Voices in the Laurel 25th Anniversary Tour

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Thursday June 23: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Friday June 24: Venice Mainland

Benvenuti in Italia! Arrive in Venice, meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel! After check-in, start exploring Venice with your tour manager. This evening, you will enjoy a welcome Italian dinner together before having a good night’s rest. (D)

Day 3, Saturday June 25: Venice Mainland

Known as the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice is an archipelago of 118 different islands carved by nearly 150 canals. It is simply incomparable to any other! Transfer to Venice Island and discover why it is one of the most unique and iconic places in the world. Later today, you will perform your debut concert in Italy; venue options include the Chiesa di San Rocco. Dinner will be together in a restaurant today. (B,D)

Day 4, Sunday June 26: Montecatini

Rise early today and check out of the hotel to visit Verona, a renowned city with a beautiful amphitheater and made famous with Romeo and Juliet. After time exploring and lunch on your own, continue south to Tuscany where you will check into your hotel in Montecatini and have dinner together. (B,D)

Day 5, Monday June 27: Montecatini

Today, you will visit the Renaissance city of Florence. This city is filled with such interesting history, evident from its many famous past residents: Galileo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante Alighieri, and the Medici family! While in Florence, your sightseeing will include entrance to the Galleria dell’Accademia where you can gaze at many significant artistic works, including Michelangelo’s “Il Davide.” The choir will perform its next concert performance today in the Florence area; venue options include Chiesa di San Gaetano or Santa Maria Nera Church in Lucca. Enjoy dinner together in a restaurant tonight. (B,D)

Day 6, Tuesday June 28: Montecatini

Enjoy a full-day excursion through the Tuscan countryside today! You will start by visiting San Gimignano before driving to Mont Oliveto where you will hear the monks perform chant at vespers. Tonight, enjoy a Tuscan dinner at the Abbey of Monte Oliveto before returning to Montecatini for the night. (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday June 29: Rome

Today, continue your journey south through Italy as you travel to the Eternal City and Italian capital of Rome. Stop en route to visit Siena with its famous fan-shaped square, the Piazza del Campo! On arrival in Rome, check into your final hotel and start exploring with your tour manager. Dinner will be together. (B,D) (B,D)

Day 8, Thursday June 30: Rome

Start your day with a visit to the Vatican Museums including a walk through Michelangelo’s magnificent Sistine Chapel. Enjoy lunch on your own and some time at leisure before transferring to St Peter’s Basilica for today's highlight: Pending approval, the choir will participate in the mass at St. Peter's Basilica Rome! Dinner will be together in a restaurant tonight. (B,D)

Day 9, Friday July 1: Rome

This morning, you will see the sites of ancient Rome including entrances to the Colosseum and Imperial Roman Forum. Enjoy some final free time at leisure for shopping this afternoon. On your final evening, you will present your last concert performance of the tour; venue options include Chiesa St Agnes en Agone on the Piazza Navona. Enjoy a farewell dinner together in a restaurant this evening. (B,D)

Day 10, Saturday July 2: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)