Hello Shoko and Yair! It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve carefully curated for your trip to the Historic and culturally rich countries of Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. 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. 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 Flights departing from San Francisco flying into Sofia and out of Budapest including all current airport and airline taxes, and fuel surcharges Accommodations in 4-star well located hotels in twin and double rooms Breakfast at your hotel and dinners at local restaurants every evening All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program (One per Motorcoach) Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers Organization, and pre-concert advertisement for all Concerts Entrances to all sites and museums listed in the itinerary Vox Headets All expected Concert Costs and Venue Rentals as suggested in the itinerary are included Estimated costs for use of concert grand pianos at all four concert venues Please note that this pricing does not include any instrumental rental other than use of on-site pianos and does not include the use of extra transportation for land instruments on land What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Extra Ground Transportation of Large Musical Instruments or other Performance Equipment Any meals not listed in your itinerary Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights Pricing Options Travelers #2 Free Spots 3 Free Spots100-120Air and Land: $6479Land Only: $4699Air and Land: $6499 Land Only: $473990-100Air and Land: $6599Land Only: $4839Air and Land: $6679Land Only: $489920 Based on “Land and Air” out of San Francisco flying into Sofia and out of Budapest. No Airfare/Land Only prices also available. 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 Vigado Concert Hall Budapest Vigado Concert Hall is the second largest concert hall in Budapest. Created in a truly Hungarian style, it opened its doors in 1865 as a house for concerts, exhibitions, balls, dance evenings and other events. It’s location in the heart of the city makes it a wonderful venue for attracting large enthusiastic audiences. Orchestra Bulgaria Hall Sofia Bulgaria Hall is the primary concert venue in Sofia and home to the Sofia Philharmonic, located just off Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard in the city center. The hall features a traditional shoebox design with solid acoustics suited for full orchestra and wind ensemble, and typically accommodates around 1,000 guests. It is a practical and proven venue for touring groups, though local promotion is key to building a full audience. Band Choir Orchestra NDK Cinema Hall Sofia The NDK Cinema Hall is part of the National Palace of Culture, Sofia’s largest events complex, and serves as a flexible alternative performance space when Bulgaria Hall is unavailable. It offers a more modern, multi-purpose setup with adaptable staging and technical capabilities, though it lacks the acoustic refinement and prestige of a dedicated concert hall. Band Choir Orchestra Sala Radio Bucharest Sala Radio, also known as the Mihail Jora Concert Studio, is Bucharest’s main symphonic hall, opened in 1961 and operated by the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company. With 941 seats, it is Romania’s largest venue dedicated to symphonic and choral music and the only one equipped for live digital-quality recording. It is home to the National Radio Orchestra and hosts the RadiRo Festival, the world’s only international festival for radio symphony orchestras. Renowned for its acoustics, it is ideal for orchestral and choral performances. Orchestra Filarmonica Banatul Timișoara Timișoara The Banatul Philharmonic Hall in Timișoara is a well-established concert venue located in the city’s central cultural district, regularly hosting the resident orchestra and visiting ensembles. The hall offers good acoustics for symphonic performance and a capacity in the 800–1,000 range, making it a strong regional venue with reliable audience potential and a more authentic local concert experience than larger capital-city halls. Show All 6 Venues Show Less Band Choir Orchestra Franz Liszt Academy of Music Budapest The Franz Liszt Music Academy is not only a music hall, but also a renowned architectural jewel in the beautiful city of Budapest. It was founded on November 14, 1875 and is home to the Liszt Collection, which features several valuable books and manuscripts donated by Franz Liszt upon his death. Performing in this gorgeous hall is an unforgettable experience. Payment Deadlines DateAmountSeptember 30, 2026$200October 30, 2026$750November 30, 2026$2,500January 15, 2027$2,500Final BalanceFebruary 15, 2027 Hotels Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center Sofia The Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center, a 4-star hotel, offers modern comfort and convenience in the heart of Sofia, just a short walk from the city’s historic landmarks and vibrant shopping districts. With spacious rooms, an on-site restaurant serving international and Bulgarian cuisine, and a spa and wellness center, the hotel provides a relaxing retreat for travelers. Its indoor pool, fitness facilities, and conference spaces make it an excellent choice for both leisure and business guests. Conveniently located near Sofia Central Railway Station and within easy reach of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Serdica ruins, the hotel is a great base for exploring the city. Learn More 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. Learn More Union Plaza Hotel & Sky Bar Bucharest Union Plaza Hotel & Sky Bar is a modern hotel located just outside Bucharest’s historic center, offering convenient access to the Old Town and major performance venues. The property features contemporary rooms, strong group capacity, and on-site dining including a rooftop sky bar with city views. Its layout and amenities make it a reliable option for touring ensembles, with good logistical flow for arrivals, departures, and daily touring. Learn More Hotel Timișoara Timișoara Hotel Timișoara is a centrally located property overlooking Victory Square, placing groups within walking distance of the city’s main cultural sites and performance venues. The hotel offers modern accommodations, on-site dining, and strong capacity for groups, making it a practical base for touring ensembles with easy access for daily sightseeing and concert logistics. Learn More Venues