Dear Jean-Marie and Danielle, I’m so delighted to be able to introduce you to my native United Kingdom (especially Wales!) and to guide you through the fully customized and updated itinerary that we’ve designed for your possible performance tour incorporating the Llangollen Festival 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 guaranteed prices without surcharge or supplement and our industry-leading protection plans. And what truly sets your Encore experience apart from any other? Maybe it’s our spectacular venues, handpicked for their ability to enchant and engage, coupled with guaranteed audiences to elevate every performance. Or 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-country 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 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 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. 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 Airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges Accommodations at conveniently located 3-star hotels: 2 nights Edinburgh 2 nights Oban 1 night Glasgow 3 nights Llangollen Festival (provided by the Festival) Breakfast and dinner daily (may be replaced with lunch to adapt to your itinerary All sightseeing and entrances as per itinerary Guided tour and separate ghost walk in Edinburgh Piper Workshop in Edinburgh Stirling Castle Loch Lomond boat trip Ferries to/from Isle of Mull and Iona Ceilidh folk dance evening Beatles Museum in Liverpool Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches and drivers Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program (1 per bus) Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers Arrangements for 2 concert performance opportunities, plus 1 church service participation Participation in the Llangollen International Eisteddfodd including competition and registration fees Rental of an electronic keyboard or piano where required 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 What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Specific seat assignments/allocations on flights Instrument and sheet music stands Any meals not listed in your itinerary Printed programs for the concerts Pricing Options PayingTravelersNo of BusesPriceFree Spots501$5,6994602$5,8994702$5,7794 Based on “Land and Air” out of SEA accommodating the group in twin and triple rooms Payment Deadlines DateAmountMay 31, 2025$500July 31, 2025$1,000September 15, 2025$1,000November 31, 2025$1,000Jan 15, 2026$1,000Feb 20, 2026Balance due Provisional suggestion only, subject to further discussion Sample Performance Venues Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Choir St. Giles’ Cathedral Edinburgh Sometimes regarded as the mother church of Presbyterianism, this 900 year-old cathedral (or the High Kirk) is a prominent feature of the Edinburgh skyline. Dedicated to St. Giles’, the patron saint of Edinburgh, the cathedral is one of Scotland’s most important and prominent historic buildings. Five services are held every Sunday, as well as daily and special services. Choir Jordanhill Parish Church Glasgow Jordanhill Parish Church, in Glasgow’s west end, has a history dating back to 1854, when it began as Hillhead Free Church. The congregation moved to its current building in 1905 after structural issues with its original location. Over time, the church’s name evolved with shifts in Scotland’s religious landscape, becoming Jordanhill Parish Church in 1979. Rich in history, it remains a cherished part of the community. Band Choir Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Llangollen The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a world-renowned cultural festival that has been held annually since 1947. This vibrant festival hosts performances from international choirs, dancers, and musicians, all competing and celebrating global arts and music. The main stage is an impressive outdoor pavilion, set against the backdrop of the scenic Dee Valley, creating an inspiring atmosphere for both performers and audiences. The venue also features a range of smaller stages and spaces for workshops, parades, and exhibitions. 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. The Scholar Edinburgh The Scholar is a stylish 4-star hotel set within Edinburgh’s peaceful Pollock Estate, just minutes from Arthur’s Seat and the Royal Mile. Recently refurbished, it features 72 modern rooms with rainfall showers, luxury bedding, and in-room coffee and tea. Guests can enjoy locally sourced cuisine at The Brasserie, relax in the garden dining area, and take advantage of free Wi-Fi and on-site parking. Operated by the University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, it offers a quiet, comfortable base close to the heart of the city. Learn More Muthu Alexandra Hotel Oban The Muthu Alexandra Hotel in Oban, Scotland, is a historic Victorian property offering stunning views of Oban Bay and the island of Kerrera. Located along the scenic Corran Esplanade, the hotel combines traditional charm with modern comforts, making it a welcoming base for performance tour groups. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms—many with sea views—an on-site restaurant, a heated indoor pool, and easy access to local attractions like McCaig’s Tower and Oban Distillery. With free Wi-Fi, parking, and a prime coastal location, it’s a great choice for ensembles exploring Scotland’s west coast. obLearn More Maldron Hotel Glasgow City Glasgow This modern 4-star property in the heart of Glasgow offers stylish accommodations within easy walking distance of the city’s top attractions, including George Square and Buchanan Street. Guests will enjoy spacious rooms with contemporary amenities, a vibrant on-site restaurant, and excellent transport links nearby, making it an ideal base for both business and leisure travelers. The property also features a well-equipped fitness center and meeting facilities, ensuring comfort and convenience during your stay in Scotland’s cultural capital. Learn more Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us