks, and vibrant nightlife, it provides a seamless experience for travelers looking to make the most of their time in Berlin.

IntercityHotel Leipzig

Leipzig

Located in the lively center of Leipzig, IntercityHotel Leipzig is perfectly situated just a short walk from Leipzig Train Station, offering easy access to the city’s top attractions. Whether you’re visiting the iconic St. Thomas’s and St. Nicholas’s Churches, both within a 15-minute walk, or exploring the nearby Leipzig Zoo, half a mile away, you’ll find everything within reach. The hotel features comfortable rooms with free WiFi, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to experience the best of Leipzig’s culture and convenience.

Occidental Praha Five

Prague

The 4-star Occidental Praha Five is perfectly located for exploring Prague, near the historic district and just steps from Novy Smichov shopping center and Andel metro station for easy city access. It offers 134 modern, comfortable rooms, facilities for small events, dining options, and a fitness studio with a sauna. Ideal for both tourists and business travelers looking to experience Prague’s culture and music scene.

ARCOTEL Castellani

Salzburg

This 4-star accommodation offers a blend of comfort and elegance against a stunning mountain backdrop. Conveniently located close to the bustling old town of Salzburg, it provides an ideal starting point for those keen to explore the city. Known for its attention to detail and the friendly, helpful nature of its hosts, the establishment feels like a welcoming home away from home. On-site, guests can enjoy the tranquility of peaceful gardens, a chapel, and the amenities of a restaurant and bar, all designed to enhance the stay.

Max Brown Hotel 7th District

Vienna

Max Brown 7th District is a stylish four-star boutique hotel located in Vienna’s lively Neubau neighborhood, an area known for its independent shops, restaurants and creative energy. The hotel’s individually designed rooms combine vintage-inspired furnishings with modern comforts, creating a relaxed and residential atmosphere. Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, bar, garden and complimentary Wi-Fi. The MuseumsQuartier, Mariahilfer Strasse and Vienna’s historic center are all easily accessible by public transportation, making the hotel a comfortable and characterful base for exploring the city.

Mercure Budapest Castle Hill

Budapest

Located in Budapest’s historic Castle District, this 4-star hotel offers modern comfort and authentic experiences. With 250 newly renovated rooms, guests enjoy tranquility and convenience just moments from the city center. Explore Budapest’s vibrant streets and rich history from this welcoming base.

Have questions or want to refine the itinerary, pricing or air options? Julian would be happy to review the proposal with you.

Customize Your Tour

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